The Grill on the Alley

Staff consistently demonstrates the highest level of professionalism found in the south bay. You rarely find the level of service by bar tenders, servers, and the management team these days. They all take their jobs seriously. Combined with the excellent menu and food makes for a very enjoyable experience.

This place is a family favorite and we have spent several holidays (Thanksgiving/​Christmas) dining here. Last night I went in at the last minute and ate in the bar solo. Had a petite filet and grilled asparagus. Last week I ordered the same thing in Manhattan at Keen’s Steakhouse. The Grill on the Alley’s food was BETTER. The Grill’s filet had a wonderful ‘bark’ and was perfectly seasoned.

Both Natasha and Michael were absolutely amazing. Not only were they amazingly on top of their game but they were super personable and attentive. I can not express enough the vast difference between the experience we had here vs. The establishment across the street. Highly recommended.

The Grill on the Alley is conveniently located about 10 – 15 minutes walking distance from SJSU. Decided to go here after my boyfriend’s graduation and did not know what to expect. This restaurant is more casual at the front area, but towards the back of the restaurant, it is actually more upscale and more romantic. Since my boyfriend and I were dressed up, the waiter sat us at the back of the restaurant. The waiter was very attentive and was very polite. My boyfriend had the ahi tuna tacos and I had their Santa Fe chicken wraps. They were both delicious! We also had the lobster bisque soup and the caesar salad as starters; they were both delicious as well. Loved everything here and will be back to try more of their items.

I absolutely love the scallops. Cooked perfectly every time. I love the creamed spinach and the bread and the wine list is extensive and wonderful.

This is for their happy hour menu. Drink were pretty good and food was excellent. Drink was with adequate alcohol hence it was pretty good. Happy hour menu has diff variation.
Main course: get the ribeye. It is so juicy due to the fat. The filet is somewhat dry. Taste wise, you’re better off with the ribeye.

Fantastic! I love everything at the grill on the alley. The drinks are fantastic and the vibe is very nice.

Background: came for my dad’s birthday. Our service was great by our host. Atmosphere is what my old-​man likes, (large booth, dark oak interior)
Average: Food and menu. It claims to be a steakhouse, but the steak left very little to be desired. Maybe I’m spoiled by other «melt in your mouth» steak or prime rib from HoPR. The menu had other classic American dishes such as pasta or calamari. But I just want something more exciting than that.
Pros: Happy hour/​discounted prices and fun downtown location/​atmosphere.
Overall, the food is good, but a bit costly on what it is actually being delivered.

I have been here a few times over the years, and they used to be a little bit better with their signature dish — «Braised Short Ribs».
It was really disappointing to see that the Braised Short Ribs are now «boneless». This seems really common nowadays, but I really wish that if restaurants are going to serve «boneless» Short Ribs, then they should say so on the menu, and perhaps even refer them to «chuck steak, chuck meat, or pot roast,» instead of just referring to them as «Short Ribs».
Isn’t the whole reason to order Short Ribs — to get the ribs? That is the part that exudes the most flavor! In the past, The Grill would serve REAL short ribs with the BONE-​IN, however, I know the trend, so I had to ask… and yes, they said that they were «boneless», which was super disappointing because that was my ONLY reason for going there!
Service was pretty good, but the delivery was a little too canned. Unfortunately, not sure I’d come back.
I used to know Philippe Azoulay, the General Manager here at this location. Whenever I saw him at the Grill, there was just something about his ebullient and sincere personality that just floated around everywhere — and I miss that.

My friends and I go for dancing at the lounge but we order our drinks from the restaurant bar as the staff is friendlier and makes great drinks. For a while they had Key Lime Martiinis which we savored alas they stopped making them however the last time we were there we were told they no longer make them but Dereck was nearby and heard our disappointment, he quickly went to the pantry and brough some of the ingredients and made some for us .What service! I command Drake for his service and knowledge of this wonderful drink! Keep up the good hospitality guys! We’ll soon be back! Thank you for great service and your smiles!

This restaurant was not worth the price. We chose this restaurant as one of our diners was gluten-​free and this restaurant offered a gluten-​free menu. That was the only plus. The service was a disappointment. One lady said she would be our server with a man helping her, however we never saw her again after she introduced us. Two of the meals were to accompany barbecued broccoli, however there was none on the plates. The chicken and shrimp suppers were both exceptionally dry and left on the plate. The beef was fatty and very disappointing. Tragic to say, the highlight was the pureed potatoes.

I went here for my birthday last year and had an amazing meal. I order a filet done medium, a baked potato as the side, and some whiskey. The steak was nicely seasoned, cooked to perfection, and delicious. The service was great and the atmosphere quiet. Next time I seek a steak dinner I will definitely head here!

To be fair, everyone who got a red meat dish (steak, lamb, A.K.A. what they’re better known for) raved about it – tender and seasoned really well with delicious sauces.
However, a colleague got the brick chicken and I got pan fried John Dory special and were quite disappointed.
The brick chicken was a $ 32 chicken breast split in two, grilled, then finished in the oven with a brick on top. It was super tough and chewy and my colleague sent it back to the kitchen.
My $ 36 pan friend John Dory was overcooked and also had a tough texture, and the butter shallot sauce had a very simple flavor profile that was overpowered by the butter.
The grilled broccoli side that accompanies the entrees was tasty and lightly seasoned with parmesan, but it was also very basic given the cost of the food (supremely overpriced, if you ask me).
The ahi tuna tartare appetizer had a very fishy taste and we left half of it untouched.
In my opinion, The Grill on the Alley is overpriced and the experience is not worth the money.

I had my wisdom tooth pulled out last week so I only had the losber bisque and crab cakes. The lobster bique was a little too creamy for my taste. I know I am on a soft food diet but I did not enjoy drinking my calories in cream and salt.
The crab cakes was yummy! Lumps of crab with barely any breadcrumbs. (I hate breadcrumbs) Suzzie approves! *Thumbs up*
Mushrooms were good, Brussels sprouts were good, lobster mashed potatoes is a firm no for me.
My friend ordered the Tomahawk, it was huge but not as good as the other places around the area. Arcadia has a nicer décor, yummy steaks and a lobster pot pie that they put in the shape of a lobster.

We went here on New Years eve and it was packed they weren’t even accepting walk-​ins, so I would highly recommend making reservations. We decided to get our food to go, since we couldn’t get a table.
We both got the New York steak medium and sides of mashed potatoes. The meat was cooked perfectly and melted in your mouth. The mashed potatoes were also perfect, they weren’t mushy and had great flavor.
It is a bit pricey, but well worth it for a special occasion

Excellent customer service !!
We came here on Xmas eve for dinner, 6 mins before closing time. The host told us the kitchen is closing up for the night but we’re hungry & insisted we’ll make a quick order.
He went to the kitchen and asked staffs to set up the table for us 4. Good job host !!
Steak — tasty & tender. Combine with red wine & finished up with chocolate cake dessert.
Fast, attentive excellent service, maybe they wanted us to finish up & be out of the door quick :)

My husband and I have been to the Grill on the Alley twice and both times were fairly memorable, for good reason. The food is delicious and the service is excellent — especially so, considering this is a place we would only really come on a «get whatever you want» occasion.
I have considered making a solo trip for the lobster mashed potatoes several times since our last visit — lil’ mama doesn’t like to share her lobster mash.

I really want to love this place but the rapacious pricing and subpar food forces me to give this place 3 stars.
First order of business is the wine list, it is WAY WAY overpriced. I was embarrassed when I selected a bottle that was the cheapest on the Cab list, but the only wine that seemed reasonably priced. NOT COOL for making me feel cheap ordering a decent wine. I know wine & even when someone else is paying I will not pay 3x.
There were 5 of us & everyone (except me) ordered steak & sides.
No one was asked us how the food was. For $ 100/​person dinners you should ASK — MULTIPLE times. My filet salad was awful. Only when it was getting cleared & it was apparent that I didn’t eat any of it, did someone notice I couldn’t eat it.
I hope this place will start living up to the price point.

Was going to see a show at the San Jose center for performing arts and needed a quick bit. The grill is about a 5min walk from there and has happy hour til 7 so we stopped in. There was room in the bar around 6:45 and we were promptly waited in which was great for our time constraint. Orders the ahi tacos, truffle fries and a strawberry mule and French quarter cocktail. The ahi tacos were full of flavor (only two small tacos on happy hour) the ahi was seared and paired with avocado, cilantro and cabbage (shell was a little stale). The truffle fries were AMAZING! I didn’t try the strawberry mule, but my friend said it was yummy, the French quarter however was pretty good, tasted like cinnamon. I will come by again if I’m ever in the neighborhood. It is an upscale restaurant, so happy hour is not very cheap.

One of the best steakhouses in San Jose! They have excellent, friendly service, high-​quality drinks, and great food that will exceed your expectations. We came early on a Friday night, and basically had the place to ourselves. I highly recommend their Sidecar cocktail, the Lobster bisque (to die for!), the tres leche dessert, and all the steaks they offer! Great portions, a dark, romantic atmosphere, and team service make this a solid, upscale options for any special event or romantic date. My husband and I will return!