Check out this restaurant at the W, which was a participant in  Dine Out for Life

By Sheri Elfman

I was so excited to check out Steak 954 at the W, not only because it was in the chic new W Fort Lauderdale, but because it was one of Stephen Starr’s restaurants. Starr is especially well-known in Philadelphia, New York and Atlantic City where he has some of the most fabulous restaurants you’ve ever seen. Buddakan, Morimoto, The Continental, Pod, El Vez – almost everything Starr touches turns to gold, so I was especially eager to see how Steak 954 would measure up.

I went during for a Monday lunch and was excited to see that the place was populated with leisurely ladies lunching and scattered with various couples. Mark and I were seating by the window so we could gaze out at the outside seating area and beyond that, the beach.  We were impressed with the sleek design of Steak 954. The chocolate colored hard wood floors, the lime green seats, the gigantic jellyfish tank all give the restaurant a sophisticated air.

We started off with a bottle of Fiji Water, iced tea and Diet Coke . I was impressed that the iced tea came with the option of simple syrup in addition to a variety of well-known sweeteners.  We then chose the crabcake appetizer  which was a large fresh crab cake served over a tartar sauce, along some greens. The crab cake was non-greasy and pure lump crabmeat.

For my meal, I had a turkey club, which featured applewood bacon, avocado and bibb lettuce with the turkey on whole grain bread. I almost went with the Steak 954 Burger, but I cannot resist anything with avocado and bacon in it. The sandwich was the perfect lunch and the combinations of flavors classic and well done, but the portion is quite large, so you will definitely take home leftovers. Our waiter noted that it is rare that someone finishes that sandwich and I believe it. The sandwich came with a side salad with an addictive dressing.

Mark ordered the 6-ounce filet with truffle fries. He requested his filet cooked medium rare and it arrived extremely tender and juicy. The side of truffle fries were perfectly salty and some of the best fries I’ve ever had.

We decided to share a dessert because we couldn’t resist the idea of crème brulee with blueberries. The decadent dessert came with a side of tiny homemade warm donut holes rolled in powdered sugar. It was definitely a delicious treat and worth every calorie.  Mark ended his meal with a Double Espresso, which he was very pleased with.