Restaurant reviews and high prices

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

We were joking about this last night while we were eating our leftovers out of the refrigerator, along with a glass of our boxed wine. 

 

There's been a big deal in New York City lately that the famous Peter Luger steakhouse got a negative review from the New York Times:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/dining/peter-luger-review-pete-wells.html

 

https://pagesix.com/2019/11/04/peter-luger-becomes-broadway-punchline-after-zero-stars-review/

 

That being said, have you ever eaten a "regular" meal at some expensive restaurant, except for an anniversary or some other special occasion?

 

Also, do you know anyone who reads restaurant reviews in a newspaper anymore?

 

[RiotAct]

11 minutes ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

 

 

Also, do you know anyone who reads restaurant reviews in a newspaper anymore?

 

people over the age of 60.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

first    -- Whats a newspaper 

 

I've been to a few steakhouses (other than chains) over the years.   Too rich for my cheap buttox.  (company travel ) 

If they don't list the price .....  I keep walking 

If I need a translator to read the menu .....  I keep walking 

 

 

Mostly in my region its to an Olive garden.  

 

[US Egg]

Not even a sprig of parsley ? Pretty it ain't.  

 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

2 minutes ago, I am the egg man said:

Not even a sprig of parsley ? Pretty it ain't.  

 

 

I'm not a toddler   I can cut my own steak damn it !!!! 

 

[teef]

some of the bigger steak houses have just become too absurd. we have a morton's in downtown rochester and i just can't come to terms with the cost. we will go out for "regular" meals at expensive places, but that's our going out.  on top of that, instead of gifts for holidays/birthdays, we get gift cards to restaurants we like, making it way more affordable.   i never mind spending money on a meal, but morton's is gross.  to get an 8 0z filet, i think it was $55.  if you want a sauce, it's another $7 or $8.  if i remember correctly, i think my starter salad was $18.  for rochester, that's nuts.  it's not nyc or boston where we're paying for the overhead.  the food is good, but certainly no better than any of the local, privately owned steak houses.  

 

i'm good with pricey dinners, but there's a limit.

[Augie]

10 minutes ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

first    -- Whats a newspaper 

 

I've been to a few steakhouses (other than chains) over the years.   Too rich for my cheap buttox.  (company travel ) 

 If they don't list the price .....  I keep walking 

If I need a translator to read the menu .....  I keep walking 

 

 

Mostly in my region its to an Olive garden.  

 

 

We went to a tourist joint in San Francisco MANY years ago. I got the seafood special without asking the price. It was like $85 and that was at least 15-20 years ago. That’s on me, I’ll never make that mistake again. Restaurants on Fisherman’s Wharf are not counting on return customers. 

 

I also don’t like going places where I need to learn a new language just to order. That includes a trip to South Beach while visiting Miami more recently. NOBODY for blocks spoke english and I had to point to order! (You know the best thing about Miami?????????????? It’s so close to the United States!) 

[US Egg]

Went to a big name historic steakhouse in Manhattan few months ago and to Tempo too.

 

No comparison. Tempo’s Ribeye was so much better than the famous must get steak in N.Y.C.

 

There are a lot of really good restaurants in Buffalo. 

Edited November 7, 2019 by I am the egg man

[Jauronimo]

26 minutes ago, teef said:

some of the bigger steak houses have just become too absurd. we have a morton's in downtown rochester and i just can't come to terms with the cost. we will go out for "regular" meals at expensive places, but that's our going out.  on top of that, instead of gifts for holidays/birthdays, we get gift cards to restaurants we like, making it way more affordable.   i never mind spending money on a meal, but morton's is gross.  to get an 8 0z filet, i think it was $55.  if you want a sauce, it's another $7 or $8.  if i remember correctly, i think my starter salad was $18.  for rochester, that's nuts.  it's not nyc or boston where we're paying for the overhead.  the food is good, but certainly no better than any of the local, privately owned steak houses.  

 

i'm good with pricey dinners, but there's a limit.

Go to Tournedos at the Inn on Broadway instead.  

58 minutes ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

We were joking about this last night while we were eating our leftovers out of the refrigerator, along with a glass of our boxed wine. 

 

There's been a big deal in New York City lately that the famous Peter Luger steakhouse got a negative review from the New York Times:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/dining/peter-luger-review-pete-wells.html

 

https://pagesix.com/2019/11/04/peter-luger-becomes-broadway-punchline-after-zero-stars-review/

 

That being said, have you ever eaten a "regular" meal at some expensive restaurant, except for an anniversary or some other special occasion?

 

Also, do you know anyone who reads restaurant reviews in a newspaper anymore?

 

Yes and yes.  Its no longer a printed copy of the newspaper but I follow the reviews from local online publications.

 

I'm guessing there is a correlation between people who do no research on where to find good food and people who have bad experiences at "fancy" or "expensive" restaurants.

[stony]

God bless Pete Wells. 

[teef]

2 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

Go to Tournedos at the Inn on Broadway instead.  

 

i honestly think that may be the best place in rochester.  i know the bartender very well and love the food.  the place is expensive, but i'd much rather go there than mortons.  we also love max's chophouse and love the atmosphere at black and blue.

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

We were just in Napa about a month ago for our 10 year and now we’re in Disney. I’m well versed in extremely overpriced dining! Although we hit places both there and here that I consider to be “worth it”

1 hour ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

We were joking about this last night while we were eating our leftovers out of the refrigerator, along with a glass of our boxed wine. 

 

There's been a big deal in New York City lately that the famous Peter Luger steakhouse got a negative review from the New York Times:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/dining/peter-luger-review-pete-wells.html

 

https://pagesix.com/2019/11/04/peter-luger-becomes-broadway-punchline-after-zero-stars-review/

 

That being said, have you ever eaten a "regular" meal at some expensive restaurant, except for an anniversary or some other special occasion?

 

Also, do you know anyone who reads restaurant reviews in a newspaper anymore?

 

Friend of mine just hit Lugers on a business trip about a month ago and wasn’t real impressed. Felt bad because he was pretty pumped about it going in.

[Augie]

My last trip to a Ruth’s Chris was a lousy experience and....my last trip to a Ruth’s Chris. Too many other good options out there. For example, we had a great night at Bones in Buckhead recently, and Little Alley Steakhouse is awesome too. Pricey, but actually worth it. There was no comparison. 

 

We went to a Smith and Wolensky’s in Vegas once. I remembered being impressed when my parents took me to one in NYC, so I thought it would be a nice experience. The server recommended some special cut full of wonderful marbling and the most amazing flavor. What I got was a huge, fatty piece of grizzle. If you get 100% marbling without the yummy part, you lose. Fortunately my wife’s choice was awesome and enough for the two of us. 

[DrDawkinstein]

11 minutes ago, Augie said:

My last trip to a Ruth’s Chris was a lousy experience and....my last trip to a Ruth’s Chris. Too many other good options out there. For example, we had a great night at Bones in Buckhead recently, and Little Alley Steakhouse is awesome too. Pricey, but actually worth it. There was no comparison. 

 

 

The "scenery" there is top notch too. Especially if youre willing to pay.

 

We go to Del Frisco's sometimes because it's near the office (and only on the company card). Pretty good if you want to be fancy.

[RochesterRob]

  Went to Sparks in Manhattan back around 1996.  If my memory is any good the total bill before tip around 80-85 dollars between the wife and myself.  Did not have any expensive drinks and the tip was on top.  Some of the bill was covered by our travel plan that we went under so I think the real cost to us was around 50 dollars before tip.  Sparks was the restaurant where Big Paul Castellano was gunned down outside back in 1985.

[stony]

47 minutes ago, I am the egg man said:

Went to a big name historic steakhouse in Manhattan few months ago and to Tappos too.

 

No comparison. Tappos Ribeye was so much better than the famous must get steak in N.Y.C.

 

There are a lot of really good restaurants in Buffalo. 

Tappo's meatballs are the best, too.

[Nextmanup]

I get "nothing special" meals at expensive restaurants all the time.

 

I am a foodie and into cooking on a high level.  My only request when I go out is that the place serves me something better than I can do myself.

 

I am often disappointed.

 

But when I get a great meal with something that blows my mind, I enjoy it all the more so.

 

 

[Augie]

17 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

The "scenery" there is top notch too. Especially if youre willing to pay.

 

We go to Del Frisco's sometimes because it's near the office (and only on the company card). Pretty good if you want to be fancy.

 

I usually try to avoid “franchise places”, even the nicer ones, but I like Del Frisco’s a lot. We get there at least a couple times a year. With so many options it’s hard to hit them all! I’m usually getting seafood when we go out, so I like the options at the Atlanta Fish Market. Canoe is near the house and my wife’s favorite restaurant in town. 

[Seasons1992]

The NY strip @ Hutch's in B-Lo may have been the best steak I've ever eaten. 

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

I rarely (no pun intended) go to expensive steak houses due to the fact that the steaks are usually not as good as the ones I cook at home.  Granted, I cook a mean steak, but if I am spending a fortune on a meal, it should be better than anything I can cook in my kitchen.  Finding a high quality butcher is much more important to me than finding a good steakhouse.  I live just outside of NYC now and have yet to go to any of the famous steak joints. 

[DrDawkinstein]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

I usually try to avoid “franchise places”, even the nicer ones, but I like Del Frisco’s a lot. We get there at least a couple times a year. With so many options it’s hard to hit them all! I’m usually getting seafood when we go out, so I like the options at the Atlanta Fish Market. Canoe is near the house and my wife’s favorite restaurant in town. 

 

Cant got wrong with either of those! It's been a couple years, but Ive never had a bad meal at Rathbun's. And our new favorite place is The Optimist. It's pretty amazing.

[dpberr]

The more expensive the restaurant, the more health violations it likely has, at least in Pennsylvania.  

 

Nobody reads restaurant reviews but more and more newspapers are publishing restaurant inspection reports verbatim and IMO, people are reading those.  

[US Egg]

2 hours ago, stony said:

Tappo's meatballs are the best, too.

The giant meatball at Mulberry's so many rave about is repulsive.

 

Hard, fat unchewable pieces of who knows throughout the thing.

[stony]

6 minutes ago, I am the egg man said:

The giant meatball at Mulberry's so many rave about is repulsive.

 

Hard, fat unchewable pieces of who knows throughout the thing.

I really enjoy Mulberry's overall.  I'd agree though, the meatball is pretty average.  People love big stuff/portions, so it'll always be a hit.  Tappo's are 10x better, IMO.  

[Augie]

15 minutes ago, I am the egg man said:

The giant meatball at Mulberry's so many rave about is repulsive.

 

Hard, fat unchewable pieces of who knows throughout the thing.

 

Is that the place they said was Fitzy’s favorite on the broadcast? They brought it up enough that I actually Googled it, if that’s the place. That can’t hurt! 

[stony]

3 hours ago, Augie said:

My last trip to a Ruth’s Chris was a lousy experience and....my last trip to a Ruth’s Chris. Too many other good options out there. For example, we had a great night at Bones in Buckhead recently, and Little Alley Steakhouse is awesome too. Pricey, but actually worth it. There was no comparison. 

 

We went to a Smith and Wolensky’s in Vegas once. I remembered being impressed when my parents took me to one in NYC, so I thought it would be a nice experience. The server recommended some special cut full of wonderful marbling and the most amazing flavor. What I got was a huge, fatty piece of grizzle. If you get 100% marbling without the yummy part, you lose. Fortunately my wife’s choice was awesome and enough for the two of us. 

Not a steakhouse, but wife and I were passing through Atlanta last month and ate at The Optimist.  Wonderful space and a fantastic meal.

[davefan66]

Went to Ruth’s Chris in Niagara Falls Canada for our Anniversary a few years back.  Steaks were 65 and up.  Had a $75 strip only because of the  change rate.  Not a good steak at all. Honestly, I’ve cooked better on my Weber.

 

Had a porterhouse or NY Strip years ago at Russell’s about 5 years ag, don’t re,ember the price other than about $110 per person with a couple glasses of weight he and desert.  Overall an excellent meal.

 

honestly  the best special occasion dinner I’ve ever had was with my Wife an 2 kids at Jimsteakout for our anniversary.  Had the best time, most memorable.

[Augie]

19 minutes ago, stony said:

Not a steakhouse, but wife and I were passing through Atlanta last month and ate at The Optimist.  Wonderful space and a fantastic meal.

 

The second time that’s come up! I’ll have to try it. I heard good things from someone (maybe my wife went there?). 

 

I do few steakhouses. That’s partly because I just don’t eat a lot of red meat (more of a fish guy) and partly because, as others have said, you can do a mean steak at home if you know what you’re doing (I cheat now and usually go sous vide). My wife will turn to me at a restaurant and say “this steak isn’t any better than what you make at home”. And the steak at home didn’t cost $56 plus another $7 for a sauce, $14 for an alacarte family size side....and don’t even get me started on the overpriced wine!!!

 

 

.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Augie

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Gibson’s in Chicago is the truth.  Best porterhouse I’ve ever had.  Baked potato the size of a football.  The creamed spinach was the shizz.  And manhattans made the right way.  2 before my meal.  Highly recommended.

[Teddy KGB]

So we all agree ?   Ruth Chris is trash ? 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

1 minute ago, Teddy KGB said:

So we all agree ?   Ruth Chris is trash ? 

 

It’s a pretty good steak house.  Let’s not get crazy here.

[Teddy KGB]

1 minute ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

It’s a pretty good steak house.  Let’s not get crazy here.

 

I’m not feeling it.    My guy up the street blows him out of the water.  

 

https://www.aberdeenbarn.com/

[Augie]

4 minutes ago, Teddy KGB said:

So we all agree ?   Ruth Chris is trash ? 

 

I’m not sure if it’s gone downhill over time, or if I’ve just hit less well run operations over time, the luck of the draw. I bet there are still some good operations, but it will take some interesting circumstances for me to give them another shot. (The last place I went is now a doctors office!) I’ve been to places I like much more, and there are places I still haven’t ever tried. 

[Golden Goat]

My wife and I try to have at least one meal at a Four Seasons restaurant whenever we travel. They really know what they're doing. Pizza, smoked wings, burgers, filet mignon -- Everything just tastes better there. It's not as pricey as most would think, and the often-comped appetizer(s) and chill atmosphere makes it well worth it for us.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

15 minutes ago, Teddy KGB said:

 

I’m not feeling it.    My guy up the street blows him out of the water.  

 

https://www.aberdeenbarn.com/

 

A lot of great steak joints out there, but Ruth’s Chris is not trash.  Outback is trash.  Perspective is needed here.

 

One of my fav’s is Delmonico’s in Syracuse.

[bills_fan]

The original Delmonicos in NYC is awesome.

 

https://delmonicos.com/

 

As is Wollensky's grill in NYC.  If you go on a Mon-Th, the bartender (Patty Ford) is a Buffalo guy and always willing to serve up a couple on the house.

 

https://www.smithandwollenskynyc.com/wollenskys-grill/

 

 

[Gray Beard]

I went to a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Crystal City once.  Blew way past my per diem.  Not worth it. 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Ponderosa has the best strip steaks.  All the ketchup you want, and free refills of Mountain Dew too.

[plenzmd1]

6 hours ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

 

1)That being said, have you ever eaten a "regular" meal at some expensive restaurant, except for an anniversary or some other special occasion?

 

2)(Also, do you know anyone who reads restaurant reviews in a newspaper anymore?

 

1) Not quite sure what you mean, but wife and i regularly eat at good to great t restaurants...never at a steakhouse though unless on business 

 

2)And my boy Tom Seitsema in the WAPO is still dead on with his reviews after 20 years. Sucks when he gives good reviews to the the new place you like, but thats life

[Seasons1992]

1 hour ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

Ponderosa has the best strip steaks.  All the ketchup you want, and free refills of Mountain Dew too.

 

Are you getting "to order" or off the famous buffet line?