"High End" dining?

The_Kapn · 09-09-2010, 04:20 PM

Last week, Mrs Kapn and I went to Ruth's Chris in Orlando.
I am approaching a birthday (which I refuse to acknowledge

) and she wanted to do something special.
We have heard so much about Ruth's Chris and decided to give it "a go".

Bottom line, it was "OK" but the ribeyes were not all that special.
To be fair, they had a great concentrated beef taste because of the dry aged Prime they use.
But, nothing special about the cooking.
We had a Crab Stuffed Mushroom appetizer which was "to die for"!
And, a great baked potatoe.
Bill was $109 which was not un-expected and not regreted.

Mrs Kapn and I decided that we felt Emeril's in Orlando and Joes Crab Shack were better values in the little bit of "high end" dining we have done.
Also, the 'Ohana at the Disney World Polynesian Resort is a great value.

We divide our dining out into two catagories:

We do not spend over about $25 each for a "meal" that is just "eating".
That would be most of the "chain" steakhouses, seafood places, etc.

When it goes above that, we are into "dining" and there must be some "value added" in terms of quality, service, decor, or whatever.
We need some return on our money to pay a premium.
I guess a part of that is having a real chef who "presents" the food as opposed to a cook who "serves" the food.

Just rambling---thought I would throw this out for discussion.

TIM

Shiz-Nit · 09-09-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Kapn

Last week, Mrs Kapn and I went to Ruth's Chris in Orlando.
I am approaching a birthday (which I refuse to acknowledge

) and she wanted to do something special.
We have heard so much about Ruth's Chris and decided to give it "a go".

Bottom line, it was "OK" but the ribeyes were not all that special.
To be fair, they had a great concentrated beef taste because of the dry aged Prime they use.
But, nothing special about the cooking.
We had a Crab Stuffed Mushroom appetizer which was "to die for"!
And, a great baked potatoe.
Bill was $109 which was not un-expected and not regreted.

Mrs Kapn and I decided that we felt Emeril's in Orlando and Joes Crab Shack were better values in the little bit of "high end" dining we have done.
Also, the 'Ohana at the Disney World Polynesian Resort is a great value.

We divide our dining out into two catagories:

We do not spend over about $25 each for a "meal" that is just "eating".
That would be most of the "chain" steakhouses, seafood places, etc.

When it goes above that, we are into "dining" and there must be some "value added" in terms of quality, service, decor, or whatever.
We need some return on our money to pay a premium.
I guess a part of that is having a real chef who "presents" the food as opposed to a cook who "serves" the food.

Just rambling---thought I would throw this out for discussion.

TIM

Happy B-Day and I agree with you on the fine dinning. Also the Ohana is a real nice place indeed.

deepsouth · 09-09-2010, 04:32 PM

the more i go out, the more i enjoy my own cooking. my wife actually doesn't even like to go out to eat anymore. of course, she doesn't like to cook either.....

caliking · 09-09-2010, 04:34 PM

With good prime steaks available at Costco, the Mrs. and I have actually stopped going to steakhouses. We both agree that I/we can prepare steaks better at home. We still eat out for ambiance and to change it up a little, but not for things we make well at home.

Oh and she refuses to eat at BBQ restaurants since I built a UDS!

1FUNVET · 09-09-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepsouth

the more i go out, the more i enjoy my own cooking. my wife actually doesn't even like to go out to eat anymore. of course, she doesn't like to cook either.....

I agree. I cook and my wife cleans the kitchen. For her birthday i took her out to a real nice resturant at one of the casino's. When we got home, she told me it was a waste of money because my steaks were better and our house was a lot quieter.

citrus · 09-09-2010, 05:11 PM

Happy birthday. Been to one Ruth's Chris and that was in San Antonio. It sucked! Way to pricey and quality was not that good. Will not eat steak out because no one can cook a good steak, less the Square Grouper on Cudjoe Key. Their Porterhouse steaks are #1. I will only eat Sushi when I go out. No one elses food, can compare with homemade.

aquablue22 · 09-09-2010, 05:24 PM

Thanks for the report and H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y !!!!!!!! How many is that?

I used to entertain clients at Ruth Chris's (if their was one in the town I was working) all the time and I really never saw the "Big Deal", steaks where OK, service was OK, but..........always kinda left something.

bluetang · 09-09-2010, 05:38 PM

Haven't thought about it until your post, but I took my girl to that same RC about 10 years ago. Had never been to one before, and thought it would be great for her birthday. Although it was good, it just wasn't OMG WOW. To us, it should have been kickin'. Haven't been back.

chambersuac · 09-09-2010, 05:48 PM

Happy birthday! I've never been to R.C.'s so i appreciate the report. I'm glad your meal was not terrible - and not regrettable. Maybe on your actual birthday, you can cook your own steaks...bet they'll be better!

Johnny_Crunch · 09-09-2010, 05:53 PM

Bad when Joe's comes into the conversation with Ruth's.

The_Kapn · 09-09-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny_Crunch

Bad when Joe's comes into the conversation with Ruth's.

I wudda thunk so too.

But,
We had one of their "buckets" or whatever a couple of months ago, and I gotta call them High End by our standards

Even though it is "rustic", we had high end service, high end food, and a high end check

Worth every penny.

TIM

Groundhog66 · 09-09-2010, 06:07 PM

I agree with you regarding RC's steaks, they are definitely okay. And YES, the sides are typically the stars of the show.

Oh, Happy Birthday...

Johnny_Crunch · 09-09-2010, 06:21 PM

the buckets they have are actually pretty good!

Bigdog · 09-09-2010, 06:37 PM

Got to agree here. Most of us can cook a steak much better than any restuarant. Took the wifey to a high end one, great sides and apps, but the main course was disappointing. One of my principals was bragging about the chicken and steak there. Huh. Mediocre at best. Maybe I need to have him over for some good food.

The_Kapn · 09-09-2010, 06:38 PM

The Brothers in the major metro areas (can you spell New Yawk) have reminded me that they can spend $25 on a burger and chips easily.
I feel for you

The $$ amount is obviously geographically adjustable!
Down here, $10-20 buys a damn fine meal for "eating" in most places.
Once you break $25 or so, we are now talking of "dining", at least in my world.

We went to Emeril's in Universal City a few years back for LUNCH.
Bill was $80 for Mrs Kapn and me.
I paid the bill with a $20 tip and never batted an eye.
Waiter was "perfect"--whenever you started to think "where is he" he was there! He never was hanging around or bothering us when we did not want the attention.
Appetizer was calamari--done to perfection.
My main course was Sea Bass--YUMMY and once again, perfectly cooked and presented.
Mrs Kapn had some dessert "to die for".

To me, that is "dining" and worth every penny.

TIM

09-09-2010, 04:32 PM	#3
deepsouth Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-21-10 Location: Biloxi, MS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	the more i go out, the more i enjoy my own cooking. my wife actually doesn't even like to go out to eat anymore. of course, she doesn't like to cook either..... __________________ Large BGE, Small BGE, Mini BGE, Weber 22.5 OTG, yellow thermapen

09-09-2010, 04:34 PM	#4
caliking is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-13-10 Location: Houston, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	With good prime steaks available at Costco, the Mrs. and I have actually stopped going to steakhouses. We both agree that I/we can prepare steaks better at home. We still eat out for ambiance and to change it up a little, but not for things we make well at home. Oh and she refuses to eat at BBQ restaurants since I built a UDS! __________________ EZ wood handled 3 wheeler \| OTS \| OTS mod to OTG \| Ladybug SS Performer \| UglyDrumTandoor \| UDS v1 \| midi UDS with red nipples \| SJG smoker mod \| Simpsons SJS \| Simpsons OTG \| WGA charcoal \| SJP \| Stacked brick WFO \| Lodge Logic Sportsman's Grill cast iron hibachi/sigri \| LBGE

09-09-2010, 05:11 PM	#6
citrus Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-04-09 Location: Lake Placid Fl Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Happy birthday. Been to one Ruth's Chris and that was in San Antonio. It sucked! Way to pricey and quality was not that good. Will not eat steak out because no one can cook a good steak, less the Square Grouper on Cudjoe Key. Their Porterhouse steaks are #1. I will only eat Sushi when I go out. No one elses food, can compare with homemade. __________________ Primo Oval XL, Ducane Gas Job, Propane Tank Pit Smoker, Old Truck Tire Rim

09-09-2010, 05:24 PM	#7
aquablue22 Babbling Farker Join Date: 11-26-08 Location: Ormond Beach, Florida Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the report and H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y !!!!!!!! How many is that? I used to entertain clients at Ruth Chris's (if their was one in the town I was working) all the time and I really never saw the "Big Deal", steaks where OK, service was OK, but..........always kinda left something. __________________ Weber Spirit E-310 Gasser 1 - Big Green Egg - Large 2 - 22.5 Weber Kettles 2 - 18.5 Weber Kettle Magma Newport - Gasser (on the Boat) 1 - Terracotta PIG 1 Masterbuilt Modified Smokehouse [COLOR=Green]2 - Super FAST, Super ACCURATE Green Thermapen[/COLOR]1 splashproof)

09-09-2010, 05:38 PM	#8
bluetang Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-06-10 Location: Stuart, Fl Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Haven't thought about it until your post, but I took my girl to that same RC about 10 years ago. Had never been to one before, and thought it would be great for her birthday. Although it was good, it just wasn't OMG WOW. To us, it should have been kickin'. Haven't been back. __________________ Homegrown 120 Gallon Reverse Flow, Homey, the Homegrown Kettle, 3 UDS's, 3 Stack Pro Q Excel 20, 18.5" Elderly(but not retired) WSM, 150lb Capacity Homegrown Electric and a CA gasserrrr Bicycle Fast Polder Thermo, Indisputably Fastest Purple Thermapen, SAI Satay Grill Thanks landarc for the avatar!

09-09-2010, 04:20 PM	#1
The_Kapn Moderator Emeritus Join Date: 04-08-04 Location: Marianna, FL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	"High End" dining? Last week, Mrs Kapn and I went to Ruth's Chris in Orlando. I am approaching a birthday (which I refuse to acknowledge ) and she wanted to do something special. We have heard so much about Ruth's Chris and decided to give it "a go". Bottom line, it was "OK" but the ribeyes were not all that special. To be fair, they had a great concentrated beef taste because of the dry aged Prime they use. But, nothing special about the cooking. We had a Crab Stuffed Mushroom appetizer which was "to die for"! And, a great baked potatoe. Bill was $109 which was not un-expected and not regreted. Mrs Kapn and I decided that we felt Emeril's in Orlando and Joes Crab Shack were better values in the little bit of "high end" dining we have done. Also, the 'Ohana at the Disney World Polynesian Resort is a great value. We divide our dining out into two catagories: We do not spend over about $25 each for a "meal" that is just "eating". That would be most of the "chain" steakhouses, seafood places, etc. When it goes above that, we are into "dining" and there must be some "value added" in terms of quality, service, decor, or whatever. We need some return on our money to pay a premium. I guess a part of that is having a real chef who "presents" the food as opposed to a cook who "serves" the food. Just rambling---thought I would throw this out for discussion. TIM __________________ "Flirtin' with Disaster" BBQ Team (RETIRED) FBA and KCBS Cook and Judge. Former owner of a WSM, a Smokey Joe, a Charbroil Commercial gasser (junk), and the legendary "StudeDera". Now cooking with a FEC100, a Traeger Lil' Tex, and a Fast Eddy PG500 Proud Pellet guy cooking on real wood.

09-09-2010, 05:48 PM	#9
chambersuac somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-02-09 Location: Manito, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Happy birthday! I've never been to R.C.'s so i appreciate the report. I'm glad your meal was not terrible - and not regrettable. Maybe on your actual birthday, you can cook your own steaks...bet they'll be better! __________________ Dan Large BGE x 2, Small BGE, Big Steel Keg, WSM, 22" Weber Kettle, Charmglow Gasser, The Holy Smoked UDS and her sister UDS, and one custom trailer-ed smoker. The universe's fastest and most accurate Thermapen. (Replaced by Brethren) IMBAS Certified MOINK Ball maker Thanks, Grillman, for the avatar! And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. [Acts 20:32 KJV]

09-09-2010, 05:53 PM	#10
Johnny_Crunch Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-03-10 Location: Cypress TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Bad when Joe's comes into the conversation with Ruth's. __________________ J Crunch

09-09-2010, 06:07 PM	#12
Groundhog66 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-20-10 Location: Livermore, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I agree with you regarding RC's steaks, they are definitely okay. And YES, the sides are typically the stars of the show. Oh, Happy Birthday... __________________ Tim -

09-09-2010, 06:21 PM	#13
Johnny_Crunch Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-03-10 Location: Cypress TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	the buckets they have are actually pretty good! __________________ J Crunch

09-09-2010, 06:37 PM	#14
Bigdog somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 09-17-03 Location: Wichita, Kansas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Got to agree here. Most of us can cook a steak much better than any restuarant. Took the wifey to a high end one, great sides and apps, but the main course was disappointing. One of my principals was bragging about the chicken and steak there. Huh. Mediocre at best. Maybe I need to have him over for some good food. __________________ Bigdog Weber Platinum Kettle, Weber OTS, Meco square grill, ECB, a WSM, a cool fold up camping grill, a Blackstone flat top camping stove, The MOAB, and now the proud owner of a YS640, MOINK. Smoke on Brother KC Father of the Fatty (the name) 4/20/04 on the BBQ Brethren with inspiration from Brother parrothead.

09-09-2010, 06:38 PM	#15
The_Kapn Moderator Emeritus Join Date: 04-08-04 Location: Marianna, FL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The Brothers in the major metro areas (can you spell New Yawk) have reminded me that they can spend $25 on a burger and chips easily. I feel for you The $$ amount is obviously geographically adjustable! Down here, $10-20 buys a damn fine meal for "eating" in most places. Once you break $25 or so, we are now talking of "dining", at least in my world. We went to Emeril's in Universal City a few years back for LUNCH. Bill was $80 for Mrs Kapn and me. I paid the bill with a $20 tip and never batted an eye. Waiter was "perfect"--whenever you started to think "where is he" he was there! He never was hanging around or bothering us when we did not want the attention. Appetizer was calamari--done to perfection. My main course was Sea Bass--YUMMY and once again, perfectly cooked and presented. Mrs Kapn had some dessert "to die for". To me, that is "dining" and worth every penny. TIM __________________ "Flirtin' with Disaster" BBQ Team (RETIRED) FBA and KCBS Cook and Judge. Former owner of a WSM, a Smokey Joe, a Charbroil Commercial gasser (junk), and the legendary "StudeDera". Now cooking with a FEC100, a Traeger Lil' Tex, and a Fast Eddy PG500 Proud Pellet guy cooking on real wood.

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