Matthew's Steakhouse — Restaurant in Winter Garden

New steakhouse in historic downtown Winter Garden next to the Plant Street Market. Family owned business run by the son, Matthew, with the help of his parents who previously owned two successful steakhouses in the past. The family is from Germany and thus their menu selection and food preparation is influenced by their native land. The menu is clean and focused which begins with a select assortment of appetizers ($10 - $16 range) are available, Soups ($8) and Salad ($12), Entrees ($18 - $44), and four German desserts (

My in-laws went to Matthew's for father's day and had a horrible experience. They were seated well after their reservation time. The food took a while to get to them. Their baked potatoes were hard, almost raw. They ordered a risotto that never made it to their table. They said the best part was their server. On top of that they had a friend who was gifted a gift card to Matthew's, when the bill arrived the restaurant would not honor the gift card because of new ownership. Even with all of these complaints from people close to me, I still decided to check it out for myself. I had heard wonderful things about Matthew's and thought maybe they just had an off night. Unfortunately it seems like it was not an off night. I agree with the server being the best part. Sadly I can't remember her name but she was very nice and accommodating. Our reservation was for 5:30pm (the restaurant opens at 5pm) as I'm giving the hostess my information they have a face of bewilderment and confusion (I chalked it up to them possibly being new) we're seated immediately so I thought we were off to a good start. Our server comes over introduces herself and then gives us time to review the menu. We placed our cocktail orders. My brother who joined me got his drink pretty quickly. It took another 10+ minutes before I received mine. At this time there are only 2 other parties in the restaurant. It was far from busy. I brushed it off, our server apologized for the wait on my drink and then took our order. We both ordered the ribeye medium rare and I ordered the side of risotto. We received our food and our steaks were very much overcooked. Mine was medium almost well and my brother's was WELL done (no pink in sight) by this point we are starving so we begin to eat our potatoes without our steaks. It took a bit to get our steaks back and at least this time they were cooked as desired. But frankly the quality of the steaks were just okay. For the price on the menu I was expecting some amazing steaks they were mid at best. The risotto came and it was so dry! My brother had never had risotto before. I had to tell him to remove this experience from his head because what we were served was dry truffle flavored rice not risotto. Our server was nice enough to comp the risotto. Which is why I gave the service a better rating. I have no intentions on returning to Matthew's and have steered others away. There are definitely better steakhouses that are actually worth your money. I live in Winter Garden and would much rather travel elsewhere for better steaks. If you do decide to visit may the odds be in your favor and I hope you have a better...

Dinner reservations for two, 7pm. 8/10/22

Reservations were made back in May this was the soonest available opening. When we arrived they did not 'appear' to confirm our reservation in any way. Almost felt like we could have just said we have a reservation without having one. The dining room was half empty. There's a big sign near the front door that says reservations only.

Expectations were very high due to the long wait.

Our waitress Jill was concise and professional. Small talk is not her thing, which is fine.

We were sat right in front of the wood grill. The cook Horst, spoke with a lovely heavy accent and made minor conversations with us, excellent guy.

We both ordered filets mignon this evening, both medium. That's exactly what we received, the steak was unbelievably tender. They got the meat 100% right, excellent.

My drink was refilled quickly everytime. Staff even assisted when Jill was unavailable. Without request to do so.

Then they fumbled the ball.

They provide a baked potato with the steak. It was a basic potato split in half. They provided sour creme, and butter on the side. No chives, no cheese, no bacon bits. Still scratching my head on why they would run half the race and then just stop. It doesn't make any sense.

They provide salad, but not Cesar salad. Which is a steak house staple salad choice. It's like opening a burger joint. Then saying we don't sell fries or perhaps cheese. Is inventory space that short, that you cannot provide some ceaser dressing. You already have the lettuce. I'm at a loss as to what they are thinking here.

I do wish they had a larger selection of sides I could have ordered with the steak. But that's ok too.

8:25 pm rolls around and we are the only diners left. The music changed to something akin to top 40s complete with commercials. The staff was busy cleaning the dining room and kitchen.

We asked for the desert menu but felt uncomfortable ordering dessert due to the pressure of feeling like we were preventing cleaning and workers from leaving.

The hood vent filters for the wood grill stove absolutely need to be changed out, no question. Other that that the restraunt appeared to be very clean.

For the price our the meal, the wait on the reservations, and the whole side and salad issue they dont know they have.

We will not likely be...