St. Michael's Alley

St. Michael's Alley reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. R

   Richard VIP

   Phoenix122 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Another perfect meal with outstanding service in one of the nicest dining rooms in town. Started with the tasty mushroom cake and continued with two terriffic fish dishea -- halibut and blackened salmon -- both accompanied by great veggies. Experienced and friendly service amkes it all so much better. Reliable place for a perfect dinner or celebrating a special night.
   

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2. P

   Phong VIP

   San Francisco2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   I ordered sea bass. They gave me halibut and tried to pass it off as sea bass. When I complained, the staff tried to gaslight me into thinking it was sea bass. When I pointed out that the look and texture of the fish was nothing like sea bass, and exactly like halibut, they finally admitted that it was halibut. They tried to lie to me and give me a cheaper piece of fish. I have never had a restaurant try so hard to deceive me like that before. They offered to give me actual sea bass, and I accepted. And then they told me they ran out of sea bass. By that time everyone else in my party finished their food and I lost my appetite after being lied to. I ended up just eating what others in my party did not finish. What a terrible experience.
   

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3. J

   John VIP

   San Francisco33 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 14 April 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a wonderful birthday dinner for my Daughter. I had the branzino special over black rice, it was excellent. They have an excellent and reasonable priced wine list. Service was excellent.
   

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4. D

   D VIP

   San Francisco11 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 12 April 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   SMA remains the gold standard of restaurants in Palo Alto. There is no other restaurant that provides excellent food (one of the best branzinos ever), attentive service, and a charming atmosphere. Our waitress was absolutely lovely (I am sorry that I didn’t catch her name), as was the most amazing Hector who kindly came out to say hello. Importantly, the different spaces within the restaurant provide an intimate, quiet setting, with the exception of the bar area which is lively and fun. SMA is the perfect spot for any occasion - business, a date, a small family gathering, or just friends getting together. Highly recommend.
   

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5. W

   Walter VIP

   Tahoe7 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on 10 April 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The place is really cute with a cozy atmosphere, but the food is not up to par, the short ribs were very dry, cassoulet kind of bland, service ok.
   

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6. J

   Jeff

   San Francisco5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 9 April 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our first visit to St Michael's Alley and it won't be the last. Truly enjoyed the experience. This was a birthday celebration and the staff made it extra special.
   

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7. J

   Jonathan VIP

   San Francisco12 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 6 April 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This is s neighborhood gem - a very pretty and quiet dining room - with outstanding food.
   

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8. A

   Amit VIP

   San Francisco3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 30 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Food and ambiance were great. Service wasn’t that warm or helpful to what you would expect. Food was solid
   

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9. C

   Claude VIP

   San Francisco12 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on 30 March 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   In summary: meh. There was nothing really wrong with the food, but there was nothing interesting about it either. The Chinese buns with pork carnitas were very bland, we had expected (wrongly it turns out) a little spiciness. The cassoulet had neither bacon nor sausage and the white beans were in a very liquid base, not the think goo of a real cassoulet. The flavor was not bad, just bland. The short ribs were braised much too long, the meat had turned tough. All the dishes were presented well and our waitress was very attentive and very nice. My review may not apply to everyone. We enjoy high flavor dishes, not the Olive Garden. You may have a very different point of view.
   

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10. C

    Carol

    San Francisco86 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 28 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    As always a delightful experience. The food is always very well cooked and presented at a good pace. This time I had the scallops with Beluga lentils - an unusual combination, but perfectly cooked with great flavor and texture. My husband had the seafood pasta and pronounced it to have a very well matched tomato sauce. Our only disappointment was in the Caesar salad which lacked the piquantness of prior versions. Our dessert was a light chocolate mousse cut like a cake and not too sweet - a delicious ending to the meal. The wines - a Chardonnay and a Sancere were well matched to our entrees. The service was prompt, efficient, pleasant and thoughtful. We have been coming to this restaurant since it opened and really enjoy seeing familiar faces in the staff. Keep up the excellent work!
    

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