I was so excited to have a delicious steak. I don't have many opportunities to enjoy one nicely prepared and wanted to treat myself. I figured coming to a local steakhouse that has a great reputation with nearly five stars, that there'd be no way it would disappoint. I mean, it's a steakhouse. That's why I came here.
I was so excited as I sat down and ordered my gin martini. The complimentary bread cheese fondue was a wonderfully unexpected delicious surprise. The salad was small, but fresh and crispy, served on a cold plate.
When my steak was delivered, about seven minutes after I ordered it, it was accompanied by a small baked potato that was topped with a wonderful dollop of sour cream, butter and scallions and there was also a garnish of thinly sliced carrots and zucchini medallions (yes, 'garnish' because there were no more than 10 slivers, combined). Onto what was to be the star culmination of my meal - the steak. Decidedly, the worst steak I've ever had in my life. I sincerely feel horrible saying that, because I've had many steaks in my life, even from places that weren't steakhouses.
I ordered a New York steak vs the Rib Eye (maybe that was my mistake, but I've had many wonderful New York steaks at steakhouses), medium rare. It was served smothered in a lovely display of beautiful mushrooms, and I was so excited to cut into it. But that is where the joy ended. I knew right as I sliced into it that something was not right. It did not give like a freshly NY seared steak normally gives to a steak knife. Honestly,I'm still trying to figure out what could have happened here. My steak came out in less than 10 minutes, if even that (I think it was between five and seven minutes. It was unusually fast..). It was barely warm. I'm not exaggerating. It was almost as if it had been pre-prepared and kept in some sort of barely heated warmer for later serving. I'm now convinced it was cooked beforehand. And its flavor was oddly bland with a strange rubbery chewiness that had a slippery 'give' to it, if that makes any sense. I guess I'm used to freshly prepared steaks that are seared and cooked on a very hot surface, basted with hot butter and olive oil, coming out so darn piping hot so that when it's served, and you initially slice into it, your tongue is greeted with the most juicy, fragrant and yummy deep bursting flavor. This steak had none of that. Zero juice, It was as if it had been bled dry. The flavor was just a nothing awful. I'm so disappointed. (insert crying emoji)
I didn't say anything to the wait staff. I'm not that person. I politely asked for my check and paid full price for the meal after having only two small bites. I left the meal on my plate with a fair tip to my server because they were polite. BTW, I'm a local and am super bummed because I was excited to have quality steak that would be worthy of enjoying. I'm so bummed out. Maybe it was an off night. I don't know. Regardless, I'm convinced my steak was not prepared to order (i.e., I believe my steak was cooked a before I arrived and kept warm before serving).
PS: Other people comment in their reviews about the ambiance of the restaurant. And while I agree with that observation, I figure if the steak is delectable, who really cares about the appearance of the place? I'm not pretentious that way. I just want a fresh, well prepared steak, and that didn't happen tonight.
PPS: I should add that normally when you walk into a steakhouse, you are usually smacked in the face by the delicious mouthwatering aroma of seared steaks cooking in the kitchen. That should've been my first red flag... I didn't smell that once during my entire visit. Not upon entry, not while I was seated, nor when the steak was served to me. Never happened. That's a big note to myself for the future.
PPPS: Zero stars for the steak, two stars for the wonderful waitstaff. read more