Steak doneness usually wrong (specifically: how should I order my Keens porterhouse tomorrow?)

[jen223]

i'm going to keens tomorrow for the first time. i'm a luger (and porterhouse - medium rare) lover, and i've heard wonderful things about keens' porterhouse. i'm excited!

however, i can't seem to get my steaks cooked to (my) perfection. luger's porterhouse comes out perfect (usually), but wolfgang's, striphouse, sparks, etc. overcook my meat! ben & jack's has done a good job, though.

so...how should i order my porterhouse tomorrow? and is my definition of "medium rare" wrong? to me, medium rare means the meat is warm all the way through, mostly red but pink on the edges, inside looks a bit translucent and with a slight sheen, and the texture is a bit springy or squishy. maybe i should bring my meat thermometer with me.

what's your definition of medium rare??

[DarthEater]

I always order my porters rare and its perfect for me.

[tpigeon]

The advantage of rare is they are much less often overcooked. I am a rare fan too.

[smokedgouda]

Keen's has one of the best steaks in the city. I also prefer medium rare and Keens cooked it to perfection. To me, it means charred on the outside (of course) but also warm throughout, reddish-pink in the center half-to-third of the meat. Medium rare on a thick cut is easier to do than on a thinner cut.

If your night is going to be ruined by something not done to your standards, I would ask the waiter what they consider medium rare. Tell him that you are very picky about this, at the same time being nice, and I'm sure he will make sure you get it.

[jen223]

night wouldn't have been ruined - i just wish places were consistent!
your description sounds absolutely delicious, though....can't wait to go with that and this prime rib hash i keep hearing about. thanks!

[ESNY]

I've been to steakhouses where they describe what they cook it to when someone orders medium rare, so you should do the opposite.. just explain it to the waiter how you like it by describing the steak

[idia]

When I was at Keen's, I ordered mine med. rare but wished I had said rare plus.
It can always be taken back and given a bit more heat but you can never reverse a too done steak.

[chundi]

i agree. i ordered medium rare and it was more like medium. the sirloin side was especially overdone. i'd go with rare.

[a_and_w]

That's a great point, idia. I usually order "medium rare," but am going to start ordering "rare" for the reason you describe.

[sugartoof]

Your description sounds perfect....while the photo posted above looked on the rare side to me especially in contrast to your well worded definition. It looks like a nice piece of meat but where's the medium-ness to it?

[kathryn]

Here is a photo of a Keen's Porterhouse for two steak, medium rare:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathryn/...

[jen223]

that is beautiful! the piece in the back looks perfect and is making me drool.