AL's Place Adds Outdoor Seating and Renewed Hope for a Table

Getting a seat at AL's Place has been a challenge since the moment the veg-heavy restaurant from Aaron London opened its doors. After some national notoriety, the struggle became even more real, with lines out the door and reservations booked solid. Luckily for AL's fans, there are more seats on the way, via an 18-seat patio area that opens tonight, April 13.

AL's has always reserved some tables as walk-ins, in order to maintain its status as a neighborhood spot where locals could stop in for a bite. London says he started the process to open his outdoor seating area three months after the restaurant opened, but ran into problem after problem with permitting. Now it's a done deal, something London hopes will make it much easier to get a table. "I really want AL's place to remain an accessible and approachable restaurant," said London. "The seating area should really make it a ton easier to get a seat."

The new seating area (which has gas heaters to ward off the San Francisco summer weather) is walk-in only, with four guests per table max. It'll be open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m- 10 p.m.