Enjoy Quality Meats & Set Meals Starting at RMB 168 at Steak House

I’ve never eaten a steak at a restaurant that’s all too memorable. Steak cooked at home, by family, friends, or on my own I can remember, whereas the restaurant steaks all but fade from memory. That all changed, however, when I sat down to dine at Steak House.

Some of you might cry foul, as there are no doubt legions of legendary meat purveyors the world over who probably cook a better steak than an oddly named eatery located inside a shopping mall in the capital of China. And maybe I’ll go to these places someday and change my mind. But for now, this is the best steak I’ve ever had, and it starts at RMB 168 with sides.

You read that right. RMB 168 for a premium cut of USDA Prime beef – a grade given by the US Department of Agriculture to young cattle (aged 12-14 months) whose meat is characterized by ample marbling, or intramuscular fat – sourced from Nebraska, in the heart of the American Midwest.

Guests can choose from the cube roll, a tender cut of meat from the upper rib between the striploin and chuck; flank steak, a lean cut found under the cow’s belly; or pepper steak – with a choice of two sides.

This special is part of the restaurant’s new lunch and dinner set series, and the quality of the deals are as incredible as the fact that this classy establishment, with its warm, dimly lit interiors, well-curated music, and superb service, is located on the 3rd floor of Sanlitun’s Topwin Center.

The whole experience is surprising from the get-go. Upon entering, we’re seated at a centrally located table near the venue’s bar area and led through the menu. Lunch sets, available Monday through Friday, are RMB 168 for two courses (steak and one side) and RMB 198 for three courses (steak and two sides), both with coffee. Dinner sets, available Monday through Sunday, are RMB 298, 398, and 498 with four courses each.

And what courses there are to be had! Besides the aforementioned steaks, there’s Caesar salad, beef carpaccio, mashed potatoes, broccolini with a nori crumble, and even choices for dessert.

I choose the cube roll with a side of broccolini, while my companion chooses the flank steak with mushrooms and a ceasar salad.

The sides arrive first. Besides the broccolini, which comes with dots of a tomato-based sauce and sprinkling of nori breadcrumbs, there’s the Caesar salad. And what a ceasar salad it is – it’s topped off with a poached egg, which our waiter duly opens and mixes with the salad, lending a certain creaminess to the dish.

As for the mushrooms, they come to the table mixed with bits of crisp bacon, adding on the savory and making it too good to not gobble these up on their own.

Then come the steaks – arranged lovingly on a hot plate with a side of roasted cherry tomatoes still on the vine. Cutting in is smooth as butter, and the first bite is insane. It’s like a bomb of umami exploding in the mouth. The tenderness of the meat, cooked medium well, is aided by a black crust surrounding it. It’s moist, buttery, and melts in the mouth with each bite.

Even the flank steak, which is notoriously tricky to cook thanks to its leanness, which makes it easy to dry out while cooking, is done just right, melting in the mouth with tons of tenderness to spare.

With a house wine starting at RMB 68, their basic lunch sets would set you back RMB 236 or RMB 256 per person, which is a good deal for a steak this incredible, paired with all the fixings.

But that’s not all you can try. They also offer up Wagyu steak tartare (RMB 88) prepared tableside with an array of condiments, including truffle sauce, wasabi, organic egg yolk, and black olives. Placed upon thin crisps, it’s yet another bomb of flavor that’s worth every penny.

The flank steak option is the best value for money choice with the sets due to its preparation, but if you’re hankering for a little more meat or something besides sets, Steak House does other cuts that can be ordered separately. Consider their bone-in ribeye (RMB 898) which can serve two to three people. There are also other popular cuts, like sirloin and dry aged steaks.

With food and service this good – wait staff are on alert and attentive to all guests’ needs, and at the ready to serve and prep the food tableside – it’s hard to imagine a place like this in Topwin Center.

What’s more, the sets, service, and ambiance can be enjoyed right in the heart of Sanlitun. Who’s it good for? Folks on business lunches or dinners eager to impress, couples, or even those looking for something a little more swanky for a guys or girls night out.

And there are even more deals for Beijinger readers: Share this post when you order a lunch or dinner set at Steak House’s Sanlitun Topwin or Wangjing locations to enjoy 10.2 percent off, or order anything besides the set menu while showing this article and you'll get 12 percent off your order.

A steak like this, with location, service, and the like is amazing for value alone. For me, though, it’s a steak I’ll never forget,  from start to finish.

Images: Steak House, The Beijingers