For my birthday Rishel wanted to take me out to eat. She knows I love steak and we wanted to try this place out for awhile now. She made the reservation for 6pm because we were also going to see the movie Inception at 8pm.
When we walked in we were greeted very nicely by the host. Rishel gave them my name. We soon encountered some confusion with the host. He began to sit us when another gentleman (maybe the manager) came over and asked him a question. The manager then grabbed some other menus and gave them to the host. We were seated in a bar-lounge booth, which I hate because I like to sit directly across from the person that I’m eating with. As soon as the host left, the manager rushed over and asked if today was my birthday. I replied yes, and then he promptly told us to come with him. He then sat us in a private booth that was against the wall. To describe it, the area was just like a private dining room big enough for four guest. The room was decorated with pictures you would expect at a steakhouse. It also had curtains for privacy. The manager then said he thought we would like the private booth better. It was very close to the piano, but the music wasn’t overwhelming at all. Already, I was impressed with our treatment. I wasn’t overly dressed at all. I only wore some shorts and a simple graphic T-shirt. Yet, we were still treated like VIPs.
I began to look at the menu and saw something that surprised me. At the top of the menu was “Happy Birthday William!!” was printed. Rishel told me she told them it was my birthday. I was amazed by this.
We ordered for the appetizer, the Kobe Beef Carpaccio with Shaved Parmesan and Capers for $9. For entrees, Rishel got the Petite Filet Mignon 8oz Center Cut Tenderloin with Béarnaise -$28. I ordered the Cowboy Ribeye 22oz on the bone - $35. For sides we ordered half fresh Broccoli $3.50 and half Lobster Newberg Potato Gratin $4.50.
Our waiter took our orders and we ate bread while we waited. Another surprise came around the corner when our waiter brought to us a complimentary Amuse-Bouche. It was a Pan Seared Scallop with Risotto. The scallop was cooked perfectly and the Risotto was excellent. Then came our Carpaccio. This was prepared perfectly as it should be. Everything was fresh. The Parmesan tasted great with the Kobe beef. It couldn’t have been done any better for a steakhouse classic. 
Our steaks soon came out and I always like to see if they get it right. Especially when I’m paying for a $30 steak. One thing i notice right away is that my steak was beautifully marbled. Both of our steaks were cooked perfectly. Of course I ordered mine medium-rare. My steak was juicy, tender, and very flavorful. I ate everything. I did try Rishel’s steak and it too was very tender and cooked perfectly. Sorry for the picture, I was so hungry!
The things that stuck out as bad were very few things. One, the broccoli was undercooked. The Signature Lobster Potato Gratin lacked luster for me. As I was eating my steak I thought I found a hair on my steak. Upon further examination and confirmation from the manager, it was a paint brush hair that is used to baste the steaks with butter. Even so, that should not make it onto the plate.
We both wanted to forgo dessert because we wanted to make the movie. We told our waiter we wanted the check and she left us to go get it. When she came back, she had a small little chocolate cake with some berries and a candle on top. What actually topped it off was the piano guy was playing happy birthday as she brought in the cake. No, I was not charged for the cake or the Amuse-Bouche.
This restaurant exceeded my expectations for my birthday. It would be hard to top that restaurant experience for my birthday next year. I will definitely go back here when I want a perfectly cooked steak and superb service.
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