There's always something special about a business's flagship location, and this holds true for Ruth's Chris Steak House. The company recently moved its headquarters to Lake Mary from Hurricane Katrina-battered New Orleans.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouses have always been renowned for quality food, excellent service, and—my highest measure of a fine restaurant—consistency: the confidence in knowing that the flawless dining experience you just had will be duplicated when you bring out-of-town guests or you want to impress a date for a romantic dinner. This location, with its stunningly beautiful interior, succeeds on all of the above. A private dining room can accommodate up to 75 people for special functions.

General manager Anthony Hensley sets the bar high in training and executing a level of service that is unparalleled in this area. Hensley and senior manager David Tai guide their staff through a rigorous six-week training that is evident at every turn, from the noticeably polite manner in which they take your reservation to the personal acknowledgement you receive throughout your dinner.

The waitstaff is professional and knowledgeable about the food and its preparation. After having gone through Ruth's Chris' Wine Quest program, the staff is also adept at recommending and describing wines from the restaurant's award-winning wine list, which features more than 250 world-class international and domestic labels. Another 50 selections from the Lake Mary Reserve List, hand-picked by wine expert Kevin Boyer exclusively for this location, should delight any wine connoisseur. Topping this special list is Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Napa Valley 2002, for $3,400. For cocktails, there's a full bar that offers specialty drinks.

Executive Chef Rogelio Ortiz heads the top-notch kitchen. USDA Prime corn-fed beef is the specialty of the house. Whether a tender filet, a juicy ribeye, a New York strip, T-bone or Porterhouse, rest assured that your steak will be cooked perfectly to temperature in an 1800º broiler to sear the meat and lock in flavor, and then served sizzling on a 500º plate to ensure that your last bite is as hot as your first. Enjoy these mouth-watering steaks on their own or, as an added treat, add six jumbo shrimp, a lobster tail or a bleu-cheese crust, or have it oscar-style.

If beef isn't your thing, you're still in luck. The seafood is also fantastic. A seasonal selection is always offered. Currently, it's sea bass with a banana chutney sauce. A regular feature, the Ahi Tuna Stack, seared rare with colossal lump crabmeat and served sizzling with a red pepper pesto, is also an excellent choice. Also available are stuffed chicken breast, lamb chops, veal chops, lobster, and a delicious vegetarian plate. There's truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Entrées are served à la carte, so ordering a few side dishes is recommended. All of them are quite large, and conducive to sharing. The creamed spinach, lyonnaise potatoes with onions, and sautéed mushrooms are personal favorites.

But before you dive into these irresistible entrées, I must tell you: the appetizers are not to be missed. Every one of them is fantastic. The "Crabtini" is delectable: colossal lump crabmeat served in a chilled martini glass with a Creole remoulade sauce. The barbequed shrimp is also a great choice: large shrimp swimming in a white wine, butter, garlic and herb sauce that will have everyone at the table dipping bread in the sauce until it's gone. My honest recommendation is that each time you visit, try a new one until you find your own personal favorite.

There are seven crisp, cold salad selections to choose from. Dressings are all made in-house, and they're all good. The standouts were the bleu cheese (deemed "the best ever" by my dining companion) and the Thousand Island, rich with chopped egg.

After savoring such a delicious meal, if you still have room, the desserts are also quite good. All are made on the premises. The bread pudding with whiskey sauce is, without question, the best I've ever had. Paired with a cappuccino, coffee or after-dinner drink, I think I'd have to call dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House a perfect night out.

Ruth's Chris Steak House
Colonial TownPark, 80 Colonial Center Pkwy., Lake Mary
407.804.8220
ruthschris.com

Lunch: Fri. 11:30 am-2:30 pm Dinner: Open nightly at 5:00 pm, Sun. 5:30-9:00 pm. Reservations suggested.

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