Gastronomy612′s Weblog

I think it is fairly evident from my post on BBQ that I love meat. Not in that caveman sort of way (except sometimes), but in that “I really appreciate a good steak” sort of way. There have been all sorts of positive buzz surrounding The Strip Club, so I knew I had to go. Given it’s more than pricey menu, I knew it was not going to happen alone, or for just a regular occasion. However, David’s friend just finished building him a new, beautiful deck and part of the payment was a meal out with their respected/respectable girls. The deck was done and a meal in order.

Granted, this blog is particular to the 612 area, but when good food pops up in St. Paul, or elsewhere I can’t discriminate. The Strip Club is located in a secluded, residential area right off I94, in a building that is shared with a karate studio and apartments. Suffice to say, the restaurant is small, and one would definitely have to make reservations if you are planning to dine. However, we were able to make reservations for 6:15pm merely a few hours prior.

The interior, has the characteristics of a Gothic boys club with black iron railings, and twisting staircase leading to the second floor dining area. The walls are painted a relaxing blue-lavender hue accented by high-glossed lacquered black paint on the wood work, accompanied the black tables and chairs. Despite a boys-only feel, there was no cigar puffing and the space was well lit with a beautiful view of downtown St. Paul.

The service was also impeccable. We were greeted at the door and immediately shown to our table. Our dinner mates had been twice before and the greeter/owner remembered them each time after, making the experience more enjoyable with such attention, joking and laughter. It was a friendly environment and for how busy it was, we were served in a quick manner; but not so fast that anyone felt we were being pushed pout the door to accommodate the myriad people who were standing near us, waiting for a table.

The menu was skinny, yet offered an array of options, including small plates. David and Rebecca wisely chose to first get the Caesar salad, while I got the Market Salad – I was mostly seduced by the thought of a beet vinaigrette.

The Caesar salad blew me away. The Romaine lettuce bunch was cut in two, and then grilled on the side it was cute with the dressing was added on top with a side of parmigian focaccia, and a sole anchovy. It was nothing short of amazing. My market salad was nothing to complain about with it’s baby spring mix, bleu cheese and pecans, but I surely made the wrong decision.

We also split a small plate of Crudo del Giorno, which for that day was raw tuna pieces, in a spicy concoction, as well as an order to mashed potatoes. Although the mashed potatoes were not delivered in the same butter flooded manner which Shawn and Rebecca remembered from earlier visits. They were still delicious.

Rebecca ordered the fish of the day: catfish served on a bed of carrots, slices of ham and basil. I think she was craving the salmon that she had there before, and was not inclined to order a steak. Sometimes a girl needs a break from the beef.

Despite the variety of small plates, chicken (not featured on the menu, but available the night we went), and cat fish I was there for one reason and one reason only: the grass-fed New York Strip. There is the option to add sauces with your steak at an extra charge and we ordered both “Love You Long Time” and “Le Moulin Rogue” to accompany our steaks. I was not too interested since I wanted the most-expensive-steak-I-ever-ate to speak for itself. (Though I did try the “Love You Long Time”, and it was good, but unnecessary to the experience.) Enough of this pussyfooting though, I’ll show you the meat.

Looks pretty perfect doesn’t it? Oh, and it was. I ordered it cooked medium, and it was a rosy pink of tenderness with flavor packed in each bite. The strip was crispy from the grill and topped with salt and pepper, the only seasoning any steak should need IMO. Everything they say about the taste is absolutely true, and worth the time, effort and money. Try it at least once.

I was slightly dismayed to see my steak served with my vegetable nemesis, but after digging in to my steak, I decided to extend an olive branch. Oddly enough, I liked them. The carrots were magnificent. Perhaps I never gave carrots a good shake. Perhaps it was the butter that made them glisten, or it could have been – what I believe to be – the addition of brown sugar hat allowed me to eat them. Whatever it was, I ate the entire plate. See?

The meal did not leave us stuffed, though there was more than enough food for all. We ordered some dessert: a rhubarb tart (cue Garrison Keillor’s “Bebop-A-Reebop Rhubarb Pie”), and an individual sized chocolate tres leches cake. Both of which were delightful and not seemingly fattening, which is the trick with all desserts. The rhubarb was ripe and sweet enough to pass any muster. The chocolate tres leches was moist, dense, and the ganache was fantastic while the cake lay in a pool of chocolate. Despite the rich ingredients neither were overdone, but added a subtle finish to a great meal.

Is The Strip Club over-expensive?  Sure. Is it good, live up to all the hype and would I go again? Certainly. If you intend to go with lap dances and nipple tassels in mind, you might need to head to the DeJa Vue. But if you are going for a cozy and intimate dinner of steak and fish, head over to St. Paul, just go on an empty stomach.

378 Maria Ave

Saint Paul, MN 55106

(651) 793-6247