Alison

I had an overall decent experience, though it wasn’t without a few surprises. The food was okay—we ordered the steak and eggs, which came with one slice of bread. The steak was well-cooked, and the eggs were done just right. However, a lot of sauce was left on the plate, and we decided to ask for more bread to scarpetta (soak up the sauce).The waiter brought us two extra slices of sourdough, which seemed like a nice gesture. But when the bill came, we were surprised to see a $5 charge for the bread. While I understand that extra items might come with a cost, it would have been helpful if the server had informed us of this charge beforehand.The staff were friendly and attentive, but charging $5 for two slices of bread felt excessive—especially without a heads-up. Overall, its a place with nice staff and decent food, but I’d suggest they be more upfront about extra charges.

One of the cutest spots in the city! Tucked away and hidden if you blinked, Alison is full of charm and deliciousness. The exposed brick is painted throughout as an upbeat playlist was boomed out throughout our meal. I was glad it started to pour as it gave us more time to enjoy the atmosphere.The food was very good, each course better than the last. I had a mediterranean and it was packed full of flavor. The affogato I had was the perfect way to end the meal I would highly recommend that.I’ll be telling all my friends about this place!

Such a lovely restaurant. Menu looks beautifully crafted, ambience was beautiful. We walked in on a Wednesday evening and got to enjoy some live jazz. Such a beautiful treat while dining. Will definitely be back regularly. Outdoor seating looks nice also.

Delightful! We came here on a whim before our trip to the Museum of the History of New York, and it was great. The manager on the floor Vladimir welcomed us warmly and our server Sayyid was fun and kind and prompt. We wanted a dozen oysters and a bottle of wine to start and it was 2:52, and he asked “are you starving? If you wait eight minutes we can do the happy hour combo and save you some money.” Totally unprompted and so kind!! We went for that, along with the mushroom croquettes and calamari to begin, then got the chicken schnitzel and Mussels PEI in white wine sauce as entrees.The calamari was tasty and crunchy, and not overcooked, and the sauces they came with were killer. The mushroom croquettes were delightful and, again, accompanied by a delicious sauce. The oysters from Martha’s Vineyard were fresh and light, but unfortunately a few had a little shell left over that I crunched on. Totally forgivable though as it was only two.As for entrees, the schnitzel was gorgeous: light golden brown, piping hot and ultra tender with a lovely breading and super buttery mashed potatoes. The mussels came cooked wonderfully and the sourdough was crunchy and fresh, but we needed more white wine sauce to go with and when we asked we were given it without a fuss!We didn’t think we has room for dessert but Sayyid brought over the espresso flan and we both fell in love and found another stomach. Creamy, rich, balanced with a great moist texture and just fantastic all around. I finished with a tasty mocha and we called it a day.What an absolute pleasure. I have a feeling this is a neighborhood gem, and deserves to be much busier. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the decor simple and comfortable, and a great team to back it up. If we’re back in the area we definitely will be stopping in again!*PLEASE DISREGARD MY HORRID PICTURES I FORGOT TO TAKE THEM BEFORE WE’D EATEN SOME OF OUR FOOD*

Rough visit, super underwhelming/ disappointing. Oysters were clearly bad (off smell and taste). They charged us for 6 of the 12 to make amends - which is just insane. Watermelon salad was the highlight(?) Rest of the food took 50 minutes to arrive. It was mediocre at best. Avoid

Still good even for take-out!! Perfectly cooked-to-order (medium) burgers! Appetizers pretty great too.Our food (pasta, and burger) was pretty delicious. Customer service was good too.

I was meeting a friend for dinner and it was pouring out. Being wet and cold instantly disappeared once I walked into this magical restaurant! The place is cozy, tables well spaced, clean and comfortable.The wait staff was super friendly, made good suggestions and brought the food out timely. We had the crispy chickpeas with rosemary and black salt. This is listed under snacks. I suggest you order these as soon as you sit down to snack on while deciding what to order. The chickpeas were deep fried with wonderful seasoning and had a delightful crispy taste.They have a wonderful wine list. We had the Chateau De Chantegrive Graves 2012. It is a Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon, France. It tasted like a mixture of a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay and was not too sweet. It also is a great value at $11 a glass.We started with the Steak Tartare appetizer with fresh Chile and ponzu sauce. The chef at this place is a master at spicing, the true art of cooking. Fresh Chile and ponzu are two very flavorful ingredients where each can dominate. Just the right amount of each was added and the flavors blended perfectly with the tartare.We then had the Wild Dover Sole with salsa Verde and the Salmon Rice Bowl with coconut rice, seared salmon, avocado, seaweed, sesame seeds and ponzu sauce. I had never had wild dover soles and wanted to try them. The dover soles were incredibly light and almost melted in our mouths.The Salmon Rice bowl was extraordinary with oodles of flavor. The coconut rice was cooked to perfection.We finished with a cappuccino and latte and the coffee flan. I love flan and coffee so it was heavenly for me. The flan had a strong coffee taste and was not overly sweet as some flans are.Cant wait to go back and try other dishes.Even though I do not live in the neighborhood it is worth the trip!

One of my favorite restaurants in the neighborhood. It’s a bit pricey and the portions aren’t the largest but I’d still argue that you get what you pay for. Buffalo shrimp was a surprisingly delicious dish. Hibiscus beverage was also delicious. All of their desserts are wonderful as well. Servers are all very friendly and knowledgeable. Great stuff.

Wow what a disappointment! We used to come here consistently. Always a great experience and always great service so much so that we brought others and recommended it to others. We had not been in a while given the current state of the city but decided to go back to one of our favorite spots last night. Unfortunately, as soon as we arrived it felt like we were in an alternate universe. The blond hostess took a while to approach. We did not realize that our reservation was outside so inquired about within. She said she would check but did not really. She just turned around and said no. She said outside was our only option. Despite that it is not yet spring or summer, we hesitantly agreed. So heres the thing: (1) If you are offering outside seating during cold weather, you should have heating lamps or not have it be an option at all. (2) Unless you are offering a discount for those eating outside, the quality of service and food should be the same. The drinks and meals took forever to come. It was like the staff themselves did not want to come outside. The meals were dropped off by a guy who seemed annoyed. A female server only refilled the water for the table closest to the door. When she returned later to remove our plates, she also seemed annoyed and did not respond when we thanked her. She almost hit my husband in the face with a dirty dish from another table. The host came outside briefly twice and never once approached our table. She knew it was cold yet she never offered to move us to the bar or inside if a table became available instead she accommodated others who came after with no reservations. Now the food...The burger was requested WELL DONE and it was not. One of the buns was soggy. Given the long wait and that it was cold, we did not risk returning it as we desperately wanted to leave. The free range chicken which we have ordered often always included a breast. This time it did not and seemed smaller. The drinks were watered down probably from how long they were left at the bar. I have never left no tip because I know working at a restaurant is not easy especially on a busy night but this experience was pretty tempting to change my commitment. Before we left, I went to use the restroom and yes there was space at the bar and an empty table but again, the hostess did not care enough. This was not the Alison that we knew and loved nor were all the familiar faces there except for the waitress who took our order. I know things like this happen but it does not make the experience any less disappointing when you are used to expecting the best from a place.

The food and drink are great. The atmosphere is well thought out and inviting. My only issue with this business is that the service is lacking. Members of the staff gather by the bar to talk among themselves and forget that one is waiting to order.

What a delightful surprise. An inviting East Harlem locale with great music, cheerful and attentive staff. We will be dreaming of the tender lambchop appetizer on a scrumptious bed of couscous and labneh, and the salmon was perfectly cooked with an ultra-crispy skin. Lovely presentation. Give this neighborhood gem a try!

My experience at Alison was great.Their selection of craft beers is ok. I didnt find a beer I havent tried on the draft list but they have interesting can choices as alternative.We ordered their oyster rose combo as a starter. The oysters were really delicious. Definitely a good place to go for oysters.As a main I had the salmon burger with fries. The fries were crispy and well seasoned. The salmon burger was delicious too. All over a great experience.The service was all the time friendly and fast.

Walk around the neighborhood with my friend and discover this beautiful restaurant - when we stepped in, the service was very welcoming and warm. We decide to try the oysters and beer special to start and the steak/salmon sandwich’s for main.The oysters were very fresh and extremely good!I highly recommend to get the onion soup with the sandwich! I will definitely come back again for it 😍Overall I give this place 5-stars. Very good vibe, very nice staff and most importantly the food was really amazing!

Fantastic lowkey anniversary dinner. The ambiance was beautifully dim and the wine was inviting, though we did not have any. We had the crispy sushi rice, lamb appetizer, old bay fries with a yummy cilantro aioli. We devoured everything. The staff was helpful. The Dover Sole, not pictured, tasted AMAZING. It reminded me of a traditional home dish, but I know the ingredients were different. We will hopefully be back for the aguachile!

I love Alison! Great food, great vibes, amazing staff. This is a regular spot for me. Their happy hour deal is really good. $1.5 oysters? Yes please.

Food and service were fantastic! We were randomly visiting the area and picked it for lunch. Not disappointed.

Great food! Wine mussels are delicious. Spicy steak entree done just right. Friendly staff 👌🏽 they also have non-alcoholic beer on the menu.

I love Alison – one of my gems in East Harlem. Stopped for their ‘Happy Hour’ which had a great selection of snacks, tacos and drinks. Had the Taco Pastor with marinated pork-delicious! 🤌🏼 Next time I will have the Rabbit Ragu, which is the daily special – can’t wait! Has a very attentive staff and enjoyed talking with the great new manager, Maddy. Also, loved the cozy ambience with a great art selection on the back wall. I have to come more often and would definitely recommend this place to anyone! See you there next time!

Great outdoor dining options. Service was very friendly. Food was amazing! Octopus was cooked perfect. Kebabs were so flavorful. Try everything. Dishes were plentiful.

I absolutely love coming to this restaurant, especially during my lunch breaks at work. Its my go-to spot with friends for indulging in oysters and the best fish tacos around. The ambiance is great, and the staff are super friendly. Definitely a must-try!

I have dined in this place and supported it since it first opened. But the people there are never appreciative of our business and treat us poorly. Servers can be very rude. And don’t handle crowds well, even for a small place. I asked to speak to the manager once and was also very dismissive and passive aggressive with me and my group. I guess we have to be a snotty, picky WHITE group of upper east siders to have any decent attention here. The last couple of times we went, the servers or hostess made up a bunch of excuses not to give us a seat “the kitchen is closing for a few hours” or “we don’t have enough staff” (in a half empty place).I guess we lowly East Harlem people aren’t good enough for this EAST HARLEM restaurant.Such a shame, the place had potential.

Alison never disappoints! Whatever you order it will be amazing, but I will say, one of the best steak frites you’ll ever had !! Highly recommended ‘

Nice and cozy place! Food was fresh and delicious and came out pretty fast :)They also have oysters from Maine so if you love oysters you should come 😊It was pretty crowded too so they seemed very busy but service was good :)

Lilly was our server and she was great. Attentive to our table but not too often

You come here to help gentrify the neighborhood. The food can be much better (and less salty!), drinks are limited to wines & beers, and last but not least its pricey for the area.

The best Oysters you will get it here, fresh directly from The Cape. The food are fresh, simple but full of flavour. Love their 90s Mexican pop playlist, location is convenient and close to train station. I will be back!

Ordered a steak sandwich with onion soup for lunch. They are tasty and the vibes here were really nice 🥰

We loved the experience stumbled upon this cute restaurant and it hit the spot for the hangover regival! Our bartender Alexis was incredible. Made an amazing suggestion for the Chiquilles and they were spicy, fresh, the flavor profile was immaculate with the pickled onions.Vlad was so cute and polite!

Service: 5 stars | Kitchen: 4 starsI so dislike verbose menus of pricier restaurants which in actuality seem to be using garnishes and sauces that are all coming into the kitchen pre-prepped and packaged by Kraft Heinz.The menu reads the Steak Tartar has truffle oil. When I requested my side of fries have some truffle oil on them, I was told they don’t have any truffle oil in the kitchen. This begs the question: is truffle oil actually used when making Steak Tartar at Alison’s?Alison’s Tagliatelle al Pomodoro has shredded asparagus. Unfortunately for me that doesn’t mean they have asparagus stalks in the kitchen that I can request be grilled or sautéd in place of or additional to the rapini(which was delicious and fresh) with my Steak au Poivre.Oh yeah, and excellent silverware juxtaposed with cheap steak knives: my steak knife’s handle was plastic and all dinged up. How’s about new steak knives with wooden handles to go along with them $30+ steak dishes.I would definitely return for an oyster craving and some great service.

Came in during the Wednesday Jazz night. Knicks was playing. I am a big Alison fan. It’s always lovely, especially sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartender, Minh. Thank you to the team at Alison for the beautiful atmosphere and delicious end to the night!

Cute place, good food, would definitely come back! Favorite thing we had was the shrimp aguachile!

Great place. Food was amazing. Well seasoned and cooked. We sat at the bar. Service was very attentive and friendly. She gave us great recommendations and was very patient waiting for us(mostly me) to make a decision. On my behalf… too many great options. Well come again to try the rest of your menu.

Was really looking forward to trying Allison after seeing all the great reviews and semi lived up to my expectationsThe atmosphere is very homey and a cute neighborhood spot with exposed brick walls. The service was very attentive and she was full of suggestions. We happened top go on Jazz Night and that was an added bonusUnfortunately, the food did not live up to the 5 star reviews, not terrible, not great but very average. The lamb kabab was flavorful but was a kind of weird dish, glad I tried it but wouldnt order it again. Lots ofd seafood selections and we tried the mussels but they were very average. Finally, the steak frite was very disappointing, it was a fatty piece of ribeye smothered in a peppercorn sauce - perhaps just an off night, but I hoped for moreFinally, the waffles for dessert with Nutella and vanilla ice cream was a unique and fantastic way to end the night.This is the kind of restaurant you root for - small business in a emerging neighborhood- I would prob try it again based on the atmosphere (and supporting small business) alone, but I certainly wont rush back

Ordered the crispy rice with spicy tuna and found a piece of plastic in the tuna like a few centimeters, it was really gross

Cute cafe. Great place for lunch, lots of seats and has a lunch special. Very nice service.

Delightful spot with a creative menu…I’ll be back to try the other dishes that caught my eye!

The food is mediocre but extremely expensive. Portions are also very very small. This place seems to be punching up for the area. 30 dollar pasta that comes in a side dish. The place is very beautiful and the service is pretty good. Servers need to be less hasty clearing half finished cocktails. And a high end establishment with 30 dollar entrees should not be using Apple Pay, bring a check out… don’t be lazy.

It’s a great gentrified spot to add to a changing neighborhood. The food is great, albeit very heavy. I would deduct some points as it’s quite expensive, even for NYC standards. But overall worth the occasional visit.

We had a really delicious brunch - solid menu and great outdoor seating.

I ordered the grilled salmon sandwich & fries with homemade ketchup. The food was amazing; the service was just as good! Topped it all off with this bottle of white wine, which was superb!! Im definitely going back.

Fabulous happy hour prices!! Very delicious $1.50 per oyster😋. Very friendly and professional staff made our day👏🏼👏🏼

Alexis was our amazing server, she’s always super chill and good with recommendations. Definitely a great date spot for brunch or dinner!

It was lillys smile that was the main force to making me love this joint. thank you lilly! the food of course is amazing. no eggs benedict will ever be the same. yum high marks on the salad dressing. #citrus oh lala! huge compliments to the artisans in the kitchen. fabulous presentation. *clever (QR) menu idea.🏆

What a lovely little restaurant. We spent several hours there on a rainy Saturday evening. The good was delicious. The Five onion soup was probably my favorite because it was rich without being overwhelming but the fries were delicious also. The oyster and wine deal is incredible and the oysters were so fresh and delicate. Even the cauliflower was delightful.The music was perfect and just the right volume so we could chat without feeling like we were yelling.Also the Negroni was delicious

Had really excellent food and a great waiter who even comped us a free French fries side dish. Would definitely go back!

I was finally able to come here after they were closed for Labor day weekend the last time I tried visiting. Me and my group were sat immediately after we mentioned we had reservations. The server came quickly and took our order, giving us suggestions of what she found good, which was helpful. The food came out at lightning speed, which was amazing, almost like they had it ready in the back. Now the food was amazing the only thing that we had a problem with was that one of the items we ordered never came out but we werent charged for it, we just hoped the server heard what we had ordered because she nodded yes to everything we asked for. If you go to Alison do have their birrira, it was delicious! Also try to go early because even for a Thursday evening it was very packed. If you dont like waiting dont go late. Alison is a solid place to go and eat with a group if you want a nice place in the barrio to go to.

This is a great place to grab a bite to eat. The service was very good. The atmosphere is also great, relaxing music and good vibes rule the day. The food is phenomenal. I got the Alison burger and it was one of the best burgers Ive ever had. The party was delicious and the toppings first rate.

Underrated foood! I love that while this is an American restaurant, they are still able to add Latin flavors of East Harlem to a few of their dishes on the menuWe got old bay fries, the shasuka, and avocado toasts. Everything was well made and delicious! Great food and awesome vibes, couldn’t ask for better tbh! I absolutely love it here!I also had dinner here in the past and I really enjoyed the food then as well

Such an amazing neighborhood spot. Happy hour oysters and fries were delicious and the service was excellent. Can’t wait to go back

Great energy, friendly staff, excellent dinner and happy hour. The only downside is they close a bit early.

A really nice place with delightful food, super service and a really good atmosphere!

I was walking through my neighborhood after my doctors appointment and decided to eat something light. I decided to select from their lunch specials menu. The steak sandwich was good. However, that arugula salad with candied walnut and honey vinegarette was absolutely delicious.

Okay Ms. Alison! The food here is a vibe. Definitely the type of menu you revisit so you can try everything. Its a bit small but honestly thats what makes it special. Im only deducting a star because the waitress asked if I wanted truffle shavings on my pasta (not on menu) but didnt mention that was a $15 upcharge. I added shrimp as well so telling me the cost would have been nice.

Love the oysters here! The sangria was great, the hibiscus mule was great.

They have the best French fries! We visited for brunch and ordered a burger, shakshouka, and chilaquiles. All dishes were delicious, though a bit on the spicy side. The shakshouka comes with a choice of chorizo or avocado.

Adorable spot. Had rosé spritzes, arancini, and lamp chops. Great happy hour deal on our drinks. I absolutely loved the brick walls and overall rustic interior. Will be back to sit at the bar for oysters! To note, the spot was a bit warm/stuffy, but we did come on an unseasonably warm day.

Alison’s is the perfect happy hour joint. The sangria & hibiscus mule gets your buzz going for sure. The hibiscus mule is a highlight to me. Its so refreshing. The french fries are perfection. The right amount of crisp & soft you desire in fries with just the right amount of salt. Their ketchup is actually good too! The oysters are what you’d expect for a happy hour in the area. No frills but my order was fresh. Served with cocktail and Tabasco. The wings are delicious & served with a good bleu cheese. The music is a little too loud, along with the happy hour groups. Besides that, I like this joint. Plus its in my neighborhood.

Walked in after a visit to the Museum of the City of New York and had an absolutely delicious brunch. Expensive, but very pleasant and tasty. The chorizo tater tots, chicken & waffles, and birria grilled cheese were all excellent.

Everything is great, I really enjoy my chilaquiles for brunch, but the service is the best part of it.

Awesome atmosphere the vibe was mellow just the way i like it. This was a surprise for my Sister in law for her birthday this past Saturday. Waitress was on point with the menu. And for dessert I had the Tres Leches dessert Highly recommended. We will be there again...

Love this place!! Cute interior filled with plants and the menu items are always delicious. Have tried almost everything on the menu now and nothing yet disappoints. Great for breakfast/brunch as well as lunch/dinner and the service is always prompt with a smile. Happy they finally got their wine/beer license and SO happy theyre in the neighborhood! East Harlem folks definitely check this place out!

Came here with a small group for brunch. The eggs Benedict are amazing. The French Toast is good. If your into sweet, I’d get the French toast again, but if you’re between sweet and savory I’d choose the eggs. Staff was all very friendly and attentive!

Just stumbled upon this place out of the blue, we got lucky they had a walk in spot for us. Great food, great atmosphere, awesome music. Solid brunch spot, will definitely be back again!

Love this neighborhood restaurant and I go regularly with my partner. It has a great vibe and wonderful beer selection. My only issue is there are few vegan options, but the options they do have (hummus and pita, shishito peppers, and fries or old bay fries) are excellent! Would love to see a beyond or impossible burger on the menu on a vegan bun.

Nice local place great pasta good happy hour oysters and lamb chop are delicious

I have been waiting for a chance to try this new place that just opened on my block, and finally was able to stop in for brunch. I went with low expectations and all I can say is THANK GOODNESS there is finally a great place to eat in the neighborhood. My food (I had the french omelet with bacon and onions and a side of fries) was excellent and clearly made with quality ingredients, and the service and atmosphere was beyond lovely. Excellent playlist as well (disco hits)! Prices are so reasonable...you could never eat this well for these prices further downtown. I cant wait to come back for dinner...they dont have a liquor license yet so its BYOB which is awesome 🍾🍾 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I came here a few weeks back for lunch on a Sunday. The place was empty so service was very fast. I got the calamari and a salad. At the time it was very good, however, later in the day I got extremely sick and it lasted a few days. I’m not going to blame the quality of the food, but I am hesitant to go back for food. The wine selection was impressive though.

The aquachilles was great, very refreshing. Beautiful interior. Will return.

Ive walked by this place many times going to my apt and saw that it seemed like a wine and oyster bar which isnt 100% my thing. I recently saw an ad pop up in my Instagram stories and looked at their menu, and saw there were so many other delicious food choices. My friend was in town, so I decided it was close to both of us and I was craving brunch. I loved the ambience, had a rustic decor to it. I had and needed four cups of coffee 😆 and enjoyed some mimosas. I ordered the French omelet and asked if I can have both options in it (it was either brie cheese and chives OR bacon and onions) which came with a arugula salad. My friend got the burger, with bacon and asked for both salad and fries. Over all, we enjoyed this place and Ill be back with my bf for their dinner (lots of great options there)

I want to start by thanking Lily for going above and beyond to ensure our party who was celebrating a special birthday had an excellent experience. Lily and her staff are graceful and welcoming and if that’s not what your first impression of their space Alison they will ensure that how you feel when you walk out the door. Thank you so much.

Everything we ate was great except for one thing which is why I’m giving it 4 stars. The oysters were delicious, the shrimp ceviche with avocado was to die for with homemade tortilla chips! We also had the crispy chickpeas, super airy and well seasoned. However the arugula mánchego salad was disappointing; I love arugula and I’d eat it alone but they added so much honey that it tasted like a dessert rather than a balanced taste and it was quite sticky.My suggestion to make this better: make a dressing with apple cider vinegar, lime, olive oil and very litter honey. That way you have a good balance of acidity and sweetness.On the drinks side I had a Sauvignon blanc 2012 and my sister had a dry Riesling from Upstate which was very nice and crisp. I’m not a fan a of Riesling but this dry one was a winner!

Cannot recommend this spot enough! Food is amazing and the vibe is unmatched

Alison is one of my favorite places to go to during the pandemic because of how safe I feel there, the food is delicious, and the staff if efficient while friendly.

An excellent restaurant. You want to eat everything on the menu and it does not disappoint. I never write reviews but I want to make sure this restaurant gets its due. Saw it simply driving by one day. The menu and website sell it and the food with keep you going back.

Good place and good service. A brunch heaven. I still struggle with having a breakfast like meal at 2pm on weekends after so many years in NYC. The burger was good. Nice crowd too.

Nice food and place but the waitress didnt check on us enough... our table was full of things we finished. We were the only ones inside for a while too so yall can do better with that

This place is fun for a good dinner with lots of choices for different palates. Their Happy Hour leaves a little to be desired in terms of food, and somethings can be pricy.

DO NOT support this restaurant! It is NOT for people of this East Harlem community. GENTRIFICATION at its FINEST!If I could give this place NO STARS I would!

Came here to meet friends for lunch. The atmosphere is nice, though the noise level inside was loud even with only a few tables.Had half dozen oysters, waffles, and crocque madame, and everything was made well. The service was attentive.

Our first time was two weeks ago. My husband and I stopped by for a quick drink. We met one of the owners Gary and he gave a us brief history on the purchase of this great place. We are from the neighborhood and are glad to have a place with great food and staff. We will definitely come more often as the second visit was as good as the first!

Lovely place. We always enjoy visiting.

Exactly what I was looking for in the neighborhood — Nice beers on tap with a handsome interior and variety of dishes available. The labneh and schnitzel hit the spot as I saw the dining room fill up with regulars on a Friday afternoon.

Excellent place, keen menu, friendly, laid back atmosphere. I had the steak au poivre to go — a very good cut of meat, well prepared, with a perfect broccoli side. It is just a bit slightly more gamy in taste than, say, a filet — and in this case, with 3-4 bites of inedible gristle. Im withholding one star also because it was too salty, and not much pepper taste — which is not ideal for a steak au poivre, of course. I put some freshly ground pepper on it at home, anyway they should add some fresh whole black peppercorns, or a peppercorn medley, to this meal, and reduce the salt, which seems like ordinary table salt, and renders the meal less mature. Anyway, Im definitely coming back and looking forward to sampling more of the menu here.

Love coming here for happy hour oysters and trying other hh itemsUnfortunately i tried their oldbay fries and there was too much seasoning overally salty

Great drink list and oysters. Fries were clutch too. Lovely lil patio

I went to Alison recently and my husband and I ordered 2 glasses of the same white wine. We got our glasses and took a sip and when I put my glass down I noticed there were 2 two dead flies in mine. It grossed me out!! My husbands didnt have any dead flies in his, but who knows if he drank one or if I drank one during that first sip. We let our server know and she brought me a new glass quickly. A manager didnt come over to apologize and I still had to pay for the glass of wine. The food was good but the dead flies and lack of attention to my experience wasnt the best and not sure Ill want to go back.

Really nice little place with good vibes, food and service. They need to do something to block the wind from the outside every time the door opens and it would be great.

Each time we have gone in be it just for drinks or for food as well the experience is just delightful. Personally in love with their usage of Vermut in most of their drinks, get the Vermut & cola of Vermut sour and you shall not be disappointed

I had a very troubling experience tonight at Allison’s. Previously I had enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Tonight the waitress lost my credit card by dropping it down a grate in the street. When she told me, my immediate response was ‘what, how did that happen?’ I asked for the manager . A customer started telling me I was ‘ an old ‘bitch’ for criticizing the waitress. When the manager arrived the customer continued to name call me on and on with obnoxious words. I looked at the manager and her response was ‘he is the only witness I have’.The customer continued to name call me, I asked him to leave. After he did, I tried to have a conversation with the manager to ‘clear the air’ and suggest that she should not allow customers (me) to be abused as I was and she said she did not want to be lectured.This was a very sad experience . The manager offered to buy me an Uber home since my credit card was gone. This was nice but by then I felt so abused by the customer I simply left. Very sad day at Allison’s.

Can’t go wrong with this place.Menu has a variety of food for everyone. We tried the burger and oyster po’boy and were so good.Very nice interior design and great staff.Definitely coming back soon!

Food was so so good! Service was stellar! One bathroom so you may need to wait. Very loud inside. Will definitely be back!!

A very cool Cafe with a great menu, friendly quick service, good vibe. Had the watermelon salad, fish tacos , and crispy califlower..All recommended.

Overpriced, overrated, often dont have things on the menu, and beware solo diners- doesnt matter if the place is empty (and it often is), they will not seat you to eat solo. Sad that this is what passes for a restaurant in the neighborhood.

This place is such a gem in East Harlem! The food is fantastic and the staff are amazing! With the exception of the hostess Paulina, who is very rude. But even with her behavior, giving 5 stars because I love everything else about this place, especially Julio!

My roommate and I are new to the neighborhood and we are in love with this place!! From start to finish the experience was so so lovely. We started off with the dozen oysters and rose bottle, both were phenomenal. Then we ordered the steak tartare and their infamous fries. Both were delicious and the presentation of the steak tartare was too pretty to eat. We then had to order the spicy tuna crispy rice which was too good it should be illegal. I’ve had spicy tuna crispy rice at a lot of places and this one is up there!! Then we got dessert of course and they didn’t have the pistachio cheesecake but we ordered the crème brûlée instead which was heavenly. Then to make the night and dinner an unforgettable one our waitress gave us free glasses of wine to celebrate us being new to the neighborhood!! The service was impeccable and the waitress and waiter we had was so friendly. 20/10

Jazz Trio Wednesday was fantastic. Menu is great, wine is reasonably priced, vibe is amazing. Our go-to in this neighborhood.

Excellent food in an upbeat, very well-appointed setting!

Really excited about this East Harlem Gem! Lovely staff, awesome vibe, great Happy Hour deal & tasty bites. Enjoyed every minute and definitely worth a visit (or ten 😉)

Overpriced for the food. Terrible avocado toast. Meh omelet with incredibly tiny slices of toast. Lovey hostess. Unfriendly waitress.

Great restaurant. Everything I tried was packed with flavor. Service was really good too. Attentive waiters and overall just enjoyable restaurant. Can’t wait to go back

Tasty food, nice ambiance. Fries with old bay were a hit. Great brunch experience.

Been visiting this beautiful spot for the past 4 years. Amazing food , but the service is super and they treat all their clients as family. Go visit - Breakfast Lunch or dinner

So happy to have Alison down the block. While there’s lots of food in the neighborhood, this restaurant fills a void with great service, a creative menu and fresh, delicious food. The room is nice and comfortable too. Definitely 5 stars!!!

Disappointed. After loving another mid-2020 experience here, the welcoming person scoffed at our lack of reservation, then assigned us an inconvenient table. When we asked for another one, she sent us there and immediately ignored us. As no one came with water or even a menu, we left.

We tried the chorizo croquettes, the octopus, and the oysters (fresh, from Marthas Vineyard). Nice drink and food menu. Friendly staff and great service! We sat outside and enjoyed a nice evening out with friends.

Happy Hour coerced me into this light and refreshing Narragansett Lager (5% ABV) with some great comfort food to go with it (Tempura Baby Cod Tacos -trying to size and not immature fish) and Old Bay Fries.

Yes, I agree, this is an excellent addition to the nabe; especially after El Paso’s closing! Had a late lunch and everything was good except for the Octopus. Will most certainly be adding this spot to the list of frequently visited.

Shared a few appetizers and drinks. Tasty food, nice service and a cute atmosphere. Decently priced for happy hour.

Excellent brunch spot! They place soccer games regularly by the bar but well priced and delicious dishes

I haven’t a chance to try this place , because in half empty restaurant hostess couldn’t offer me a seat, at the moment , Because I came for brunch alone! She prefer to keep those seats for another “ maybe-coming” people. Absolutely unpleasant experience (

Incredible vibe, one of the nicest stuff I have ever met and the wine.. to die for!Date night success guaranteed as well as brunch spot to go to!Really recommend it! You won’t regret!

Very fresh oysters and especially good shrimp ceviche. The chili sauce that came with both was very subtle - not too sweet nor tart - very good. Did not have any oyster selection however - only the one type. For an oyster bar, I would have preferred to have multiple to choose from. Further, the frosé (frozen rosé) was nothing to write home about. Would have given three stars if not for the chili sauce.

Great menu. Chorizo mussels are not to be missed. Steak with peppercorn sauce is fantastic.

It was ok.. kind of bland. Came for brunch and menu was limited. Ordered eggs Benedict with Norwegian Salmon. Definitely needed more seasoning.

Wonderful food, great selection, mouth watering desserts, excellent beers, a memorable ginger beer, and a knowledgeable, welcoming, and friendly staff. A great experience!! Highly recommended!!

A delicious food in a cozy cool environment. Lovely service! Can’t wait to come back. Everything was yum. Happy to have a place like this as my local.

The last time I went the oysters tasted like they were being kept in a bucket of salty water to preserve freshness. Ive never returned.

Tasty, classy, fun place for date night or family brunch. Vibes are great! Try the chilaquiles!

Lovely bar with great food

One of the best chilaquiles in the US. The salsa verde is spicy and thick. Friendly staff.

I love the aguachile. Oyster 👍

We went on Sunday night, and overall, it was a good experience with a few hiccups. The ambiance of the restaurant was pleasant, making it a comfortable spot for a relaxed evening.The food quality was generally good. The main course (we ordered the sea bass and the Dover sole) was particularly well-cooked and flavorful. However, the shrimp appetizer was unfortunately undercooked, and we had to send it back to the kitchen to be properly cooked. This was a bit disappointing.Service could use some improvement. While the staff was polite, we felt rushed throughout our dining experience. Shortly after placing our order for the main course, we were asked if we wanted to order anything else because the kitchen was closing at 9 PM, even though the restaurant itself closes at 10 PM. This made us feel a bit hurried.

Great menu options, food is absolutely delicious and very good service. One of my favorite restaurants in NYC.

Absolutely love this spot. Great bloody marys and great brunch menu. Good little neighborhood spot with friendly and attentive staff.

Beyond expectations. The burger meat was delicious and well seasoned, the fries were good and crispy, and the homemade ketchup was amazing. Ill be back for sure. Nice place great quality!!!

Super nice and great food.

The staff was beyond expectations, very very nice. I went for a brunch and the food was good but I think the hospitality is better . We had a great time

Charming and lovely Tania recommend me the hamburger (ordered it with the side salad) and it was so delicious I am definitely coming back very soon!

Bartender/waiter seemed to lack experience. Service was slow, with only 6 people in the place. Maybe they need to hire another server?Had to frequently ask the dude for the same thing again and again.Friend ordered a burger cooked medium, it came out rare. Fries were decent

Excellent spot! Great menu, atmosphere and service. So many great options and everything we ordered hit the spot.

Get the BURGER! But they are so much more than a good burger...raw oysters are half off at lunch, love the grilled octopus app, and theService is always on point.

Came across by chance and decided on brunch. They had chilaquiles--which I love. They were even better than expected.

Overall nice place to get a bite. Suggest Reservations tho so u secure a table.

Great service very respectful kind people. The food was delicious great servings, dessert and appetizer shared and each person gets a main course and cocktail. They also have mock tails. I will definitely be back.

Great food with surprised jazz performance at 7pm on a wed night

We come here often. The Crispy Chicjen sandwich is amazing . The service is amazing. The wine and sangria and the frose is soooo good. I recommend is a local spot and is great.

The crispy calamari is good but a bit thick & it makes it kinda salty after a while. but overall, good food in the neighborhood.

Beautiful butternut squash soup and croquette for the win.

Unbelievably bad service.The waitress was immensely rude.If you want a place where you will be treatly ruddly, you found it!

We’ve been coming to Alison at least once every two weeks for the last 3 years, it’s the best spot in the neighborhood! Great ambiance, drinks, and food is always well done. Lots of fun flavors and I must have 10 favorite dishes. The staff and service is always very warm!

A hidden jem.

I met a friend here for lunch and we sat on the patio. The servers and host were very friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed. We had the Old Bay fries, salads and chicken sandwich. All were delicious and I plan to return!

Excellent food and service. Birria, salmon, pasta, sides, wine all great. Coming back ASAP.

Lovely brunch spot. Chilaquiles and capuccino were great. Will return.

Amazing customer service, fabulous food. Will definitely return

An absolutely great evening in an amazing restaurant! The food is prepared perfectly and the chef delivers with fresh menu items that are seasoned impeccably. The wait staff is thoughtful and attentive and the vibe is lively and comfortable.

Loud & Aggressive Racist Manager. I came there with my girlfriend. We initially sat inside and decided to go outside to eat instead. Spoke to the staff and manager that we were going outside and I took the fork and knife that was placed on our table to relocate outside to the table that was just cleaned for us. As I walked outside to place the fork and knife on the table I hear Sir! and then I hear someone running after me as Im approaching the table. The manager grabs the knife and fork from my hand, insinuating as if I was trying to steal. Then people stared at me as if I was the one causing trouble. Loss for words I sat down trying to replay what just happened. The busser comes and sets the water and forks down but was staring at me as if I am the one causing issues in the restaurant.The waiter is the only who noticed the odd interaction, and gave us exceptional service in order to make up for the embarrassment endured. I am a tall african American man with muscles and because I stand out from the crowd I would assume they prefer anyone who is of the European aesthetic. I came dressed in white shorts and a light blue shirt and unfortunately, that still signaled to the manager that I came there to cause harm and steal. Basically, they only want you if your skinny and white, maybe mixed but not dark skin unless your skinny.

Amazing Brunch! The food is amazing! Jazz on Wednesday evenings.

We were a group of five without a reservation on a Saturday afternoon, but they were able to accommodate us with relatively short notice. We were seated outside; there were no heaters but it was a warm afternoon so we were ok. The oyster + rosé deal was excellent, so of course we got two. The liver small plate was EXCELLENT - it’s rich but not too decadent, and perfectly seasoned. Old bay fries are a must. Crab croquettes also get two thumbs up from me - crisp on the outside yet ooey gooey melty when you bite into it. Reasonable prices, too, considering. Would highly recommend this place.

Enjoyed the French omelette with coffee! Charming restaurant and excellent service. Best to make reservations in advance.

Great wine spot with outdoor seating

Pleasant find with outdoor seating, great food, and thoughtful service. Not from the area, and will definitely be my spot whenever I’m in the area

The best thing about this place is the lovely atmosphere. The food is fresh and based on good ingredients. The service, while very friendly and well meaning, was amateur. As a result dishes arrived, cold to the table.

Lovely wine list and service. The menu varies from French to American.

Sundays = $1.50 wings and oysters. You do the math, Ill do the eating.

Absolutely delicious food with a relaxing atmosphere. The sliders are amazing -- definitely get one of each.

Very cute spot! I got exactly what I was looking for—a cozy, intimate dining experience with good food.The portion size was great (on the smaller side) but maybe could’ve been a slightly cheaper as a result of it’s size.We ordered the salmon bowl (delicious), pesto pasta (also delicious) and key lime pie (I’d come back just for this).We came on a Tuesday after visiting the Museum of the city of NY. It was a great date night.

Highly Recommend - great food, a strong wine list, and a great atmosphere make this place a favorite of mine.

Nice place to have a good glass of 🍷 wine with friend and family in Spanish Harlem. Good wine selection at reasonable prices...

The staff is lovely, dont miss the brunch and the happy hour! Basically you can stay there all day long Jaja

All of the intangibles that make for wonderful evenings and meals in El Barrio are found here. Que Viva Alisons.

Food is always delicious and the service super friendly. Prices are reasonable for the quality of food.

Wonderful restaurant to have reat time eat good amazing food! And 🍸

The food was great the sour beer was surprisingly good

Good fish tacos, IPA, and wineNice atmosphere.Will be back.

Poor customer service. I came in for a table of 3. 3 tables were available to seat 4. I stood here waiting 30 minutes passed the reservation time all for the owner and manager to say “it’s jazz night we are holding the table for a group of our friends!”

Oh so delicious food! Shared the tator tots with cheese anxiety chorizo followed by the kale salad and the chilaquiles.

Good food and coffee in a cozy environment with great music!🎶

Came for a quick bite and ended up having three appetizers and a dessert. Too good.

This place is an excellent brunch find in Harlem. Food is good and service is spectacular. The prices are also very reasonable for being NYC. Will definitely be back. The server insisted on finding a drink that I liked because the first one I ordered wasn’t that good. I literally said it was okay and I’ll drink it. He changed it for me anyway. This is amazing customer service! This place is amazing.

Elevated dishes in a sexy atmosphere, this place is destined for greatness. Recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great lunch special. Tasty soup and sandwich.

Great food and great people 🙏

The shrimp tacos are great 👍 a bit pricey tho

Cute place. Good food. Staff helped one of our party try oysters for the first time.

Good outside sitting

An excellent place, a true Harlem gem! Its a wine and beer place, you can have pre and past dinner cocktails at nearby Perch. At Alison, there is a large selection of very good yet affordable wines served at perfect temperature. Several craft beers from the tap. A nice menu. Vegetarian,meat, and some excellent seafood and fish dishes. Exciting appetizers. Two choices of outdoor space - for larger groups and intimate tables for two. Nice indoor space and a big bar. Jazz on Wednesday.

Brunch was great!

Pleasant outdoor dining experience. Service wasnt consistent.

Loved it for brunch.4 of us (1 vegetarians, 1 pescatarian and 2 eat everything).We sat outside on a perfect fall day.Atmosphere review: fun and popular soft rock that is audible but doesnt affect your conversations.Food review (order veggie only) all cost between $16-20 pre tax and gratuity -- we got chilaquiles, grain bowl, shakshuka and avocado toast. They make runny/sunny side up and that style of eggs very well.Avocado toast is quite full of veggies so good value for money.Shakshuka is not enormous. Fills one person without feeling bloated.Grain bowl - i didnt try.Chilaquiles were the best - highly recommend for vegetarians. Crunchy chips, not too much cheese, salt level was not high. Portions filled one person but not too full.The tastiest item was the French toast: total dessert for breakfast. Highly recommend you get it.Bathroom review: Seems like only one bathroom for females so its quite slow.Most tables are for upto 4 people. Larger groups can either be seated inside or on the road. Pavement seating is the best but upto 4 people.

Great place for a gathering with cool appetizers . Nice service too

I used to come here weekly, but my last time here I waited at my table for over 20 minutes before anyone came to take my order. When I complained, they told me to leave instead of taking care of me. Very disappointing service, and they unfortunately lost a loyal customer.

Excellent local restaurant. Good food and welcoming atmosphere.

Great new place. Food was delicious and the service was grand

Very nice and clean place to dine. The staff was very nice.

Im going to try this place again for dinner because brunch was a dud. The avocado toast was probably one of the most disappointing I have had. The avocado was like a 1/4 of what was on the thin piece of sourdough. Ive gotten avocado toast for a similar price point as recent as last Friday with a better presentation and more actual avocado. Hoping dinner lives up to the fantastic food photos I see online as Id like to come back soon. Lovely waitress and good service.

You know when you find your little place? Well, that is what Alison has become to me. The best fish tacos, the best lamb sliders and wings but why do I love this place? The oysters are superb! The taste in food is consistent, which I love.

Im going only because of Violettas well written and thoughtful review

A light and airy space with delicious food. Great service.

The food is extremely poor...the kale salad was just kale with lemon...barely found the cranberries and almonds...the shrimp po boy had no shrimp...had to send it back...ordered the avocado toast...the only good thing about that was the beet hummus...there was barely any avocado. Spanish Harlem is filled with many great eating spots...and it was so disappointing to find out that this is not one of them. It is not a place that I would visit again. Not worth any stars. I gave it one star so that it would allow me to post the comment.

Really good food lovely service, very clean

I am truly delighted with our experience tonight. The steak on my salad was seasoned and crusted perfectly and the salad was perfectly balanced. The lamb burger was awesome and I loved the shoestring fries! Our waiter was very attentive too!

The food is AWESOME!

Great food and ambiance

Can’t say enough good things about this restaurant! It is so consistently good and has become a standout gem of not only the neighborhood, but Manhattan.They are very helpful and considerate to those with food allergies or dietary restrictions too. Love their old bay fries, raw & ceviche apps, and salmon entree. Can’t go wrong for brunch OR dinner here.Cozy vibes, highly recommend stopping by Perch for cocktails before or after dinner just 2 blocks away.

My favorite restaurant in the neighborhood!

I love this place, been here twice and loved it both times. The hibiscus mule is awesome, and the lamb sliders and tacos were both on point!

Great local ba4, great beer and drinks, great food, great service.

Alison is an incredible addition to the neighborhood! The food is consistently delicious, beer and wine selection top notch and the owners are so welcoming! The ambiance is warm and welcoming and their outdoor dining setup is the best in the city. I love the wooden structure, twinkle lights plants and music. My favorite thing here is the burger and they old bay fries oh my goodness! The ceviche is always fresh-in fact everything is always high quality and fresh! Can’t recommend enough!