Al's Restaurant Info
Amenities
Service options
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Takeout
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Dine-in
Highlights
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Great dessert
Popular for
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Dinner
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Solo dining
Accessibility
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Wheelchair accessible entrance
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Wheelchair accessible parking lot
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Wheelchair accessible restroom
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Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Hard liquor
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Wine
Dining options
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Dinner
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Dessert
Amenities
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Bar onsite
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Restroom
Atmosphere
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Cozy
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Historic
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Romantic
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Upscale
Crowd
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Groups
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Tourists
Planning
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Reservations required
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Dinner reservations recommended
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Accepts reservations
Payments
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
Best WLM Reviews
Do NOT Recommend.
Uber driver tried to warn us not to go, we should have listened.
Not sure how the food is so cannot speak to that. Totally creepy vibe, dark atmosphere. We realized we made a mistake after sitting down at the table so we had drinks and left. We were charged $50 plate fee each (we were supposed to be party of 6, ended up being a party of 4 due to flight delay). We were even charged the plate fee for the couple that wasn’t able to make dinner due to being stuck in airport waiting for flight to get to STL. Charge a $74 tip on top of plate fee for food we didn’t order or eat. One in our party has food allergy and it wasn’t worth taking the chance in ordering the food. We were also wondering about freshness of food when they only serve 10 people a night. Tons of tables, no people. Only drink menus, no Menu to read. Know before you go because we did not and were totally unprepared.
Super weird vibe. Heavy doors, dark, very strange, server came out of hidden door in wall. This is by far the strangest restaurant I have ever been in, I definitely Do NOT recommend.
The best place I have been to in the United States! It’s 100 years old and the ambiance is brilliant! The servers have all been there for 40 plus years. I sat where Frank Sinatra sat. They chilled the fork and salad plate. I highly recommend the table side Caesar salad. I ordered the Oscar steak but asked for gluten free sauce and they got in cornstarch and prepped it for me. I loved it
This historic restaurant is quite the experience, to say the least. It's dimly lit, has a dress code (jacket required for men), features table-side service...it's probably the most "fine dining" I have experienced in St. Louis. They do specialize in steaks, but also have seafood, pasta, soups, and salad. I got the lobster bisque and Al's pasta, both were wonderful. I got to try my friends' dishes, and they did not disappoint. The service is old school, in that they treat the customers like royalty. It's not cheap, but the food and service justifies what you pay. All in all, this is a restaurant you'll never forget (and for all great reasons)!
???? IF THE RESTAURANT SEEMS EMPTY WHEN YOU WALK IN, PLEASE DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR AND STAY!!! Al’s has a limit of only 10 people max dining per night, and for good reason! My husband and I walked into the restaurant feeling like we had entered a time capsule. I see reviews talking about the musty smell, but all that I could think of when I walked in were nostalgic memories of my grandparents and a generation lost. This is a historic restaurant and landmark, and I loved every ounce of my time there.
Let’s start with the main thing: the food was unreal. It is the epitome of fine dining, and every last thing that we ordered was made to order. It was fresh, and there was not one item that did not scream perfection. The escargot was amazing, as well as the lobster bisque appetizer. I got the Chilean Seabass, and my husband got the fillet with coldwater lobster on top Oscar-style. WOW ???? we eat at a lot of fine dining restaurants, but we have never had an experience where there was not one thing that was either not cooked perfectly or that we didn’t instinctively love. But not here. You have to try it to believe it.
The service was unmatched. My husband and I were somewhat concerned as we first walked in because there was only one other table in there; but we soon realized that it was intentional by the owners and allowed us to have the most intimate dining experience of our lives. It’s almost as if we had rented out the restaurant for our entire meal, and it felt so personal and special. It truly can be summed up to say that it was an experience, not just a dinner.
Our servers had each been working there for over 40 years, as well as the chef. Gary and James (our servers) were excellent. The passion and the ownership that Gary oozed when speaking about the restaurant and every facet of the food and its history was palpable.
We pray people will give Al’s a chance - we truly will never forget our experience there, and we pray blessings over the owners and staff as they continue to preserve a piece of history with honor, integrity, and DELICIOUSNESS!
Absolutely an amazing atmosphere, this historic place is just beautiful. Our waiter was so kind and funny. The food was the best I had ever eaten. I would recommend this for anyone coming to st. Louis.
First off, it's in a terrible area, they had no valet and no accessible parking. It smells of rotten eggs outside the restaurant, The front door doesn't even open all the way because it's dragging on the broken concrete sidewalk. The manager was very rude to our party , the only reason we stayed to eat was we were in a hurry to go to a concert , and didn't have time to go down the street to carmines( highly recommended). This place also charges your credit card if u cancel a reservation, they charge for each person as well, 50.00 dollars each,even though the place is totaly empty. So when u get there and realize its in a terrible area with a rude manager u will be charged for every person in your party if u decide not to stay, what they are doing with their reservations is a scam, i honestly believe this is how they are staying in business. There is NO demand for seating.My steak was overcooked and another was undercooked, The lamb chops and the lobster tail were both very good and the staff that waited on us were pleasant and professional minus the manager. Our overall experience was not great, and it definitely fell short of "fine dining". Do yourself a favor and avoid this place, there are better options for a great steak in St. Louis. Also more people should complain about their reservation cancelation policy as they pretend the seats are highly sought after, but they are definitely not!!!!
I don't recommend going here!! The minute we walked in, the guy at the door was incredibly rude to us. We almost walked out but had a concert to go to later in the evening and going elsewhere would have put us too far behind. The food was good but not worth price. It was dark and outdated as well. If you're thinking of trying Al's I'd recommend going 4 more minutes to Carmines.
Al’s is what other fine dining and steak houses try to be
I saw a post earlier this year on the Lost Tables Facebook group. I had only been to Al’s once (in 2010) and was surprised that it was still open… and although I forgot the guy I went to Al’s with in 2010, I remembered the decadent atmosphere, excellent service, delicious steak and slow meal.
Al’s symbolizes everything that I want in my 40th decade: authenticness, a better socioeconomic situation, and understated originality.
I called two weeks ahead and made reservations for my birthday feast.
My experience couldn’t have been better. The hostess was exceptional and kind to my group of 8 very ethnically and socioeconomically diverse friends, at least 2 whom have never experienced fine dining. Everyone felt welcomed and comfortable (I had told them to dress up, so everyone was dressed appropriately for a place like this).
We split a few appetizers across the table. Delicious and everyone was able to have about 2-3 pieces of everything.
The main courses were presented from a rolling cart and this was one of the most remarkably awesome parts of our meal. What place truly does not have a printed menu? The presentation was mouthwatering and made you want to eat everything on the menu.
Al’s house salad came with all the entrees, and it was perfect. There as a sorbet aperitif between the salad course and entrees, which completely amused my friends. I ordered the 8 ounce filet mignon, and was reminded of why I remembered the food but not the guy from 2010. It practically melted in my mouth and I could have cut it with a butter knife. It did not need sauce of any kind. My side was the Al's potatoes, which I probably wouldn't order again only because I had it confused with another style of potatoes (they were delicious for what they were). Other friends ordered the salmon, pasta, and stuffed filet and the sides are big enough to share. I was told the salmon was moist but cooked and seasoned to perfection. The portions were large enough that almost everyone had to-go boxes.
For dessert everyone ordered something different and nobody shared. I was told it was all delicious! Perfectly portioned and the perfect ending (and regrettably meals like this must end).
The only thing incongruent about our experience at Al’s was the weird playlist. It went from country to show tunes to 80s soft rock… it was very confusing and the one detail that was overlooked. I think that others have previously remarked about this. It was pretty odd and would have set a better mood if they had played soft instrumental holiday music, classical, jazz, or even 1920s-1940s pop songs. Most important, the volume of the music was spot on, and acoustics and table spacing in the room were so that we could all hear each other and not overhear other guests at other tables.
Serving and waitstaff was perfect: there when you needed them and not intruding when you didn’t. From appetizer to dessert, our meal ended up taking about 3 hours. For all 9 of us, all very light drinkers, with maybe 1/2 an appetizer portion each, it ended up being just less than 1000 including a very generous tip to our gracious waitress. I would budget at least 100 per person including tip, but 200 per person would be more comfortable.
Along with my wonderful friends, Al’s helped me have the best 40th birthday party that I could have imagined. It is the most memorable fine dining experience, perfect place to spoil my friends who have never previously experienced “fine dining”, and perfect for special occasions. I only hope that they’re around another 96 years and that I have the chance to return sooner than 9 years from now (and I will *definitely* remember all the friends I spent this occasion with)!
(Photos by my dear friend, Florence Flick, PhD)
Quick Facts About Al's Restaurant
Today
Opening Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 02:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 02:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Thursday | 02:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Friday | 02:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 02:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
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