RARE FIND: Alpen Rose

Close-up of the front door and address of Alpen Rose in Center City, Philadelphia, partially hidden by greenery

Inside a secret Center City chophouse, hiding in plain sight

With Philly’s nightlife scene back and bustling for the summer, it’s the best time to head into the city for a memorable dinner. I love walking through the streets, passing happy patio diners soaking up the soft evening light. Along 13th Street, you’ll see plenty of spots like this — but if you’re observant, you’ll notice one low-key facade where people seem to mill around with purpose.

What’s behind the unmarked door and blacked-out windows? Look closer. This mysterious “residence” isn’t a townhome at all, but an intimate speakeasy-style American steakhouse.

Welcome to Alpen Rose. A “classic steakhouse, reimagined” by Philly hospitality superstar Michael Schulson.

Interior of Alpen Rose steakhouse featuring chandeliers, leather booths, and a backlit bookshelf wall

Now, I do enjoy many Schulson Collective spots — the chic new Dear Daphni has a lovable, funky vibe, and I’m a longtime fan of Sampan and Graffiti Bar, especially their incredible Happy Hour, possibly the best in the city. Super trendy, lots of fun. But.

One thing I’ve noticed about many hospitality group restaurants — not just Schulson’s — is they often feel like they’re trying to be a certain type of place. Replicating, rather than reinventing. While the food is always delicious and the interior design never fails to look perfectly pulled together, I’m often left feeling a little… cold. It’s all a bit staged.

That said, I didn’t feel that way about Alpen Rose. This spot has personality. Maybe it’s because it’s a tribute to Schulson’s grandmother (who kept Alpen roses in her house), or maybe it’s the moody interior — no direct sunlight, just warm wood and low glows — that makes it feel like a secret hideaway.

With only about 50 seats and a deliberately unhurried vibe, getting in isn’t easy. I stalked their website for weeks before scoring a Thursday night reservation at 9:00 PM.

The entrance is as discreet as it gets. A matte gray door on Sansom Street, unmarked except for a brass rose, a tiny gold crown, and an old-fashioned doorbell. Ring it, and a sliding peephole snaps open: “Do you have a reservation?”

A hand reaching to press the vintage doorbell outside Alpen Rose, a hidden steakhouse in Center City Philly

It feels less like entering a restaurant and more like being admitted to a secret club — which is, of course, the point.

We ended up waiting about 25 minutes past our slot. Since they hardly ever have room at their tiny bar, we lingered outside on the sidewalk with a few other groups. (If you’d rather not loiter, Double Knot and Vintage Wine Bar are just steps away for a quick drink.)

Once called in, we were guided to a plush leather booth between a bookshelf and a wood-paneled wall full of antique-framed photos. The room struck that sweet spot between classy and cozy. Steakhouses can get pretentious fast — Alpen Rose doesn’t fall into that trap.

Still, the excellence is unmistakable. You see it in the little things: timeless paper menus, masterfully mismatched linens and tableware, and other intentional details that signal you’re in for something special.

We started with the Parker House Rolls. Warm, salty, honey-buttered, and perfectly golden. They reminded me of pretzel rolls with their crisp, toasty exteriors and soft, hot, pillowy insides. Bready heaven.

Then came the Smoked Bacon, seasoned with rosemary, honey, and Banyuls (a jammy French dessert wine). It arrived as one thick slab — glazed, charred, sprinkled with chives — like pork belly’s elegant cousin. Impossibly good.

Thick-cut smoked bacon glazed with honey and topped with chives, served on a patterned plate with a steak knife
Smoked Bacon by @GingersLikeToEat

Raw steaks seasoned with rosemary and salt on a wooden table, next to a cleaver and carving fork

Of course, the real star at Alpen Rose is the meat! Schulson knows his stuff, too: he learned to cut meat working in his grandfather’s Bronx butcher shop. Steaks here are prime, dry-aged in-house, and cooked over a wood-burning hearth.

Each cut arrives with a seared crust and a juicy, velvety center. Some, like the Porterhouse and their famous Tomahawk, are served family-style, carved tableside and passed around like a feast. There’s something wonderfully primal about it. A firelit, hands-on kind of joy.

But steak can also be personal. My partner and I each went with the Filet Mignon — my favorite cut, even if some purists turn their noses up at tenderloin. Alpen Rose flips the script with grass-fed beef, bringing a richer, deeper flavor than your typical grain-fed filet.

It also picks up a gorgeous smokiness from the wood fire, and it’s finished with roasted garlic cloves and pickled shallot. We both literally exclaimed — mid-bite — that this was one of the best steaks we’d ever had. Comparable to Hell’s Kitchen-level fancy, but warmer, more sincere, and pleasingly local.

The menu is focused and thoughtful. The only misstep for me was the Brussels sprouts — just a touch underdone — but everything else was flawless.

8 oz filet mignon topped with roasted garlic, served on a floral china plate at Alpen Rose

A collage of dishes from Alpen Rose, including grilled prawns, roasted vegetables, onion rings, and a plate of oysters on ice

Baked Alaska dessert being flambéed tableside at Alpen Rose, with flames pouring from a metal ladle over spiked meringue

We were too full for dessert (tragedy!), though I must shout out the pastry program, shaped by Andrew Ling, who trained under the legendary Thomas Keller at Bouchon Bakery, NYC. Fans rave about the seasonal pies, chocolate cake, and especially the showstopper: a pineapple upside-down Baked Alaska flambéed tableside. One day, I’ll make room.

Same goes for the cocktails. Alpen Rose offers ten in-house creations (including three zero-proof), all identified by number on an antiqued clipboard. Each is a flourish of house-made syrups and infusions, gracefully garnished and presented in fine vintage glassware. They certainly looked impressive. And from what I saw at other tables, they were irresistibly Instagram-able, as well. Next time!

Our meal ended with two delicate tartelettes, delivered by our server like a final bow. A sweet, elegant close to a near-perfect meal.

If I ever win the lottery, one of the first things I’d do is book another Alpen Rose reservation. I hated walking out the door — but I already can’t wait to come back.

A collage of Alpen Rose cocktails, including a rose-infused drink, a smoked old fashioned, and a flaming cocktail served in a coupe glass

IF YOU GO… Reservations are handled exclusively through Resy, and they book out well in advance. Calling the restaurant directly after 2 PM may snag a last-minute table. Walk-ins have their best shot at 5 PM, right when doors open.
Pro Tip: Ask for Table 7 — a cozy corner with the best view of the room.
Dress code is smart casual: collared shirts, stylish separates, dressy denim. Think date-night chic, not hoodies-and-flip-flops.

🗣 COMMENTS WELCOME! 🙌

What do you think? Have you been to Alpen Rose, or any of the city’s other great steakhouses? Please catch up with me on Instagram @gingersliketoeat. If you enjoyed this feature, please check out my last column on my personal pick for stand-out cheesesteaks in South Philly.

Alpen Rose
116 South 13th Street (Center City)
Open 5 – 10pm daily (Fri/Sat til 11pm)
215-420-9494 | alpenrosephl.com
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

Candlelit corner booth at Alpen Rose, known as Table 7, surrounded by vintage photos and book-lined shelves

Images in this post are via Alpen Rose’s social media unless otherwise noted.

About Eleni Finkelstein 34 Articles
Eleni Finkelstein (aka @gingersliketoeat on Instagram) is a South Jersey and Philadelphia-based food blogger and journalist. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cheering on Philly sports teams. You can check out her book, "Eat Like a Local: South Jersey" on Amazon.

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