661639 Thu Oct 22 21:05:08 -0700 2009 35 3 California 0 5124379 Simple question - what's the best steakhouse in San Diego? Thu Oct 22 21:05:08 -0700 2009 1084841 Indirect Heat 1 5124785 For me it's Donovan's in LJ. Fri Oct 23 06:08:10 -0700 2009 5124379 149836 cstr 1 5125085 I happen to be a big fan of the Bone in Filet at Lou and Mickey's. Fri Oct 23 08:25:10 -0700 2009 5124379 1088572 csils 1 5125142 Cowboy Star Fri Oct 23 08:47:01 -0700 2009 5124379 38631 mcgrath 2 5125479 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. Fri Oct 23 10:41:42 -0700 2009 5125142 12980 stevuchan 3 5127531 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! Sat Oct 24 10:05:58 -0700 2009 5125479 1084841 Indirect Heat 4 5128025 "lovely seared foie gras" How was it served? Also, how busy was it on a friday night? Sat Oct 24 14:33:18 -0700 2009 5127531 155341 stevewag23 5 5128090 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. Sat Oct 24 15:05:21 -0700 2009 5128025 1084841 Indirect Heat 6 5128597 "Seared foie gras had a Banyuls reduction sauce" With fruit? Sat Oct 24 20:08:57 -0700 2009 5128090 155341 stevewag23 4 5134934 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. Tue Oct 27 11:37:10 -0700 2009 5127531 31795 ibstatguy 5 5138480 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". Wed Oct 28 15:29:05 -0700 2009 5134934 1084841 Indirect Heat 4 5135371 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. Tue Oct 27 13:58:58 -0700 2009 5127531 148489 deeznuts 5 5138488 I had a dry-aged bone-in strip. My wife had the filet mignon. Wed Oct 28 15:30:35 -0700 2009 5135371 1084841 Indirect Heat 1 5126090 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. Fri Oct 23 14:19:56 -0700 2009 5124379 47289 araknd 1 5128073 Morton's Sat Oct 24 14:57:24 -0700 2009 5124379 70144 Dagney 1 5133346 RAINWATERS! You can not beat a resteraunt where the owner is their to supervise. Mon Oct 26 19:17:11 -0700 2009 5124379 21396 normalheightsfoodie 2 5134927 the owners of Cowboy Star, which include Chef Victor, are there to supervise. Tue Oct 27 11:35:42 -0700 2009 5133346 31795 ibstatguy 3 5134975 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. Tue Oct 27 11:45:18 -0700 2009 5134927 19084 Captain Jack 4 5135112 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? Tue Oct 27 12:31:02 -0700 2009 5134975 10969 RB Hound 2 5134958 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. Tue Oct 27 11:41:40 -0700 2009 5133346 155341 stevewag23 3 5135120 Thanks for the critique of my recomendation, but you failed to offer the poster an original thought or recomendation of your own. Tue Oct 27 12:33:08 -0700 2009 5134958 21396 normalheightsfoodie 4 5135201 Have none. But if you pressure me, Cowboy Star. Tue Oct 27 13:01:35 -0700 2009 5135120 155341 stevewag23 4 5136208 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). Tue Oct 27 19:35:08 -0700 2009 5135120 10853 daantaat 4 5138039 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 Wed Oct 28 13:05:36 -0700 2009 5135120 67683 littlestevie 5 5138637 "I would much rather go to Ruth's Chris" Me too, and the service in that place is a brick too. Wed Oct 28 16:14:20 -0700 2009 5138039 155341 stevewag23 3 5135178 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. Tue Oct 27 12:50:16 -0700 2009 5134958 19084 Captain Jack 4 5135455 "Rainwaters used to serve food until 1am" How long ago was this? Tue Oct 27 14:33:16 -0700 2009 5135178 155341 stevewag23 5 5136216 It was quite a while ago. About 10 years since the last time I was there late. Tue Oct 27 19:39:47 -0700 2009 5135455 19084 Captain Jack 1 5163085 Excluding my bbq, that would be Donovan's. Great steak and wine, some excellent sides too. Sat Nov 07 07:31:41 -0800 2009 5124379 181707 royaljester 1 5164499 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. Sat Nov 07 22:29:01 -0800 2009 5124379 248052 4wino 1 5167390 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. Mon Nov 09 10:43:03 -0800 2009 5124379 21396 normalheightsfoodie 2 5167496 Pretty good OK, but they are out of place on the best san diego steakhouse thread. Mon Nov 09 11:17:22 -0800 2009 5167390 12980 stevuchan 3 5168236 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? Mon Nov 09 14:53:37 -0800 2009 5167496 21396 normalheightsfoodie 4 5168636 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. Mon Nov 09 17:12:56 -0800 2009 5168236 12980 stevuchan 4 5169599 I like Bully's, they have a great burger, just one small point, Bully's uses USDA Choice beef. Tue Nov 10 06:21:24 -0800 2009 5168236 149836 cstr 5 5170056 I like Bully's too, but I think they do prime rib better than steaks. Tue Nov 10 09:12:04 -0800 2009 5169599 10506 DiningDiva