Last October, Morton’s Steakhouse opened in Miami Beach. While their steak is not bad, it is definitely not worth the $15 valet parking, even if their motto is “the best steak anywhere.” The famous “onion bread” wasn’t bad either, but it isn’t anything to write home about. Do I sound like I ‘m complaining? In honesty I expected more. It’s hard for this restaurant chain to compete here when the public can get just as good for less or the same at other restaurants. Our server was great– prompt, friendly and knowledgeable; Morton’s gets high marks for training their staff well. The presentation of the menu was too cool; especially the live lobster on a platter! We were also entertained by the unexpected fire from the oven in the open kitchen. The black leather seats were comfortable, but I thought it odd that they provided no butter knife (and expected us to use the steak knife to butter our bread?!).

Overall, the food was not necessarily better than the high-end competition. Smith & Wollensky, The Forge, Joe’s Stone Crab, Houston’s– these places don’t have anything to worry about. We tried some other things on Morton’s menu. The steamed asparagus were a bit stringy, and the broiled sea scallops wrapped in bacon were acceptable. The culinary highlight of the evening was the sauteed button mushrooms which were absolutely fabulous. The baked five-onion soup tasted all right, again nothing spectacular. The raspberry souffle was a letdown, baked well on top but slightly undercooked in the middle. So this restaurant gets a mixed review.

address	4041 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33140
phone	786-454-4022
website	http://www.mortons.com/miamibeach/

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