So, on the hunt again last week we headed to The Steak Knife, in Minneapolis’ Dinkytown neighborhood, near the University of Minnesota. I should have known that a steak place by a university, with a coupon in the Happenings book wasn’t going to make us very happy. But we had a coupon!

Most notably, the place was empty. Granted, it’s summer and school’s out but empty? We should have known. It was set up fast food style–you ordered at the counter and if you were getting it to go, you loitered at the other end to get your sack of food. For those lucky enough to dine in, table delivery was provided. But they had two for one beers and we had a coupon!

I ordered the “Filet” medium well with a baked potato and beer. Charlie got the 18 oz cut medium with fries and beer. Oh yeah, I should mention the sign by the checkout that says, “due to an error, we are not accepting Happenings coupons”. Dang, no coupon!

The chef seemed to be the order taker and the server and the busser but since the place was empty, he was handling it all well.

When food arrived, my medium well steak was what I’d consider well done–and it wasn’t really a filet, it was a small thin piece of meat roughly shaped like a filet. But, I was hungry, had low expectations and didn’t feel like complaining. Poor Charlie’s medium slab of meat was more than well done. Since we’d been robbed of our coupon, we felt like we could demand a bit of customer service so Charlie returned his steak an asked for a new one, less cooked.

A few minutes later, the manager arrived at our table. Apparently, Charlie’s steak had been the only 18 oz one left so would he take a smaller one if they’d refund the difference. As if he had a choice.

Charlie’s 2nd steak arrives a bit later. He sliced in and, surprise! Now medium translated to barely cooked. Back at the counter a 3rd time, the manager apoligized–apparently the chef/cashier/server/busboy was now nervous and screwed up again. We thought he’d just throw it back on the grill but instead, he got out a 3rd steak and started over.

By now, I was long done with my meal. Thankfully, Charlie’s 3rd steak was nicely done and very tasty.

Whew!

So, no, I don’t recommend The Steak Knife in Minneapolis–unless you’re a college kid who can’t afford anything else. Even then, you could go around the corner to several other places and get a better meal. I’m not sure how this place stays open–but I suspect that the cheap beer has something to do with it when school is in session.

I love steak. And I like the steakhouse experience–probably because it’s “fancy” dining like we were too poor to do when I was a kid.

So I was traveling for work [in April] in Washington DC and thought I’d treat myself to a proper steakhouse meal. Just 3 blocks away was the DC branch of Smith and Wollensky, which according to the New York Times (and SandW’s website) is, “a steak house to end all arguments.”

Liars.

First, they put me in the corner booth, out of the line of site of all staff. Not that it mattered though, my server had no intentions of paying me any attention. He’s got friends a few tables over and a table of 8 beefy businessmen to help–why bother with a single female diner?

What he doesn’t know is that I love steak and if I get an especially good steak coupled with really good service, I’m a really good tipper. Eh. His loss.

It should be said that the other server working tables near mine was doing a great job.

I’ll not recount all of the details. The pertinent ones are: my steak (a 10 oz. filet mignon that I’d ordered “a bit more done than medium rare”) arrived grossly overcooked and the beer I’d asked to be delivered with my steak never materialized. I sat for a while, assuming I’d get to customary “how’s you’re dinner” but it never came. Finally, I decided I’d just eat it so I could get out of there.

About 3/4 the way through, I caught the eye of a manager, who apologized profusely and finally got me my long overdue beer. He also comped my entire meal. It was an appreciated gesture but it didn’t make the steak good. A steak place should know how cook steak to order, right?

So, if you’re a group of male business travelers with a few spare tires apiece, I’m sure you’ll get great service at Smith and Wollensky in Washington DC. If you’re a steak loving woman, traveling alone, don’t bother.