July is National Grilling Month. So how did the Yelp Elite Squad here in Maine celebrate? With an abundance of creative cocktails and perfectly prepared provisions from LongHorn Steakhouse who pride themselves in being the "undisputed home for great steak done right" (which we would have to agree with after this spectacular spread!).
After introductions, the sit-down dinner started with warm bread and butter as we ordered our drinks – the favorites of which were the delicious Montana Mule (Jim Beam, ginger purée, and fresh lime juice), the summery Black & Blue Margarita (blueberries and blackberries muddled with 1800 Tequila), and the Strawberry Margarita (Cuervo Gold, Patrón Citrónge, strawberries, and citrus juices) which came, much to the delight of the group, with rock candy stirrers!
The family-style appetizers came out next: Wild West Shrimp (crispy and flavorful with spicy cherry peppers and ranch dressing), sweet Corn Fritters (with a red chili ranch sauce), Brew Pub Pretzel Sticks (which came with two dips: a Sam Adams beer cheese and a bacon honey mustard), and mouth-watering Fried Green Tomatoes (which were topped with goat cheese and accompanied by a sriracha remoulade).
Refreshing salads and hearty soups followed, and our choices included Beefsteak Tomato & Bacon Salad, Mixed Green Salad, or Grilled Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Main courses were a feast for the eyes and belly as we were treated to a Smoky Garlic Outlaw Ribeye (topped with a smoky garlic vinaigrette and roasted grape tomatoes), a Hickory Salt Crusted NY Strip (finished with a seasoned steak butter sauce), Grilled Citrus Salmon (topped with feta cheese and placed on a bed of summer vegetable pearl pasta), an Outlaw Ribeye, a Renegade Sirloin, Flo's Filet (a lean and succulent piece of meat named after a former server), and a cheesy, garlic Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Sides ranged from Fire-Grilled Corn on the Cob, Loaded Idaho Baked Potato, Fresh Steamed Asparagus, Steakhouse Mac & Cheese, Fresh Steamed Broccoli, Seasoned Rice Pilaf, and Mashed Potatoes – some of our group's favorite comfort foods!
And to top it all off, our evening finished with two of the largest desserts we had ever seen in our collective lives: the extremely decadent Chocolate Stampede Cake (made from six different types of chocolate) which we fondly called "The Choc-Nado", and the equally mouth-watering, creamy Blueberry Lemon Butter Cake.
You better believe that (almost) every last bite was eaten!
It wasn't just the food or social media games that were epic though; so was the hospitality! We were not only made to feel welcome, but like we were actually family as well. Thank you, LongHorn Steakhouse, for your hospitality which you demonstrated in spades and to your waitstaff who were personable and lovely!
