Wagyu beef steak

[contender]

Miss Penny & I enjoy good food. As such,, we go to good restaurants occasionally to enjoy a top level meal. Our favorite is a place in Greenville SC,, called the "Saskatoon Lodge."
Now,, we heard about this place for a year or so,, before we made the effort to go try it. In 2018,, I took her there for her birthday. They have a menu of items not normally found in 99% of other restaurants.
Exotic & wild game.
Bison, Kangaroo, Emu, New Zealand Red Stag, Elk, Antelope, Duck, Wild Boar, alligator to name some of their menu options.

Our first visit,, with me studying everything,, from a critical eye due to my being raised in a restaurant AND taught a lot about good food & service, I was very impressed. The service was excellent,, the food prepared perfectly & very tasty.

I finally stopped the gentleman who appeared to be the owner & asked him if he was the owner. He replied; "No,, I'm her husband!" With that laughter,, we had a conversation, and we discovered that we had occasionally worked out in our Master's Karate school, back in the late 1970's & early 1980's. I remembered him because I always thought it was interesting that a Chinese guy was taking Korean Karate.
Immediate rekindling of a friendship from a share love of the martial arts.

So,, Penny & I have been going there ever since,, 3-5 times a year.

Earlier this week,, Penny got a message from them that there was a "Month of June" special. Kinda honoring Fathers. The owner,, (Ed,) had secured a contract to get REAL Waygu beef and put together a dinner package. Waygu,, with a special side. We could choose between a "Whisky Sample, a Red Wine sample, or a Desert Sample."
We immediately made reservations. Penny & I have wanted to try Waygu AND Kobe beef.

Penny doesn't drink, so her obvious choice was to be a sampling of (4) deserts. Homemade bread pudding, chocolate cake, carrot cake, & cheese cake.
My selection was to sample the whiskeys. Colonel E.H. Taylor, Blanton's, Buffalo Trace, and Eagle Rare.
Then,, we invited our youngest son & a friend of his to dine with us.

Upon our arrival,, we got chastised a bit about not attending their 31st anniversary thing last month,,, but Penny explained we had something else going on & didn't think we could make it.

We got seated, & the waiter was one of several we knew,, as Ed's got staff that has worked for him for over 20+ years.

We ordered the Waygu & said to prepare it "Chef's Choice." We ordered a wild game sausage appetizer along with gator tail bites. Salads that are made from stuff grown on site and hand prepared. Homemade bread with (3) types of butter,, (regular, cinnamon, & blueberry).
The Waygu was accompanied by green beans, roasted red peppers, carrots, and a choice of potato. I chose garlic smashed & Penny got the wedges.

But the Waygu,,, well, it was amazing. Best steak I've ever tried anywhere. If you ever get a chance to really try it,, do so. Oh,, and ONLY order it medium rare. I've been to some really good places for steaks too. Even the ribeye I had at the Texas Cattleman's wasn't that good. Or the T-Bone at the Elk River Steakhouse in South Dakota didn't compare.

The whiskey sampler,, was enjoyable. My son & I tried & discussed our preferences. I had had the Eagle Rare before,, & not sure,, but I think I'd tried the Taylor's as well. But the Buffalo Trace & the Blanton's was the winner in my book.

A truly wonderful dining experience last night!

And if anybody is ever in Greenville SC,, & want to try an excellent restaurant,, the Saskatoon is well worth it!

 

[contender]

I often don't think about taking pictures,, but my son took one of the whiskey sampler tray.
I wish I'd taken one of the dinner now.

And a side fun note. A younger gentleman saw us enjoying ourselves sampling the whiskey,, and came over, politely asked if we'd like a couple of his samples. He'd ordered it, and didn't want the last 2. He gave us the Blanton's & the Buffalo Trace.

Here's a picture of the whiskey.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Contender,
Excellent description of your dining experience!
You had me drooling...
If you ever decide to give up your possum trapping career, you would be a excellent food critic!
Your upbringing gives you an edge.

Terry

 

[32shooter]

Sounds like a great place to eat! If I ever get down that way I would like to try it.

On the bourbon note, I like Eagle Rare, EH Taylor and Buffalo Trace. The Blantons I can pass on.

 

[Armybrat]

Sounds like a wonderful & tasty dining experience.
Not being much of a drinker in my old age, I’d have to select the dessert sampling.
The best steak I ever had was in Japan in 1957.
Our Navy transport ship stopped by Yokohama for a day & a half when Dad was being transferred to Taiwan, so he took us (Mom, Brother, & myself) to the Grand Hotel restaurant that had been recommended by a fellow officer.
Don’t remember the details of the dinner, but that Kobe filet steak was the best I’ve ever eaten. We had four servers and a table captain, which was a bit fancier than the mess hall on the ship.
I do recall the total bill for the dinner was $20…a pretty good deal even for those days.

Having said that, my little gas grill could produce a decent T-bone steak.
I liked to sear them pretty good for 3 minutes each side, leaving it medium rare inside.

 

[ArizonaTea123]

The best steak I ever had was a small steak house in Corona CA.
I'm going to see if it's still in business. This was 35 years ago

 

[XUSNORDIE]

My selection was to sample the whiskeys. Colonel E.H. Taylor, Blanton's, Buffalo Trace, and Eagle Rare.

All made in the same distillery with VERY different price points. I can't taste the difference between Blanton's and Eagle Rare. Of the four my choice would be Buffalo Trace, which is almost bottom of barrel for that distillery. EH Taylor has a slight edge of difference. For the record I can't tell the difference between Pappy, Blanton's and Eagle Rare either.

 

[Fox Mike]

If this place ranks with the "Cattleman's Association" restaurants that I have visited then I would love to visit it.

 

[Watertender]

A friend in Tennessee has Wagyu cattle. I haven't eaten any but from the delicious and delightful original post it sounds fantastic.

 

[Ethang]

A REAL Wagyu steak is on my bucket list...that place is just a bit too far to drive... lots of "wagyu" steaks popping up that are not the real deal. Glad you enjoyed it.

PS....I prefer Eagle Rare to the much more expensive and harder to find Blanton's..

 

[375hh1973]

All made in the same distillery with VERY different price points. I can't taste the difference between Blanton's and Eagle Rare. Of the four my choice would be Buffalo Trace, which is almost bottom of barrel for that distillery. EH Taylor has a slight edge of difference. For the record I can't tell the difference between Pappy, Blanton's and Eagle Rare either.

Its all good when mixed with Coke or Gatorade

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Its all good when mixed with Coke or Gatorade

Thus ruining a glass of good booze and/or a glass of anything else. JMHO

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Its all good when mixed with Coke or Gatorade

PURE BLASPHEMY!!!!! Unless you wear a skirt and sit down to pee....

 

[gnappi]

Cool write up.

I had Kobe beef in Tokyo in the mid 90's, it was an extremely easy chew, marbled like nothing you've seen before, and flavor better than the finest Midwest prime beef, though a tad greasy.

My meal (A la carte) was something like $125 in one of the New Otani's restaurants. That was REALLY expensive back then I was glad my company was footing the bill! I can't imagine what it costs now.

 

[krw]

Last 4 years I have been transitioning to Balancer cross cattle. Guy I have been dealing with runs couple hundred head. As a side gig, He has been breeding Angus cows to Waygu Bulls. Has to keep them to minimim 2 yrs to get them to hang Prime. Slower growth and more feed. But the Steaks are Heavenly. And the Roasts are great also

 

[contender]

Kobe steak is on our want to try list. Not sure if we'll ever get the chance to try it,, but who knows.

It was a truly great evening and dining experience. Made even better by the fact that our youngest son was able to join us. And he surprised us when the waiter asked about the check. He QUICKLY said "One check & bring it to me." Then he turned to us,, before we could object, and said; "Happy late Mother's Day & early Father's Day."

I do admit to having a pretty good edge on many people by the way I was raised when it comes to good food. Dad truly taught us a lot. In fact,, last night, on the drive home Penny & I were talking about dinner. We discussed how this place really isn't for kids,, and we don't often see any in there. But I allowed that well behaved kids,, who have manners & are being taught how to go to a top end restaurant & act,, should be allowed. At the age of 7,, I went with my family to a top end restaurant. It was the first time I was exposed to the exotic dish of lobster. I enjoyed my first lobster then, and was taught about such things.
Dad was truly a great teacher.

For those interested,, you can go on line & look up the Saskatoon Lodge. It's a good place.
Heck,, outside,, they have a gyroscopic meat smoker over an open pit. Very unique. I've had New Zealand Stag ribs off it. HEAVENLY!!!!

And if you get one of the exotic game samplers,, they also have some dipping sauces that allow you to add a unique flavor if you wish.

Oh,, and while I prefer chocolate deserts mostly,, their carrot cake is amazing. The maple flavored sauce they put on it puts it a few steps above ANY other carrot cake I've ever tried.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Contender.....sounds like you may have not only had to slip into a pair of shoes/socks, but also a jacket as well.....maybe a tie?

My time in those places are over....mainly because it won't be on the Dept tab or expense account. Already handed my jackets/slacks/suits and ties to GoodWill (not that I fit in them too well from the last couple years being put out to pasture...polo, tack pants easy gig stuff)......so I will be content with my smoker, grills, mid range bourbon and Miller High Life from now on.....fixed income now and all that

 

[blume357]

Damn Contender... you came to town again and did not visit... but I understand it was a family thing.
Also, you keep reminding me of that restaurant ...which I've only been to once and enjoyed it... yep the 'owner' is really personable...
The shameful part is the restaurant is all of 10 minutes away from me even with all these yankees, midwesterners and beyond that have moved here in the last 20 years and are constantly in the way. (contender has a bit more of a drive to get here)

Edit: You know there is a farm between you and me that raises and sells Kobe beef?
https://carolandfarmswagyu.com/coll...B8p6cSewOtyjPHgN9pW04O3Q-NujCn2YhSyEDk.UaXZST

 

[gunzo]

Wagyu is readily available in most locations, but beware of ordering, much less footing the bill for Kobe. There is only so much true Kobe available & many unscrupulous places were advertising & charging for it when they didn't even have it.
I thought I'd had it & wasn't all that impressed when in actuality, I hadn't had it as the restaurant lied & wasn't serving it, as true Kobe was only sold to 13 places in the entire US at that time. 90% of the places just shrugged & took it of the menu when the truth came out. You can bet I haven't forgotten the name of the place that ripped me off.
Yeah, true certified Kobe is available, but before I'd pay the $35 an ounce I'd confirm authenticity. There are currently 37 licensed restaurants in the entire US serving it.

 

[Kevin]

Awesome! Thanks for the review. I don't think I've ever tried Wagyu or Kobe beef. Sounds like a great time.

It does make we wonder though if the steaks are as good as you can get in Texas though.

 

[Kevin]

Contender.....sounds like you may have not only had to slip into a pair of shoes/socks, but also a jacket as well.....maybe a tie?

My time in those places are over....mainly because it won't be on the Dept tab or expense account. Already handed my jackets/slacks/suits and ties to GoodWill (not that I fit in them too well from the last couple years being put out to pasture...polo, tack pants easy gig stuff)......so I will be content with my smoker, grills, mid range bourbon and Miller High Life from now on.....fixed income now and all that

That is so funny that you've already cleared out your closet of work clothes.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

For those interested,, you can go on line & look up the Saskatoon Lodge. It's a good place.
Heck,, outside,, they have a gyroscopic meat smoker over an open pit. Very unique. I've had New Zealand Stag ribs off it. HEAVENLY!!!!

I did. Very interesting site with notable menu options.

Also located it on Google Maps where it's noted "temporarily closed". ?

 

[Terry Morgan]

Miss Penny & I enjoy good food. As such,, we go to good restaurants occasionally to enjoy a top level meal. Our favorite is a place in Greenville SC,, called the "Saskatoon Lodge."
Now,, we heard about this place for a year or so,, before we made the effort to go try it. In 2018,, I took her there for her birthday. They have a menu of items not normally found in 99% of other restaurants.
Exotic & wild game.
Bison, Kangaroo, Emu, New Zealand Red Stag, Elk, Antelope, Duck, Wild Boar, alligator to name some of their menu options.

Our first visit,, with me studying everything,, from a critical eye due to my being raised in a restaurant AND taught a lot about good food & service, I was very impressed. The service was excellent,, the food prepared perfectly & very tasty.

I finally stopped the gentleman who appeared to be the owner & asked him if he was the owner. He replied; "No,, I'm her husband!" With that laughter,, we had a conversation, and we discovered that we had occasionally worked out in our Master's Karate school, back in the late 1970's & early 1980's. I remembered him because I always thought it was interesting that a Chinese guy was taking Korean Karate.
Immediate rekindling of a friendship from a share love of the martial arts.

So,, Penny & I have been going there ever since,, 3-5 times a year.

Earlier this week,, Penny got a message from them that there was a "Month of June" special. Kinda honoring Fathers. The owner,, (Ed,) had secured a contract to get REAL Waygu beef and put together a dinner package. Waygu,, with a special side. We could choose between a "Whisky Sample, a Red Wine sample, or a Desert Sample."
We immediately made reservations. Penny & I have wanted to try Waygu AND Kobe beef.

Penny doesn't drink, so her obvious choice was to be a sampling of (4) deserts. Homemade bread pudding, chocolate cake, carrot cake, & cheese cake.
My selection was to sample the whiskeys. Colonel E.H. Taylor, Blanton's, Buffalo Trace, and Eagle Rare.
Then,, we invited our youngest son & a friend of his to dine with us.

Upon our arrival,, we got chastised a bit about not attending their 31st anniversary thing last month,,, but Penny explained we had something else going on & didn't think we could make it.

We got seated, & the waiter was one of several we knew,, as Ed's got staff that has worked for him for over 20+ years.

We ordered the Waygu & said to prepare it "Chef's Choice." We ordered a wild game sausage appetizer along with gator tail bites. Salads that are made from stuff grown on site and hand prepared. Homemade bread with (3) types of butter,, (regular, cinnamon, & blueberry).
The Waygu was accompanied by green beans, roasted red peppers, carrots, and a choice of potato. I chose garlic smashed & Penny got the wedges.

But the Waygu,,, well, it was amazing. Best steak I've ever tried anywhere. If you ever get a chance to really try it,, do so. Oh,, and ONLY order it medium rare. I've been to some really good places for steaks too. Even the ribeye I had at the Texas Cattleman's wasn't that good. Or the T-Bone at the Elk River Steakhouse in South Dakota didn't compare.

The whiskey sampler,, was enjoyable. My son & I tried & discussed our preferences. I had had the Eagle Rare before,, & not sure,, but I think I'd tried the Taylor's as well. But the Buffalo Trace & the Blanton's was the winner in my book.

A truly wonderful dining experience last night!

And if anybody is ever in Greenville SC,, & want to try an excellent restaurant,, the Saskatoon is well worth it!

I enjoyed reading your review. How about another sometime?

 

[XUSNORDIE]

That is so funny that you've already cleared out your closet of work clothes.

Well if I'm telling the truth....some of my elastic waistband tact pants were getting a little tight as well.....to the point I was not tucking in the polo ...but I'm working on that....sort of.

 

[Watertender]

Well if I'm telling the truth....some of my elastic waistband tact pants were getting a little tight as well.....to the point I was not tucking in the polo ...but I'm working on that....sort of.

Did the doctor diagnose you with a case of "dickiedo"? Your belly sticks out farther than your dickiedo!!!

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Did the doctor diagnose you with a case of "dickiedo"? Your belly sticks out farther than your dickiedo!!!

No, that was a self diagnosis....

 

[peachhead]

Sounds great! maybe we need to take a trip. My son got married in Greenville, that's the only time I have been there, but we said we wanted to go back for a long weekend or something.

 

[contender]

"Contender.....sounds like you may have not only had to slip into a pair of shoes/socks, but also a jacket as well.....maybe a tie? "

Actually,, it's allowed to dress more casual. In fact,, I'm required to wear the T-shirt that Mrs. Woo gave me. It's a Saskatoon T-Shirt. One time,, I didn't wear it & got scolded.

"Also located it on Google Maps where it's noted "temporarily closed". ? "

I can assure you google-fu is WRONG!

"The shameful part is the restaurant is all of 10 minutes away from me even with all these yankees, midwesterners and beyond that have moved here in the last 20 years and are constantly in the way."

That's NO excuse for not occasionally going there. In fact,, Penny would consider it a crime to not go if it's that close.

"It does make we wonder though if the steaks are as good as you can get in Texas though."

Kevin,, re-read the part about how I have dined in Texas at the "Cattleman's."
And I lived in Texas while in the Army & enjoyed several good steaks there. Yep,, the Waygu I had was BETTER!

The next time I go,, I'll give a review of our dinner which will be of the wild game variety.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

"Also located it on Google Maps where it's noted "temporarily closed". ? "

I can assure you google-fu is WRONG!

Good. I figured you'd know.

 

[blume357]

Next Tuesday my wife will have to take me to my post surgery inspection and on the way there and back we will be driving right past it...
this unfortunately will be in the morning but I will look up their hours and see if I can convince her to take me sometime during my recovery...
She does not want to drive at night and I don't want her to and so we might have to uber.. it.