Alacruz Grill — Restaurant in Florida

TLDR: Steaks good, service TERRIBLE

I would just like to preface this by saying that I was very excited to try Alacruz. I had heard really great things about it from friends and their online reviews were great too. We are Wellington locals so it's exciting to have a nice restaurant in the area.

I decided to book a reservation for Valentine's Day.

I will give credit where it's due in that last minute, my babysitter cancelled and our son had to join us for dinner. I called to see what our options were as I figured they would be very busy for VDay. Jackie was very accommodating and was able to get us a larger table. So thank you Jackie for that.

However, when we arrived, at 5:45 mind you (so not very busy), we waited at least 10 minutes to get served. A waitress came over and asked for our drinks. She seemed perturbed that we were not ordering alcohol but mentioned she would bring us bread.

We never saw this woman again despite the promise of bread and a children's menu. We had to track down a bus boy to ask for the children's menu and a cup with a lid for our son.

Later, a different waiter came over and took our food order. We ordered the octopus ceviche, 2 steaks, and chicken fingers. My son loved the fries, but he's two so his palette is not so refined.

The octopus ceviche came and it was the biggest disappointment I've had in 2025 so far. $29 for a cup of lime juice, onions and hints of octopus. I understand food prices are up, but for $29 I expect at least a glimmer of a tentacle.

A food runner came later with our steaks. We then had to ask him for a few things we needed to survive this meal, like an extra napkin.

The steak was good. I will admit that. My husband and I enjoyed the flavor, no doubt.

However, it was only when a waiter (our waiter, who knows? I wasn't even sure who our waiter was at this point) bumped into the high chair that he then realized he needed to check in on us.

The meal is finished and my husband points out that we were still breadless. I look around to see all the other tables with bread baskets. Upon looking around, I notice the couple behind us getting some sort of knife service. More on that later.

My son starts to get fussy so my husband took him outside and I wait, and wait, and wait to find someone to get us our bill. I see waiter #2 partaking in world bartending championships behind the bar and a third server finally brings the bill over. Upon me reaching out for it, she asks if she should be giving it to my husband. Forgive me, but I didn't realize it was 1973.

To be honest, I didn't want to leave a tip. I only did because I figured some of it goes to the bus boy and food runner who were very nice and helpful. Otherwise, I would have left nothing.

Back to the knives. So I'm telling someone about my experience and I mention the knife service and he tilts his head and says, 'they didn't bring you the knives?!' and goes on to explain how they offer very nice knives to use with the steaks. Apparently we were not only unworthy of bread, but of knives as well.

Will have to find somewhere else for...

My son and I, once a month set a date to enjoy a new restaurant. Heard of this Argentinian restaurant opening and knew right away we had to try it since I love Argentinian cuisine😋I know how grand openings go., new restaurants on a Friday night will mean patience for the long wait but I hoped the atmosphere, food, and service would be above average, after all this is a grand opening! Well that was not the case, I was immediately disappointed when I walked in and the place was as hot as outside, 80 Florida degrees hot! still I went in weaving around the people standing in front of the hostess, just chatting among themselves,( they were all just waiting for their table) good sense would tell you to wait outside but that's another topic. The hostess was very young but absolutely friendly and welcoming yet looked stressed . She said it was a 10 min wait. I was like 😃yeah, ok great. Less than 10 minutes we got our table. Sat there waiting for a waitress/ waiter to at least say "I'll be right there with you". Saw a man , whom seem to be the owner going around speaking Spanish , welcoming people ( he never made it to us) which I get - lots of people ! By now I've looked at the menu , and using it to fan myself (only warm air was felt) . I always have to carry a sweater because im always cold and I keep a heater im my office - so when I say it was hot in there , believe it's true. I kept smiling at the waiters as they passed by, wishing they would offer us water. 10 minutes sitting there ,with no attempt of acknowledgement by anyone, I looked at my son who is 17 and hates rudeness and said " should we go and try somewhere else?" He said ”Yes mom, please!! When we got up slowly a waitress just smiled and kept on going, without attempt to save a potential great customer and tipper🥰 We made the right decision! Therefore, I cannot rate the food but customer service weighs in a lot - so Ciao! Alacruz, No nos...

This restaurant is truly exceptional in numerous ways, making it stand out from others in the area. Firstly, the menu offers authentic Argentine cuisine, prepared with an unparalleled attention to detail that is difficult to find elsewhere. The dishes are crafted with precision and passion, offering a genuine taste of Argentina that resonates with both locals and visitors alike. Additionally, the professionalism of the staff adds to the overall experience. Each member is properly trained, well-groomed, and attentive, providing a level of service that is often missing in other establishments where standards can fall short.

However, what truly elevates this restaurant is the presence of its owner, Alejandro, and his family. In an era where owner involvement is becoming increasingly rare, especially outside of Palm Beach, Alejandro’s hands-on approach is a breath of fresh air. He takes great pride in his restaurant and can be seen personally interacting with guests at every table, ensuring their satisfaction and gathering invaluable feedback. His ability to build genuine relationships with patrons is a testament to his commitment to excellence. This personal touch and dedication to the guest experience are qualities that distinguish this establishment from the rest.

Wellington, in particular, lacks this level of engagement, making this restaurant even more remarkable. It’s clear that the passion and care Alejandro and his family put into their business will continue to drive their success. With this combination of exceptional food, impeccable service, and genuine hospitality, this has undoubtedly become my favorite restaurant. It is an establishment that sets the standard, and its place in my dining preferences...