L.B. Steak - Santana Row — Restaurant in San Jose

During my recent visit to Santana Row, I had the pleasure of dining at L.B. Steak, a refined yet approachable steakhouse that perfectly blends elegance with comfort. From start to finish, our experience was nothing short of phenomenal, and it’s a spot I highly recommend to anyone exploring the vibrant streets of Santana Row.

Fritto Misto We began our meal with the Fritto Misto, a delightful combination of calamari, prawns, and shishito peppers, all fried to crispy perfection. The light batter allowed the freshness of the seafood to shine through, while the shishito peppers added a subtle heat that balanced the dish wonderfully. The accompanying Green Goddess sauce was the perfect complement—creamy, tangy, and herby—enhancing each bite with a burst of flavor. This dish was a fantastic start to our meal and set the tone for what was to come.

Roasted Bone Marrow Next, we indulged in the Roasted Bone Marrow, a dish that truly exemplifies the richness of flavor L.B. Steak is known for. The bone marrow was expertly roasted to achieve a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth consistency, which paired beautifully with the zesty chimichurri. The surprising addition of lemon curd brought a unique citrus brightness that cut through the richness, creating a perfectly balanced bite. Spread over a slice of toasted baguette, this dish was pure decadence—rich, savory, and absolutely delicious. A must-try for anyone who appreciates bold, well-thought-out flavors.

Tomahawk Rib Eye for Two The highlight of the evening, however, was the Tomahawk Rib Eye for Two. This impressive 48 oz Angus beef cut was cooked to absolute perfection. The steak was beautifully seared on the outside, locking in all its juices, while remaining tender and perfectly medium-rare on the inside. Each slice was packed with robust, beefy flavor—exactly what one hopes for in a premium cut. The presentation was equally stunning, making it not only a meal but an experience. Perfectly portioned for sharing, it’s a dish that demands to be enjoyed slowly, savoring each bite with great company.

Wine List and Pairing One of the standout features of L.B. Steak is its incredible wine list. With an extensive selection of wines from around the world, there is something to suit every palate and preference. For those who enjoy pairing each course with a different wine, the option to choose by the glass is ideal. The sommelier’s recommendations were spot on, and we found the wine pairings to be an excellent value for the quality offered. It’s evident that great care is taken in curating a wine list that complements the menu perfectly, enhancing the overall dining experience.

L.B. Steak is more than just a restaurant; it’s a place where exceptional food, a warm atmosphere, and attentive service come together to create a memorable dining experience. Whether you’re a local or visiting Santana Row, this is one spot you don’t want to miss. With dishes that delight from start to finish and a wine list that promises the perfect pairing, L.B. Steak has earned a top spot on my list of recommended restaurants in the area. I’ll certainly be back, and I encourage others to discover the magic...

Sat at the bar because I was by myself. I got an Old Fashioned that was made perfectly. Bartenders were very personable. I ordered a wedge salad to start, New York strip medium rare and ordered sauteed shrimp and brussel sprouts a la carte. The wedge was your everyday wedge, baby ice berg head with sliced onions, bleu cheese crumbles and bleu cheese. I asked for a side of balsamic vinaigrette but they do not carry it so the server brought me balsamic vinegar which is not the same. That's ok. Tomatoes, bacon, applewood smoked pork belly, balsamic vinaigrette, cracked black pepper and kosher could help the salad. Again, not a big thing. Was happy with the salad. The steak and sprouts arrived without the shrimp. They forgot to order it or the kitchen didn't read the ticket. So I started with my New York strip, cooked perfectly to my order medium rare. The steak was not seasoned though. It wasn't under seasoned because I would have seen remnants of cracked black pepper or kosher, there were neither by visual or by taste. That's ABC. You have to season meat. I wanted to send it back because I was still waiting on my shrimp, but I didn't. I just asked for salt and pepper. So, I try the brussel sprouts and they were under cooked, not al dente, under cooked. There was not a char or a glaze to them. They tasted raw. The shrimp arrived late and they were absolutely perfect. Not rubbery. The buttery seasoning that was on them was addictive. I scooped the steak through that sauce to improve it. Here's the thing, I came during shift change, July 12th if management would like to pull the ticket and review with staff. By now you can guess I'm in the restaurant world. Fine dining steakhouses to be specific, so I can nitpick a restaurant or applaud it accordingly. Unfortunately, despite very personable staff, there were balls dropped during this visit. One other thing that might upset a couple that has chosen LB for a special occasion is the staff came in to the bar area, not dressed in uniform, just an undershirt and pants, and getting dressed near the server's area of the bar. Unprofessional whenever someone is spending $100+ per plate. The restaurant is beautiful and in a great location. I hope this review helps management to tighten up processes or...

Don't make the mistake I made and tell the server your food order right after you've ordered your first drink - the food will come BEFORE your first drink. Take the server by the hand, like a first grader, and order your drinks and courses one by one sequentially because otherwise you will be - like I was - VERY disappointed in the joint.

That place is too expensive to make errors like that. Management/supervision is either absent or could not care less.

To the manager, Kenny Hamilton:

I am aware that single patrons are not popular in restaurants because they take up a two-top that could generate more revenue. That is why I made a reservation on a weekday and early (6:00 PM).

It was a special occasion - my 65th birthday. The server knew this. I tell the server, "Please, I am not in a rush, and please take your time." My server assures that, "Neither am I!"

I order a glass of Nicolas Feuillatte champagne. Server disappears - presumably to put in my drink order. Server reappears - no drink, and asks if I'm ready to order. I tell them again that I am not in a rush. Not a minute later the appetizer is brought out. Had to flag down the server to ask about my drink, only to have them tell me that, "It is not available, but we have something similar." Server disappears. Server returns and tells me again that my selection is not available (never mind the "we have something similar"). So I reluctantly order the Moët & Chandon, Brut Rosé (at a considerable price difference).

All the other tables that they are attending to get or have their drinks way before the appetizers ever come out. No apology, no explanation - nothing. The rest of the service was administered with the most minimal conversation.

In my job, when I function as supervisor, I make damn sure that I round on all my patients at least twice. Where is management/supervision in this restaurant? Where were you and/or your assistant managers/supervisors? The place was definitely not at capacity. You and they were either absent or couldn't care less.

I had planned for weeks for this and now? $230.00 absolutely wasted. And my 65th birthday evening and dinner down the...