Mac's Steakhouse

If you haven't been to Mac's Steakhouse yet you are missing out on one of the area's most satisfying dining experiences. This beautiful restaurant certainly lives up to it's name, but there are many reasons beyond the beef to make the trip. Here exists a unique blend of world-class food and service, along with a vibrant and accessible wine list while somehow managing to shake off the stiff nature of most steakhouses. This is mainly due to the passion of owners Scott Young and Ron Gelish, who share not only a love for steak and wine, but an understanding of what a great meal is truly all about.

 

You will want to arrive early to have a cocktail at the elegant yet inviting bar, which feels as though its connected to a grand hotel. The chalkboard lists a number of wines available by the glass or you can sample one of their signature cocktails. On most nights there is live music in the bar and those looking for a more casual affair can order from the full menu. Give yourself a moment to take in your surroundings as you make your way to the main dining room - rich woods, warm colors and sloping curves 

 

There are a number of enticing ways to begin your meal, including selections from the raw bar, topped by a seafood platter that can be ordered for 2 or 4 which includes lobster, little neck clams, oysters, chilled shrimp and jumbo lump crabmeat. Oysters Rockefeller are present, as are delectable braised shortribs. We especially enjoyed the wasabi-sesame encrusted Hawaiian White Tuna, slightly seared with a buttery, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The satisfying crab cakes were brimming with succulent lump crab meat. A sashimi of Kona Kamopachi - a farm-raised yellow tail from the big island of Hawaii, is an unexpected treat.

 

Mac's salad selection includes the classic caesar and steakhouse wedge, both fine choices. We found the Mac's Salad - a chopped salad that mixed shrimp, tomatoes, avaocado, grilled veggies and goat cheese to be refreshing change of pace.

 

Steak is the main event at Mac's. They serve Niman Ranch dry aged steaks exclusively, traditionally raised livestock that have no antibiotics or added hormones. The dry aging process concentrates the flavor of the meat, the result not unlike drinking a well-aged wine. All of the usual suspects are here - a porterhouse that can be ordered for one, two, three or four, a massive 30 oz t-bone, filet mignon, sirloin and a bone-in ribeye. Mac's also offers a 30-day and 60-day aged strip steaks. We sampled the 30-day and it was easily among the best steaks we have ever tasted. Perfectly cooked with a dark charred crust it was a full-flavored and truly satisfying. Also getting high marks was the veal chop 

 

For those looking for something different, the kitchen also offers a fine selection of seafood dishes. The Hawaiian White Tuna and Kona Kampachi make appearances as entrees, along with grilled salmon and yellow fin tuna. There is also a free range roasted chicken and a grilled vegetable plate. Maine lobster is available steamed, stuff with crabmeat or as a surf and turf combo. A sirloin steak burger, topped with onions, mushrooms and your choice of american, blue or gruyere cheese is a winner - and a bona fide bargain as well at $15.

 

We have friends who feel a steakhouse is only as good as it's side dishes - and whether that is true or not, Mac's has nothing to worry about. They offer up more than you can possibly try in one sitting (unless you are traveling with a crowd) and you'll find a mix of the standards - tasty creamed or sauteed spinach, addictive sweet potato fries and perfectly grilled asparagus - along with some interesting alternatives - a sweet rum baked plantain, smoky and delicious black truffle mac and cheese and the odd sounding, but worth a try "burnt" broccoli.

 

Though any night can feel special at Mac's on Mondays diners can try Chef Ron's 4-Course Wine Dinner where he personally selects wines by the glass to accompany menu and special selections. On "Wine Enthusiast Wednesdays"   all bottled wine from their impressive list are 15% off. They have just announced a special $99 surf and turf dinner for two. Sign up for their newsletter on their website www.macssteakhouse.com to get notices about upcoming events.

 

Mac's is capable of hosting parties of up to a 100 - the upstairs dining room has it's own kitchen and restrooms which allow guests to receive truly special treatment. There is also a hidden screen and projector, which makes the room well suited for corporate presentations. A private table in the glassed-in wine room that can seat up to a dozen guests makes for a special night out.

 

When it was time for dessert we asked our server if we could move to the bar in order to catch some of the live music which on this evening was provided by the superbly talented duo, "The Banshee Brothers." He was more than willing to accommodate us, no surprise as the service from all of the waitstaff had been nothing short of excellent the entire night. We enjoyed a perfectly pulled expresso along with a vermont maple and banana creme brulee and a home-style apple crisp, filled with sweet crunchy apples and topped with a dollop of rich vanilla ice cream.

 

Mac's may not be your father's steakhouse, but it is certainly a great place to take Dad - or anyone else - for a great meal.