Triumphrat

HiDesert · 06-11-2009, 12:47 PM

The night before last, a colleague from outside the U.S. asked to go to Outback Steakhouse for dinner. Okay, twist my arm why don't you. I've never had a bad steak at Outback. Take on big slab of beef, introduce it to the fire, and get it out to my table. Simple task, well accomplished.

Last night, we ended up at the kind of restaurant where they post the chef's picture and brief bio by the door. The menu was littered with 'confit,' 'reduction,' and other words that are on the outer fringes of my foodical vocabulary. Sure, it was very well prepared.

Guess which I enjoyed more? Which would you enjoy more?

koifarm · 06-11-2009, 03:46 PM

A steer, a charcoal pit, a knife and fork and a cold beer !

Thatch · 06-11-2009, 03:59 PM

Generally I don't care much for any chain. They tend to over do the flavors and add sugar to things that were never intended to be sweet to cater to the seemingly tastebud devoid vulgus. That being said Outback does have some fair steaks that aren't similarly afflicted and they are one of the passable places.

The problem with the other sort of place is that typically one of presentation. From the menu to the plating to the pronunciation of the ingredients it's all about making it sound like more than what it is. Tiny portions of silly sounding sauces over over-handled cuts of meat just don't impress me. Now, put me in a small village in Italy, Spain or France where they know how to make hearty foot from incredible ingredients that to all the (rest of the) world sound "fancy" and you'll have to drag me away from the table. I'm not sure I'd ever care to see another big steak again given that choice.

propforward · 06-11-2009, 05:50 PM

It's difficult for me to pigeonhole eateries quite so readily. I love food see, and it comes in so many guises from the simple to the fancy, all of which are superb, for a bunch of different reasons.

On steaks, I know how to both age and cook a steak to mouthwatering deliciousness, as many people do. It's not that hard - consequently a steak house has to be REALLY good for me to go there and be satisfied. The Outback does not cut it.

On fancy restaurants - I love 'em - but boy I've been burned by a few that talk the talk without walking the walk - just as badly burned as any chain has ever burned me that's for sure.

So it's a case by case thing for me. I don't refuse to go into chains, because I've had many a good meal there, but if I can, I look for the local place. Ma and Pa places are great, specialist fancy places too if I'm in the mood and they create a vibe that suggests they'll deliver what they promise.

The last steakhouse I went to was Mortons in Minneapolis. That's a chain (not like the outback though) and boy was that ever a good steak. Yessir, they met, surpassed and ran off with the goals. 300 bucks on a meal for 2 though........

Admittedly a meal for 2 that would have fed about 6 - but anyway...

The author had a point at the start of this post but has temporarily forgotten what it was.

Carry on.

EDIT:

Oh yeah - there are other factors too. Who I am with - what is the day about - am I entertaining - am I out on the bike, meeting old friends? What? These various factors all playb into the choice, and if I get the choice of eatery right to match what is happening on the day and who I am with - suddenly a magic moment is born and captured. Further down lifes road similar aromas and tastes then bring those magic moments rushing back, in a very positive way.

Yup. Food. I love it.

Thatch · 06-11-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propforward

It's difficult for me to pigeonhole eateries quite so readily.

Now I'll agree with that. I do like some regional chains, but for the most part the national ones I just don't care for. I'm also a big greasy spoon fan. The small dinners where the old timers congregate are always fun. Of course that has much more to do with the atmosphere than the food.

What I most enjoy is gastronomic tourism, going to new places and finding the local fare. Part of my issue with the chains is going from place to place only to find the same food. I know that is the main appeal to these establishments for others, but for me it's just the opposite.

propforward · 06-11-2009, 08:27 PM

I agree Thatch. I want to explore and enjoy the local atmospheres and food wherever I can.

andyw · 06-12-2009, 09:09 AM

Being a foreigner from the other side of the planet. All I can say of my experience with murkan food is... Someone please teach them how to cook

propforward · 06-12-2009, 09:26 AM

You went to the wrong places andyw man. You need to know how to find the good eateries. They are here, all over, same as everywhere. You also need an idea of what the regional specialties are - this is true of wherever you go - so that you have an idea of what to look for.

jhawk · 06-12-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyw

Being a foreigner from the other side of the planet. All I can say of my experience with murkan food is... Someone please teach them how to cook

We learned to cook from the English.......

Thatch · 06-12-2009, 11:25 AM

I quite like English food, proper English food that is, not the cheap manufactured stuff. Somewhere around the 70's the English collectively lost their minds when it comes to food but are now coming back around to what they do. I think it had to do with the thought that all good food came out of France that traditional English fare lost respect and just became cheap pub food.

Having fairly recently returned from living in the UK for a 3 year stint I am quite happy to report that locally produced traditional English fare is gaining a great deal of respect there. You don't have to go to a high end eatery in a larger city to find good food, there are good spots everywhere now.

Thats not to say there isn't still bad food. You can still get some greasy bangers at the local pub or wander into the wrong place on curry night (or god forbid Mexican night, there really isn't anything quite as unpleasant as English enchiladas ) BUT, anymore your just as likely to find wonderfully fresh traditional fare, from good locally produced beer (or if your lucky and out West a bit a cider) to local lamb, a good game pie, wild boar sausages or some of the finest cheese to pass your lips.

I do so miss it....