Mahogany Prime Steakhouse - regional chain w/Omaha location

I had occasion to dine at Mahogany Prime Steakhouse just west of Boy's Town in Omaha this week and I have to say I probably wouldn't go back. It was indeed a steakhouse - with a decent wine list, a limited offering of steak cuts and sides, the 900-degree oven and the classic dark leather/dark wood, overall dark interior - but it paled in comparison to what I've come to expect based on my Chicago steakhouse experiences.

To begin with, the Manhattan I was served was only a pretender to the throne. I should have know it would be such when I had initially ordered a Negroni and the bartender sent the server back to ask me what was in a Negroni. *Sigh*

We were guests this evening and three of the four dining ordered the house "special" bone-in filet. I'd not seen or heard of such an animal before so I was intrigued. Make mine medium rare, I asked, anticipating a new taste treat. The table shared sides of creamy spinach (but with an overly salty topping of browned parmesan) very good steak fries (crispy on the outside and flaky inside and seasoned to perfection) and steamed asparagus that was flavorless accompanied by a tiny pitcher of sauce bearnaise that also had no flavor. The bread was a round loaf fresh from the oven but lacked a good crust or any distinctive flavor.

Our salads were a high point, IMO. I really like the steakhouse iceberg wedge with bleu cheese dressing, crumbled bleu cheese and real chunks of "low and slow" cooked bacon. Another said the Caesar (whole Romaine leaves) was very good and one of the diners had the lobster-crab bisque instead of a salad - also a house specialty - and pronounced it delicious.

Service was attentive but not obtrusive. Also, I found this odd but perhaps it's a new kind of thing at steakhouses: when the steaks were delivered, the servers asked us to slice our beef to check it internally as to our order - it was dark enough inside this place that a penlight was required for one to be able to see! My medium-rare filet was delivered past medium but not quite medium-well. As I said we were guests and I didn't wish to make a fuss. The beef was OK - just OK. And this is at a place that boasts on its beef.

It appears that Tulsa and OKC are the first two locations with Omaha being the newest of the three.

http://www.mahoganyprime.com/index.php

Cheers,
Davooda