Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Celebrates American Cocktail with 5-Course “Hand-Crafted Cocktail” Dinner! #RCSHCocktailDinner

On August 21, Ruth’s Chris Steak House celebrated its New Orleans heritage and cocktail craftsmanship with a five-course “Hand-Crafted Cocktail” dinner at 99 participating restaurants nationwide.

Lately I have been exclusively focused on wine and wine pairings. Food loves wine and vice versa.  That said, wine pairing dinners more often than not are served with under-seasoned dishes; since the primary focus is on appreciating and highlighting the nuances of fine wine. In contrast, Cocktail Pairings are a marriage of two contrasting skills – Cuisine and Cocktails. Hand-Crafted Cocktails are an innovative skill showcasing best of both: Chef-inspired dish and Cocktail.

Without further adieu, I present to you the sensational and savvy 5-Course Hand-Crafted Cocktail Dinner, I had the pleasure of experiencing at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

First Course: Maple-Bourbon-Glazed Jumbo Shrimp with warm five-bean salad accompanied by Seelbach Sparkling Cocktail featuring Sparkling Wine, Bulleit Bourbon and Cointreau.

 A Whet your appetite combination – Bourbon glazed shrimp matched the smoky flavor of bourbon with a dash of effervescence from the bubbly. The bubbly cleansed my palate while refreshing the mouth for another bite.

Second Course: Seared Ahi-Tuna with slaw, crispy rice cake, and fresh cilantro oil accompanied by Moscow Mule featuring Ketel One Vodka, Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur, Ginger Ale, fresh lime juice and candied ginger.

The Ahi-Tuna accompanied by Moscow Mule was the perfect example of how cocktails pairs beautifully with intensely flavored food. The Asian inspired perfectly cooked Ahi-tuna tempered off with the cooling and refreshing vodka cocktail – a ying and yang dish!!

Third Course: Slow-Roasted Pork, Arepa Corn Cake creole sauce, and fresh avocado accompanied by Agave Bee’s Knees featuring Don Julio Anejo Tequila, Smirnoff Wild Honey Vodka, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup and candied honey stick.

Spice lovers, you are in luck today. The slow roasted pork sitting in a bed of bold creole sauce paired with the sweet honey concoction enhanced this dish as a whole. To be honest, I am a single malt whiskey on the rocks kind of gal. Sweet cocktails are usually wasted on me. For once, I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet concoction. The sweetness of the honey syrup and honey stick balanced the heat of the creole sauce – a brilliant pairing if I may say so.

Fourth Course: Sizzling Filet Mignon with crispy fried shallots and horseradish crème fraiche accompanied by New Fashioned featuring Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Cherry Heering, Candied Orange and Amarena Black Cherry. Accompaniments include: Potato & Tomato Gratin and Ruth’s Creamed Spinach.

A full bodied drink for a full bodied dish. This course was specially designed for Whiskey aficionados. Russet in color with rich oaky aromas, the New Fashioned complimented the steak with it’s rich texture and body. Medium-rare filet, rye whiskey, and creamed spinach – a dazzling course!

Fifth Course: with seasonal berries and crème anglaise accompanied by Chilled Vanilla Irish Coffee featuring Dark Roast coffee, Bushmills Irish Whiskey and Baileys Vanilla Cinnamon Irish.

Chocolate, Coffee, and Whiskey in one bite – isn’t it the ideal chocolate lover’s finale? After such a huge meal, the chilled Irish Coffee was precisely the pick-me-up I needed to drive myself home. And may I add, a decadent finish to this lavish dining experience.

Standing ovation to General Manager Tom Brandt, Janielle Whitehead (Sales Manager), Kyle Tague (Southern Wines), Chef Sarmiento, and entire staff of Ruths Chris for enlightening my palate and hosting this luxurious hand-crafted cocktail dinner.

Come with an open mind and allow the Chef and Mixologist to tantalize all your taste buds with their delectable pairings. I for one enjoyed each sip and every bite!!

Did you know that Magical Dining Month commenced in Orlando this week and Ruth’s Chris is participating? Click HERE to Reserve your spot today.

And for those of you who enjoy food and drink pairings, Ruth Chris’s next pairing is a BEER Pairing on September 26th. Click HERE for more details.

About Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is the largest upscale steak house company in the world, with nearly 140 restaurant locations around the globe. Founded in New Orleans, Louisiana USA by Ruth Fertel in 1965, Ruth’s Chris specializes in USDA Prime grade steaks served in Ruth’s Chris signature fashion … “sizzling.” Connect with Ruth’s Chris on Facebook for more details.

About Diageo

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit, George Dickel, Buchanan’s and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards Wines.

 

 

About Author