Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar

[klflowers]

My mom's health issues are ongoing at 93, and we ended up at the ER again because of some swelling in one of her ankles. Just precautionary - she was back in the hospital last week because of some swelling. The good news is they didn't find anything wrong. Just 93 years old lol. Anyway, as a pre mothers day treat, we went to Flemings. Unfortunately no pics. My sister and mom had sea bass and they said it was excellent. I had a new york strip, my go to. It was the perfect temp, and the crust was better than anything I have had to date, but in actuality it was no better than my steaks. It was a little dry - I know strips can be dry, but for $63 a la carte, I expected better. Most of the time mine are not dry. I also had brussels with bacon which was pretty good, and a spectacular wedge salad.

It is my sister's favorite restaurant so I am sure I'll be back, but other than the salad, I am not sure what I'll try. It is kind of sad that I thought the salad was the best dish.

[barelfly]

hope you enjoyed the time with your family as well! I probably would have gone with sea bass like your mom and sister!

[klflowers]

I did enjoy the dinner. Unfortunately I am allergic to fish. I can eat shellfish but not regular fish.

[JCBBQ]

The last time I went to a Flemming’s my FIL said he wanted steak. We picked the spot and he paid. I was sooo embarrassed bc it was so darn expensive and it wasn’t even close to blowing us away. That was BC - before Covid. Sounds like it’s the same.

I make him steak now.

[klflowers]

Yeah our bill with tip came to over $300. My sister ordered a fruity drink with an extra shot of rum. The extra shot was $18.00. We enjoyed ourselves but it wasn't really worth the cost. I am going to learn to cook the sea bass that they enjoyed, even though I can't eat it

[hoovarmin]

That's always disappointing. I went to a Brazilian steakhouse where you pay a flat fee and they come by with different cuts of meat and cut them onto your plate - as much as you can eat. The salad bar was spectacular and the meat was extremely "Meh." Felt like I flushed my money down the toilet.

[RonB]

+ 1 and they start with the cheaper cuts of meat too. That way you will be full by the time the expensive cuts come around.

The salad bar would be enough if ya could just get that, but who wants to go to one of those places and eat salad?

[klflowers]

There is a Brazilian chain here called Rodizio Grill that is just OK. I go when I want an overload of protein. The grilled pineapple is the best thing they serve.

[synodog]

I was blown away my first time (‘93) at a Brazilian steakhouse but that was in Recife, Brazil.
I’ve since been to the ones here and they’ve been good and some cuts really good but lately the quality has dropped off.
I go for the nostalgia and to have feijoada.
klflowers I usually go to Rodizio Grill here for the free birthday meal. It does the job and once a year is enough for me.

[captainlee]

Glad you got to spend time with your mother. Sorry your meal wasn't up to parr, more of that seems to be going on unfortunately.

[klflowers]

Yep. I haven't been to a "high end" steakhouse that was worth the cost in years. Ruth Chris was also disappointing. But mom enjoyed the sea bass and that is what counts.

[RonB]

The only time I buy steak in a restaurant now is if there's nothing else on the menu I want. And I blame this place for that 'cause I learned how to cook a steak the way I like it here.

[klflowers]

Exactly

[Oak Smoke]

We’ve been eating out quite a bit more than normal lately. It’s been a combination of doctor appointments, grandkids, and laziness. Sadly the more we eat out the more I love home cooking. Even some old favorites like McAllisters Deli for a good lunch have slipped way down. I understand the high end places set a high bar that their prices demand they meet. But just the regular old places where you go in knowing from experience what to expect are declining. I have no idea where to place the blame but as long as we keep accepting that level of quality they will continue to offer it.

[klflowers]

I have found this to be the case too. Popeyes Chicken comes to mind.

[Greygoose]

God Bless ur Mom,,,I bet no matter what she had she would have been happy just being with family,,,
Maybe King Crab legs are in your future,,,😋😋😋

[klflowers]

Thanks. Hanging with mom is definitely a blessing

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Firstly, glad your Mom is doing great!

Secondly, I rarely get a steak at steakhouses. I'll sometimes do their prime rib, but usually as you noted the salads are on a next level at great steakhouses and as your Mom and Sis attest so is the seafood. So it's usually seafood and salad at a steakhouse for me.

[klflowers]

But why go to a steakhouse for seafood? I think I am just spoiled because you guys taught me how to make a proper steak. The great un - AR'd public probably think the steaks are excellent. We know better...

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

klflowers to make other people happy just like you did

[Draznnl]

Glad your mom is doing okay. It’s great that you were able to spend time with her. Sorry about your disappointing meal. I bet you would have thought it was great if you hadn’t learned how to cook a steak properly here.

[klflowers]

Yep. And this place is a huge bargain

[GolfGeezer]

It used to be that Flemings competed well against Ruth Chris in the higher end steak places around here (Orange County, CA). We have been to the one in Newport Beach once since the shutdown, and it was underwhelming - especially at their prices. Like many have stated, once you learn how to make a great steak at home, restaurant offerings are just meh. There is one exception for me - Eddie V's in Newport Beach makes an excellent bone-in New York strip. They serve a whole branzino grilled, which my bride loves, so we go every few months - again, very pricey, but worth it to us.

[klflowers]

If I ever get out there we'll go

[Clark]

That's a real shame that you were let down by them, especially when you were taking your mother there. I'm sure there are very good Flemings and others not so good, depending on local management.
I've only eaten in two of the and the Salt Lake City location rivaled Ruth's Chris Steaks in my opinion. Big city market so tough competition demands they be at their best.
The Tulsa location was a big disappointment for the price, as it was not much better than an Outback or Longhorn Steakhouse.

As for service anywhere today, I think that the young servers have never been customers in an upscale restaurant so they don't know what great service should be. Again, local management doesn't train them how to be top tier servers that customers expect and deserve.

[Jfrosty27]

When I was still working (retired 8+ years) I traveled often and seemed to be at a Fleming’s every couple of months in various parts of the USA. I can honestly say I have never had a meal there that came remotely close to justifying the cost. That includes the location near my home here in the Milwaukee, WI area. I generally found the steaks to be tough and usually incorrectly cooked. You always had a fairly long wait past your reservation time. The service was spotty at best. Fortunately I never had to pay for it as it was all business related expense. Anyway, that’s been my experience. Been a long time since I’ve been to one though. Maybe something has changed. 🤷♂️

[DeusDingo]

i'm glad you had a good experience.

i went to flemmings one time and ordered a ribeye. it tasted exactly like the monkey exhibit at the zoo smells like. i hated everything about it. as it turns out, i HATE white pepper.

[klflowers]

I enjoyed treating my mom to a meal she enjoyed. My steak was average, certainly not worth $63