Los Altos Grill
- Hours:
Mon, Sun 4:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Tue-Thu 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat 4:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
145 Reviews for Los Altos Grill
One of Los Altos Grill's Favorite Reviews
Okay, let me preface this by saying I grew up in Texas. I know my barbecue...and I'm picky as hell about it. In fact, I'm seriously considering being a BBQ cookoff judge (I'll pause for your laughter).
So that little build up to tell you that Los Altos Grill has THE best ribs I have ever had. Ever. In the history of ever. I could take these puppies back to Texas and confidently hold them up against any BBQ joint and know that a BBQ freak will actually admit that a California restaurant has better ribs than their hometown joint.
Now, Los Altos grill is "technically" a chain. They are part of the restaurant group that owns Houston's - which I've eaten at many times in various locations in Texas. If you've been to Rutherford, for example, Rutherford Grill is identical to Los Altos Grill. So we're not talking about anything original here. But that's a minor point. If anything, it's a plus...if you're in wine country...go to Rutherford Grill for lunch (same menu). If you're in San Francisco, try Houston's (different menu).
And the prices ARE outrageous. But this is the one place I don't care about the prices. They let you bring in your own bottle of wine with NO corkage fee (amazing). The service has always been pleasant. They have deviled eggs, for crying out loud (genius). And their other selections are great.
But...it all comes back to the ribs. Absolutely one of the best dishes I've had in California. They would win contests in Texas, North Carolina, Memphis...and even Kansas City. I've hyped them to friends - who were skeptical - and now they are the ones doing the hyping.
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Located in the heart of what you can call downtown los altos this place is always packed. Every weeknight it is busy so that is kind of a downer. Last time I went I had to wait 30 min with my family and we had a reservation. Once we got seated the 12 dollar chips and dip were good but at least they give you free refills. Then comes the main course. Both times that I have been there I have gotten the ribs. They are amazing. if I had a last meal I would have to seriously consider having these ribs. The meat is smoked and grilled and comes off the bone with ease. THey give you a fairly good sized portion and you will be glad you ordered these. I was full that night and ontu the next day. Get the ribs the first time you go, dont spend 30 bucks on fish or some weak steak. Get the ribs. I would give it a 5 star rating but i have only had the ribs so I will have to go back and try other things.
As soon as I walked into the restaurant, I felt I was transported to Banderas in Corona Del Mar. Having relocated to the peninsula area I wasn't aware of the history behind Los Altos Grill. Of course, I asked for the Macho Salad that isn't listed on the menu. What's a macho salad you ask? Well, you'll just have to return to the restaurant to find out. There were four of us and we had the bbq salmon, macho salad and prime rib. The staff is great. Our waiter, Amir was attentive and knew the menu well. The wine list is is heavy California wine which I prefer so that's a plus.
All in all, a great environment and a feeling of being in a southern california restaurant with a lively buzz. Oh yes, I'm from Orange County so I like restaurants that have a buzz in the bar and dining room and this restaurant fits the bill quite nicely. My wife and I plan on becoming regulars to Los Altos Grill. You will as well so we'll see you there soon.
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This place has a nice atmosphere, but seems like a locals hang out. It's kinda in the middle of nowhere.
It looks like it'd be a fancy place considering the employee attire and mood lighting however, it seemed like an slightly up scaled Applebees. The food is somewhat overpriced for the quality of food.
It's nice to try if you're in the area, but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to visit again.
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This place always delivers. No corkage + cornbread + clams + prime rib sangwich + oreo cookie ice cream sandwich = heaven! drool.
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This place has quite the happening bar scene. If you're looking for someplace to pick up your next sugar daddy, look no further.
It's incredibly dark in here. I could barely see the menu and the path to the restroom takes you right by an entrance to the kitchen and I almost bumped into a couple of waiters. I'm kind of clumsy. We all survived so it's ok.
The grilled artichoke, ono sandwich and ahi tuna burger were all tasty and the service was good. By 7:30, the place was packed.
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Love Love Love the Grilled Artichoke! Love it!
Stopped in here after my high-glam fashion show (can you believe I've been asked to be in another ... stay tuned for that "invite" on future review) last week - been a long week so I forgot to write the review...
Stopped in with some great girlfriends for celebratory drinks. The bar was hopping - meandered our way up to key seats. I mean hey, 3 hot chicks ... We owned it! ;)
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R and I had the good fortune to live in Los Altos for four years, before slimy Frank hiked our rents once too often and we bought our current digs. Although we'd been in Los Altos a few times before our residency there, we never partook of BANDERA. We made up for that omission right quick. BANDERA became a regular haunt for us during our four years, and we still occasionally return to BANDERA.
[rant]
Why, might you ask, do I use BANDERA? Because that is its owner-bestowed name. You see, at one point in time, I believe it was right after we moved, BANDERA wished to expand its hours and serve lunch. More revenue coming into Los Altos and all that. Who wouldn't want to have this place open for lunch? The city fathers, that's who. The Los Altos City Council granted their request on the condition they "rename" BANDERA, then recanted their approval on the premise that there wasn't enough parking in the area to handle the load. Hogwash! Screw you, city fathers, it'll always be BANDERA!
[/rant]
I'd be happy with just a caesar salad and a slice of cornbread. (That way I can save room for the Oreo ice cream sandwich!) The caesar is divine, probably one of the top three I've ever had. Sandwiches are to die for; R had an epiphany when he took his first bite of his first BANDERA chicken sandwich. Fries are awesome, as are the garlic mashed potatoes. Chicken is juicy -- could be cooked just a bit more, but that's being picky. Service is friendly and prompt. These servers are on their game! There was one particularly awesome server, a little skinny very funny guy who served us several visits. I think we put him through college for sure. Wait times are very hit and miss; a couple visits we timed our arrival for their 5pm opening. Some of the hostesses can be a little stuck-up, but, after all, it is Los Altos!
Also love the atmosphere which is homey without the fakey TGIFriday's/Applebee-type interior decor. Multiple TVs for sports! (Although you can't hear a thing.) And watching the bar scene is a hoot. We once spied a neighbor chatting up some guy...pretty funny. I'm sure if our hearing was better we could overhear some hot Silicon Valley gossip!
BANDERA was one of the best things to come out of our time in Los Altos -- along with a few lasting friendships!
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My friend and I came here to eat after the Yelp elite event last night, and had a fab time!
First it didn't start out so fab, since our wait was going to be at least 35 minutes. But things started looking up after we asked to be seated outside on the patio and found out there was no wait! You also stay warm because you sit right next to a heat lamp.
I found out that this is Rutherford Grill's sister restaurant, and it immediately won me over.
I loved the food! Grilled artichoke!! I also had a cheeseburger with shoestring fries. My cheeseburger was more like the size of a cheesburger SUB on good bread with poppy seeds baked right in.
It would earn 5 stars if it wasn't so expensive...not very often I order a $14 cheeseburger, haha.
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I came for dinner on a Sunday night and was surprised to see the place fill up so fast. I think it might have been full by around 5:30 PM! My dish for the evening was the "Bandera style roasted chicken" ($17). It comes with a Spanish rice served on a sliced tomato. Can anyone explain why it's on a tomato? That really didn't do anything for me. In any case, the main course is what counts. The bird was a very moist half chicken. I would hope for a little more roasted flavor seeing that huge oven outside, but it was still good. Ultimately, the food was not worth the price (Sonoma Chicken Coop will get you the same thing plus bigger sides for $10), but it's all about the atmosphere and service here.
The service is excellent. The staff is there to help with everything. I'm sure I witnessed a record of some kind in number of times someone stopped to refill a drink or ask if everything was okay. Part of that may have to do with their tiny water glasses. They come out chilled, and they leave a jar of water at your table, but what's with the tiny glasses?
The decor? It's gorgeous in here! The sides have raised seating with the bar right in the middle of it all. I was towards the front, but I could see the cooking area exposed for all to see in the rear. Seats, tables, railings, even the ceiling looks very hip. This place is connected for sound.
I had a great experience here. The food was disappointing size-wise, but tasted fine. I will probably just come to hang out at the bar next time for some live music.
Does it mean i'm verging on yuppie if i admit to liking this place? I want to tell you its for all the right reasons.. but why apologize? This place has a great, if pricey, wine list, a fabulous grilled artichoke and salad selection, delicious grilled meat and a comfortable outdoor patio for hanging out. You will overhear some classic Los Altos conversations here:
Last visit--
"My daughter feels safest in her Hummer and that's what's important to Bob and me..." and other wealth/suburban infused blabbermouth, but hey, who am i to judge?
Conversations such as these make me feel like I'm reading a chapter out of a John Cheever story, were he west-coast transplanted and 21st century.
Something here for everyone.
UPDATE 3/12: Tonite my team went to dinner here. After last week's experience, the GM reached out to me via Yelp & invited me to call him. When I did, he invited us back to give them another chance.
Me being the Oreo-cooking-loving-whore I am...of course I said we'd oblige. Plus, let's be really honest here. My team LOVES this place, which is why we were all so acutely disappointed when we had the bad experience last week. It's like being told by a best-friend that you're fat and ugly and by the way, you smell bad.
Tonite was a surreal dining experience. In a giddy kind of way. Our waiter, David, was SO on it. And I've had him before... (that sounds so wrong?!) and he was wonderful then...but he must have gotten a note on our ressie that said 'treat these wackos with kid gloves' because he was so attentive. And we had multiple people checking in as well. We even got a visit from the Kitchen Manager, who had a fab sense of humor, & even gave us a few tips on *trying* to replicate a few of our favorite dishes.
In the interest of full-disclosure, they comp'd our meal which was unexpected yet appreciated. The food tonite was spot on, though we all noticed that something was slightly different on the artichoke aioli. Tuna burger, as usual, was friggin' amazing, love that thing. And the cornbread? According to David, ours was fresh outta the oven....so it wasn't languishing unloved on some side burner.
The bottom line here: props to LAG's General Manager for reaching out to me when he read about our exp...so many times biz owners lash out instead. This guy was a class act. He admitted their ressie system needs work, said they will no longer be taking ressies for parties over 6, they only have the 3 large tables, and it's too hit or miss with big parties. I can totally respect that. He also said they are going to be doing more staff training. I have faith in him, because he has worked for 14 other restaurants in the Hillstone company. Because frankly, we have been coming here for years. I want to see them succeed...if only so that I know that I never have to be without my Oreo cookie dessert!!
Thanks staff of LAG, GM, KM and David for giving us a wonderful experience tonite.
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UPDATE 3/6: Went here for dinner tonite. Well scratch that. TRIED to go here for dinner tonite. Party of 8. Called earlier to confirm. We all arrive, party of 8. They don't have us on the list. Talked to the manager. Got gal who made ressies on phone. To no avail. No one would fess up to making or confirming ressie. Horrible long wait, they couldn't accommodate us. Plan B...Trader Vics. Not the same, but they were fab with our party of 8, nice table, great service.
We all felt acute disappointment towards LAG since it is one of our team's favorite places to grub. Special occasion, we had two out of town European team members who wanted to try it based solely on our rave reviews.
What was the most disappointing was the noncholant attitude of the front gals about the 'lost' reservation. There wasn't one 'sorry' from any of them tonite...not even a 'sorry we can't accommodate you'. There was absolutely NO emotion coming from them nor did they offer any suggestions on fixing the issue...it made us sad.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW 11/07:
Been going here for years, since it was Bandera. Had no idea it was part of the Houstons chain...but even if it is a chain restaurant, which typically I don't love, we DO love this place.One downer is..large party & no ressie, be prepared to wait...because they only have 3-4 tables that can seat more than 4, and big parties take a while. They are also no longer open for lunch.
The grilled artichoke is phenom, but what makes it so is the dipping aioli that comes with. Jalapeno cornbread is yummy, but I think they churn out too many because it hardly ever actually arrives warm, downer. Side of butter if it's warm.
Favorites...grilled chicken and rice. Rack of lamb. Bangers and mash. Cheeseburger. But the current love of my life is the ahi tuna burger. I don't know many places that do an ahi tuna burger...so this one is special. The bun is soft and toasted...aioli, lettuce, tomato. Get it with the side of the peanut asian coleslaw, rather than fries, the slaw is SO very tasty but seriously greasy. Got $12 to spare? Get a rotisserie chicken to go.
Dessertwise...there is only one thing I love. The Oreo Cookie dessert. Sounds like something you get at a bad TGIF dinner right? Nope. Think crushed oreo crust, cookies n'cream ice cream inside and pools of dark bittersweet chocolate surrounding the cookies and real whipped cream. I think I dream about this sometimes, because I wake up and my pillow is wet. I order one for JUST me, no matter how full I am. Tried key lime and banana cream pie but no dice.
This place is solid, service can be spotty, but the food really never disappoints.
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OMG, someone dropped Houston's in the rich burbs!
Same exact look feel, probably even wine list as Houston's in the city. Not much to complain about except the popularity and the prices really. The grilled artichoke was yummy as were the pan fried clams. They put a big piece of Texas toast in the bottom of the clam dish which made it look like there were more clams than there really were. The bread soaked up all the butter and cream and sausage fat (oh yeah, they had sausages in there to fatten up the clam broth) and clam juice. A most unhealthy finish, but I bet it is popular!!! And don't get me wrong, there were plenty of clams. Plenty of everything actually, this place is not a portion jipper.
For wine, we liked the Testerosa Pinot Noir and the Cab Franc.
While I have always enjoyed the food in this restaurant, I have found the staff to be lacking. That is, until last night.
For example, I have always felt rushed because my plate is always taken away before my wife can complete her meal but last night when I told my waitress (Alison) I would like to take my time I watched her rush around the restaurant and tell everyone not to take my plate.
I was so impressed I felt the need to strike up a conversation with my her after my dinner about the reasoning behind certain policies and she gave me a little advice about how I could modify them to suit my desires.
She completely changed my view about this restaurant. I would just recommend that anyone wanting a different style of service to just let their waiter know before hand.
apparently this is the place to be in downtown los altos. i can't believe how many people were here on a wed night, and everyone is so dressed up! i came here for dinenr w/ seong tonight, and we shared the grilled artichokes, the fish sandwich, and the ahi burger. all of it was delicious. i particularly love the fish sandwich, and the portions were gigantic. yet, i still managed to eat the whole sandwich.
for dessert, they only had 2 options, banana cream pie and an oreo ice cream sandwich, so we opted out, since we were so full anyway.
i've always loved houstons and bandera, and i'm glad there's a hillstone restaurant in good ole los altos.
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Maybe it's the price that surreptitiously makes you think that 'oh boy, this tortilla is the best ever', but I have to say, _everything_ I've tried so far on the menu is de-li-ci-ous. We usually bring our own wine, because frankly, expect to spend $50+ per person without ordering beverages. I'm pretty happy with two buck chuck with our fancy meal. From the file mignon to the different kinds of fish, to the bangers to the chicken. Absolutely love the sides (mash and veggies). And the desserts are awesome. I must have gone there maybe 5-6 times in the past two years, for all sorts of different special occasions. The only true disappointment is the first time I went there, I had an ostrich steak which was to die for, and every single time I go there, I ask if they have it, only to be met with disappointment. Mr. Manager, if you are reading this, you need to get on the ball about that!!...
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Ok Los Altos Grill, you asked for it.
You know what you did, and you know why you did it.
You are pretentious and I can't quite figure out why given that you are what I call a "well dressed version of Chilis."
Take your grilled artichoke, your overpriced and undercooked ribs, and shove them both straight up your ass.
Harsh? Perhaps. Whatever.
Proctology.
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We went here for an early dinner last night because we heard how crowded it gets. It definitely gets crowded but for good reason. The food and service here were outstanding. I had the Prime Rib and my wife had the Ribs and they were both great. We also had the Corn Bread and it was the best corn bread, I've ever had! It was made with corn, corn mix, jalapenos and honey....while cornbread is usually dry, this was pretty moist. To top it off, we had great seats to view the open kitchen and marvel at how efficient the chefs and staff are. I can't wait until we come back here again.
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We ordered a burger & the chicken salad -- both were totally smothered! Service was just ok, not great.
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This place is solid. It has a menu that allows you to spend 40 dollars on a steak, or 17 bucks on an upscale burger. i took the girlfriend here on Valentine's day and it was really. This place used to be called Bandera's and is part of the Hudson's chain.
The decor is sleek elgeant dark wood and candle lit. Romatico..
The place is basically open kitchen and they keep a limited selection on their menu. thus allowing them to output excellent food consistently.
Food -
CornBread (It's got jalapenos and composed butter with anchoives sugar and some other stuff....) Must get.
Ahi Tuna Burger - here they actually chop up the tuna and serve like a beef burger. This thing is killa here. Absolutely loved it! Fries are good too wink wink
Prime Rib Sandwich - Good. Just get it. Came with some really good brussel sprouts. the waiter even hooked it up with some of those maple syrup carrots too. Great stuff.
**the best thing about this restaurant is that there is no corkage fee!!!!!!!!!**
We went to Vino100 right down the street bought a bottle of wine, had a glass with some cheese, then brought the rest over for dinner at Los altos Bar and Grill.
Bottom Line - BYOW and enjoy good food here!
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4.4.08 Update
I had the same experience as Mara regarding superb follow-up and customer service after I left (see original review below) because they couldn't accommodate my reservation in a timely manner and I Yelped it. I wasn't going to lay it all out, but since Mara did, I want to support her review and show that it wasn't a one-off thing and they seem to really be taking responsibility for their crummy reservation system and responding to their disgruntled clientle. Now, I just hope they're actually fixing their crummy reservation system.
Of course when we arrived everyone was on high alert, so I can't say that my evening was reflective of an average night out at the Los Altos Grill. We got a visit from a manager, our waiter was uber-nice and then we got a visit from the Executive Chef. Every visitor was very apologetic and welcoming. I deeply appreciate that management is taking negative reviews seriously and constructively and reaching out to try to keep customers coming back. Not only will I come back, but I will continue to applaud their reaction and effort to anyone looking for somewhere to sup.
All that said, we were a little disappointed in the size of our entrees. We both had the snapper special that night. It was cooked perfectly, and so was the accompanying broccoli. However, BFs fillet was significantly smaller than my own, and there was no starch on the plate. No rice, no potato, nuthin. I allowed this to be a silver lining moment because I knew we'd have room for dessert, when we usually don't. But really, only because I knew we were being comped. If we had been paying our own tab, I wouldn't have been so positive about it. We also each had our own serving of the oreo cookie ice cream sandwich. Sinful. Definitely enough for two to share.
I hope we tipped enough. The service was really just above and beyond. We'll be back.
--------------Original Review------------------
With reservations they still couldn't seat us for at least a half hour after we got there.
We weren't greeted by the hostess but an irate (and possibly slightly sauced) patron that had already been waiting 30 minutes for her party's reservation.
BF and I discussed and asked the hostess if it was 30 minutes wait after our reservation or after our arrival. Either way, it really didn't matter, we had movie tickets and didn't have 30 minutes to wait to be seated - did I mention - *for our reservations*! We decided to see what else Los Altos had to offer. Unfortunately for us, not much. Based on the sardine-line crowds at Los Altos Grill, it's not so unfortunate for them. They can apparently afford to treat patrons like that and still print money at the bar.
Cougar says what?
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While my perception of Los Altos Grill might change when I eventually visit and sample their offerings, one star is considered very fitting for their reservation policy.
Here is the summary of their reservation policy (in sequential order):
1) Take down customer's name, be sure to ask the customer to spell out his or her name (B-O-B or T-O-M, even)
2) Obtain information about the party size
3) Obtain information about the time and date
4) IF: party size is in excess of 4, THEN proceed to advise the customer that the table will not be guaranteed as there are only 3 tables in the restaurant that can accommodate a party that size, and tables will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis, ELSE confirm reservation.
We'll take our business elsewhere, thank you very much.
And I would love to pop my head in on the day that we originally wanted our reservation to be (yes it is a weekday), and witness the 3 lonely tables, one of which could have been graced by our presence, and a couple of bored waiters, one of which could have been benefiting from the 20% tip.
On second thought, my perception of Los Altos Grill would never change. Because it is on the caveat that I would eventually visit the restaurant. Which, in this case, seems highly unlikely.
UPDATE 3/15 - received a message from the restaurant manager, who, after spending 10 minutes on the phone, still insists that their reservation policy is appropriate. I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And I am entitled to mine. Conclusion: refer the above paragraph.
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I love the Prime Rib French Dip and the Grilled Artichoke here but they are so expensive! I have eaten here several times and yes, the food is good but overall, not my choice of places to enjoy a meal at. The place is upscale and very clean but its not worth the price. Most of the bar patrons are in their 40's -50's looking for a yuppie to go home with at night or to at least pay for their expensive meal! Seriously, watch and listen to these people!
It is very dark inside the restaurant and my 80+ year old grandmother tripped and fell on a step that the hostess did not warn her about. They did nothing about it when it happened.
I just feel dirty when I leave this place and not in a good way.
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Had a girl's night out dinner here before heading over to the Busbarn Theatre. The service was decent. Known for their rotissere chicken, the food was ok. I think the choices were a little limited. The desserts were amazing! The ambiance was cool and the bartender makes a solid Cosmo. I'd eat there again.
Came here on a Sunday night around 8:15pm after most of the crowd has left. Given the place is nearly empty, we were surprised that we were shown to a tiny table. E requested that we be seated at a bigger table and our request was granted.
I wasn't all that hungry so I chose to skip the main entree and went with appetizers.
We shared a Caesar salad which was prepared differently than most places. The romaine lettuce was chopped up; although I would've preferred the more traditional Caesar salad, the dressing was tasty enough that I finished my half.
We also had the cornbread in the skillet. OMG. Delicious. It is prepared with corn and jalapeno pepper and the top layer is chunky and crunchy. YUMMY and a must have.
I love deviled eggs so he got some for us to share.
E did have the seared ahi tuna for dinner which he really enjoyed.
All in all, a nice atmosphere, good food and fantastic company - an excellent way to end the week.
Ah...if I could only count all the good memories and food I have had at Los Altos Grill. This is a charming neighborhood restaurant where it's very common to see the same group of people on a nightly basis. The food is wonderful and there isn't really anything you could go wrong with on the menu. It's a great place to bring a date or a group of friends.
The prime rib is cut thick and comes with divine garlic mashed potatoes. If you are in a rush they are great with TO GO orders as well. Try the half roasted chicken and artichoke hearts (they heat up well in the microwave). Although, my all time favorite is the Ostrich. This is the only I have tried it at, but I have to say it truly melts in your mouth.
The bar gets really busy early and if you get there after 7pm its highly unlikely that you will find a seat. Be prepared to wait standing up and make sure you come here on an empty stomach!
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Seeking common ground. LA Grill is making money, yet we agree with Tracy G. of Palo Alto, CA: "I found that all the more RECENT reviews of this place were the single star variety and all had pretty much the same tone. As is repeated throughout the LA Grill Yelp reviews, the Hostesses and the reservation process are a JOKE."
We had 6:30 reservations, showed up early, and were seated at 7:30. LA Grill meters out the bad news, lying like United Airlines -- one hour delay trickled out 10 minutes at a time. Three cute girls in black dresses does not add up to one competent matre d' . This is NOT an elite Manhattan restaurant, and would not be an elite restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas. So where do they get off with the combative stance in relation to clients? There is no remote justification for this.
"Okay the drinks are decently strong, and if you can eat at the bar, its a decent diversion to watch a current sporting event."
Right on: Here is the common ground. Do not go there expecting a fine restaurant, because your expectations will be sadly disappointed. LA Grill has excellent food, for a bar. Expect a bar with food, and you will not be disappointed. Expect a fine restaurant, and you will likely go away mad.
"LA Grill will be around awhile. They are NOT hurting for business and that is unfortunate. I hate to see bad customer service be rewarded with success."
We went with a Professor Emerita of management and business at a local university. She was dumbfounded at the incompetence, but she went expecting a restaurant, not a bar.
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Los Altos Grill has managed to please and successfully finds balance between an ambient environment coupled with tasty food. Although their menu isn't enamored with mile-long choices, they play it safe with well prepared grilled and smoked meats. My personal favorite dishes are the tuna & shrimp poke, cornbread skillet, and the prime rib. Expect to easily spend $40/person at this nice establishment.
A warning to those who order a bottle of wine though: they brought our bottle already opened. I don't want to suspect anything, but the convention is for the bottle to be opened in front of you. Such a big no-no in my book.
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We still refer to this restaurant as "Bandera" which operates under the Grill but is under the same ownership. Our two young boys choose this wonderful country club style bar and restaurant when given the choice and we eat here at least 3 times a month. It is not cheap but the kids' meals are generous and the bar just dishes out a bit of relaxation. It is a local crowd that wants to cut loose, but in our town, that doesn't happen too much. :-) At least, one can count on Bandera for great service, a consistent meal and a relaxing atmosphere.
If someone asked me right now, you can go anywhere for dinner tonight, where would you like to go? I would say Los Altos Grill in one millisecond. I heart this place.
I always feel so happy when I'm there. I actually aim to show up when it's busy and bustling, knowing I will have a good 30-45 minutes to wait for a table just so I can hang around the bar, drink a martini, people watch, stand out front and watch the chickens roasting on the spit. Its a fun atmosphere. I like to draw out the experience.
I ALWAYS order the filet. Always. I sometimes play these games with myself, saying: "Self: you're going to order something new and fantastic tonight, like the ribs, or the chicken enchiladas." And I never do. The filet never disappoints, and why ruin a good thing, right?
Another noteworthy menu item is the artichoke appetizer. This thing is amazing. I continually try to re-create this delicious little veggie at home and it never, ever works out. I could eat 2 of these and some cornbread for dinner and be the happiest camper there ever was.
I think one of the main reasons I love this place is that you can show up wearing a classy little getup like you just came from a regatta gala or some flip flops and a tank top and feel just as comfy and welcomed. The crowd is very relaxed but the atmosphere is very cool, loud and bustling, dark and steak-house-esque. Circular bar in the middle, open kitchen, classy class.
Perk: NO CORKAGE. Yippee!
I live in San Francisco, and I've only been to Los Altos twice before. That's my excuse. Why my navigation system couldn't find the restaurant on the first try is beyond me. It got me close, but not quite there. We were 2 minutes late for our 8:30 reservation, and I blame it all on my car.
We walked past the bar which seemed to occupy a good 2/3 of the restaurant. A flat screen TV, far too small for the enormous bar, was awkwardly positioned somewhere in the middle. As the hostess walked us to our table, I took a peek at the score of the Sharks game - 0-0 late in the first period.
The decor of the restaurant reminded me of a ski lodge that just received a new shipment of faux wood siding. Is it a ski chalet? A remodeled Applebee's, sans fake metal signs? An old chiropractor's office with a bar? Who knows?
We were seated in a booth with red vinyl couches. Strange photos adorned the walls, and the perfectly positioned track lights completed the look. This would be an ideal place for a date if the noise level weren't so high. What are all those people talking about, and do they have to be so loud?
Then the food came, and I forgot all about the noise, the faux wood and the Sharks game.
The cornbread appetizer, served in a skillet, was huge and absolutely amazing. If you get nothing else at Los Altos Grill, at least do yourself a favor and try the cornbread. I was surprised they didn't serve it with butter, but it was perfect in and of itself.
For my entree, I ordered pork chops with mashed potatoes and red cabbage. The mouth watering pork chops served on a bone were juicy and perfectly cooked. ACME Chophouse, are you listening? "Juicy and perfectly cooked." That's what pork chops should taste like.
The food was hearty, rich and filling. There was a lot of it, too. Our server was very nice, but forgot to refill our water and iced tea.
I'd say Los Altos Grill deserves a solid 4.5-star rating. 5 stars for the food, less 1/2 a star for decor, noise level and not refilling my iced tea. I am still thirsty.
You don't always get what you pay for.
The sad thing is, when this place first opened, as Bandera, it was great. Great food, great ambiance, worth the wait and $$$.
Not so anymore.
Caesar salad should not be made with CABBAGE! What used to be one of the best Caesar salads in SV is now just weird. Heavy use of mustard, corn I guess thrown in to give it a "southwest" feel, really not big enough to share anymore...and last night...it was bulked up with.....CABBAGE!
Prime Rib french dip, not bad, but not great either and for 17 bucks should be off the charts. Served with excessively greasy shoestring potatoes.
Cheeseburger, not cooked as requested, and cut into thirds which made for a different presentation, but impractical for adding the condiments which are offered on the side.
This place is close by, so I have given many "second chances", but really, no more. I guess I thought by ordering the basics on the menu, I could improve the price/quality quotient, but in fact the opposite is true. Truth is I have not considered Los Altos Grill "fine dining" since they changed the name. $80 for a cheese burger and a french dip, pathetic confused little salad and a pair of beers each? Pass. I'll be at Sundance, enjoying a slab of prime rib, baked potato with the works, an authentic caesar salad and not being rushed out the door at 9 pm. Sure, the tab will be 50% more, but for a real meal, served in a professional manner by experienced wait staff.....totally worth it!
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Ehhh, relatively speaking I guess with the lack of actually good rests in the PA area, this place is good. However, I was actually somewhat dissapointed with the food here. Chicken I got was not bad but also not spectacular for its price. The one entree that is really what makes this place worthy of trying is its Ahi Tuna Burger. Its probably one of the best I have tasted anywhere. Ambiance of the place is also really nice. Crowd is a little older than expected as well. Expect to be surrounded by families and older business men.
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A nice neighborhood restaurant packed with locals and Valley yuppies. We sat in a nice booth near the entrance and the service was attentive and polite. To start, a friend recommended the corn bread in a skillet appetizer, so we ordered it to share with two other friends. A little cheesy with some peppers, soft, moist, a little sweet, and a little savory. Amazing.
I decided to go with the sliced leg of lamb, one of the their rotisserie specialties. While waiting for my friends to arrive, I was outside on the front patio and got a glimpse of their enormous rotisserie roasting rack through the metal grate screen. Mmmm, it smelled sooo good. The lamb came topped with a wonderful red pepper sauce, which was so good I had to ask for some more on the side because there wasn't enough of it to soak in every slice. A bit spicy, not overpowering, but still flavorful. The meat was very tender and the default medium rare was perfect to keep it and not too tough.
I was still recovering from a mammoth lunch, so I focused on the meat and left the vegetable medley alone. It didn't come with any starches, so if you're really hungry, I would recommend ordering a side of mashed potatoes, french fries, etc.
I had a piece of my friend's filet and it was really good. It almost melted in my mouth. I've also heard their prime rib is excellent. I will definitely have to come back again sometime.
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3.5 stars.
This is where my mom and I come when I visit her while dad's out of town:
we can sit at the bar and scarf down some seriously delicious burgers over a few cocktails and finish up with their amazing "oreo ice cream sandwich sundae," a seriously addictive treat that haunts my dreams and my round, round, shapely behind.
Sometimes we even bring dad, when he's around.
Artichoke is stellar too...only draw back is that we've suffered some seriously horrendous service here on occasion, when it wasn't even very busy. Typically they're pretty organized even though there is often a wait, but man, those couple of times were totally inexcusable.
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Anyone who knows me knows that this is my favorite spot for dinner and drinks, especially with guests from out of town. The 5 stars is because I'll readily drive from wherever I am in the Bay Area to eat here. And I do so for the BBQ Beef Back Ribs entree. I've lost track of how many times I've eaten them, and I cannot get enough. I wash them down with the house margarita, or three. It's probably some culinary sin, but it's so good, I don't care. Never have I had a bad meal here. From the ribs to chicken, enchiladas to burgers, and steaks to various fish entrees, I've loved every bite of food served to me.
The appetizers are damn good. The Dip Duo (queso and guacamole with warm tortilla chips) can't disappoint anyone. The desserts will warm your heart too, if you are prescient enough to not eat your hearty dinner in its entirety.
The atmosphere is intimate, especially when dining in the booths which feature low light. The bar is pretty big, and many people can sit and stand around it. You can either just drink and wait to be seated, or sit and eat dinner.
My two warnings, which are not detracting factors to me:
1) You will pay dearly. The food and drinks are not cheap.
2) You will wait to be seated, maybe up to an hour on busy nights.
These matter not to me. The food is worth every dime, and I'm patient. I bring good company, saddle up to the bar, enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine, or two, and enjoy the evening with friends.
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This is the place to be seen in Los Altos I guess. That alone would make me skip over this restaurant, but I keep coming back for more. For me its all about the food anyways. Never tried their rotisserie chicken yet as they are apparently famous for but ...(acc. to their rest. group website)
Pros:
Fast waitstaff (at least the times Ive been there -maybe b/c a smile goes a long way)
A friend loves their dipped prime rib sandwich.
I enjoyed their Manila Clams an