San Mateo Prime — Restaurant in San Mateo

People will always say this is the alternate place for Prime Rib if you can't get RSVP at HOPR. San Mateo Prime was always operating in the shadow of HOPR but in my opinion, no more! Been here many times over the years, and this place consistently improve and developed it's own personality.

Parking in this area can be a bit challenging even with a few public parking lot especially during peak hours so allow yourself ample time. The restaurant itself can seat about 100 people and had a nice bar. It's well lit and the ambiance recreates a nice relaxing atmosphere.

In addition to their Prime Rib, they do have other choices, include Filet Mignon, Salmon, Portobello and a Rack of Lamb. We opted for the Prime Rib. The crab dip starters was excellent with garlic-taste toasted bread. Even their starter bread was toasted just right; crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The salad was refreshing and the dressing is not a HOPR copy cat, San Mateo Prime salad dressing has it's own signature taste that pairs equally well with the salad.

You get two side (potato, cream of corn and cream spinach), or you can pay extras for the third side. Whichever two of the three, you can't go wrong. The Yorkshire pudding is fairy standard but use it to soak the Au Jus. The temperature (medium rare) was perfect and was glistening in front of our eyes. The seasoning used was exceptional without the typical overpowering of salt. For dessert, the Tiramisu with a cup of coffee was a perfect match.

The owners are also the servers and their attention to details only shows their dedication in providing a memorable meal. Price for the meal was extremely reasonable (it's meat), and this place is a...

Horrible. Flat out refused service an hour and 20 minutes before closing.

When I first attempted to visit this restaurant their Google page said they closed at 10, so I made the trek over but apparently they are not open on mondays.

I decided I would try again on a Saturday night. I checked online and it again said 10, but I called to verify their hours and ensure they still had crab dip on the menu. After calling they said they closed at 9. I recalled later that day just to check again (since I didn’t want to make the drive over if they were closing early) and they said they close at 9:30 but the kitchen closes at 9.

I arrived at 8:10… an hour and 20 minutes before closing and upon entry asked if we could sit at the bar for drinks and apps. But the person at the front just looked at us and said “we don’t serve appetizers”. They didn’t offer us the bar or main entrees, just flat out refused service.

It did look slow and I would have understood if they said it was slow and they were closing up early. But to call twice and drive all the way over for them to just say “they don’t serve appetizers” is abhorrent.

Will...

Came here for a triple birthday party. Food was mediocre and the service was about the same.

I ordered a medium prime rib and it came out rare. Plus there was no exterior sear. I know not all restaurants will cook it with a exterior sear but it is a personal preference. I ate only a quarter of it and will be cooking it at home.

The sides looked good but we're just okay. The creamed spinach wasn't too good, it tasted off. Too much cream and not enough salt or seasoning.

I also ordered a lemonade for my kids and it was powdered junk. Again not my preference for this type of restaurant.

Service ignored us for the most part once our food came out. Held my hand up for a good 3 minutes waving and no one acknowledged me. I would have complained but no one asked how are meal was so....

I'll stick with cooking it at home or going to House of Prime Rib or Burlingame...