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Los Altos Grill
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants American (Traditional) American (New), American (Traditional) [Edit]
233 3rd StLos Altos, CA 94022
(650) 948-3524
- Hours:
Mon, Sun 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tue-Sat 4:30 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy, Upscale, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
573 reviews for Los Altos Grill
Review Highlights
"And yes, the no corkage fee is awesome."
(in 98 reviews)
"For desert; the Oreo cookie ice cream - fabulous."
(in 17 reviews)
"I repeat, don't forget the corn bread."
(in 71 reviews)
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573 reviews in English
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Review from Sharde H.
San Jose, CA
2/6/2012
the bar here is pretty sweet- while one girl ignored me because she had NO interest in serving me since i look underaged (though i'm not) and so I had to patiently wait for the male bartender to come over and ask for my ID. my long island was the bombb!! its SO hard to find a good long island anywhere in the bay- sorry, but its true. my boyfriend and i sat at the bar for an hour and a half because there was such a long wait.
our food was delicious, my boyfriend had been there before and he had the prime rib sandwich. i had bangers and mash. i wasn't as keen on my food as his, but as a daughter of a brit i have to order bangers and mash anytime i see it on a menu! :)
all in all, i really enjoyed the service and the food, and alcohol at los altos grill and i will definitely go back! -
Review from Brenda B.
Los Altos, CA
Updated - 1/26/2012 18 Check-ins Here
I have to update my previous review about the wait with reservations. I Love that reservations are available through Urbanspoon now! Even better is that we were seated right on time!
Of course the food was as good as always and Christine is the best server at The Grill! I also love that you can bring your own wine and there is NEVER a corkage charge.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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3/26/2011
Wow! Reservations AND still we have to wait for our table! Are they really that disorganized!? Read more »
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Review from Josh M.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/25/2012
Los Altos Grill
233 3rd Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
P: 650.948.3524
http://www.hillstone.c...
Los Altos Grill Wine List Review
If you are looking for a restaurant on the Peninsula that has great food and a wine list with mark-ups of ONLY $5 to $20 OVER RETAIL then check this place out. My advice is to duck into this upscale casual establishment and order a few bottles off the list. If you like what you drink, then go buy a few bottles and put them away. The problem with the Los Altos Grill is that it is always packed, but enjoy a few drinks at the bar while you wait for a table, and have your elevator pitch ready because you will probably be sitting next to a high powered executive or venture capitalist. BTW - they don't charge a corkage fee, but why bring a bottle when the wine list is loaded with compelling options. For example, The Los Altos Grill has the 2006 Robert Keenan, Cabernet Sauvignon for $35 and the 2006 Round Pond, Cabernet Sauvignon for $45, and these represent the two best restaurant wine deals that I have come across in the Bay Area. Those are exceptional wines at great prices. As with all of my reviews, you will see the price at the restaurant followed by the mark-up over retail (2008 Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs | $36 | 1.4x | This translates into a retail price of $25).
VINOSERVANT'S TOP WINE VALUES AT THE LOS ALTOS GRILL RESTAURANT
Sparkling Wines
6 selections that range in price from $35 to $80
2008 Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs | $36 | 1.4x
Henriot, Souverain Brut, Reims, France, Non Vintage | $55 | 1.7x
White Wines
32 selections that range in price from $24 to $76
2010 Pride Mountain, Sonoma County, Viognier | $38 | 1.0x
2009 Dog Point, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc | $28 | 1.6x
2009 Cliff Lede, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc | $35 | 1.6x
2010 Cakebread, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc | $36 | 1.4x
2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc | $45 | 1.1x
2009 Macrostie, Sonoma Coast, Chardonnay | $32 | 1.6x
2010 Rombauer, Carneros, Chardonnay | $50 | 1.7x
2008 Shafer, Red Shoulder Ranch, Carneros, Chardonnay | $60 | 1.3x
2008 Paul Hobbs, Russian River, Chardonnay | $66 | 1.4x
Red Wines
88 selections that range in price from $27 to $240
2009 Romilily, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir | $40 | 1.3x
2009 Testarossa, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir | $48 | 1.3x
2008 Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir | $55 | 1.5x
2009 Dumol, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir | $90 | 1.3x
2009 Frank Family, Napa Valley, Zinfandel | $29 | 1.1x
2008 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Zinfandel | $40 | 1.4x
2009 Orin Swift, The Prisoner, Napa Valley, Zinfandel Blend | $42 | 1.2x
2009 Brown Estate, Napa Valley, Zinfandel | $52 | 1.6x
2007 Showket, Sangiovese | $36 | 1.0x
2006 Altamura, Napa Valley, Sangiovese | $55 | 1.1x
2007 Swanson, Napa Valley, Merlot | $42 | 1.7x
2007 Paradigm Napa Valley Merlot | $54 | 1.25x
2008 Shafer, Napa Valley, Merlot | $65 | 1.5x
2008 Pride Mountain Vineyards, Merlot | $75 | 1.3x
2006 Robert Keenan, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon | $35 | 0.75x
2009 Chappellet, Mountain Cuvee, Cabernet Sauvignon | $38 | 1.3x
2006 Round Pond, Rutherford, Cabernet Sauvignon | $45 | 0.77x
2008 Ghost Block, Estate, Oakville, Cabernet Sauvignon | $80 | 1.5x
2007 Altamura, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon | $95 | 1.1x
2004 Dunn, Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon | $130 | 1.2x -
Review from May B.
Los Altos, CA
2/7/2012
Delicious corn bread and steaks. I have eaten here many times and the food and service has been consistent good. It's a family favorite for dining out and it's close to home :)
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Review from Sina O.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2012
They use Safeway meat for the burgers, I saw it with my own eyes as the kitchen which is often in plain view on the way to the bathroom disposed of their safeway packaging for the grinder.
Also, before I discovered this one time I ordered a burger medium well take out. I got home, took a few bites, and it was blood rare. I called to tell them this, the girl put me on hold to ask her supervisor what they should do (!?!?!) Finally after 10 minutes on hold got back on the phone to tell me they will remove the charge for the burger. However only for the burger..the charge for the soda i had while i waited would be left on (seriously?). This was also not the first time they messed up my order for takeout.
Not only was I left to rummage through my pantry starving because by this point everything in Los Altos was closed, but that rare burger was a health hazard especially when it is from safeway, it was completely blood rare inside. Steaks near rare may be ok but not ground beef.
Downgraded to 1 star for manager trying to find a loophole to get my review removed. -
Review from Glenn G.
Updated - 1/11/2012
Engrossed in a totally pleasant chain of memory association, I found myself thinking about eating at the Los Altos Grill when I was writing about Godfather's Burger lounge, because the former is an old favorite, and the latter is a new one. I decided to write an update to the review of The Grill I did back when I was a Yelpling of some two weeks tenure.
A tried and true old favorite, The Los Altos Grill never disappoints - I've eaten there dozens of times in the past few years, and I've never had anything less than a great meal. My only major complaint (that they don't take reservations) apparently was rectified quite a while back, and I simply didn't notice until 2012!
Reservations not withstanding, walk-ins on almost any night after 5:30pm are tricky, but don't even think about it on the weekends - it's always packed!
Last time I visited The Grill, my very special Lady and I walked in on a brisk Winter weeknight evening into the warm, invitingly romantic, dimly lit restaurant with its dark woods, cozy booths, and omnipresent buzz. An almost palpable energy resonates from the long oval shaped bar at the heart of The Grill. I've recently developed a renewed appreciation for cocktails, so as I'm writing this, I'm making a mental note to check out their mixologists handiwork another time.
We were seated in a booth just off the bar toward the front of the restaurant. The Grill is a very romantic place - just perfect for an intimate dinner for two. The constant buzz from the bar and the surrounding restaurant gives all the tables an almost magical feeling of privacy in an otherwise very public place.
Despite the restaurant camera compulsion that seemed to come along with my new Yelp Elite status a few months ago, I found myself so fascinated with my lovely companion, our warmly close and relaxed conversation, and her especially beautiful eyes that I took no pictures that night. In fact, it took me quite a while to even remember what I ordered for dinner, and I'm still totally clueless about what she had...
As an appetizer, we shared an ordered of Dip Duo with Warm Tortilla Chips. The chips were fresh and deliciously salty, and the two dips were spicy and flavorful. Our servers kept the chips coming as our hunger helped us demolish them quickly.
For my entrée, I had the petite fillet mignon, with French fries substituted for their standard mashed potato side. Nothing wrong with the mashed potatoes - I'm just a sucker for French fries. These were thin, very salty (just the way I like 'em!) and the perfect companion to my steak, as well as the Devils Canyon Amber Ale on tap. All the meat at The Grill is excellent, but the filet is my personal favorite. I ordered mine medium, and when it came my beautiful lady friend commented that it was a bit on the rare side, but I was hungry enough to wrestle a Grizzly Bear (well, at least Yogi Bear) for scraps, so I didn't even THINK about sending it back, I just devoured it.
I stand by what I said last time out - their Oreo Cookie Dessert will still knock your socks off! Your meal at Los Altos Grill is not complete without it.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/5/2011
Here's why I like The Los Altos Grill (in random order):
1. No corkage fee!
2. Dip Duo with Warm… Read more »
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Review from Angeline K.
Cupertino, CA
Came back here to celebrate my husband's birthday, and we had another enjoyable meal. I've been to Los Altos Grill a number of times, but this time was better than the rest. I wish I had learned the name of our server, because he was so polite and beyond attentive. He was on top of the wine we brought that evening, always noticed when it was time to open another, and poured secondary glasses for all even when we were still working on the first bottle. Gotta love the no corkage fee!
Once again, cornbread was amazing. Came out piping hot with the perfect crunchy top. And the rib eye, unsurprisingly, was incredible! Cooked perfectly medium rare, juicy, and flavorful. The rib eye here is on the top of my list as far as steakhouses go.
I love the ambiance of this restaurant. It's classy, but not pretentious. Fancy, yet relaxed. The live music is a plus as is the nice, sizable bar in the middle of the restaurant.
One of my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/5/2011
What a difference 2 years makes! Yes, we still had to wait an hour to get a table (for our party of… Read more »
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Review from Linda M.
Santa Clara, CA
1/9/2012
I've been eating here since opened as Bandera's. Little has changed since then except the name and some of the dishes.
I'm a huge fan of the ribs. They are beef and the meat just falls off the bone - literally. Put that with the peanut coleslaw and mash potatoes and you have a great meal. I've eaten a variety of their dishes over time and have been very satisfied every time. If they still have the cornbread (may not be on the menu) you should try it - so good.
Great selection of wine, no corkage fee, and a fun environment. It can get a bit noisy in there, but it really fits in with the atmosphere.
Go early. The waiting list gets very long after 6pm. -
Review from Amanda G.
Updated - 1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
My brother-in-law had a gig here last week, so it was a good opportunity to give their food another try.
We made a reservation, but did have to wait a bit for our table. No biggie, we sat at the bar and had a drink while we waited.
I ordered the fish special, (which was a fish similar to red snapper.) I was brought out the salmon instead. The server offered to bring me the fish I ordered, but i wasn't going to eat two fish entrees. The salmon was cooked really nicely, (it's almost always overcooked when i order it in a restaurant.) I liked the rice that came with it as well.
Our drinks were kept refilled, and the food came quickly.
Our server ended up comping my meal, (which i repeatedly told her she didn't have to do) and she gave us a free dessert. I was pretty surprised and impressed by that.
I do think that the prices here are a little high for the area. Cocktails are $12. That's more like the price in an upscale SF restaurant. Since this place is always slammed, I guess other people don't think they're overcharging.
If i was in the area, and someone wanted to eat here, I would happily return. Although, on our own, we probably won't be back.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/2/2007
Went here with a couple friends on Sat. night. They had all been here before, and really liked their… Read more »
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Review from Sam L.
Palo Alto, CA
1/17/2012
Hillstone, you have done it again! What is it about your restaurants that makes for the most amazing dining experiences ever? I'm a huuuge fan of Houston's in Pasadena, so needless to say I was ecstatic to try the Los Altos Grill, another member of the Hillstone family of restaurants.
My friend and I stopped in here on a whim on a busy Sunday night. The manager could tell that we were both starving, so she sat us promptly at a cute little booth for two-- amazing service which we will not soon forget.
We ordered the Dip Duo ($10) to start, and when the chips came to the table, warm and fresh, ready for dipping, we eagerly got started. The guacamole was delicious, but we found it needed a little extra salt and lemon (both provided). The chedder-jalapeno dip was the unique one; chunkier than most queso dips, this one still packed quite the punch. The dips complemented each other nicely, and our waitress brought us more piping hot chips when we devoured the first bunch.
For dinner, I ordered the Bandera Style Roasted Chicken ($18), but subbed fries for the Spanish rice. (They serve the same amazingly delicious fries as Houston's, and I couldn't pass those up!) The rotisserie chicken was out-of-this-world; the meat was so juicy, the skin so crispy, the sauce so delectable. And the portion was so generous I had to take half of it home! YUM. A must-try!
My friend chose the Macho Salad ($16), which includes mixed greens, roasted chicken, avocado, corn, tomato, almonds, dates, cornbread croutons, and goat cheese drizzled in a creamy vinaigrette dressing. Phew! That's a lot of stuff! Surprisingly, there were still lots of greens in there, and the salad was very well balanced. All of the flavors played off each other well. Light and refreshing, yet savory and salty as well -- a superb salad.
We were both so stuffed by the end of the meal that we had to skip out on dessert.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting (very wood-and-leathery), and would make a great spot for a date, a bite to eat with a friend, or even a business meeting. There is also a huge bar in the middle of the restaurant (and two TVs), which looked like the happening place to be! Overall, service was amazing (both the manager who chose our table as well as our waitress), the food was exquisite, and the ambience was terrific.
I will definitely come back! -
Review from Ricky C.
Hayward, CA
2/2/2012
Even with a reservation you will have to wait during peak times... but it is well worth it. You can go with a group or go as a couple, the environment is friendly and loud. The best part, no corkage fee!
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Review from Judy P.
12/23/2011
The Verdict: A nice place to grab a bite to eat if you can wait long enough.
This place always seems to be packed (at least during the evenings). The wait list usually takes up to 40 mins. I had tried to get into this place on a Friday night once and ended up leaving because it was too crowded and the suggested wait time was 1 hr to 1.5 hrs! The second time I came here was on a Tuesday for dinner and it was much more do-able. They seated us within 5 mins and our food came out with ease. The food was very tasty, healthy and gourmet style. I ordered a fish burger with peanut coleslaw on the side and my friend ordered the mahi mahi. We both enjoyed the food, but it is definitely on the pricey side (about $35/person - because we each had a glass of wine too).
Would I Recommend It? Once in a while and with reservations.Listed in: Top Restaurants, The Places I Go Out
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Review from Khanhy D.
Santa Clara, CA
1/5/2012
This place is pretty much a different crowd versus the San Jose area. More of a mature audience with some good jazz and nice piano tunes. Came in and seated right on time for my reservation. Ordered Merlot to drink and had different dishes to try out.
1. Prime Rib French dip ---tasty, the prime rib is large and juicy.
2. Cornbread-- enough to feed 6 people if you plan to eat as an appetizer. Yum.
3. Salad -- Simple with tomatos and deviled egg with vinaigrettte. Flavorful
4. BBQ ribs with Mash Potatoes -- Not sure about this plate (my friend ate it) but the mash potatoes were kinda full of onion taste.. less on the onions please! But pretty sure the ribs were good too.
Oreo Cookie Dessert was delicious! And the cookie was a giant piece enough to share with all.
I would come back here again for the food and environment. Pretty chill and relaxing for a chill night out. Come here to the bars for a drink if you wanna relax... -
Review from Jesep S.
Santa Clara, CA
1/11/2012
Geez this place is great. The service is spectacular, minus the hostesses on occasion. We always get the deviled eggs or cornbread but last time we tried the grilled artichokes and they were super good. Unfortunately I've only tried two things on the menu but that's because those two things are so delicious that I just have to keep getting hem. The french dip sandwich is unlike any other on the planet I'm sure. The bread is buttery and soft, the meat is rare and theres a ton of if and the a ju is salty and beefy. Oh and french fries are just how i like them, thin and crisp. The burger is the other thing I get. It's amazing. You have to try the oreo cookie ice cream sandwiches too. I'm getting so hungry just writing this. Haha
I will keep going here until it's not there anymore which I pray to god never happens. :)
Oh and there's no corkage fee either so you can bring your own wine and drink it for free! -
Review from Aubrey C.
12/23/2011
3.5 stars
Los Altos Grill is a very good place for steak.
Anything else may be a bit of a risk, but the steak is quite tasty. Their other meat selections seem to be pretty good; a friend had the English-style bangers and mash. The steak entrees are sizeable -- the prime rib is actually quite large. And the prices are reasonable for a good steakhouse (around $30).
Oddly, the menu doesn't have any "official" appetizers, but we ordered a couple of the side dishes -- the cornbread in a skillet and the mac n' cheese. The mac n' cheese was a little too salty and overflavored. The cornbread in a skillet was good, and possibly the best side to order.
The menu also has some interesting items such as the steak and enchilada platter, and a couple of fish entrees, but no real dessert. We were quoted 3 dessert items, all 3 of which were pretty ordinary -- a sundae, a banana cream pie, and an Oreo sandwich. Not anything special, which was a mild disappointment.
If you're in the area, and want a good place for steak, Los Altos Grill isn't a bad choice. Otherwise, for anything else, you can probably find a more well-rounded place. -
Review from Janet O.
On a weeknight this place is pretty packed. I was immediately drawn to the long oval shaped bar. It's the heart of the place. Awesome energy radiates from the bar and having been sat close to it I feel drawn.
It just so happened that I'm in my usual hungry state after a short local hike. Started with their Dip Duo and their thin, crispy salty tortilla chips. Addicitng! They can keep those chips coming too.
I had the prime rib medium. It is such a simple preparation. No muss no fuss. It came with a side of awesome mashed potatoes. The ones that I like. With small chunks of potatoes as opposed to the really smooth generic ones.
Ohhh..the prime rib is sublime. So tasty on its own. Melt in your mouth juicy goodness. This might be my other choice of place for a carnivorous feed.
Washed it down with Devils Canyon Amber Ale on tap. Great company, good food and live music in the background.
Awesome staff. Polite, attentive and courteous.
One of those nights.:)Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Elaine T.
12/10/2011
Surprisingly packed on a Thursday night. Reviewers weren't kidding! We were able to make reservations only a few hours prior and there wasn't much of a wait once we got there. The house band as we entered was a really nice touch. We didn't even notice the wait.
The Marinated Salmon was perfect to the taste, although a bit short of amazing. Next time I'll definitely order a steak...ahhh the downside of dating a vegetarian. M ordered the Squash Enchiladas, which he said was quite tasty considering it's a vegetarian dish. The bottle of Altamura accompanied our meal pretty well. I liked the hint of espresso on the Oreo ice cream dessert but overall nothing spectacular.
Our server was really charming and genuine.
My only complaint is that the bathrooms are sooo dark. I had to stand really close to the mirror to see myself. Hahah.
Will definitely be back! -
Review from Tanya N.
11/27/2011
The atmosphere of this place reminds me of The Keg and Milestones back in Toronto with its dim lighting, dark wood finishes and constant buzz. We waited for about 40 minutes on a Friday night (got there around 6) which according to my husband isn't that bad. There's an outdoor patio where you can sit while waiting and order something to drink and an appetizer. We ordered the duo dip tortilla chips- one was guacamole and the other was a chedder- jalapeno dip ($10). The chips are served warm which was nice and I enjoyed the guac more than the chedder dip but I guess it's all about preference with this one.
When we were seated we ordered the jumbo peel and eat shrimp which came with a seafood sauce and I think some sort of aioli. The shrimps were large and while I know it states "peel" in its name, I would have preferred if the shrimps were deveined. I think this was $18.
I had the Bandera Style Roasted Chicken that came with Spanish rice. The chicken was flavourful and moist but the rice was on the dry side so the sauce it came with helped. My husband had the rib eye which was tender and juicy. I wasn't keen on the vine ripe tomatoes that were topped with blue cheese and what I think was italian salad dressing. Nothing special and I would opt for another side the next time.
We were way too full for dessert.
Service was really friendly though it took awhile for the waitress to come over initially. -
Review from Heidi M.
Mountain View, CA
11/30/2011
I really want to love everything about the Los Altos Grill. I love the ambiance - lots of dark wood and dim lighting. I love the gray-haired woman sitting at the piano near the front, playing songs from yesteryear. And I love the service - friendly and attentive. Where Los Altos Grill is mediocre is with the food. I had the Macho Salad. I'm sorry, but who leaves on chicken skin in a salad? So gross! My husband had the Bandera chicken with mashed potatoes (instead of rice). He said it was good, but nothing to write home about. Our small daughter had the enchilada ala carte. (There's not much selection on the menu for a kid.) She barely touched it, so hubby and I shared it. Again, just ok - nothing special.
I'll go back again, try a few different dishes, and hope to find some food on the menu that will live up to all the other things I love about Los Altos Grill. If nothing else, I'll enjoy a glass of wine at the bar, sway to the live piano music, and enjoy the Los Altos scene. -
Review from Bsurfin W.
San Jose, CA
1/22/2012
This place has the best ambiance. The best mood lighting great for dates and special occasions. The best salmon. The best corn bread. The best bbq artichoke. The best cucumber salad. The best rotisserie chicken. etc etc Good prices too.
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Review from julie s.
Palo Alto, CA
12/30/2011
I hadn't eaten here for a long time, and I remembered the French Dip being out of this world. I ordered it and right off the bat I could see it was not as "piled high" as it used to be. And the pile of shoe-string fries that came with it were cold and dry. My cup of au jus was not warm either. ?? And I paid $19 for this sandwich. Crazy. The reason I gave 2 stars instead of one is because the corn bread IS to die for. Ridiculously expensive for what you get.
Maybe my meal was a fluke. Doubt I'll be going back to find out. -
Review from Julie W.
Saratoga, CA
12/13/2011
A solid 4 stars for the food; we are also appreciative of the no corkage policy which is very nice. Service is decent for the most part; noise level is high (you have to shout) and the place is crowded (eight people in a booth was too cozy).
We enjoyed all the appetizers; devil eggs - very flavorful, smoke salmon with toasts -good portion and fresh tasting, the mac n' cheese was very good; portion was small, and corn bread in skillet - crispy crust, yum.
For main course, we all either had the prime rib or the rib eye steak, they were excellent. The quality and the grilling techniques definitely measured up to that of Alexandra or other high end steak houses.
To nicpick a little, there were some inconsistency in the services and quality control, I ordered medium rare and got medium, server did replaced it promptly but the piece was smaller . The portion size of sides can also vary a lot from one plate to another, perhaps they are rushing it.
Overall it was a great meal for meat lover / great comfort food, priced right for the quality and portion. You can feel 'rushed' and not as 'pampered' if the desire is to have a fine dining experience at leisurely pace. -
Review from kien m.
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you are a serious meat eater, then Los Altos Grill is your place. Get their prime rib or their awesome burger. For the sides, get the smoked salmon or cornbread. Best of all, bring your own wine. No corkage fee and no limit.
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Review from Rob S.
Manhattan Beach, CA
12/3/2011
We have been to this restaurant several times and it never fails to impress. The service and the food are both fantastic. They have a great round bar right in the center that is full of life. This place is always packed - I recommend a reservation - especially on Friday and Saturday nights. The wait can easily be 90 minutes without one.
I highly recommend the french dip, the ribs, and the filet. All are fantastic! I'm starting to sound like an employee of Hillstone restaurant group, but I always have such great experiences at their restaurants. Sadly, I have recently moved away from the Bay Area, so I won't be visiting Los Altos Grill very often. But I still have a local Houstons. -
Review from Caren k.
San Jose, CA
1/11/2012
I've been here a few times with some friends, and I've really liked it. Their food is great and so is the ambiance. It's sort of an upscale, trendy place with a casual feel. I've also had drinks at the bar, and they were pretty yummy as well. The place does get pretty packed so reservations are recommended. I never knew a little gem like this existed in this area.
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Review from Aerin L.
Palo Alto, CA
11/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
What's striking about this place is how fitting it feels to seek shelter here from the rain. The dim lighting, the intimate setting (the low ceiling sets that mood) and the lingering hint of smoked applewood (?) in the air attributes to a positive first impression. Another interesting thing I observed is the considerable number of staff present at opening hour. 75% of the time, we had different people serving our food or clearing our plates. That begs the question of how efficient they can be if the dinner rush is extremely busy. I suppose I shall see another visit.
My company and I ordered the basics, beginning with sides: deviled eggs and mac n' cheese. The latter was very satisfying while our entrees were the cheeseburger and the ahi-tuna burger. The house-made egg bread was spot-on whilst my eating companion was very happy about his patty cooked to medium-rare perfection. If I could give my order a fair rating, I would rate 3 stars for the burgers; But, seeing as how I liked our waitress, combined with how comfortable the surroundings made me feel, I'd add another half star. 3.5 total. -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Sunnyvale, CA
11/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Where do I begin?? My experience here was a most pleasurable one from start to finish. We were a party of six who arrived earlier than our reservation ready to commence the festivities sooner. The seating in the restaurant was full and the bar packed in the center. Subsequently, we made way to the small patio outside and kicked off the evening with grilled artichokes and dip duo with warm tortilla chips. Both appetizers were so scrumptious, they gave us all great anticipation for the dinner yet to come. The artichokes were steamed with some herbs and garlic then thrown on the grill in halves. They were tasty right down to the stems. The dip duo consisted of two large mounds of a cheese medley with some jalapeños and other herbs mixed in.
My culinary adventure continued once we were seated on a dais with a dropped ceiling in a corner booth I admired the warm brown decor which consisted of brown shingled walls, excellent mood lighting throughout the restaurant, down lighting over each table and the excitement of the open kitchen in the center.
The Rutherford bone-in ribeye with house made Worchester sauce was cooked to medium rare perfection down to the bone. The vine ripe tomatoes with bleu cheese were a tasty addition. The artichokes were so good we ordered more. The deviled eggs were also good but not outstanding like the mac and cheese and the coleslaw. The mac and cheese were made with ziti, parsley on top of melted cheese and walnut cornbread crumble. The coleslaw here was by far the best I've ever had. It isn't your typical coleslaw with milky dressing. It had some sort of oil and vinegar dressing with parsley and peanuts. We ordered two plates of this too!
The service here is absolutely impeccable. Everyone smiles, and they serve with solicitous intent. Tacking on an 18% gratuity is no problem. They earn every bit of it and then some.
Finally, I must say the NO CORKAGE FEE is most awesome and appreciated to be granted by such a swanky, upscale venue. This place is definitely a favorite. I look forward to returning in the near future.
Just make sure to come with a fat wallet. -
Review from judy n.
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Been here quite a few times now...
Salmon - always tasty and their green rice is great.
Bandera style roasted chicken w green rice. Roast chicken is amazing here. I don't care for the bean sauce that goes underneath the chicken though.
Prime rib. tasty and it's served on the bone. great flavor.
Cornbread. awesome. but worth sharing if you have 3-4 people. if there's just two of you, it's cornbread overload.
Romilily Russian river pinot noir. yummy Pinot. worth trying a glass. -
Review from Donna S.
Mountain View, CA
10/20/2011
I made reservations 5 days before the birthday dinner. 6 people @ 6:45P on a Sunday night. We were seated at 7:15P, at a booth that comfortably seats 5 people.
When the guest of honor could not fit in the booth, they suggested maybe a chair that would put her in the isle. (I thought that was why I made reservations so far in advance) - they did have larger booths that they sat a group at while I was waiting for our table.
Then they did not clear the stuff off the table that was in front of the guest of honor, we did.
The food was SO mediocre. Requested medium rare came well done, the squash enchilada was so bland it was not edible. The consensus was the same for all.
I'm not quite sure how they stay in business.
Here is the really bad part, 3 out of 6 of us had food poisoning after that.
AWFUL!!!!! -
Review from Lisa R.
10/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
My first time was last night...and it didn't disappoint. :)
My friend took me here as a "thank you" for dog and house sitting for her. The ambiance is great, very rustic upscale. Outdoor seating is available up front. There was a live piano player tinkling the ivories on a Tuesday ING at 6pm when we arrived. The place was PACKED. If I had to guess, I'd say this place was a sister restaurant to the Rutherford Grill In Napa. Same vibe and font and paper on their menus...
Great service, great wine list, great food. I almost never eat steak. My friend suggested the filet, which came with colcannon potatoes and sautéed spinach. DELICIOUS. I asked for an add of bleu cheese on top of my steak and they happily accommodated my request. $34
A bottle of Elyse Petite SIrah was amazing...fruit, jamminess and yet heavy enough for the filets. $45 for the bottle, good value and the server suggested it. Nice job on his part.
We ordered a side of corn bread as an app. Covered in brown sugar and filled with jalapeños, it was yummy.
ended with house made Oreo ice cream cookie desserts, in a pool of chocolate sauce. Amazingly good. And I don't like dessert, usually.
I'm putting this on my rotation of favorite restaurants. -
Review from Erika C.
11/5/2011
I love the smell of rotisserie and smoked wood chips here. It doesn't get into your clothes, it's just the perfect smell for a place that looks like a warm, upscale ski lodge.
They made a very good Chambord sour with a splash of soda. It wasn't sugary tasting. The chicken was very good. I've had some of their other dishes (e.g. center-cut filet, BBQ salmon), and those are decent, but the star is the Bandera Style Roasted Chicken so go with that.
Service is hit or miss. -
Review from Jason F.
CA
11/19/2011
One of my favorites now. Bangers and mash, ahi poke (still available as appetizer even though it's not listed), warm tortilla chip with fresh avo + queso/jalepeno dip, ahi burger, prime rib french dip, salads, cole slaw are all favorites.
Great bar and atmosphere.
One complaint is the dessert menu. It's good, but too restrictive. Portions are too large. At least in the Winter, there should be a warm dessert. -
Review from Jen K.
Morgan Hill, CA
10/7/2011
We've been coming here for a few years and its just fabulous, girls night out, out with couples we've never been disappointed with the food and service. We always get the cornbread as one of our appetizers. The roasted chicken is great a must try.
We love coming as a big group and going family style with the entrees so everyone gets a taste of all the dishes, and yum. Our wine friends love to come because they can bring bottles and not get charged a corkage fee.
Service is great, attentive but not to intrusive.
Ambiance is cozy at the tables/booths and very social at the huge bar in the center, and yet it doesn't have a sports pub feel even with the tv's going.
It is dark at the tables so if you have a hard time seeing, get the flash light app for your smart phone or pull the table candle closer to get a look at the menu. -
Review from Phil H.
San Jose, CA
12/9/2011
yep, george biel he's good
i have been coming here for years, like ten so....
the food is very original and they have a certain "take" on things that is very special. the rotisserie chicken is super special and def worth a visit. especially if you have never been there and want to try the very best LAG has to offer.
the staff can be a little uppity, they have a dress code, if they dont like what your wearing, they wont seat you. also there is this very subtle, underlying tone of "yes, we are here to serve you, but we are doing YOU a favor by allowing you to dine at our establishment" it can get kinda weird, and thehostess are very uppity towards, well at least me and the peeps i dine with, cuz others have told me the same thing. also as soon as i was out of ear-shot they were talking about there bf's and who did what to who, very high school drop-outish.
i kinda have this place figured out, at least for my family. we get the appitizers, and the this and that menu. for one, its cheeper, but also you get the opportunity to sample many different offerings of the resturant and have many different tastes with your meal.
get the clams if they're in season.
dip duo with warm tort. chips. (check)
enchilada (check)
ok so how bout if i just order for you?
order the salmon that comes on the cute little toasts.
clams
kill it with a skillet (of corn bread)
eat all that then order a cheesbuger and split it...it truthfully is the best thing on the menu. (if you disagree i will refund your money)((but you have to go there and order everything on the menu and then video you eating the entire order and the entire menu,...ok nevermind, im not refunding your money))))
then finish with a enchilada and someother thing to split.
get the whole chicken to go, for tomorrow, you will be glad that you did.
trust me, trust your feelings, be the ball danny.
oh dessert is something i can do with out unless i have my kids, bananna something or other and a oreo ice cream...these seem a little to pedestrian to grab at my palate much, there good, but like good if your 8 years old. or maybe you want to relive your childhood, and then that is fine too.
the great oracle of chow houses has spoken.
oh, why only3 stars??????
if your not in the mood to put up with the underlying snottyness of the hostess, then go somewhere else. i dont go here as much as i used to for this reason. i hate feeling like i am doing them a favor by giving them my $200.00
something has changed. the food is just a notch or two not as good as it used to be. there was some big shake up in the houston's/hilstone and bob lynn the exectutive chef left. i think maybe a few other doods did so as well. i dont know if robert wilkenson is there anymore or not.
anyway there is something that is going on with the recipes i think because certain items have been removed for some reason. ...i dont know if its due to copywritgt on those dishes or what, (((where is the apple cobbler????))) but everything is slightly different. also the houstons in phx has been changed to hillstone and has moved across the street. why? i dunno? geography? i s'pose?
menounderstand why. but something is going on and change is in the air. (where there's smoke, there's fire)
i would have given them 3.5 stars if possible, the food is fantastic, the people who work there are just a little off-putting. (snobby???? maybe?????) -
Review from Cathy D.
San Jose, CA
10/6/2011
THANKS TO YELP....A SUCCESSFUL BDAY DINNER LOCATION.....SCORE!!!
I'm so glad I found this place on yelp. If I drove by this place, I probably wouldn't think to come here as it look pretty normal on the outside. Once you step in its pretty SWANKY!
Came here last night with my BF for dinner....Live Jazz Music playing, Dimmed lighting, Candle light at all tables...Centered bar area,Very romantic, Open kitchen, Extremely friendly staff.
*Ceasar salad - GOOD
*House salad with Champagne Vingerette - GOOD
*Ribs - OKAY, nothing spectacular as some of the yelpers suggest, but the freshly made Coleslaw was GOOD
*Slice of Jalapeno Cornbread - GOOD (and I don't even like cornbread), glad I didn't order the full serving.
*Prime RIB....OMG....SO GOOD!!! Definitely reccommend this DISH as a must try!
*Decent WINE list....next time must take advantage of the no corkage fee.
*Oreo Cookie Sandwich Dessert...I LOVED!!!! (homemade oreo crumbs with espresso)
Highly recommend this place! Very cool atmosphere. Limited menu, but food is overall pretty good. Only a bit disappointed with the ribs, everything else was DELICIOUS. Thanks to my Mr. Wonderful, for making this a wonderful night. Will be back whenever we feel splurging $$.Listed in: YELP HELPED
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Review from Andrew W.
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
On the one hand, there is a lot to like about this place. Nice upscale decor, dark, cozy atmosphere, nice drink selection and no corkage fee. But, there were a few miscues that prevented LAG from being a top dinning experience.
The service was good, but not excellent. The waiter seemed very casual in his manner. He did not seem very knowledgeable about the menu and did not make very good recommendations.
The lamb chop that they serve here is a blade chop. There is a big sinew in the middle. This should definitely be avoided. The green beans it was served with were raw, which is ok if you like it that way. But, I am not a fan. The chicken, which our waiter claimed was one of the most popular dishes was bland. It was served with this weird bean flavored sauce that was not very appetizing.
What I really enjoyed was the french dip. The meat was wonderfully succulent. The au jus was perfectly seasoned and I could have drank it like a broth. The bread was also very nice and fluffy and sweet with a nice toast on it. Reallly it was the best french dip I have ever had. (that is not saying much because I have only otherwise had Arby's. But, I hate Arby's and I would come back to LAG just for the french dip)
For the level of ambiance, $19 for the French Dip seemed very reasonable. The priciest thing on the menu is under 40 and the cheapest about 15.
I just wish the service was better and the menu was better. This is one of those places where certain things on the menu are good and certain things are trash. So, good luck and try the french dip. -
Review from Manisha S.
Mountain View, CA
1/20/2012
Went on a Tuesday night with a girlfriend. Had a res but still had to wait 5-10 min. As a vegetarian, I ate the artichoke, squash enchildadas and the oreo dessert. The artichoke and enchiladas were fantastic! I really appreciated the unique veggie entree. The other veggie dishes were the veggie burger and a veggie plate. The oreo dessert was good but not as great as I expected from previous reviews. Will return though for sure. Great service also.
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Review from J M.
Menlo Park, CA
1/20/2012
I LOVE the food and how cozy the place is but, their habit of giving some reservations and holding other seats open for walk ins is very tacky. Also the ladies at the reception could use come retraining in customer facing skills.
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Review from teena y.
San Carlos, CA
OMG. I'm so glad I found this place!!
You have to make reservations or show up early. We arrived at 5 on a Sunday and when we left at 5:47, there was already a 35 minute wait.
Prime Rib French Dip Sandwich ($19) is as delicious as I remembered it at Rutherford Grill in Napa.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Side: The corn on the cob was yummy too. (There were other options, like french fries, mashed potatoes, and veggies)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The Grilled Artichokes ($10) is a must get. The sauce you dip it in is good.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Also, I didn't try the cornbread, but since this restaurant is related to Rutherford, the cornbread should be on a list to try as well.
The BBQ Salmon ($26) was just OK.
Total dining experience: $70
Service was great - thanks Christina C. I couldn't finish my French Dip Sandwich and the waitress packed a fresh au jus sauce for me to go and helped pack my food. Thanks!
I'll be coming back. -
Review from Thomas N.
8/31/2011
Coming to the Los Altos Grill for a Birthday dinner, I was definitely excited to try a couple of items of the menu, namely the Cornbread, Prime Rib and Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich. After getting seated and really enjoying the vibe of the place (old school exposed timber ceiling, huge central bar, and outdoor rotisserie shack), we got down to the nitty gritty.
I got to try the Corn Bread which is really dense has a really nice mix of sweetness from the corn and spice from the jalapenos; the prime rib medium rare which was pretty solid; the extremely tender and flavorful chicken bandera; and the star of the menu (drum roll please....): the barbecued beef ribs.
These ribs were fall-off-the-bone-so-tender-you-could-eat-it-with- a-spoon tender with a delicious sweet and slightly smokey sauce, a definite must try.
Sadly, I came on a night that they did not offer the oreo cookie ice cream sandwich (I cried inside). I will have to come back one of these days for a glass of beer and the oreo cookie ice cream sandwich.
