Hubby and I decided to treat ourselves to a belated Valentine's Day dinner at Gotham Steakhouse & Bar. Boy, was it an experience to remember!
As soon as we walked in, you could tell this was the dark wood décor of the sophisticated steakhouses in the city. Crisp white linens, monogrammed cloth napkins and tables big enough and spaced wide enough apart we never felt awkwardly close to our dining neighbours. To note, the trek to the bathroom was an adventure and a half down a very cool spiral staircase. Make sure you build in at least one trip to the washroom as part of your afternoon or evening.
We were thrilled with our server, Jamie. He was very personable and friendly, and I am sure he made every table under his care feel unique and special. He gave us an overview of the entire menu, highly recommended the decades old tradition of Cheese Toast, and expertly helped us decide on which steaks to order based on our taste references (more fatty or lean? Cooked more rare or more done?) He also helped us order smaller portions of our sides, so we got to experience a greater variety and made sure were satiated with our portions, without having to bring home leftovers. I can't remember the last time I had such a unique and positive interaction with the staff at a restaurant.
We went with the recommended Cheese Toast appetizer. Gooey melted and now hardened cheese, with crisp crunchy. I'm not sure how they made the toast so crunchy with the complement of melted cheese, but I can see why it has been a staple for over six decades.
For our dinners, my husband ordered the New York Strip, Chicago Style and I was thrilled when Jamie suggested the Filet for me (I had been eyeing that one already, so points for me for being on the right track). My steak was done to perfection, exactly as I had asked for: medium rare, a hint of pink on the inside. I tried a little bit of my husband's steak and it was cooked very well. A nice crust on the outside, and to his desired level of rare on the inside. I thought my steak was better, only because I gravitate more towards medium or medium rare. All steaks were cooked with simple salt and pepper, and I always have a soft spot for restaurants that cook with simple spices and let the flavour of the actual food be front and centre.
We shared smaller portions of Lyonnaise Potatoes, Sautéed Asparagus, and Seasonable Vegetables that turned out to be Sautéed Kale and Bacon. Special props goes towards the Kale and Bacon. My husband acknowledged he never thought Kale could taste this good, and I agreed!
A truthful note for potential first time patrons. If you are looking for a place that gives the most bang for your buck, you may be a little disappointed with Gotham. The restaurant separates the entrees from the sides, and the prices of some of the steaks could make your heart skip a beat. However if your idea of bang for your buck includes getting truthful recommendations from the waiter, experiencing steaks you never thought could be so delicious from just salt and pepper, having a top notch dining experience for a very special occasion, and preparing yourself for the prices beforehand, then please keep Gotham on your "to try" list. read more