Jim S.
Yelp
This review will be as much a rant about steakhouses as anything else. Firstly, stated plainly, I am a steak aficionado. I pan sear ribeyes all the time and frequently indulge even at non-steakhouses, some of whom do a pretty good job.
But when I want that special occasion thing, for my money you cannot beat a good steakhouse. Now, for whatever reason, in the Burlington area we have about a half-dozen of them- Mooo, S&W, Bancroft, Eddie V's and a couple more. I think I've eaten at all of them. (Not to mention Morton's and Abe & Louie's in Boston).
Here's my problem with steakhouses in general: I will avoid the word 'gouge' and discreetly use the word 'overcharge.' They know people are coming out for a once-a-year thing and so, take advantage of that fact. (Question - if they charged less would someone like me not visit more frequently?)
So, Mooo. Pros - nice atmosphere, quiet, good service. ( We got a kick out of the guy who came over and told how excited he was that chef had told the staff his specialty with lamb was mint jelly. Seriously? My wife does that when she makes them at home.)
My wife pronounced the lamb as 'up in the top ten,' the corn and mashed sides were excellent, albeit smaller than other ones I've seen.
And the steak? I got the $95 bone-in dry-aged rib eye. The waiter advised it wouldn't look the same as a traditional rib eye. What he didn't advise is that it would be hard to cut (heresy!) And while very good, just was not great. And for 95 bucks it damn well better be. And it just wasn't. Disappointing.
The tab for for six delicious oysters, rib eye, lamb chops, two sides, two glasses of wine? $320. Pre-tip. Thank God we didn't splurge for dessert or 2nd glasses of wine.
Look, for me it's all about value. I don't care if I drop $400 on a meal once or twice a year but it had better be worth it.
You're all Yelpsters, right? So if you're going to a steakhouse in Burlington/Woburn you have choices, lots of 'em. Number one rated steakhouse in this area? Eddie V's. Been there, wrote about it. Spectacular. Ditto Bancroft, both I believe in Top 5. Mooo? 16th.
Would I return to Mooo if I felt the value was better? Why should I ? For their 6 oz Weygu that costs $190? Or their $275 (not a typo) Tomahawk for two? You can (and I have) get a 4-pound Tomahawk at Tuscan Kitchen (also in Burlington) for 85 bucks. You can buy THREE at Tuscan for the price of one.
So, no, won't be back. I'll consult Yelp and Google reviews and go for the best value. While Mooo is very good, it just ain't the best bang for your buck.