The restaurant was jam packed when we arrived on a recent Friday evening. We stopped by the sleek upscale bar Curley's, named after the late Boston mayor James Michael Curley, which was filled with an after-work crowd. There are three levels of dining here, including six private dining rooms (be sure to check out the cool Vault Room) and two outdoor patios. The main dining room is where most diners request to be seated but what some people may not be aware of is the more intimate lower level dining room, complete with a special areas for private dining.

The mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat were declared the winning appetizer. The caps overflowed with fresh crabmeat and just the perfect amount of stuffing topped with Romano cheese. You can find some other New Orleans style favorites here, including their famous sizzling blue crab cakes, barbecued shrimp, tempura onion rings, and veal osso bucco ravioli.

The steaks here are what everyone comes for-sizzling slices of tender beef arrive on 500 degree plates seasoned with just the right amount of salt, pepper, butter and parsley, swimming in a pool of its own juices. The enormous, perfectly marble,d bone-in cowboy ribeye was extraordinarily tender and juicy. The mouthwatering New York strip was just as rich and flavorful. Our friendly server told us the filet is also one of their most popular dishes.

If you can save room for dessert, the must-have grand finale is the New Orleans favorite bread pudding served with a creamy whiskey sauce. Other desserts included a tempting caramelized banana cream pie, warm apple crumb tart, chocolate sin cake and crème brulee. For added value, don't miss the special prix fixe menu and Restaurant Week specials.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
45 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
617.742.8401
www.ruthschris.com
