Ruth's Chris Granger

Last night we had a chance to go "kid-free," with my sister and her husband, to sample one of the recent additions to Michiana's dining scene, Ruth's Chris Steak House. We went in with high expectations, but would it live up to the hype?

Ambiance: The restaurant is warm and inviting with a variety of marble, wood and other fine textures. Classic elements are mixed nicely with a modern flair. Jazz music plays at a tasteful volume, and tables are spaced to provide a feeling of privacy.

Service: The service is friendly and efficient, while still a little unpolished at the junior levels. Several folks in suits stop by throughout, to inquire as to your satisfaction with the meal. A special dietary request and a miscommunication in the order of one of our sides was handled with aplomb.

Food: The important part, right?!? Following is a list of dishes sampled and a few observations.
- Appetizers: Seared Ahi Tuna. Great texture, tender and firm. Served rare with a peppery ginger sauce.
- Salads: Steak House Salad. Veggies, decent, 'nuff said.
- Sides: Lyonnaise Potatoes, Sauteed Mushrooms, and Broccoli Au Gratin. Portions are large and ornamentation minimal. Potatoes were on the salty side, while the mushrooms were mild and cooked to perfection.
- Steak: Featured in the name and exceptional. Both the Filet and Cowboy Ribeye are extremely tender and not over seasoned.
- Dessert: Warm Apple Crumb Tart and Cheesecake with Fresh Berries. Not quite the excellent finish anticipated - while solid, both seemed warmed from a freezer rather than fresh made. The ice cream on the apple crumb tart happened to contain a decent size piece of ice.

Overall Impression: 4 stars out of 5. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable, and the service solid. While the steak was excellent, we felt the sides and desserts were simply adequate at this price point. Our take is that it's nice for a special occasion, but we're too cheap to make it a regular hangout.