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How Much Would You Pay for a Steak??
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In New York for the rest of this week to check out some of the Big Boy restaurants that are opening in Atlanta, I tried a kobe steak at BLT Steak last night.
I’ll give a full report when I return, but let’s start with the marked difference between what this restaurant looks like in New York — a small bistro, very loud, and believe me the distance between tables doesn’t pass the fire code (read: I’m not sure why they bothered with more than one table at all; they should have just given us all a spot at the same large trough) — and what I suspect it will look like in Atlanta. In Atlanta, inside the W Hotel Downtown, my guess is that it will lack most of the annoying little qualities — like a din so loud we couldn’t even hear the people sitting next to, um I mean on top of, us — that actually make it interesting. The look is New York, not Paris, but there are small touches like the signature blackboard menu, that includes daily specials like English peas with strong hints of mint and bacon and salsify with trumpet royale mushrooms.
That said, the food, designed by tres cosmopolitan French chef Laurent Tourondel, centers around beef (Lourondel has a slew of restaurants here and elsewhere that focus on a particular fill-in-the-blank for consumption: BLT Steak, BLT Fish, BLT Market. Here, beef gets all the perspective, sometimes naked and exposed (BLT-cut bone-in double sirloin), sometimes airbrushed until the last blemish has been removed (Japanese kobe strip steak, though on this evening the cut was filet).
The kobe costs $26 an ounce, and there is a five-ounce minimum. The waiter brought it to the table before it was grilled for me to see its perfectly marbled flesh. And once cooked to a perfect medium rare, it was velvety, juicy and exceptional. But it wasn’t $130 exceptional. Russell Crowe could have cooked it naked tableside and it wouldn’t have been $130 exceptional.
Kobe is incredible beef, and I’m a big believer in “you-get-what-you-pay-for.” And I don’t think BLT Steak is necessarily overcharging. I just don’t think it’s worth it. There’s just not as much there there as everyone yammers on about.
How much would you pay for a steak? How far would you go to get a really great steak?
Permalink | Comments (46) | Post your comment | Categories: Dining
Comments
By Rodney
May 8, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Just this past week I was in Las Vegas (which has become a great place to eat, by the way) and went to CUT, Wolfgang Puck’s high-end steakhouse.
CUT, Las Vegas
Not for nothing, but I WANTED to sink a knife into the NY sirloin tasting (three seperate cuts, all fantastic I’ll bet) but at $120.00 I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
So I chose the Angus Kobe Style for $70.00. Great steak, by the way.
I generally don’t splurge on one menu item like that, but a good steak is something worth the splurge I think.
By Storm
May 8, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
I WILL NOT pay more than $12.00 for a steak.
By Nixon
May 8, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Are you crazy? $130 for a piece of meat? Is it encrusted in GOLD?
What a waste……..I can feed my family of 4 on $130 a week, 3 meals a day.
Why pay that much for a piece of meat to be cooked by some stupid celebrity chef, when a nice steak from Wilkes Meat Market, thrown on the Charcol grill, grilled to perfection, and enjoyed with a bottle of wine, is less than $25.00.
You people are freaking nuts!!! We are in the midst of a recession, with gas prices off the chart, and people think nothing of spending that kind of money, for something that will last no more than 15 minutes.
Idiots!!
By Rodney
May 8, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
Nixon - not all of us have the responsibilities of a family of four.
By NoRecession
May 8, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
There is a distinct difference between a Kobe and something you pick up for 12-25 bucks at the grocery.
And if you are feeding a family of four, for a week, on $130, DFACS needs to come see you.
By Eric
May 8, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t in my right mind pay 130$ for a steak. I would rather go buy the Kobe meat and cook it myself. I think people just want to say they had KOBE beef and payed 130$. One of the best steaks I have ever had was in Pensacola Florida at Mcgures Irish Pub. Black Angus Ribeye was like 22$ and was fantastic, they have been in the last 10 years of the top restauraunts for steaks in Florida. And I also have been to Ruth Chris Steak house, talk about overated 30$ for a filet and they only use butter, salt and pepper in it and put it on a 1800 degree over. Thats like about having a Jet Engine back there. The steak had no taste and was not worth the money they asked for. Always heard Chops was good.
By Nixon
May 8, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
NoRecession Why would DFACS need to pay a visit? What is that about?
I’ve been feeding my family for less than $150 week for several years now……We plan the weekly menu, cut coupons, buy store brands, etc. Myself and my kids take our lunches to work/school. Hubby dines out for lunch.
No need for DFACS, it’s called a BUDGET.
By Rod Stone
May 8, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
My Question is: Why would you tip more than $8.00?
By lovelyliz
May 8, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
I don’t eat steak in restaurant much any more. When I have that particular craving, I prefer to buy a great steak and grill it myself.
By Noelle
May 8, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t pay $130 for an entire three/four-course meal with drinks, much less JUST for a steak. I might try one if someone else is picking up the check (that’s how I’ve had some of the best meals of my life), but I’d rather pick something more reasonable and spend that money elsewhere.
By LMAO
May 8, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
The 12 oz Renegade at Longhorns in Tucker is $12 and a great meal…$130 you don’t have much to do with your money or you are on an idiots expense account.
By Kwitcherbitshen
May 8, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Nixon et. al.: We don’t care how much it costs to feed your family; we don’t care about your opinion on why people pay a lot for a restaurant meal when there’s a so-called “recession”; the price of gas has nothing to do with the topic of the question. Do you get my drift? We don’t care about you. Idiot.
By Nixon
May 8, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Kwitcherbitshen Thank you so much for your lovely polite post. I haven’t been called an idiot in a very long time, again, thank you.
Have a wonderful day.
And don’t forget to attend tonight’s Anger Management Class, followed by a healthy dose of your meds…….
By Whitney
May 8, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Eric, Ruth’s Chris is not overrated. What else do you want on your steak? If it’s a good cut of meat then you don’t need any other special seasonings to bring out flavor. Chops is good too though. Very comfortable atmosphere. Bones is good too, but not my husband’s favorite. He isn’t into steaks that are charred on the outside.
By Joe
May 8, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
While I don’t mind paying more than $20 for a good steak, I certainly wouldn’t pay $130 for Kobe beef (unless my lottery ticket comes through tomorrow). If I really wanted to try Kobe beef, I agree with the poster who said that he would grill it himself. As far as steaks in general are concerned, I don’t really order them that much when dining out because that’s something I can cook for myself at home. I’d rather spend my money on something like a nice piece of fish or something more exotic like ostrich or duck - things that I can’t find at the neighborhood Kroger.
By Dan
May 8, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
It certainly is a lot to spend, and as Merideth points out, you don’t have to be overcharged for something not to be worth it. Restauraunts typically mark up 2-3times cost. Usually it winds up being twice what you could buy it for retail. You can go to wilkes and buy a $12 ny strip and grill it yourself. But it is a far different cut of meat than you get at Bones or Mcguires in fla Those steaks are dry aged meaning they weigh less and have been stored for a month all this adds to the cost and flavor. Some people think its worth paying for and some don’t. I love good food but a friend of mine would be perfectly content if he could get all his nutrition from a pill. So our perceptions of value differ greatly
By Campaign Promises
May 8, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
McCain: What this country needs is a good 50 cent steak like they had when I was a kid.
Hillary: What this country needs is a good Kansas City ribeye, or New York strip, or Texas brisket, or whatever sounds right for me to say at the time depending on where I’m campaigning.
O-bore-me: What this country needs is to change their appetite away from the culture of beef and to embrace the idea of pork.
Paul: Eat more chicken.
By CL
May 8, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Kwitcher: Although I can tell you are one of the more learned posters here, I am having trouble finding the answers to Meridith’s questions in your post. “How much would you pay for a steak? How far would you go to get a really great steak?”
Oh, I get it! I must be an idiot too! Well at least I’m in good company.
p.s. Flo’s filet will do me just fine but I would rather have something other than steak when I dine out as no one can grill a steak like my husband and/or Dad.
By RB
May 8, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
The steaks at Chops are absolutely fantastic!!
By amy
May 8, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
In a restaurant my limit would be $30.00 for steak. In the grocery store my limit is $20.00. I choose to spend my money on other things I desire when I can, or to pay bills. Kudos to you if you can spend $130 on a steak, that’s great—I’m happy that you’re successful, and if that’s what you truly desire, then you only live once so you have to do what you want to do and don’t worry about what others may think.
By Kwitcherbitshen
May 8, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Answer 1: I order from the menu based on my appetite and desire for what I want to eat - I don’t look at the prices until the check comes.
Answer 2: As far as a tank of gas will take me. Then, I’ll fill up again and drive back home.
Idiot.
By JT
May 8, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Kobe, Wagyu,and any other ultra-prime steaks are overrated. I’ve tried them all and like wine, it becomes a very subjective thing. They do melt in your mouth, but so does my wife’s pot roast. Can’t say I care too much for dry-aged(intentionally rotted)steak either. To tell the truth, I’ve become to enjoy a steak that has a little texture or chewiness to it…like some of the grass fed beef I’ve eaten recently. But who cares what you blow on a meal. If you can afford it, then fine. These people are supporting the waiters, kitchen help, etc. making and serving that primo steak earn a decent living. Envy just as much as gluttony is a deadly sin.
By mel
May 8, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
I am not much for eating meat. I like chicken better. The most I pay for a meal is about 20 bucks with either dessert or salad included (depends on how I feel). In this economy I doubt anyone is saving more than 3% for the future. It seems to me that purchasing the ingredients and cooking at home would serve the purpose, be more enjoyable and be less expensive. Now if you are one of those high paying executives that can afford to pay that much for your meals, go ahead. I am not going to persuade anyone to save more, spend less and stop getting into more debt.
By darren
May 8, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Forget the steaks what about the Big Boy rest. that are supposed to come here. The real ones are in places like Cincinnati that has tartar sauce, the northeast uses thousand island dressing. Which one is coming here and when??
By DFACS
May 8, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
With food stamps, plus taking advantage of goverment surplus commodities, it is indeed possible to feed a family of four on $130 a week.
By Aurora
May 8, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
“A fool and his money are soon parted”…….
By Monica
May 8, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
I just ate a $41.00 filet in Dallas, and it was amazing…
By Rodney
May 8, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
I think we got off track here a little bit - no one said (at least so far as I can tell) that there is anything wrong with a less expensive steak. Frankly, I’ve had some tasty steaks that were $20.00 or less.
The point (and the topic) is to determine how much people are willing to pay for exceptional steaks. I, and a few others, are willing to pay a premium for a premium cut of beef (and I LOVE tableside choice, Meridith - although I’d much prefer Smith from Sex and the City preparing it “nekkid” for me!).
Some folks are not willing to pay that price. AND THAT’S FINE. Like I said earlier, I don’t always splurge like that - in my case, my $70.00 steak was a treat to myself while on a short vacay.
And since I’m addressing issues here, let me second the notion put forth by Whitney above - a good steak, more often an expensive steak, needs nothing more than salt, pepper and maybe a bit of butter used while searing. It needs to bleed a little when cut into and it needs a heft and thickness (while remaining “velvety”) that make you half-remember our caveman days of gnawing through a bronto-steak!
By PJ
May 8, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
The most I have spent on a steak (in the past, as I cannot afford to do so now) is $50. I like the steaks at Chops, The Palm and Morton’s. Was not so impressed with Bones. Generally, these days, I prefer to cook my steaks at home, for about $20 each and eat something else when I’m out…
By Oval Office Bill
May 8, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Monica - I hope you didn’t get any stains on your blue dress, babe! After dinner cigar, anyone?
By muffin
May 8, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Kwitcherbitshen: If everyone here is such an idiot, go read the Wallstreet Journal. I think it’s perfectly acceptable to mention the recession or being on a budget as well as gas prices when you’re answering a question that specifically asks how much would you be willing to PAY for something as well as DRIVE to get it! My name makes me hungry.
By moo cow
May 8, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
If you pay more than $12-$15 for a steak you’re paying for the place where you’re eating it and that’s just stupid. But we all have to be super fancy don’t we.
By Kwitcherbitshen
May 8, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Hey, Muffin (or do you look more like a Muffin-top?): Whatever.
Dummkopf.
By VoiceOfReason
May 8, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Okay, I don’t get it. People are bragging ONLY about spending $130-$150 per week on groceries? Where do you shop, Whole Foods? What do you eat, lobster? I feed my family of three for about $65 a week and even that includes toiletries and other cleaning supplies and even then I still have guilty feelings about having to throw things out. Maybe since I grew up poor I tend to hold on to my money more, especially in the grocery store. We also learned how to make a meal stretch. Oh well, back to the point of the story: The way I see it, the $130 is for the experience, not just the steak. I’m sure with that steak comes exeptional service (they pretty much have to at that cost), wonderful ambiance, curbing your curiosity and the luxury of telling your friends and associates about your experience. Not to brag, just because you can share it with others. Now, all that probably is worth $130.
By Skooch
May 8, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
I go to Kroger all the time and have them cut me a fresh, fist-sized (about 7 oz.) filet and it never costs more than $7.00. Then I cook it the way I want it, on a charcoal grill at home, and it’s divine. Add a baked spud for what, 50 cents? I’ll even splurge and get fresh aspargus and put that on the grill too; talk about the perfect meal! And that leaves money left for a nice bottle of Chateau St. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.00 a bottle. Done!
By DYJ
May 8, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Gee, I thought my money was money and if I wanted to spend $100 on a piece of meat, it’s my business to do so. That said… We paid $64 for the porthouse for 2 at Kevin Rathbun Steak and it was worth the splurge.
By Monica
May 8, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Oval office Bill-
Your so funny, I haven’t heard that joke in 10 yrs…
By lovelyliz
May 8, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
$130 on a steak, never!!!!!!!!
$130 on a pair of comfortable, beautiful shoes, now that’s another matter.
By Vexorg
May 8, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Sorry folks….nothing beats a steak procured from a meat market, fresh cut by a PROFESSIONAL BUTCHER, and grilled at home on one’s own grill.
Then again, if being pretentious is important to you by all means, go ahead and waste your money - you earned it and nobody should ever have the right to tell you how to spend it. Unfortunately in today’s society, we have too many liberal nannies running about trying to control people’s lives as it is…..
By HS Teacher
May 8, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
I’ve had excellent steak at Palm, Morton’s in several cities, Ruth Chris in several cities, home, and many other steak restaurants, plus Longhorn. The most I have ever paid is $52 and that for the whole meal at Morton’s Chicago.
I can cook a great steak at home on my gas grill for much less. For my birthday last month, I had the $39 special at Ruth Chris. Service was not as good as the food. I will be traveling next month and look forward to some good steaks.
By John Braun
May 8, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
You can buy our Wagyu / Kobe style 5 Star - BMS 8 and higher.. Tenderloin , the top Japanese grade for marbling.. for less than $30 per lb. and you’ll have the best steak outside of pure hand-rubbed Kobe from Japan.. that’s getting your money worth.
By heh heh heh
May 8, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
mmmmmmm, the wafffle house ribeye suits my needs, an I can even get it wit smothered covered browns
By MrLiberty
May 8, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
The cholesterol, the cancer, the mad cow disease, the e.coli, the cruelty, the suffering, the abuse…these are all already too much to pay for a steak.
I paid $2.25 for a packet of beefsteak tomato seeds. If I planted them all I would probably end up with several hundred pounds of the most mouth watering delicious juicy dripping pieces of near blood-red fruit god ever put on this earth for us to enjoy.
And all without pain or discomfort to any of god’s creatures.
The choice is always your’s to make. Why not make the right one. There IS NO MORE GREEN way to live or eat.
By The Grinch
May 8, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
It all depends on the mood. $40-$50 max on a steak at a restaurant or my expectations become impossible to live up to. Most of the time I grill at home and I rarely (pardon the pun) disappoint myself. Plus, you don’t get a DUI that way (and if I’m gonna spend a bunch on a steak you can bet I’m not gonna be drinking sweet tea with it).
By sokak6
May 8, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
Doe’s in Greenville,Miss. If you go once you will never forget it. Ambiance=zip, Steaks= Heaven.
By Tom Bianco
May 9, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
I was in NYC in my 20’s and was out to dinner and really wanted to try the KOBE but could not afford it. I was there three months ago and could afford it and did I still think there is better value in the steak you get at outback but if you have a palate there is a distinct difference between the $14 Select Ribeye you get at a place like Outback the $28 dollar Choice Ribeye you get at Palm the $48 Prime Bone in Ribeye at NY Prime and the $130.00 Kobe. It is the same when you buy a car. You can get the Kia for $10k or the Bugatti or the $280K. If you cant swing the the $4k a month car payment you should get the Kia. But if you can get the Bugatti you only live once. I am saying this because I dont understand why we have to listen to people rant on about how you are an idiot if you have got the cash to drop $130 on steak when gas prices are crazy and we are in a recession and yada yada yada. Hey let me enlighten you the guys that just sold You Tube to Google are not in a recession. My developer buddy who just cleared $24 million is not in a recession. You my friend who has to cut coupons and use food stamps and cant spend more than $130 a week on food is in a recession. So lets stick to the topic - Good Food not gas prices or economics go post that somewhere else. Also we can drop the discussion on the value of Kroger brand green beans because if you buy fresh, steam them in a little butter salt n pepper and you will be much happier even thought you had to spent an extra .10#