Best Steak Dinner

In the past few years a number of high end steak houses have cropped up around the region. In Northern Kentucky Jeff Ruby has made a name for himself with broiled beef.  Of course Ruth's Chris, Morton's of Chicago and a few others have developed a national reputation.  But in my book, the best steak I've had in 30 years can only be found in Dayton Ohio, at the Pine Club.

Yes, some of the rising stars boast a devoted clientele, but at the Pine Club they've been making some of the best meals in America for over 65 years.  And with practice comes perfection.

Their Bone In Rib-eye literally could not be cooked any better. It is finished with just the right char on the outside to keep all that great moist flavor circulating around inside until you release it with your knife and fork.

Their baked potatoes are great but their loaded baked potato is topped with the kind of smoked bacon that makes you think it was cooked outside over an open fire by culinary experts in cowboy hats.

The selection of cuts of meat puts other steak houses to shame as does the Pine Club's low light atmosphere that draws you closer to those with whom you are sharing your dining experience.  Dark wood lit by little more than electric candles gives The Pine Club just the kind of antique manliness that tells you as soon as you walk in that these guys understand steaks.

Don't ask for desert, they don't serve it, and don't whip out a credit card, they won't take it.  You can pay cash, or, if you need to they will happily open a house account for you on the spot if you only have plastic money on you.

Be sure to leave enough room to eat a full meal when you arrive because there's nothing skimpy about portions and the basket of salted rye crescents which arrive first simply can't be avoided.

If you are looking for a reason to make a short drive (45 minutes from Cincinnati) to Dayton Ohio to attend a play at the new and exquisite Shuster Center to see top named talent when they come to town (funny lady Kathleen Madigan will be there February 3d) then be sure to set aside some time and treat yourself to the best steak dinner in the midwest at the historic Pine Club.

You can't afford to miss that treat.