Steiner Ranch Steakhouse,
Austin, TX
http://www.steinersteakhouse.com/
I'm a big fan of the cow. I've had steaks at almost every "fine dining" steak establishment in Austin. III Forks, Perry's, and Eddie V's are among my personal favorites. However, for our anniversary I wanted to try something different. Steiner Ranch Steakhouse was recommended by friends who live in the Steiner area as well as a decent following of online patrons. The establishment is in a beautiful building with amazing views of 360 and the lake (or what's left of it right now). I should have known that looks can be deceiving.
We arrived 15 minutes early and were told to have a seat in the lounge or visit the outside bar. We chose to sit outside as the sun was beginning to set and the view was beautiful. The drinks were decently priced considering we were in Steiner: $10.50 for a Shiner and a glass of Chardonnay (never mind the fact that I paid $10 for that same glass of wine while sitting at our table inside). However, it was very obvious that this was the place to find a date for the evening. It was actually quite comical to watch.
We were seated on the second floor in the corner with a great view.
That was one of the few things I liked about the restaurant. On the way to our table, I passed a mother nursing her child at the dinner table and a 3 year old screaming at another table. Not exactly what I had in mind for a romantic dinner.
The waiter was dressed very casually (not what I am used too for fine dining) but very pleasant to talk too. He seemed to be very knowledgeable about the menu and the variety of steaks offered. He was quick to offer suggestions and to get our drinks.
My disappointment was mainly with the food. We started our meal with a bowl of the 'She Crab Soup' which is a cream based seafood soup with potatoes and vegetables. This was a very rustic interpretation of the Lobster bisque that is more commonly found in other steakhouses. I did not care for the texture of the soup as it was more chowder-like than a smooth creamy based soup, but the flavor was good. It was very mild compared to a lot of peppery cognac infused soup blends. I would recommend it as a starter course.
We chose to pass on a salad and instead ordered a steak. I ordered the 7 oz. Midwestern Heirloom beef filet mignon "oscar style" and my boyfriend had the 22 oz. Midwestern Ribeye.
Both were served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The presentation and plating of the food was very nice and colorful. However, when our waiter brought our food he failed to bring steak knives. We had to ask for them. This is a serious flaw in a steakhouse in my opinion. All utensils should be on the table before the food arrives.
My steak was cooked correctly and at an amiable temperature, but the béarnaise sauce that accompanied the steak "oscar style" was cool and lumpy (which happens when it sits too long or isn't cooked correctly). My boyfriend's steak was cooked correctly, but everything else on the plate was just luke warm. I'm not sure what happened there.
Now, I'm not the type to normally over season my food. If I order a $40 steak , I expect it to be seasoned well and cooked correctly. For the first time in an upscale steakhouse, I had to salt my food. And I really hated to do that, but everything was so bland. The béarnaise sauce was also too eggy for my taste. Not enough tarragon. We ordered the vanilla bean crème Brule for dessert and were very pleased with it!
We spoke with the manager when he came around about our experience. He seemed surprised, but not dismissive. We just let him know what we didn't like, which is our job as customers, and he seemed very responsive to our feedback. I appreciated that he took the time to listen.
All in all, I would go back to have a drink on the patio and enjoy the view, but I will probably not visit the restaurant again.
Steiner Ranch Steakhouse,
Austin, TX
http://www.steinersteakhouse.com/
I'm a big fan of the cow. I've had steaks at almost every "fine dining" steak establishment in Austin. III Forks, Perry's, and Eddie V's are among my personal favorites. However, for our anniversary I wanted to try something different. Steiner Ranch Steakhouse was recommended by friends who live in the Steiner area as well as a decent following of online patrons. The establishment is in a beautiful building with amazing views of 360 and the lake (or what's left of it right now). I should have known that looks can be deceiving.
We arrived 15 minutes early and were told to have a seat in the lounge or visit the outside bar. We chose to sit outside as the sun was beginning to set and the view was beautiful. The drinks were decently priced considering we were in Steiner: $10.50 for a Shiner and a glass of Chardonnay (never mind the fact that I paid $10 for that same glass of wine while sitting at our table inside). However, it was very obvious that this was the place to find a date for the evening. It was actually quite comical to watch.
We were seated on the second floor in the corner with a great view. 
That was one of the few things I liked about the restaurant. On the way to our table, I passed a mother nursing her child at the dinner table and a 3 year old screaming at another table. Not exactly what I had in mind for a romantic dinner.
The waiter was dressed very casually (not what I am used too for fine dining) but very pleasant to talk too. He seemed to be very knowledgeable about the menu and the variety of steaks offered. He was quick to offer suggestions and to get our drinks.
My disappointment was mainly with the food. We started our meal with a bowl of the 'She Crab Soup' which is a cream based seafood soup with potatoes and vegetables. This was a very rustic interpretation of the Lobster bisque that is more commonly found in other steakhouses. I did not care for the texture of the soup as it was more chowder-like than a smooth creamy based soup, but the flavor was good. It was very mild compared to a lot of peppery cognac infused soup blends. I would recommend it as a starter course.
We chose to pass on a salad and instead ordered a steak. I ordered the 7 oz. Midwestern Heirloom beef filet mignon "oscar style" and my boyfriend had the 22 oz. Midwestern Ribeye.
Both were served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The presentation and plating of the food was very nice and colorful. However, when our waiter brought our food he failed to bring steak knives. We had to ask for them. This is a serious flaw in a steakhouse in my opinion. All utensils should be on the table before the food arrives.
My steak was cooked correctly and at an amiable temperature, but the béarnaise sauce that accompanied the steak "oscar style" was cool and lumpy (which happens when it sits too long or isn't cooked correctly). My boyfriend's steak was cooked correctly, but everything else on the plate was just luke warm. I'm not sure what happened there.
Now, I'm not the type to normally over season my food. If I order a $40 steak , I expect it to be seasoned well and cooked correctly. For the first time in an upscale steakhouse, I had to salt my food. And I really hated to do that, but everything was so bland. The béarnaise sauce was also too eggy for my taste. Not enough tarragon. We ordered the vanilla bean crème Brule for dessert and were very pleased with it!
We spoke with the manager when he came around about our experience. He seemed surprised, but not dismissive. We just let him know what we didn't like, which is our job as customers, and he seemed very responsive to our feedback. I appreciated that he took the time to listen.
All in all, I would go back to have a drink on the patio and enjoy the view, but I will probably not visit the restaurant again.
Fall Creek Winery and Vineyards Grape Stomp-August 22nd 
Then we were on to the grape stomping! It was.....different. Two barrels set up with left over grapes from the harvest. 
