Ruth's Chris Steak House - Tampa Bay

Ahhhh Ruth's Chris how I've missed you so. Ruth's Chris is my absolute favorite steak house. I used to frequent the Orlando  location quite often prior to the collapse of the Real Estate market. When Dine Tampa Bay announced Restaurant Week 2012, the first thing I did was look to see if Ruth's Chris was part of the line up - and it was!

For $45 a person, you got a 3 course meal with sides. Starting off, we were given a choice between Steak House Salad, Caesar Salad, Strawberry Toasted Almond and Bleu Cheese Salad or Tomato & Basil Bisque We opted for the Caesar salad and were very happy with the selection. Look at the cheese!

For the entree's, you could select between a Filet, Ribeye, 6oz Filet & Caribbean Lobster Tail or Seared Ahi Tuna with Soy-Ginger Sauce. I over indulged and got the 11 ounce Filet Mignon. Um do you know me? I can't eat a 5 ounce steak. This steak was over 3" tall. I have never seen anything like this (I usually order Petite Filets at Ruth's Chris). It was perfectly cooked, I could cut it with a fork. It was everything you would ever look for in a Filet Mignon. Let's just say I had a very nice lunch the following day.

Gabe got the Ribeye and to be honest, I liked the flavor steak of his over mine. Would I trade him? No way - I am a filet girl. Yet the Ribeye was excellent and I strongly suggest it.

Each person was able to select a side item, which is normally an extra $10 at Ruths. Sautèed Mushrooms, Creamed Spinach, Green Beans with Roasted Garlic, Sweet Corn and Edamame Succotash or Garlic Mashed Potatoes. We got the mashed potatoes and mushrooms.

Finally for dessert - there was only once choice, the Key Lime Cheesecake served with Pecan Chocolate Bark and Raspberry Sauce. My photo does not give this dessert justice. I will be honest, when we saw this was our only suggestion, we were both disappointed. Yes, we live in FL but neither of us are huge fans of Key Lime Pie. We were pleasantly surprised by this dessert. It wasn't too tart and the chocolate bark set it off with a perfect crunch.

We had an excellent dinner and Gabe was raving about how wonderful the food and the service was. It normally hurts to spend over $100 on dinner for two as most of the time, I can cook whatever we are eating out better at home. Not in this case. Ruth's Chris is well worth the money.

AND - they have a Happy Hour. How did I not know this? My office is one building away from Ruth's Chris. The Sizzle and Swirl Happy Hour offers a selection of specialty drinks and treats for $7.

If you are able to read the menu above, you will find two of my close friends, the Cosmo and a Maine Lobster Roll, for $7 each. Wait did I just say a $7 Lobster Roll!!!! We already decided that we are going to Ruth's Chris next week for Happy Hour.