A minor rant...

[Hulagn1971]

The Tobacco Company has a nice ambience and has been around forever. It's been about 5 or 6 years since I ate there for a business dinner. I cannot really remember how good the food was but I do know I can cook a better steak than pretty much any restaurant I've visited. I do like to order lamb lollipops or fresh grouper given the chance at this local favorite https://www.theoutwest.com/

[Potkettleblack]

It seems that no one on the Pit actually values service. Or maybe you're getting lousy service. I've had many dishes at restaurants that I thought I could do better at home, but I have nearly zero plating skills, and it is frequently nice to outsource the cooking, and cleaning, enjoy the atmosphere of someplace other than our apartment, and be waited on. For my birthday, my wife has instructions to take me someplace that does something I will eat with a tableside service (among my favorite things, if I'm honest).

Maybe my steak game is not what it might be or maybe I'm blessed with better steakhouses here in Chicago, but I've had great ribeyes at home, but better ones at steak houses here. The best steak I've ever eaten was at Swift & Sons here. I have never had the like of the quality of beef and the nature of the cook. My home quest is to replicate that result. But, even if I did, I would not be inclined to make my own worchester, bernaise, and the third sauce that came with, nor the dessert which we got, which was a multi-element deal. If I were inclined to make those things, the sourcing of materials and labor investment would just make a trip to S&S worthwhile, as they can price it on economy of scale.

But still, the food is only a portion of a restaurant experience, in my experience.

[Willard]

Well said.

[Troutman]

Don't forget Morton's !!! I generally agree, steakhouses are way over my budget but I would never turn down an invite !! As you say, letting others deal with the mess while you enjoy the food, the atmosphere and good company !!

[RonB]

Potkettleblack - As I originally said, we did enjoy the experience. The restaurant is 4 stories with a three story atrium. There is a "club" in the basement, two bars and a few tables on the ground floor, and the fine dining is on the second and third floors. We were on the second floor next to the atrium, so we had a great view.
They had one person inspecting the newly set tables making sure everything was exactly in it's place. They used fresh linen for every new seating, and the manager was constantly on the move. Fun to watch. Almost forgot - there was one person just inspecting and polishing the glassware.

[Willard]

Sounds like a great place.

[Troutman]

Now that we're talking about it, I'll share a positive steak restaurant experience. I live about a 5 hours from New Orleans, a city I love, and make the trek there about once every other year or so. The food scene is of course legendary. Back about 10-12 years ago I got a hankerin' for one of Emeril's restaurants called NOLA. I stayed in a B&B across the street from there and made reservations for my wife and myself.

Not to go into all the detail but it was singularly one of the best meals I have ever had. Ironically enough I ordered a steak and it came out perfectly done to my taste and tender as a baby's bottom. Of course I'm raving to the waiter that the steak was incredible, how did they prepare it. He just said they first sous vide them then stick them in a 1200* double broiler to order for a minute or two depending on the final desired doneness. I was blown away and immediately began researching SV.

In the overall scheme of things, we don't eat out a lot and when we do it's on the cheap. Most times of the year we wear shorts and t-shirts and I'm not into tablecloths and fine dinner wear. But every once in a while, ya gotta let others pamper you in style, know what I mean ??

[Troutman]

Naw, if I was going to buy one I'd go with the Otto ....

https://www.amazon.com/Original-OverFire-Radiant-Stainless-Delivered/dp/B06WLMNTL7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3Q2O8ITI86A9N&keywords=beefer+grill&qid=1554225360&s=lawn-garden&sprefix=beefer%2Clawngarden%2C163&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1

[klflowers]

We went to the Court of Two Sisters, couldn't get into NOLA. The food was so good it brought tears to both my and my son's eyes. But then we went to Bubba Gumps. I am surprised they are allowed to serve food in NO.

[Troutman]

OMG I made the same mistake at Gumps. What a rip-off bunch of crap. Almost walked out without paying. But NOLA and Two Sisters and about 12 other places I could name keep me going back to one of the food capitals of the country over and over again !!! Love me some NO !!!

[JGo37]

And I hate when I have to take my truck to a bunch of mechanics that aren't as good as me.

[jfmorris]

Haha yes this one is a big pet peeve of mine. Sometimes you just don't have time to do the work yourself.

[jfmorris]

I went to a BBQ joint around the corner with my son for lunch this past Friday. We both had smoked chicken wings. I already had pulled pork and ribs on the menu for a family get together the next day. The wings were actually really really good. Smoked, then fried to finish crispy, and seasoned very well.