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Alexander's Steakhouse
Categories: Restaurants Steakhouses Restaurants Seafood Steakhouses, Seafood [Edit]
10330 N Wolfe RdCupertino, CA 95014
(408) 446-2222
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Sun 5:30 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
1820 reviews for Alexander's Steakhouse
Review Highlights
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"We also got the AMAZING hamachi shots." In 428 reviews -
"Popcorn and cotton candy were awesome too." In 628 reviews -
"My son devoured every tidbit of the popcorn crab." In 138 reviews
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1819 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer K.
San Jose, CA
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Finally!
I've always wanted to dine at Alexander's, but never really had a special occasion to reserve a table for... until I remembered that my boyfriend's birthday was coming up.
Our reservations were at 5:30PM, but the combination of living so close to the restaurant and having had starved all day due to running birthday-related errands led me to speed down Wolfe and into the parking lot of Alexander's by 5:10. My boyfriend and I waited a good 20 minutes before stepping inside... to find an array of steaks showcased right infront of our faces! It was coolio. The host led us to our table and we sat down, and shortly after, our waiter (don't know his name) came by and gave us the dinner menus.
We ordered...
Drinks:
- Blackberry pie (non-alcoholic): delicious and so refreshing. I also liked how they dipped the edge of the glass in crumbs.
Appetizers:
- 4 different types of bread: These were complimentary. There is actually a worker who just walks around, asking guests if they would like some bread. My favorite out of the four was the bacon muffin-shaped bread (pretty sure that's not the actual name, my apologies). The garlic butter/spread was damn good as well. Wish I could've just shoved a whole spoonful into my mouth.
- Hamachi shots: A must! Just order it, no questions asked.
- Seared foie gras: My first time trying foie gras. Wasn't initially recommended by our waiter but I just decided I wanted to have it before it gets banned in July.
- Caesar salad with 65 degree poached egg: Probably the best caesar salad I've ever had. Loved the poached egg as well!
Entrees & sides:
- Bone-in New York: This was my boyfriend's steak, and it was huuugeee. I'm surprised he finished it all!
- Filet mignon (6 oz): Perfect size for me! It was cooked perfectly too, but I think I liked the bone-in NY better...
- Truffle mac & cheese with Maine lobster: Was a little too rich for me, but the boyfriend enjoyed it thoroughly.
- Mashed potatoes: Preferred this over the mac & cheese. Who doesn't love white gravy?!
Dessert:
- Complimentary birthday dessert & watermelon-flavored cotton candy! (We were both quite full at this point so we didn't see it as necessary to order dessert, especially with a huge red velvet bundt cake waiting for us in the car)
The service was probably the best I've ever had from the fine-dining tier. Dishes were cleared right away and waters were refilled frequently. Where do they find such detail-oriented people?! At one point, my boyfriend left to use the bathroom and a random waiter came by and folded his rumpled napkin for him before quickly walking away. That made me laugh.
Total came out to be ~$201 without tip! -
Review from Tina N.
Updated - 5/20/2012 9 photos
Alexander sure knows how to keep you around. After 2 years of hiatus, I now remember why I enjoyed Alexander's in the first place.
-Hamachi shots...still AMAZING.
-generous wine pours
-nice palette cleaners
-cotton candy!
-generous meat cuts
Docked a star:
-not the best tasting steak I've ever had
-no longer having popcorn crab1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/27/2010
oh my, what a burn to my wallet you are Alexander's! the ambiance of this place is amazing, so is… Read more »
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Review from Tony D.
Ann Arbor, MI
5/20/2012
First class steak house. Had the hands-down best piece of meat i've ever paid for here. The F1 Tajima Wagyu New York Steak was like meat-flavored butter. White cloth table tuxedo'ed wait staff service, they literally scrape breadcrumbs you dribble on the table with a copper tool as you finish each course.
Expensive? You betcha. But if you're on business and using a per diem, ($100+), can blow it all just on the steak alone.
I ate here with a group of 8 other young men, and we all dressed in joke Tuxedo Tshirts, while everyone else dining were people in suits. Did we get weird looks? Sure, but the waitstaff got the joke and treated us with respect. -
Review from Christine N.
CA
Updated - 5/19/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Dear Owner of Alexander's Steakhouse,
You hired the right man for the job.
Your General Manager, Kevin Clark, went out of his way to make my mom's birthday yesterday the best birthday she's ever had.
My mom is the bravest woman I know. She left her entire family when she was basically just a teenager. Just a girl. She came to this country by boat. A boat that was attacked by pirates and who stole what little she could bring with her. So she literally came to the U.S. with absolutely nothing.
I have to be honest that it took me years to convince her to come to dinner at Alexander's. I also have to be honest that even though Alexander's had time and again met my expectations, my sister and I were apprehensive that our mom would not enjoy herself.
When Mr. Clark dropped by our table, he didn't know any of what I've just told you. He did not know that the time he spent to make us laugh, the time he took to make my mom feel so incredibly special - that he was doing something so great for this woman's life. It was pure joy to watch our mom be so happy.
I've been lucky enough, because of the education that my parents gave me, to be able to experience some of the best restaurant service in the world. From the French Laundry to the Four Seasons restaurants, I have been pampered because it was their job and they all did it well. Mr. Clark's hospitality was on par to those experiences but his was slightly different ... different because his effort seemed to come from himself. Not because it was his job (which I'm sure he excels at), but because he's a great guy.
So thank you for making him your General Manager. And thank you, Mr. Clark, for giving my mom such a beautiful birthday.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/19/2010
Beau took me here for NO REASON AT ALL!! Just a random Saturday. We went to go see the ducklings and… Read more »
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Review from Jamie B.
San Jose, CA
5/25/2012
I am stunned people like this place. Wicked expensive, a pretend fine dining experience. Cheese plate was..... well, wow... I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth for the whole 3 hours it took to serve us. Dessert, one bite and we both passed on it. The steaks, are okay, aged is better, but not worth the expense or wait. No control of the A/C, it is set to blast even after numerous attempts to turn it off. 3 stars for the steak that eventually got to the table, 1 star for the rest of the experience.
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Review from Jaclyn N.
Cupertino, CA
Updated - 5/19/2012
BEST DINING EXPERIENCE... hands down the best service!! . kevin the manager was wonderful. my mom has never liked red meat in her whole life... but has heard raving reviews about this place so we decided to take her for her birthday (after years of persuading her). we were treated with pure kindness from every single staff on board on a busy friday night. our server tanya was sweet and the manager went above and beyond to make sure my mom had an amazing birthday. he made sure she was taken care of.. and to my family that was really all we cared about.... that my mom would walk out of there one happy lady and lets say it was a huge success. thank you alexanders for making this one of the best dining experiences for my family. i am sure my mom will remember this birthday for the rest of her life.
my fave of the night would be the porterhouse... i love the garlic!!! the lobster dumplings were tasty, and all the desserts were beautiful. every single plate was unique in presentation, and i appreciate the little details throughout the night.. from the wet towels, my mini pina colada sorbet, attentive water service, polite food runners, etc..... i cant wait to visit again!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/11/2012
SAD points *reason why -1 star*... over cooked steaks. eyelash in butter.
visit: 1/9/2012
-cindy was… Read more »
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Review from Yee Gan O.
5/8/2012
As a rule, I generally stay away from generic steakhouses but my pre-holiday research told me and my foodie instincts that Alexander's Steakhouse wouldn't be anything of the sort.
Just to emphasise the house speciality, you are greeted with enormous steaks hanging and maturing in see through refrigerators on arrival through the front door. Vegetarians, this entranceway would probably be your worst visual nightmare, so be warned!
As I was shown to my table, I was equally astounded by the size of the steaks that I saw on diners' plates - they are generous with portion size for sure! I did overhear virtually every table without earshot of mine ask for a doggy bag or in some cases, a lion bag would have been more appropriate as the amount of meat they took away with them would have fed a fully grown lion!
My server David was a veritable tour de force of knowledge and enthusiasm for the restaurant and the food it served. We had a great chat about the food and other places in the USA that he enjoyed dining.
When I had difficulty in choosing, he popped to the kitchen to ask chef to put together a little tasting menu for me. Chef's first effort cost over $400 which unfortunately was beyond my budget but he then put one together for below $200 but still had the highlights of the restaurant.
1. Corn panna cota
Nice use of a savoury ingredient in what is usually a dessert dish. Nice idea and corn has that little sweetness to it to enable it to work in this dish
2. Hamachi shot
One of the restaurant's famous dishes and a good mouthful of flavour
3. Lumpfish caviar
Proper caviar is available but sadly not for my wallet that night but the lumpfish was a good substitute. This was served properly with all the condiments and blinis. I had to try hard to make sure that I didn't overeat on this dish
4. Foie gras, raspberry gelee and raspberry powder
One of my great sadness at the impending foie gras ban in California is because great dishes like this won't be able to be served any more. Seriously, California, why?
5. New York Nieman ranch
Served medium rare and with more decadent foie gras, this was a delicious flavoursome oiece of meat, which comes from being properly hung and matured
6. Pre dessert containing balsamic jelly
Sorry but that's all my notebook said!
7. 3 flavours of panna cota
A nice way of rounding off my meal as it began with more panna cotas
I was touched that chef was prepared to put together a bespoke tasting menu for me and David finished off my evening perfectly with a tour of the kitchenListed in: Top USA Restaurants
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Review from Wendy S.
Updated - 5/13/2012 19 photos
My family came here for an early Mother's Day dinner. I am bumping up my review to 5 stars since Alexander's wowed me last night. The five stars was for the service was straight up amazing -- maybe the best service ever? Thank you, Scott, for taking such good care of us! Food was also delicious.
Our menu last night:
AMUSE BOUCHE: Chicken dumpling with shishito pepper. Very yummy way to start the meal.
APPETIZERS:
-Oysters: AMAZING oysters. Holy crap. They melted in my mouth and had just a hint of that ocean-y taste that oysters are notorious for. They gave us two extra oysters since we had four people at our table and there were only six oysters. We didn't even have to ask!
-Seared Foie Gras ($28): Holy crap. This was a humongous portion of foie gras. I will say that I think the seared foie gras at gras at Gary Danko is better, but this foie gras was still very fatty, melt in your mouth delicious -- pretty much everything that you expect from foie. They also had some cherry relish on the side that helped cut into the fattiness with some acidity.
-"Snail" lobsters ($22): Knuckle meat of lobsters cooked as how you would cook escargot. Cute.
SOUP & SALAD:
-Sous VIde Artichoke salad ($15): My mom got this. It looked like a very pretty wreath. She said it was yummy.
-Chilled melon soup: HOLY CRAP. This was, surprisingly, my favorite thing of the night. It was a gorgeous, orange colored soup. On one of the sides of the bowls, there were cubes of watermelon, cucumber, and kiwi with dungeness crab, all on top of creme fraiche. It was very delicious and refreshing. Highly, highly recommend!
-Soup of the night, clam chowder ($9): Since my mom and I had ordered soup and salad, Alexander's provided my sister and my dad a complimentary bowl of clam chowder so that they wouldn't get "lonely" (very cute, I thought!). My dad seemed to really like the soup; my sister said it was too salty.
PALATE CLEANSER: Watermelon sorbet. Very watermelon-y!
STEAK:
-I got the special steak of the night. Huge portion and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The only complaint I had about the steak was that it was a little heavy handed on the black pepper.
COTTON CANDY: Grape flavored this time.
BREAD MAN: This time, Alexander's had a bread man walking around to give out pieces of bread (reminded me of Manresa). His face flashed a look of horror when I had offered my appetizer plate to place the bread on, and then he kindly suggested that I use the bread plate. Oops.Listed in: Michelin star restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/14/2011
I came here with my family for my birthday + my parents' anniversary (their 39th!). It is… Read more »
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Review from Samantha C.
Bay Area
5/15/2012
Service was nice, but I wouldn't say that it was great. The tables around us definitely got way more attention than we did. Perhaps, it was because we were younger and the server thought he wasn't going to get a good tip. Well he did not get a good tip because he was less attentive to my boyfriend and I.
We got the hamachi shots, caesar salad, fillet mignon (both of us, since they ran out of prime rib), duck fried rice, mushrooms, and a chocolate souffle. The hamachi shots were very good, super tasty, with a burst of different flavors; very well done. The caesar salad was great and we loved the poached egg with it. We only ordered one and they were nice to split it into two for us and we each had our own poached egg. The filet mignon was okay; nothing too special. I personally think my dad can grill a better steak. The duck fried rice was very good, but the mushrooms, not so much. The souffle was good and it came with mini macaroons, but it wasn't amazingly better than other souffles I've had.
People should definitely give it a try, but I honestly don't think it's as amazing as everyone says it is. -
Review from Linnea E.
5/8/2012
I went to lunch here with a group of friends, and was amazed at how bad this place was! terrible... food, service, all really pretty awful.
service: our server was incredibly slow, and not very knowledgable about the food. we ordered appetizers that never came. our entrees all came out at different times, and it took over an hour to get them. some were brought out, then it was at least another 10 minutes before others arrived. and all this at lunch? it wasn't even busy!
food: mostly meh to bleh. i ordered the lobster cobb salad. $25 for a large bowl of lettuce with a tiny bit of lobster on top, along with some bacon and other stuff. bacon was overcooked. the lobster tasted good - though the texture was more like crab. it was unusual. the dressing was gross. other people seemed unimpressed with their food. nobody was raving, or even saying it was good. i think we all ate it to be polite.
would i go again? nope. -
Review from Annie C.
Oakland, CA
3.5 stars for the food, ranking it up for the excellent service that we got.
I've been wanting to try this place out for a while, so when boyfriend brought me here for my birthday, I was thrilled! We had reservations but were 15 minutes late and we were seated right away when we got there (although we did inform them that we will be). I had high expectations for this place based on their price tag, the type of establishment, and the reviews here. Sad to say, I feel that Alexander's fell short.
Complimentary:
Tuna Tartare - They started us on this before our appetizers came, it was so good! It was so flavorful and so rich that I'm wondering if it's the fatty part of it... the taste just lingers!
Bread - We only tried two, the parmasean flatbread/cracker and a bacon mushroom looking thing... they were both very good. The parmasean flatbread/cracker was unexpectedly flavorful and goes really well with the bacon cream cheese (?) that they give you
Raspberry Passionfruit Sorbet - Our palate cleanser before our entree. Tangy and refreshing!
Appetizers:
Crab Cakes - They came in a set of three, perched nicely on a long plate. I love crab cakes but these didn't hit the spot for me. The outside was too deep fried, it felt like eating fast food. Also, the mayo taste completely overwhelms any taste of crab meat, or any other tastes it intended to have...
"The Original" Hamachi Shot - I was reluctant to order this at first because it has wasabi greens (I can't stand wasabi), but our waiter was so nice to offer us the option of ordering just one shot for each of us. I have to give it to them that it's an interesting concoction. If you can manage to eat the shot in one bite, it will taste something like this: salty (from the sauce), then sashimi taste/texture, then creaminess, and lastly ginger.
Lamb Riblets - This is a must try! The lamb is cut into small riblets, served with kabayaki sauce and crispy garlic. The meat was so tender that they almost fall off the bone! The unique lamb flavor is definitely there, but it's subtle so it's not gamy at all (I know it puts some people off). Don't dismiss the garlic either, it tastes like crispy candy!
Entree:
Porterhouse topped with Seared Foie Gras - Now, this is where I have a problem with Alexander's. Let's talk about the steak first. You're a steakhouse, you charge twice what lower end chains charge, your steaks should really be better than theirs and hit the spot every time. Our was overcooked (we ordered medium rare). Yes, it was flavorful, but overcooked steaks are just not good. Half of the fillet side was fully cooked and resulted in a chewy texture that was far from what fillet should taste like. The foie gras was meh. It was so thin that when I cut into it, it kind of disassembled into multiple parts of fat. Due to the thinness, there was hardly any texture once it goes into your mouth. It kind of just melts into oil... instead of giving a lingering savory taste.
Sides:
Truffle Mac n' Cheese with Maine Lobster - We both loved it. Creamy, cheesy, comforting. Lobster stood out from the dish and was kind of dry but we didn't really mind.
Truffled French Fries - Be warned! Eat this while it's fresh and hot! The aroma was mouth watering. It's delicious with a perfect crisp when it was first served, then we let it sit while we devour the steak... bad idea! Once it cools, all you'll really taste is oil and salt.
Dessert:
Rise and Shine - Perfectly raised and fluffy chocolate souffle! The creme anglaise was remarkably good. It tasted somewhat like a thickened/condensed melted vanilla ice cream. It also comes with two teeny tiny macarons that we both agreed was condense milk flavored instead of raspberry on the menu (it was milky white colored too).
Complimentary Birthday Cake - Cute, tiny, three layers: chocolate, coffee mousse, chocolate cake. Very rich. YUM!
Cotton Candy... haven't had it for years, was delighted by it!
Overall we were happy with our dinner and their excellent service (our waiter was funny and awesome). Appetizers and dessert were spot on, but if we fancy to go again, we'll definitely skip the porterhouse. -
Review from Karen P.
Update:
My 2nd visit here is definitely night and day. Our waiter was absolutely attentive throughout our whole dining experience. No issues at all! Food was still amazing!
I'll let the pictures speak for itself. :) We ordered:
Appetizers & Entrees:
Hamachi Shots
Tomahawk Chop
Smoked Chilean Seabass
Bone-in New York
Dessert:
Open Sesame
Rise and Shine1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/5/2012
Short story:
Great food, horrible waitress.
Long story:
Came here for a birthday celebration, super… Read more »
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Review from J.K. N.
San Francisco, CA
My BF and I wanted to splurge a little for our 6 year anniversary. So we made a reservation to Alexander's Steakhouse. Everything was amazing. Our waiter was wonderful and even said happy anniversary and gave us free champagne to celebrate.
[Our menu on 4/13/2012]
Choice of Bread: Popover and Parmesan crisp
Appetizer: Jumbo Lump Crab cake- It was delicious. Perfect crunch on the outside moist and flavorful on the inside.
Complimentary salmon tartar spoon sample- Delicious. Tastes like sushi.
Palate Cleanser: Lemon mint sorbet- Tastes like toothpaste.
Entree: Bone in New York(BF)- He ordered it medium and it was very tender and juicy. I would prefer it without the bone.
Butter poached Maine Lobster(mine)- Not much meat in the shell for the price. Has an asian inspired flavor. Looked beautiful on the plate. I wish it had more meat.
Truffled Fries- Great flavor not too potent.
Dessert: Complimentary chocolate mousse cake with chantilly cream and lime cotton candy- Sweet and free. I can't complain!
We had an amazing first time experience dining at Alexander's Steakhouse. I recommend it for special occasions. -
Review from Mimi C.
Santa Clara, CA
5/18/2012
This place is amazing no matter how you look at it. The staff are SUPER friendly and outgoing, and make you feel at home. The food is fantastic as well. I always order the prime rib and am in love every single time! :D The hamachi shots are a must, and I love how they serve cotton candy!!! (They change flavors daily i believe). i honestly can't think of anything wrong with this place! (actually it would be nice if it was a bit cheaper..) :)
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Review from Ren L.
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came to see what all the hype is about.
We grabbed an order of the bone marrow, the infamous hamachi shots and prosciutto. From those appetizers, I actually wasn't fond of the shots for some reason. Then again, in my party, I only had one, so I wasn't able to absorb the awesomeness. Probably the weakest moment of the night, but definitely not as weak as other places.
I enjoyed the palette cleansers that were offered, especially the kumquat ice cream before the main course. Sweet and subtle, for sure.
For the main course, I ended up with the strip steak and foie gras (remember to eat this before it is banned in California by the end of the month, RIP). I ended up going all out, and it definitely wasn't a bad decision to do so. It was full of flavor, did not require any type of additional sauce, and was pretty much what I expected coming from a steak and then some. The foie gras was equally excellent and I am definitely going to miss eating it from this state. The pommes frites were also a neat addition, providing enough crisp and texture with the truffle oil all over the place.
In between this and dessert was yet another set of palette cleansers, including the caramel and white chocolate popcorn. As a lover of white chocolate, I've had this sort of popcorn before and enjoyed it, but never like this. Easily one of the best things I've eaten. But then our server, John (amazing amazing guy) brought out the popcorn again, but threw them in a vat of liquid nitrogen for a couple of seconds and poured it out on the table. THIS IS THE BEST POPCORN EVER. EVER.
Dessert consisted of a set of cheeses, the époisses, Roquefort, and the Fenacho. The fenacho definitely had the buterscotch kick, and the rest of the cheeses were just fine.
But my mind was (and is) still set on that popcorn. Good god that was the best.
Overall, if you don't care about the prices (and you shouldn't, otherwise why are you here?), this is definitely a place to consider if you're in the mood for delicious red meat. Everything else is just a bonus, including the popcorn. I mean, they also had the orange-flavored cotton candy too and that was cool too, but the popcorn!
P.S. If you love drinking an old-fashioned, try their "New Fashioned", it is the bomb. -
Review from Buster H.
Santa Clara, CA
4/30/2012
My wife and I were VERY disappointed with our dining experience. First off, I get the whole Asian influence thing when you consider the demographic of it's location. It is my opinion that they should change the name to Hiro-San's steakhouse.
The wait staff were knowledgeable, helpful, omnipresent and prompt. This explains the single star (oh yeah .... I can't leave zeros stars).
We ordered the scallop appetizer which were good .... all three of them. They were advertised as Sea of Cortez Scallops but could have been Alaskan scallops sliced in thirds.
The tuna appetizer was good, again lacking in generosity.
The problems came with the entrees. Understand that everything is ala carte. We ordered the Sea Bas and dry aged rib eye steak. Our sides were the truffle mac-n-cheese w/ lobster, asparagus and fried rice.
The steak, while large, wasn't that flavorful and was very fatty. It was so dark in the place that I could hardly discern where the fat was and one bite had enough fat that seized my pallet such that it was almost painful.
The Asparagus were so large that the stalk portion should have been peeled. Here's the kicker .... the chef decides to be cute and puts 'bonito flakes' on the dish. These are so thin that they were gyrating on our dish and it looks as if it had worms on it! We ask the waiter 'what is that' and that's how we find out about the fish food on our vegetables. Being a round eye the appearance of moving $hiT on my food is less than appealing.
The sea bas was under cooked (from a round eye's perspective) and the Chinese rice was, in another Yelpers words "unique" but not in a good way. The Mac and cheese was good but was so rich that I could envision the development of arthroscopic plaque in real time.
I was wondering how to dress, seeing that this was supposed to be a nice place. Not to worry .... I saw one guy in a tee-shirt... literally ... a fruit of the loom or Hanes type plain white tee-shirt!
At another table a young lady wore shorts. My wife pointed that out to me. I guess I looked too long (I must say, they were hiked so far up cr0tch that they really showed off her pins) because we drew the following comment from probably the manager of the joint...."you were looking at that table like someone owed you money". Since there wasn't any malice in his tone I replied "we're good" but later thought a better come back would have been "If I wanted to get heckled I'd go to Rooster T Feathers.
All this for only $250 .... AND THE NEXT DAY I HAD AN UPSET STOMACH AND a horrible case of the skitters.
If you want to go to a fine restaurant and blow a lot of money (without getting sick) visit Parcel 104 which is orders of magnitude better! -
Review from Nicole M.
Belmont, CA
Updated - 5/26/2012
Don't valet your car. 1800 damage plus a 600 meal. Not even a sympathetic comment from the restaurant. Weigh the options. Essentially a meal over 2000. Park yourself
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/14/2012
BEWARE of the valet service. Paid $600 for our lovely dinner and then our car was DAMAGED. No one… Read more »
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Review from Kelly T.
San Jose, CA
5/8/2012
Went here for my boyfriend's birthday. I booked reservations online and requested for corner table seating. As soon as we arrived, the hostess welcomed us and told us it would be a couple minutes before our table was ready. They were able to tend to my request on the reservation. That's a plus.
On to the food. We ordered:
Hamachi shots-- first time trying it anywhere and probably my last. I didn't like how the flavors melded together. My boyfriend also agrees and says that the hamachi shots at 5a5 steakhouse in SF is better.
Caesar salad-- definitely not anything I've tasted before but it was good. The waiter split the dish into two for the boyfriend and I.
Lobster-snail thing appetizer-- really good but excruciatingly expensive for the amount.
Bone-in rib eye-- the overall taste of the steak was good but it's standout was the texture of it. The boyfriend and I wished it would have been accommodated with a different sauce perhaps.
Also a big plus for a complimentary cake for the boyfriend's birthday and cotton candy!! We also loved the carb choices and the cleansing palettes we had such as the sorbet.
Probably won't be back though as nothing was spectacular. -
Review from Lily D.
San Jose, CA
5/4/2012
For one of my Anniversary my boyfriend took me here for dinner. When entering you can see the meats behind the glass display. The place is very dimmed due to the ambience of trying to have a romantic intimate dinner.
I was kinda pissed off at the seating and location we got, for them knowing it was our anniversary. Why didnt they make an effort to give us better seating.
I forgot what i ordered but i rem the meat being over cooked to my liking. And the portions were huge, i had to bring half of it home and share it with my dog the next day.
Honestly this place doesnt really impress me all that much. The price tag is also heavy. They do give you cotton candy to celebrate your event.
While walking to the car holding the cotton candy, it all melted in my hands and made a super sticky mess. Definately eat and finish it in the resturant. I dont think i would want to come back. Once is enough for me! -
Review from Michelle L.
Los Angeles, CA
4/18/2012
My typical diet is consisted of greens, fish, chicken, and the occasional pork (in my attempt to be healthy). However, my last trip to Alexanders reminded me of how much I freaking LOVE red meat.
My family and I came here for me and my mom's birthday, and we had a great dining experience. I called earlier in the week and they said we could either reserve for 5:45 or 8:30. We took the 5:45 reservation... but the restaurant was relatively empty throughout our meal, which makes me wonder why they couldn't reserve us later.
Anyways... onto the food. My family likes to share things family style, so the four of us ordered an assortment of appetizers, entrees, and desserts to share:
Hamachi shots: This has got to be one of my FAVORITE appetizers of all time. I always get this whenever I go to alexanders. It's the perfect bite of hamachi sashimi, paired with a tangy ponzu sauce and creamy avocado. Light and amazing.
Bone marrow: A little bit on the heavier side, but another favorite. The only problem is it's pretty small, so I found myself wanting more marrow at the end of it. (I ended up scooping my bread up and down the inside of the bone to get more of the marrow-y flavor. Don't judge me)
Lamb riblets: for the cost, they give you a TON of riblets. And they are good. This was my mom's favorite appetizer. Plus, we didn't want to ruin our appetites so we saved some to eat the next day (they were even better the next day reheated, in my opinion).
Ribeye: Best. Ribeye. EVER. The flavor was AMAZING. The fatty parts were crispy and delicious, and though my health conscious father was telling me to not eat the fatty parts, my sister and I cleaned the ribeye to the bone. (P.S. this 18 oz piece of meat is no joke. It's huge. Share it with someone)
Filet mignon: The filet was tender beyond belief. However, our medium rare piece was a little too cooked in my opinion. I'm always scared to order my meats rare, but maybe I should have done that for this Filet. The texture of the filet was to die for, but I think the flavor of the ribeye takes the cake.
Sea bass: for all of you non red meat eaters (like my papa) this is a great option. The bacon dashi they give you (on the side) is such an amazing sauce. Definitely would recommend.
GET THEIR SOUFFLE. It will not disappoint.
Service was impeccable. Food was great. Will be back! -
Review from Mary S.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/17/2012
Superb food. High quality food with high prices. Beautiful modern restaurant that seems to attract lots of diners on the company dime. Friendly, sommelier, wait staff, and management. We ordered started, main course, dessert & coffee and all were delicious!
We'll be back for a special occasion! -
Review from Christina L.
San Bruno, CA
My dad wanted to try the fancy, expensive Wagyu, and since it was his birthday we couldn't say no. Was the $250 steak worth it? Depends. The marbling is really amazing with all the fat pretty evenly distributed throughout the steak, but my dad actually preferred my sister's ribeye steak because it had the "beef" flavor. I had a few bites to taste, and though it was tasty, it was just so fatty that I didn't want more after those few bites.
Anyway, we came for the red meat, but fell in love with the appetizers. As expected, my filet mignon was tender and juicy, as it should be coming from a fancy steakhouse. The appetizers really blew me away. The seared foie gras and hamachi shots were divine. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
I'd probably pass on ordering the steak tartare. Although they use fresh, high quality raw bits of meat, the flavorings they add to make it a steak tartare are barely noticeable. In other words, it just tasted like raw bits of good meat with olive oil and not much else.
Another thing I'd pass on are the truffle fries. They just didn't have as much truffle taste as I've had at other places. Truffle mac and cheese though, was truffly enough and a definite order again.
Superb and impeccable service. -
Review from Annie N.
Updated - 4/27/2012
Detailed reviews about these dishes:
Hamachi shot - there's a trick to eating this. If you try to shoot, you'll discover there is not enough fluid traction. So instead of embarrassing yourself by sticking your tongue into the shot glass, try warming the glass up by spinning it in the palm of your hands first. This will create more fluid inside the shot for you to shoot. Once you do, it's a wonderful mix of flavor that's worth the effort!
Shigoku oysters - they're oysters, like normal oysters. If you're an oyster fan, you'll enjoy them.
Sea of Cortez scallops - I love scallops. The ones here are great. Not too cooked and not too raw. Melts in your mouth mmm mmm good.
Porterhouse - it was big, meaty, and cooked about right. Flavorful on the outside and juicy on the inside. Would have been a very good piece of steak if we weren't so full from the appetizers.
They have an extensive selection of red wine. We had a half bottle of cab from Howell mountain which complimented the steak quite nicely. Overall, I would love to try everything on their menu. Their food is made to an art that you can feast with both your eyes and your stomach. The flavor is rich but not overpowering. The service is pleasant and they treat you special items on the house.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/21/2010
This is an A+ restaurant for an A+ meal at a wallet cracking price. You certainly get what you paid… Read more »
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Review from Grace K.
4/19/2012
We started with hamachi shots which were effin good. I still remember the slightly tart pop of flavor from the sauce along with fresh hamachi and chopped avocados.
Our cocktails were delicious. I stopped myself from ordering multiples all at once.
My filet was soft, buttery, and a perfect medium rare. I wanted to pick it up and squeeze it. Instead I composed myself, cutting into it piece by piece while savoring each bite. Our truffled mac and cheese with lobster was very rich.
The cotton candy was my favorite. Not because it beat our filets or hamachi shots by taste and presentation. But watching Rob delicately pull soft fluffy pink and stuff it into his mouth was the cutest thing I've seen in a long time if not ever. He looked so happy and I remembered the pure joy I felt in experiencing cotton candy as a kid.
We were stuffed and wanted to order a dessert. I had a hard time deciding between two so Rob ordered both. This is where my memory gets fuzzy because I was falling into a food coma. I think we had a chocolate raspberry souffle with creme anglaise and mini raspberry macarons. We also had banana ice cream and chocolate caramel ganache with a chocolate velvet cake. Both desserts were extremely decadent. We definitely ended the night on a sweet note. -
Review from Adolfo L.
Updated - 4/12/2012
Oh How the Mighty Fall...
On my intial visit to Alexander's in 2010 I was blown away. It's easy to be blow away by true Japanese A5 Wagyu, but I was also blown away by everything else... the starters, the sides, the space, and the service. It was a complete package. In 2011 when I did not have wagyu and went for the Split-Bone Ribeye, everything... everything was still great.
On my last two trips to Alexander's, something was missing. The service was still spectcular, but the food lackluster. The Split-Bone Ribeye was not the same. The Prime Rib was over-salted and also lacked flavor. The sides were not the same. Long gone is the Uni Fried Rice of 2010, in its place is the Duck Fried Rice. There is no comparision. Sure there is no true A5 Wagyu in existence currently, but it was more than just the snazzy uber expensive steaks. It was a complete package, and "was" is the operative word...Listed in: Steakhouses R' Us
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/12/2011
Still the king of steakhouses serving the kings of steaks making all that come feel like KINGS. I… Read more »
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Review from Kristine W.
San Jose, CA
4/24/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Once seated, there were about 3 different people who waited on our table in regards to taking our beverage order, food order and picking up our dishes.
Bread is delivered via wait staff carrying a bread tray. You are able to select from a variety of breads which come with butter, sea salt and flavored cream cheese.
We had the hamachi shots, 19 oz rib-eye, rosemary porterhouse, sides of mushrooms, truffle fries and truffle mac and cheese with Maine lobster. For dessert we ordered the fire on the rain which consisted of a small serving of creme brulee with a side of tiny pieces of fruits/chia seeds. Don't expect big the fruit to be any bigger then a quarter size. Its all about presentation and flavor not generosity.
Every item we ordered was excellent except the bf's porterhouse. The porterhouse was sadly a tad overcooked and on the tough side. Would not order that item again. The rib-eye was very flavorful!! Next time I will try the filet mignon. The mac and cheese was THE BEST MAC AND CHEESE I HAVE EVER HAD!!!
Service was TOP notch! I will be returning soon! -
Review from Josh C.
Pleasanton, CA
4/30/2012
Wow! I have a lot to say but I will keep it short. The meal was awesome! I will not discuss each course but will just key in on two items.
#1: Todd was our waiter and I would consider asking him by name when you try out Alexander's. He took what was already a top-flight experience and brought it up another notch. I have dined at some top of the line restaurants and I have never experienced superior service.
#2: Even if you only do it once in your life; you need to order the Waygu steak. I splurged for my 40th birthday and got the $300 full bloodline steak topped with seared fois gras (medium rare). I have tried more than a few food items in my life that were considered the "very best." I have been generally pleased but I have also been disappointed at times. The hype on the Waygu beef is not over done! This was the best steak I have eaten in my life.
When you take I bite, I recommend you bite once and then just let the steak sit there in your mouth for a few moments. You can feel the juices running down your teeth as it slowly melts upon your palete. The best metaphor I can come up with for eating this steak is not appropriate for this forum! Two hours later and I am still overwhelmed...
Minor bug: There seemed to be some minor kitchen issues with our order and the tempo got a little off kilter. The staff, especially Todd, kept us informed of the status of our food and brought us out some delicious but light appetizers to keep us happy while we waited. The food, when it arrived, was flawless... The high-quality cocktails also took an edge off the wait.
I rank this as one of the best dining experiences of my life. Thank you Alexander's! -
Review from M Y.
Los Gatos, CA
4/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
My Experience from Beginning to END! (I'll try to sum it up)
My family and I went on a Friday evening, not over crowded nor empty.
Atmosphere of the restaurant is amazing! Nice bar and waiting area at the front. You are given an informal, quick walk through tour of the meat and food preparations on the way to your table, which I found rather neat.
The serving process is "slow" - by that I mean taken at a leisurely pace. They present the restaurant in parts providing a warm hand towel, drinks, menus, and then your meal in parts. I love the fact that they DO NOT RUSH YOU OUT. You get to enjoy your meal.
What we ordered/received:
- Chef's complimentary sample - don't remember the name, but delish!
- Tried all 4 breads (sour dough, flat bread, bacon muffin looking thing, and olive chunk bread)
- Tako to Kani Salad (Unique, preferred over caesar if I had to choose)
- Furikake Caesar Salad
- Cantalope Sorbet
- Hon-Jake Salmon
- Slow Roasted Prime Rib (Like butter! served with 3 types of horse raddish)
- Dry Aged Split-Boned Ribeye (great flavor! steak sauce a lil peppery but ribeye tasted amazing without it)
- Truffled French Fries (Best Fries I've ever had!)
- Shishito Peppers (Surprisingly good favor)
- Strawberry Patch (Green strawberries YES!)
- Cotton Candy
All of their dishes were delicious and had good portions. The Japanese influence in most of the dishes was rather intriguing, was not expecting that from a steak house.
All dishes were served at the same time to each member at the table.
The waiter was charming - wish I got his name ;) - He knew his ingredients, history, and everything about the restaurant. Very attentive to our wants from the dinning experience.
THE PRICE = $$$$ It is very expensive but is worth it if you want to go on a fancy date. For the three of us it cost a around $200 for the meal above. Worth it. I was stuffed after.
I say if you want to enjoy a good, fancy dinner with good, fancy, NOT TINY portions of food - go here! It is worth its price!
4/5 only cause it is expensive. -
Review from Greg W.
Temecula, CA
4/22/2012
I went here to celebrate a new job with my girlfriend. We shared some appetizers, soup and had a couple drinks. Then came the steaks. We both had dry aged steaks. It was my first time and wow were they pungent but tasty. Most amazing was the incredible the mouthfeel. These steaks coated your tongue.
Most disappointing though was the ambiance. Alexander's charges a pretty penny but it's so big and open it feels as intimate as an Applebees. Its not quite what I was expecting. I've been to other large steakhouses but they have large booths which help block your neighbor's conversations. Alexander's has almost all table seating.
Having said all that Alexander's has great steaks but if you're looking for an intimate place this isn't your spot. -
Review from Monique M.
San Jose, CA
5/22/2012
My boyfriend and I decided to spend our 2 year Anniversary at Alexanders Steakhouse. The best decision ever! I am a huge fan of steak, especially Filet Mignon. Hands down this was the best Filet Mignon I have ever had!!! It was crispy on the outside and each bite melted in your mouth. Staff was so friendly and I seriously felt like a Queen! We received complimentary champagne, and a beautiful dessert in honor of our Anniversary. Love this place & cannot wait to go back! =)
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Review from Ben W.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 4/3/2012 3 Check-ins Here
We visited again on our anniversary last week. We were, at long last, delighted from the moment we walked in the door to the moment we stepped out again, which is what a restaurant with a Michelin star should provide!
Complimentary glass of wine never hurts, of course... happy anniversary!
We've found a worthy replacement for the much-missed popcorn crab appetizer: The Angry Birds. (fried popcorn chicken bites with red jalapeños and Japanese spice rub)
The lobster dumplings, also new, were excellent. Great flavor from the lobster meat not drowned in a spicy sauce or overly-fussy garnish.
We ordered steak and salmon entrees. I had the 28-day aged NY strip and it did not disappoint in the least. Great mushroom demi-glace served atop; I only wish there had been more of that. The lobster mac and cheese has changed since last I ordered it, and I'm pleased. It's creamier and has more lobster; bonus!
My partner's salmon entree was beautifully presented and quite delicious, with stewed lemongrass and black lentils. His favorite side, the parmesan truffle fries, were as perfectly crisp and satisfying as ever. We almost don't miss the potato-parmesan fondue... almost.
Where'd that fifth star come back from? The land of outstanding desserts, that's where. We ordered the "Textures," which was brand-new to the menu, having been added only that day. A beautiful assemblage of chocolatey items, complete with a gracefully-collapsing structure (on purpose) when they pour on the molten fudge. Tasted as amazing as it looked. We almost don't miss the deep-fried carrot cake... almost.
Okay, Alexander's... you can have that 5th star back. Congratulations.
Now keep it up! I expect excellence *every* time we visit.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/30/2012
We went to Alexanders in Cupertino again this weekend. Pleasantly surprised that they could fit us… Read more »
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Review from Shannon K.
Mountain View, CA
Updated - 4/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Review 2 of 2 [This is a continuation of my first review (because I hit the character limit).]
As I mentioned, my dining experience at Alexander's Steakhouse was perfect and deserving of more than 5 stars. I wanted to dedicate this portion of my review to Alexander's steaks.
Alexander's Steakhouse is known, of course, for its steaks, but some people I've chatted with noted that they could never justify spending over $100 on Alexander's wagyu selections because all meat tastes the same and it's over-priced for meat that is no different from what you can get at Whole Foods or Safeway or restaurants like Black Angus. Other will also say that red meat and the whole treatment of corn-fed cows are terrible practices, so they don't support ordering wagyu.
I understand those arguments, but for those who are curious as to what all the hoopla is about in regards to the wagyu and for those who have saved their money for a special occasion and don't mind splurging at Alexander's, then I highly recommend that at least one member of your party order the wagyu because it is AMAZING and unlike any steak you could ever get at a grocery store or restaurant. I'm not a huge steak person, but I LOVED my wagyu and couldn't stop raving about it afterward.
That being said, here's my review for the steaks:
Dry Aged Split-Bone Ribeye (4.5/5): We ordered the ribeye medium rare, and it was delicious. It was "meatier" than the wagyu (i..e, you could definitely tell you were eating a hearty cut of red meat), but it was easy to cut into and tasted exactly how you'd want a USDA Prime steak to taste- robust with flavor, hearty and delicious.
Wagyu Sher F1 Australian (~9-10 oz.) (5+++/5): SO delicious! We ordered the Sher F1 wagyu medium rare and it was sheer perfection. The Sher F1 isn't the *best* wagyu (it's more the middle of the wagyu pack), but omgoodness, if this is the mid-priced wagyu, then I can't even fathom how amazing the $250 wagyu must taste because the Sher F1 was already delicious.
I had always thought that the best steaks would still taste like USDA Prime steaks. Hearty, chewy (as in you definitely know you have a piece of red meat between your teeth) and somewhat earthy. This wagyu, however, didn't have the chewy, protein, muscle-y, tendon-y texture like American steaks have. The Sher F1 was rich, buttery, smooth and flavorful. I didn't feel like a MAN when I ate the wagyu. You know? I felt like I was enjoying a very delicate steak that could be cut like butter and that had a gentle sweetness to it. It was not chewy; it was soft yet structurally solid. It was a little sweet and smooth yet savory. The wagyu was unlike anything I had ever tasted from a steak. Amazing. I loved it. I didn't know steak could taste so buttery, but this one did and it'll definitely set my standards of steak going forward.
If you look at the glass display cases in the front of the restaurant, pay close attention to the wagyu and the marbeling. I didn't know meat could look so beautiful. haha.
Truffle Mac n' Cheese with Lobster (4.5/5): Very rich but delicious with huge chunks of lobster on top. I loved it! I think this place (and the Broken Record in SF) has the best lobster mac n' cheese.
Complementary Watermelon Cotton Candy (YUM!): So good!! :) Josh gave us a huge thing of cotton candy, and we ate every piece of it. It's a great and fun way to end the dinner. I love all these little touches that Alexander's adds to everyone's meal because it shows that a sublime restaurant can be classy AND fun at the same time. You can't take yourself too seriously, right? And Alexander's provides that perfect balance so you don't have to worry about being proper all the time. You can cuddle up to your loved one and enjoy food or enjoy a guys/girls night out or a friendly dinner while also getting star treatment.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/29/2012
REVIEW 1 of 2: 5+++++ STARS! I have not felt this strongly about a dining *experience* since my… Read more »
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Review from Treena F.
San Jose, CA
4/13/2012
I was just here for lunch with my boyfriend to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. I was impressed right away by the size and décor of the restaurant. They served us small cups of their mushroom soup (complimentary) which was thick and very tasty. For an appetizer we had Hamachi Shots, which were to die for! I would go back just for those!
Mushroom Soup - Y UM! *****
Hamachi Shots - YUM!! ***** (more please)
Filet Mignon Cobb Salad - Tasty but still just a salad ***
White Peony Heirloom Tea - Tasty ***
Definitely a fan and I can't wait to go back for dinner. -
Review from Jacqueline C.
Menlo Park, CA
4/11/2012
Okay time to get serious here. Alexander's is my absolute favorite restaurant in the South Bay and it pains me every day I have drive by it on my way to work, gazing longingly as I make that slow turn off the 280 freeway. I have a soft spot in my heart for Asian influenced dining done right and Alexander's executes it with perfection.
Love everything here from the drinks to appetizers to amuse bouche to steak to the adorable cotton candy for dessert. I would recommend the hamachi shooters, filet mignon, and truffled mac and cheese. Now at home I usually eat copious amounts of A1 sauce but the perfect buttery medium rare steak here makes me forget that A1 even exists in this world. And the amuse bouche is so refreshing that I almost wish it was its own beverage. The waiter's also occasionally bring small delicious complimentary dishes from the chef that are off the menu. And of course there is nothing cuter than that final sweet pink puff of cotton candy!
Everything is beyond dreamy and delectable. Sigh. -
Review from Bill R.
Santa Monica, CA
4/3/2012
Surprisingly meh. Good presentation, lots of foodie-esque experiences (e.g., amuse bouche sent from the kitchen), but the service is C-/D+ and unfortunately the steaks aren't very good. Considering it's a steakhouse, that's a deal-breaker.
My brother & I were in town for work, and hailing from the midwest, asked for recommendations for a steakhouse. Alexander's came up a few time, so we gave it go.
The first impression is *great*. I walked in & loved the displays of the different cuts of beef. We were seated quickly & to our surprise a amuse bouche was sent from the kitchen. A bit latter our drink orders were taken & we were offered bread.
I had the bone-in ribeye. I have to say, it was only okay. Not bad, but I've honestly had friends do better at home. Not what I would expect considering the price.
My brother's meal was a bit of a train-wreck. He had requested the steak plain -- after all, the point of a good steak is the *steak*. They brought it out with the wine reduction still on it. Service also fell apart here. Even at non-high restaurants, the staff will check in shortly after the food is delivered to see if everything is okay, if you need anything. It was a good 10 minutes before anyone came to our table.
Once there, the waiter did apologize. He said it could take some time to cook up a new one, or they could remove the sauce & bring out the existing sauce. Personally, I would have gone for new steak, but he was okay with them removing it. They did, and it was brought back out a short bit latter.
Here's where service fell down again. At the point, the steak tasted fairly poor. He offered me a bit & I had to agree. He waited... and waited... and waited. It was some 20-30 minutes (and I had finished my meal) before anyone checked in on us again.
To me this is really unacceptable. Considering a mistake had just been made, I would expect any restaurant -- let alone a high-end one -- to check-in after he'd had a chance to try it again. (Or, wait for him to try it & confirm everything is okay.)
The waiter did apologize again at the end & the manager came offer. The manager offered to take the steak off the bill, which considering it hadn't been eaten seemed appropriate, but that's really all he offered. Given the time, I would have thought he would have offered to send him a steak in a to-go box, or a free desert, etc. At that point, my brother just wanted to leave so he could hit in-and-out, so I settled up my tab & we left. All in all, pretty disappointing. -
Review from R P.
San Jose, CA
5/10/2012
Came here with some good close friends & had an awesome time. There wasn't 1 item that I tried that was just ok here. Everything was perfectly seasoned & amazing. The customer service was professional, friendly & at the same time very down to earth. The Hamachi shots are a must try! Can't wait to come back!
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Review from miki s.
Morro Bay, CA
4/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
It was a perfect place for a night out with my friends.
So many people work here, and they don't make us wait. If we want something, one of them found it and asked us what we need.
If you want something upscale and different, this is it.
I will come back! -
Review from Vince S.
West Los Angeles, CA
5/4/2012
I am just not a fan of room temperature steak...which Alexander pride themselves as "resting" the meat. Too much fancy sauces and side bits that glaze the steaks. I like my steak salted, peppered and buttered. That's it. No need for honey glaze, or onion sauteed mushrooms or whatever that lumpy thing was...
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Review from Jade Lotus C.
Cupertino, CA
5/10/2012
Frequent customer since 2004. Great service, fanstastic food, personable staffs, creative menu and extremely respectable wine list. Pricey yes but it is the best you can get around the south bay area. Wonderful experience every time.
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Review from Deno V.
Parker, CO
5/9/2012
I'm in San Jose twice a year and I visit Alexander's Steakhouse every time. You can't beat the quality of meat and service here. I salute the Tomahawk Chop. It's my favorite.
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