One thing I've learned at the top-flight steak places, too, is that they tend to take pride in whether or not your steak is done right. While that won't do anything about the atmosphere or overall quality of service, you should definitely, always send back a steak that isn't to your specifications. They should bring out a new one for you without even thinking twice.

Strong vote for the Met in Seattle. Also, this is kind of random, but I had a steak at Ruth's Chris in Toronto last year that was just out of this world -- far better and more flavorful than the average Ruth's Chris/chain experience. I still think about it.

El Gaucho is awesome, I had dinner there back in 2002 with Missy and Ldsant, their Caeser salad is amazing, made fresh at your table

The met was great too, although I had fish instead of meat there

I have to admit though that the best steak I've had came courtesy of a Flyertalker off my own bbq

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmeat!!!

Yet another vote for El Gaucho .. As stated above I dined there in 2002 with ScottC and Ldsant, and just a couple months ago with Newself and Shadow. The steaks are fab, and like the atmosphere much more than at the Met. Although the Met did have some good fish

and for a less wallet pinching dining experience, Buenos Aires Grill's skirt steak is melt in your mouth good!

I have to agree with Scott though, the very best steaks come from "the Meatman".

Del Frisco's in Midtown Manhattan.

http://www.queuedecheval.com/FLASH-POPUP-en.html

In Downtown Montreal - American Beef with French Ambiance

Gibson's in Chicago/Goldcoast location - outstanding quality of beef and cooked just right.

Morton's of Chicago - the original one in Chicago

Bern's in Tampa - A great experience, although have been somewhat disappointd once.

Prime in Las Vegas

Had Kobe beef at Tama at the BKK Conrad - a wonderful experience with this extraordinary beef.

When I need a steak fix and I don't feel like driving to Tampa, Ruth's Chris here in town as well as few others always guarantee a quality meal.

Was unimpressed by Prime, where the perfectly decent
porterhouse was marred by this seasoning mix that
reminded me rather of the Outback. The side dishes
there were nice, though, especially the truffled mashed
potatoes. Far preferred the steakhouse at Luxor
(of all places).

The Stock-Yard Restaurant in Nashville is a fun place to visit. Their steaks are pretty good and the old stock-yard building, atmosphere, and overall service are great. And the best "plus" of all is that if you call them, they will come pick you up and then take you back to your hotel or to downtown Nashville...for free! (Van drivers use Stock-Yard vans but pay for their own gas, so please tip accordingly.) I was staying at the Sheraton Music City last month and gave them a call. They not only made reservations for ONE, but sent a van to pick me up and then take me back to the hotel! Everyone I encountered at the Stock-Yards was friendly and actually seemed like they were happy to see me.

If you are in Nashville, check it out.

There's an article on Wolfgang's in the NY times Dining section.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/28/dining/28WOLF.html

It's modeled along the lines of Peter Lugers serving the same sliced porterhouse sizzling with butter, thick-cut Canadian bacon, onion rolls, loin lamb chops and schlag. But they also have an expanded menu that includes filet mignon, rib steak, crab cakes, Caesar salad.
As quoted, the most un-Luger-like feature is that they accept credit cards !

Will have to give it a try soon and report back.

Best of the best...

El Establos...Centro Buenos Aires, Argentina...(Argentina has amazing beef!)

The Butchers Shop - Sandton, South Africa (just outside Jo'burg)

Unbeatable.

I couldn't agree more about the spice seasoning. If I've got high-class beef, it needs absolutely nothing. Why mask the flavor at all? Not my style.

The best place for steak is of course important, but in my view, in the end its all about the raw material (ie. the beef) you have to work with. Some of my personal favorite places to eat meat in Buenos Aires include:

- El Parrillon del Pobre Luis (also know as El Pobre Luis)
- Rio Alba
- Cabania Las Lilas
- El Novillo Alegre
- Gran Parrillon Cabildo (standing up next to the grill)
- Las Nazarenas

Great beef is enjoyed not only at a luxurious up-scale 'traditional' steak house. At least, thats how we carnivores like to think...

Please, dont forget to wash down all that red muscle with an appropriate red wine from the right side of the Andes... ^

I've always had great meals at Bern's in Tampa. But my all-time favorite in the US is The Prime Rib in Baltimore. Great beef and incredible crabcakes. Fresh grated horseradish is a excellent addition to any beef entree.

Interesting that my experiences match those of posters above. The single best steak I've had was at Gibson's (I got lucky and snagged a table in the bar on a Friday night at 8:00pm with only a short wait). I also thought Prime to be good but not great (and the wines are outrageously overpriced, even for Vegas)

I like the cowboy ribeye at Ruth's Chris for its consistency, no matter which location, but have had surprisingly bad results at Smith and Wollensky in both NY and Chicago.