"The atmosphere is the main draw of STK, the global steakhouse chain that has planted its flashy flag on the Embarcadero. The inside glows purple and pink, the bass thumps, and a cursive neon sign declares that, “Bubbles are a girl’s best friend.” It’s the kind of place where you rock your most prized going-out clothes and enjoy a decent steak while catching up with friends, celebrating something, or just reveling in the act of being seen. video credit: Monica Lo The steaks, as you might expect, are the best things here, but the rest of the menu feels afraid to try anything interesting. And what swings STK does make are unsuccessful, like the wagyu tacos that are chewy and dry, or the (self-proclaimed) award-winning spiced watermelon cocktail that lacks the promised heat. If you’re curious about this place, stick to Happy Hour so that you can enjoy the near-clubstaurant scene and decent beef-based dishes for less. Food Rundown photo credit: Patrick Wong Steak Living up to its name, this is what STK does best. Prioritize the cowgirl bone-in ribeye and any of the wagyu cuts if they’re available. Sauces are also included. Skip the STK Bold (it tastes like A.1.) and go for the au poivre—while it lacks any visible black peppercorns, it’s rich with just the right amount of salt. photo credit: Patrick Wong Wagyu Tacos Unfortunately not all wagyu here is delicious. The tacos are filled with gristly shreds of beef. Avoid. photo credit: Patrick Wong Cheddar Hashbrown Order something else for your side. The thin matchsticks of potato are stiff and undercooked. photo credit: Patrick Wong Crispy Brussels Sprouts A safe choice to accompany your steak. You wouldn’t be able to pick this plate out of a line-up of all the other versions in the city, but it will get the job done. We just wish there was more bacon. photo credit: Patrick Wong Tater Tots Again, you could find something similar on any other bar menu in the city, which isn’t a bad thing. If you can, order them from the Happy Hour menu for $3 (for a slightly smaller portion) instead of $21 on the regular menu. Tuna Tartare A tad sweet, but offset by salty taro chips. We’d get this again. photo credit: Patrick Wong Apple Pie We were hoping there was something that would make this dessert feel more aligned with the extravagance of the space, but it’s just a slice of pie with a dollop of crème fraîche. There’s nothing wrong with it, but if you want an interesting dessert, this isn’t it. photo credit: Patrick Wong Chocolate Cake This straightforward dessert stretches itself a bit more by being giant and having a crunchy chocolate topping. Order this one if you’re only getting one dessert. Cocktails We know where we are, but $23 for a bland, tepid drink feels overpriced. If you do need to sip on something, the espresso martini is solid. Aim to order from this section of the menu during Happy Hour when cocktails are $9." - Patrick Wong
