Nobody does steak finer than Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.
Don't be misled by the name, though. Ruth's Chris is far from a one-dish restaurant and is the perfect dining location for anyone interested in spending the night out in a more formal setting.
The Ruth's Chop Salad started out the meal right, although my date and I opted to share it, due to the size of the dish and the entree we both were eagerly anticipating. Even after splitting, it was a very filling first course. The vast array of ingredients in the salad mixed perfectly, and the display is phenomenal: It is served molded into a cylinder and topped with crispy friend onions
Then came the eagerly awaited steaks. They are cooked in butter and, on the 500-degree plates on which they are served, are still sizzling and cooking as they approach your table and you begin eating. Butter is the only dressing-up these steaks get; the taste of the meat is flavor enough.
I opted for the t-bone which, for those steak-illiterate, is half filet and half strip loin. The filet was the most tender steak I have ever eaten; I literally did not need a knife to cut it off the bone. The strip loin, or porterhouse side, proved to be incredibly juicy and flavorful as well.
The steaks were complemented well by the creamed spinach and potatoes au gratin we ordered on the side.
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, despite the name, is about more than just the steak. They serve an array of seafood, including lobsters which can be seen in a tank in the waiting area. They also accommodate those who do not eat red meat, with stuffed chicken breast and grilled portabello mushrooms among the other delicious-sounding menu options.
The dessert menu looked nice, but nothing jumped out at me until the waitress described the chocolate lava cake, an off-menu option, which proved to be as tasty and chocolatey as the name would imply.
Despite being a more upscale restaurant, Ruth's Chris maintains the steakhouse feel, with friendly service and a dress code of business casual; jackets are not necessary.
Our server, Rachel checked on our status multiple times and ensured our happiness. Our water glasses were almost constantly filled to the top, and our dishes came without a lengthy wait, even on a Friday night.
Located at 260 South Broad St., next to the Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music, Ruth's Chris is the perfect location for anyone looking for an ideal steak and a great atmosphere in which to enjoy it.
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