Maestro's - first visit tomorrow night - any first-timer tips for me?

[The Oracle]

I'm finally headed to Maestro's BH for the first time tomorrow night (hubby's bday). Would love any tips or recommendations. I plan to order the bone-in rib eye, based on the historic raves.

Any other tips and/or suggestions from recent / regular diners is appreciated.

Also - is there any particular table I should ask for?

TIA!

[cdub]

the warm butter cake

[ivfnursedeb]

It IS amazing!

[elnora]

the seafood tower...
truffled gnocchi...
lobster mac and cheese...
warm butter cake...

im jealous. enjoy your dinner!

[ivfnursedeb]

I could live on the butter cake, seafood tower and the lobster mashed potatoes.

[Obessed]

Request to sit upstairs.

[mc michael]

By the piano player?

[reality check]

Why is upstairs better than downstairs?

[mc michael]

Don't know that it is. It's more a bar scene.

[Obessed]

I like upstairs because it has windows...downstairs dining room seems more like a banquet hall to me. The piano is in the bar - would recommend a table not in the bar.

[BSW6490]

Sit upstairs. Bone in is a great choice. Sea food tower is great. Fantastic Onion Rings. Order them well done and hot. Very good martini.

[LilZ]

You'll have a great time! I would HIGHLY suggest the Crab Cocktail appetizer (the best crab I've ever had in California!) and the creamed corn.

[josephnl]

Everything's great...and supersized. Bone-in anything is wonderful. If you order more than one side, and I hope you do (they're terrific) you'll need a doggie bag. Best martini's around...hope you're not driving if you enjoy martini's. Mastro's is wonderful...puts CUT to shame!

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Mastros Restaurant
2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

[mc michael]

Frankly, my dear, I prefer Cut. But Masto's is very nice. Not bad for a chain.

[Porthos]

+ 1 on your frankly and Cut preference.

[OCAnn]

Similar thread from last month:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784398 | Mastro's Beverly Hills - what to Order

[The Oracle]

Thanks, all - wanted to report back. We ordered the bone-in rib eye (22oz), porterhouse (24oz), and sides of lobster mashed potatoes and sauteed asparagus.

I wasn't all that impressed with the beef, to be perfectly honest. Plates came out sizzling, meat was cooked to order, but the meat was disappointing (from a flavor perspective). It was 'just ok', and I expected it to be 'amazing' -hence, the disappointment. The lobster chunks in the mash were delightful, but the dish was way too rich for my blood (could only eat a few spoonfuls) and I wish I had stopped our server from stirring it all up for us.

Service, while plentiful, I found overbearing (TOO many people coming by the table every few minutes).

All in all - it was an 'ok' experience. Perhaps I expected too much, since I've anticipated my dining experience here for AGES. I'm glad I did it - but won't be back.

[Ciao Bob]

Mastro's chain was sold a few years ago and I have noted A LOT of slippage subsequently. The side dishes especially have suffered, IMHO. I still enjoy the scene (for people watching) but not-so-much the cuisine. Go to Cut next time.

[The Oracle]

Mastro's DEFINITELY did not disappoint in the people watching category! :)

I had read about choosing Cut over Mastro's on the boards, but was willing to take my chances, since it's been on my 'to try' list for far too long.... (apparently I waited a few years TOO long!).

I'm now on a quest to find my favorite steakhouse, so I'm adding Cut to the top of that list (others on the list include: Lawry's, Morton's are also on the short-list).

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Mastros Restaurant
2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

[Porthos]

Drop Morton's. Add Wolfgang's. Morton's is below Mastro's IMO.

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Mastros Restaurant
2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

[Ciao Bob]

I hear you on this one The Oracle: I have done the same thing soooo many times...ignored what I knew from careful research to be true just because I had a bug-up my a-s about a place that was on the skids.

One steak not to miss (probably my favorite) is the Bistecca for two at Osteria Angelini. Lately, we go with a big group and share that, as well pastas, pizza, appy's and salads for a great meal. The steak is a steal at around 80 bucks.

[Jwsel]

I went to Larsen's Steakhouse in Encino for the first time last week and was very impressed. I was not expecting much, but the dry-aged bone-in ribeye (32 oz) was perfectly cooked, had great flavor, and was extremely tender and juicy. It compared very well to the the American Kobe porterhouse I had at Cut-Beverly Hills two years ago, and was better than the American Kobe strip that I had at Cut-Las Vegas in May.

I think most of the sides and appetizers at Larsen's don't compare to Cut, but the creamed spinach may be my favorite version of that dish.

I also highly recommend the cote de bouef at Melisse.

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Larsen's Steakhouse
16101 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436

[mc michael]

I think Lawry's is more about the old school presentation and the leftovers than the quality of the steak.

[josephnl]

I must say that I always enjoy the Mastro's Steakhouse in Costa Mesa and have gone there about 6x in the past 4 years. I was last there about 6 months ago, and have noticed no change whatsoever from previous visits. Are you sure that it has changed ownership? The staff and everything seemed the same as always on our last visit.

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Mastro's Steakhouse
633 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

[OCAnn]

I've also notice no change at either the Costa Mesa or Newport locations; in fact, I was recently at both in the last two months and found the food & service to still be super.

[josephnl]

Glad you agree! The only complaint that I have is the the noise level which at the Crystal Cove location can be awful; Costa Mesa is better, but certainly not quiet. Nevertheless, whenever I've been to either location, the food, service...and yes the martini's have been excellent.

[Porthos]

Sorry you picked Mastro's. As was mentioned above, CUT is where you go for best quality steak in LA. It often helps to look at the poster in addition to the recs.

[goodhealthgourmet]

Perhaps I expected too much, since I've anticipated my dining experience here for AGES.
~~~~~~~~
not necessarily. i've been to Mastro's on several occasions, always *without* extremely high expectations, and i've been disappointed every time. the food isn't all that great, service vacillates between intrusive and nonexistent, and the acoustics are awful - i can't tolerate the noise level in there. i'll never understand why so many people rave about it, but hey, different strokes!

[The Oracle]

Thanks for that, goodhealthgourmet. For some strange reason, that makes me (and my wallet) feel a little better. I won't be making the mistake twice! ;) at least with Mastro's!

[goodhealthgourmet]

well i'm glad i made you feel better about it, but you should never feel bad about your opinion - taste is completely subjective and we all have our preferences. for what it's worth, i think one of my biggest problems with the steak at Mastro's is their wet aging - it makes the eat flabby, spongy, and oddly sweet...plus 2 out of 3 times i received unacceptably gristly cuts.

clearly the place has its appeal because it's always busy and still gets plenty of love from some Chowhounds...you and i just happen not to be able to identify said appeal ;)

[scottca075]

Sometimes the meal is about more than just the meat. I like Cut a lot, better than Wolfgang's, but I still love places like the Pacific Dining Car, Musso & Frank for great steaks and an old school feel and Dal Rae and Taylor's for very good steaks with the old school feel.

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Pacific Dining Car
1310 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Dal Rae
9023 E. Washington Blvd., Pico Rivera, CA 90660

[BSW6490]

Dont forget Dan Tana's

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Dan Tana's Restaurant
9071 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

[tissue]

Go to Wolfgang's

[westsidegal]

if you don't like having your steak doused in butter, be sure to tell them to lay off said butter when you place your order.

gotta admit, i'm not a fan of their food.
ymmmv