Ruth’s Chris Steak House- A place for a casual lunch?
Food fanatics in Murrieta and Temecula Valley have the best of both worlds. We have our local joints that we are loyal to, or we can head north to the OC or south to San Diego, for a different flare.
I’m driving through beautiful Del Mar on a Friday afternoon looking for a good but fairly quick place to eat, as I need to jump on the 15 freeway before traffic gets too bad.
Most of us think of Ruth’s Chris Steak House as a food destination for a romantic dinner for two, or a steak house for special occasions; but for lunch???
I pulled into Ruth’s Chris parking lot to happily discover they were open. A high class steak joint open for lunch? The valet attendant told me they are open for lunch on Fridays from 11:30 – 2:00. What luck! For once, I was at the right place at the right time.
I sat in the cozy very comfortable lounge just off side of the bar. Sipping on a scratch mouth watering mojito, watching Roger Federer at the Madrid Quarter Finals; it was time to order.
It was time to order something OTHER than a signature steak or market fresh seafood selection. If you have an appetite for mouth watering appetizers, this is the place! Everything from lightly fried calamari to veal osso buco ravioli, I ordered the crabtini for starters. Talk about succulent colossal lump crabmeat tossed in their house vinaigrette and served with Creole remoulade sauce in a chilled martini glass; WINNER!!!
Out of habit, I also ordered a Caesar salad. Very fresh & crisp, the dressing was typical and the combination of the parmesan and black pepper crisps was pleasing. Before I knew it, my main course was in front off my fatt little face. Hand-cut julienne fries, Swiss cheese and béarnaise sauce with fresh crumbled blue chez; what is this? How about adding medium rare sliced N.Y. strips sandwiched on garlic bread? Yes, this is the action! Lettuce and tomatoes with fresh red onions topped it off, but it was the moment where my mouth took that first bite. All of the flavors and the dripping béarnaise and creamy horse radish sauces took this beauty over the top!
If you like broccoli or even if you don’t, try the broccoli au gratin; it’s simply addicting!
I couldn’t leave this place without a taste of their homemade cheesecake. The presentation was clean and the fresh berries added a nice touch. Nice light flavor without the typical “rich” I can’t eat too much of this feeling. Great selections from caramelized banana cream pie, Chocolate sin cake, and of course what high-end joint would not offer Crème Brulee. Ice cream and sorbet is also available.
So next time you are driving through San Diego on a Friday, remember this place that started 47 years ago!
Enjoy!
Fatt Jimmy
Fatt Jimmys Food Critics
(951) 239 3100
Food Review
San Diego: Del Mar
Ruth's Chris Steak House
11582 El Camino Real
San Diego, CA 92130
Phone: (858) 755 – 1454
