Steakhouse - SD

[Indirect Heat]

Simple question - what's the best steakhouse in San Diego?

[cstr]

For me it's Donovan's in LJ.

[csils]

I happen to be a big fan of the Bone in Filet at Lou and Mickey's.

[mcgrath]

Cowboy Star

[stevuchan]

2nd Cowboy Star, IMO it is in a class by itself in this town. Donovan's, Lou and Mickey's, Insert Chain Here, are all equally mediocore in my book.

[Indirect Heat]

Thanks, all. We hit Cowboy Star last night, and quite enjoyed it. The fig-goat-cheese amuse-bouche we were served was a pretty bad start (and made us nervous about what was to come), but the rest of the meal was great. Perfect steaks with brussel sprouts, lovely seared foie gras, and a lovely vanilla panna cotta for dessert. Good recommendation.

Thanks!

[stevewag23]

"lovely seared foie gras"

How was it served?

Also, how busy was it on a friday night?

[Indirect Heat]

Seared foie gras had a Banyuls reduction sauce, and was served on toasted baguette. Simple, but really nice.

We had 7:15 reservations, showed up half an hour early, due to a change in plans, and the restaurant was half empty, so they had no trouble accommodating us. By the time we left, around 9, it was nearly full. I was surprised that it wasn't busier.

[stevewag23]

"Seared foie gras had a Banyuls reduction sauce"

With fruit?

[ibstatguy]

what was wrong with the amuse bouche or were you just not enamored of the combination? I particularly like it and do a variation of it at home although I've wrapped mine in prosciutto and throw it on the grill to warm it up.

[Indirect Heat]

It was just boring, is all. It seemed like something they had the bartender slap together. It wasn't terrible, it just wasn't great, either. It was "meh".

[deeznuts]

May I inquire as to which cut you had? At steakhouses I only ever get ribeyes, so was wondering if you or anyone you were with had it.

[Indirect Heat]

I had a dry-aged bone-in strip. My wife had the filet mignon.

[araknd]

Donovan's. We have eaten at both UTC and Gaslamp and service has been excellent at both, steak selection is limited, but well executed.

Haven't had a chance to try Cowboy Star yet.

[Dagney]

Morton's

[normalheightsfoodie]

RAINWATERS!

You can not beat a resteraunt where the owner is their to supervise.

[ibstatguy]

the owners of Cowboy Star, which include Chef Victor, are there to supervise.

[Captain Jack]

Victor Jiminez is a very customer oriented Chef. He came out of the kitchen frequently at Gringo's, and then later at JRDN. It is nice to see him with a stake in his own restaurant.

[RB Hound]

Just a point of order.

I know that 10th Avenue at G Street is technically out of the Gaslamp, but it's still in the range in which you'd mention if people ask for decent places to eat around there - ala Cafe Chloe. So why does Cowboy Star seldom get mentioned when people ask for Gaslamp recommendations?

[stevewag23]

I know people with think I am being "negative" but I have never liked Rainwaters (although I have wanted to).

Terrible atmosphere, negative vibes, weird smells, poor service and prices that go above and beyond restaurants that are world class.

Wine by the glass list is astronomical.

I don't know how this places survives.

Wait, yes I do, they advertise in airplane publications under those "Top 10 Steakhouses in the Universe" marketing schemes.

[normalheightsfoodie]

Thanks for the critique of my recomendation, but you failed to offer the poster an original thought or recomendation of your own.

[stevewag23]

Have none.

But if you pressure me, Cowboy Star.

[daantaat]

I'd have to agree w/ stevewag23's opinion of Rainwater's. Ate there many times over the years and every time I wanted to like it and it just seemed to go downhill w/ every visit. Underseasoned, flavorless beef and unexciting sides that looked good on the menu but underdelivered.

Haven't been to Cowboy Star, but we like Donovan's and Flemings' (in that order).

[littlestevie]

I will also chime in on this one. We used to go to Rainwaters when we used to visit and before we moved back to SD. Way back when we loved it, but the last two or three times it just wasn't right. The food was not cooked properly, poor cut of beef and lamb, wine prices really steep. I live up in no. county and I will admit I don't eat downtown much but this place is so far off my radar. I would much rather go to Ruth's Chris, and I know there not the best, than Rainwaters

[stevewag23]

"I would much rather go to Ruth's Chris"

Me too, and the service in that place is a brick too.

[Captain Jack]

Rainwaters used to serve food until 1am which was awesome. My buddy Norman and I got to know the butcher, Tino, and he would take us in the meat locker and let us pick out our own steaks. Once I picked out a 64oz porterhouse. I barely finished it with the salad, baked potato and all. It was a great place to roll in late with a solid alcohol buzz going. Sadly, they now close at 11pm on the weekends.

[stevewag23]

"Rainwaters used to serve food until 1am"

How long ago was this?

[Captain Jack]

It was quite a while ago. About 10 years since the last time I was there late.

[royaljester]

Excluding my bbq, that would be Donovan's. Great steak and wine, some excellent sides too.

[4wino]

Another great showing for the Cowboy Star. Finally tried the Buffalo Rib Eye. Have to say that I prefer the cow. But very, very good. I would also highly recommend the Hess 19 acre red blend, it is a very good wine. And all of their cocktails are great, my favorite is the Cowboy Mohito, previously known as the strawberry mohito.

[normalheightsfoodie]

I think Bully's East is pretty good and under rated. They are not at all stuffy and they have a great happy hour and bar.

[stevuchan]

Pretty good OK, but they are out of place on the best san diego steakhouse thread.

[normalheightsfoodie]

You are free to express your opinion. Like the others they serve prime beef. They are just not as pricy or stuffy as the others. What makes a great steak house, price point, a maitre de in a tux, or just good steaks?

[stevuchan]

Since when does Bully's serve prime beef? Good prime rib, not prime steaks. Mostly choice corn fed mid-western beef. Yes everyone is free to express their opinion, this is a discussion board. Is it your opinion that Bully's is the best steakhouse in San Diego? I'm not knocking Bully's, I've been a customer for +10 years (RIP Bird Rock location), I'm just saying Bully's is what it is and it is not the best Steakhouse San Diego has to offer. A great steak house to me is top quality steaks, sides, apps, service, and a good wine list, but that is another thread all together.

[cstr]

I like Bully's, they have a great burger, just one small point, Bully's uses USDA Choice beef.

[DiningDiva]

I like Bully's too, but I think they do prime rib better than steaks.