Mastro’s Steak House

  Ahh my version of heaven…  big cuts of juicy steak, oversized side dishes and a seemingly never ending Martini… honestly what’s not to like?  

I think one of the reasons I like going to this place, is that the dress code is required, so Joe Schmoo won’t walk in wearing cut off jean shorts and flip flops.  Nothing against Joe and his future podiatrist bills, but there is a time and a place for everything, and the place is not at Mastro’s.  

Once you check in with the hostesses, they discreetly check out your attire, not to ban you, but to decide which suits you better, black or white napkins.  These little attention to details are really what makes the evening.  

While the dining rooms are never quiet, they are never loud where you can not hear your companions.  This is not a place where you will wonder where has my server gone?  As there is a team assigned to each table.  

Two more of my favorite things are the aforementioned never ending martini’s.  Now don’t think it is like a buffet and they just flow, the drinks are served with the shaker that they were prepared in, so when you get a little low, you just fill it up.  All in all one martini ends up being about 2 to 2.5.  Since they are a bit costly, when you rationalize that you are getting at least 2, you will feel a whole lot better.  Along with the drinks, a basket of bread will be delivered.  Now this is not some boring old white bread…. no, it is an assortment of delicious breads.  My favorite is the crostini’s, however everyone else I know loves the pretzel bread.  Honestly I could go there to just eat the bread.  

Depending on the number of people in your party, will help you decide if or better yet, how big of a tower to order.  For those of you who are not familiar with the tower, it is your choice of seafood delivered on a bed of ice.  Our first time, there was seven of us in our party, so our tower was four levels big.  Also to note, the tower cost more then one month of my car payment, so be prepared.   However indulge, as it is supurb.  You can choose from shrimps, lobster tails, king crap legs, snow crab claws, and  when in season, the stone crab claws.  These are to me, the zenith of crabs.  Since the season is only November to maybe March, I always request we go for my birthday, so I can luxuriate in the flavors.  

You can order a whole variety of entrees, not just beef, however they say “When in Rome…”  and being a huge carnivore, I always order the filet.  Sometime I will order bone in, because as Trump would say “It is the best”.  However note that the menu is a la carte,  and all of the side dishes are family style.  When Frank and I go alone, we order one side dish for the two of us to share.  And it is always plenty.  Depending on the special side of the day, we order either, the crap gnocchi with truffles, or the creamed corn.  We took my cousin for dinner one night to say thanks for all the help he gave us, and he insisted we order the creamed corn, and honestly I was skeptical, I even said, “Really Joe creamed corn, when we can order crab gnocchi?”  And he insisted on it.  To this day, I thank him..  It is not just creamed corn, it is an orgasm for your mouth on a plate.  

But don’t fill up just yet, as the best part is about to arrive, and that is the Butter Cake Dessert.  This dessert is the quintisential dessert.  It is a warm butter cake topped with vanilla ice cream, served with berries and fresh made whip cream.  Words can not do it justice, and I will not attempt to describe how wonderful this is.  The only thing I can say, is I know there is a God, since there is this dessert. 

Only downside to the Costa Mesa location is that you have to pay for valet parking, where all the other locations, never charge you.  Plus you will most likely spend what could  equal your mortgage payment if there are a few of you and you indulge, but it is worth it.