Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Brookline

It’s a new year and A&L’s is holding to the high standards they established. Often Julie and I order different meals so we can enjoy more of a restaurant’s offerings; last night we both immediately ordered the same. Last year A&L’s made a few updates to their menu. One addition was the ribeye cap steak. I acknowledge everyone has their favorite steak; for us it’s always been the ribeye, it’s flavor with the marbling, moisture and texture of ‘the cap’ we find make it ‘the best’. Now A&L’s has the cap as a full steak; we both had it and it is the best steak we have had. For the evenings dining we were very pleased to be able to have Victor’s service. It’s amazing someone so young, energetic and just plain fun brings such exceptional service. In the new year, trying to be good (better…) we focused on one bottle of wine to compliment the meal. Matt brought an outstanding wine (so good we will see if we can find it for home). It was in an excellent price point (this is another area A&L’s excels, a large and varied wine selection from California cab’s everyone knows, to some top French and Italian wines fit for the most important days). Last I’ll say that though we appreciate Victor’s service and Matt’s knowledge and assistance with wine, the management of A&L’s ensures everyone dining can have the same bespoke service. An example is last night as we were enjoying our wine ‘relaxing’ a bit, Chris, a server who’s service we’ve enjoyed in the past, stopped by to just wish us a happy new year. This type of special service throughout are what put A&L’s at the top of Boston’s restaurant’s. Thank you, Bill & Julie

Everything was great and we were in a table in the back nook which was great for catching up with friends because it was quieter. Will request that table again. Loved the cod dish and the wonderful service!

We relied on the guidance of our wonderful bartender for food choices and were so grateful for her knowledge! The food was wonderful and creative. We also enjoyed the Wine Symposium — a flight of very different wines from Crete. It was a really fun evening!!

Excellent service and food. I would definitely return.

I went solo and it was amazing. If you go with someone else or go in a group, use it as an opportunity to try every dish they have to offer because everything on the menu is packed with flavor and just well-executed. Drink whatever wine Jesse tells you to drink. I know I'm biased because I've been eating Chef Dooley's food for 10+ years going back to his time running the kitchen at Craigie on Main. He has never lost a step, and there's a reason all of his ventures have been so successful. You won't be disappointed and you'll keep coming back.