Al's Place (restaurant)

Al's Place was an influential, Michelin-starred restaurant located on the corner of 26th and Valencia Streets. Opened in early 2015 by chef Aaron London, it quickly gained national fame for its vegetable-forward menu, which frequently inverted standard dining norms by serving meat as a small side dish rather than the main attraction. The restaurant was named after the initials of its chef-owner, and it earned the prestigious title of Best New Restaurant in the country from Bon Appetit just months after opening. Inside its intimate space of only 46 seats, diners experienced highly technical, seasonal California cuisine, often featuring unique preparations like fermented potato french fries and fruit-based curries. The establishment maintained a singular atmosphere, complete with its own dedicated musical director who curated complex playlists to match the rhythm of the evening service. Despite remaining consistently packed, the restaurant closed in August 2022 as Aaron London chose to step away from the demanding, all-consuming lifestyle of professional kitchen management to focus on his young family.