Alvin and FriendsThe food was excellent andThe food was excellent and he service was impeccable. A gem of a restaurant in the heart of downtown New Rochelle.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Birthday DinnerI came here for my 55th birthday with my daughter and a friend. The service was excellent, from start to finish. The drinks, appetizers, entrees, dessert and service were great! Meeting the owner, Alvin, and taking a birthday photo with him was an added touch. Thank you for a very nice birthday dinner.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and charm! Perfect blendAlvin has created a lovely restaurant. The food is very good, the ambiance is charming, the paintings are beautiful and the owner is an engaging host. Best of continued success and goof fortune. We will be back.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMCHIP off the BlockOur Sunday evening dining experience was pleasant. The food was good despite running out of the coconut rice and their signature pineapple upside down cake. We enjoyed the caesar salad which was prepared differently. The oxtails were finger-licking good, I usually do not order mac & cheese out because it usually taste like Kraft. On this dish, my wife and I had a split decision. I loved the cheesy taste (which wasn't Kraft American) and texture; whereas my wife did not.
Overall the ambience, service and food would have us to return to check out the rest of Alvin & Friends menu.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMHomey With ClassAlvin & Friends offers a fusion of flavors in its Southern/Caribbean menu. While I haven't tried all the dishes, I find their signature dishes (Fried Chicken, Catfish, Pineapple upside down rum cake) tend to offer more bang than the tamer fare (Salmon, Chocolate cake). The energy of the place is what really dominates the experience. Classy and elegant at first glance, it's anything but pretentious, thanks to the warmth and openness of the namesake and owner, Alvin Clayton. His bright paintings are part of the decor and children hover happily near the piano player in the front. The service staff are warm and thoughtful. Definitely worth a visit if ever in New Rochelle!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat DinnerThis is the first time we went to the new place and it's just as nice and much more room. The food was excellent as usual and they now also have some great Mojitos and a much bigger bar area. Thanks Alvin and Friends for a great date night.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMA lovely setting, warm ambianceA lovely setting, warm ambiance enhanced by the gracious welcome of Alvin himself! And the food is delicious!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMColorful & Lively RestaurantAlthough there was a special Mother's Day menu, I was glad the fried chicken was on it...gotta love it, so moist and crunchy, served with collard greens with smokey shreds of turkey and a light mac & cheese. My husband had the oxtail which was so flavorful with kick to the sauce served on bed of coconut rice, a flavorful change of pace from regular rice. The restaurant is so colorful due to Alvin's personally handpainted artwork of oils and acrylics. It gives the restaurant a really happy vibe. Nice that he has moved into a much bigger space as evidenced from the crowd throughout the whole restaurant enjoying their meals. Wine selections were nice and affordable. Waitstaff was very attentive and non-obtrusive.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMYumI've loved this place from my first visit ( in the previous location), and nothing has swayed me since then. This is already my second time at the new location, and it's only been open about a month. (I live more than a half-hour away-- well worth the trip)!
Great food, great fun... and no, the Southern fried chicken is NOT overrated, and is quite possibly the best I've ever had (I'm in my mid-50's, and have had lots of fried chicken!).
Alvin, my sole criticism is that I don't think you're taking my suggestion very seriously-- about looking into a second venue in Northern Westchester!! :-)5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMAlvin & Friends is the real dealThis, my first visit to Alvin & Friends, was a birthday gift from a friend. My first impression will be a lasting one as I was immediately drawn into the spaciousness, beautiful decor and elegance of the restaurant. With large, gorgeous paintings adorning the walls, it was a little like dining in an art gallery. The curried crab chowder was the perfect appetizer. We ordered the caramelized salmon which was delectable. For dessert I had the plaintain bread pudding, a bit unusual but quite delicious. The best part of the evening though was our conversation with our most gracious host, and owner, Alvin Clayton. Being warm, personable and sensitive to our needs, he definitely is part of the charm of returning to this lovely restaurant.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistency!As always...excellent food, great presentation, great service and Alvin is a very "hands on", gracious and attentive host.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMsat night outfood very good...new location great.....room so pretty. noisy at end of night with musicians playing.....5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat as alwaysThey recently moved into their new, larger space. Same food and same service. Great experience like before.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMAlvin's new home is wonderful.Alvin's new home is wonderful. I am so happy to see how beautiful his new place is. His decor is lovely.
As usual the food delicious and the service was great.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAs a vegetarian I feel theAs a vegetarian I feel the menu is too limited. If I brought guests we would all have to eat the one dish on the menu4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMLove Alvins! Every outingLove Alvins! Every outing is special. The new location is lovely.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMLove the new location! AlvinLove the new location! Alvin hit the ball out of the park with this place, the set-up and decor is fantastic. He now has a restaurant that matches the wonderful food, making it available to many more people. Kudo's to Alvin and team.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat new location great menu.First time in the new location. Beautiful. Attentive waitstaff. Beautiful decor. Alvin is a wonderful host. I will bring my out of town guests here to entertain them. Mazel tov Alvin.
We will be back often.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMVery friendly management andVery friendly management and staff. Limited menu, but that probably allows the chef to concentrate on the quality of the food.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is the best thing thatThis is the best thing that has happened to New Rochelle in a long time. Leading the lsit of great new spots in town. everything is just right4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMLoving Alvin and FriendsLove love the new space and Alvin as always is the most amazing host!4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time ever given 5 starsFirst time ever given 5 stars to any establishment!
All measures needing improvement were addressed and a gem of an example of fine dining in Westchester County!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Alvin and Friends ExperienceIt would be close to impossible NOT to be charmed by Alvin; the Alvin and Friends experience is equally impressive. From the service to the food--and back around to the decor--a night out at Alvin and Friends is one I look forward to repeating. The new place, though much bigger, still has that familiar feel--and now with a substantial bar, and bar area, you can go and sip Alvin's awesome rum punch and have a few bites OR sit for the full meal. We'll definitely be back!4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went to Alvin's for a familyWe went to Alvin's for a family dinner. The new location is beautiful and the food was terrific .4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat new location. SimilarGreat new location. Similar charm and great service.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWe thought that the food andWe thought that the food and service were great. The fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, fried oysters, and crab curry soup were spectacular. There was a great feeling when you entered the restaurant and we will return.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is an adventurous blendFood is an adventurous blend of caribbean and southern. Unique dishes and surprisingly good.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific vibeA thoroughly enjoyable experience in the moderate price range. This restaurant is personable, lively and the food is innovative, southern comfort. You dine in what feels like a blend between Alvin's speakeasy and art gallery. The food is flavorful and satisfying with portions that are generous without being overwhelming. Overall, the place gives off a terrific vibe- especially in the normally humdrum Westchester area. We will definitely be back.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place is like a fineThis place is like a fine wine just get's better with time. I love the food here, i never get tired of the fried chicken & greens.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMBest meal this year! SERIOUSLY!!!!!ALVIN AND FRIENDS....
I've been a patron of Alvin and Friends from the second evening they opened. I have never been disappointed. However, slight changes have been made in the kitchen and I must say... after dinner there Saturday evening, I have constantly been DREAMING of the roasted leg of lamb with creamy garlicky polenta (the smoothest I've EVER eaten), alongside the black eye pea garden salad!
Seriously, I would have licked the plate!!! I mentioned this to Alvin and he laughed, remarking what a lovely compliment it was. SERIOUSLY, I have been devouring the flavors and crispness on the palette ever since.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place for romantic diningGreat place for romantic dining & the food was delish. Appreciated Mr. Alvin's presence & attention to every guest. He gave the restaurant a unique feel. Would highly recommend to others.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMInteresting menu with excellentInteresting menu with excellent items not usual in the Northeast including fried catfish and corn fried oysters. Traditional duck and lamb dished excellent as well. Worth a trip.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AM