By Samantha Taylor
I have to admit, I am not one to splurge on expensive dinners in fancy restaurants, but I have heard so much about Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Tampa and have been intrigued by the specials they were running that I decided to take my personal trainers there for our Christmas dinner.
Ruth’s Chris may sound high for a special, but it’s actually a great price for a five-star restaurant.
The atmosphere didn’t impress me; I felt it lacked in décor and ambience and to my surprise, it actually had a cafeteria-style vibe to it. The four of us were seated in a cozy booth with “mood lighting” that we could hardly see each other, although I think it is romantic and perfect for lovers celebrating a Valentine or anniversary dinner. But, never mind the ambience, the steak was so worth it.
We started with crab-stuffed mushrooms, which I really liked. They were pretty good and not as fattening as the ones I have had in other restaurants. It is not at all bad to enjoy just one piece.
Ruth’s Chris deals included a three-course meal for $39.95 which had salad, steak and dessert. That may sound high, but if you buy these meals “a la carte” at other fancy restaurants, paying individually for salad, entrée and veggies would really jack up your bill.
I didn’t have that. Instead, I splurged on the salad, steak, lobster and side special that cost $49.95. I never spend this much on a meal, but this once is a treat. My order came and I had a taste of their heart of palm salad and it was quite delectable. The steak — oh the steak — was as perfect as I heard it to be! It melted like butter in my mouth and, oh, it would now be hard to eat an Outback steak after having Ruth’s Chris! The lobster was a real huge tail of a Caribbean lobster, which was rather tough. I wouldn’t personally order this kind of lobster as the ones I’m used to having are very soft. I didn’t eat too much of it as I already felt full from the other food I ate, so I packed it up for leftovers tomorrow.
As for the dessert, this may sound weird coming from an ex-sugar addict, but I actually found it too sweet. Ha, I never thought I would say that!
I’d rate the experience as so-so for how much the bill was for four people, but the steak was so spectacular and I had an awesome time with my friends that I’d say those two points are worth going. Plus, there is just something about dining in those fancy restaurants occasionally.
