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Birks (Steakhouse cuisine)  $$$$

 6
JaT Rating

3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara, 95054  (Directions)


408.980.6400


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Steakhouse next to the McAfee building in Santa Clara


Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 1020
Reviewed: 2/13/2007
Rating: 6
My photo gallery 		I had to wait 1 1/2 weeks to write the Birk's review since I was a bit upset with spending $100 on a sub-par lunch. It all started when my co-worker Doug had reminded me I owed him an expensive lunch. He wanted steak and suggested the reliable Alexander's Steakhouse. Of course, I didn't listen and insisted on a jaxor restaurant called Birk's in Santa Clara.

Finding Birk's is easy, you'll see a giant sign on the side of the 101 (image 1). It's located next to the McAfee building with plenty of parking in the back. I've heard the stories about this restaurant as it's a place frequented by 'da man'. You know the type, talking about that golf swing, schmoozing and dining potential customers, and laughing about 'expensing the company'. jatbar works for the working man and we're here to investigate.

1230 was the arrival and it was packed. No tables available but there were 2 seats open at the oyster bar or as I called it, the shyster bay. Our waiter was a bit aggressive on the ordering and just dying for us to reach that 3-digit wallet breaking lunch. We resisted the urge for salads and appetizers and stuck it out for 2 drinks and 2 steaks, no appetizers.

The waiter took off and brought back our drinks and dropped off sourdough ball with butter (image 5). Bread was very good and we dusted the whole thing in no time. I honestly thought I was going to get good service in a restaurant this expensive. Yes, they do have lunch specials sandwiches and salads but Birk's is a frickin steakhouse. I had to order a fat steak and went with the $39 Dry-Aged New York steak.

We waited and waited, and waited more. I'm estimated a solid 25 minutes had passed by before anyone came back to check up on us. It wasn't even our waiter but a busboy.

Birk's isn't lying when they say Dry-Aged NY steak (image 8). This piece of crap steak was dry on portions of the steak. I ordered medium and edges were well done like they had been sitting under a heat lamp. I wanted to return it but the waiter was nowhere to be found and we were running out of time. I chewed through one of the lousiest pieces of meat I've had in months. When I got towards the center, portions were eatable but definitely not worth the $40 I was forking down.

Creamed spinach had a minute smokey flavor which melted in my mouth. It was my favorite part of the meal. The mashed potatoes were nothing special. I had 3 bites and left the rest.

Our waiter continued to play hide and seek with us and magically appeared towards the end of the meal. He chatted up some small talk to butter us up for a big tip. For a $50/person meal, this has got to be one of the worse service to dollar ratios for jatbar. The steak was dry and I literally felted ripped off. I'm usually good with returning steaks but I couldn't waste time waiting for another steak. We had 1 water refilled and had to flag down somebody for that.

My friend has been to this place a number of times and when I told him of my lunch, he couldn't believe it. He claims the steaks are excellent and service is attentive. Who knows what happened today? All I know is, I'm not coming back. If you want a real deal steakhouse, go to Alexander's or Grill on the Alley. Prices might be higher but at least they care about their customers.
 
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beebeelove ate...

Blackened Rib Eye

“The Steak was so tasty and tender, the Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach and Meyer Lemon/Key Lime Pie was excellent! It's so noisy you have to shout to be heard and the waitress kept forgetting about us, but I will definitely go back.”

2/15/2007 10:55:00 PM