When in doubt, eat steak because it is the ultimate comfort food! To some, however, the idea of having no variation in the taste of a meal they have is what puts them off when it comes to steak. My question is, when was there anything wrong with eating a nice, juicy, big slab of hearty beef and sides, such as mashed potato or grilled veggies cooked and served to your idea of perfection? There can be no flaw in ordering a hearty meal that consists of meat and more meat (preferably). We did some research for all those loyal steak lovers out there and short listed five of the must visit steak houses. They are a bit on the high end side, but they are absolutely worth the hole that they will burn through your wallet; a burn worth remembering and reminiscing over, might I say!
Hy’s Steakhouse
Hy’s Steakhouse has been around the fine-dining scene for almost 35 years, offering its customers an overall five star experience. As expensive as it sound and maybe to many it’s burning-a-hole-in-your-wallet kind of expensive, it is important to keep in mind that the food and service that you will get will bring you back to Waikiki. If you never do end up coming back, then it will definitely be a memory-worthy experience. This is the perfect place to celebrate those special moments in your life. The ambience is classy, elegant, and tranquil. Live music is played seven nights a week and the fun part about when you enter Hy’s is that all the waiters (men and women) are all dressed in tuxedos and are super friendly and helpful. You will be greeted by a sea of smiles and hellos when you walk in, which makes sense, considering that they won an award for their service. Hy’s menu is influenced by a combination of American, European, Hawaiian, and Pacific cuisines.
Their menu is quite extensive, with the main attraction being the Kiawe Broiled Steaks and the Hy’s Bone In Steaks that weigh from around 11 ounces to 28 ounces, collectively speaking. The best part about it is that, after you order the food, it is cooked right in front of you. For the steaks, you are taken to a separate area where you can watch the whole process, starting from the trimming to how the steak ends up on your plate. They are cooked over Hawaiian wood called kiawe wood, which, they reckon, is what makes their steaks so mouth-watering and unforgettable.
Their menu includes all the basics, from various soups, specialty salads, and sea food to desserts. It is worth mentioning that Hy’s has an amazing array of sea food dishes, and their desserts are to die for. They even have special nights and serve dishes that include large jumbo tiger prawns that are considered to melt in your mouth. When it comes to desserts, I have two words, “entertainment” and “decadent”. So, if you have a sweet-tooth, you know where to end your meal.
Hy’s wine collection is quite diverse, ranging from their own line of house wines to white wines, as well as International and American Reds. Prices are a bit on the steeper side, but still worth every penny, I would say.
Hy’s Steakhouse is the best place for a special celebration, which does not always have to be with that special someone. You can throw that very soon to be married friend of yours that well-deserved bachelor or bachelorette party, and be guaranteed a night to remember. The setting is intimate and cozy and memory worthy.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Morton’s The Steakhouse, founded in 1978 by two friends Arnie Morton and Klaus Fritsch, has now opened up over 69 branches in Los Angeles, New York, California, San Fransico, and many other locations in the United States. This widespread popularity has been possible due to the quality of the food they serve and the lovely ambience. The restaurant has earned lots of positive feedback as it continues to grow strong in the USA as well as other places all over the world, such as Toronto, Beijing, Singapore, and Hong Kong, to name a few.
The highly professional staff of Morton’s will greet you cordially and assist you all throughout your visit to make sure that you are wholly satisfied. The great ambience, with the elegantly furnished hallrooms and bathrooms, will give you a sense of the highest levels of sophistication while the beautifully organized exotic flowers will put your physical and spiritual self at ease. Their staff will provide you with an impeccable service; your water glasses will never go empty and the food will arrive at perfect timing.
Also, it is important to note that the restaurant opts for classiness in every step, so to feel more comfortable, you are advised to dress appropriately so as to not feel out of place. Go for a classy look- a business attire or a smart casual wear will do. Wear that fancy formal attire that you’ve been saving for something special and prepare yourself for a night of fine dining and royal treatment.
Now, onto the thing which makes them popular enough to be placed all over the world- their food. As the name and type of the restaurant suggest, the highlight of their menu is steak. However, they also offer a wide selection of foods under these 6 categories -appetizers, soups and salads, signature dishes, poultry and seafood, mixed grills, and desserts and side dishes. The Center-cut Filet Mignon, Porterhouse Steak and the Signature Cut Prime Strip are particular favourites among the steaks. Although the food is a little expensive, it is well worth your money for a once-in-a-while fine dining experience. They also have a wide range of drinks to order from and a private bar with some of the best wines. However, if you are really trying to save up, our suggestion would be to avoid the drinks, because avoiding anything else will be a great miss for you.
Now, to sum it up, the restaurant has a well-trained staff to serve your needs, a great ambience, and the best food that money can buy. Morton’s vision for the past three decades of their existence, has been the same- quality, consistency, and genuine hospitality, and they work hard to ensure to not disappoint. You will be pleased with your service there, and no doubt, will be hungry for more.
Barberians
Barberians is a 56 year old fine dining restaurant which was opened in 1959 by Harry Barberian. The decor and atmosphere takes you back in time, with dark interiors and servers in vests and an unwavering attention to detail. Located at 7 Elm Street, Toronto, Barberians have been frequented by celebrities, politicians, sport stars, and of course, lovers of steaks!
You can’t talk about Barberians without mentioning their never-ending wine list. Founder Harry Barberian believed that a good steak is incomplete without good wine. His philosophy was further brought into action by his son, Aaron Barberian, who opened one of Canada’s largest cellars, boasting over 15,000 bottles of 2,500 of the choicest wines.
There is a touch of class and history added to whatever is done in Barberians. At their entrance, you can find a copy of the Globe newspaper dated back to July 1st, 1867, the day Canada became a country. There are also works of Group of Seven, A.Y. Jackson, Lawren Harris, and many others.
Private dining areas are available for your guests, ranging from 6-8 guests to up to 40 guests. These are available in five different rooms, each with its own personality. To have a look at just a part of Barberians’s extensive wine collection, you can have dinner in the Wine Cellar with up to 30 guests.
The menu comes presented on a lovely piece of card stock that has a little piece of history of the steakhouse in the rear. Patrons receive complimentary garlic and pickle vegetables. Shrimps, lobsters, snails, and salmon – they all make an appearance in the appetizers list. Do check out their Ceaser Salad which is usually the appetizer of choice, and the Escargots are also quite the pick. The highlight, though, is the French onion soup, which is creamy and has quite a decent amount of cheese.
The steaks start from a base price of $39.75 and come with a serving of rice or baked potatoes. Selecting the steaks come down to your personal choice and taste. Diners also have the choice of ordering the roast prime rib of beef, grilled rack of lamb, and for those looking for a change, they can tuck into the grilled Atlantic salmon steak or even the fresh fish of the day.
If what you are looking for is a love for history and culture and a huge list of the finest wines to go along with your steak of choice, then your search ends here. Head over to Berbarians for drinks, steaks and a slice of history!
Ruth’s Chris
Ruth’s Chris, founded in 1965 by Ruth Fertel, is one of the most famous steakhouses in the United States. With 130+ steakhouses all over the 50 states, it is common knowledge that what distinguishes Ruth’s Chris from other steakhouses, is its exceptional food and wine. Most of its branches offer dinner, however, some also offer lunch. But be it lunch or dinner, Ruth’s Chris provides fine dining at its best at any time of the day.
Upon entering, you will be welcomed by a very well-mannered and welcoming staff. They will ensure that you are facing no discomforts and are enjoying your time there. Beautifully decorated and lit, the place has a good vibe about it that will instantly lighten up your mood. The soft, slow music will soothe your ears and help you relax while you eat and catch up with your friends and family. Also, the suitable attire for dining here is formal classy attire to business attire. Pay attention to what you wear to dine here, so that you do not feel out of place.
Besides the great ambience and the amazing service, Ruth’s Chris serves a great variety of delicious dishes under the categories of appetizers, salads and soups, sides, signature steaks, specialty entrees, and dessert and lunch. Among their steaks, filet mignon, petite filet, and ribeye are especially popular among the customers. The steaks are mindblowing on their own, but if you want to enhance their flavour further, you can choose to pair it up their some of their heavenly tasting creamed spinach, Cesar salad, sauteed mushrooms, or mashed potatoes. They also have a great collection of wines and drinks. Their desserts have earned them extra credit over the years, especially the key lime pie and bread pudding. Although the price might be a little too much, the place is a must-visit if you are looking for a rare dining experience at a fancy restaurant.
In conclusion, Ruth’s Chris provides a great dining experience despite the price and it is definitely worth a visit or three.
Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse
Situated at 12 Bryant Street, Toronto, Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse has made quite the name for themselves. Pricey? Yes. Worth the money? Definitely, yes! It is the perfect place to celebrate any special occasion or to just dig into some of the juiciest steaks and mouth-watering food you have ever tasted.
Walking in, you are greeted by your very attentive and knowledgeable host/hostess and led to your table. The interior is modern, classy, and spacious. They also have a piano bar and a wide selection of wines for you to order from. Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse provides a wide selection of wines to cater to your taste. You also have the option of placing an order for bottles of wine which might not be on their list for an additional cost of $50 per 750 ml. A lot of people come here to celebrate their special days and are dressed for the occasion, so you might want to awaken the Fashionista in you or you may feel underdressed for the place. That does not matter much, though.
What matters is the food, and Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse sure knows their way around it. The appetizer list offers everything, from mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and salads to freshly shucked oysters and shrimp cocktails, but go by the three special words – Jacobs Caesar Salad. The salad, prepared fresh right on your table along with the dressings, is a crowd favourite and lives up to the hype it has generated and its price tag. From one crowd favourite to another, do order the duck fat French fried potatoes. The complimentary cheese popovers are a gift to the taste buds too!
Classy interiors and decor – check. Wide selection of appetizers and wines – check. Now comes the meaty part of the review; the steak. It is preferable to go with someone who has the same taste as yours when it comes to steaks, because larger cuts of meat can easily be shared by two. Basically, Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse is known for its aged beef, and that is because the enzymes in steaks break down over time and enhance the flavour of the steak, so you cannot go wrong when ordering them. However, should you need help ordering, the extremely helpful and knowledgeable waiters are there at hand.
Starting from $40, there is a wide range of steaks that you can order from. The steaks come from Australia, the United States of America, Japan, and of course, Canada. The steaks come with a plethora of different salts and sauces, though you might not want to overdo them and lose the flavour of the steaks. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to choosing steaks, but you cannot go wrong with a medium well, 45 days aged Ribeye steak or a tender Wagyu Striploin.
By now you must be full, but if you are in the mood to splurge, vanilla cheesecake or the sticky toffee pudding will be a good end to your meal. Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse also presents morning muffins as a giveaway gift, and that is a lovely parting touch. All in all, there is not much that can go wrong once you enter this place, so, enjoy!
