The servers at this restaurant are friendly and attentive, consistently great service. Sadly, when it comes to the food, the last year has been a downward slope. The menu is stagnant. There doesn't seem to be any effort to keep it fresh and interesting. The portions have always been on the small side but that issue becomes less tolerable when paired with quality lower than the price tag would suggest. The most recent meal was a failure in taste, portion size, and presentation: Three salt-saturated portabella mushroom slices set atop a 1/4 cup of spinach and green beans. Think 'hospital cafeteria' vibe. The kitchen/management did not even have enough care to acknowledge the dissatisfaction. Unbelievably lazy for a restaurant charging fine dining prices.(Picture: Grilled Portabella entree, sub in vegetables for rice $22).Dietary restrictions: Little to no customization options available.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Becky Allen
My favorite restaurant by far. Food , service, and atmosphere are excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Made Maryland Crab Cakes, Grilled Chicken Pasta, House Salad, Brownie with Ice Cream, Caesar Salad, Pot Sticker
John White
Took my wife out for our anniversary, an hour over we sat down the waitress said they had a large party ahead of us and apologized for the wait by saying "it is what is is". Would have been nice to offer a free drink or at least an apology. If you're behind in the kitchen they should tell you when they sit you. She didn't come around to our table for another 30 mins til she finally served us. So much disrespect and disregard. Ruined our dinner. Never again!
Shelby Romain
The food was pretty the staff was nice but the food was portions was small and when they packed our food to go for us they didn’t put everything in the box. The food was dry all of it. The cheese dip wasn’t even cheesy just a bunch of non melted cheese in a bowl. The salmon was slimy but yet dry at the same time and they wouldn’t take it off my ticket so we still had to pay for the food I didn’t like nor want. But the staff was nice about all of it just couldn’t do anything about it. But they didn’t come the table often enough, we waited like 40 minutes just to get our order taken. I also didn’t like they didn’t have a drink menu even tho they had a whole bar. My man really liked the burger tho just the bun was too small for the patty. The bathroom was really hard to find too it was in the basement/ downstairs with no signs pointing you in that direction.Vegetarian options: The only vegan or vegetarian options that they had was salad that’s it!! Also the spinach dip again it wasn't even melted and it was very lumpy. As a pescatarian myself which means I don’t eat meat but I eat fish. I wouldn’t recommend at all!!!!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Chris B.
We have been going to Gentelin's for about 10 years and the food is consistently excellent. My wife and I were there last night and we both had the filet mignon. I also ordered a crab stuffed portabella mushroom to complement my steak. Talk about YUM! Ryan is the owner and chef, and he takes personal ownership in maintaining the outstanding quality of the food. He also has a special talent of bringing together the right ingredients to make each menu item wonderful. A recent example is the Crabmeat Stuffed Chicken - to die for! The salads are also very good and they offer a $5.00 appetizer from time to time, last night's was Philly Cheesesteak wontons, yummy and very creative! The food always comes out in a timely manner and is always the right temperature. They also have a very good beer, wine, and drink selection too. Ryan has assembled a GREAT team and Beth is our regular server. She is outstanding, professional, and very attentive to our needs. We have had other servers when Beth isn't there and they too are top notch. The restaurant offers a beautiful view of the Mississippi river for added ambience. So if you are in Alton and looking for great food, Gentelin's is the place for you!
Dan Stivers
The food and service is always fantastic when we go. Great views of the river and bridge. Great place to eat and watch the sunset.
We have enjoyed going to Gentelins. Our last visit was interrupted by a table of 5 women being so loud that we couldn't enjoy our meal. We told our server, but nothing was said to the table. We weren't the only customers disturbed by the women. It was very disappointing, we spent a lot of money on our dinner and weren't able to converse with our friends. We finished our meal but weren't able to linger over another drink or dessert.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Sea Scallops, House Made Maryland Crab Cakes, Roger Strong Cabernet Sauvignon
Lynne Burnett
Made a reservation three weeks in advance. When we arrived we were seated at the worst table in the restaurant - right where two paths of traffic cross - from the kitchen and from the bar. We asked to move and were told that all the tables were reserved. We asked someone else who moved us to the second worst table. Next time I make a reservation, I'm using the mayor's name.
The goat cheese/ greens salad is my favorite and the blue cheese potatoes make any bad day the best day. Fresh greens with a tasty dressing always a healthy choice. Lemon drop and old school martinis are divine.My 13 y/o grandson declares the French fries " the best ever"....Steak was perfect, too.Vegetarian options: Try the black bean dish...like croquettes..very tasty and vegetarian.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Donna Theimer
Wow! This place is absolutely wonderful. Outstanding food options for carnivores and vegetarians! Beautiful decor. Exceptional service.I found it by hunting the internet, and the reviews were all exceptional. It was a delicious meal.I had the Aunt Jane chicken. Sooooo delicious. The breast is moist and cooked to perfection. I loved the fresh green beans and the smashed potatoes. The table gets a basket of tiny rolls with house made herbed butter that was sooo good.The waitress was engaging and very kind. She told us about half-price bottles of wine, so we each purchased our own wine. You can take the leftovers home to enjoy another day.Hubby had the portobello mushroom dish and said it was excellent. I opted to try the raspberry sorbet! It was very yummy.If we are ever in this area again, this will be the restaurant where we will stop again. It's really worth the trip!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Childers
This is simply the best dining experience in Alton. The chicken pasta and ahi tuna dishes are amazing. Great martinis and save enough room for the desserts, you won't be disappointed!
Drinks were good. The ribeye was to die for. Didn't care for the potato.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Bread Basket, Ribeye Steak Asparagus and a Baked Potato
Best meal ever. Service was excellent. Clean friendly. Can’t wait to go back. ‼️‼️‼️‼️??????
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Greek Salad, Peppercorn Seared Ahi Tuna
The servers at this restaurant are friendly and attentive, consistently great service. Sadly, when it comes to the food, the last year has been a downward slope. The menu is stagnant. There doesn't seem to be any effort to keep it fresh and interesting. The portions have always been on the small side but that issue becomes less tolerable when paired with quality lower than the price tag would suggest. The most recent meal was a failure in taste, portion size, and presentation: Three salt-saturated portabella mushroom slices set atop a 1/4 cup of spinach and green beans. Think 'hospital cafeteria' vibe. The kitchen/management did not even have enough care to acknowledge the dissatisfaction. Unbelievably lazy for a restaurant charging fine dining prices.(Picture: Grilled Portabella entree, sub in vegetables for rice $22).Dietary restrictions: Little to no customization options available.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
My favorite restaurant by far. Food , service, and atmosphere are excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Made Maryland Crab Cakes, Grilled Chicken Pasta, House Salad, Brownie with Ice Cream, Caesar Salad, Pot Sticker
Took my wife out for our anniversary, an hour over we sat down the waitress said they had a large party ahead of us and apologized for the wait by saying "it is what is is". Would have been nice to offer a free drink or at least an apology. If you're behind in the kitchen they should tell you when they sit you. She didn't come around to our table for another 30 mins til she finally served us. So much disrespect and disregard. Ruined our dinner. Never again!
The food was pretty the staff was nice but the food was portions was small and when they packed our food to go for us they didn’t put everything in the box. The food was dry all of it. The cheese dip wasn’t even cheesy just a bunch of non melted cheese in a bowl. The salmon was slimy but yet dry at the same time and they wouldn’t take it off my ticket so we still had to pay for the food I didn’t like nor want. But the staff was nice about all of it just couldn’t do anything about it. But they didn’t come the table often enough, we waited like 40 minutes just to get our order taken. I also didn’t like they didn’t have a drink menu even tho they had a whole bar. My man really liked the burger tho just the bun was too small for the patty. The bathroom was really hard to find too it was in the basement/ downstairs with no signs pointing you in that direction.Vegetarian options: The only vegan or vegetarian options that they had was salad that’s it!! Also the spinach dip again it wasn't even melted and it was very lumpy. As a pescatarian myself which means I don’t eat meat but I eat fish. I wouldn’t recommend at all!!!!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
We have been going to Gentelin's for about 10 years and the food is consistently excellent. My wife and I were there last night and we both had the filet mignon. I also ordered a crab stuffed portabella mushroom to complement my steak. Talk about YUM! Ryan is the owner and chef, and he takes personal ownership in maintaining the outstanding quality of the food. He also has a special talent of bringing together the right ingredients to make each menu item wonderful. A recent example is the Crabmeat Stuffed Chicken - to die for! The salads are also very good and they offer a $5.00 appetizer from time to time, last night's was Philly Cheesesteak wontons, yummy and very creative! The food always comes out in a timely manner and is always the right temperature. They also have a very good beer, wine, and drink selection too. Ryan has assembled a GREAT team and Beth is our regular server. She is outstanding, professional, and very attentive to our needs. We have had other servers when Beth isn't there and they too are top notch. The restaurant offers a beautiful view of the Mississippi river for added ambience. So if you are in Alton and looking for great food, Gentelin's is the place for you!
The food and service is always fantastic when we go. Great views of the river and bridge. Great place to eat and watch the sunset.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Greek Salad, Peppercorn Seared Ahi Tuna, Grilled Chicken Pasta, Brownie with Ice Cream
We have enjoyed going to Gentelins. Our last visit was interrupted by a table of 5 women being so loud that we couldn't enjoy our meal. We told our server, but nothing was said to the table. We weren't the only customers disturbed by the women. It was very disappointing, we spent a lot of money on our dinner and weren't able to converse with our friends. We finished our meal but weren't able to linger over another drink or dessert.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Sea Scallops, House Made Maryland Crab Cakes, Roger Strong Cabernet Sauvignon
Made a reservation three weeks in advance. When we arrived we were seated at the worst table in the restaurant - right where two paths of traffic cross - from the kitchen and from the bar. We asked to move and were told that all the tables were reserved. We asked someone else who moved us to the second worst table. Next time I make a reservation, I'm using the mayor's name.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Lovely time with a lovely red-haired beauty...good food. The waitress was excellent.Parking: Two lots, one on either side of the building.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Broadway Burger, Crisp Pork Potstickers
The goat cheese/ greens salad is my favorite and the blue cheese potatoes make any bad day the best day. Fresh greens with a tasty dressing always a healthy choice. Lemon drop and old school martinis are divine.My 13 y/o grandson declares the French fries " the best ever"....Steak was perfect, too.Vegetarian options: Try the black bean dish...like croquettes..very tasty and vegetarian.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Wow! This place is absolutely wonderful. Outstanding food options for carnivores and vegetarians! Beautiful decor. Exceptional service.I found it by hunting the internet, and the reviews were all exceptional. It was a delicious meal.I had the Aunt Jane chicken. Sooooo delicious. The breast is moist and cooked to perfection. I loved the fresh green beans and the smashed potatoes. The table gets a basket of tiny rolls with house made herbed butter that was sooo good.The waitress was engaging and very kind. She told us about half-price bottles of wine, so we each purchased our own wine. You can take the leftovers home to enjoy another day.Hubby had the portobello mushroom dish and said it was excellent. I opted to try the raspberry sorbet! It was very yummy.If we are ever in this area again, this will be the restaurant where we will stop again. It's really worth the trip!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is simply the best dining experience in Alton. The chicken pasta and ahi tuna dishes are amazing. Great martinis and save enough room for the desserts, you won't be disappointed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Peppercorn Seared Ahi Tuna, Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee, Grilled Chicken Pasta, Brownie with Ice Cream
The Peppered Ribeye was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5