John Howie Steak - Best Steak in Seattle?
John Howie Steak, located at the Bravern Shopping Center in Bellevue, WA, represents the best of the Northwest's Steakhouse choices. JHS is directly competing with El Gaucho, Morton's (now closed in Seattle), Seattle's Metropolitan Grill, Jak's Steakhouse and Ruth's Chris and winning. I have personally dined here a number of times as well as the other's mentioned and can say without reservation, JHS will not disappoint. Not for the faint of wallet, however, an average meal for two can easily run up to $300. With white jacket adorned wait staff and attentive ubiquitous management, this is fine dining focused on steak!
The selection of chops will change intermittently, especially the selection of Kobe and Wagyu but even the "normal" always aged to perfection steaks are especially juicy and tender, prepared precisely, in my experience, every time. JHS utilizes mesquite wood to grill their steaks, a predominantly southern wood, it brings a unique and tantalizing flavor to each of the perfectly aged options. If you prefer seafood, JHS also offers an excellent selection, although his sister restaurant Seastar just down the road in Bellevue has a better selection.
JHS offers table side service, and a supremely vast, medal-worthy, wine selection. There are always changing wines by the glass, but as with any restaurant the focus is bottle service pairing with diners choice of entree. Desserts are especially tasty, from tableside Cherries Jubilee and Bananas Foster to proverbial New York Cheesecake, JHS doesn't disappoint in this area either.
Overall: an excellent, maybe even the best, steakhouse option when visiting the Northwest. The mesquite grilled steaks are unrivaled by JHS' competitors. A very expensive menu makes this a special occasion only restaurant unless visiting the bar during happy hour, and if you do, be sure and order the burger, it is excellent.
Is John Howie Steak the best steakhouse in Seattle? Average Joe Reviews concludes we won't decide between JHS and Jak's but you simply cannot go wrong with either. Reservations recommended.
Pros: perfectly grilled aged steaks using mesquite, excellent wine selection, attentive and professional service.
Cons: very expensive.