Morton's, it's not just salt anymore

Up until this past weekend, I have lived my life visualizing the blue round cylindrical shaped container with the girl holding the umbrella whenever someone mentioned the word, "Morton's." And the funny thing is that up until the writing of this blog I never noticed that they don't use the possessive, it just says, "Morton Salt." In any case, I no longer associate the name Morton with salt after endulging in Morton's Steakhouse's 2 can dine for $99 promo.

I'll get right to the meat of the review and say that the steak isn't as good as Ruth's. However, the ambiance and presentation was slightly comparable to that of Smith & Wollensky. But on to the deal of which myself and my beautiful date along with the married couple from our Flemings experience enjoyed.

First off, Morton's is conveniently located in the shopping area of Boston, probably a block or two from the Prudential Center Mall on Boylston Street. Great service began from the moment we exited the car with the valet staff who promptly took the car and sheltered us under an umbrella to make sure their cash, oops I meant clients, didn't get wet. Upon arriving inside we were promptly seated and a huge hot and might I add delicious baked bread was placed on the table. That bread, the monstrosity, somehow managed to whittle away to crumbs in a relatively short time. For salad, the ladies had the Morton's salad and the guys had the Caesar's salad. As for the complimentary anchovies provided with the Morton's salad the ladies decided to pass. :)

The next course was the steak and seafood entree of which we dined on Colossal Shrimp Alexander, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and medium done single cut filets (the ladies, of course chose to have their steaks butterflied and done medium well). For sides we had mash potatoes, steamed brocoli, hashbrown potato, grilled asparagus, and creamed spinach. What I failed to mention above is that before you select what you will be dining on for the evening they bring all the raw ingredients (including the steaks and 3lb live lobsters) around on a cart for your viewing pleasure. And based on what I saw, they must have their own farm because those must have been the biggest, freshest and healthiest looking veggies I ever saw. And they tasted just as good as they looked. Ha, I just had a flashback to a point in the evening when I commented on the size of the asparagus spears claiming it looked, dare I say, phallic. Oh yeah, the steaks were good but nothing spectacular. Hey, what can I say? Ruth's Chris and their 500 degree plates has me spoiled, ROTTEN.

Now onto what impressed everyone at the table, dessert! BOTH the chocolate cake and the key lime cake were absolutely fabulous. I mean, they refer to their chocolate cake as legendary in their menu but who would have guessed they were telling the truth. And as for the key lime pie, I must admit that I was surprisingly overwhelmed. I demolished it. I have never even had key lime pie that tasted good enough for me to eat more than half of a small slice before. I practically inhaled the generous slice that was placed before me at Morton's however.

All in all, I would have to say Morton's has some of the best desserts of anywhere that I have had the opportunity to dine, great freaking sides and seafood, but nothing exceptional when it comes to their steaks.

Just what the doctor didn't order...

As you remember, I jumped all over Boston's Restaurant Week by hitting up 3 haute steak houses. Well, my cholesterol levels were jumping for joy when Restaurant Week was over. Well, guess what? Morton's The Steakhouse has a nationwide deal for you (PEOPLE NOT PRESENT) and me. I am so all over it. It isn't as good as the deals I was pulling in Restaurant Week but it is a better deal than I'm going to get between now and the next. :)

Steak and Seafood for 2 - $99
Salad (choice of 2): Caesar Salad, Morton's Salad
Entree: Two single cut filets AND (choice of 2): Colossal Shrimp Alexander, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Broiled Sea Scallops
One Morton's Signature Potato to share
One fresh vegetable to share
Dessert (choice of two): Morton's Legendary Chocolate Cake, Key Lime Pie
*Available now through June 30, 2008 at select Morton's locations*

Remember, Ruth's Chris is my A+. So every steak house will be judged relative to Ruth's. Review will be posted before (actually, I won't gross you out with the literal potty humor I was about to write so I will say this instead) Flav picks his new love interest on Flavor of Love 3.

Restaurant Week in Boston

This Friday (3/21/08) will be the final day of Boston's Restaurant Week and boy did I enjoy it. Normally, I don't even attend. I mean, I don't cook so every week is restaurant week for me. But this year I took the opportunity to attend not 1, not 2, but THREE steakhouses. Now, restaurant week is a GREAT DEAL when you use it at one or all of the below places. Both the dinner ($33) and lunch ($20) choices were three course meals that included appetizer, entree, and dessert. Here is my review of each:

1. Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - dinner
We (double dated w/married couple) did Flemings on a Friday night and the place was definitely jumping for a high-end steak house. While it was a little loud I must admit the atmosphere was alive with energy. For appetizer I had the sweet Chile calamari which was great in both portion and taste. Being a fan of calamari I must admit it was the first time I had it this way. Normally I get mine Rhode Island style but the sweet Chile didn't disappoint. My date had the mozzarella and sweet tomato for appetizer, but still managed to hoard my calamari. For the main course I had the New York Strip (which isn't listed on the menu but I took them up on the offer) done medium. Again, very good. Better than the run of the mill commercial steak house (Outback, Bugaboo, etc.) but nothing that made me want to slap my Momma. And for dessert, I had the cheesecake which was extremely rich to say the least. They also brought out some of their homemade whip cream which was the best whip cream I ever had. I also sampled some of the walnut turtle pie of which my date for the evening cannot stop talking about. Between the four of us we definitely had a wonderful time at Flemings. Ooops, how could I forget, the service that was given to us by our waiter was what I remember most. Even though the place was packed he not only made us feel as though we were the only table in the restaurant but he also made us feel as if we were ownership.

2. Smith & Wollensky Steak House - dinner
First off, let me state that outside of Restaurant Week, I probably could not afford to eat here. I mean, it would have to be some super-special occasion like winning PowerBall, MegaMillions, etc. But hey, if you happen to be an international player or a dare I say, "Connoisseur" of fine steak then this place is a GREAT option. Talk about eye-pleasing ambiance, the restaurant is literally located in a freaking castle. I mean, how cool is that? Upon arriving at the CASTLE, we had the option of being seated on the first or second level. Naturally, being upper crust, I opted for the second level. The host then informed us that he will call an elevator while we check our coats. And I'm thinking, "How thoughtful of him." As we return back from coat check he is literally holding the elevator door for us. At this time I begin to assume my upper crust attitude. So when I enter the elevator I glance down at him and clear my throat to acknowledge that we were ready to be taken to the 2nd floor. Upon arriving on the 2nd floor we were greeted by another host that seated us. For appetizer I had the mixed greens salad, which was OK. My date had the split pea soup, which she loved. In addition to our appetizers, they gave us garlic bread which was pretty good, but literally drenched in butter, so any diet we may of had going in was instantly thrown into the MOAT. For the main course, we had the filet, which I can honestly say was a step up from Flemings. They also had nice dessert options to round off an excellent evening. We shared some overly generous portions of chocolate cake and ice cream. If ever you find yourself looking to indulge in fine haute cuisine S&W is always a worthy option.

3. Ruth's Chris - lunch
It goes without saying that a sampling of high end chain steak houses in the US cannot be complete without a visit to Ruth's. Now, after years of hearing about Ruth's Chris but never making it primarily due to never planning it out to the point where I make a reservation it was time to finally see or should I say taste what Ruth's is all about. For appetizer I had the seafood gumbo which was great in taste but definitely not in portion. In all honesty, it is perfectly sized for an appetizer but I guess I am spoiled by the meal sized appetizers that are given out every where else nowadays. And regarding my main course choice of NY Strip all I have to say is that my Momma better run when I see her again. That strip at Ruth's Chris tastes so good that my Momma has a slap coming. Just thinking about it as I type this already has me debating whether to use a wet hand or baby powder. :) Just playing, Mom (I love you, always!). But back to the NY strip, which approached my table sizzling on a plate that is cooked to 500 degrees. Now, is it just me or do they put a pound of possibly the best butter I have ever tasted on that plate to sizzle along with my steak. I thought I was in heaven. It smelled great, it sounded (sizzling) great, it was soft to the touch, it looked perfect (done medium) with a nice pink center, and the taste was dare I say orgasmic. I know, I've been told that I should get out more often but it was that good. Needless to say, for dessert I did the chocolate mousse cheesecake which happens to be the only dessert that was completely finished at all these restaurants. But sometimes when I am hungry, I reminisce back to that NY strip approaching the table just looking at me and sizzling/saying, "You know you love me!"