Opened in 2012, SER, the Hilton Anatole's signature steak and seafood house, is going through a Renaissance under Chef Aubrey Murphy.
Chef Murphy, a North Texas native who trained under Chef Dean Fearing and Chef John Tesar, isn't the first one to be brought in for a retooling. But, what he's done is nothing short of magic, creating a menu with culinary experience after culinary experience. Everything, from the seafood to the steaks, was presented beautifully, and, more importantly, was delicious.
Take, the raw and chilled appetizer, a show-stopping seafood presentation, complete with dry ice. Included were South African lobster medallion, East Coast oysters, seasonal hamachi crudo, house ceviche and colossal prawns — all of these sound amazing on paper. In the flesh? Spectacular. The oysters were fresh and fabulous, and the prawns were finger-sized.
"They taste like lobster, don't you think?" asked Natalie Scolard, who did a wonderful job taking care of us, about the prawns. The service was friendly, warm and professional throughout the evening. The staff were knowledgeable and kind, creating an even better atmosphere to enjoy the meal.
The dishes that followed, such as beef tartare and the oak wood roasted heirloom beet salad, were all plated beautifully. Art you can eat. Chef Murphy sliced and served a fantastic wagyu tomahawk, explaining each cut. It was a pleasure to watch him work, and an even greater one to savor the fruits of his labor.
The cocktails — the black Cadillac margarita and the perfect pear — were also beautiful and delicious. Sometimes drinks look great but might taste okay. This wasn't so at SER.
Sommelier Philip Natale, CSW, started us off with a Mirabelle rosé, saying, "We wanted to get a little bubbles in your cheeks." The pairings that followed showcased a deep wine list and a deep knowledge, with each pairing complementing and accentuating the meal. Natalie's choices were impressive and inspired.
SER serves up delicious memories and does that extremely well.
For more, including info about specials and private dining, please check SER's official site.
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