Have you even been so excited about food that you want to shout it from the top of a building?
Well, that is my feeling right now. And since people might look at me a bit strange if I did that, I will use my blog as my soapbox.
Last week was my 30th( I mean 9th) Wedding Anniversary to the best husband in the world.
Well, that is my feeling right now. And since people might look at me a bit strange if I did that, I will use my blog as my soapbox.
Last week was my 30th( I mean 9th) Wedding Anniversary to the best husband in the world.
We decided to go to a dinner. And no, I did not bring my camera, I didn’t want to look like a tourist.
I am fortunate enough to live a few miles away from the World Famous Bern’s Steakhouse. We have been to Bern’s quite a few times, but this time was different. I can’t really pinpoint what it was, maybe my taste buds have finally grown up and I have gone from eating food just to eat it..to eating food for the pure pleasure and experience of the different textures and tastes on my palate.
This was one of the best meals from start to finish I have ever eaten. Let me share it with you.
First let me tell you a bit about Bern’s Steakhouse.
Bern’s was opened in 1956 by Bern Laxer, it is now run by his son David Laxer.
They have served Presidents, Heads of States, countless celebrities, sports figures, etc.
Their wine selection is one of the largest in the world. The wine menu is 182 pages(phone book size). The on site wine cellar holds approximately 150,000 bottles of wine. And they store over a half million bottles off site. Some are dated from the 1700’s.
Want to impress your guests? Order the 1851 Gruaud Larose, it will only set you back $10,000.
They don’t go to the farmers market to get their veggies..they have their OWN farm. And yes it is organic.
After dinner, you have the option to go on a tour of the immaculate kitchen and the wine cellar.
If you are in the mood for dessert(and seriously, who isn’t?) You don’t eat it at your dinner table. You go to a upstairs to the dimly lit Harry Waugh Dessert room where you are seated in individual rooms that are truly romantic.
Thinking about getting a job there as a waiter? Not so fast buster. You have to work your way up and the process takes about 2 years. You must work through out the whole restaurant and then basically be on a waiting list to get to be a server. But like their food, even the wait staff must be the best of the best.
Now onto their menu.
There are so many words to describe their menu..grandiose, lavish, bountiful, luxurious..k..you get it?
You (like my husband) can be a bit unadventurous and get the Charcoal-Grilled Chicken Skewer appetizer(which were simple yet delicious) or you can go all out and get the Iranian Osctra Caviar for $220.oo.
With your dinner you get the works, French Onion Soup, Steak House Salad, Baked Potato, Steak House Onion Rings and vegetables.
The star is their aged US Prime steaks($29-$233) that are always cooked to perfection.
However if you are not in the steak mood, maybe try their 2-3 pound Lobsters(market price) or if you are really hungry you can get yourself a 5 pounder(with a 48 hour notice). I also hear through the grapevine that the Crisp Roasted Ducking( $35.90) is amazing.
If you would like to take a gander at their extensive menu, click here.
Now on to what my husband and I feasted on.
Appetizers
Michael had Charcoal-Grilled Chicken Skewers($9.95) they were simple and delicious, the way chicken should taste.
I had Foie Gras a la Plancha with truffle roasted wild mushrooms, toasted brioche, Napa Valley Merlot reduction($15.95). I know, I know PETA has a fit about Foie Gras but it was the best thing I have ever put in my mouth(seriously). I can’t even explain the flavors and texture. It literally melted in my mouth. I will dream about it!
For salad dressing I choose Cabernet Sauvignon Vinaigrette and Michael had the Creamy White Balsamic Italian.
Entree
I went with the classic 8 oz filet($33.50) cooked medium rare.
Michael had the 10oz Delmonico($39.44) cooked medium.
Both of our steaks were cooked to perfection.
Along with all of the fixings, White Truffle Macaroni and Cheese($16.95) and Steak House Mushrooms ($6.95) were also brought to the table. I will also have dreams about the Mac and Cheese. The homemade pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente and the flavors were rich and full of depth.
Dessert
Now, if we were not full enough, I still insisted on going upstairs to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room.
I started my dessert experience with a Chocolate Cafe Con Leche Bern ($4.75).
Again, like everything else..the best coffee I have ever had.
To finish off the belly stretching evening, I feasted on the Granny Smith Apple Pie($8.95), a caramelized apple filling wrapped in a sweet sucree dough and served with a spiced cider reduction and cinnamon ice cream.
Michael had the Caramel Pecan Chocolate Bread Pudding ($9.50), Homemade brioche, toasted pecans and chocolate chips surrounded by a rich , creamy caramel custard. Served with vanilla anglaise.
Both were truly amazing, a perfect way to end the evening.
What is my only complaint? That my stomach wasn’t larger.
There are many reason that Bern’s is year in and year out among the top steakhouses in the world. From their extravagant and exaggerated decor, to their monumental wine offerings, to their “operating room clean” kitchen, to their boundless menu and their accomplished wait staff.
But don’t take my word for it, eat there and see for yourself.
But don’t take my word for it, eat there and see for yourself.
Please please, if you ever visit Tampa. Bern’s Steakhouse is a must.
It is an experience for the eyes and the mouth!
Awesome review, I could feel your excitement!! And enthusiasm.
Happy 9th anniversary! I wish you many more. Lucky husband!
First of all, congratulations on your anniversary!
Never have heard of Bern's but would love to try it…the menu sounds fabulous. Wish I lived closer to Tampa!
Happy Anniversary to you two!! May you enjoy many, many more happy years!
Fantastic review! I could mentally picture each course that you described! All of the food sounds delicious. Such a special evening to celebrate your anniversary.
Oh yum, I think I was drooling there a little at the end. Next time I visit my brother we may have to find our way over there.
And Happy Anniversary!! 🙂
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Bern's is amazing! I've only been once, but I plan on taking my parents next year for their 35th anniversary. They've never been.
Thanks for the review and Happy Anniversary!
~ingrid
white truffle mac & cheese? damn. did they have a steak bearnaise or a steak diane? man I love a good steak.
you lucky shit.
Happy 9th (I mean 30th) Anniversary!
That sounds like quite a place! Wow. How cool is it that they have a "dessert room"?
Now that is a perfect way to celebrate an anniversary. The meal sounds AMAZING! Great review Leslie.
Happy anniversary, sounds like you had the perfect celebration!
Great job! I love restaurant reviews, but I like being the reviewer even more! Woot!
Happy Anniversary! Sounds like it was a lovely evening. I am coming to South Fla. this Christmas- hopefully someday I'll get up to Tampa as well- even if just to try that restaurant!
This was so well-written! I loved reading it! What an amazing place, seriously. I have got to get there some day. I'm amazed at how wonderful it sounds and that you can still eat there relatively affordably if you made the right choices. Impressive.
Happy Anniversary!
really sounds amazing and I never thought I would crave steak at 8:30 in the morning!
happy anniversary 🙂
Daaannggg, sounds so good!
Happy 9 and many more!
Happy Anniversary, Leslie! Your meal sounds absolutely perfect. Glad you had such a nice time.
A very Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. I loved this review and it has me completely starving at this point. I'm glad you had an awesome evening.
Happy anniversary! I can feel your excitement from here!
happy anniversary! and many more!
Sounds like an amazing meal, perfect to celebrate your anniversary – congrats!
Happy Anniversary to you and your husband..more happy years to come!!
the food sounds really,really good, thanks for sharing your wonderful and yummylicious experience, it made me hungry..
Oh sure, brag, brag, brag! Meanwhile, I'm stuck here in San Diego, thousands of miles from the nearest Bern's ; ) Glad you had a wonderful anniversary! It's almost HSN time!
seems like a wonderful anniversary dinner! 🙂 wow, I wish I could try that place!
Happy 9th Anniversary dear!! I wish you a lot more!! Thanks for sharing your dinner with us who needs a photo your review was fantastic enough to make me drool!!
Haven't had my steaks for quite sometimes. Thanks for the review Lesley.
Excellent review..!!Happy belated3x anniversary to the both of you..!!I wish more anniversaries to come to the two of you..!!I visited Bern's once and I did enjoy my visit on the place..Good post..!
tampa steakhouse