Hal's is only a stone's throw from the excellent Bones in Buckhead, Atlanta, but hidden on a bit of a side street. Boisterous and loud as Bones is quiet - but terrific steaks, an owner who visits tables and makes sure everything iks just so - get the impression most patrons are locals.

Have also enjoyed:

Prime at Bellagio, Vegas - though Jean-George's delegate chef still does not know how to make a potato gratin ! Fine meat, sauces, apps and gorgeous room with lake and dancing fountain views

Circo - also at the Bellagio - this is Le Cirque's little brother, so to speak, and not really a steak house - but the lamb chops are the best I've had in the world !

Moishe's in Montreal - great beef, dessert pastry platter is a retro indulgent hoot

Ben Benson's in Manhattan - I like the lack of pretension and no-nonsense atmosphere - good meat and lots of choice

Page, AZ, has a steakhouse the name of which I don't remember. Great local Kaibab beef - the sides and everything else forgettable (as in foil-wrapped baked potatoes !) - earnest service from locals. Good food in a tourist town full of taco joints.

The Cote de Boeuf for two at the old Savoy River Restaurant in London was unbeatable - now that Ramsay or one of those super-chefs has come in and changed everything I don't stay there any more - but it may have survived...

House of Chan in Toronto looks like a typical chinese food dive, but has superb meat - the filet often unbeatable

Caesar's in Calgary - amazing tender beef in a road house atmosphere - much better than Hy's

The best of the Palm chain I've always thought is the one in downtown DC - a little more sophisticated and a lot quieter than its Manhattan ancestors !