LA's Best Surf And Turf
Traditionally surf and turf translates to a thick steak and a fat lobster tail. Many LA restaurants offer this time-tested favorite, but some local chefs are creating new variations on the steakhouse standard. Whether you opt for the original or favor a revised version of steak and seafood, here are some local places to get your surf and turf fix.
Ruth's Chris
Ruth's Chris steakhouse offers traditional steakhouse fare in an elegant upscale setting. With restaurants in Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Irvine and Woodland Hills, carnivores can get their steak and seafood fix throughout the southland. The menu offers a variety of surf n turf items including a petite four-ounce filet topped with jumbo shrimp, the Caribbean lobster tail with a choice of filet, ribeye, T-bone, New York strip or porterhouse, spicy fried lobster in cream sauce and sautéed barbecued shrimp. All steaks are prepared under a 1,800-degree broiler and delivered with a sizzling dollop of butter.
Fleming's
The Fleming's chain has outposts in Beverly Hills, downtown at LA Live, El Segundo, Woodland Hills and Newport Beach. Diners can enjoy traditional cuts of ribeyes, New York strip and porterhouse as well as porcini rubbed and peppercorn steaks. Flemings recently launched their new menu featuring 21-day dry and wet aged steaks with bolder flavors as well as seafood additions including truffled poached lobster, Diablo shrimp and king crab with herb butter and caviar.
LA Prime
Located at the top of the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles, LA Prime offers a romantic setting as well as some of the best steaks in the city. Guests enter via the outside glass elevator into the modern circular dining room with panoramic views. Appetizers and main courses include a variety of seafood options such as oysters, ahi tuna, clams, prawn cocktail and a huge seafood tower. Main course steaks can be paired with shrimp scampi, crab cakes and a lobster tail or topped with Maryland lump crab and hollondaise sauce.
The Palm
The Palm restaurant chain, with locations in downtown, West Hollywood and Santa Monica, frequently offers great surf and turf deals. For around $50, diners can indulge in a prime New York strip and 6 ounce lobster tail or Chilean sea bass with asparagus and jumbo lump crabmeat with hollandaise sauce with a choice of a starter salad or lobster bisque and a vegetable or potato side. Diners can also always add a half lobster to any steak dish.
Mastro's
Diners can enjoy their surf and turf in three different types of rooms at the Beverly Hills Mastro's. Downstairs is the dark dimly lit quiet men's club vibe, a trendy feel on the second floor with a live band, large bar and plenty of room to people watch, or head to the third floor penthouse for a romantic meal with a view. There are over a dozen seafood appetizers to choose from including snow, Dungeness, lump and Alaskan crab, shrimp and lobster cocktails, oysters, sushi and sashimi. Steaks range from an eight-ounce petite filet cut to the whopping 48-ounce double porterhouse and can be paired with crab, lobster, shrimp or tuna. Diners can also surf up their sides with lobster mashed potatoes or crab black truffle gnocchi.
Nick and Stef's
The Patina Group's downtown steakhouse Nick and Stef's showcases their dry aged steaks in a glass enclosed meat locker. The large outdoor patio provides pretty views of skyscrapers and the happy hour cocktail specials attract the corporate after work crowd. They often offer a surf and turf special with filet mignon, butter roasted petite lobster mashed potatoes and creamed spinach for $39. Diners can also order lobster mac n cheese, a Meyer lemon poached lobster salad or a lobster risotto to accompany their steak.