Porterhouse just opened July 11 and they are a great addition to El Segundo. The restaurant is located on Richmond St. inside of one of the many old brick buildings which align the street.
The customer service at Porterhouse was exceptional! I could not help but get the sense that this restaurant is earnest to be not just good, but great.
Everything about the experience was fine dining at its best. Upon getting seated, our waitress was at our table quickly, welcoming us to the restaurant and making sure we had menus and drinks. Throughout the evening, she was very empathic to our needs as customers. It is difficult to sometimes strike the balance between too much attention to a customer and too little. Our waitress struck the balance perfectly. She was very attentive on where to place the plates and silverware. Nothing was haphazard.
We enjoyed our before dinner cocktails. The restaurant features an impressive list of bourbons (as one would expect from the name), as well as a fully stocked bar. The drinks were served in beautiful glassware. The bourbon came in a crystal tumbler that made my drink sparkle!
We ordered the braised pork belly served in a sweet soy reduction for appetizer and it was delicious.
The steak menu is quite impressive. My wife and I split a boneless 22 oz ribeye steak. Side dishes are ordered separately and we were able to split our order of roasted broccolini and herbed olive oil mash potatoes. The food was delicious and plenty and we ended up taking home some steak!
My wife and I have different tastes in how to cook meat. She enjoys a rarer cut, while I enjoy a medium rare cut. We ordered the steak medium rare, but it came out more rare than medium. Of course, my wife was delighted, but I had a few complaints which I mumbled to her. Our waitress noticed me looking at my meat and asked about how it was cooked. I mentioned it was "Ok". However, she knew that I wasn't quite satisfied. She kindly offered twice to take the steak back and have it cooked more.
When I turned down her offer, Jason, one of the managers came by and very pleasantly asked what he could do to make my steak right for me. I let him take it back to the kitchen where they were able to take it from Rare to Medium Rare - perfectly! Since I had sides on the plate, they thoughtfully returned the steak on a new plate with new sides! This service really left a good impression on me!
We were so full from dinner that we did not try any of the dessert menu. We'll save that for another visit and we will...
Read moreBeautiful interior and back patio, whose vibes btw felt more like beachy Tulúm, Mexico -- it didn't match the warm, bricky atmosphere of the interior, but it worked and it was cozy and inviting. There's a fireplace.
We loved that the drink menu was categorized as "whiskey cocktails" vs everything else. We ordered 4 different cocktails and everything was well-balanced and delicious. There's also a nice wine list.
We started with a bowl of crab bisque -- excellent. We then had the wagyu beef bolognese -- this was good, but not spectacular. We found the papaparadelle slightly overcooked and we thought the English peas were unnecessary. The dish as a whole needed more of a zing as the flavor in general was rather monotonous.
We also had the 8 oz filet mignon (medium rare) with Bearnaise sauce alongside grilled broccolini with miso vinaigrette. Wow -- the broccolini was so delicious -- crunchy yet tender with that miso tang -- we enjoyed this more than the steak itself.
The steak, though seared and prepared to our liking, was good, but not mind-blowing. If you want mind-blowing filet mignon, book a res at Firefly in Studio City -- the BEST damn filet mignons in Los Angeles, hands-down!!
The Bearnaise itself was all right. I typically love Bearnaise for its rich, creamy, tarragon-forward yumminess. It's a child of Hollandaise sauce, and who doesn't like Hollandaise? But the Bearnaise here was nothing special. In fact, there had to be something off about it as at 3:30 AM the next day, my stomach felt unsettled and I had diarrhea. Dinner here was the last meal we ate. My bestie, who dined with me, also said she had some stomach issues following our meal. There are eggs in Bearnaise, and maybe they were bad.
Our server was attentive, but not all that conversational. He basically came, took our order, checked in on our drinks, we ordered more drinks, and he cleared our plates. That was it. He never even offered us a dessert menu! We're not big on sweets, but it would have been nice to see what they had for post-dinner treats.
Book a res and specify whether or not you want indoors or outdoors -- I wasn't given a choice at the time I made a last minute res. There is plenty of free street parking just outside the...
Read moreThe atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between classic steakhouse charm and modern chic. The lighting is warm and inviting, creating an intimate setting ideal for a special occasion or a memorable night out. Plush seating and tasteful decor contribute to a sense of comfort and luxury, making you feel instantly at ease.
Now, let's talk about the food. The menu is a testament to quality and precision, with each dish perfectly crafted. As expected, the steaks are the stars of the show. I opted for Wagyu NY, and it was nothing short of magnificent. Cooked to a flawless medium-rare, it boasted a beautiful crust and a tender, juicy interior that melted in the mouth. The flavor was rich and robust, a true celebration of premium beef.
What truly elevates the Porterhouse experience, however, is the service. The staff are attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about ensuring every guest has an exceptional time. Our server was a true professional, offering insightful recommendations and anticipating our needs with grace and efficiency. A special mention must go to the French wine guy, whose passion and knowledge transformed our wine selection into an educational and delightful journey. His recommendations perfectly complemented our meal, elevating the entire dining experience. From the warm welcome at the door to the seamless pacing of the meal, every interaction was a testament to their commitment to excellence.
To cap off the evening, the dessert menu offers a tempting array of sweet delights. The chocolate was a decadent finale, leaving a lasting impression of culinary bliss.
Porterhouse in El Segundo isn't just a meal; it's an occasion. It's where memories are made, where every detail is considered, and where the passion for fine dining shines through in every aspect. If you're seeking an unparalleled steakhouse experience in the South Bay, look no further. Porterhouse is, without a doubt, a...
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