Alpen Rose — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I can’t give it 5 stars cause the waiter lost me in the end. It was my birthday but that’s not why we ate there and I asked for a sparkler and he didn’t give me one with my dessert. He didn’t think it was actually my birthday and thought I was just trying to get attention..

Otherwise YES EAT HERE! Eat here everyday if you can!!

We came across this on accident. We had reservations at a restaurant near and the food appeared mid so we took off in search for better. We stumbled upon Alpen rose.. we couldn’t get in the door and then a square opened and a man (named Jerome) told us that we couldn’t get in!! Meeee! I have never! 🤣

Apparently this was a fancy smansy place w limited seating. Jerome was not dismissive and I was intrigued so we made reservations for the next night!

It only has 12 tables and 4 seats at the bar.

We ordered

Bone marrow toast Bacon Rib eye Beef Wellington Creamed corn Creamed spinach And were given mashed potatoes Baked Alaskan for dessert

The bone marrow though delicious was NOT needed. The beef cheek on the toast was amazing!! We would have paid for that alone!!

The bacon was just one slice.. it was thick and prepared well but.. just bacon (delicious)

The beef Wellington was prepared in excellence! We marveled at its beauty and then after it was cut how the crust was flaky and perfect and buttery and delicious while the beef was cooked to perfection!! Every flavor was separate and perfect as if a magician who loved food had prepared it! It also came with the bone marrow sauce that made me want to shout!! Literally get up and run circles!!

The rib eye was just as magnificent!! I have never had a perfectly med rare rib eye until this day! The color! The texture! The taste! OH MY! I was in absolute heaven with every bite! The garlic on the side rubbbed into the steak like butter. Was it needed? No! But it didn’t hurt!!

The creamed corn was done so well. The sweetness came from the corn. The kernels had a crunch to them but not where it was under done. Just so you knew you were eating fresh corn! The cream didn’t overwhelm it. It was just the way it should be!

The creamed spinach was CREAMED SPINACH! oh wow! It tastes so fresh and clean! I am not sure how they got the flavor the way it was. I tasted cream and spinach. Neither more than the other. They complimented each other like life long friends!

The potatoes were good. We just took a bite. Real potatoes. Lots of butter. Whipped to perfection! The waiter suggested we place this sauce on the table on them.. the sauce was tart and took away from the foods perfection.

Please note to eat this food as it comes. The chef knows what he is doing!

Lastly the baked Alaskan which was pineapple.. I absolutely loved the flavors. The cherry sorbet inside! The fresh pineapple . The coconut cream! Wow! I wish they could do this w a rum that tasted less rum-my 😂 I don’t drink alcohol! If so I would have eaten it all! It was soooooo good!!

This will be a staple when we return to Philly for...

Few experiences can claim to transcend the ordinary, elevating a simple meal to an epicurean odyssey that imprints upon the soul. Yet, the Alpen Rose, a Michael Schulson Collective restaurant, under the stewardship of the consummate professional Eric Sailor and his dedicated team, does just that, crafting not merely a dining experience but a symphony of flavors, service, and ambiance that resonates with the essence of culinary artistry.

From the moment of our arrival, where the specter of a missed opportunity due to unforeseen circumstances loomed, Alpen Rose emerged as a beacon of hospitality, demonstrating an exceptional commitment to guest satisfaction. Eric's personal involvement in securing our reservation was not merely a service but a testament to the restaurant's ethos of going beyond the call of duty.

Our culinary adventure included an exquisitely curated 32oz Dry Aged Porter House, a testament to the chef's mastery over the flame, ensuring a perfect sear while preserving the tenderness and depth of flavor that aficionados of fine meats cherish. Accompanied by the Filet Mignon, each bite was a revelation, an ode to the culinary arts that left us in awe.

The Forest Mushrooms and Pomme Puree were not mere sides but co-stars in this gastronomic ballet, each bringing its unique texture and flavor to complement the main courses. The Grilled Asparagus, alight with the perfect char, and the Clover Roll, with its intoxicating blend of honey butter and sea salt, completed a tableau of flavors that was nothing short of transcendent.

Dessert was a continuation of this culinary narrative, with the Cheesecake Mousse offering a creamy, dreamlike quality and the Pineapple Upside Down Alaska served as a fiery, sweet denouement to a meal that will linger in memory long after the last bite.

But it was not just the food that made our experience unparalleled. It was the human touch, the genuine care, and the attention to detail that Eric and his team exemplified. The surprise off-menu dish, Taleggio Prosciutto Agnolottia, was a gesture of pure hospitality and a culinary equivalent of a serenade, an unexpected delight that spoke of the chef's passion, creativity, and love for his patrons.

Alpen Rose is not just a restaurant; it is a sanctuary where the art of cooking is revered, where guests are not merely diners but cherished participants in a gastronomic ballet choreographed with skill, love, and a touch of magic. It is here that my wife and I found not just culinary excellence but a moment in time that will be etched in our hearts forever, a testament to the power of food to celebrate life's milestones, to heal, to unite, and to express love in its most delicious form.

Thank you Eric Sailor and the entire Alpen Rose team for a night we will...

The vibe was incredibly like a speak easy. Tucked away on the front of the building, on a relatively busy street with other bars and restaurants, was a sheltered entrance with simply a picture of a rose next to the door (no other conspicuous signage). Upon ringing the doorbell we were almost immediately greeted by the host from a sliding window in the door. I do recommend a reservation (available on Resy), as we were asked if we had one. Once we entered we noticed the dining room was pretty full. The only pair of seats available were at the bar, which was full service. The bar was tucked away in the corner with an almost candlelight ambiance, but with plenty of tentative staff which made the service exceptional. From the bar, one could easily see in to the kitchen area and enjoy that along with the very entertaining bartending. The cocktail menu was interesting and exotic, with no Moscow mules or Jack & cokes to be found. However, they were fairly priced at around $13-$15. Each of the ones I tried were very good and worth it! With that being said, there were several recognizable brands of liquor if you aren't feeling too adventurous. Our bar tender that evening was very friendly, helpful, and attentive. The menu itself had a decent selection on offer for an upscale place, with your selection of a side to be charged separate, which I thought was a bit odd. I went for the 20oz ribeye, and my girlfriend had the Salmon. My steak was served on it's own plate, with some roasted garlic and pickled red onion off to the side. I opted for the side of asparagus, which was $14 when I went. Also, my dry aged steak was $74, but it honestly wasn't as good as other steaks I have had in the past. The salmon my girlfriend had gotten was recommended to be cooked medium rare, but she requested that it be fully cooked. When it came out though, the skin of the fish was burned black, while the sides she ordered were very good. At the end of our meal, we were offered a complimentary drink in celebration of my birthday. Upon exiting, the door was held for us by the staff, and we walked back on to the street as if we were returning to an entirely different world. OVERALL, the experience was good. The atmosphere creates a space in which you would want to spend hours and hours. The cocktails were absolutely amazing. The food was ok. A good meal for sure, but not the best I have ever had, and fairly expensive. Would certainly return...