Steak Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog

David Burke’s Primehouse – Chicago, Illinois

Gil GardunoSeptember 5, 2012July 8, 202411:48 PM

By day, my friend James Sorenham was an architect of his business group’s data warehouse and business intelligence strategies. By night and on weekends, James was a gentleman farmer tending to a small herd at his Broke Again ranch outside Portland, Oregon. James took immense pride in raising prized beef cattle and kept his colleagues apprised of their progress through his weekly status reports. Alas, his writing skills weren’t in the same zip code as his data management skills so when he reported that he had “personally inseminated sixteen cows,” he got teased mercilessly about his deviant bestial activities. The fact that David Burke is the first chef to own his own bull means “personal insemination” of beef cattle can…

Albuquerque Closed in 2018 Gone But Not Forgotten Steak

The Town House Restaurant – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoAugust 4, 2012December 11, 20183:53 PM

America’s highway system expansion which began in the 1930s not only “shrank” America, it introduced the entertaining, educational–some might say bizarre–phenomenon of the roadside attraction. Entrepreneurs competed with each other to create gawk-inspiring, curiosity motivating, must-see-to-believe attractions to snare the attention of motorists and motivate them to part with some of their money. Neon lights festooned Route 66 while fiberglass and concrete statues became part-and-parcel of America’s highways and byways. This was true roadside art which became a part of the fabric of Americana, albeit a kitschy tradition fading with the passage of time (which aptly describes many of the statues themselves). Among the most famous statuary art are life-sized fiberglass statues of stocky steers (corpulent cows and beefy bulls,…

Albuquerque Closed in 2017 Gone But Not Forgotten Steak

Marcello’s Chophouse – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoJune 30, 2012July 17, 20184:18 AM

Steak–even the word conjures stereotypes of power brokers in suits and ties. There’s just something about sizzling, flame-kissed beef that seems to appeal to the wheelers and dealers and movers and shakers among us. Steak may just be the ultimate power food! That power is also wielded in the ultimate thumbing of the nose at vegetarians when carnivores emphasize that they didn’t claw their way to the top of the food ladder only to eat vegetables. Vegetarians may retort that steak is antithetical to a healthful lifestyle. To carnivores, however, it’s not as important that steak may not be good for you as it is that steak is oh so good. Meat lovers emphasize that there is nothing like a…

Albuquerque Rated 23 Steak

Vernon’s Speakeasy – Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil GardunoSeptember 7, 2011July 18, 20184:19 AM

After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution ushered in the era of Prohibition in the United States, an era was to last from 1920 through 1933. Only liquors used for religious purposes were excluded. Because alcohol was declared illegal by the Congress, bootleggers and distributors of illicit alcohol thrived. There was no shortage of enthusiastic scofflaws willing to run afoul of the law in order to enjoy intoxicating beverages. One of the most popular milieus in which…

Albuquerque Better Call Saul Closed in 2015 Gone But Not Forgotten Steak

Paul’s Monterey Inn – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoFebruary 13, 2010July 17, 20222:02 AM

The year was 1971. Albuquerque’s population had reached a quarter of a million. The San Juan-Chama project, a system of diversion structures and tunnels for trans-mountain movement of water from the San Juan River Basin to the Rio Grande Basin, was completed. The area’s three military installations: Kirtland, Manzano and Sandia Bases merged under Air Force jurisdiction. Civil unrest was in the air in pastoral Roosevelt Park where a riot ensued that saw more than 130 arrested and more than 2,000 armed men called in to quell the situation. Albuquerque ballooning pioneer Sid Cutter took his first balloon flight. Paul’s Monterey Inn opened on Juan Tabo. Four decades later Paul’s Monterey Inn continues to serve the Duke city with a…

Albuquerque Closed in 2010 Gone But Not Forgotten Steak

Duke’s Steakhouse – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoDecember 31, 2009July 7, 20189:36 PM

“Did you ever see the customers in health-food stores? They are pale, skinny people who look half dead. In a steak house, you see robust, ruddy people. They’re dying, of course, but they look terrific.” -Bill Cosby Bill Cosby probably didn’t have actor Robert Mitchum in mind when describing the type of people who visit steak houses. Heralded by movie critic Roger Ebert as “one of the greatest actors of all time,” the masculine Mitchum was certainly robust (evincing strength and vigorous health) and ruddy (inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life), but he wasn’t the type of he-man you might envision in a steak house. Presiding over a campfire, yes, but sitting down at a…

Italian Massachusetts Rated 26 Steak

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse – Boston, Massachusetts

Gil GardunoSeptember 21, 2009July 8, 20248:16 PM

“When I talk about a great dish, I often get goose bumps. I’m like, whoa, I’ll never forget that one. The Italians are just like that. It’s not all about food. It’s part of the memory.” ~Mario Batali When discussing my upcoming trip to Boston with Dave Hurayt, it evoked a nostalgic sentiment in a fellow gastronome whose opinion on food I respect. As a graduate student matriculating at one of the fine universities in the “Cradle of Modern America,” Dave knew where his priorities lay. Academic pursuits aside, Dave’s priorities included discovering the best restaurants in Boston, a pursuit I engaged in myself when living there from 1977-1979. One of Dave’s favorite Boston restaurants was Davio’s which he describes…

Closed in 2010 Colorado Gone But Not Forgotten Rated 27 Steak United States

The Hamilton Chop House – Durango, Colorado (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoAugust 21, 2008August 28, 20246:17 PM

The Land of Enchantment with its 121,356 square miles of deserts, mesas, rivers, mountains, forests, cities and villages is the fifth largest state in the country. In 2007, Albuquerque’s KOAT television station began a recurring series in which the station treated its viewers to an aerial perspective of many of the communities in its viewing area. That unique bird’s eye view perspective was captured from Sky 7, the station’s news helicopter. In 2008, the station expanded its coverage, sending news anchor and New Mexico native Royale Dá skyward once again to show viewers the challenges faced by the communities featured on the series and how they are dealing with those challenges. Royale was joined by city leaders from throughout the viewing area who boarded Sky 7…

Albuquerque Closed in 2008 Gone But Not Forgotten New Mexico Steak

Great American Steakhouse – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoMarch 3, 2007July 22, 20189:56 AM

Since the nineteenth century, land and cattle companies have been established throughout the west to buy, sell and lease land for grazing and breeding beef cattle. During years of ample water, high beef prices and fortuitous grace, profits are generally high. While most Albuquerque urbanites might not know or concern themselves with the history of cattle raising in the old west, they do know and appreciate great steak. For years they’ve been patronizing the Great American Land and Cattle Company on Tramway and Indian School. Starting in 2006, they won’t be able to do so. That’s because the restaurant has undergone a name change, one that better reflects the restaurant’s culinary fare (and I suspect prevents any confusion with the…

Albuquerque Closed in 2007 Gone But Not Forgotten Steak

The Falls – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoDecember 1, 2006November 10, 20181:35 PM

New Mexico has been gilded with incomparable scenic beauty and an abundance of sunshine. Cerulean skies graduate in depth of color the higher above the horizon your eyes climb, interrupted only by velvety smooth red-rock outcrops and snow-capped mountains. Fiery sunsets and brilliant sunrises give the illusion that God just threw a bucket of paint into the sky while processions of wispy cloud formations provide the promise of much needed rain as they sweep past the parched escarpment. A vibrant and diverse topography provides striking contrasts in terrain. It’s easy to focus on the many reasons New Mexico truly earns the sobriquet “the Land of Enchantment.” “Glass is half empty” folks might argue that New Mexico has been “shortchanged” when…

Brunch New Mexico Santa Fe Steak

Rio Chama Steakhouse – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Gil GardunoJuly 31, 2005July 23, 20182:56 PM

The murky Rio Chama meanders through the high plateaus of northwestern New Mexico surrounded by multi-colored sandstone cliffs reminiscent of Georgia O’Keefe’s landscape paintings in which colors seem to defy nature. The ambiance at the Rio Chama Steakhouse is of muted earth tones and subdued Southwestern patinas. Exquisite elegance is in evidence throughout the restaurant as this truly fine dining establishment exudes class and wealth. Serving prime and choice dry aged steaks, chops and seafood, this high-end and classy establishment has garnered accolades since its inception–Cocinita Magazine’s Critics’ Choice Award in 2001 and the Santa Fe Reporter Readers’ Choice award for best new restaurant in 2001 and 2002. It is the sister restaurant to Santa Fe restaurants La Casa Sena…