Frank's Steaks

Frank's steaks has a long history in Rockville Centre, Long Island. Formerly the Lincoln Inn, Frank's has made a name for itself with their skirt steak, which Zagat once called the 'best skirt steak in the world.'

ABF & I were there for a special group event, and our party took up quite a few tables.

My appetizer: Caesar salad. This is pretty basic--it came with a very citrusy, light dressing instead of the standard heavy, creamy dressing. It also had nice shavings of fresh Parmesan and lots and lots of croutons, which I definitely picked out of there. Yeah, I'm that person.

ABF ordered the French onion soup and it was gorgeous! This was so good with delicious melted mozzarella just oozing over the side. Perfectly browned/broiled spots dotted the cheesy top, and delicious pieces of chunky onion bread floated inside. the best part about this soup--it's not overly salty! Just right, balanced, soothing. I'd definitely get this next time over the salad.

As I mentioned, Frank's earned a lot of its reputation for their Roumanian skirt steak, marinated in duck sauce, garlic, and Worcestershire (among other flavors). I ordered the 'petite' fillet, which comes in at 8 ounces over the standard 16 ounces. This was more than enough for me. It also came with light, refreshing creamed spinach (you could actually taste the spinach!)and decadently silky mashed potatoes (no doubt made with heavy cream and lots of roasted garlic--oh so good). I couldn't finish off the petite plate, even, so this was plenty.

ABF ordered the New York Strip streak--this was succulent! I might have to go for this if we go back--it was much less sweet than my skirt steak.

ABF ordered a glass of their house Merlot which his go-to drink. I ordered a glass of the house Pinot Noir and for once, we both preferred what I ordered! As you know, I often develop 'order envy' with whatever ABF gets--he just has 'the knack.' This time, though, I felt the Merlot was too sweet, while the Pinot Noir was light and a perfect complement to the already sweet-and-salty steak.

The steak tastes very similar to quite possibly the best skirt steak ever had, and that's at the York Grill (on NYC's Upper East Side). Surprisingly, York Grill has not made an appearance on this blog yet but is still, to me, one of the best restaurants in New York .

The best part about Frank Steaks was the service. They greeted every customer there as if they were regulars (and true, many were), but even us! We were a very large party, at least 15, and our server didn't miss a step. He was nice without being 'too nice' or overbearing. He got everyone's order right (impressive), checked on us at the right times, and was really good at what he did. They have lots of little touches, too, like the rock candy sugar stirrer with my cappuccino.

Note--Frank's is not an inexpensive place. Even the chicken entrées come in at around 30 dollars. However, it's satisfying, well-done food with top-notch service. If you're looking for a special occasion, if you want a really nice meal with welcome home service, Frank's is a great place to go.

Frank's Steakhouse

54 Lincoln Avenue

Rockville Centre, NY

Phone: (516) 536-1500

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Birthday Dinner- Alias

I have a long-running 'list,' a compilation of the places I want to eat in this awesome city I call home. It keeps changing and growing, but Alias has been on it for a good 5 years or so. When I found out the bar I'd picked for my birthday happy hour was STEPS from Alias, that clinched it!

Alias is a tiny little spot on Clinton street, and even though we were a bit late (who wants to leave a birthday party on time?) for our reservation, they still graciously saw us to our table.

They brought us some bread and walnut pesto. The pesto was so amazing that we vowed to make it at home as soon as possible! Soooo good! I couldn't really tell a difference, and since walnuts are much cheaper than pine nuts (and so healthy for you!), it's a double-win!

I ordered the 76 Passion for my cocktail--passion fruit purée, vodka and simple syrup. Sweet and summery. So lovely.

I ordered the bacon-wrapped trout because hello, I love fish! And wrapping it in bacon makes it even better! This was fantastic--I wished I'd had more of it--always a good sign.

ABF ordered the skirt steak with a generous bed of cilantro, and two of the most delicate and delicious potato croquettes you can imagine. Wow.

Alias was every bit as delicious as I'd heard, and a fantastic dinner spot for both of us! This is worth a return visit and then some--and you'll probably eat every last bite of your dishes just like we did.

Alias
76 Clinton Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 505-5011

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Birthday Deliciousness

This year, Restaurant Week was still in effect for my birthday, so ABF asked if I wanted to go anywhere in particular. He named a few favorites, but I said I was definitely open to something new, so surprise me! He was a great sport and did just that, not even hinting as we walked together that warm Thursday night to our destination-- Delmonico's! I love the history of this place--started in 1837, it's touted as the first fine dining restaurant in the US, and the origin of many food classics: Chicken a La King (originally a la Keene), Lobster Newburg, Eggs Benedict, Baked Alaska and more! Great stories behind them all.

Restaurant Week is your chance to dine for a set price from a set menu. Delmonico's Restaurant Week menu is by far one of the best I've seen in a while. ABF made a good choice! The hardest part was narrowing down my choices. He picked a corn soup with peeky-toed crab, but when he went to order it, the server told us that soup was actually a cauliflower puree. Apparently they get so many repeat customers during RW that they change up some of their offerings. We were both bummed to hear this, but he went with the cauliflower anyway. It was just okay--not worth photographing or ordering again. :)

I saw 'poached egg' in my salad description and was sold. It's made of frisee, aka that Stuff I Normally Pick out of my Salad, but holy cow was this a solid hit. A bed of fresh, crunchy frisee tossed lightly in a truffle oil vinaigrette and bordered with citrus supremes. This was so scrumptious, I nearly licked the plate. For once, ABF had order envy of one of MY dishes!!

I ordered the filet mignon, one of my all-time favorite cuts of meat. Delmonico's is known for their steak, so I wasn't about to order fish tonight! It came with sauteed veggies and potatoes. The potatoes were just okay, but the veggies were crispy, crunchy, and tasted so fresh. The meat was buttery, soft, perfectly seasoned--I gave ABF two bites! He had steak frites, not-pictured, which he enjoyed. He gave me a few fries, and they were outstanding (and I'm not a 'fry' gal).

They had a special that night on wine: a bottle of Lindeman's Cabernet Sauvignon for 28.00. I saw ABF's interest piqued with this one, and was totally on the same page. This was delicious and a perfect match for our meat.

I knew exactly what I was getting for dessert: the Meyer Lemon tart! Meyer Lemons are almost lime-like in their citrusy awesomeness. This was beautiful, and dotted with microbasil oil that was so perfectlyn pungent. ABF loved this, too.

ABF ordered the Baked Alaska, which he'd never had before (it's basically ice cream cake covered by a meringue dome). I still remember how cool I thought my mom was for making this when I was eight or so. This was pretty delicious--the meringue was light and glossy inside, perfectly browned outside. The banana gelato inside was out of this world--I'd go back just for that (and the frisee salad). YUM.

Restaurant Week or not, this is a must try--but it's an exceptionally good deal during RW! Thanks, ABF, for another delicious and memorable birthday dinnner!

Les Halles--Midtown

ABF & I visited Les Halles downtown sometime last year. I really enjoyed my mussels, and he enjoyed his steak frites, so we planned another return recently. We decided to walk over to the Park Avenue South location this time.

Yes, I realize Anthony Bourdain is not really affiliated with this place anymore, but he is one of the 'celebrity' chefs who first impressed me (even though we disagree on a few points, such as Abba's awesomeness--I heart them-- and the eating of offal--I just can't do it). His straight-shooting, often off-color musings always entertained and informed me. He is not delicate, he can be quite harsh, but you always know he means what he says, and you never wonder what he's really thinking! He's the reason I can't bring myself to eat swordfish anymore, and the reason I rarely order mussels outside of his place ;) The faint of stomach might not want to click on this link.

I ordered the same dish here as the one I got on our visit to the John Street location: Moules Marinieres, or mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce. Yum. These mussels were incredibly tender and delicious, and not a single grain of grit to be felt. I remember liking the sauce more at the John street location, but I was still impressed with this dish, too.

It turns out I can only eat so many mussels in one sitting, and I think I left a good dozen or more in my dish. Not really a doggie-bag type of order, you know? I ate enough to be happy, but they definitely give you a crazy amount of them.

ABF ordered his same dish as he did on John street: Steak Frites. Delicious. It was cooked to a perfect medium, juicy, well-seasoned and not too salty. The fries were perfect: crispy outside, just slightly soft on the inside. I don't think I like this dish enough to order the whole thing for myself, but it is very good.

We had room to share a dessert, so we split the profiteroles. They are ice-cream filled pastry puffs, drizzled with intensely rich chocolate sauce. Long after we'd eaten the pastries, we were scraping up this fantastic sauce. Soooooo good. I even took half a spoonful and mixed it into my café au lait (which was spot-on perfect!) Save room for this dessert...but personally, I'd rather stick with the John Street location.

Steaktastic

My friend Carlota is working at Angelo & Maxie's --it's a classy steakhouse conveniently located near Union Square. I didn't let the 'classy' thing stop me, though, and dropped in one Saturday with my friend Sara. Carlota had been telling me for some time about their 3-course prix fixe deal, and I decided now was the time to go for it.

For 20.99, you get a salad (or French Onion Soup for 1.50 extra), entrée and dessert. Sara & I both got the Caesar, though I opted for mine with anchovies on the side. Here's the thing--I know they offer incredible depth of flavor and tang to recipes, but I need to NOT KNOW they are there. If you make me dressing with anchovies in it (not too many, now, there is such a thing as too fishy), I will eat it and enjoy it. But if you give me the option of NOT putting them in there, then yeah, I will wimp out and ask for them on the side. And then see their hairy fishiness and not use them at all. Sometimes I'm lame like that. The salad, however, was delicious and HUMUNGOUS.

For the entrée, we both chose the filet mignon. I chose it au poivre (crusted in black peppercorns), and Sara chose it plain. We ordered them medium rare, and they came out quickly and were cooked to perfection. This was steak perfection. Oh my goodness. I savored every single delicious, buttery bite. The pepper was hard core--I felt the burning all the way into my ears (a good thing, trust me)! I ate half the
steak there, taking my sweet time with each wonderful bite, and wrapped the other half to take home.

We each got a glass of Malbec. Carlota recommended it highly, so of course we took her at her word. Sara & I have had similar experiences with Malbecs: we've had some great ones, we've had some AWFUL ones. This one, the Colores del Sol, was fantastic. It was light, puckery, and perfect with the steak. Later that night when I went home, I was flipping through old foodie mags (trying to get rid of clutter), and I spotted the same wine being touted as a winning pick for reds. I couldn't agree more!

Then the time came for dessert. Oh, the cheesecake. The dense, tangy, New York style cheesecake, with a drizzle of intensely flavorful raspberry sauce. I am so glad I ordered this. It was rich, it was satisfying, it was exactly how I like my cheesecake. I shared a few bites with Sara, who was being good and getting the fruit, then I packed the rest up for the next day (and I promise you, I finished it the next day).

This deal is beyond excellent. The portions are fantastic, the food is delicious, and the staff (aka Carlota) is superb. You might even have enough to take home for later (the cheeky little cow below is from my take-home bag)! If you're in there for this deal, make sure to belly up to the bar and take care of your bartender--cuz she'll take care of you! Thanks again, Carlota, for taking such good care of US!

Outback!!

Outback Steakhouse is yet another chain I won't apologize for loving! There is a great one located not far from Bay Ridge--I think it's technically in Bensonhurst. Every great once in a while, Kelli and I jump in her car and head out here. We almost always get the same thing, too.

I learned years ago from someone that you should ask them to 'layer' the cheese in the addicting cheese fries, so it's not all a big glop on top. What I forgot on my last visit this same person taught me was to order the HALF order of fries. It doesn't say so on the menu, but this is totally doable (and much less dangerous to your waistline). I do not like ranch dressing, but for some reason, I am powerless to resist it when paired with cheese fries.

Their house salad is delicious, but nothing tops the Caesar for me. It's as garlicky as they come, and definitely has a generous kick of hot sauce. Awwww yeah. It also comes with lots of croutons, which I'd already removed before snapping this photo.

My standard order is the melt-in-your-mouth 7 oz. Victoria filet, a filet mignon cooked to perfection (which, for me, is medium). There's usually enough for leftovers the next day. I wouldn't get any other side but the baked sweet potato. I usually get the butter and brown sugar on the side, but I just went with the normal way this time. If you're wondering if it reheats well, I can most assuredly guarantee you that it does. I had the rest for dinner the next night and it was still tender, juicy, and maybe even a little more delicious.

Kel is a NY strip steak kind of gal--she also gets regular baked potato with the works. This is not a time to skimp, folks! Live! Eat! Go home in a food coma!

And now I'm hungry again.