My husband and I spent $275 at Fleming's Steakhouse. The pricey restaurant was better suited for business dinners than date nights.
- My husband and I visited Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar for a date night.
- The 20-ounce Prime bone-in ribeye was a splurge at $72, but it was cooked to perfection.
I'm always excited to try a new restaurant, especially when I know there's a high-end meal involved. So, for a recent date night, my husband and I went to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.
The restaurant has about 60 locations across the US, including in cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta. We went to the location in Providence, Rhode Island, which is attached to the Omni Hotel.
The original Fleming's opened in California and is now owned by Bloomin' Brands, Inc., which is the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Aussie Grill by Outback, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Bonefish Grill.
However, the parent company's sales have been rocky since the beginning of 2023, so I was curious to see if the meal would actually match the restaurant's high-end reputation.
Here's what our steak-house dinner was like.
The restaurant's atmosphere was inviting and felt somewhat upscale.
We arrived at Fleming's around dinnertime on a Thursday night. The atmosphere was similar to most steak houses I've been to, with ample polished wood, warm, low lighting, and an intimate atmosphere.
A staff member quickly led us to our table, passing a small but somewhat busy bar on the way. Our table was draped in a crisp, white tablecloth and set with silverware and elegant wine glasses.
Most tables in the dining room had a view of Fleming's open kitchen, which was behind a glass barrier so diners could see the exciting energy of the culinary team.
Our server quickly arrived and walked us through the menu, explaining the difference between entrées and à la carte options. We were also told that most side dishes serve two to four people.
We started our meal off with wine and complimentary bread.
We decided to start our meal with a couple of glasses of wine. I opted for a 6-ounce sauvignon blanc ($11), and my husband enjoyed a 9-ounce rioja ($21).
We received a loaf of complimentary sourdough bread, which arrived with Champagne-infused Brie and sun-dried-tomato butter.
I immediately went for the Champagne-infused Brie because it sounded amazing — and it was. It had a creamy texture and delicious savory notes. The sun-dried-tomato butter was also delicious and tasted like summertime with every bite.
Next time, I'd opt for a different soup.
French onion soup is one of my favorite starters, and steak houses usually serve top-notch versions of the classic dish.
At an eyebrow-raising $19, I thought there'd be something outstanding about this soup. It was flavorful, with rich umami notes from the beef stock, soft onions, and a layer of broiled cheese. However, I didn't think it was worth the price.
My husband ordered the Caesar salad, which was pretty tasty.
My husband enjoyed the Caesar salad ($17), which came with fried capers and bits of crispy prosciutto.
I love the briny, tangy flavor punch from capers, so I stole a few delicious bites of the salad. It was tasty, and we thought it was a nice portion.
The 20-ounce Prime bone-in ribeye was absolutely delicious.
According to Fleming's menu, the establishment is "one of a select few in the nation to offer USDA Prime beef." Considering that only 2% of all beef earns the USDA Prime industry rating, we were excited to try it.
My husband eagerly ordered the 20-ounce Prime bone-in ribeye ($72) cooked to a medium-rare temperature.
When the steak arrived, it was beautifully plated on a white dish and, more importantly, perfectly cooked. It was expertly seared on the outside, and the steak was tender and juicy.
My husband said it practically melted in his mouth, and the flavor was perfectly balanced.
The crispy Brussels sprouts and bacon were quite tasty.
My husband ordered two sharable sides, as the bone-in ribeye is an à la carte selection.
We asked our server which dishes were popular, and he steered us in the right direction with crispy Brussels sprouts and bacon ($18).
The savory, plump Brussels sprouts were caramelized to a golden brown and cooked to an impeccable crisp while staying tender on the inside.
I was glad they weren't oily, as the dish can sometimes be too greasy for me. It was a definite standout, and it perfectly complemented the steak.
Our half order of mashed potatoes was just OK.
We knew our collective orders would be a lot of food. Still, we wanted to try the mashed potatoes ($8.50), as it's a quintessential steak-house side dish.
Our server cleverly suggested a half-portion, which we hadn't known was an option. Though flavorful and fluffy, our mashed potatoes arrived lukewarm. I might order them again, but next time, I'd make a special request for them to be served piping hot.
I decided on a seafood dish to change things up.
When it came time for me to order my main course, I chose the seared scallops entrée with miso butter, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, and ginger salsa verde for $48.
I liked the interesting flavor of the miso butter, and the ginger salsa verde gave the scallops a distinct kick. I'm glad I tried it, but I'm not sure I'd order it again. The flavors, though good, didn't blow me away, so I might have been happier if I had stuck with steak.
Overall, we probably wouldn't return to Fleming's for date night.
Overall, the flow of the drinks, appetizers, and entrées was expertly timed, the ambiance was nice, the service was on point, and the steak was the standout dish.
However, at about $275 for the bill, including tax and the tip, we're not sure if the restaurant really offered that great of a value. Sure, it felt elevated, but somehow, the evening didn't feel like a special occasion.
I could see Fleming's being a popular spot for business dinners, but I don't think we'd return for date night.
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