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Talk About Tulsa => Other Tulsa Discussion => Topic started by: Rex on June 24, 2008, 10:11:38 PM

Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: Rex on June 24, 2008, 10:11:38 PM
This place is great and very affordable.  Good seafood and simple wine list.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: sgrizzle on June 25, 2008, 06:49:55 AM
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.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: guido911 on June 25, 2008, 09:25:15 AM
It is a good restaurant. I have been a few times.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: Gold on June 25, 2008, 11:26:47 AM
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.

Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: stu8749 on July 15, 2008, 10:53:41 PM
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
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: Michael71 on July 16, 2008, 03:02:49 PM
Food is good...& Al is nice.

Would probably fit better in a small location on Brookside or Cherry Street.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: inteller on July 16, 2008, 07:57:40 PM
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....
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: Conan71 on July 16, 2008, 11:15:20 PM
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.

Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: sgrizzle on July 17, 2008, 06:47:01 AM
The signs said "AL" is "The Famous Chef Al form Kansas City"
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: Conan71 on July 17, 2008, 08:48:36 AM
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.

Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: guido911 on July 18, 2008, 09:52:01 AM
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?
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: Sophia on July 19, 2008, 08:15:44 PM
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.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: joiei on July 19, 2008, 10:10:45 PM
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.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: sksmcginness on August 06, 2008, 08:53:37 AM
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.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: zstyles on August 06, 2008, 09:23:09 AM
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....
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: guido911 on August 06, 2008, 10:09:34 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 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....



I guess not. Does not do much to remedy the near defamation on this thread though.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: zstyles on August 07, 2008, 09:10:23 AM
Guess that goes to prove...don't take gossip as the truth on forum and message boards..
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: inteller on August 07, 2008, 10:56:44 AM
quote:
Originally posted by zstyles

Guess that goes to prove...don't take gossip as the truth on forum and message boards..



you are just now figuring that out?  talk about naive.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: zstyles on August 07, 2008, 01:14:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by inteller

quote:
Originally posted by zstyles

Guess that goes to prove...don't take gossip as the truth on forum and message boards..



you are just now figuring that out?  talk about naive.



Haha...ya guess I am slow....thanks for pointing that out! Again..live in real time....Bing Bong...
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: lsimmons on August 07, 2008, 03:22:15 PM
I ate there last night. It wasn't quite what I was expecting from the name. I guess there are a lot of Mediterranean styles though. The seafood bisque was quite good. Had large pieces of seafood in it. I'd go back just to have that again.

Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: KingMutt on August 10, 2008, 12:22:23 AM
Hours say open till 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.  Their kitchen was closed at 9:15 and they turned away business.

A month ago, the owner's purported daughter says the front of the house is misguided. Now they are insulting customers by turning them away 45 minutes before closing.

Tell your dad we dropped $186 and tipped the server $40.

This place will be closed by Christmas.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: KingMutt on August 10, 2008, 12:25:43 AM
Meant to write "Tell your dad we dropped $186 and tipped the server $40 SOME PLACE ELSE!"

Not only will we not go back, we'll let everyone we know how you were closed early and how rudely your matre d acted.
Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: inteller on August 10, 2008, 08:08:18 AM
quote:
Originally posted by lsimmons

I ate there last night. It wasn't quite what I was expecting from the name. I guess there are a lot of Mediterranean styles though. The seafood bisque was quite good. Had large pieces of seafood in it. I'd go back just to have that again.





you know, that doesn't sound very appetizing.  I'd prefer to know WHAT pieces from the sea are in it.  That is like saying a bowl of chili has pieces of land food in it.

Title: Al's Bistro on Memorial
Post by: debolala on September 17, 2008, 02:07:39 AM
So, where is a decent Greek or Mediterranean restraunt in Tulsa? What about the new "It's Greek to Me"?  HELP!!!!!!!!