Bourbon Steak

Upscale classic-with-a-twist steakhouse in Aventura. James Beard award-winning chef Michael Mina is the founder and CEO.

What we had:

Table Starters:
Duck-fat fries three ways: Herb and garlic, spicy and a smoky spicy with roasted garlic aioli, a spicy ketchup, and a sweet/sou ketchup. The fries were freakin fantabulous.

Fresh, light, well-seasoned foccacia served in a copper pan.

Appetizer:
Crab Louie Lettuce Cups--crab and avocado with sriracha vinaigrette. A nice, light crab amuse bouche with a really nice sriracha vinaigrette. The avocado didn't really come through, but the appetizer was good nonetheless.

Main:
10-oz. filet mignon--spot-on and cooked perfectly.
8-oz. American "Kobe" filet mignon--We expected a Kobe filet to be good, but half-expected it to be yet another overrated "foodie" ingredient. We were wrong. Regular filet can't hold a candle to American Kobe. It's a beef orgasm in every bite. The meat was so tender I could separate individual muscle fibers with my tongue. Holy crap this was good.

Side:
Truffled mac & cheese. Tasty, tasty truffled mac & cheese.

Drinks:
Key lime pie martini--Stoli Vani, Hangar One Kaffir Lime, Licor 43, Fresh Lime & Cream
This was a nice cocktail. Not too aggressive of a vodka or cream taste with a nice lime finish.

Vodka martini with a twist--Grey goose as always. My DH said it was good, though I harbor my doubts that it tasted like lighter fluid. He enjoyed it though.

Décor:

Rich grainy woods, low light, comfortable champaigne velvet couches, interesting mirrors, really cool wine displays. This place would be perfect to take a birthday girl (like me), for an anniversary dinner, to make a good impression on clients, etc. Nice steakhouse feel without being old-fashioned or too "gentlemen's club."

Service:

I had seen bad reviews of the service online, and had no problems at all. Our waiter had a good balance of interested and unobtrusive, and the other waiters bustled around clearing dishes, refilling water, etc. without detracting from the dinner experience.

Overall impressions:

We are in love. We heart American Kobe, and I'm very glad we chose this place for my birthday. There isn't much that makes me happier than a slab of rare beef. This place did not disappoint, and we need an excuse to go back.

What Google says; Company website

Rating:

5 out of 5 salamanders