Restaurant Review: Fleming's Prime Steak House and Wine Bar

Fleming's Prime Steak House and Wine Bar
323 North Old Woodward Avenue
Birmingham, MI 48009
248-723-0134

www.flemingssteakhouse.com

For a special dinner in the true chophouse tradition, consider splurging for the dining adventure of your life at Fleming's Prime Steak House and Wine Bar. Following the cues of Morton's of Chicago or Ruth's Chris Steak House, Fleming's elevates the steak experience from old and stodgy to flavors closer to Nirvana.

Fleming's has been in operation since 1998, but the Detroit area has only recently gained the addition of two Fleming's, one in Novi and the other in Birmingham. We were introduced to the restaurant after test-driving a luxury car. For my husband's one hour of time speeding around in a foreign sports car he wasn't going to buy, he was awarded a gift certificate to Fleming's. At the time, Fleming's wasn't even open for business yet, and we had no experience with the restaurant, so we were wary.

Once the Birmingham Fleming's was operational a few months later, we decided to cash in on our gift card. My husband went online to research the restaurant, which is part of a larger chain. The same people who operate Outback Steakhouse own Fleming's. While Outback is a decent enough steakhouse, Fleming's is definitely a cut above.

The web site is slick, glossy and beautiful. There's trendy jazz music in the background that sets the mood for the restaurant. The clincher on the web site (at least for my husband) was the section relating to Fleming's phenomenal wine list. Fleming's has 100 wines that can be purchased by the glass or are available for tasting, about fifteen times more than a normal restaurant of the same caliber.

While Morton's reminds me more of a corporate man's restaurant, heavy with dark woods and the smell of cigar smoke, Fleming's has a more contemporary feel. Sure, it's dark in there, too, but Muzaked Led Zeppelin is piped over the sound system. It's dressy and special, yet casual.

As soon as you walk in, the hostess jumps to take your coat and asks your name. After that, all the wait staff will refer to you by name, which is a nice touch reminiscent of the Ritz Carlton. Of course, in an establishment like this one, a person expects to be waited on, and the staff at Fleming's did not disappoint. Everyone, from our waiter to the busboy, was enthusiastic in the level of service but not intrusive.

We recently treated my son, a die-hard steak lover, to dinner here, and it was outstanding. Like Morton's and Ruth's Chris, the portions here are huge, and the steaks are just part of the equation. You will, of course, want to split the side orders, like potatoes and vegetables. My husband and I split the lobster tempura appetizer, which is large enough to be a meal on its own. My son and his girlfriend split an equally large order of calamari. He also managed to eat an entire lettuce wedge (more like half a head) on his own.

For dinner, my husband and I had the mixed grill special of the night, which were a petite filet mignon with a monstrous lobster tail. Both were cooked to perfection and the lobster was succulent and juicy. We also split an order of the signature Fleming's cheesy potatoes. My son's date enjoyed the lamb chops, and he had the bone-in sirloin, cooked rare. They shared an order of homemade macaroni and cheese, which is not your children's mac and cheese. The dinner was complemented by a nice Cakebread merlot.

For dessert, we opted to share two of the chocolate molten lava cakes. If interested in having this for dessert, you must give them at least twenty minutes advance notice. The cake was dark and wonderful, but not overwhelming, and was accompanied by a scoop of ice cream. By the end of the dinner, we were ready to be rolled out of the door.

Fleming's is extremely pricey, and we don't make a habit of going there often. But for a once a year treat, it's the place to go. The food is exceptional, the service is outstanding, and the mood of the restaurant is modern and young.

Fleming's accepts all major credit cards, and also accepts Outback Steakhouse gift cards.