Al's Bistro on Memorial

[Rex]

This place is great and very affordable.  Good seafood and simple wine list.

[sgrizzle]

Sounds too much like a place to get a sandwich and too little like a serious restaurant. I als never liked their advertising pushing that "Al's Bistro featuring Chef Al from Kansas City."

I guess KC only has one "Al" that can cook.

[guido911]

It is a good restaurant. I have been a few times.

[Gold]

It is overpriced and not very good.  It is remotely Mediterranean -- they had to simplify the menu because none of the folks on 71st knew what suvlaki was.  I'd call it "Mediterranean accents."  Steaks and seafood, some chicken and lamb chops.  The seafood bisque was very good, but overall the place was just kind of weird.  I give it six months.  

There are just too many places in town that do what they do better and with a more pleasant atmosphere.

The waiter we had was a sweet guy, but he pretty much told us they were a joke.  The host was clearly drunk and would take your plate away while you were eating.  Never a good sign when several of the people working happen to follow you in from their smoke break, and then follow you out to light up again when you're on the way out.  The waiter was thinking about moving to Oscar's -- we were really trying to nudge him in that direction.

[stu8749]

I'm thinking about givin' this place a chance.  I know the owner, I took a French class with him.  I find it very ironic that the name of the restaurant is Al's when the owner's name is actually Kal? (Which is short for sometime, I don't know what)

Also, I'm very skeptic because the owner isn't Mediterranean, rather he is Jordanian.

One of these days I'm going to have to muster up the courage to try Al's Bistro.

One Final note, why in the world did he put it in the building where Tony Roma's and Jazzo's used to be.  They both went belly up. It's all about location location location, and it ain't looking good for Al's

[Michael71]

Food is good...& Al is nice.

Would probably fit better in a small location on Brookside or Cherry Street.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by stu8749

I'm thinking about givin' this place a chance.  I know the owner, I took a French class with him.  I find it very ironic that the name of the restaurant is Al's when the owner's name is actually Kal? (Which is short for sometime, I don't know what)

Also, I'm very skeptic because the owner isn't Mediterranean, rather he is Jordanian.

One of these days I'm going to have to muster up the courage to try Al's Bistro.

One Final note, why in the world did he put it in the building where Tony Roma's and Jazzo's used to be.  They both went belly up. It's all about location location location, and it ain't looking good for Al's

oh      my      god....this is where Kal from Kal's chophouse landed?

EPIC FAIL in three.....two.....one....

[Conan71]

If it's Kal, I can't believe he got anyone to back him.  He had no $$ equity in Kal's and left that place a total disaster area and his partners holding the bag.

[sgrizzle]

The signs said "AL" is "The Famous Chef Al form Kansas City"

[Conan71]

Kal has screwed people in several towns, KC might be another of those places.  The "Kal" name is **** around these parts now.  Would not surprise me if he'd drop the "K".  I would if I were him.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Kal has screwed people in several towns, KC might be another of those places.  The "Kal" name is **** around these parts now.  Would not surprise me if he'd drop the "K".  I would if I were him.

I am confused. Al's Bistro was in Joplin, Missouri (near 32nd & Range Line). I had gone there several times without noticing any problems. Are we sure this is the same outfit?

[Sophia]

Al's Bistro is owned by my father. People call him "Chef Al" but his real name is Kassim Al-Roubaie, and he came to the US as a refugee from Baghdad, Iraq in 1975. He's not the "Kal" that everyone keeps talking about. He has been cooking for over 25 years. Needless to say I love his cooking, I grew up with it. Everything on the the menu he created himself. He has the best of intentions with his restaurants, the front of the house is just misguided. I'm not here to get into any internet discussions with anyone, just wanted to set the facts straight.

[joiei]

I have a friend in Kansas City who talked about eating at Al's place when it was up there.  She was very complimentary of the food.

[sksmcginness]

Thank you, Sophia, for setting the record straight.  Al-Roubaie's restaurant in Kansas City was always the top of the line.  I have been to Al's Bistro in Tulsa several times.  His sauces are second to none.  I think the food is wonderful, the atmosphere is quite nice and his wife is charming and friendly.  Al's Bistro deserves the maximim amount of stars in all categories.

[zstyles]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Kal has screwed people in several towns, KC might be another of those places.  The "Kal" name is **** around these parts now.  Would not surprise me if he'd drop the "K".  I would if I were him.

So I guess this isn't the same guy....