The Steak Mafia Dinner #5
Carnivores Rejoice!
A very special meeting of The Steak Mafia was recently convened: at the home of the Godfather himself! We learned all about American Kobe beef and how to massage cows to keep their meat tender (Happy Endings not included). Apparently, a large quantity of prized Rib-eye steaks "fell off the back of a truck" and the Steak Mafia was only too happy to clean it up. This was truly a special evening, complete with door-prizes; a bottle of JD for Kris and a case of Bud Light for the Godfather. Of course, it goes without saying, that all TSM members rated the Godfather's generous repast with top scores in every category, (don't want to wake up with a horse head in the bed,) however, just for curiosity sake, I will transcribe everyone's comments.
Name/Rank-----Presentation--Service-Flavor-Tenderness-Sides-Value-Over-all
Art
Godfather-----------5-----------------3-------5---------5-------------4--------4------5
Gil
Capo----------------5-----------------3-------5---------5-------------5--------5*-----5
Mitchell
Capo----------------5-----------------5-------5---------5-------------5--------5*-----5
The Deacon
Hitman--------------5----------------5-------5---------5-------------3--------5**---5
Kris
Hitman--------------4----------------n/a------5---------5------------4--------5***-5
Kelly D.
Hitman--------------5----------------n/a------5---------5-----------n/a------5------5
Gary
Bagman-------------5-----------------5-------5---------5------------5--------5------5
Matt
Bagman-------------5-----------------5-------5---------5------------5--------5------5
TOTALS--------4.88------------4.33-----5---------5----------4.43---4.88----5
(5* = 6, 5** = priceless, 5*** = 10)
Comments:
Godfather - Fantastic steak, good sides, good friends, great time!
Gil - Good steak, good company, Cheers!
Mitchell - extra pts. to the Beltran Bros. for wearing aprons, commitment to excellence, above and beyond for the Godfather to host the Steak Mafia in his home, so good I had to have 1 & 1/2 steaks!
The Deacon -
Presentation: Welcomed in by great friends, mound of steak on the center of the table, very nice...
Service: Anytime the host prepares food for 8 hungry men, and satisfies; job well done
Flavor: Having had this steak before, it is consistently the best flavor of any steak I've ever had.
Tenderness: Refer to "Flavor" comment
Sides: Still not a fan of beans
Value: Priceless
Over-all: Good Times as always
Kris - Free steaks = kickass, Lovin The Steak Mafia!, Good poop tomorrow!
Kelly D. - I don't have to poo yet...but I feel it brewing. This was definitely NOT the meeting you wanted to miss! I have the meat-sweats!
Gary - Fantabulous!
Matt - Big Ups, Todd Manning!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Steak Mafia Dinner #4
Welcome back fellow steak-o-philes, to another exciting edition of The Steak Mafia blog. September was a particularly grueling month for your moderator, and yet, we were able to squeeze in a visit to the Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse, on 9/11/09. Where is the Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse you might ask? Well, it's on the border of Nowheresville, population: 3 squirrels, 1 skunk, and 2 tumbleweed. I used my GPS to get halfway there and then I had to put my ear to the ground and listen for the sounds of steak sizzling over a fire deep in the canyon to make it the rest of the way.
The Steaks were delicious and the restaurant was very similar to Pinnacle Peak, (they say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery,) right down to the cutting off of our ties, (Finally, got rid of that mother-in-law gift!) Even though it took 2 days to get there, I believe everyone was happy with their steak, the results are below.
Name/Rank-------------------Presentation-Service-Flavor-Tenderness-Sides-Value-OverAll
Art/The Godfather
Ponderosa 16oz Porterhouse-----3------------4--------5------------5---------4-------3------4
Gil/Hitman
Ponderosa---------------------------3------------5--------4------------4---------4-------3------4
Mitchell/Hitman
Ponderosa 16oz Porterhouse----4------------3--------4------------4----------3------3-------4
The Deacon/Bagman
Kansas City Rib---------------------4-----------4--------5*-----------5---------4-------3------4
Kris Gohlke/Bagman
Kansas City Rib---------------------4-----------4--------4------------4---------4-------3-------4
Kelly/Bagman
Kansas City Rib---------------------5-----------4--------4------------4---------5-------4-------5
Jeff/Recruit
Ponderosa--------------------------3-----------4---------4------------3-----------------3-------4
TOTALS---------------------------3.71--------4--------4.29--------4.14------4-----3.14----4.14
*(Deacon scored his flavor a 6 but there are only 1-5 steak knives available)
COMMENTS:
The Godfather:
Restaurant was very cool inside; nice ambiance, liked the blue cheese for the salad; beans and veggies were good; cut filet side [of the Porterhouse] with the fork; little pricey; no separate checks (sucked).
Gil:
no separate checks - sorry!
Mitchell:
extra pts for blue cheese bowls on the table; cut off ties on all the walls; rustic decor, big tree growing though the middle of the joint; mediocre beans, zuccini and mushroom sides; no split checks :( filet side [of Porterhouse] was a 5!, cute souvenir paper tie they staple to your cutoff.
The Deacon:
Pres. - Very remote locationm ties everywhere, trees in the dining area pretty cool
Service - Good, but would have been cool to have separate checks
Flavor - speechless...
Tenderness - perfect
Value - a little high considering distance traveled
Overall - Always a good time hanging with the Mafia
Kris Gohlke (Cattle Killer):
Great steak, cool place, a little pricey. I'd eat here again. Little bit of a drive but good none the less! If "Tricky Dick" can eat here so can I!
Kelly "The Karnivore":
In the middle of nowhere but worth the drive. Good time with good peeps! Need to take a poop again!
Jeff "The Chainsaw" Meat Murderer:
I had a great time!!! The food was good but a little pricey
Welcome back fellow steak-o-philes, to another exciting edition of The Steak Mafia blog. September was a particularly grueling month for your moderator, and yet, we were able to squeeze in a visit to the Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse, on 9/11/09. Where is the Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse you might ask? Well, it's on the border of Nowheresville, population: 3 squirrels, 1 skunk, and 2 tumbleweed. I used my GPS to get halfway there and then I had to put my ear to the ground and listen for the sounds of steak sizzling over a fire deep in the canyon to make it the rest of the way.
The Steaks were delicious and the restaurant was very similar to Pinnacle Peak, (they say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery,) right down to the cutting off of our ties, (Finally, got rid of that mother-in-law gift!) Even though it took 2 days to get there, I believe everyone was happy with their steak, the results are below.
Name/Rank-------------------Presentation-Service-Flavor-Tenderness-Sides-Value-OverAll
Art/The Godfather
Ponderosa 16oz Porterhouse-----3------------4--------5------------5---------4-------3------4
Gil/Hitman
Ponderosa---------------------------3------------5--------4------------4---------4-------3------4
Mitchell/Hitman
Ponderosa 16oz Porterhouse----4------------3--------4------------4----------3------3-------4
The Deacon/Bagman
Kansas City Rib---------------------4-----------4--------5*-----------5---------4-------3------4
Kris Gohlke/Bagman
Kansas City Rib---------------------4-----------4--------4------------4---------4-------3-------4
Kelly/Bagman
Kansas City Rib---------------------5-----------4--------4------------4---------5-------4-------5
Jeff/Recruit
Ponderosa--------------------------3-----------4---------4------------3-----------------3-------4
TOTALS---------------------------3.71--------4--------4.29--------4.14------4-----3.14----4.14
*(Deacon scored his flavor a 6 but there are only 1-5 steak knives available)
COMMENTS:
The Godfather:
Restaurant was very cool inside; nice ambiance, liked the blue cheese for the salad; beans and veggies were good; cut filet side [of the Porterhouse] with the fork; little pricey; no separate checks (sucked).
Gil:
no separate checks - sorry!
Mitchell:
extra pts for blue cheese bowls on the table; cut off ties on all the walls; rustic decor, big tree growing though the middle of the joint; mediocre beans, zuccini and mushroom sides; no split checks :( filet side [of Porterhouse] was a 5!, cute souvenir paper tie they staple to your cutoff.
The Deacon:
Pres. - Very remote locationm ties everywhere, trees in the dining area pretty cool
Service - Good, but would have been cool to have separate checks
Flavor - speechless...
Tenderness - perfect
Value - a little high considering distance traveled
Overall - Always a good time hanging with the Mafia
Kris Gohlke (Cattle Killer):
Great steak, cool place, a little pricey. I'd eat here again. Little bit of a drive but good none the less! If "Tricky Dick" can eat here so can I!
Kelly "The Karnivore":
In the middle of nowhere but worth the drive. Good time with good peeps! Need to take a poop again!
Jeff "The Chainsaw" Meat Murderer:
I had a great time!!! The food was good but a little pricey
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Steak Mafia Dinner #3
With Lightning Speed, the third installment of the Steak Mafia is coming attcha, right between the eyes. (Actually, I guess it would be more appropriate to come attcha like the horns of a bull!)
At any rate, TSM convened on Friday, August 7, at Edwards Steakhouse in El Monte.
I leave the detailed judging to the TSM fellows below, and the service was very good. However, of the 3 TSM meetings thus far, this was unanimously the least favorite. (You spoiled us Pinnacle Peak!) Suffice it to say, if you like middle-aged Karaoke and early-bird specials, you would consider Edwards Steakhouse "the bees knees". (Which is something people over 70 would say if they were really excited. You could also say, "Heaven's-to-Betsy, that was a mighty fine steak!", or "Clem, that dag'gone steak tasted better that raccoon mince-meat pie!")
Rankings:
Name/Rank----------Presentation-Service-Flavor-Tenderness-Sides-Value-Overall
Art/Godfather
12oz boneless NY-----------4-----------5----------4-------------4-----------3------3-----3
Gary/Foot Soldier
John L. Sullivan12oz NY---2-----------5----------3------------3-----------2------5------4
Mitchell/Bagman
Classic 10oz Rib-eye--------3-----------4----------2------------3-----------2------2------3
Kris/Foot Solder
John L. Sullivan 12oz NY--5------------5---------4------------4------------4------5------4
Studio/Bagman
Classic 10oz Rib-eye--------3-----------5----------3------------3------------4------4------4
Gil/Bagman
John L. Sullivan 10oz NY--4-----------5---------3-------------4-----------4-------5------5
TOTALS-------------------- 3.5--------4.83----3.16--------3.5--------3.16----4----3.83
COMMENTS
Art:
nice atmosphere
Gary:
pretty good place. It made me shit right away! That's Great. It means I'm full! Love the prices. Bathroom was kinda trippy. That's cool though.
Mitchell:
Great clam chowder, mix between New England and Manhattan, sawdust on the floor, relaxed atmosphere. Stella on tap was nice. Ordered the side toppings of onions/jalapenos/and tomatoes-delicious (needed them to cover the sub-par Rib-eye). The Rib-eye was 1/4" thin which I think disqualifies it from being a Rib-eye, looked more like "shoe-leather-eye", and was pan-fried, and had no marbling. Luckily Art's NY was 100 times better than the Rib-eye. (Oh yeah, the USC decorations made my stomach curdle when we walked through the door.)
Kris:
Old-school Miner Style!
1. Like the tribute to Troy at the bar. My kind of place.
2. "Friendly" (server) He was on top of it!
3. Juicy, try the side of onions.
4.
5. Great salad, good blue cheese, salad was huge!
6. Great Value. A lot of food for the price.
7. Great family-owned restaurant. Big menu, great variety, good service. I eat here again for sure!
Studio:
no karaoke in steakhouse!! clam chowder was bomb.
Gil:
Real Good - dinner salad was huge!
Final Word: The "steakhouse" in the name is misleading, it's more of an "Old-Time Saloon", (I suspect that they took over an old "Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour and Restaurant" location).
With Lightning Speed, the third installment of the Steak Mafia is coming attcha, right between the eyes. (Actually, I guess it would be more appropriate to come attcha like the horns of a bull!)
At any rate, TSM convened on Friday, August 7, at Edwards Steakhouse in El Monte.
I leave the detailed judging to the TSM fellows below, and the service was very good. However, of the 3 TSM meetings thus far, this was unanimously the least favorite. (You spoiled us Pinnacle Peak!) Suffice it to say, if you like middle-aged Karaoke and early-bird specials, you would consider Edwards Steakhouse "the bees knees". (Which is something people over 70 would say if they were really excited. You could also say, "Heaven's-to-Betsy, that was a mighty fine steak!", or "Clem, that dag'gone steak tasted better that raccoon mince-meat pie!")
Rankings:
Name/Rank----------Presentation-Service-Flavor-Tenderness-Sides-Value-Overall
Art/Godfather
12oz boneless NY-----------4-----------5----------4-------------4-----------3------3-----3
Gary/Foot Soldier
John L. Sullivan12oz NY---2-----------5----------3------------3-----------2------5------4
Mitchell/Bagman
Classic 10oz Rib-eye--------3-----------4----------2------------3-----------2------2------3
Kris/Foot Solder
John L. Sullivan 12oz NY--5------------5---------4------------4------------4------5------4
Studio/Bagman
Classic 10oz Rib-eye--------3-----------5----------3------------3------------4------4------4
Gil/Bagman
John L. Sullivan 10oz NY--4-----------5---------3-------------4-----------4-------5------5
TOTALS-------------------- 3.5--------4.83----3.16--------3.5--------3.16----4----3.83
COMMENTS
Art:
nice atmosphere
Gary:
pretty good place. It made me shit right away! That's Great. It means I'm full! Love the prices. Bathroom was kinda trippy. That's cool though.
Mitchell:
Great clam chowder, mix between New England and Manhattan, sawdust on the floor, relaxed atmosphere. Stella on tap was nice. Ordered the side toppings of onions/jalapenos/and tomatoes-delicious (needed them to cover the sub-par Rib-eye). The Rib-eye was 1/4" thin which I think disqualifies it from being a Rib-eye, looked more like "shoe-leather-eye", and was pan-fried, and had no marbling. Luckily Art's NY was 100 times better than the Rib-eye. (Oh yeah, the USC decorations made my stomach curdle when we walked through the door.)
Kris:
Old-school Miner Style!
1. Like the tribute to Troy at the bar. My kind of place.
2. "Friendly" (server) He was on top of it!
3. Juicy, try the side of onions.
4.
5. Great salad, good blue cheese, salad was huge!
6. Great Value. A lot of food for the price.
7. Great family-owned restaurant. Big menu, great variety, good service. I eat here again for sure!
Studio:
no karaoke in steakhouse!! clam chowder was bomb.
Gil:
Real Good - dinner salad was huge!
Final Word: The "steakhouse" in the name is misleading, it's more of an "Old-Time Saloon", (I suspect that they took over an old "Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour and Restaurant" location).
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Steak Mafia Dinner #2
Sincere apologies for the lateness, no need to send me a horse's head in my bed Godfather.
The Steak Mafia convened once again at the Northwoods Inn, in Covina, on 7-2-09. The group welcomed a new-comer, Kris Gohlke, and he gave as good as he took - Welcome Recruit. Even though there is more than one Northwood Inn, the snow-covered roof was a sign that this place knows how to throw down. This joint is huge, has every kind of beer you could want on tap, peanut shells on the floor (on purpose) and a stuffed bear in the lobby (grrrr!) The general consensus of the group was that Northwoods Inn impressed with the decor and side dishes, Overall Ranking of 4.38, but could not beat Pinnacle Peak in total satisfaction, Overall Ranking of 4.89.
Apparently my fingers were so greasy, from massaging a glistening, sizzling steak, that up to now I had great difficulty figuring out how to input the rankings below for this Steakhouse. (Perhaps a moist towlette is in order. (and Yes, I know the rankings look like shit, apparently Blogger has not figured out how to work with Excel. It is only 2009 after all, this "Internet" is probably just a fad.) Note: everyone had the 16oz Angus Boneless Rib-eye this time, so there is no need for that column.
Name-Rank-----------Presentation-Service-Flavor-Tenderness-Sides-Value-Over-all
Art-Godfather----------5------------------5-----------4---------4----------------4-------5--------4
Matt-Foot Soldier-----3-------------------5-----------3---------5----------------5------5---------4
Gil-Foot Soldier--------5------------------5-----------3---------4----------------4-------5--------5
Deacon-Foot Soldier--5------------------5-----------4---------4-----------------5------4--------5
Studio-Foot Soldier---5------------------5-----------5---------5-----------------5------5--------5
Mitchell-Foot Soldier-4------------------5-----------3---------2-----------------5------3--------4
Kelly D-Foot Soldier--4-------------------5----------4----------5----------------5------3--------4
Kristian-Recruit-------4-------------------4-----------4---------3----------------3------3--------4
TOTALS--------------4.38--------------4.88-------3.75-----4.00----------4.50--4.13----4.38
COMMENTS -
Sincere apologies for the lateness, no need to send me a horse's head in my bed Godfather.
The Steak Mafia convened once again at the Northwoods Inn, in Covina, on 7-2-09. The group welcomed a new-comer, Kris Gohlke, and he gave as good as he took - Welcome Recruit. Even though there is more than one Northwood Inn, the snow-covered roof was a sign that this place knows how to throw down. This joint is huge, has every kind of beer you could want on tap, peanut shells on the floor (on purpose) and a stuffed bear in the lobby (grrrr!) The general consensus of the group was that Northwoods Inn impressed with the decor and side dishes, Overall Ranking of 4.38, but could not beat Pinnacle Peak in total satisfaction, Overall Ranking of 4.89.
Apparently my fingers were so greasy, from massaging a glistening, sizzling steak, that up to now I had great difficulty figuring out how to input the rankings below for this Steakhouse. (Perhaps a moist towlette is in order. (and Yes, I know the rankings look like shit, apparently Blogger has not figured out how to work with Excel. It is only 2009 after all, this "Internet" is probably just a fad.) Note: everyone had the 16oz Angus Boneless Rib-eye this time, so there is no need for that column.
Name-Rank-----------Presentation-Service-Flavor-Tenderness-Sides-Value-Over-all
Art-Godfather----------5------------------5-----------4---------4----------------4-------5--------4
Matt-Foot Soldier-----3-------------------5-----------3---------5----------------5------5---------4
Gil-Foot Soldier--------5------------------5-----------3---------4----------------4-------5--------5
Deacon-Foot Soldier--5------------------5-----------4---------4-----------------5------4--------5
Studio-Foot Soldier---5------------------5-----------5---------5-----------------5------5--------5
Mitchell-Foot Soldier-4------------------5-----------3---------2-----------------5------3--------4
Kelly D-Foot Soldier--4-------------------5----------4----------5----------------5------3--------4
Kristian-Recruit-------4-------------------4-----------4---------3----------------3------3--------4
TOTALS--------------4.38--------------4.88-------3.75-----4.00----------4.50--4.13----4.38
COMMENTS -
Art:
Not a fan of rice pilaf in general. Waiter very informative on future locations, nice naked lady portrait
Mitchell:
Great hunting-lodge décor, peanut shells on the floor, 24oz Guinness for $7.25 (great price), naked painting in dining room-a plus!, red cabbage salad and ranch/blue cheese salad-Delicious, cheese toast-Ridiculously good!!, peanuts on the table (shells on the floor) but should be salted :( separate checks appreciated, disappointed in the Rib-eye, WAYYYYY too lean, a rib-eye needs marbling and fat for flavor, this steak was more like a NYStrip than Rib-eye, house-recipe "steak sauce" was suspect.
Kelly D:
Full and Happy!, Enough said. P.S. a poop and a nap sounds nice!
Gil:
Water was good. Peanuts need to be salted.
Matt:
Awesome naked lady painting! Waiter suggests Rib-eye over Porterhouse! Cheese butter got on steak, ruined taste!
Studio:
Naked girl painting was the breast…the peanuts need to be salted…F*#kin delish!
Kris:
The naked lady pic is a nice addition. Great bread! Good steak! Great restaurant, classic 50s steakhouse, No rice! Yack
Deacon:
1. Presentation - Awesome décor, cool nostalgic feel, throwing peanut shells on the ground is always a bonus.
2. Service - Great job, waiter was really cool and always near if you needed anything.
3. Flavor - good flavor but I think they gear their steaks to be dowsed with the house steaksauce
4. Tenderness - Hard for a steakhouse or restaurant to screw up the tenderness of a rib-eye
5. Side dishes - Fantastic! had to get a second helping of the red cabbage.
6. Value for $ - what a full stomach of food costs now-a-days
7. Overall - Can't wait to come back again, great painting of a naked woman, the waiter had good suggestions for the next meeting. HAD A BLAST
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Steak Mafia Dinner #1
Welcome the Inaugural post for The Steak Mafia.
A gastronomical salon comprised of steak-lovers, (figuratively, not literally,) The Steak Mafia, or TSM, was conceived of by The Godfather (Arturo Beltrán) and is open to all men who wish to explore the world of great Steakhouses. TSM gatherings are invite-only, alcoholic indulgence is highly encouraged, pretentiousness is forbidden, (e.g. using that word is borderline pretentious,) and membership is attainable, pending a secret vote, after 4 dinners. All new attendees are Recruits, and rank is elevated after each dinner attended. Now, enough with the word-speech, what about the Steak?!
The very first meeting of TSM was at Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse, June 6, 2009. By-laws were read, secret handshake invented, blood-oaths administered, and bovine flesh was consumed in massive quantities, (except for Studio of course, who took a trip to Kansas City). The results are as follows (click on the image to see a larger version):
Welcome the Inaugural post for The Steak Mafia.
A gastronomical salon comprised of steak-lovers, (figuratively, not literally,) The Steak Mafia, or TSM, was conceived of by The Godfather (Arturo Beltrán) and is open to all men who wish to explore the world of great Steakhouses. TSM gatherings are invite-only, alcoholic indulgence is highly encouraged, pretentiousness is forbidden, (e.g. using that word is borderline pretentious,) and membership is attainable, pending a secret vote, after 4 dinners. All new attendees are Recruits, and rank is elevated after each dinner attended. Now, enough with the word-speech, what about the Steak?!
The very first meeting of TSM was at Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse, June 6, 2009. By-laws were read, secret handshake invented, blood-oaths administered, and bovine flesh was consumed in massive quantities, (except for Studio of course, who took a trip to Kansas City). The results are as follows (click on the image to see a larger version):
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