We have tried many top steakhouses including Barclay Prime, Steak 48, Capital Grille, Mortons, Butcher and Singer, but Alpen easily stands out as our favorite.
From the moment you arrive, the experience feels special. In a neighborhood where everything is clearly marked, Alpen offers a bit of mystery. A single rose adorns the door with a doorbell. Ring it and a small panel opens for a quick reservation check before you are ushered inside. The door shuts softly behind you, preserving the intimate ambiance within.
Once your eyes adjust you find yourself in a warm wood paneled dining room accented with floral patterned dishes. It feels a bit like a cozy library, definitely not a large space, but perfectly suited for an intimate steakhouse experience.
The service was excellent and more importantly the recommendations were spot on. We started with Parker House rolls and bone marrow toast, then split the Tomahawk steak for two. Sides included creamed spinach and potato pave. It was more than enough for two people and every dish was executed beautifully. The steak was cooked perfectly and paired with roasted garlic and I believe onions, no sauce needed. The pave was not quite what I expected but it was delicious all the same.
My only critique is that the tables are quite close together. It almost felt like we were dining with the parties to our left and right, which slightly detracted from the romantic atmosphere. That said, given the small space and high demand, I understand the trade off. Even spacing the tables just a bit more could make a difference.
All in all, Alpen delivers a thoughtful, flavorful, and memorable dining experience. Simple yet refined. We cannot wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin Williams
My wife and I recently went back to Alpen Rose for our 1st anniversary dinner and we had an amazing night. The service, food, and drinks were all phenomenal. We were lucky to sit at a booth with a view of the entire restaurant and enjoyed the cozy atmosphere. Highly recommend the bone marrow toast and the beef wellington! Alpen rose is great for any occasion but they went above and beyond to make our night even more special. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Billy Schoeninger
Service, appetizers (bone marrow toast), sides (pave, mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese) and drinks are all great. However, 2/3 times I’ve been here the steak has been very underwhelming. My first experience two years ago it was great. The last two times over the past year the ribeye was full of fat and gristle (more than a ribeye is supposed to have) that was nearly impossible to cut, was overcooked from the medium rare I ordered and had no sear or crust on the outside. Management was responsive and provided a replacement that was cooked to the right done-ness, but still had no sear and was lacking flavor. It looked like it was slapped on a grill at 350 with no seasoning and left there. For what is supposed to be a high end steakhouse, the preparation of the steaks needs improvement.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Martin G. Heintzelman
Great food, great service, warm atmosphere. Food felt a little rushed (not much time between each course) but was also a busy night so can't blame em
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bone Marrow Toast, Roll
Kevin Xu
Enjoyed everything we ate here - the bone marrow toast and rack of lamb were the highlights for us. Lobster and beef Wellington were also excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ray Gab
I Can't Really say Enough about this place... Food ,Staff,Atmosphere Was Amazing. Before we left we were planning our next Visit. Schulson hit it out the Park on this one
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kareem Perrin
The service was amazing. They were very attentive. The food was delicious and the no. 3 drink may be the greatest drink crafted. I can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bone Marrow Toast, Creamed Spinach
Eric Bell
Some of the dishes came out so salted that they were barely edible. Atmosphere and the service are outstanding. Just ask that they keep the sodium low and you will have an amazing meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Judith Luo
We've visited ~10x within the last two years. Just wanted to point out one thing that is quite a bummer: quality of cooking is inconsistent (we're guessing it depends on the chef of the day?)
I always order the duck entree, which has been consistent. But my husband orders different types of steak per visit and sometimes the same steak for a few recurring visits. He would either be happy or really unhappy after eating, but we're too shy to say anything when the waiter asks if the food is good, maybe it's polite to always smile and give a thumbs up?
So basically sometimes the steak is amazing, makes us beg for more. Sometimes it's worse than the bare minimum. For example, during our most recent visit we ordered a medium rare NY Strip. It came with only one side seared, while the other side was soft and tender AND FACING UP!! Imagine my husband's face when he saw a pale-ish plate of NY strip served. It tasted mediocre, and in all honesty for that price I could've cooked the same thing at home and made us all happy.
My husband doesn't wanna eat here anymore but I think hopefully if whoever manages this place can see our review, maybe they could fix this issue for future guests to be happy about?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dry Aged Duck
Robert McGarrity
My wife and I went there for date night. The restaurant is a great place for date night. The entrance feels like a speakeasy. I like the atmosphere and the vibe in there. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food quality is amazing. The portion sizes can be shared especially the apple pie. Even the restroom has cool ambiance and clean. I would recommend this restaurant.
ALPEN ROSE🌹 is an exclusively and intimate restaurant in Philladelphia. The place is really amazing, private because no sign to mention the name of the restaurant. We have to knock and ring the bell to come inside. They don't take walk in, reservation only. The ambience was really classical european style with library vibes. The food was absolutely amazing. I had the bone marrow toast as an appetizer (cooked perfectly and caramelized very well) and for the entree I ordered a half dry aged duck with apple and pecan sauce also side of potato pave. My server, Tracy also gave the best recommendation for my choices, she was amazing. So far, this one is the best restaurant in philly, top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
E H
We had the pleasure of dining here for my birthday and definitely were not disappointed! From start to finish EVERYTHING was phenomenal. The allure of ringing a secret doorbell to enter and being greeted initially through a small peek-a-boo door panel is beyond cute! The restaurant decor is that of a small quaint Study or Library with the flare of a Speakeasy! The hostess was great and our waiter was Robbie- he was so kind and very detailed when we asked for menu suggestions; he was also quite witty and had us giggling throughout the evening. Now to the food- we literally ordered almost everything and everything was DEE- LISH! We had the Bone Marrow toast ( first time trying it and were blown away!), the Parker House Rolls- buttery and decadent, Oyster Rockefeller-literally tons of flavor, Gulf Prawn- truly surprised with the yummy spices mingled in this dish! For our main courses we had the Rack of Lamb- cooked to perfection and seasoning was wonderful and the Lobster Linguine- not overdone and heavy, very light and still full of flavor. To finish everything off we had the Apple Pie- the buttered crust is addicting!!!!!!!!! Clearly we loved Alpen Rose and will dine here again!!!!!! Totally worth it!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Darryl Boyd
Ok, this might take a minute! On this particular night, we knocked on the doors of a speak easy styled restaurant in Philadelphia(Alpen Rose). There was a wait, so we were given an option to go to wait at the sister company, Double Knot, attached to Alpen Rose. This was truly the highlight of the night and might be arguably the best waiting area in the world! Think about the iconic tracking shot from Goodfellas, where Henry Hill guides his girlfriend, Karen, through the busy back entrance of the Copacabana nightclub. The camera follows them in one continuous take, capturing the vibrant, chaotic energy behind the scenes. As they navigate narrow hallways and busy kitchens filled with staff prepping food and hustling about, Henry confidently greeted everyone they pass, showcasing his charm and connections. I didn’t know anyone there, but being in the south for sometime, I have learned that a simple gesture of greeting people is just a way of life. The reception was perfect as we moved through a similar scene but in real life!
We emerged from the back corridors directly into a glamorous, dimly lit main area. A bar tender swiftly set-up our spots and got straight to work! To top it off, the drinks were complementary. The scene at both venues were set to the smooth sounds of jazz in an almost dreamlike quality. The sequence of events were a masterful blend of reliving a cinematography staple before things went left in Goodfellas.
Anyways, when we made it back to Alpen Rose, we decided to sit at the bar although the manger insisted we sit at a table. We are simple and don’t believe in using way more space than needed. Our bartender was attentive, and “knew a guy in the back” who could get us, I am not kidding, one onion ring as requested! Needless to say that our our wait, the bartender along with the food selection, and drinks were all magical. It was the most unrealistic summer night dining we’ve had in Philadelphia. This place gets a 10/10!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Devan Schmid
Friendly staff, great food, and a unique atmosphere. Couldn’t recommend more. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Porter House, Tuna Carpaccio
Chad B.
Great food. Stephen was spectacular!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pineapple Upside Down Alaska, Oyster Rockefeller
We have tried many top steakhouses including Barclay Prime, Steak 48, Capital Grille, Mortons, Butcher and Singer, but Alpen easily stands out as our favorite.
From the moment you arrive, the experience feels special. In a neighborhood where everything is clearly marked, Alpen offers a bit of mystery. A single rose adorns the door with a doorbell. Ring it and a small panel opens for a quick reservation check before you are ushered inside. The door shuts softly behind you, preserving the intimate ambiance within.
Once your eyes adjust you find yourself in a warm wood paneled dining room accented with floral patterned dishes. It feels a bit like a cozy library, definitely not a large space, but perfectly suited for an intimate steakhouse experience.
The service was excellent and more importantly the recommendations were spot on. We started with Parker House rolls and bone marrow toast, then split the Tomahawk steak for two. Sides included creamed spinach and potato pave. It was more than enough for two people and every dish was executed beautifully. The steak was cooked perfectly and paired with roasted garlic and I believe onions, no sauce needed. The pave was not quite what I expected but it was delicious all the same.
My only critique is that the tables are quite close together. It almost felt like we were dining with the parties to our left and right, which slightly detracted from the romantic atmosphere. That said, given the small space and high demand, I understand the trade off. Even spacing the tables just a bit more could make a difference.
All in all, Alpen delivers a thoughtful, flavorful, and memorable dining experience. Simple yet refined. We cannot wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I recently went back to Alpen Rose for our 1st anniversary dinner and we had an amazing night. The service, food, and drinks were all phenomenal. We were lucky to sit at a booth with a view of the entire restaurant and enjoyed the cozy atmosphere. Highly recommend the bone marrow toast and the beef wellington! Alpen rose is great for any occasion but they went above and beyond to make our night even more special. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service, appetizers (bone marrow toast), sides (pave, mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese) and drinks are all great. However, 2/3 times I’ve been here the steak has been very underwhelming. My first experience two years ago it was great. The last two times over the past year the ribeye was full of fat and gristle (more than a ribeye is supposed to have) that was nearly impossible to cut, was overcooked from the medium rare I ordered and had no sear or crust on the outside. Management was responsive and provided a replacement that was cooked to the right done-ness, but still had no sear and was lacking flavor. It looked like it was slapped on a grill at 350 with no seasoning and left there. For what is supposed to be a high end steakhouse, the preparation of the steaks needs improvement.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Great food, great service, warm atmosphere. Food felt a little rushed (not much time between each course) but was also a busy night so can't blame em
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bone Marrow Toast, Roll
Enjoyed everything we ate here - the bone marrow toast and rack of lamb were the highlights for us. Lobster and beef Wellington were also excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I Can't Really say Enough about this place...
Food ,Staff,Atmosphere Was Amazing.
Before we left we were planning our next Visit. Schulson hit it out the Park on this one
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The service was amazing. They were very attentive. The food was delicious and the no. 3 drink may be the greatest drink crafted. I can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bone Marrow Toast, Creamed Spinach
Some of the dishes came out so salted that they were barely edible. Atmosphere and the service are outstanding. Just ask that they keep the sodium low and you will have an amazing meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
We've visited ~10x within the last two years. Just wanted to point out one thing that is quite a bummer: quality of cooking is inconsistent (we're guessing it depends on the chef of the day?)
I always order the duck entree, which has been consistent. But my husband orders different types of steak per visit and sometimes the same steak for a few recurring visits. He would either be happy or really unhappy after eating, but we're too shy to say anything when the waiter asks if the food is good, maybe it's polite to always smile and give a thumbs up?
So basically sometimes the steak is amazing, makes us beg for more. Sometimes it's worse than the bare minimum. For example, during our most recent visit we ordered a medium rare NY Strip. It came with only one side seared, while the other side was soft and tender AND FACING UP!! Imagine my husband's face when he saw a pale-ish plate of NY strip served. It tasted mediocre, and in all honesty for that price I could've cooked the same thing at home and made us all happy.
My husband doesn't wanna eat here anymore but I think hopefully if whoever manages this place can see our review, maybe they could fix this issue for future guests to be happy about?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dry Aged Duck
My wife and I went there for date night. The restaurant is a great place for date night. The entrance feels like a speakeasy. I like the atmosphere and the vibe in there. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food quality is amazing. The portion sizes can be shared especially the apple pie. Even the restroom has cool ambiance and clean. I would recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roll, Apple Pie
Restaurantji Recommends
ALPEN ROSE🌹 is an exclusively and intimate restaurant in Philladelphia.
The place is really amazing, private because no sign to mention the name of the restaurant.
We have to knock and ring the bell to come inside.
They don't take walk in, reservation only.
The ambience was really classical european style with library vibes.
The food was absolutely amazing.
I had the bone marrow toast as an appetizer (cooked perfectly and caramelized very well) and for the entree I ordered a half dry aged duck with apple and pecan sauce also side of potato pave. My server, Tracy also gave the best recommendation for my choices, she was amazing.
So far, this one is the best restaurant in philly, top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had the pleasure of dining here for my birthday and definitely were not disappointed! From start to finish EVERYTHING was phenomenal. The allure of ringing a secret doorbell to enter and being greeted initially through a small peek-a-boo door panel is beyond cute! The restaurant decor is that of a small quaint Study or Library with the flare of a Speakeasy! The hostess was great and our waiter was Robbie- he was so kind and very detailed when we asked for menu suggestions; he was also quite witty and had us giggling throughout the evening. Now to the food- we literally ordered almost everything and everything was DEE- LISH! We had the Bone Marrow toast ( first time trying it and were blown away!), the Parker House Rolls- buttery and decadent, Oyster Rockefeller-literally tons of flavor, Gulf Prawn- truly surprised with the yummy spices mingled in this dish! For our main courses we had the Rack of Lamb- cooked to perfection and seasoning was wonderful and the Lobster Linguine- not overdone and heavy, very light and still full of flavor. To finish everything off we had the Apple Pie- the buttered crust is addicting!!!!!!!!! Clearly we loved Alpen Rose and will dine here again!!!!!! Totally worth it!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ok, this might take a minute! On this particular night, we knocked on the doors of a speak easy styled restaurant in Philadelphia(Alpen Rose). There was a wait, so we were given an option to go to wait at the sister company, Double Knot, attached to Alpen Rose. This was truly the highlight of the night and might be arguably the best waiting area in the world! Think about the iconic tracking shot from Goodfellas, where Henry Hill guides his girlfriend, Karen, through the busy back entrance of the Copacabana nightclub. The camera follows them in one continuous take, capturing the vibrant, chaotic energy behind the scenes. As they navigate narrow hallways and busy kitchens filled with staff prepping food and hustling about, Henry confidently greeted everyone they pass, showcasing his charm and connections. I didn’t know anyone there, but being in the south for sometime, I have learned that a simple gesture of greeting people is just a way of life. The reception was perfect as we moved through a similar scene but in real life!
We emerged from the back corridors directly into a glamorous, dimly lit main area. A bar tender swiftly set-up our spots and got straight to work! To top it off, the drinks were complementary. The scene at both venues were set to the smooth sounds of jazz in an almost dreamlike quality. The sequence of events were a masterful blend of reliving a cinematography staple before things went left in Goodfellas.
Anyways, when we made it back to Alpen Rose, we decided to sit at the bar although the manger insisted we sit at a table. We are simple and don’t believe in using way more space than needed. Our bartender was attentive, and “knew a guy in the back” who could get us, I am not kidding, one onion ring as requested! Needless to say that our our wait, the bartender along with the food selection, and drinks were all magical. It was the most unrealistic summer night dining
we’ve had in Philadelphia. This place gets a 10/10!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Friendly staff, great food, and a unique atmosphere. Couldn’t recommend more. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Porter House, Tuna Carpaccio
Great food. Stephen was spectacular!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pineapple Upside Down Alaska, Oyster Rockefeller
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