Thanks for the replies so far. I think I should clarify a few things:

1. I do not have any sense I was entitlement. I was posting the question merely to ask if what I wanted was a possibility (see title.) I made sure not to write 'how can I make a restaurant follow my request'

2.In Islam, the Alim (scholar) that I follow has stated that, when in doubt about whether something is lawful or not, you can do/eat/watch it anyway. The only exception is for meat. Therefore, I can assume that the plates have been washed properly. I almost always asked my meat to be cooked with new oil / in a clean frying pan. I have yet to be denied. Even if the people don't comply, but tell me they did, I am none the wiser.

3. Sorted of related to #1, but if I don't eat the steak, it is not a catastrophe. In fact, I just went to Dubai and ate steak about 5 times at Rodeo Grill. They were amazinnggg.

Anyways, I can always eat vegetarian food instead. I just thought it would be nice if I could eat steak. Cooking at home will be difficult at best (since I live in a dorm) and impossible at worst.

4. With regards to Kosher vs Halal, the jury is still out. However, the general concencus is that they are not similar enough that Kosher can be eaten instead. See http://www.albalagh.net/halal/kosher_meat.shtml However, I know many people who will eat Kosher when Halal is not available.

If anyone thinks I am being stupid by demanding halal meat as there are many other options or that the frying pan will make the meat non halal or that I won't go to hell by not eating halal etc, that's fine. But I am aware of all these issues - they don't need to be repeated to me

Cheers,