Going out to a really great restaurant for dinner one evening was in our plan when we were in California recently. My step daughter took us to Mastro's Steak House, in Thousand Oaks, one evening.
When we arrived at around 5.30pm, the place was already packed in both the bar and the main dining room. As we walked in, we were greeted by a friendly hostess and she led us to our table promptly. The waitress, (also named Erin) greeted us with big smiles, showed us the menu and asked us what we wanted to drink. We ordered our drinks and this is what my step daughter, Erin ordered. It was served with smoke bubbling from within. I forgot the name.
It took us all a while to decide what we wanted and when I saw the Mastro Seafood Tower, I had to have this appetizer. This was wicked! It was the "Maestro Seafood Tower" and was way over priced at USD375.00 for four of us. I think this is the most expensive appetizer I have ever had.
I am sorry for the poor quality photos. The place was dark and I did not want to use the flash which may have disturbed other diners.
I am sorry for the poor quality photos. The place was dark and I did not want to use the flash which may have disturbed other diners.
If I am not mistaken, this premium caviar
is USD32.00/oz.We were served 1oz.
It comes with a mother of pearl spoon
Everybody had a 11 oz. beef steak for the main course except me. I did not realize that I had ordered the bone-in rib eye that was 22 oz.
When the steak was served, my eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets! The three of them all laughed when they saw my expression and we all laughed so hard after that. It is nice to have people laugh with you and not at you. Most of the time, you can be rest assured what family and good friends will do. Of course I could not finish that piece of meat no matter how delicious it was. I had to have a "doggy bag" to take home the balance. Even some of the others did the same, so I guess our eyes were bigger than our stomachs.
When the steak was served, my eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets! The three of them all laughed when they saw my expression and we all laughed so hard after that. It is nice to have people laugh with you and not at you. Most of the time, you can be rest assured what family and good friends will do. Of course I could not finish that piece of meat no matter how delicious it was. I had to have a "doggy bag" to take home the balance. Even some of the others did the same, so I guess our eyes were bigger than our stomachs.
The side dishes were big enough to feed an army and the lobster gnocchi was to die for. Sorry, it was so delicious that I forgot to take a photo and it disappeared before I could think of it.
I truly enjoyed the company of my Quay Lo, my step daughter and my step son in law more than the atmosphere there.
I found the place a bit noisy and it was hard to have a conversation. Other than that, the service was wonderful, the food was amazing and paired with a great Wine list.
Be sure to bring a lot of cash if you don’t use a credit card. I guess we can only do this once in five years. Other times, we will make our own steak at home at a very small fraction of the bill we paid and still feel satisfied. My Quay Lo cooks delicious steak and I eat for free. Oh yes, I am very satisfied, a good steak and still have the money in my pocket. LOL!
If you would like to have the recipe for my Quay Lo's home cooked black pepper steak, just click on the photo.
I truly enjoyed the company of my Quay Lo, my step daughter and my step son in law more than the atmosphere there.
I found the place a bit noisy and it was hard to have a conversation. Other than that, the service was wonderful, the food was amazing and paired with a great Wine list.
Be sure to bring a lot of cash if you don’t use a credit card. I guess we can only do this once in five years. Other times, we will make our own steak at home at a very small fraction of the bill we paid and still feel satisfied. My Quay Lo cooks delicious steak and I eat for free. Oh yes, I am very satisfied, a good steak and still have the money in my pocket. LOL!
If you would like to have the recipe for my Quay Lo's home cooked black pepper steak, just click on the photo.
Veron, I like the first photo of you. You look very elegant in that dress! (like a rich tai tai!) ;)
ReplyDeleteHubby and I once shared a bone-in rib eye (800g) before. I think Hubby can finish whole thing on his own but not me! LOL.
Thanks Yen. I love that dress very much. My Quay Lo bought for me:D As regards to a big piece of steak like that, we can never finish it. Your hubby very "geng", even my Quay Lo can't.
DeleteWow....lovely bonding time with your family what's not with good food to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI just love spending time with family.
DeletePure bliss, this is what I call it.. a blissful time with family while enjoying the "yummylicious" food!
ReplyDeleteYes, money cannot buy!
Deletewow .. I love the seafood...
ReplyDeleteI think it is worth the money.....
You think so? I guess that is because you are seafood lover?
DeleteI'm drooling over the steak and lobster claws!
ReplyDeleteYes, I can drool over and over again. They were awesome.
DeleteOooo...the food!!! Looks sooo good!!! I think that was why my students got along well with me - I let them laugh at me and I laugh with them, we all laugh together. I think they found that endearing - the teacher was human, after all...and had a great sense of humour. That's why I always tell Melissa not to take things seriously - laugh with her pupils, not at them...and not vice versa either.
ReplyDeleteThat's why you are so many good friends and so many of your students never forget you. Melissa will definitely be like you.
DeleteQuay Po, you look lovely in the top photo. If I were there, I would have happily helped you to finish the steak :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Phong Hong. I would share my steak with you happily too.
DeleteGood grief! If I'd ordered that appetizer, I won't have anything left to pay for the rest of the meal!
ReplyDeleteI'd loved to have seen a pic of your eyes popping out :D I remember the portions of steaks in the US .... I could finish it all by myself then ... not now and certainly not at those prices! But it's good to splurge once in a while tho.
All nice and happy looking .... must have been the wine! :)
Ping, you could finish the steak by yourself those days when you were in the US??? So you not only have Quay Po character, you have a Quay Po stomach those days? hahaha
DeleteSo big portion, can the Americans really finish them? I wonder! Anyway, I agree that I liked how your blouse paired with your lovely necklace. You looked so elegant!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, yes they can. Oh thanks for the compliment.
DeleteThe steak is too raw for me, I'll prefer medium well :)
ReplyDeleteYa, many people medium or medium well.
Deletewow..i probably need few credit cards if i go there! LOL! you come here, i wont take you to expensive dining, i just take you to hawker stalls, be prepared! haha..
ReplyDeleteLena, it was so much fun go food crawling at the hawker stalls with you. I was well prepared.
Deleteyou're right, your Quay Lo's steak looks A LOT more delicious!
ReplyDeleteAnd cheaper:D
DeleteI would like to have seen the look on your face...I know I would of been right there with you! :) I know when I order a 6 oz petite steak it always looks so small when you get it, but it always fills me up and I couldn't eat any more. So I can just imagine how big your steak was. I agree with you on the home grilled steak, I know I make a killer steak too! It isn't very often you get to spend that kind of money on a dinner...so good you can now take photos and enjoy it again and again with the pictures. Good company sure makes it worthwhile too! Thanks for bringing us along...I know I would never get to do this in person! :)
ReplyDeleteLyndsey, you are welcome. This is a treat for all of us after many years that we have not seen Erin and John. Yes, it is all worth it.
DeleteLooks like expensive meal, but what your hubby makes will be most delicious of all these, because he adds some love in them.
ReplyDeleteThat's right that ingredient called "Love", money cannot buy. hehe
DeleteThe rib eye looks a bit greaasy but ok, the taste must be very good. You are very lucky to have such good meat in the US. In Europe we are not allowed or it is not comon practice to let the meat rest (ripe).
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
It was not greasy but juicy. I am not sure I quite understand what you mean by letting the meat rest or ripe:D
Deletemy goodness...how to finish? Food looks great. :)
ReplyDeleteya lah, so we tar pau back lor.
DeleteWow!! You look radiant and elegant! Better than any Datin!
ReplyDeleteThe place... WOW!
The appetiser... WOW!!
The steak... W O W !!!!
The bill... Sure WOW!!!
The company and lovely time spent together... PRICELESS! :)
Catheryn, thanks so much for your kind words.:D
DeleteDoggie bag ! lol Yup , your Quay Lo steak looks way better and way cheaper !
ReplyDeleteGlad you agree.
DeleteWOW, looks amazing :)
ReplyDeletexx
http://abudhabifood.blogspot.com
Yes the food was delicious.
DeleteI can't believe you were just an hour or so away from where I live! So sad we didn't meet up but I hope you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteMastro's is my steak-loving brother's favorite place! It looks tasty but so glad your QL can make it cheaper and better. :)
Really? I would love to meet up with you if I knew you were so nearby. Oh yes we had a great time.
Deletehmmm,,,agreed with you good company is more important, good food is a great bonus though! very tasty looking food!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great evening and definitely a good memory.
DeleteGosh, I would too if I were you! The steak is so huge. I think the American are mostly carnivores...that's why the meat is served in bigger sizes. haha..... Too bad, I'm not a beef eater.
ReplyDeleteKristy
I love to share few bites of your steak and it look like you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDelete