(August 20, 2010) If you had to pick out a spot for a classic Texas steakhouse, I don't think you could choose a better one than Steiner Ranch Steakhouse did. Set high atop Lake Travis in a beautiful three-story building, this is the crowning glory of the Steiner Ranch development. And the quality of the food matches the splendid view.

Chef Venables has given us a quality assortment of very tasty appetizers and soups. You have to start with the Toronadas, a dish that features a variety of marinated elk, beef or salmon on top of asiago crostinis. The accompanying pico and the zesty sauce make this a must try. I'd opt for the elk! And then you must have the Creole Cake: the cake is actually made out of shrimp, crab, scallops and crawfish artfullty bound together with Panko breadcrumbs, onions, and celery and served with a Louisiana style mustard cream sauce. Uncle Thibodeau would personally recommend this one.

The She Crab Soup has been an instant classic since the day it was unveiled at Steiner Ranch. This is a low country recipe made of cream, lump crab meat, celery and potatoes. It brought the house down at the Busby Foundation dinner last year. I'm surprised Rick Perry or some other politico hasn't personally taken credit for this dish: it's that good.

The Southwest Chop Salad is another dish that simply, like so many here, jumps out at you. To me, the best parts are the ancho Caesar dressing, the tenderloin tips, and the roasted corn and black bean relish. As the conniving game host on Slum Dog Millionaire might have said, "What a salad!"

The steaks at Steiner Ranch are just as advertised: robust cuts of prime beef dripping with flavor. Take for example Kelly's Cut Porterhouse, a 24 oz work of bovine perfection. Hard to finish, but harder still to leave any left. It has that much flavor. The Cowboy Style Rib Eye is tender and nicely marbled and is one of those sizzling beauties you can smell on its way to the table. It is a mountain of good taste. And also try the Tenderloin Medallions. Wrapped in bacon and topped with an ancho pepper demi-glaze and drizzled Gorgonzola, the flavor here comes at your in waves. All of these cry out for great red cabs which Steiner Ranch has in abundance in their ample wine cellar.

If steak is not your forte, Steiner Ranch has an ample array chops and seafood that will appeal to your palate. The Cedar Plank Salmon is uber fresh and full of Omega 3 benefits. And it tastes damned good. The Gulf Coast shrimp (Texas side) are wonderful grilled, butterflied, or coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried. Anyway you slice this dish it just resonates with good taste. Equally tempting is the Double Bone Pork Chop. This is served grilled with a lovely duo of mushrooms and herbs. You want searing flavors? The line begins here.

It's been a long time since the Lakeway area had a steakhouse of this quality. And I for one think it's an answered prayer.

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