MARCH 11 / 2002

OUTBACK RESTAURANT - DOWN UNDER DELIGHTFUL

I often get criticized for restaurant reviews such as this but, frankly, I don't care. Whenever I have gone to either of the Outback restaurants, my guests and I have been treated to good food, great service and simple "fun".

On this occasion, it was our friend, Graham, who took Jana and I out for dinner. Jana particularly likes Outback, located at 2874 Calgary Trail South. Invariably, it is packed. Invariably, there is a waiting time of 20 - 30 minutes.

The difference is, waiting here can be fun. There is lots of room at the bar. You are invited to sit and have a drink. If you don't drink, they will be happy to serve a non-alcoholic beverage with the same care and attention.

The bartender can be very creative with a variety of virgin drinks. The TV is on, there is lots of frolic and fanfare, people are talking and laughing, and they take especially good care of the kids.

You are handed a flat object that will light up when your table is ready. You can take your drinks with you to your table. Staff is bubbly and friendly. Yet it isn't show. Clearly these kids are very well managed and well taught.

Traditionally, one starts with a Bloomin' Onion. This appetizer can nearly fill three. A large onion is elegantly flowered such that pedals can be easily torn away, battered and deep fried.

In the past, we have enjoyed their Grilled Shrimp and their Cheese Fries, but the Bloomin' Onion is the way to go.

The Outback is far more than a steakhouse. One can order a variety of pastas, fish selections, chicken, ribs or shrimp.

Jana's favorite has been the Queensland Chicken'N Shrimp. This entree consists of a grilled chicken breast over Alfredo fettuccine with a light lemon sauce. The chicken is as tender and well cooked as any restaurant of haute cuisine. Yet is the addictive flavor of the fettuccini that impressed us all.

On this particular evening, Graham and I were craving steak. While they have a variety of cuts, sizes and prices, the best bang for the buck is clearly the Outback Special.

This is centre cut sirloin, very nicely seasoned and seared, before cooked to you exact specifications. Your server will ask you how you like your steak. If you order medium, or medium well, or whatever...he or she will tell you exactly the level of redness you can expect.

Then when your steak arrives, you'll see it is bang on. More importantly, you will have a humongous piece of absolutely perfect meat. Not an ounce of fat. Nicely seared to hold in the flavor and moisture. There is only a $2.00 difference between the 9 oz and the 12 oz steak.

As an add on, I ordered the extra shrimp. The shrimp were a treat unto themselves. With the steak also came a choice of soup or salads, rice, garlic mashed potatoes, or Aussi style French Fries.

When one is finished with this, one has quite literally feasted. The garlic potatoes and the fries are worthy of special mention. They are both just plain good.

We have tried pretty well all the desserts over a period of time. However the dessert of choice should be the Cinnamon Oblivion. This is vanilla ice cream smothered in cinnamon and apple slices with pecans and a caramel sauce.

It is sweet decadence that goes well with a coffee and cognac, if you are so moved.

Appetizers are between $4.00 and $9.00, the 12 oz steak with the full course selection was $18.99 and the pasta dishes are in the $12.00 to $16.00 range. These are pretty well standard among most restaurants of its kind, but the value here is superior by leaps and bounds.

BEST POINTS:
Excellent steak, superb service, fun atmosphere.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: The Caesar salad was way too salty and a little too runny. They should work on that.

RATING CATEGORY:
7.5 out of 10 when compared to the finest of dining establishments. Will I take a lot of heat for singing Outback's praises so emphatically? Probably. Do I care? Nope.