Alison

I popped into Alison for a quick bite to eat and drink to cool down and hold me over until dinner. The happy hour menu provided good options and I ordered the shrimp tacos and a glass of wine, both $9 each. It was busy when I arrived around 3pm but there was available bar seating and a few empty tables so I was seated right away. I wish I caught the (2) servers names at the time, but they were both so accommodating and kind even though the restaurant was becoming busier. It can definitely get loud inside, with more groups arriving for happy hour, but after I paid the bill one of the servers returned to offer me a generous second glass of wine. I truly appreciated the gesture and hope they know how it was the kind and thoughtful service that made a nice experience at Alison!

Had an early dinner here. A decent happy hour. Loved the Mediterranean salad. The buffalo shrimp appetizer was ok. The happy hour shrimp tacos were so so. The Argentinian sea bass was good but odd to have buffalo sauce. Chicken kale salad was good.

Came for a quick bite and to talk with some friends. Service was average it was not busy due to rain store when myself and two others went. So I say that not sure if establishment was packed how better or worst the service may be. This particular day the waitress was serving a total of two tables. Small venue but clean but bathroom smelled like a dirty mop. Host was kind to info about happy hour. So had a few wines and the beer that comes with burger on happy hour menu So had the shrimp tacos (6), burger with fries ( fries over done , greasy, and more like left over fries), the table next to us had fresher fries. Experience was not awful. Shrimp tacos were tasty. My friend mention the burger wasn’t bad either.

My lunch was delicious. I had a French omelette and drank a rose spritzer. A bit pricey but I like Everything about this restaurant. Friendly and professional staff. Good music. Not too loud. Happy hour starts early. Good variety of food. Nice size restroom and clean.

Alison is always a great spot for a delicious bite. Service is always exceptional and I have not had one dish I didn’t love.

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, it's a place with nice staff and decent food, but I’d suggest they be more upfront about extra charges.

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*

I absolutely love coming to this restaurant, especially during my lunch breaks at work. It's 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!

4.5 stars rounded up. Perfect place for Saturday brunch while visiting child. Great food, service, ambiance. Prices reasonable.

Rustic vibes and very snug cozy seating area when it's packed for brunch. we got steak and eggs which was fantastic. the mayo potatoes did throw me off. and got the crispy chicken sandwich with old bay fries. the french fries were top tier however the sandwich was sloppy the breading didn't really stick and it was all over the place. i had better chicken sandwiches and it was not a good pick in my opinion. the chimmicurri was fantastic on the steak the service was kind and on point. i don't think i'll come back here but it's worth a try to check out if you're in the area B+ 7/10

I was finally able to come here after they were closed at 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 weren't 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 birria, it was delicious! Also try to go early because even for a Thursday evening it was very packed. If you don't like waiting don't 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 spot is definitely a neighborhood gem and I've been many times. However my most recent visit has me a little concerned about the training in the kitchen. About a year ago, I dined with a friend at Allison and had an incredible experience that included a very delicious steak tartare. Unfortunately, I don't feel that's what we were served just the other day and it looks completely different. We also ordered the garlic shrimp. The shrimp came out piping hot and the garlic on top was room temp. There was a lack of seasoning or flavor to the shrimp outside of the garlic. I would highly recommend a kitchen staff training if this is what they believe presentation and preparation for steak tartare is.

It's a cute place. Tiny, cozy, nice decor, great bar. But the experience overall was underwhelming. The food was just ok, nothing was spectacular, or memorable. It wasn't bad but it was nothing to rave about. Mediterranean salad was kind of bland and under seasoned, the salmon bowl was deceptive, it was just a piece of salmon fillet on rice, there was no coconut or crunch, only very thinly sliced avocado. It wasn't bad but wasn't what I expected based on the menu description. The appetizers were ok, the cauliflower was flavorful, humus was ok, not authentic, pita was flat and cold. Underwhelming. I can make a better spread at home. Wines by the glass were extremely expensive at $16 per glass and very limited selection. I'm not coming back, too many amazing options to explore in the city, this just wasn't a hit with any of us.

This is one of my favorite spots when I come to the city now. I've tried different foods on the happy hour menu, but I'm a french fry girlie so I will always recommend those. Alison has some great fries. What I really loved was the rose I had, a french one by the glass. My second time there I had wanted to try out the Slovenian one but they were out, so I went with the one that was amazing the first time, the Côté Mas Rosé Aurore. I love a rosé that isn't too dry, or sweet, or acidic. I hate a vinegar aftertaste. This one is smooth, crisp, refreshing, and full bodied, but not sweet, I absolutely love it. Dim, soft lighting melts cortisol and gives a really mellow vibe, Looking forward to going back!

Great food, great service, great ambiance. Been here multiple times and it never disappoints. My go to brunch spot in Harlem

I loved the vibe at Alison. Service was great. We sat outside and it was lovely. I had the salmon toast and it was delicious! We had Bellinis that also tasted great. Prices are reasonable. Would definitely visit again.

Brunch = Alison! Such a wonderful and charming place! My boyfriend and I live in East Harlem and decided to check out Alison for Sunday brunch and we were not disappointed. The Vibes at Alison are immaculate! From the old brick to the funky neon sign in the window this place slaps! We had reserved a table and ran a little late, however, we were greeted and sat immediately just the same. The service was fantastic across the board! The server came to our table a few minutes after we were sat to take our drink order, I had the champagne, while my boyfriend had the ice-coffee (champagne was fantastic, the coffee was not good). From there we placed our order and here is what we had: - French fries (so good! Fried to protection) - smoke salmon toast (my boyfriend said that he cannot stop thinking about how good this dish was!) - Chilaquiles (so spicy! But delicious, I would definitely order this dish again!) I would rate Alison one of the best brunch spots I have been to in a while! Thanks for a great start to my Sunday.

I love this place simply because I love the atmosphere. Option to dine indoors or out. Love the glass walls. Food is always yummy! The happy hour specials are amazing! Who ever says no to wings and oysters. Great for group or small party. Spacious but yet so intimate. Service is great and accommodating. Alexis is amazing!

Gem of a spot in East Harlem for a cozy and elevated dinner. Loved the Alison burger and fresh oysters. Wine selection was great and there's a touch screen menu to view the wines by country. Service was A+!! Will gladly be back for their brunch and Happy Hour fare.

Solid 4.5/5 weekend brunch spot! Only taking a bit off because they took awhile to open even though I made a reservation for when it opened. We were in a bit of a time crunch, but luckily the dishes came out quickly. I ordered a mimosa to go with it all. It was nice out so we sat outside, otherwise the indoor seating area was decorated chic and gave off European vibes. Friendly and efficient service overall. We ordered shakshuka and avocado toast- which was on the basic side- but I loved the touch of the beet humus and the shakshuka was so tomatoey-- we really enjoyed it!! I don't often find brunch spots to be stand out but I think this is worth a shoutout. Also, it's supposedly open more early than lots of brunch spot- at 10 am if you're interested. My friend and I found the prices to be reasonable given we're in the UES.

Cute spot, my dog and I enjoyed the outdoor seating. They had a doggie bowl for her and immediately provided water. I enjoyed a glass of wine and some appetizers for an early evening meal. Servers were all really nice and attentive.

The two stars are solely for the bartender who was an absolute joy to sit with and made me a good drink. The tall man in the apron, however, would not let me sit at a table because I was alone. What an outrageous policy! I dine alone all the time and have gotten a table to myself at Le effing Bernadin but let Alison tell it and I'm not worthy of getting a real chair. The restaurant was almost completely empty and there was literally no one sitting outside where I wanted to sit. I chugged my hibiscus mule that the bartender made me and left, I couldn't even finish my cheese empanada because the interaction ruined my appetite. I live in the neighborhood and will be avoiding Alison like the plague.

It is one of the best restaurants I have visited in a while, from the food, ambiance, and service. I suggest making a reservation on the weekends, as it can get busy. On the weekdays, you can risk walking in and always sit at the bar for dinner unless you are a larger party. They also have ample outdoor seating. This restaurant has something on the menu for everyone, with lots of vegetarian. I am not a vegetarian, so my partner and I chose to share a couple of the small/appetizer dishes. We had the Shrimp Aguachile ($21), which was paired with tortilla chips. This dish was bright and acidic, and the sauce covered in the plate was drinkable. We then had the Steak Tartare ($21), which was served with the lightest parmesan crackers. We then ordered the Crispy Sushi Rice ($16), which we order everywhere we see. Excellent as usual; you cannot go wrong with this dish. For dessert, we ordered the Coffee Flan ($10). A perfect end to a meal. This place is perfect for date night, dinner with friends, or a nightcap and dessert. They have a brunch on the weekend that I can't wait to try as well, but their dinner menu is what I will keep coming back for.

I always enjoy my time here and everyone who works here is not only welcoming but knowledgeable on the menu and pairing. They have a great happy hour, and it's a great place to come post work and decompress before it gets busier for the dinner service. On this visit I enjoyed the steak salad. It was well prepared, cooked to temp (these things matter) and the salad, simple (like I like it) came with caramelized onions, blue cheese tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. I also added an order of HH oysters... tasty and fresh per usual!

Great spot for brunch. Staff is friendly and welcoming. Ordered steak and eggs for brunch and it did not disappoint. I love supporting local spots that serve a variety of food. I will return soon for another brunch event.

Top 3 places in East Harlem. Happy Hour is one of our favorite in the neighborhood. The Brunch is Chefs kiss. The Buffalo Shrimp & Obey fries, paradelle & pesto is one of my favorite items. Love the staff, welcoming, hospitable and accommodating!

Great neighborhood bistro with awesome food and great vibes. It's a go to place. I

Happy hour deals are solid (loved the 2 tacos for $9 especially). The salmon rice bowl was OK, and the arugula salad was forgettable. Jazz music inside on Wednesdays, so it was actually nice to sit outside and hear the music at a lower volume. Our server was attentive and we got our food quickly.

Meh Our 2nd brunch here. Both times Disappointing. Shakshuka is just fried eggs with sauce on top. Almond milk cappuccino was impossible to drink.

Gorgeous little place with absolutely lovely food. Good service, and a staff that seem to enjoy each others company while keeping the place in tip top shape. In the summer, it's a true vibe, packed on the weekends for brunch with music blaring out. It's worth a trip even if you're not in the area. The Chilaquiles are very very good. If you're a fan of spice, it's a must. The burger is alright. The drinks are solid enough, but nothing to die for. I have been here three times for brunch, but I'm eager to come back for dinner and the happy hour. Where I will update this review. My only qualms are the prices, they're a bit too high. But hey, it is good.

I was hoping to give this place high stars but I cant. I drive past this place every day on my way to work, and I finally decided to stop in after work. The restaurant Decour is calm and relaxing. There were many patrons inside, chatting, enjoying a drink, and just listening to the music. Service was prompt and the weight staff was very friendly. I was not that hungry so I decided to go with the chicken and waffles and to drink I got a Sherry royale. The presentation of the food and drinks was pleasing to the eye however, I did not really like the texture of the waffle. It was small and very crunchy, almost like a cracker. The chicken cutlet was golden brown, but it was lacking some very needed seasoning which I had to supplement with hot sauce. In all it was nice to say that I tried this place, but I cannot say I would come back other than just for drinks and to hang out and chat.

Great food - tons of seafood options, and their pastas are great too. Excited to check it out for brunch this summer, seems like they have a good outdoor situation.

This is a simple and chill spot to have a quick lunch or breakfast. I am on a hunt to make sure that i try these pancakes. I need these pancakes actually. They look good okay. I also really appreciate the airiness there is to their service. I did not feel like we were annoying or that our requests were out of the ordinary. Which is a good feeling. It helps the business thrive and also helps us feel more at ease. I like this spot. The windows are always clean which makes you feel like you have been transported elsewhere. You are also surrounded by the beautiful art of el barrio which are beautiful contributions from the community.

I've been doing the thing called brunch lately and I really been missing out!! The price is right, the time of day is right and the overall ambiance of mid-day casual/semi-dressy attire is ideal. The set up of the place is casual, the staff are nice but typical NY like. We chose this place to eat because it's cute and cozy. To eat, I ordered 1/2 dozen oysters, a cappuccino, and eggs Benedict. The oysters were my favorite. The sauce to dress the oysters were spicy and amplified the texture and taste of the oysters in a positive way. The eggs Benedict with the hollandaise sauce was ok, it didn't quite stand out as much as the lettuce leaves with the vinaigrette dressing. It tasted like any typical eggs Benedict. I can definitely see myself going back for brunch.

Lovely brunch. Great food. Funky atmosphere. Music on point. Friendly staff. A welcoming experience. I will definitely add this to the brunch rotation.

I've only ever been here for brunch or lunch but can honestly say that given the quality of the food , the polite and inviting staff and the simple environment makes me want to return often The offerings are not typical, the Avacado toast with beet humus is amazing, the crispy chicken sandwich a total hit served with hot bay fries are bomb! And I can truly say I haven't had a better hamburger. Served with beautiful onions sautéed on a perfect brioche roll. Is it high dining? No... It is, however great comfort, food, which I'm anxious to try in the evening for dinner. They also have a really nice selection of wines. However, they don't serve hard liquor.

To start off I am a Non vaccinated human. I came in on a Thursday around 4:45pm asked for an outdoor seating and wasn't given any issue whatsoever. I hear it's better to make a reservation though! Happy hour from 3/6pm and the OYSTERS ARE FRESH MY GUY! I was pleasantly surprised with the HH sangria as well(tasty). So all in all food was great (lamb slider) and drinks as well. Make it your business to come here just to experience a new vibe in lower Harlem.. lol I have to call it that to make it feel like I did something for the culture Service was also very OK.. a smile wouldn't hurt thou

We loveee Alison except it's very inconsistent. The octopus is great but once I went there and got four tentacles and then another time only one. Weird... flavor is great though. The old bay fries are good too.

Such a cute vibe for happy hour. The froze $12 is not included in happy hour but so worth it. The HH wings are 1.50 each and were delicious. Definitely will be back for the Frose and wings!

Simply Amazing. Staff is amazing, and you cannot beat the $55 daily special: 1 dz of oysters + a bottle of white wine. Any time I come here I have a great time! Perfection!

I live several blocks from the restaurant and finally decided to stop in for dinner on a Tuesday night. There were only a few diners so there were plenty of available tables. The server approached me and told me to have a seat at the bar I told her that I preferred a table and she told me that tables were for 2or more diners, so I simply left. I have never been to a restaurant that for all intents purposes, turned away single diners. Needless to say, I will never return.

My friend and I were walking around the neighborhood and randomly decided to get a quick lunch here. We were drawn in by the beautiful exterior. The interior was also really cute. She got the chicken sandwich with fries which was ok. Nothing special. I got the farro bowl with chicken, which was very expensive for what it was. There was barely any substance to the meal. I think I counted about 3 pieces of cauliflower. Also, we found it uncomfortable that they asked us multiple times if we wanted to order drinks when we had already said no.

I stopped in for a meal around 8:30 one night because I had been eating to try this place and tonight was a good night to try. When I came in the place had about 4 or 5 empty tables. No one greeted me when I came in but there were 2 girls standing behind the bar. I walked over to them and requested a table for one. For started Es they gave me the strangest look. They proceeded to tell me that I could be dug at a table because some people might be coming in. So I was offered the bar. I took the seat because I was hungry and needed to get something to eat. In the. 1/2 hour that I waited for my salad only one group of 4 came in to eat. So as I sat and waited no one else came in. I would have felt better if she would have asked my if I wouldn't mi d sitting at the bar instead of making me feel unwelcome. AND she passed the check to me before my salad came. Beware her name is Alexis!!! I will never come back to this place again. They just lost out on a good customer.

Always make a reservation in advance to get a good seat! Alison was a great cute brunch spot, we ordered the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Eggs benedict. The Grilled Chicken sandwich was delicious, the fries were a little salty for my liking, but the sandwich came with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and onions. The eggs were nicely poached, and also ordered a glass of fresh orange juice which was nice to drink while I waited for my food. Would highly recommend this spot to someone looking for brunch in the area. They also have an outstanding drink menu but unfortunately was unable to try anything out this time around! Would highly recommend grabbing a drink to you guys! Interior was very cute and nice, offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Certain seating is only available to those who reserve in advance. Servers were very nice and amiable, would definitely recommend and come again.

Highly recommend for brunch in E Harlem! The menu has lots of appealing options and everything is well-priced, especially the drinks ;) my friend and I stayed awhile chatting and they didn't rush us along, which I appreciated. I'll be back for sure!

We love this place. During Covid we would frequent this restaurant multiple times per week. We try to go every chance we get. The wine, the food, the ambiance, and staff are amazing. My favorite thing is the grilled octopus. Enjoy!

This place is so cute! Went for a date with my bf, would also be a good spot for catching up with girlfriends. Wine selection is expansive, food was delicious, they had craft beer. We had salmon ceviche (loved), steak salad (he said it was good but quality of his steak could have been better), fish tacos (loved, the tortilla was amazing). Table next to us had dessert that looked really good but we were too full. The restaurant had so many tables available and they really should be full. I think they opened during covid? But if this place were in the west village it would have been packed to the brim.

Such a great atmosphere and super delicious food! The restaurant and food felt very homey but also upscale. It's a great place for a date or hanging out with friends and family. It also felt very COVID safe. I got the salmon and it was perfectly cooked for medium and melted in my mouth. I also tried the chicken, which took a while to cook but worth the wait. Can't wait to come back here soon.

Great food I usually get bad service using groupons but they were beyond nice and accomadating. The food was amazing fresh. Great music playing beautiful scenery inside and outside. Beautiful neighborhood.

The food is great, the service is great, but... You will DISCRIMINATE against a single person sitting alone by not allowing them to sit at a table versus the bar when the entire place is EMPTY!! I live in the neighborhood and often eat alone, but clearly not at your establishment any longer.

An amazing person took me here for a celebration The Indian rice was buttery The tacos were good The champagne was awesome The Cajun fries were good

Alison is the perfect 4 star establishment. I came across this place on the seated app and it looked like it had nice ambience so my gf and I gave it a shot. We liked how it wasnt too crowded on a Friday night and that there were at least 2 to 3 open tables. It was dimly lit, warm, and quite cozy. For starters we had the arugula salad and five onion soup. The arugula salad hit a nice balance between the sweetness of the honey and salt from the cheese. The onion soup was satiating, and the accompanying bread insanely tasty -- buttery and crisp. I had the beef cheek special which was covered with gravy. It was hearty but delicate given the tenderness of the meat. My gf enjoyed her fish tacos. All in all a solid date night spot.

Nice inside and outdoor seating. Great staff . Enjoyed the lamb chops and pasta dish shared. Thought portions were a little small. Desserts were great shared pistachio cake and tres leeche.

No greeting whatsoever. I stood there until I addressed I wanted a table . Although it was practically empty they said a flat NO , I should sit by the bar . Clean but the owner and servers think that they are doing you a favor by going there . Since I was not enjoying the vibe , I decided to leave . Thanks to your unwelcoming feeling , I now have a new restaurant that I tried . It 's a shame as I was excited for a new neighborhood place. They are way too many good restaurants in the neighborhood now to put up with the snooty attitudes . I'm glad I skipped it , especially after reading some of the reviews from 3 years ago . You would have thought that the owner manager with her foul attitude would have learned . But some people need to learn the hard way . Sorry but it's a BIG NO FOR ME!

I want to like this place but when I think back to my last food experience here during the summer all I can think is... seasoning. My party ordered basic items - wings, tuna tostada and steak frites. All items definitely needed salt and additional seasoning. I would stick to wine if you choose to drink here as the summer Frosé was lackluster.

A promising spot in East Harlem but there were a few misses. More pricy than quality. Food: * Chilaquiles were very flavorful but the chips came soggy. For $21, the proportions felt too small. * Kale & Ricotta Salad was also flavorful if you love lemony things. That overpowered all other flavors. Drinks: * Mimosa was tasty and mostly balanced. It's more cava than juice (which I liked). The quantity is small for $9 since it came in a shorter flute glass. * Hibiscus Mule tasted more like Dr. Pepper than a proper cocktail. For $12 it is not recommended. * Mulled Wine was delicious. The waitress kindly offered us free samples at the end of our meal; wish I knew about it from the beginning! Service was very friendly and just the right amount of attention. We sat outside, which looked cute but VERY uncomfortable. The stools were too high for the counter tops, which meant we hunched for the whole meal. The surface was barely wide enough to hold a plate and a drink, so our water glass had to be left on the ledge where cars were driving by. That said, there are regular tables and seats outside that could have been more comfortable but they were not available.

Food is overpriced for what it is. Decent enough but nothing spectacular. I would only return if I didn't have other options.