02/06/09

Alison at Blue Bell is back!

by Reenies

Wonderful anniversary dinner on "re-opening" evening (02/05/2009). Best Caesar salad I have ever eaten. Husband had Hake and I had a penne pasta dish. Both delicious. Dessert - Warm cappuccino chocolate cake with whipped cream. Yum! Still BYOB with no corking fee until liquor license goes into effect. Very professional waitstaff. Both my husband and I were presented with gift cards to Alison 2 for attending the "re-opening" on opening night. What a nice surprise! Can't wait to return to Alison at Blue Bell and try Alison 2.

• Pros: Delicious, fair price , excellent waitstaff.
• Cons: NONE

11/04/08

Consistently Outstanding Cuisine -

by DeborahReast

When I visit Alison at Blue Bell it is normally to mark some special occasion in life. When I make my reservation and walk into this "other world" I feel like a queen. The staff is obliging and informed on their current menu for the day as well as some delicious wine recommendations that complement each dish perfectly. To date, their recommendations have been right on target. On my last visit I enjoyed the skate with the most light and crispy crust I could imagine. I have been talking about it for months. If you appreciate delicious food made from scratch and perhaps you may even be celebrating some special event in your life,make a visit to Alison at Blue Bell. Of course, since they're closed for expansion and renovation, you'll have to wait a few months but I am certain the wait will be worth it. I've also tried Alison two since it has opened and the addition of a bar, happy hour and larger facilities expands the opportunity for me for business meetings and joining friends for a quick drink at happy hour. Food is out of this world!

• Pros: Menu, parking, service
• Cons: tables too close

11/03/08

Consistently delicious food

by JeffinElkinsPark

My wife and kids and I have been to Alison'sthree or four times a year over the last 5 or so years and have always had great meals. The food is always fresh, the flavors distinct and savory and the dishes are presented in interesting ways. We have loved the BYOB aspect to Alison's and wish Alison Too kept that but so it goes. We have always found the staff accomodating to special needs as my daughter is a vegetarian and despite limited choices on the menu, she always leaves very satisfied and delighted. The staff has been interested in feedback. It remains my favorite BYOB.

• Pros: BYOB. Top quality food. Casual but excellent service.
• Cons: Fewer vegetarian options. Can be a bit rushed.

11/03/08

One of my Favorite Restaurants

by Captain22

Alison at Blue Bell is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is consistently so good that I have to restrain myself from licking the plate. Freshest fish! I trust the restaurant enough to order things I've never tried and I'm rarely disappointed. I always thought I hated brussels sprouts until I tried them here. Now I order them every time they're on the menu. Whenever we go, the staff remembers us and greets us warmly. Can't wait for the restaurant to finish renovation and re-open. I miss it!!!!

• Pros: food, friendly service, free parking
• Cons: too small

03/20/08

Pet Peeve

by jimrad

First and more importantly, the food and presentation were very very good. Both appetizers (a ginger fried squid and an oyster selection) were delicious. The halibut over a tomato risotto was light and fantastic. The pork chop with white beans and escarole was hearty and excellent. With a bottle of wine and tip, the bill came to around $140, well worth it for the quality of the food ? However, when I?m spending this much I don?t like being greeted by the Hostess as if we were at a fast food joint. ?Hi ? how are you guys tonight? just doesn?t seem appropriate at a restaurant of this caliber. We were addressed in this manner by her several times during the night ? the other staff, thankfully, not following her lead. Maybe I?m a snob, but at these prices . . . . . .

It?s cash/check only ? they do have beer and wine but you can BYO, with a $5 corkage fee.

• Cons: A little hard to find

10/12/06

I came from NYC for this fabulous meal!!!

by Martrese

My childhood friend lives nearby, so when a fellow New Yorker recommended I stop by Alison's, I jumped at the chance. My friend and I had the most wonderful meal. The tables are a bit close together (outdoor dining in nice weather helps), but the FOOD!! None of the restaurants in my 'hood (Battery Park City) serve food this divine. We enjoyed bringing our own wine, as the prices are a bit high, so that kept the cost down. (Though charging an extra dollar for an additional tiny scoop of ice cream was a bit ridiculous.) The service was quite good also.

• Pros: Superb food, love the B.Y.O. policy, relaxing ambiance
• Cons: It's not closer to NYC (hee hee)

02/17/06

Wow...I think I have a new favorite restaurant

by tk986

Went there on 2/15 for dinner and absolutely loved it. Everything from the salad to dessert was great. We ordered the scallops and and the crabcakes as entrees and they were delicious. The bread pudding dessert was a chocolate lovers dream. I also thought the service was wonderful...been to some nice restaurants where it seems like the servers snobby..not here...they are really nice, attentive and are more than happy to answers questions. We even got a table visit from Alison herself which was a first for us at any restaurant ever...i have worked in restaurants for ten years and never seen a chef visit tables like she did...what a great touch to an already stellar night. Just wish I would have tried Alison's sooner but I will definetly be back.

• Pros: Food, Service

01/23/06

Celebrity chief lost that distinction

by gmdw

With expectations high I ventured out of the city and way up to Blue Bell for what I knew would be a evening of creative dining pleasure. The dining room is sterile - tables are very small- on top of one another without linens - maybe old fashion but when I am paying these prices expect a tablecloth. Menu was impressive - food was not. The duck in the confit was dry and stringy - the lamb on the entree was so bland as to be tasteless - the ravioli had sour cream topping that tasted like it came out of the container - couldn't find a hint of any sauce on any of the plates. How very disappointing - restaurant was filled to capacity - has to be locals - with all of the great BYOB's in the city no need to travel into the outskirts of town.

Celebrated Chef Alison Barshak's latest venture is a stand out and stylish B.Y.O.B. northwest of the city.

by Contributor

In Short
Chef Alison Barshak has been regarded as one of the region's top chefs since the prodigious redhead led the kitchen in the opening days of the legendary Striped Bass. Entrée highlights at her suburban B.Y.O.B. come in the way of pepper-crusted tuna with shallot broth and shoestring potatoes and lump crab cakes with sweet potato hash, haricots verts, and creamy Dijon. Desserts include a perfect crème bûrlée.

08/02/05

Alison Disappoints

by supperclubsixdave

After hearing so many good things about Alison at Blue Bell, our monthy supper group, the SupperClubSix decided to give the restaurant a try.

Our party of six each ordered appetizers and an entree. The appetizers were consistantly better than the entrees across the board. My scallop entree over risotto was quite a disappointment. The scallops were gritty and the risotta lacked the richness of flavor one expects from a well-prepared risotto. Other entrees fared no better. The crabcakes contained shells, were small and lacked flavor. The monkfish was bland and the Swordfish overcooked. Six entrees ordered and six disappointed people.

The appetizers were a bit more satisfying, but for the prices Alsion is charging, the food could be a bit more inspiring and prepared with better care. With so many BYOBs in the area, there is no reason to settle for expensive and mediocre.

• Pros: excellent service, good parking
• Cons: bland food, over-priced, no atmosphere