Sizzling deal

From humble beginnings on Broad Street in New Orleans, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse has made the big time. A large up-scale dining hall at The Monarch Dubai is proof enough.

But don't be fooled. Behind the fancy chandeliers, mirrors and leather-clad booths (things which usually scream ‘over-the-top' pretension to me) await friendly and down-to-earth staff serving home-cooked, hearty food.

At first glance I'll admit the prices did make me look twice — especially as I think I was expecting a little more fuss-free than fine dining, but have no fear. The newly launched Sizzling Saturdays menu cannot be beaten and won't leave you disappointed.

Don't expect fancy sauces, sides and endless options for dessert. Do expect amazing value for money for great food which just keeps coming.

Set price

And I don't know about you, but there's nothing better than eating until your little heart's content and not worrying about the bill stacking up because it's a set price.

Dh265 per person gets you starter, main, dessert, tea and coffee, plus beverage, not forgetting a red rose for the ladies.

Starters are Caesar salad, Louisiana seafood gumbo or mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat. The broiled mushroom caps with jumbo lump crab stuffing sprinkled with Romano cheese are to die for.

At Ruth's Chris everything is served hot. Not just hot but piping hot.

Sizzling platters laden with slabs of perfectly cooked meat are placed in front of you and you are warned not to touch the plate. Don't. Located on the first floor of the SZR hotel, Ruth's Chris specialises in broiling custom-aged, USDA Prime beef in its trademark 1,800-degree oven.

Element of privacy

Each fillet is then served on plates warmed to 500F. The plates have a thick pool of sizzling butter, with your meat in the middle (arteries clogged) and as you pile up either the creamy mash or creamed spinach, the sides join the sizzle until you've cleared your plate. The ingenious part is your food is always hot, even if you are a slow eater like me.

Dessert is always my favourite and Ruth's Chris got it so right.

The interior is carefully thought out, with tall white leather armchairs and cubby-hole booths, which offer an element of privacy for couples wanting to escape the open-plan restaurant feel.

Plush reds, deep browns and low lighting give almost a front-room feel. Perfect for my Chocolate Sin Cake, which the staff were happy to serve with my café latte to finish off a wonderfully economic meal out for two.