First of all, I was really surprised at how big the restaurant was inside! I thought it was a small restaurant! I was wrong. Waiters in long black aprons moving at a New York pace, to dazzle the guests who sit at perfectly-made tables with silverware and water glasses in place. Our server brought knowledge and several menus, wines (merlot for me) and entrées and desserts to satisfy anyone's taste. Surf and turf with calamari was a winner. My date got potatoes and something else..not sure. We had great conversation in this elegant eatery. Large parties coming in and getting up to leave with their boxed leftovers. Dates sitting at booths across from one another. It was almost magical! The wine had such flavor and the food was perfect!! It is very expensive here, but it is well worth the price!! read more

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We recently went out for dinner with our daughter, who's a sophomore at UF, and chose this restaurant because it's known as a very special place--and in many ways, it truly was. The atmosphere is luxurious and sultry, perfect for a celebratory night out. It definitely has that "treat yourself" feel. The food was excellent across the board. I started with a lovely glass of Chardonnay while my husband enjoyed an Old Fashioned. For appetizers, I ordered the escargot--Imported French Bordeaux escargots sautéed in herbed garlic butter with a delicately seasoned cream reduction and asiago cheese. Absolutely delicious. My husband and daughter ordered the lettuce salad, pan-roasted to a crispy finish in duck fat with Reggiano parmesan, fresh tomatoes, bacon crumbles, and blue cheese dressing on the side--they loved it. For entrées, I chose the petite filet (7 oz.), which was tender and perfectly cooked. They ordered the 14 oz. strip steak and the Colorado lamb chops--twin 7 oz. chops with rosemary butter--and both dishes were a big hit. They also had the risotto with squash, one of the specials, and said it was outstanding. We ended the meal with the Chocolate Paradise: rich chocolate mousse with an Oreo-Kahlua crust, hazelnut cream, raspberry purée, and toasted almonds. A decadent, memorable dessert. The only part of the experience that didn't quite match the elegance of the restaurant was the service. Our waitress wasn't as attentive as we expected, especially for a place of this caliber. For example, when we ran out of bread, she asked if we wanted more and we said yes--but it never arrived. At the end of the night, when I mentioned it, she said she assumed we didn't want it anymore, even though she had previously told us it was being made. Not a major issue in the grand scheme, but it did take away from the "royal treatment" vibe we were hoping for. Overall, the food and atmosphere were truly exceptional, and we enjoyed our evening. I just wish the service had matched the high standards set by the rest of the experience. I'd still recommend this restaurant, especially for special occasions, with the hope of better attentiveness next time. read more

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WOW!! this was the most heavenly steak I have ever eaten. We also got the lobster mac & cheese, and it was phenomenal. Everything about this experience was fantastic. Immaculate. Our waiter was so kind and very enthusiastic about the whole dining experience. Would I go back later tonight? YES! And tomorrow too. If i had the money lollllll . totally worth it tho read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

We visited for our anniversary dinner, and overall, we had a really nice experience. Parking downtown can get busy, so I recommend arriving early so you're not circling or stressed before your reservation. Inside, the ambiance is definitely romantic -- dim lighting, soft atmosphere, and a cozy upscale vibe. It's great for date night or celebrating something special, though the lighting makes taking photos a bit tricky. For starters, I ordered the French onion soup. It was fine, but not as flavorful as I hoped -- not bad, just not one of those soups that blows you away. The calamari, however, was easily some of the best we've ever had. Perfectly cooked, great texture, and really well seasoned. For my entrée, I ordered the petite sirloin, which was absolutely delicious and cooked perfectly to temperature. My only complaint is that entrées don't come with a side, which always feels a little annoying at a high-end steakhouse. We ended up sharing a baked potato, and it was huge -- seriously one of the biggest baked potatoes we've ever seen, and it was delicious. C ordered the special of the night. He enjoyed it and liked the BBQ-style preparation, but wished it had just a bit more flavor. We also tried their specialty drink called the Midnight Treat, which was delicious. Unfortunately, the bar ran out of the drink halfway through our meal, so we weren't able to order another round, which was kind of a bummer. Our waiter was attentive, and the service overall was warm and professional. The theming of the restaurant is cute, leaning toward a darker, more romantic style, so it's perfect for anniversaries, date nights, or a special moment -- definitely fancier than LongHorn, with pricing to match. One important tip: make a reservation. They get very busy on weekends. We actually tried to go on a different night and couldn't get in without one, so plan ahead to avoid that disappointment. Overall, Mark's is a solid choice if you're looking for a special evening with great steaks, cozy ambiance, and attentive service. We'd return -- especially for that calamari and baked potato. read more

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Went right after work for some cocktails, appetizers and sat at the bar. The ambience is always top shelf for Gainesville. The bartenders were really attentive and service oriented, props to them. Also, their Dirty martinis, mmmm. I tried two of the chef's specials tonight. - The mushroom Rockefeller, savory with a crunchy breadcrumb top, warm and satisfying. - The steak eggrolls, flavorful and were served with a spicy honey sauce that gave it just the right kick. Quick stop, great service, definitely will be back for a full dinner. read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - Chef special appetizer - Portobello Mushroom Rockefeller - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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A wonderful steak house, class and quality in every aspect. The hostess were lovely and accommodating, making everyone feel welcome and being attentive so that groups are seated as quickly as possible. The cocktails were well made. The menu has a beautiful selection and the steaks were cooked to perfection. The wait staff were friendly and attentive. I was never wanting for a refill or sitting with a finished plate. I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant and highly recommend for a top notch meal in Gainesville. read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

One of the best steak houses i have had the pleasure to attend !! The food was very good, steak straight up melted in my mouth. The service was fast and we did not have to wait long, the scenery was also very nice with a calm and quiet vibe. The Price was up there, but i think it was 100% worth the visit !! The Bread and butter was also 10/10 read more

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The restaurant is world class! The servers are attentive and knowledgeable. They have an intimate feel that gives you a semi-private dining experience. Their chicken breast and steaks are truly some of the best I have ever had, with family style sides to share. Their gourmet chocolate dessert is sinfully delicious, especially with the homemade whipped cream topping it off!!! We've dined with them on several occasions, each time was a cullinary experience like no other! If you are celebrating something special (birthday, anniversary, etc) they provide a complimentary dessert. The restaurant asks about food allergies at the time you're making the reservation and ensure that your meal is safe. They provide an amazing meal with a welcoming dining experience! While reservations are not required, it's best to make one because they are typically full. read more

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When gift certificates to try, Mark's prime steakhouse. The reservation process for us was smooth however parking is a little bit of a challenge in that area and we needed to use the parking garage. The food was meh. We found the French onion soup to be salty and not as flavorful as we've had other areas in the steak was OK, just not as flavorful as I would prefer. In terms of the sides they were just OK the best one in our opinion was the lobster, macaroni and cheese. Overall, the service in the atmosphere was good. read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - New York Strip - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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After dropping our daughter off for UF's Summer session, we were a bit exhausted and in need of something special to lift our spirits. The amazing staff at Mark's did just that, and so much more!! Our server Jeremy quickly established himself to be attentive and very personable, offering several suggestions that would ultimately make our evening unforgettable! From the martini opener, to the buttery/garlicky classic escargot, to the best sourdough bread loaf and classic butter presentation we've ever had, to the 45 day dry aged, perfectly crusted ribeye, and finishing with a dessert trio for the ages, THIS is a foodie mecca! All crafted with care and precision by Chef Jackie Outar, we know we'll be in great hands with return visits. Also of note, their premier wine list offerings are mostly priced just over retail to allow additional accessibility to their customer base! Compliments to Jeremy, his assistant Will, and GM Ben Pratt for curating a team of professionals that truly put the customer first. Cheers to Mark's, which will be our dining destination each and every time we return to Gainesville!! read more

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Excellent food and great service, place is perfect for special occasions, have gone there several times and food is always delicious read more

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My wife heard good things about Mark's Prime Steakhouse in Gainesville, so the she figured it would be a nice surprise, as a special occasion outing, so she reserved a New Year's Eve table for two (on line) ...days in advanced, and received digital confirmation. Upon arriving at restaurant, we were informed that there was no record of our reservation. Luckily there was a small table in the bar area, so we sat down to enjoy each other's company and a romantic dinner. I ordered a NY strip steak (medium well) with mashed potatoes and my wife ordered the herb chicken with risotto. The server was attentive and the atmosphere was relaxed and cozy. We enjoyed some bread and conversation as we eagerly awaited our meals to be served. We had high expectations for the food, given the reputation of this up-scale venue. But we were let down by the dining experience. Our meals arrived quickly, a pleasant surprise, as the restaurant was busy this evening. The food, however, was very average in terms of quality, taste, and presentation. The chicken was dry and overcooked... and lacked some in terms of seasoning. The steak was overcooked around the edges (more like well done) except for the middle, and it lacked flavor. If fact, it tasted like and an over-aged cut that was way past its prime. It was tough and had an odd after-taste. I ate roughly half of it and boxed the rest to take home for the dogs. The risotto was so-so. All in all, the food did not live up to expectations. When the mashed potatoes are the highlight of a 110 dollar dinner for two (without drinks), then there's something amiss. We both agreed that will not be frequenting this establishment again. It should be noted that I've had much better steaks at Longhorn steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse, and for much less money. To top it off, I had a nasty stomach ache and several restroom episodes upon my arrival home; most likely food induced. All in all, I'd rate the overall experience as 2.5 out of 5 stars, as the food was very mediocre and it left us somewhat confused over all the hype surrounding this venue. In our opinion, it was a disappointment on numerous levels. read more

I used to live up stairs and would go here every day for cocktail hour. The steaks are delicious and cooked perfectly and served on a sizzling plate of melted butter. Do not skip the lobster Mac and cheese. Incredible wine selection. Exceptional service. Enough said. read more

Lived in the area for 2 years and finally made it to Mark's Prime. It did not disappoint. I mean the water even tasted fantastic. Had a quality caesar salad, the larger filet Oscar style and a side of bacon brussels sprouts. As you would expect from a high end establishment there was no brown lettuce in the salad, the steak was cooked likely sous vide perfect medium rare with a good crust, and the sprouts and bacon left you wanting more. The server was top notch and always on top of refilling Ice Tea and buzzers removed plates as soon as you were done. Basically everything you expect from a classy, high end Steakhouse. read more

Incredible service from Christoff. Food is consistently remarkable, butter poached lobster is incredible, filet mignon is always sizzling and buttery. Mashed potatoes are more traditional and less buttery/silky - keep that in mind based on your individual preferences. Very swanky, fanciest spot in Gainesville to bring your guy or gal. read more

Very lovely steak house, old school spot. Good service, great food. Good place to bring a date! Not the cheapest dinner in town but every once in awhile its worth it read more

I had heard really great things about Marks and decided to make a reservation months ago for 7 people for graduation night to celebrate my husband getting his phd. I received a call around 4 pm confirming our reservation then received another call at 5 stating they had to cancel our reservation due to some kind of building issue(leak or something). Since it was such late notice we weren't able to book a reservation anywhere else and weren't able to have the celebration we had hoped for. Really disappointed :( read more

Avoid at all cost. Will cancel without any notice and you only find out with a notice on the door. They confirm reservations via text but don't have the decency to text cancellations. It's impossible to make new reservations at 7:30pm on a Friday night. Mgr not apologetic. read more

My husband has been wanting to visit Marks prime for a few years. We finally decided to go for our 15th wedding anniversary. We had a reservation for 8pm. We were seated promptly when we arrived and the hostess was very friendly. We then had a gentleman come by and fill our waters who was also friendly. He notified us that our server would be with us shortly. We waited 30 minutes and still no one came. We notified the hostess we hadn't been served as we noticed others who arrived after us had. She apologized and went to search for our server. Another 15 minutes he showed up and took our drink orders and said hed be back to take our food order despite us being ready to order. Everything from then on continued to take way longer than necessary. For the price the food was not up to par. My husband's steak was good, not great and not worth $70. My steak tenderloin tips were pretty good but had a lot of fat I had to remove so I didn't feel satisfied. The salads were good. Probably their best value item. The sides were just ok. We also ordered the dessert trio. The chocolate mousse cake and cheesecake were good but skip the bread pudding. Overall we spent $225 and felt like we got a $100 experience. Service was terrible. Go to Embers if you are looking for a good meal. read more

It was exquisite. The food was amazing and delicious. The service impeccable. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone.

Service was great. We had the Calamari and Coconut shrimp appetizers and they were fantastic! But it was downhill from there. Our salads were almost warm and wilted. Two of the five steaks were fatty and gristly, a waste of money. Our sides of au gratin potatoes and lobster mac n cheese were very disappointing to all in our party. Broccolini was okay. For the price point, we expected great food. Mark's Prime did not deliver. As for ambiance, the table beside us was so loud, it was a challenge to carry on a conversation at our table. Oh and my husband got popped in the head by a waiter's napkin. Wanted to love it, but too many negatives. read more

Tonight was my second visit to Mark's Prime Steakhouse and my last! Last year I had a wonderful experience, great food and service. Tonight the food was barely fair and the service was poor. I sat for over 10 minutes before anyone acknowledged me. The waiter at the table in front of me stopped by and filled my water glass. For over 15 minutes multiple people walked by and avoided looking my way, including the floor manager, who had time to watch the basketball game on the TV. When a waiter finally came by, I ordered the special. The steak was overcooked, the asparagus was tough. No one came by to check on how it was. Finally a different server stopped by and I got my check. Not at all impressed! read more

Mark's Prime is a good steakhouse to go to in Gainesville, and the atmosphere was great for our date. The server was kind and attentive to us and the food was good. We ordered sides of corn and potatoes, and each had our own steaks and cocktails. This is a great spot for a dinner to celebrate a special occasion. I only give one star down because of price and how each side was a good amount extra, and the steak dishes truly only came with just the steak, but other than that it's a good place to try. read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - Bacon Wrapped Scallops - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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We ate at marks while visiting UF. We loved it. The service was excellent. The portions were great. The food tasty. It was a little expensive but all in all -we would easily come back. Sorry we forgot to take more pictures -we were hungry read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - Steak - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Top notch food and service. They were on top of their game when we visited. Street parking is a bit tricky, but there is a parking garage across the street. They are well focused on good service. Very nice cocktail menu, and wine selection. The food was as good as you should expect from a high end steak house, and a nice selection of meals to choose from. Of course, the desert selection was very good, but we did not sample enough of them this visit, so we will need to go back. Make a reservation, they are popular because they are good. read more

Food was delicious. Well seasoned. The waiter we had was fantastic!! He funny, personable and made great recommendations. The ambiance is a little dated and dark. read more

The service was great! The appetizers were really good. We got calamari, the scallops, and the stuffed jalapeños. I would recommend all three of these. Everything came out at a timely manner. The steak was good but a little too overcooked for my liking. I ordered medium rare but it came out more medium. The sides were all delicious, they are shareable size. I recommend the mashed potatoes and the lobster mac and cheese. The vibes of the restaurant were fancy, quiet, and expensive. read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - Delmonico, Mashed Potatoes, lobster macaroni, Asparagus - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Amazing food! Great place for special occasions or a date night! Carmell was the BEST waitress! Will definitely be back!

Dinner dates, Happy Hour, and girls' night out taken to another level! Mark's is a wonderful spot to celebrate romance, personal time, or hell, just another day out of the week! I love a great steak, glass of wine, and fantastic ambiance and Mark's always seems to do a fantastic job of combining all 3. Located in a prime downtown location, if you didn't know it was there, you could possibly miss them! But once you know that they're there, believe me, you won't forget! If you're available to make their Happy Hour, by all means - GO! Offering a healthy variety of appetizers and drinks, you can truly get the Mark's experience for half the price! As a fabulous foodie on a dime, I can always get behind a great deal. Want to opt for a sit-down meal? Get ready. I like to get dolled up for the experience as Mark's is a fine dining establishment among our local terms, and I swear it makes the food taste better LOL. From the time you sit down, the service has begun. You're greeted with a Sourdough loaf fresh from the oven, paired with a thick slice of creamy butter - such a great match with a glass of wine or my fave cocktail of theirs, "The Diva". From there, you have a delicious menu to wade through - whether you're a steak lover, seafood fan, or beyond. On my last visit, my date and I opted for the Escargot (deliciousssss with amazing crusty bread), the meaty Crab Cakes, and a Petite Filet that was cooked perfectly with the most divine crust! So whatever the occasion, or even if there is no occasion, stop into Mark's and treat yo'self! read more

After having heard about how this is the best steakhouse in Gainesville, we were excited to pay a visit! The food was out of this world. There was not a single item that was not amazing. The filet was a perfectly cooked medium well, we were shocked. I got the swordfish special and was in heaven. The potatoes were amazingly crispy. I appreciated that the server was able to get us a delicious mock tail, because most places look at us strangely when we request for one. My only note is that our particular server did not speak with us very much, nor did he inform us of the specials they had. We heard many other servers telling their tables about the menu but had heard it after we ordered. The food came out in great timing as well. read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - swordfish special, Filet Mignon, fingerling potatoes. - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

We (a party of 6) came here for a family celebration. Some in the family are "foodies" (myself included) and some are pickier than I am. So I'm writing this review based on my own opinions, and not those of others in our party. Lobster Escargot: This was the only appetizer I tasted (except for the bread which was very good). I liked the Lobster Escargot. While the lobster meat was perhaps slightly over-cooked, it was bathed in delicious butter and cheese, so all is forgiven. Lettuce Wedge Salad: Not my favorite Wedge Salad, but it was good. Jumbo Sea Scallops w/Creamy Pesto Fettucine: Scallops were very nice with a lovely crust on the top and bottom, but they were very mild in flavor and could've used a bit more salt and maybe a little lemon (or something else acidic). Also, I adore pasta and I love creamy pesto, but for some reason, the fettucine didn't taste very good to me. Not sure if there was something "off" about the flavor of the pasta, or if it just didn't go well with the scallops to my taste. Anyway, I didn't eat the pasta. Grouper Santa Fe: Hubby got this, and raved about it for several days. Lyonnaise Potatoes: This was a shared side dish. I had high expectations, and was bummed that these were not very good. Desperately in need of salt. And the flavor of the duck fat was entirely lost on me. Bleu Cheese and Bacon Risotto: This was a shared side dish. Oh. My. Goodness! This was the standout of the meal, IMO. It was incredible! I wanted to eat the whole thing. I would have been perfectly happy if my entire meal had consisted of a large serving of just this dish. Asparagus: This was a shared side dish. It was okay. The bottom 2" of my spear was too tough to cut or eat, and I felt the asparagus was under-salted. Lemon Bread Pudding: I love lemon, and I love bread pudding, but I never heard of them together before. I liked it. Lemon Drop Martini: Not my favorite Lemon Drop, but it was okay. Our waiter was friendly and pleasant, but the service overall was a bit slow. Even though he warned us that each entrée would be made to order so there would be a longer-than-normal wait, but it still seemed like it took an inordinate length of time between the appetizers and the entrées. Especially because we were there somewhat late and the entire back half of the restaurant was already empty during most of our stay (except for a group of unknown size in the private room). If I were back in Gainesville and someone suggested Mark's Prime, I wouldn't nix the suggestion. But I probably wouldn't make it a point to go back again otherwise. read more

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It has to be the best steakhouse in Gainesville, the complimentary bread is incredible, the bone in rib-eye is tender , juicy and has the best tasting rub I've had in a long time. Don't miss out on this restaurant when your in the area. read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - Dining Room - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

HAPPY HOUR REVIEW: 3.5 Stars Mark's is giving (or actually reaching for) "Ruth's Chris" of Gainesville vibes. It's upscale, but could use a little push to make it to that level. I hadn't stopped by in years, but the hubs have never been so we decided to cozy up to the bar for happy hour before a late dinner, and it was an ok experience. The staff was friendly, and the bar was open and pretty quiet during our visit. The happy hour menu is generous, and the bites were good. The crab fries were inventive. The drinks, unfortunately were just ok. The hubs nearly killed over when he saw the bartender rip open a sugar packet and dump it into his Old Fashioned glass, and then also fill the glass with ice cubes. No ice spheres or large cubes for the Old Fashioneds here I guess. (Don't get me wrong. I'm no snob (sorta') and it's not unpardonable. But, maybe at a dive bar as we're definitely looking for more finesse at an upscale, white linen restaurant). Hubs said the old fashioned tasted fine, but enjoyed the mule he ordered next much better. My drink, the Pear Blossom (sans the pear, add strawberry) was ok as well. Overall, I'm sure we'll stop back at some point to give dinner a go, but as for happy hour -- there a few neighboring options that are friggin' phenomenal and quite comparable in price point as well. I remember Mark's being fire years back. On this visit, it was just ok. read more

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I'm faculty at UF and we had a job candidate visiting us for an interview on the Friday of the LsU football game. We had a reservation elsewhere (paramount grill) but when we arrived the restaurant was closed without notice and no one was answering the phone. We then went to Marks prime and after telling them the situation they squeezed us in on one of the busiest nights of the year and we are so grateful for that. Will prioritize taking future UF faculty interviewees here going forward. They went above and beyond. The food and service was amazing as always. Love the petit filet - always cooked right and how it is seasoned is great. Mashed potatoes are always amazing too. Really you can't go wrong here. Thank you so much, will definitely tell others about how great you were to us. read more

My wife and I ate here on Friday November 8th. We walked in without a reservation and were told it would be a 45 minute wait for a table. If we wanted to sit in the bar area, we could with no wait. We opted for the bar area. Service was slow, but they were nice. We were there about an hour and a half and during that time we each went to the restroom, only to see a half empty dining room! I ordered a burger cooked medium. I received a VERY well done burger (tasted burnt). Ordered a second beer and waited for 15 minutes before I called the waitress over and asked her to cancel the beer. Voila! 30 seconds later she appeared with the beer I told her to cancel. I refused it and she said "Oh I thought you said bring it to me". She then came back to see if we wanted anything wrapped and I said "No thanks it was horrible". Her response "Great! Just the check then?". What!?!?!. Anyway, I'm sure some enjoy this place, but not for me! read more

I've reviewed the negative reviews just to see what people said about Marks. My wife and I have been to Marks a few times and found the service to be excellent and the food to be delicious. The first time we went we didn't have reservations, and they seated us quickly. We were there a few weeks ago to celebrate our anniversary. Again, service was excellent and the food was delicious. We will be back in April to celebrate our birthdays. read more

Food was underwhelming... The steaks were overcooked and not salted enough. The sides were just okay. The mushrooms were lacking in flavor. We were all very surprised with the quality and size of the salads. They were small and not great. The server was very nice and polite. We all agreed that we would not return. read more

Unable to reserve a table. I love the food there and the bar is my favorite place to eat but there was no openings last weekend when I was there for the LSU game read more

Big fan. The crab cakes were some of the best I've ever had. So much crab, no nonsense filler, and the bernaise sauce was sooooo flavorful. My steak, cooked perfect. The Jalepeno au gratin potatoes were so flavorful and cheesy. And the bread service was great. Would've been a 5 if the Brussel sprouts weren't so anemic and flavorless. But everything else was spectacular! read more

Mark's Prime Steakhouse - Gainesville - Steakhouses Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Excellent food and experience. I stopped in for a drink and snack. Cione the bartender was very welcoming and provided great service. I highly recommend this steakhouse. You won't be disappointed. read more