Stephanie C.
Yelp
Alright where to even begin. We were celebrating my friend's birthday and looking for an elevated, yet casual steakhouse for a nice, hearty meal. Cowboy Star delivered and then some. At first glance, it's pretty unassuming sitting at the corner of a strip mall and I'll be honest, I was apprehensive. But some of my most surprising meals have been in weirder places so I got over that real quick once we walked inside. You're instantly greeted by a very friendly host/ess and the vibe here is so inviting. The big, open fire with rocking chairs is such a nice touch and the intoxicating smell of burning wood instantly sets the mood. Beyond that is a nice looking bar, but we were sat in the dining area near the kitchen. It's an open-kitchen concept which I enjoy, but still a good distance away so it maintains a nice intimacy. The service was spot-on. Every person who greeted us wished my friend a happy birthday and they even had personalized menus for the occasion (nice touch). They actually have her a copy in a scroll at the end of the night as a keepsake which was cool. Our server Alexis was GREAT. She really knows her stuff and was on-top of everything.
We started with some cocktails which were all delicious (melon mules were so refreshing and the old fashioned's were very well made). Great start! Alexis then brought out a complimentary amuse-bouche for the table which surprised us and got us instantly excited for dinner. Another great touch.
Now for the food:
For apps we got oysters (fresh, not grainy, delish), C-Star Caesar (very good especially if you like your dressing on the creamier side), burrata with melon (burst of flavor and the perfect, light starter to open your palate), and the tuna avocado crudo was one of the tastiest things I've eaten all year (total flavor bomb and the tuna was prepared perfectly).
For entrees both couples ordered the same steak and we split sides for the table. We opted to go for the 18 oz dry-aged rib chop cooked MR. Now, let me start by saying I love a dry-aged ribeye and if it's on the menu, I'm probably ordering it. While the flavor was good, it had an odd texture almost like a very meaty fish. I'm sure the aging process maybe affected this a bit, but I was a little confused by it and why I would probably give that steak a 3.5 rating. I like my ribeye with nice marbling and that fat that melts in your mouth and this didn't have it. I would probably try a different cut next time. Like I said, it's not that I didn't like it, but it wasn't what I was looking for. However, the sides were all sooo good. The Mac & cheese was so yum and had crispy pieces of bacon that made the flavor pop. We also got the Brussels sprouts that were perfectly cooked and the right amount of salty/sweet. The horseradish mashed potatoes were excellent and not too horseradishy if that ain't your thang and paired with broccolini. My husband and I got the shrimp with our steak which were tasty too.
We were stuffed, but had to get dessert to celebrate my friend's bday and they brought it out with a candle which was nice. This chocolate chip explosion of flavor was so damn good. The brioche was perfectly moist and that butterscotch sauce was to die for. Didn't need Nick Cage for that to be gone in 60 seconds. A perfect ending to a very enjoyable meal.