Dinner at Ruth's Cris Steak House

 Tuesday. January 31, 2023

To celebrate Sunny's 75 again and again and again birthday she treated 7 of us to dinner at the new Ruth's Chris Steak House in Long Beach. They opened in August. No views except of the patio area which I am sure will be filled during the warmer months and some business way across Ocean Ave. Very corporate feeling to the restaurant. I felt we were in the dining room of an upscale hotel. Personnel dressed in all black.  We were seated by the very high windows so it was a bit on the chilled side and it didn't help to have the a/c outlet right above us.  The staff decorated the table for the birthday celebration which was a nice touch. Service was excellent. 

Food was very good as it always is at Ruth's Chris. All meat entrees came on very hot plates.  Most everyone ordered steak and the double steak at that. They were huge and people shared them between themselves.  I ordered the lamb chops. Very thick and large. Ordered the medium rare. They were served medium. I did not bother to return them. I did not get into the medium rare until close to the bone.  I noticed that all the steaks seemed to be a bit overcooked from what was ordered.  No one seemed to mind or notice but then several people were feeling no pain. Between the wine and martinis it was an interesting evening.  Everything is al la carte so I had an order of sauteed mushrooms.  The baked potatoes were very large and had several add ons. Aspargus, french fries and mashed potatoes rounded out the sides. 

Most people ordered the creme brulee for dessert. It was good. One person ordered the cheesecake. That was interesting. The graham cracker crust was made into a round bowl and filled with the cheesecake mixture. They said it was good but to me there was way too much crust. 

The person who ordered the wine was more interested in the price. Really did not know the labels. Ended up with a bottle of Sixty-Five and Broad. A Cabernet from Washington. I was not impressed. Also a bottle of Jabobs Creek Cabernet from Australia which turned out to be a far better wine but not stellar. Both of these wines were in the mid $50 range on the wine list and both retail for about $14 in a store.  But it didn't seem to matter that they were ordering Martinis that ranged from $14 to $17 each. 

A nice evening with friends I have not seen in several years. But for my money I will patronize 555 East for steaks. Like the atmosphere better. Feel far more comfortable and have never had meat not cooked the way I ordered it. Plus they have the artichokes.