The Rat Trap

[QUOTE=PaigeSweetStuf;2493260]
On that note I do still eat seafood. Where do you think has the best around? Especially crabcakes.
[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=FLAdventurer;2493499]Ocean Prime or Big Fin on Restaurant Row (Sand Lake), and Dragonfly for sushi.
But, the best crab cakes in Florida are in Tampa at Michael's Grill.[/QUOTE]For me, I'd recommend Big Fin, Eddie Vs or High Ball & Harvest's appetizer with friend green tomatoes is also delicious. I've had mixed experiences at Ocean Prime & Dragonfly.

[QUOTE=SmurfTaint;2491685]I go by the Sentinel's suggestions and runner up for steaks was Stefano's Grill, this is a mom and pop and has the best steaks I have ever had. Very under the radar but they win awards left and right because its amazing food. Scratch Kitchen says everything about a place in my eyes.[/QUOTE]I've never been to Stefano's Grill but it looks like I may be visiting soon!

Also, thanks everyone else for the great restaurant suggestions! I'm looking forward to trying out some of the restaurants listed. We may need a new forum "Restaurant Reports".

[QUOTE=PaigeSweetStuf;2493260]It has been almost a yr since I gave up meat but the palms did have a banging steak. Possibly the best I have ever had. They have awesome prime rib and crab cakes too.

Those chessy potatoes are off the hook.

Nothing like a good salad, a quality potatoes, and large side of cottage cheese covered with black pepper with your steak.

On that note I do still eat seafood. Where do you think has the best around? Especially crabcakes.

Xoxo.

Paige.[/QUOTE]It's a churrascaria in Puerto Madero down by the water. All churrascaria's have salad bars (don't think Soup er Salads, this is really nice) and then the waiters bring different cuts of beef on skewers and serve it at the table. They will keep bringing it until you explode or tell them to stop. The bondeola is really great, but the best is the cabrito.

After dinner have the volcan de chocolate why cafe.

Recisimo!

A2.

I am a sucker for this type of place. In the USA they tend to be called Brazilian Steak Houses. My favorite for this, though, was in Nairobi, Kenya, where they included emu, crocodile, zebra, water buffalo and other exotics. All tables are outside overlooking the Nairobi Game Preserve. I can eat myself sick at a place like that.

C3.

[QUOTE=Admin2;2493709]It's a churrascaria in Puerto Madero down by the water. All churrascaria's have salad bars (don't think Soup er Salads, this is really nice) and then the waiters bring different cuts of beef on skewers and serve it at the table. They will keep bringing it until you explode or tell them to stop. The bondeola is really great, but the best is the cabrito.

After dinner have the volcan de chocolate why cafe.

Recisimo!

A2.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Admin2;2493709]It's a churrascaria in Puerto Madero down by the water. All churrascaria's have salad bars (don't think Soup er Salads, this is really nice) and then the waiters bring different cuts of beef on skewers and serve it at the table. They will keep bringing it until you explode or tell them to stop. The bondeola is really great, but the best is the cabrito.

After dinner have the volcan de chocolate why cafe.

Recisimo!

A2.[/QUOTE]There are several places like this in Orlando, my favorite is Nelore in Winter Park. They often have weekend specials for lunch and dinner, which makes it a bit more affordable. The traditional Brigadeiro is a must have for dessert.

In the states, not sure anything can match Chima in Lauderdale....

[URL]http://www.chimasteakhouse.com/[/URL]

[QUOTE=Camera3;2493713]I am a sucker for this type of place. In the USA they tend to be called Brazilian Steak Houses. My favorite for this, though, was in Nairobi, Kenya, where they included emu, crocodile, zebra, water buffalo and other exotics. All tables are outside overlooking the Nairobi Game Preserve. I can eat myself sick at a place like that.

C3.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Camera3;2493713]I am a sucker for this type of place. In the USA they tend to be called Brazilian Steak Houses. My favorite for this, though, was in Nairobi, Kenya, where they included emu, crocodile, zebra, water buffalo and other exotics. All tables are outside overlooking the Nairobi Game Preserve. I can eat myself sick at a place like that.

C3.[/QUOTE]Last yr. The Mrs. and I flew to Australia. Spent some time in Sydney and then Cairns for some barrier reef action.

Tasted some crocodile but pretty much the same as gator, but the real surprise was Kangaroo. If I didn't know I probably would have just thought it was beef. Similar look and texture, but a bit less flavor, still very tasty though and seemed lean.

You guys are pretty much out of my budget, but every once in a while I will hit a high end restaurant. Normally when I want a good steak and a baked potato, I go to Texas Roadhouse for the early bird special and then I still have a few bucks left in my pocket. It is cool reading about all of these exotic places you all have been to.

I recommend The Crabhouse off I-drive and Universal Blvd. It's a bit pricey but the Lobster and crab cakes are to die for. I am a lover of Lobster so Boston Lobster Feast is ok. Sure you can eat a lot of Lobster for one set price but the quality isn't as good as others in my opinion. The one good thing about dining in the tourist corridor is before or after your meal, you could stop by to see Michele1 L. I hear she's back in the area.

Also, our lovely queen Paige makes some very good crab cakes if you hadn't sampled.

BG111.

I found the crocodile to be more gritty than alligator. Interesting that kangaroo tastes like beef. That was the same for zebra, except much more tender and no fat.

C3.

[QUOTE=PharmaGuy;2493791]Last yr. The Mrs. and I flew to Australia. Spent some time in Sydney and then Cairns for some barrier reef action.

Tasted some crocodile but pretty much the same as gator, but the real surprise was Kangaroo. If I didn't know I probably would have just thought it was beef. Similar look and texture, but a bit less flavor, still very tasty though and seemed lean.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Otwist;2493801]You guys are pretty much out of my budget, but every once in a while I will hit a high end restaurant. Normally when I want a good steak and a baked potato, I go to Texas Roadhouse for the early bird special and then I still have a few bucks left in my pocket. It is cool reading about all of these exotic places you all have been to.[/QUOTE]OK, so what if you did it at home. I will pass on my time tested way of cooking a kick ass steak at home.

I buy the entire filet at either Costco or Fresh Market and then hand trim off all of the gristle (silver) and the vast majority of the fat on the exterior. I then cut each steak so that it is about 4" thick. If you don't want to mess with doing this, you can usually ask the butcher to do this for you as their steaks are usually too thin and do not have the gristle removed.

I marinade for about an hour or two in equal parts of Mr. Yoshida's Original Gourmet Sauce as well as Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce and Olive Oil. Add quite a bit of Montreal Steak Seasoning and crushed black pepper and garlic if you like, and then marinade for an hour or two. You can also baste the steak on the grill once or twice. The key is HIGH heat and you want an outer crust that is the marinade caramelizing on the outside top and bottom. I prefer medium rare.

You can also do this in a saute pan and then pop in the oven but you had better have a really good exhaust fan system or you will have a visit from the fire department.

Good luck!