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A strong, beefy aroma tickled my nose and a loud, crackling sizzle teased my ears from across the room. Then, it arrived: a massive, perfectly seared cut of beef, topped with a large slab of butter.
It was, without a doubt, my biggest meal of the year so far.
Midway through the fasting month, we accepted Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse’s invite to try their convenient set meal that bundled a delectable set of takjil (food and drinks to break the fast), a refreshing appetizer, a massive cut of United States prime steak and a hefty serving of sides of your choice.
For me, it was a feast to remember, especially if you want to spend quality fast-breaking time with your friends or family.
Ruth’s Chris has been serving up steaks since 1965, expanding to 21 countries with locations in cities like Manila, Tokyo and Singapore. Originally from New Orleans, the franchise made its way to Jakarta in 2016.
Tucked inside the Somerset Grand Citra Hotel in Kuningan, the steakhouse blends 1920s art deco aesthetics with a smooth jazz playlist.
The Ramadan menu is tailored to the Indonesian palate, but let’s be honest—the steak is the real star of the show.
Sweet and savory
My meal began with a long plate of three takjil dishes that hit all the right spots. It fulfilled my day-long cravings for savory, sweet and everything in between.
First up: a bite-sized serving of smooth and sweet potato casserole with a crunchy crust that provided a delightful contrasting texture. The subtle sweetness was a gentle start for an empty stomach.
Then came the barbecue shrimp: a whole piece of grilled shrimp served on a skewer, slathered in a smoky garlic compound butter. With the tail plucked out, I was left with an easy, big bite into an explosion of umami.
Rounding off the stellar takjil was the chocolate sin cake. Dense and creamy, its slightly bitter flavor was paired with sour jam and a side of strawberries. The thick, chocolaty goodness was balanced with a refreshing tang.
The three selections left me well-prepared for what was to come.
Patience before the feast
Fasting truly teaches patience. Even though I was ready to dive into my steak, I had one more course to get through.
For the appetizer, you can choose between two classic starters: the soup of the day or a Caesar salad. Since I figured I needed to eat more greens, the salad was an obvious choice.
The punchy serving of crunchy fresh lettuce was doused in a healthy amount of zesty sour dressing. A heaping of croutons and a crispy plate of grilled cheddar cheese added texture to my healthy bites.
Refreshing and healthy, it was a palette cleanser before I got to the entree.
For the main course’s sides, creamed spinach is surely a first-rate, classic choice. But you can also try the mashed potatoes, pan-roasted wild mushrooms or the very Indonesian choice of steamed white rice.
I stuck with the creamed spinach, a velvety dish that paired perfectly with my steak. It was tame compared to the takjil and salad, but given the richness of the entree, its subtle flavors rounded the meal exceptionally well.
Steak for life, steak for Iftar
Now, for the real highlight of the meal: the US prime steak.
For the Ramadan menu, you can choose a smaller 170-gram filet mignon, their signature 340-gram New York strip or ribeye or the massive 630-gram T-Bone, which is perfect for two. I went with the ribeye and have zero regrets.
Before I even saw it, I heard it coming.
Ruth’s Chris uses a signature broiling method to lock in flavor, and the steak arrives on a scorching hotplate, still sizzling, exuding a distinct smoky aroma. It smelled, sounded and looked delectable.
The presentation? Flawless. And the taste? Absolutely worth the wait.
My long-awaited perfectly cooked steak was a precise medium rare—reddish in the middle with an even golden-brown crust all throughout.
Every bite had a pleasant bounce, with juices bursting into my mouth.
There were no gimmicks, no fancy spices, no exotic herbs. With just salt and pepper, and a hint of garlic from the chunk of butter on top, the steak spoke volumes.
This was what I came here for.
An extremely filling, decadent, meaty experience to cap off a day of fasting. For carnivores like me (and maybe you), I wouldn’t mind returning soon for their signature menu.
