The hardwood-smoked flat-fish sampler ($17) -- hand-sliced salmon, sturgeon and sable accompanied by Guinness black bread slices and horseradish sour cream -- is a mild, light oasis on a menu packed with hefty barbecue and steak selections.
There are soft salty pretzels in the bread basket, which arrives with a honey mustard dip, and the menu's predictable pasta, chicken, fish and steak selections are augmented with the likes of spinach and artichoke fondue, lobster and cheese fondue, an Italian wedding soup of the day, chocolate fondue and s'mores fondue.
Guastavino's, 409 East 59th Street, (212) 980-2455, is Terence Conran's glamorous, huge new brasserie beneath the Queensboro Bridge, offering traditional bistro food like steak frites, a selection of caviars and more inventive dishes like lobster, corn and risotto timbale.
WHAT WE LIKED Ricotta gnocchi; hanger steak; chef's selection of meats and cheeses; involtini or rolled eggplant; pâté de campagne; dates wrapped with bacon; arugula salad; filet mignon; diver scallops; duck ragù with stracciatella; brussels sprouts; sweet potato maple pecan cobbler; German chocolate cake sundae; gelato.
There are several ceviches, a couple of steaks and a selection of fries.
No matter how you order your steak, GAYOT.com's selections of the Top 10 Steakhouses in the U.S. are great places to meet for meat.
And while everywhere else in the steak game has a selection of sauces, here it's a grain mustard mayo and nothing else.
Guests receive a $100 in room dining credit from Tender Steak and Sushi, a selection of movie theater goodies upon arrival, a bottle of sparkling wine, terry cloth robes and slippers, 3 free movie choices, a late check-out of 2pm and a complimentary continental breakfast for two.
The hotel is also home to one of Austin's most popular dining destinations, TRACE, where you will be welcomed by friendly staff and presented with a gluten-friendly menu featuring local and seasonable dishes such as red fish, perfectly tender hanger steak, and an impressive selection of wines.
Waiters wheel a cart to the table and hold up for diners' selection raw steaks, chops and fish wrapped in plastic.
The gargantuan menu includes everything from soups and salads to salmon, steaks and the largest selection of oysters in DC.
