I'M SAD AND DISAPPOINTED that I can only give them 5 stars. This hidden gem is a great steakhouse off the beaten path. After visiting there I'm thinking the name of the restaurant should be changed to "Steakhouse (perfect) 10."
LAYOUT
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This place is intentionally laid out so dining can happen in small controlled settings. The first floor has the kitchen, large bar with television, and two areas of tables separated by a divider. If you don't mind a lively setting, the first floor is where you should sit. There is a lot of activity and many presentations of flaming cheese and "OPA!" in the candlelit dining areas. If a boisterous group of diners sits in the larger of the two dining areas, everyone on the first floor will hear them.
If you're looking for more a romantic, intimate dining experience, head to the second floor. At the top of the stairs is a quiet loft area with a few tables. There is also another room with a small bar and other tables in a quiet, candlelit setting.
The bathrooms are upstairs and there is a sitting area with a couch and a chair just outside those bathrooms.
FOOD
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I come from Chicago where eating beef is a religion and the landscape is littered with fine beef cathedrals like Ruth's Chris, Morton's, Chop Shop and Cooper's Hawk. I've had filet mignon at all of them and the filet I had at Steakhouse 10 was equally as great.
MENU
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In keeping with the relaxed dining attitude of the restaurant, there are two menus. One for cocktails and dinner, then one for after-dinner drinks and desserts. The meals are not rushed and they are not ala carte. Your entre' comes with a choice of soup or salad, and also mashed or baked potato. The only choice you don't get is whether asparagus is the vegetable that comes with your entre'.
STAFF
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This place is filled with staff who want to make your experience memorable. From the owners who watch over every detail, to bus staff who make sure your crumpled napkin is neatly folded and waiting for you when you return from the bathroom, to the fun and friendly servers who help you choose your meal and desserts. We had Shelby. She was fairly new to Steakhouse 10, but obviously not to serving diners.
FREE STUFF
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When you make reservations they will ask if you are celebrating a special occasion. To celebrate that occasion, during the dessert portion of your meal, they will bring a slice of cake - limoncello or red velvet. It will have a candle in it and also a disk of semi-sweet chocolate with an icing inscription like "Celebrate" or "Congrats" or "Happy Anniversary." This comes in addition to anything you might order for dessert.
At the very end of your meal, after you've paid the bill they bring you a shot of Greek Ouzo as a nightcap. If you're not a drinker, tell them and they will bring you a "fake shot" so you can do one with whoever may want the ouzo.
PRICES
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In life you pay for what you get. If you're a person who watches every penny of your budget, this restaurant is not for you. On the other hand, if you are someone who believes fine dining on a special occasion is an investment in making memorable experiences to last a lifetime, you won't be disappointed.
PARKING
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There are rows of lighted parking to the south and west of the building.
ENTRANCE
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This is the tricky part. If you look at the pictures of the restaurant, it looks like you turn into a driveway off of South Elati Street and the entrance is right along that driveway. NOPE. They added some "outside" seating to the building which uses that driveway for its foundation. You also can not get to the parking lot off of the other driveway on South Elati Street because that is an "exit only".
To get to the entrance you have to take the paved alley that runs parallel between South Elati Street and Fox Street South. You can get to this alley (behind the Taco Bell) off of Hampden Ave or you can enter the alley off of West Ithaca Ave to the south. read more