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    J. Alexander's

    3.3 (389 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order J. Alexander's Takeout or Delivery

    J. Alexander's Photos

    J. ALEXANDER'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Upscale
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - J. Alexander's

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    Reviews With Photos

    ALEX'S SALAD with steak
    Shawn S.

    The best steak salad I ever had. This steak was soooo tender and seasoned to perfection. No complaints. Arrived when the restaurant opened and the crowd was steadily arriving. The service was phenomenal and the ambiance is clean and causal.

    Rita G.

    Sat at the bar on Christmas Eve and it was very busy but the staff was incredible. Great teamwork and very attentive. I really enjoyed the steak salad. My cousin ordered the ahi tuna salad and commented that it was "fishy" she was not feeling well by the end of dinner and sadly left with food poisoning.

    Spinach Queso dip ($17)
    Libby F.

    I met my college roommate here while I was in town. We must have spent 2 1/2 hours catching up as it had been ages since I last saw her while in town. We were planning dinner but settled on two appetizers with drinks instead. The servings were huge! Good choice. My signature lemon drop martini was outstanding. It came with a side portion; about half a glass. Our server said it was one of the most popular drinks that people order. My friend had a red wine. My friend, whose place I was staying at recommended the carrot cake so we ordered it and both our eyes widened when we saw the size of it. It was enough for four! I highly recommend you get the cake. It was super moist. I think our server's name was Nylah. She was a gem for putting up with two old time friends taking up table space for so long. We did tip well to make up for it. I would definitely come back to meet my friend again, but I always stay across from Somerset when in town, so I will check out that location next time!

    Thai salad with black and salmon
    Lauri K.

    The food was delicious once again. I was at the bar with my gray goose stuff olives shaken not stirred. Service was excellent because it's the bartenders and you're always good at the Jay's on Northwestern Highway ambience was Friday after work crowd, upbeat

    Signature Carrot Cake
    Jenny K.

    Food is always great here. Service is always great here. It is a big space, yet still feels private and intimate. We love to come here for random dinners and special occasions. You must try their carrot cake too!

    Jodi F.

    Sadly, my experience and food tonight was 1 star worthy at best. I usuay dine in here. But my husband is out of town and decided I'd treat myself to takeout of what is usually my go to salad: The Thai Kai Salad. It fell short in every way. I ordered online. They add a "packing fee" and the salad is pricy as is. But since it's typically enough for two meals, it's usually big, I decided to go for it. I got to the restaurant and saw there was a number on the side for curbside. I called. I asked if I should come in or if they bring it out. She said "we will bring it out to you and ask what space I was in." About five minutes later, the bag was brought out, and I went to look inside to make sure things were correct, and as I looked up to explain they weren't, the person had already dashed inside. so I called and I explained that it did not have the peanut sauce and that there was no silverware or a napkin. It look like a to go container with a pile of lettuce and a small handful of the chicken. She said they would bring out the missing items. Five minutes... 10 minutes... I call again and ask "should I come in?" The answer was "no, she's bringing them in a moment." Five more minutes goes by so I've now been here for 20, and a small paper bag with a dressing and plastic fork, knife, and napkin in the little plastic wrap are inside. When I go to open the dressing to look, it is not the peanut sauce that comes with the salad. I think it was honey mustard. I give up. Since I was hungry, I opened the container to take a few bites. I moved the chicken over and realized that this was tiny. It was basically a similar of lettuce and a few pieces of chicken as compared to what they usually give. This was probably about 1/4 to 1/3 of the normal salad. For what ended up being about $25 with the Service packing fee and tip. Seriously it was like a side salad. It reminded me of the bag salad you get at Kroger. I can't believe I was so excited to have this as a treat tonight, and this is what I got. First world problems, but seriously J Alexanders.... Though I assume I'll be back to dine in, I would never recommend anyone doing takeout from you if this is what they're going to get. And right now this left a really bad impression of my former favorite salad, so it might be a while before I decide to come back. :(

    Carrot cake. I don't usually like carrot cake but it was very good
    Liz P.

    I think this was my third time here - this location has been here forever. The first time was when I was a kid, the second time was maybe 10 years ago with friends, and tonight was a double date with my fiance, a friend, and her husband. I ordered the steak and fries, and it was very good. I ordered it medium rare and it seemed cooked the way I ordered it. The fries were a little salty but overall very good. I went to use the restroom near the end of the meal and unfortunately the rest of my fries got taken away, but when we mentioned it they brought me a huge pile of fresh fries. For dessert my fiance and I split the carrot cake - I'm not a big carrot cake fan but apparently the restaurant is famous for theirs. It was pretty good, it is served warm and with more of a sauce than an icing, as you can see in the photo. Waitservice was also very good, she checked on us a decent amount of times. We had a reservation but still had to wait about 5 minutes. The place was packed since it was a Saturday night so I would definitely recommend a reservation. One of our friends pointed out that West Bloomfield doesn't really have a lot of fine dining places so I think that's why it was so busy (as compared to the Troy location). That being said, I thought the food was good but it was a bit pricey for what you get - my fiance's Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, with fries, was $18; my steak and fries was $35; and the carrot cake was $10, which IMO was reasonable. Overall I would come back here again if others suggest it, but probably wouldn't go out of my way to go, even though my fiance lives down the street.

    Carrot cake
    Chloe K.

    Jays is always great! We did not have a long wait and were seated right away on a Saturday night. Have been coming here for years and will continue to come.

    Pomegranate martini
    Angela S.

    You want good food, good drinks and a good atmosphere? This is your place. It's located in the out-lot of a strip mall at the intersection at Orchard Lake and 14 Mile Roads with plenty of private parking in an adjacent lot. I almost always sit at the bar. The bartenders not only mix great cocktails but the service is top tier too. Cindy's lemon drop is everyone's fave with the side car that's a whole nother drink (be sure to switch up the base spirit if you like), but they have good long pours on everything. The food is tasty and consistent - you get what you know and love every single time. They also have daily specials that never disappoint. This J Alex gives club vibes on the weekend. On weekend nights starting on Thursday it is packed, so bring your patience and expect a wait for a seat. But go.... you will love it.

    VERY BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE
    Lisa T.

    I'm usually pretty good with JA, however, after the burger and fries we ordered, I was looking forward to digging into the "Very Best" chocolate cake. Uggggh, there was zero cake---all icing / fudge so much so that it resembled frozen pmud. Perhaps it was supposed to be a fudge dessert, in any case, it was the "Very Worst" CAKE!

    ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

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    6 years ago

    Had the Alex salad great meal with great company...the vanilla sky is amazing. Will be back to get more of both.

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    5 years ago

    Hostess's were rude. Had to ask server for a menu. Won't return to this location

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    7 years ago

    Great staff and food. My food wasn't to my liking and they gave me No problem replacing the food. No attitude whatsoever

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    12 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Business owner information

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    John R.

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    7 years ago

    I absolutely love this place. The atmosphere is great and they really take care of their guests

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    7 years ago

    This continues to be the WORST service not matter where you sit or when you come . This is the last time we will come to this location!

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    Page 6 of 10

    Ask the Community - J. Alexander's

    I've heard that this location may be closing soon. Is that accurate information? If it is I would like to travel back to Michigan and have dinner a last time before it does. I have too many memories here!! Please respond!

    Not sure if they are closing but it wouldn't surprise me. The service and food is not the same as it used to be years ago unfortunately.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Cafe Cortina

    Cafe Cortina

    4.1
    (380 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$$

    My husband and I celebrated our 54th anniversary on the patio of Cafe Cortina last night. It's a…read moremagical place, especially in the evening when the lights in the trees are glowing. We were greeted at the door and wished a happy anniversary before being led to the patio where a happy anniversary card had been placed at our table. We felt pampered like this throughout our visit. The staff was very attentive. At the end of our meal, our waitress lit a special sparkler at our table and again congratulated us. This evening, we ordered vegetarian lasagna, calamari, salad and one of the specials of the day, lamb chops. Everything tasted wonderful so we were very pleased. We love celebrating special occasions like this at Cafe Cortina. The food, staff and ambiance make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the moment.

    A fabulous time at a fabulous restaurant. They truly made Mother's Day special. We sat in their…read morebeautiful garden room with the patio view. The decor was very nice; rustic with elegant warm charm. The service was absolutely EXCEPTIONAL! Like no other! The food was delicious, from the appetizers to the entrees. And my cocktail was on point! Everyone's meal came out together, so that's always a plus for a big group. Everything tasted fresh and was cooked perfectly. They made our party of 11 look like easy work. It was flawless from the time we walked in to the time we departed. I'm really glad we came!

    Photos
    Cafe Cortina
    I love Barbabietole salad, with roasted beets, pistachios, balsamic reduction, and stracciatella.
    I love Barbabietole salad, with roasted beets, pistachios, balsamic reduction, and stracciatella.
    Cafe Cortina

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    Steven Lelli's Inn On The Green

    Steven Lelli's Inn On The Green

    3.2
    (276 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$$

    I am writing to share my highest recommendation for Steven Lelli's Inn On The Green. Having…read morefrequented this restaurant since I was a child, and now bringing my own children there, it truly feels like family. The service and food are consistently exceptional. From the warm welcome provided by Ari, the manager, to the attentive waitstaff and bus-service, the team is wonderful. The chef's execution is always spot on. Some of our favorite menu items include the calamari, the sausage and peppers, and the outstanding minestrone soup. Coming from an Italian family, I can confidently say the spaghetti bolognese is the best I have ever had. The chicken Lelli and the chateau are also delicious choices. Whether you are enjoying the beautiful indoor ambiance or the lovely outdoor seating, Lelli's is a fantastic experience. If you haven't visited yet, I highly recommend you do.

    Everything was "fine" and nothing was incorrect or upsetting. I think I came into this business…read moredinner with higher expectations than I should have. Appetizer sampler was so-so and my Chilean sea bass (which I've been ordering everywhere for some reason) wasn't as good as I had hoped. Plate presentation was lazy and portions weren't impressive but nothing was "wrong", per se. They just didn't do anything great. Still, if I'm back in the area again, I wouldn't turn my nose up at it. Would still give it a second try.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Minestrone Lelli Soup
    Minestrone Lelli Soup
    Restaurant is BEAUTIFUL!

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    Restaurant is BEAUTIFUL!
    Upscale Cuisine

    Upscale Cuisine

    3.3
    (18 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    Food - pretty good. The hibachi rice was a little "wet", I was expecting it to have more of a…read more"fried rice" texture. My cousin described the mac n cheese more like cheese n mac...it was definitely cheesy. The Cajun salmon was good, but the Alfredo sauce on top was a little broken. The stir fry veggies looked good (my cousin's other side), the broccoli was okay (frozen not fresh). The lamb chops were cooked well done, so they were a little tough (my cousin's comment). I think the meals were over-priced for the amount of food you receive Service - We received a friendly greeting. There was only 1 person working, and he did a great job. He said it'd take about 30 min to prepare all 4 meals, and he was right. Ambiance - "If you're an upscale restaurant, you don't have to put it in the name". The decor is nice, kind of chic. Upscale restaurants don't.... 1. Have the menu on an overhead screen 2. Take your order at the counter 3. Serve your meal in a to-go container (it is a very nice, reusable container, though) with plasticware

    Really wanted to like it. It's convenient and in the neighborhood. But yikes! Ordered 2 hibachi…read moredinners (one steak/one chicken) I feel like I was served left over food. The rice was so mushy, not firm at all. And not sticky but mushy. Yuck! The chicken did not taste fresh at all. The steak was slightly better but still taste old. Unfortunately I will not be back. Maybe go on a weekend or evening when your odds of fresh food could be better. The place is big with dine in tables. Clean. But I don't recommend.

    Photos
    Reserved seating area
    Reserved seating area
    Upscale Cuisine
    Menu

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    Menu
    Uptown Grille

    Uptown Grille

    3.6
    (934 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    I've been to Uptown many times, usually in the evenings for dinner and live music. It's usually a…read moregood experience once you park and get inside and as long as you have the right expectations. The place is huge: dining rooms, private room, large bar area with many TVs, a stage and dance floor area, plus an outdoor patio which is enclosed for all year round use. It is usually very busy and therefore very loud especially in the bar/TV area. The menu has lots of options including for restricted diet which I appreciate being gluten free. The portions are large, you get your money's worth, even if the food itself is not super imaginative. The salads are my favorite, and are large enough to share. The Chop salad with steak and shrimp is very filling. The Greek with chicken actually comes with a good amount of toppings, not just a single beet or pepperoncini pepper on top. The service is always great and staff is friendly and accommodating. Splitting bills even for a large group is not an issue. If you're there on a weekend night for the live music, the dance floor area can get packed. The crowd and vibe depends on which band and music genre is playing. Overall it's usually a good night out, not a lot of places where you can get dinner and dance in the same location.

    When I pulled up, the parking lots were packed! It had been 10 years since I've been here. It huge…read moreinside with multiple bars, tons of TV and loud AF. The decor is pretty cool. We sat in the covered patio with heater and it was a bit quicker. We had great service. The menu is a typical bar fare. It's a shoulder shrug food experience. Nothing bad but not great either. The starter of bang bang shrimp was flavorful and the shrimp crispy but that's where it ended. The salads were subpar. Some might say, it's a salad - aren't they boring? No, they shouldn't be. I added shrimp to mine and somehow the shrimp had no flavor. Where did it go? The ahi tuna salad looked good too but the tuna was cooked too much. It should just kiss the heat, not actually cook. The curley fries arrived cold. It was expensive for what we got.

    Photos
    Uptown Grille
    Uptown Grille
    Outside

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    Outside
    The Franklin Oyster Bar and Eatery

    The Franklin Oyster Bar and Eatery

    4.0
    (71 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    Great food and service. Oysters and fish done so very well. Dill Caesar salad so refreshing and…read morenew - ask for anchovies if you love them. Can't wait to go back

    I really wanted to love The Franklin, but unfortunately the experience missed the mark…read more We arrived at 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday and were the only party in the restaurant for quite some time. The waitress was abrasive from the start and immediately informed us that there was a time limit on our table. Looking back, that's actually pretty comical, considering the restaurant ended up taking far longer than their own stated limit to serve us. We were there celebrating our friend's baby sprinkle and hoped for a relaxed, enjoyable afternoon. Instead, the service was painfully slow. Drinks took an exceptionally long time to arrive, and the wait for our meals was even longer. The delays were so significant that one member of our group eventually had to leave before fully enjoying the gathering. Had the service been friendlier and more attentive, the long waits may have been easier to overlook. But between the abrasive welcome, the slow pace, and the overall lackluster experience, our celebration felt more frustrating than enjoyable. I hate leaving negative reviews, especially because I was genuinely excited to try The Franklin. Unfortunately, this visit did not live up to expectations, and it's not somewhere I'll be rushing back to.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Green bean tart - amazing!!!!!
    Green bean tart - amazing!!!!!
    Fried green tomatoes - wedges were interesting but just ok

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    Fried green tomatoes - wedges were interesting but just ok

    J. Alexander's - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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