Ruth Chris

[Serge]

I find it to be the premier steak house...especially if you bring your own wine.
The corkage fee is $15, that's all.

I bring my own because I find their wine list is sub par...

[sharky]

Serge,

I have enjoyed Ruths every time I have been, however I do not feel their steaks rank up there with Charleys Steakhouse. I'm not sure if it's the way the cook it, or their lack of seasoning. I've always felt a "charred" taste in the steaks, even when ordered at Medium and the steak is very juicy inside. Perhaps that is what they are going for.

If I had to choose Outback or Ruths, I am at Ruths all day. However If I had to choos Ruths over Charleys, Ruths would never win!

With that said, Michael invited the wife and I to Ruths this weekend. I will be sure to post my experience back in this thread when we are back!

Perhaps with my newfound appreciation for wine, the experience will be MUCH different!

[Serge]

Sharky, there is no Charley's in South Florida...I have no reference point..
I find Florentine steakes much more superior to Ruth Chris but....Florence is 4000 miles away
;)

[sharky]

Charleys is one of the top 10 steakhouses in america. It's well worth finding one. There is one in Tampa and Orlando. We'll go one of these next times you are in town!

[Niagara River Smoker]

I went to the Charley's in Orlando several times when I lived there ~ Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!!

[Smoothie]

I ate at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Crystal City, Virginia and other than the view of Reagan National Airport was not impressed at all. As anyone who has been to a RC's will already know it is ala carte. So I paid $45 JUST for a Porterhouse Steak, an additional $7.95 per side dish (which were big enough for 2 or 3 people). The steak was tough and fatty, and the beer was not cold (I know a place like that you should have wine, but I prefer beer). Bottomline, if I want a good steak I cook it at home!

[sharky]

HI Smoothie! Welcome to the board!

I know at Ruths many people share side dishes for that reason. However I would imagine they should have an alternate menu when in an airport like that.

[Smoothie]

Thanks Sharky! Glad to be here! The Ruth's Chris isn't actually in the airport, it overlooks the main runway from a highrise in Crystal City.

[WineTalk Mike]

Someone say Ruth's? One of my all time favorites. Infact, my wife and I am taking Sharky and his beautiful wife to the one in Tampa this weekend!

Mmmmm I am hungry thinking about it.

Serge, the Ruth's in Tampa corkage fee is $18, but only allow you to bring wines that are not on the winelist.

[sharky]

Someone say Ruth's? One of my all time favorites. Infact, my wife and I am taking Sharky and his beautiful wife to the one in Tampa this weekend!

Mmmmm I am hungry thinking about it.

Serge, the Ruth's in Tampa corkage fee is $18, but only allow you to bring wines that are not on the winelist.


Welcome to the board Mike!
I am indeed looking forward to dinner this weekend! I'm bringing my appetite, so be sure to bring the platinum card! :D

HAHAHA!

[Serge]

Serge, the Ruth's in Tampa corkage fee is $18, but only allow you to bring wines that are not on the winelist.

Mike,
bring ANY Spanish wine you like and I guarantee you it's not on their list....

[sharky]

Ruth Chris Tomorrow! I can't wait! Mike tells me he is making a special trip to Wine Warehouse before dinner!

[sharky]

I'd like to thank WineTalk MIke and his lovely wife Katie for taking Crystal and I out to Ruth Chris last night. We had a wonderul time! Mike brought 2 bottles of wine, both of which were good, however one of them really stood out to me. I don't remember the name, perhaps he can refresh my memory. It tasted very smooth with a mild fruit flavor. It honestly tasted like it had a hint of butter in it. I'm certainly not a wine critic, and I don't know all the proper terminology, but this wine gets 2 thumbs up from me. It complimented the steak VERY well.

Now, as for the steak. Mike and I split the Porterhouse for 2. This was $80 worth of pure tastbud Party! The steak was 2" thick, cooked perfectly at medium and could pretty much be cut with a fork! Ruth Chris seasons steaks with salt and pepper. That is all it needed! The Filet was melt in your mouth amazing, and the Strip side had a nice bold flavor and was crusted Very well!
My wife had the Cowboy Ribeye, which is honestly my favorite cut of meat -- ribeye on the bone. The marbling in the steak was amazing, and I think it tasted even better than the Porterhouse -- If that was even possible!

The service was excellent, our waiter was Kueebler (sounds like the elf!). As we walked out Mike even asked to have him as the waiter any time he comes back.


As you can see from my previous review of Ruths above, I was not really impressed last time I visited. This visit has certainly changed my mind! Ruths now ranks up there right next to Charleys in my book! We'll be heading to Charleys soon so I can compare Apples to Apples and really make my pick.


Hands down, this was an excellent dining experience, that was made even better by dining with great friends!

Thank you Michael and Katie!

[WineTalk Mike]

Sharky, I really enjoyed the meal. One of the best I have had at Ruths. It was a perfect night, great food, great service, great wine, and AWESOME company!! IT was a true 3 hour dining experience....

I am still full!

[sharky]

Same here. Very full!

I will give Bentley (My chocolate Lab) the big Bone today from the porterhouse, She will love Me!

[sharky]

BTW - I crossposted this over on Winetalk.com if anyone is interested in the Ruths reviews from wine lovers!

http://www.winetalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1913#post1913