Food/restaurant rant

It's awesome to jump from the politics thread where we're at each other's throats, to here where we can agree wholeheartedly on steakhouses. This place is funny, man.
Ate at Ruth's Chris once a few years ago. My and my wife's birthdays are a month apart, and we had some birthday money family members had given us that was sitting around a while and we decided to splurge. The meal at Ruth's Chris was around $200 for the two of us, and I can think of a dozen places off the top of my head that we could've gotten two or three meals that were as good or better for the same amount.
It wasn't awful. It just wasn't worth anywhere near $100 per person. If you live in a big city, I'm guessing there's 20 local joints you'd be better off going to.

 

Best wine cellar in America.

 

I understand the appeal of the top-shelf steak house experience, I really do. But when I am going to spend that much money on a meal, I prefer a place where the chef likes to put a little spin on his/her delivery -- fancier food for want of a better term.
When I'm in NYC, I usually do either Italian, Chinese, or one of the few surviving old-line French places in Manhattan.
Cran, you ever eat in Bamonte's in Brooklyn? Claims to be the oldest restaurant in the city. Wonderful place. If Henry Hill and the gang didn't eat there they should have.

 

I've always been turned off by Morton's meat-wrapped-in-plastic display. The last time I went to a Ruth's Chris, we sat at the bar and ordered drinks and some non-steak appetizers. I was very pleasantly surprised. For the amount of food we got, it wasn't all that expensive. I'm generally an "eat steak at a steakhouse" person, but I was impressed with what we had.

I still haven't made it to Peter Luger. I am ashamed.

 

Haven't, but will go. There's a place called Queen over near Brooklyn Borough Hall that's got really good food. You can tell you're in the right place when there's a party of four priests in front of you in line to see the hostess.

 

If you find yourself in Tampa, it's worth your time to check out Bern's dessert room. So many varieties of decadent desserts and drinks, all served up in a very funky atmosphere that makes you feel like a member of the Rat Pack or a mobster. I had a 1916 Madeira there that cost like $39 for an eyedropper-full, and it was like drinking manna from heaven.

The Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern's Steak House

 

Allow me to touch on several posts:

First, I've lost 28 pounds since January eating high fat/low protein/no carb...and olives are a daily staple. My go-to snack, especially the ones with almond slivers in them...which, of course, taste even better at the bottom of a Hope Organic Vodka martini.

Steak-houses are my best option while traveling on this diet. Over the past several months I think I've hit most all of the high-end "chains," almost always getting a vodka martini, a steak, a side of asparagus, and a whiskey, for around $150.

My rankings:

1. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Dallas. -- Great to pick your steak out of the display counter; best service bar none.
2. Charlie Palmer DC -- plus if it's a slow night and you're polite, the GM will give you a tour of the rooftop view of the Capital. It's amazing.
3. The Arthur J in Manhattan Beach -- local beach vibe to go with your $90 wagyu
4. The Palm -- Vegas. Goes down nicely w/ friends
5. Gallagher's -- can't remember where, but I've been to a few and they are very good.
6. BLT Steak DC -- a local joint. Top-Notch food but gets demerits for the hipster vibe.
And these are totally not worth half the check:
Ruth's -- rib eye is waaaay to fatty.
Morton's -- steak is pedestrian, drinks super expensive
Fleming's -- this is a fast-growing chain, and for the life of me I don't know why.
Del Frisco's -- I got turned off by the one in Vegas years ago. I should probably try it again somewhere.
Mastro's -- epitome of overrated.

 

Going to a new restaurant tomorrow. It offers poutine. Should I try it?