The Sea by Alexander's Steakhouse

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1. FL

   FoodLover

   San Francisco

   6 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   Service was above and beyond. We were treated "as most honored guests"
   

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2. M

   Mark

   Hawaii

   3 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall3food3service3ambience1

   Given the price and the presentation, a critical review is merited. To start, the restaurant is loud...shout across the table loud with jazz music being piped in at a high volume. It didn't help that the bench seating puts you about 10 inches lower and an additional foot further away from the person across the table. This all made conversation unpleasant. The good: Bartender and drinks are excellent. That portion gets a 5 star. Pasty Chef (bread and desserts) were also excellent. The bad: The appetizers were "meh" and the lobster rocks were disgusting. Buried in truffle oil and fried in yesterday's french fry oil, you could not taste the lobster. All we could taste was fry oil. Yuck (for a $30+ dish!!!). Service was not good for this caliber of restaurant. There was a time when they suddenly took away our bread plates (!?) because they wanted to prep for appetizers, even though we were actively using the plates. We were both shocked. They kept interrupting us at odd times, but then left us alone at others. Sat down, but didn't take drink or appetizer orders until quite a wait and with food orders. Waiter insisted on talking to the males in the party and the women reported afterward that they felt slighted. The okay. Sides were mediocre (we had the wild mushrooms and the shishito peppers). Both were forgettable and the mushrooms tasted burned. The main dishes were better than the appetizers -- we should just have gotten these. This was because their sauces were excellent. Presentation was a bit haphazard though and portions mediocre.
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The service is wonderful! Miyazaki Beef and Imperial Wagyu Skirt Steaks were amazing.
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   London

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 14, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   It was a great Mother’s Day experience and very family friendly
   

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5. JC

   JC12

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 10, 2023

   overall4food5service5ambience4

   1. Excellent Service. 2. Good food. 3. Pricey.
   

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6. YC

   YaoC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 7, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   it's a great place to celebrate special event in life! A lot of surprises!
   

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7. B

   Brea

   Tahoe

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on April 19, 2023

   overall3food2service5ambience4

   For coming such highly recommended, we were slightly disappointed. The service and wait staff were incredibly welcoming and we have no issue there. The food we expected a far better experiencing for how much we were paying. We've been to comparable restaurants like Protege and Madeira in Palo Alto and had incredibly experiences with food and service. The food at The Sea was subpar. We ordered the truffle fries and the calamari which were both good. Our main courses were the New york steak at 87$ and the scallops at around 58$. The steak came out pretty rare when we ordered medium rare. The scallops had a bit of a breakfasty taste to them but they were fine. Our sides were the lobster mac and cheese and the brussel sprouts which were both good except for the severely overdone lobster on top. They actually brought out the lobster fried rice instead of the lobster mac and cheese at first which was frustrating but they brought out the mac quickly after. Overall a pretty okay meal for all of the high recommendations. Oh and the menu online is not the menu they had in the restaurant. We had picked out some drinks we wanted ahead of time and neither of them were available. Definitely would highly recommend the other two I mentioned earlier over Alexander's.
   

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8. C

   Cybtina

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on April 19, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Amazing food and amazing service!! Highly recommend this place for a special occasion.
   

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9. FW

   FeliciaW

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on April 16, 2023

   overall4food3service5ambience5

   My first time at THE SEA. The Lobster Rocks were a little disappointing; the first 3 melted in my mouth then the rest were a little chewy, and they didn’t have a lot of flavor. The Lobster Mac and Cheese was okay but could have had a little more sauce. Then my main entree was the Grilled Lobster was also a little chewy, just a little but flavor underwhelmed me. So yes I was disappointed. However, the environment was very nice and the service was very good. Actually, as I think about it the complementary jumbo shrimp were incredible. Thank you! So, I would be willing to give it another try. If all goes well then I would reconsider.
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My husband and I celebrated his birthday. We ordered the tasting menu which was amazing! Service was also impressive.
    

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11. X

    Xxxxxx

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Service was prompt, personal and attentive. The food was excellent.
    

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, great service and attention to detail
    

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13. AD

    AditiD

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    The food was overpriced for the quality.. the food was average..
    

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14. YC

    YoramC

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    A GREAT service and a TASTY food! Table was set nicely and the food/ dessert presentation was very much appreciated!
    

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15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience2

    Excellent food. Excellent service. Room is very noisy. Quite loud. Sounds like a cafeteria.
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a wonderful time! The food was top notch and the attentiveness was appreciated. We will be back.
    

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17. DH

    DaveH

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Ricardo and his fellow staffers provided superior service. Our anniversary dinner was enhanced by the anniversary card received with our menus, and the complimentary sparkling wine and dessert. Above all, our black cod and Hawaiian mero entrees were excellent, with both fish dishes being perfectly cooked. A very positive special dinner experience!
    

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18. ML

    MarkL

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Enjoy the omakase/ set menu. Great presentation et al
    

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19. JH

    JosueH

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was perfect and the stuff was nice and friendly.
    

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Exceptional service with outstanding quality of each dish.
    

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21. C

    Califoodgirl

    San Francisco

    26 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    Food good—the special clams weren’t great but the hamachi shots, black miso cod and pretty in pink were all delish. Price is relatively high considering but it is a nice restaurant.
    

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22. e

    enkidu

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Perfect service and well protected and simultaneously well ventilated patio seating.
    

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23. MD

    MichelleD

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent food and service. The only issue had to do with dress code. The website says business casual when maybe it should say California casual. There were many people with jeans tennis shoes and hoodies and we would have been more comfortable in those outfits as well.
    

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24. E

    Euge

    Portland

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 27, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Expensive and potentially a bit overpriced, but good food and excellent service.
    

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25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall2food2service5ambience5

    Most expensive and disappointing meal I have ever had. Took my husband there for his birthday and had the tasting menu. Only enjoyed 1 out of the 5 courses. The food was uninteresting and bland. The amouse bouche was too big for one bite and I almost gagged. Service was rushed. We were unable to relax between courses. Would never go back!
    

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26. SL

    SusanL

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on February 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Sea offers beautifully conceived and presented cuisine. The wine and cocktail list matches the dishes well. The friendly, professional service by all staff is especially appreciated. It is one of my favorite restaurants for a special occasion when in the dining room, and the bar and lounge is a chic environment for a drink and a delicious appetizer. Bravo to everyone at The Sea!
    

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27. s

    smylefrog7

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything about this place was AMAZING!!! The food was FANTASTIC, the staff was kind and knowledgeable, the wine list was extensive, and the ambiance was excellent! This was a great place to go for a special occasion and I definitely recommend it; you won't be disappointed!!!!!
    

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28. M

    Marin

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I appreciate Steven's support as our server that evening. Like him, it was impressive to see other staff as well, presenting the dishes, elaborating on the origins and preparations of their ingredients. All courses from the appetizers, to the main entrees, to the cotton candy to sweeten the deal, tasted wonderful. The music choice and ambiance felt like something out of a romantic film. The entire team did such an incredible job, as my I asked my date to be my girlfriend, her saying yes, and making it an incredibly special memory. I appreciate the professionalism in regards to the excellent speaking, communication skills, and the formal attire amongst the team members. 10/10, would definitely dine here again.
    

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29. a

    anonymous

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience5

    We ordered the tasting menu, the abalone on top with somen (thin noodles), horseradish with mayo, and cucumber - it is refreshing, the next dish - scallop with chestnut - the pumpkin sauce is good, I assume chef would have a recommended way to eat it, however it was not communicated. Third dish is seabass on top of a mix of edamame / mushroom / somen (again!) - The chef must like somen a lot, I’d prefer some variety… 4th dish - Australian wagyu with trumpet mushroom and some mayo (again). I know the Japanese are obsessed with mayo, but still, for a $195 4-course, I expect better. Overall, the raw ingredients are great, presentation is great, the dishes, much to be desired.
    

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing place perfect service
    

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31. LC

    LonaC

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    If you are looking for fabulous fresh seafood, this is the place to enjoy amazing seafood dishes. We had the salmon and the mero, both excellent! The brussel sprouts were just ok and the dessert was good. A bit on the expensive side, but the seafood dishes are worth the splurge!
    

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32. JM

    JasonM

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Service was terrific, food was mostly good, and we enjoyed the ambiance. Have to take away a star though for an undercooked steak. My wife ordered a medium rare filet mignon and it came out clearly rare. Our server recognized the issue immediately when we waved her over to fix the situation, but it was a pretty noticeable hiccup in an otherwise flawless experience.
    

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Always good! Hamachi shots are the best! Service is wonderful! The rest good too.
    

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was wonderful, food, service. Totally enjoyed our experience.
    

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35. JM

    JeanM

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 3, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    The food is pretentious but not good. With exception of the chocolate bombe, which was outstanding, our group of 4 were totally disappointed. The price was outrageous, which was not a surprise, but was totally unjustified by the poor taste of the food. My fish, the "mero" did not taste like fish. It was siiting on a silly pile of brown rice noodles. All main courses came without a real side, requiring you to order sides. As sides we had lobster risotto ($33) mediocre, Brussel sprouts, bad, mushrooms,bad. Only the garlic-truffle oil fries were good, presented in a paper cornet, brasserie style were good. We were initially inondated with attention from the staff, some with English that was barely comprehensible, but after the main course, they forgot about us, being too busy elsewhere. I had to get up to go fetch the waiter afterv waiting for 20 minutes. I was hoping for wholesome, fresh fish that tasted like fish, not a pretentious asian inspired concotion. How about a simple Dover sole Meuniere? Wasted $740 and will certainly never go back!
    

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36. i

    ieatwell

    San Francisco

    24 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience4

    Hamachi shots were amazing. Cocktails were incredible. Didn’t care too much for the other items we ordered. They were very good, in terms of presentation, but flavor was decent.
    

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37. L

    Littlek

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We love Alexander restaurants and The Sea was wonderful as always. The service is exceptional and they really take the time to explain the dishes and make suggestions. The food is always marvelous. The stand out was the Salmon, we were fighting over the last bite. Thanks for a fantastic evening.
    

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38. SF

    SouthernFoodie

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience5

    The service and the ambiance couldn't have been better, but the food was lackluster. Overpriced the quality of food we received - especially the sides.
    

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39. MB

    MilagrosB

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I have been here several times and enjoy their food choices of seafood which I prefer and steak choices for my husband. The location is very accessible from our place and there is always availability of seats whenever I need reservations.
    

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great food, Great service. Would definitely recommend spending a special occasion here. And they do a great job of detailing every dish as it’s served.
    

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