John Howie Steak will offer a $2,011 per couple dining experience on New Year’s Eve in downtown Bellevue.
Guests can choose dishes from the restaurant’s regular menu or ring in the New Year with a nine-course meal priced at $2,011, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are limited for the New Year’s dining experience in the Magnum Room, which runs from 8pm to past midnight.
The dinner includes: Osetra caviar, Alaskan king crab, Dungeness crab, Maine lobster, Australian “A5” Wagyu beef tenderloin, black truffles, foie gras, a trio of chocolate desserts, cheese, cookies, handmade chocolate truffles, and Illy Café. Highly-sought after wines and champagnes will accompany the meal.
John Howie Steak is located at The Shops at The Bravern. For more information, call 425-440-0880 or visit www.johnhowiesteak.com.
The Menu:
Hor’s d’oeuvres
Shigoku Oysters with Dom Perignon Champagne Granita
Deviled Eggs, Crème Fraiche, Osetra Caviar
Tempura Fried Alaskan King Crab Merus
Australian “A5” Wagyu Carpaccio on Beechers Reserve Bread Sticks
Krug, Grand Cuvee, MV, France
Celery Root Soup ($18)
Dungeness Crab, Shaved Black Truffle and Lemon-Truffle Oil
2006 Didier Dageneau Pouilly-Fume ‘Silex’
Duo of Foie Gras
Torchon d’ Foie Gras
Granny Smith Apple Conserve,
Crispy Cinnamon Meringue and Apple Sticks
Seared Foie Gras
Grilled Figs, Pomegranate-Maple Reduction, Vanilla French Toast
2000 Disznoko”5 Puttonyos” Tokaji, Hungary ($21)
Butter Poached Maine Lobster
Mascarpone-Tarragon-Risotto,
Crispy Vegetable Chips, Roasted Red & Yellow Tomato Coulis
2006 Marcassin “Three Sisters” Chardonnay, Sonoma, CA
Heirloom Granny Smith Apple Sauterne Ice
Australian “A5” Wagyu Beef Tenderloin
Creamy Russet Potato Stack, Veal Glace, Ruby Port Reduction
2003 Harlan Estate, California & 1997 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, France
Cheese Course
Assorted Cheeses, Honey, and Nuts
Jacques Selosse “Exquise” demi sec, France
Trio of Chocolate
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake, Pot D’ Crème, Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart
1985 Vial Magneres Banyuls, France
Cookies & Chocolates
Assorted Fresh Baked Cookies and Hand Made Truffles
Remy Martin, Louis the XIII, Cognac Grand Fine Champagne
2011 New Year Toast – Louis Roederer, “Cristal” France
French Press Illy Café Coffee
Assuming this is some sort of promotional stunt? For that price I could fly to Vegas, go to Joel Robuchon (the only 3 Michellin star rated restaurant on the west coast) get the 16 course grand menu with wine pairings, and still have about $1k left over to party at the Wynn. Alternatively, I could then fly to New York and watch the ball drop in person.
@KD: No kidding.
The only way I could see people not feeling dumb spending that much money one ONE meal is if all profits were to go to charity.
I’m wondering… Maybe the people at John Howie Steak really don’t want to work on New Year’s Eve, but for some reason can’t just close for the evening, so they’re making sure that nobody is going to show up, by charging a ridiculous price.
Also, at John Howie’s people, if you’re going to use French in your menu to sound “fancy”, at leat try to get it right…
Pot d’ Crème? Torchon d’ Foie Gras?
I’m feeling charitable… I’m willing to give you personal French lessons, for a very reasonable $2,011 per couple (plus tax and gratuity).
What else would you expect from the Bravern?
Wow. What a bunch of Debbie Downers. Really. Where is your sense of fun? There is several ways to celebrate the coming of 2011, this was just a fun, over the top idea. Perhaps a good resolution for the New Year is to lighten up!
@Cathy: Don’t get me wrong… I LOVE spending money (ask my wife!). It just seems that the value isn’t there. Nothing about that meal is over the top, except for the price.
I’m sure the food would be good, but it’s the kind of food I could get at the same John Howie Steak for what… $150-200 a person on any other day? What do I get for the added $1600? Spending $1600, and getting nothing in return does not match my definition of “fun”.
Uh-oh! Bummer negative PR for JH.
@KD-completely agree.
@Vincent-good call, there should defintely be a charity involved. Surprised there isnt?
@Cathy-tons of fun?! Obviously this is only for the eastside elite(multi- millionaires),not the rest of us sales/marketing folks that are perusing the downtownbellevue.com offerings and happenings. 😉
How about enjoying an awesome $200-$500 meal and donating the rest to a family or families in need? That $1500+ could feed many hungry families for the entire winter. Just sayin…
Wow, this just seems seriously tone deaf.
First thought, $2011 in an economic downturn…
Second thought, wow, for that much money the meal doesn’t seem to be that special… I guess the wines selections probably make up the bulk of the price…
Third thought, man, I could think of a bunch of other local chefs that, if I had the $2011 to spend, that I would rather see what they could do with that money…
Anyone actually considering spending over 2K on a dinner needs their taxes raised, and a serious lesson in charitable giving.
Shame on John Howie for even promoting the idea.
On a more practical matter… Do you still tip 20% on a meal like this one?
Am I wrong in thinking the typical John Howie Steak-goer isn’t too concerned about $2,011 for dinner?
um, you got me a Osetra Caviar & Dom but already have a party going at the Four Seasons! Bummer! 🙁
@ Vincent, exactly what I thought! Always hilarious (and kind of sad) to see our language destroyed by snubby restaurants. Mais on ne les refera pas n’est-ce pas?
Sounds great! They should have a raffle to win dinner for two. YUM!
John Howie was listed as one of the top 5 charitable giving people this year, and has donated to over 750 charities from the Steakhouse alone.
It’s okay to be opposed to the offer and express that, but I would be careful about dinging their integrity as they are a top notch organization in Downtown Bellevue and have been very generous about giving back to the community!
@Michael, I don’t really see anyone here questioning John Howie’s integrity. Everyone just pretty much agreed that (as Chris skillfully put it), $2011 per couple for one meal, in the current economic conditions, comes across as a really tone deaf offer.
Nothing personal against John Howie, the person, just a commentary on John Howie Steaks, the restaurant.
hmm.. my last post got deleted.
This sounds like a treat! I would love to come except I have a late night at work and other obligations. John Howie Steak is one of my favorite restaurants and I am absolutely love when I go to ANY auction, charity event, etc…there is ALWAYS something donated (big or small) from John Howie! (or Seastar) Keep up the good work!
Wow, Seriously, only in Seattle (or possibly San Francisco) would you see such gross class envy and rude comments. John Howie Steak is an incredible contributor to local charities. As are some of the “obviously eastside elite’s” that would want to attend such an evening. Not to mention being local employers and extremely generous to those in need, Overlake Service League and Hopelink to name two. You people should be ashamed of yourselves, and embarrassed. How someone decides to spend their own hard earned money is none of your business, and I guarantee you- you would be sorry if they were not here paying the taxes they already pay.
Really………