Paul and Lori took Beth and I out to Morton’s Steakhouse in downtown San Jose last week to celebrate my 10th anniversary at Elmech. Beth had been to their Happy Hour a few times already since they opened a couple years ago, but the rest of us were first-timers.
Beth had told us of their great Happy Hour deals, compared to their rather pricey menu in the restaurant, and as we walked in, there appeared to be a lot of truth to that. It was a Thursday night at 6:30 and the bar was packed, but the tables in the restaurant were pretty much empty. There were probably less than five table seated when we got there. There was a private party going on in the back room that let out before we finished gorging ourselves.
First, Paul and I ordered dirty Martinis while Lori went with a Manhattan. I was happy with my Martini and Lori liked her drink too. Not sure what Paul’s take on his Martini was, but it must not have been too bad because he ordered another one with his dinner.
On to the food. This was typical steakhouse, everything a la carte with a selection of different cuts and some seafood. We had the lobster bisque, tuna tartare and the lump crabcake for starters. While the bisque was non-remarkable, the crabcake was to die for! Dungeness crabmeat, still moist and super flavorful! It was the best thing we had all night. Paul really liked the tuna tartare, but I would have liked it a little spicier. The steaks were good, although I didn’t have the ribeye because I ordered the combination special which was a Morton’s salad, (iceburg lettuce, egg, goat cheese I think, and a couple anchovies on the huge pile of lettuce) a 8 ounce (I think) filet mignon and two king crab legs with some big ass asparagus for $79. Since Paul was footing the bill, I was trying to be nice.
My filet was good, especially with a little bernaise sauce on it, but I was pleasently surprised by the King Crab legs! I guess the only ones I’d had prior were served cold, like at the buffets in Vegas. These were hot with drawn butter and they were yummy. Nice, sweet flavor and tender meat. Almost as good as Dungeness.
We had a bottle of Duckhorn Paraduxx Meritage with dinner and Paul and Lori split a chocolate souffle while Beth and I split the hot chocolate cake with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.
I didn’t see the bill, but I would say Morton’s is your typical, nice steakhouse with wet-aged steaks and good seafood. The steaks seemed to range from $30 to $60 which seems to be right in line with similar steakhouse restaurants in the area.
