After years of hard work, countless classes, late nights studying (and probably too much coffee), I finally graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor of Science in Food and Beverage Entrepreneurship. It’s been a journey, and what better way to celebrate this milestone than with the people who have supported me every step of the way—my mom, dad, sister, her husband, and my grandma?

To mark the occasion, we made a reservation at iAlive Restaurant in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. I’d heard a lot of good things about the place, especially how it blends Portuguese-inspired cuisine with hearty comfort food staples. It seemed like the perfect choice for a family dinner, with something on the menu for everyone—from seafood lovers to meat-and-potatoes traditionalists.

When we arrived, the place was buzzing. It was packed—a good sign in my book. That always says people like the food enough to keep coming back. The interior had a casual but contemporary feel. It wasn’t overly fancy but still had a warm and cozy atmosphere that made us feel right at home. Despite the crowd, the restaurant was clean and well-kept, and the ambiance felt lively but not overwhelming.

Our waitress was friendly and welcoming. Although she was clearly handling several tables at once, she still managed to keep things running smoothly for our group. Service was a little slower at times due to how busy it was, but she stayed attentive, made great recommendations, and never let our drinks go empty—which is always a win in my book.

Let me walk you through what we all ordered. The diversity of the menu really shined here.

I ordered the New York Strip ($30), cooked medium. It came out beautifully grilled, tender, and juicy. It was my first time trying a New York Strip, and while the cut itself wasn’t my favorite (I tend to like fattier cuts), I could tell it was a quality piece of meat. I felt it could’ve used more seasoning—just a touch more salt and pepper to bring out the natural flavors.

My mom and dad ordered the prime rib, which was massive. It was thick-cut, juicy, and served medium-rare, just like they requested. They both enjoyed their meals but felt the meat could’ve used more seasoning. My mom is the queen of prime rib at home, so I trust her critique completely—she knows how it tastes.

My sister went with the salmon and was happy with her choice. The fish was well-cooked—moist, flaky, and not overdone. It came with rice and vegetables, and everything was nicely plated.

Her husband ordered the Grilled Swordfish Boat, which was a showstopper. This dish included a large swordfish steak nestled into a bed of flavorful seafood rice, with four littlenecks, one scallop, and one shrimp tossed in. The presentation was impressive, and he said everything was delicious. He cleared his plate completely, which says it all.

My grandma chose the baked scallops, and let me say—she is not one to hand out compliments lightly. She said they were some of the best scallops she’s ever had—tender, buttery, and cooked just right. The only downside for her was the side of green beans—she found them too crunchy for her liking. But she still loved her meal overall.

We didn’t have dessert this time because we were all stuffed (those portions are no joke), but I did notice that Alice has a selection of specialty coffee drinks, which I’ll want to try next time. I love it when restaurants add something extra to their drink menu—it shows attention to detail and gives guests another reason to linger and enjoy.