St. Michael's Alley

Name: St. Michael's Alley
Address: 140 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, CA, United States, 94301
Telephone: (650) 326-2530
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7

801 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Make a booking

2 people

20 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions
Charming

Established in 1959, owners Jenny Youll and Mike Sabina expanded the once small coffeehouse of St. Michaels Alley into this intimate dining establishment in 2009. The restaurant provides three comfortable spaces for a dinner out with friends, date night, or a complete private event. The main dining room is wood paneled and intimate. The front room / bar area is more casual and social, yet still offers tables with linens and the full menu. The solid wood bar is a favorite dining spot for many of the regulars and locals. A beautiful outdoor patio is most enjoyable on warm summer days and nights as it open to the sky. Enjoy a cocktail at the full bar before venturing into one of the upscale and relaxed dining spaces of St. Michael's Alley.

The restaurant is currently offering the Autumn Menu on the Patio as well as takeout, Tuesday through Sunday starting at 5pm.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Californian, Comfort Food
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Sun 17:00–20:45
Phone number
(650) 326-2530
Website
http://www.stmikes.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Catering
At this time, catering is on a Pick-up only arrangement. Please call 650-906-8060
Private party facilities
We can accommodate private and semi-private groups. For a full buyout, the dining room seats up to 50 people. The bar seats an additional 20 people, but is separate from the dining room. Price for the entire restaurant for the entire night ranges from $7,000 - $10,000. Two semi-private spaces are available and separated with a heavy curtain. The smaller space seats up to 20 people ($2000-$2400), and the larger space up to 26 people ($2400-$2800). Please call us at 650-326-2530 for more information.

Location
140 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Area
Palo Alto
Cross Street
High St.
Parking details
Street Parking and Public Lot Under Building (800 High St.)
Public transit
Caltrain - Palo Alto, University Avenue
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

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Experiences

Love is in the air at St. Michael's Alley
14 Feb 2025 only
Treat your sweetheart to an unforgettable four-course prix fixe dinner in the heart of Palo Alto. Indulge in delectable dishes crafted with love by our talented chefs, featuring seasonal ingredients and romantic touches. 🥂 Enhance your evening with our curated wine list and handcrafted cocktails. 💖 Limited reservations available. Book your table today and make this Valentine's Day truly special! 💖 Cost is $140 per person plus tax and 20% gratuity added to each bill. Cancellation policy in effect.

Popular dishes

What 801 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Peninsula
Best Ambience
Peninsula
American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

St. Michael's Alley shines with "wonderful atmosphere" and "great service," offering a "lovely ambiance" and consistently "amazing food." Guests appreciate the "intimate dining spaces" and "friendly staff." While the experience can vary, it remains a "gem" for locals and visitors alike, perfect for "romantic evenings" and special occasions.

801 Reviews

S
Steven
VIP
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dinner at St. Michael's Alley was amazing! The atmosphere, service, menu, and wine list were all outstanding. We enjoyed the evening and will come back soon.
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J
John
VIP
San Antonio
38 reviews
4.0
38 reviews
Dined on 5 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service by Abby. Really tasty food. Very good value for downtown PA. Lovely setting.
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T
Timothy
New York City
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on 1 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
I grew up in Palo Alto and have patronized St. Michael's Alley since it opened at its original location many years ago, and have always found the food and service worth the considerable expense. This time, we reserved a table for New Year's Eve on line, and were not informed that there would be an expensive fixed price menu with extremely limited choice for two out of three courses. As a person with shell fish allergies and a strong dislike of mushrooms and other fungus such as truffles, there was nothing I could order for the first course and only one second course option without fungus or shellfish. Our sullen (almost rude) waiter seemed more intent on explaining the many reasons why he couldn't accommodate my "limitations" than on finding a solution. (We overheard other friendlier staff working out accommodations for other customers' similar limitations, and ultimately our server agreed to an accommodation already offered to other diners.) The most disappointing part, however, was that the food was really not up to St. Michael's Alley's high standards -- and was definitely not worth the high price we paid. We will give the restaurant another chance on a future visit to Palo Alto, and we'll keep our fingers crossed that this was a New Year's an anomalous occurrence.
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A
Ashley
VIP
Chicago
15 reviews
1.0
15 reviews
Dined on 1 January 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
I booked here for the New Year's Eve set menu. I will be contacting the health department and other agencies for my complaint. A dangerous situation occurred regarding food allergy. I called the restaurant several days prior to inform them of specific dietary needs. The host assured me they would make something for me with my restrictions. When we showed up, there was mushrooms in the first choice and agnolotti entree. The host who took my reservation came by, said it was very busy and by the time he spoke to the chef about my dietary needs, "it was too late". These people are liars. The whole service was full of mistakes. First, my husband and I had our drinks switched. I had to get a cheese platter for my first choice from the dessert menu. My second meal choice of a kale salad with parmesan, was brought to me without parmesan or dressing. Our server said he gave my salad to the person who had asked for a salad without parmesan. He then brought me grated parmesan, which you put over spaghetti, instead of the shaved parmesan for salad. Our server forgot to offer the complimentary bread, which the host offered instead. My entree was described by the host as tofu with sweet Thai chili sauce. I asked if that would be with jasmine rice and stated that Thai chili sauce is spicy. I asked for teriyaki instead and exactly what was the meal? The host said he didn't get all the details because the chef was busy, but he would talk to him again. The host returned and said they could do purple rice with spinach. I requested more veggies in a stir-fry dish (I'm Asian). The host came back and said they could do baby corn and bell peppers. My entree came back with kale, baby corn and beluga lentils! The host said the chef must've mistaken the lentils for purple rice! There was an unidentifiable veggie, sauces on the side. It tasted terrible, and I was afraid to eat more than a bite because the dish kept changing and without knowing ingredients. The service failed.
1 person found this helpful
S
Steven
San Francisco
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on 29 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
St. Mike’s has a wonderful combination of atmosphere, great service (on all levels; friendly, knowledgeable, tuned into what you want), and really good food. The specials are always worthwhile. There are different areas in the restaurant: the bar, outdoors, and two other rooms so even though the place may be crowded, you don’t lose the intimacy. Great attention to detail. We’ll be back soon.
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R
Roy
San Francisco
31 reviews
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on 23 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent restaurant. Delicious food, lovely service, nice ambiance in the main dining room. Highly recommend for a romantic evening.
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T
Tony
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 19 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Nice cozy restaurant with nice atmosphere. The food was great and the service too. Just a little loud from boisterous folks at neighboring tables. But still romantic and fun at the same time.
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G
Genevieve
VIP
Central Coast
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on 16 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We hadn’t been to St Michael’s in quite awhile. Visited last night and were not disappointed. Food, service and ambience were all great. Had a wonderful dinner- the winter menu is great. I had the seafood pasta special which was fabulous. Highly recommend.
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A
Alex
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 8 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Came here for a winter date night, took seating outside which was well lit and heated to mitigate from the chilly environment. The service was prompt and informative as the server rattled off the different specials. Definitely recommend the rack of lamb. The high light was certainly dessert
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M
Marisela
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 1 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our dinner and desserts were amazing. Best server last night. Outdoor patio was warm and quiet.
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FAQs

St. Michael's Alley offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 326-2530.

St. Michael's Alley is rated 4.7 stars by 801 OpenTable diners.

St. Michael's Alley does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

20 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

140 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Additional information

Cross Street
High St.
Area
Palo Alto
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Sun 17:00–20:45
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Californian, Comfort Food
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking and Public Lot Under Building (800 High St.)
Public transit
Caltrain - Palo Alto, University Avenue
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.stmikes.com/
Phone number
(650) 326-2530
Catering
At this time, catering is on a Pick-up only arrangement. Please call 650-906-8060
Private party facilities
We can accommodate private and semi-private groups. For a full buyout, the dining room seats up to 50 people. The bar seats an additional 20 people, but is separate from the dining room. Price for the entire restaurant for the entire night ranges from $7,000 - $10,000. Two semi-private spaces are available and separated with a heavy curtain. The smaller space seats up to 20 people ($2000-$2400), and the larger space up to 26 people ($2400-$2800). Please call us at 650-326-2530 for more information.

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

St. Michael's Alley

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card

Love is in the air at St. Michael's Alley

Lamb

Scallops

Mushroom Cake

Appetizer

BruschettaUS$15.00

Brussels SproutUS$16.00

Lobster TacosUS$20.00

Mushroom CakeUS$16.00

MusselsUS$20.00

Beef TartarUS$19.00

Chinese BunsUS$17.00

soup cupUS$10.00

Bread BasketUS$2.00

avocado toast specialUS$18.00

Salad

Caesar SaladUS$16.00

Chicken CaesarUS$25.00

Salmon CaesarUS$27.00

Frisee SaladUS$17.00

Spinach SaladUS$16.00

soup cupUS$10.00

Entree

BucatiniUS$32.00

Pot PieUS$29.00

Short RibsUS$40.00

SalmonUS$38.00

SteakUS$49.00

Duck CassouletUS$40.00

ScallopsUS$39.00

LambUS$41.00

SeabassUS$42.00

Vegetable AgnolottiUS$28.00

Kid's PastaUS$12.00

Pok chopUS$40.00

seafood pasta specialUS$30.00

Sides

french friesUS$10.00

Side LentilsUS$10.00

Side PotatoesUS$10.00

Side VegetablesUS$10.00

Bread BasketUS$2.00

dessert

Cheese CakeUS$13.00

Bread PuddingUS$13.00

lemon tartUS$12.00

Sticky Toffee PuddingUS$13.00

creme bruleeUS$12.00

Chocolate MousseUS$13.00

AffogatoUS$12.00

Cheese Plate SpecialUS$20.00

Pumpkin Bread Pudding SpecialUS$12.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does St. Michael's Alley offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is St. Michael's Alley restaurant rated?

Does St. Michael's Alley offer gift cards?

Is St. Michael's Alley currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card