:: Life on Planet Dan-E ::

:: Sunday, July 27, 2003 ::

Speaking of wine and steak, I just got home from a very nice dinner at Fleming’s Steakhouse. A good buddy of mine was in a very celebratory mood since in the last two weeks, he got a new job and was instrumental in landing a lucrative client for his new employers. I hadn't seen the guy in a few weeks so I figured some place like Friday's, Zazou or something but he suggested Fleming's and I was game since neither of us had been there and I hadn’t had a good steak in a while.

It's a steakhouse similar in style and prominence (and price) to more renowned places like Morton’s or Ruth’s Chris and a distinct notch above Black Angus and The Outback. We figured as much when we pulled up and discovered valet parking was five dollars (!?!). We self parked. It was your typical steakhouse atmosphere: dark, slightly noisy, and generally festive. We put our names in and waited at the bar while waiting for our tables. I got a beer (Stone IPA) and he got a Long Island Iced Tea and over drinks we lamented the current state of the Dodgers. We got to our tables and started off with wine. A very nice bottle of... I forget if it was Cabernet of Chardonnay... called Trilogy. A California wine, 1999 vintage. Whatever, it was great and complimented our steaks perfectly.

What wasn't great, for me anyway, was the price tag on that bottle since it comprised of more than 50% of the total bill, which itself wasn't cheap since we ordered a few sides and a dessert as well as a couple of sizable steaks. I had enough to cover my half (barely) but he happily footed bill after my admittedly weak protests. "Don’t worry" he said. "It's not my money either." If you knew us, that statement would make perfect sense.

Oh yes, the steaks. We were both quite hungry. He had a 20oz. rib steak while I ordered the 22oz. porterhouse. What I really wanted was the 40oz. porterhouse for two though in my case it would have been just for me, being as it I often eat enough for two. You know, just to see if I can finish it on my own. As it was, the 22oz. was sufficient. What came out was a beautifully cooked slab of meat and that first bite was a large chunk of tender, succulent, mouthwatering steak. I ordered it charred rare and it was served just so, that peppery crust perfectly complimenting that red, juicy, beefy interior. It was a damn good cut of beef. After finishing off my steak, a big salad, and some potatoes I was actually still hungry (yes, I’m a freak). I found it reassuring in that it gave me reason to believe I might actually be able to polish off a 40 ounce-er. It was great meal.

Of course, that our server was an attractive, amiable blonde didn't hurt the mood at all =)

:: Miscellaneous Ramblings by Dan-E at 3:53 AM [+] :: | 0 comments
.....