Grill on the Alley

06/27/2008 Posted by lsechres

We decided to try Grill on the Alley even though we'd had a really bad experience a few years back. Maybe it had changed. We had reservations and we were seated at the round table just as you walk into the restaurant. My father and husband were being bumped by the staff since they were sitting right in front of the bus station and we were right in the middle of traffic. We asked to move. Our first mistake. We should have left. They wouldn't move us, even though the restaurant was half empty, since they said we wouldn't fit in a booth, 4 adults with 1 small child so we thought we would try ordering. After 20 minutes they took our drink order. We should have left. It took another 20 minutes to bring it. We finished our drinks, we're not offered a refresher and our first course of food showed up an hour after we were seated. We should have left. We ended up spending over 2 hours, $500 bucks, talking to the manager, being snubbed by the staff, packing up most of our dinner (since it was sooo late) and having a terrible experience. - Being natives of the Silicon Valley, we'll now recommend many other restaurants for families, celebrations and fine dining in the Silicon Valley

03/14/2008 Posted by LaVoies

Ambiance nice upon arrival. Super quick service as soon as we sat down, but then that slowed down quickly. Found hair in butter that came with bread. Complained, got new butter ?! After sticker shock from the menu, I expected perfection! $42.50 for small filet mignon, $61.50 for a rib eye. Average taste. Could have done better myself at home. Tummy is wrecked right now, & has been for past 45 mins. Dessert (carrot cake) was ok. Wine of choice, which was on the menu, they didn't have. Ordered second choice. It was ok. Service was ok. By no means enough to make up fo all that the food lacked.

Pros: Nice restaraunt to look at.

Cons: Price, quality of steak and poor service

12/31/2007 Posted by bebabs57

The food was good, but not outstanding. Service was good. We had seafood, chicken, and steak. The chicken was not very flavorful. The other food was good. We felt that the restaurant was very overpriced.

Pros: Steak was good

Cons: over priced

02/02/2007 Posted by lanissabella

The best restaurant in downtown San Jose by far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The best steaks and the best service we've seen!

Pros: the steak are the best in the silicon valley

Cons: none

01/26/2007 Posted by wolfgang10

The Grill on the Alley has to be the best restaurant in the silicon valley, no where else can you receive great food and incredible service all the time. We've been going there for years and the food is always perfectly cooked. The wine list is to die for and the wait staff is always spot on. We tell all our friends that they have to go to The Grill if they want the best!!! The chef is a god with steaks!!!!!!!!

Pros: incredible food

Cons: none

10/13/2006 Posted by cingra

I would recommend that NO ONE go to this restaurant due to its poor customer service. I was staying in the Fairmont and ordered pick up. I was transferred to the bar where they took my order and was told that it would be ready in 10 minutes. Just to be safe I didn't go to the restaurant until about 20 minutes later. Got there and was told my order was not ready. I sat patiently for 10 more minutes then went to ask about my order. The bartender said he would go check on the order and was gone for another 10 minutes. He came back to apologize and tell me that the order was put in late and they were still making it. I wait for another 10 minutes then ask again. Still nothing. Finally I see the bartender speaking to the restaurant manager and I overhear him say that he FORGOT to put in the order and messed up. I wait for another 15 minutes and finally my food comes. The restaurant manager comes by with my food and apologizes for the delay and I ask what the problem was. Her exact words were "the restaurant was a bit busy tonight" and did not offer me any compensation for my wait. I can forgive a mistake but I do not tolerate being lied to. In addition some sort of compensation should be made for a customer waiting over 40 minutes for their $60+ dinner. PLUS by the time I got the food it was cold. DO NOT GO TO THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!

Pros: Proximity to Fairmont

Cons: Lying staff, poor customer service, bad food.

03/06/2006 Posted by jerm98

I've had the peppercorn filet mignon (on the bone) *twice*, and it is the best steak I've had. Service is excellent, and the ambiance is great (if you like the steak-and-martini hotel-restaurant setting). Prices are a bit high for San Jose, but well in line for what you get.

Pros: Peppercorn filet, Service, Ambiance

02/16/2006 Posted by stellarlisa

I have been to the Grill on three occaisions. The food is less than fabulous and I never recommend this place to people visiting San Jose. Beginning with being put on hold 3 times to make a reservation to curt service table side. Go some where else. 71 Saint Peter is a San Jose gem.

09/16/2005 Posted by chocotiffy

I like dining at this restaurant for intimate dinners because the atmosphere is calm and sophisticated; the staff is extremely helpful and friendly. The filet mignon and side dishes are delicious here. Also, the fruit cobbler is just as good. However, I would not recommend the mixed drinks at the bar; either the drinks aren't made properly or the bartenders do not know how to make the specified drink.

Pros: great service

Cons: mixed drinks

07/14/2005 Posted by lalamonkey

The food and service have been excellent everytime I have been to this restaurant. My servers have always been nice and the food always tastes good. I like the all-booth seating since I hate sitting at tables. Most of the desserts are yummy too.

Pros: location, service, booths

Cons: none