Libertango Steakhouse — Restaurant in Sandy

I am 1/2 Argentine and 1/2 Colombian. It's not easy finding places in Utah that make me feel nostalgic for home. A rustic wood feel with splashes of Argentine culture mixed in. The bar is classy and cocktail menu is varied. The owner recommended a Smoked Whisky Old Fashioned that was as memorable as any cocktail I've had in the last decade. Watching the preparation alone was an event, as the server captured the smoke from a freshly burning piece of cedar. It complimented the steak in a way a wine never could. It is a must try.

We started with the empanadas. In short, the empanadas were so close to what my mother made me growing up, that it made me emotional. Don't go overboard on the appetizers because you'll want to leave room for a full 3 courses.

I spoke to the owner a bit. Interesting fact, the owner is Brazilian and his family has spent time in Argentina and has a chain of Argentine steakhouses in Brazil. So, in addition to the delicious, traditional Argentine cuts of beef, there's a sprinkling of Brazilian sides that really do compliment the meals, while remaining unquestionably Argentine at their core. I enjoyed it.

Why you came here; the steak. The grill is old school Argentine, and is a stainless steel work of art. Coal fired grill with a wood stove in the middle. It must have cost a fortune and is clearly bespoke to the restaurant! The grilling and cuts of beef are EVERYTHING and is why Libertango is a high end steakhouse. It is the only Argentine restaurant I have found in the state of Utah that grills on coal, with a wood-fired edge for smoke. If you're looking for American BBQ with sauces, look elsewhere. Nothing but high end cuts of beef, salted and cooked to perfection by a parrillero in an old school leather apron, that reminded me of my childhood! I spoke with him a while. He's very passionate about his trade. And make no mistake, preparing beef this way is a trade. You can't adjust a coal grill like you can a gas grill. It has racks on elevators to control temperature, and I've ruined plenty of beef trying to get this right on my family's brick, coal grill.

The asado (imagine ribs but cut differently, as done in Argentina) is like, well every bite was unbelievable. This is an intentionally fatty cut, which means it is bursting with flavor in every morsel. This was my favorite cut! This, complimented by a couple of the whisky cocktails, OMG...heaven. The chimichurri was clearly made only minutes prior and was, essentially, identical to what I ate as a child. If you don't know chimichurri, think minced parsley, garlic, and other ingredients with an olive oil base. But, honestly, the asado was so amazing that I only ate one bite with chimichurri. I just loved this cut of beef. It is, to me, simply unbeatable and you cannot get it anywhere except an Argentine steakhouse.

El Ojo de Bife with the chimichurri was my wife's favorite. It's a leaner cut than the asado, but still well marbled like an American ribeye. Just splurge on the Wagyu, it's why you're here. This is steak! Coal-fired succulence. You really can't go wrong with either cut. It's like choosing between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini.

By the end of the meal I had polished off every single gram of beef on the table. But, I had not had dulce de leche in years and I was feeling like a boy again. I ordered the crepes with dulce de leche. If you don't know, dulce de leche is the staple of Argentine dessert. Think Argentine Nutella! It was a sweet way to close out a fantastic meal (both literally and figuratively). Do it.

Critiques? I guess I wish Libertango was a bit larger, but that might ruin the intimacy. Since going the first time, Libertango has become my go to happy hour and date night place. The bar is perfect for a classy outing with a buddy. And my wife and I really look forward to going together. It has that romantic tango-esque vibe. On a personal note, it makes me feel closer to my mother, which is probably the highest compliment I can...

From the moment we walked in the door and were met with the aroma of fire grilled steak, to after our meal was finished tonight, all I could really say was “Wow!”

Before I talk about anything else I HAVE to mention the crepes. We had the dulce de leche crepe, and let me tell you, it was truly the most amazing crepe I’ve ever had. Better than any crepe I’ve had from restaurants that only serve crepes. It was a little more fluffy like a pancake and it melts in your mouth almost like it’s cotton candy. That combined with the house made syrup and the dulce de leche makes for literally one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. Do NOT sleep on dessert here.

Now, as far as the rest of the food goes, everything was incredible, and the service just as good. Within literally 30 seconds of walking in the building, we were sat, received water, and had bread on our table.

We ordered the rib eye and New York strip, both of which were the 16 ounce Wagyu cuts. I’ve had a fair amount of steak at this price point, and I’ve never had any this good. Both steaks were medium rare and the best way I can describe them is to liken them into the little gusher fruit snacks. The steaks each had a slight crunchy exterior layer, with an eye watering BURST of flavor on the inside. Our favorite of the two was the New York strip, as it was slightly less fatty. They also provide a selection of 5 different sauces you can use with your steak. We chose the mango chutney and guava bbq sauce. Both were very good, but the steak alone is so incredible the sauces almost seem to take away from the experience.

We also got the table smoked cheese as an appetizer (which involves a great table presentation) then the crème corn and guava bacon jelly fries as sides. The corn may not look very appetizing, but don’t let looks deceive you, the moment you take a bite it’s like you have just taken a bite of the worlds freshest and juiciest corn on the cob and the fries were almost more like a dessert than a side, which is not a bad thing by any means.

The pricing is is certainly higher than most places in town, but it’s worth every penny. I can’t wait to come back to try all the other appetizers, sides, and desserts that...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a fantastic steakhouse, and I must say that it absolutely deserves a 5-star review! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm and friendly service. The ambiance of the restaurant was elegant and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the steak. The steakhouse truly knows how to cook a perfect steak. Each cut was cooked to perfection, with a mouthwatering sear on the outside and a tender, juicy center. The quality of the meat was exceptional, and the flavors were absolutely divine. Whether you prefer a classic filet mignon or a hearty ribeye, you won't be disappointed.

In addition to the incredible steaks, the menu offered a variety of mouthwatering sides and appetizers. From the creamy mashed potatoes to the flavorful sautéed mushrooms, every dish we tried was delicious and expertly prepared. The attention to detail in both the presentation and the flavors was evident in every bite.

The service at the steakhouse was top-notch. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and went above and beyond to ensure that we had a fantastic dining experience. From recommending the perfect wine pairing to accommodating dietary preferences, their professionalism and hospitality were truly commendable.

To top it all off, the dessert selection was simply irresistible. We indulged in a decadent chocolate lava cake and a creamy cheesecake that were the perfect ending to a perfect meal. The desserts were beautifully plated and tasted as good as they looked.

Overall, my experience at this steakhouse was nothing short of exceptional. The combination of outstanding food, impeccable service, and elegant ambiance truly sets it apart from other restaurants. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience and a steak that will leave you craving for more, I highly recommend giving this steakhouse a visit. It's definitely worthy of a...