Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina, San Francisco

You probably guessed by now how I found a lot of the restaurants we visited in America. Yes, I Googled where the best ones were. Want the best steak in San Francisco? We only had to walk to our hotel lobby at the Westin St Francis and into Bourbon Steak. Michael Mina uses a method of cooking called butter poaching (click the link for the most amazing video ever...) and then finishes them off in a hot pan. His menu offers a wide range of quality steaks with fantastic accompaniments. Bourbon Steak takes the average steak house to another level...

USDA beef standards mean that the burgers and steaks you have in America are generally of a much higher standard to the average ones in the UK, meaning we didn't have bad beef the entire time we were there. We really wanted to sample the best they had on offer, to see whether it was much different.

When we arrived our 'canapes' were three pots of fries with dips. A chipotle mayonaise, cucumber creme fraiche and spicy ketchup. They were a touch of brilliance! I really didn't expect chips in this restaurant so it was a cheeky surprise! Our waiter was chatty and gave really good advice on the type of steak to order. He asked lots of questions about how we liked it cooked and which cuts we normally go for. My husband had already decided on the Wagyu Snake River Rib Cap and I fancied the Angus New York as it was recommended for anyone who enjoys a rare rib-eye!

These steaks were massive. Mine was 14oz, so I presumed it came served on the bone. Noooo... It was the best steak I have ever eaten. Even better than Maze Grill. Charred on the outside, but pink and soft on the inside. Sealing them in butter is the work of a steak witch. That's one clever chap! They were exceptional value too. Don't get me wrong, this is a high end restaurant, but when compared to similar over here, the prices are very different. A Wagyu steak at Maze Grill is £85. At Bourbon Steak it is $72 (about £45). Even if there was a slight difference in size, I doubt the value would be the same. My husband's steak was a decent size and the quality was unbelievable!

We also ordered a side of Crispy Brussels Sprouts, just because we liked the sound of them. We only managed a few as we were both busy demolishing a huge pile of steak, Atkins stylee. A totally different take on the humble sprout, these were crisp on the edges and covered in parmesan.

Bellies full of steak, we decided to share a dessert. We opted for profiteroles filled with strawberry ice cream. A lovely light dessert, just perfect after such a rich meal. Another one who had cottoned onto the fact this was a birthday trip, they jazzed up our profiteroles and my husband got a card signed by all the chefs. Nice touch!

We also got sweeties...

If you ever find yourself in San Francisco, make sure you make a stop in Bourbon Steak. It's got a great atmosphere, a relaxed bar area and some of the best steak you will ever eat.

Please leave your comments below... x