Craving steak? Here are your Hartford Guide's picks for the top steak houses in the Greater Hartford area of Connecticut. If you thought you had to go to the Midwest for delicious beef, these restaurants will prove you wrong.
2513 Berlin Tpk., Newington, 860-666-2202. At Ruth's Chris, the aroma of steak sizzling in butter usually has me drooling even before I order. My brother-in-law, who has dined at many Ruth's Chris Steak Houses during his travels, says the local restaurant even beats others in the chain. Go figure! Be forewarned--pricing is a la carte, and you can run up quite a hefty check. It's worth it.
30 State House Square, Hartford, 860-724-0044. Morton's consistently delivers the area's best selection of prime cuts, plus a few seafood selections. Before you order, the "parade of meats" tantalizes you with your array of choices. A la carte pricing makes for expensive meals, and for the money, I'd choose Ruth's Chris. If you're downtown, though, Morton's is a solid choice for great steak.
488 Farmington Ave., Hartford, 860-882-1839. Churrascaria Braza Restaurant in Hartford is not a place to eat--it's a place to feast. Braza is billed as an all-you-can-eat, pay-one-price, Brazilian-style steakhouse, but it's actually a more-than-you-could-ever-possibly-eat smorgasbord of salads, breads, vegetables, potatoes, meats, fish, chicken and shellfish.
500 Evergreen Way, South Windsor, 860-648-1100. Ted's Montana Grill is a Ted Turner-owned restaurant chain that focuses on hearty, comforting fare with Western flair. If you've never tasted bison, you should. It's a lot like steak, only darker, leaner and loaded with iron. All of the dishes at Ted's Montana Grill can be ordered with beef, but the bison, albeit a bit more expensive, is a rare treat and a healthy choice.
5. Dakota Steak House
225 West Main Street/Route 44, Avon, 860-677-4311. Dakota's has tasty steaks, an expansive salad bar and a very popular Sunday brunch. Be prepared to wait for a table. The menu here is more varied than at the "big name" steakhouses, and the prices are more reasonable, so this makes a good family choice.
