LB Steak Menlo Park: Traditionally Good

By Emma Krasov, photography by Yuri Krasov

New to the bustling dining scene of Menlo Park, California, Roland Passot’s latest addition to Left Bank Brasserie and LB Steakbrand, this restaurant is very contemporary, elegant, warmly lit by bare Edison lamps, with a cowhide entrance wall and a chic bar area.

True to the company’s tradition of high-quality French-inspired cuisine, thoroughly selected beverage list, and skilled service, LB Steak Menlo Park with Ryan Ellison as Chef de Cuisine and Master Sommelier Eric Entriken does not disappoint.   

Crisp and refreshing rose Bergerie de L’Hortus from Languedoc, France, is an excellent opener for a summertime dinner, while a bread plate accompanied by a trio of plum jam, butter with sea salt, and olive oil with balsamic “caviar” sets the mood for a casual feast. 

Tuna tartar with honeydew melon, avocado, and Hoisin sauce is decorated with edible flowers, making the dish look like a piece of art.

Tender pork belly is maple glazed, and set atop leek and brioche pudding, with a fried egg on top and frisee salad on a side – a predictably addictive combination.

California sea bass is another work of art, served with squash mousse, crimini mushrooms, emerald snap peas, and bacon demi-glace.

Dixon Valley rack of lamb comes sprinkled with Meyer lemon and fennel, with a side of roasted eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes forming a neatly stacked tower – as delicious as it is beautiful to behold.   

The menu at LB Steak Menlo Park is traditionally rich with starters, salads, steaks, burgers, entrees, sides, toppings, and steak sauces, plus every Sunday is a Prime Rib day, so coming here in a big group makes sense if you would like to try more of the enticing choices.

To match the richness of the main plates, desserts at LB Steak Menlo Park include every imaginable temptation from Bing cherry crème brulee served with cocoa nib shortbread cookies to Frog Hollow peach cobbler prepared the day before for perfect flavor blending of the fresh ingredients. Sweet Hungarian Tokaji is only one of the many excellent dessert wines on a long list of ports, Sherries, Madeira, calvados, cognac, and Armagnac.

LB Steak Menlo Park is located at 898 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park, and is open daily. Call for reservations (650) 321-8980 or visit www.lbsteak.com.