Porterhouse

Classic American steakhouse experience in bustling downtown San Mateo. This new location is significantly larger than the last location, but the food is still of high quality. The 70-day dry-aged NY strip was amazing, but the sides and the desserts were just average. The Banana Foster cooking show was entertaining. Parking can be challenging, especially on the weekends.

Classic American steakhouse experience in bustling downtown San Mateo. This new location is significantly larger than the last location, but the food is still of high quality. The 70-day dry-aged NY strip was amazing, but the sides and the desserts were just average. The Banana Foster cooking show was entertaining. Parking can be challenging, especially on the weekends.

4 guys hanging out on a Wednesday night. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and only shared one tomahawk steaks and chicken, with 4 bottles of wines. My favorite would be the escargot and tomato salad. The pork belly is mostly fat, and the oyster is not meaty enough. However the Tomahawk steak was done to perfection, medium rare as we ordered. The markup on the wines are very reasonable so we had a bit too much to drink. The banana flambé was a great show, can’t miss. Had a great time.

4 guys hanging out on a Wednesday night. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and only shared one tomahawk steaks and chicken, with 4 bottles of wines. My favorite would be the escargot and tomato salad. The pork belly is mostly fat, and the oyster is not meaty enough. However the Tomahawk steak was done to perfection, medium rare as we ordered. The markup on the wines are very reasonable so we had a bit too much to drink. The banana flambé was a great show, can’t miss. Had a great time.

Was here for a boys night out and some quality steak. The menu is focused and has a broad range of options at different price points. In the end we went with the Porterhouse steak and pork chop - both were very good and the 2 entrees were more than sufficient for the 3 of us. We ordered the Brussels sprouts as well. Nice atmosphere and good location.

Was here for a boys night out and some quality steak. The menu is focused and has a broad range of options at different price points. In the end we went with the Porterhouse steak and pork chop - both were very good and the 2 entrees were more than sufficient for the 3 of us. We ordered the Brussels sprouts as well. Nice atmosphere and good location.

The restaurant has its pros and cons. The seating arrangement wasn’t ideal, as we were placed right in the middle, but the vintage posters give the place a unique charm. It’s quite loud, so not the best spot for a quiet meal, but the food was impressive. The beef spring rolls were crispy and fresh, with a great sauce. The Caesar salad was light, leaving room for the main. The filet was the highlight—tender and flavorful—while the New York steak was just okay. The whipped potato substitute was excellent, and even the butter was perfectly soft and easy to spread. The staff was friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. I’d definitely return for the filet and spring rolls!

The restaurant has its pros and cons. The seating arrangement wasn’t ideal, as we were placed right in the middle, but the vintage posters give the place a unique charm. It’s quite loud, so not the best spot for a quiet meal, but the food was impressive. The beef spring rolls were crispy and fresh, with a great sauce. The Caesar salad was light, leaving room for the main. The filet was the highlight—tender and flavorful—while the New York steak was just okay. The whipped potato substitute was excellent, and even the butter was perfectly soft and easy to spread. The staff was friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. I’d definitely return for the filet and spring rolls!

I have been eyeing on this since last year, so we came here for our wedding anniversary with reservation through Open Table. First when we came, we still had to wait around 5-10 minutes even though we had reservations… which is a bit disturbing, but it’s not a deal breaker. Once we ordered, they brought us bread and whipped butter. Nothing remarkable; the butter was sad because they whipped it (I consider whipping butter as subpar, since it’s a way to save cost on pure butter) 2 cocktails from the bar: I wouldn’t say it’s the best. One was too sweet, the other one was too tart. Escargot: very bland. Full of garlic which I absolutely love, but other than the garlic… it’s so bland and flat. No other flavor profile, not salty, not savory, not sweet, no umami, nothing. The steak: we ordered porterhouse. This is the item that lifted all the ratings and overall experience: juicy meat, very tender, amazing texture and flavor. Love it! Although I would like to emphasize that the twice baked potato here once again is very bland and boring. There seem to be not a single spice is put into that dish, it’s really flat yet high calories. My husband even complained that it smells terrible (probably due to aged cheese). The onions have strong flavor of reduced balsamic vinegar which I wish they put it separate, since it’s ruining the meat’s flavor. All in all, the 4 stars is truly just for the porterhouse, nothing else. I’d go back again JUST for the steak, not for the other dishes.

I have been eyeing on this since last year, so we came here for our wedding anniversary with reservation through Open Table. First when we came, we still had to wait around 5-10 minutes even though we had reservations… which is a bit disturbing, but it’s not a deal breaker. Once we ordered, they brought us bread and whipped butter. Nothing remarkable; the butter was sad because they whipped it (I consider whipping butter as subpar, since it’s a way to save cost on pure butter) 2 cocktails from the bar: I wouldn’t say it’s the best. One was too sweet, the other one was too tart. Escargot: very bland. Full of garlic which I absolutely love, but other than the garlic… it’s so bland and flat. No other flavor profile, not salty, not savory, not sweet, no umami, nothing. The steak: we ordered porterhouse. This is the item that lifted all the ratings and overall experience: juicy meat, very tender, amazing texture and flavor. Love it! Although I would like to emphasize that the twice baked potato here once again is very bland and boring. There seem to be not a single spice is put into that dish, it’s really flat yet high calories. My husband even complained that it smells terrible (probably due to aged cheese). The onions have strong flavor of reduced balsamic vinegar which I wish they put it separate, since it’s ruining the meat’s flavor. All in all, the 4 stars is truly just for the porterhouse, nothing else. I’d go back again JUST for the steak, not for the other dishes.

Went with a friend for their birthday! Everything was excellent, service, ambience, and food all were excellent! My only complaint was when we went to order dessert, I wanted the banana fosters, love bananas foster.... but was told it wasn't available so that was disappointing. I ended up getting the chocolate molten cake instead, which was good but not really what i wanted. Maybe update dessert menu???

Went with a friend for their birthday! Everything was excellent, service, ambience, and food all were excellent! My only complaint was when we went to order dessert, I wanted the banana fosters, love bananas foster.... but was told it wasn't available so that was disappointing. I ended up getting the chocolate molten cake instead, which was good but not really what i wanted. Maybe update dessert menu???

First visit with work group, Julio, our server was excellent. Second visit was terrible. I usually ask the server their name. This gal, forget it! She was friendly. She asked about food allergies, which I provided. Upon ordering she said the dish has what I can not have. I told her to omit it. She said can't. I told her I had the same dish and Julio spoke to the kitchen and everything was fine. Told her if not possible I don't want it. She came back and said the kitchen will omit. I don't eat a lot of beef. We told her we will share the porter house. This got me mad: she told us there was a fee for split entree!!! What the F!? I shared with my coworkers and no fee. I was upset about the food allergies now this. Seriously, I couldn't wait to eat and go. When you have food allergies eating out is hazardous and challenging. I had servers and chefs who sit down with me and go over the menu items that I can eat because they will make it for me. I choose a steak restaurant because generally, steak is cooked with oil, salt, and pepper, very simple. The people I was dining with love beef. Why ask about food allergies when you will not accommodate. Do I need to bring out my epi pen? She didn't add the split fee. I will not pay it if it was added. Do not recommend unless you asked for an experience server.

First visit with work group, Julio, our server was excellent. Second visit was terrible. I usually ask the server their name. This gal, forget it! She was friendly. She asked about food allergies, which I provided. Upon ordering she said the dish has what I can not have. I told her to omit it. She said can't. I told her I had the same dish and Julio spoke to the kitchen and everything was fine. Told her if not possible I don't want it. She came back and said the kitchen will omit. I don't eat a lot of beef. We told her we will share the porter house. This got me mad: she told us there was a fee for split entree!!! What the F!? I shared with my coworkers and no fee. I was upset about the food allergies now this. Seriously, I couldn't wait to eat and go. When you have food allergies eating out is hazardous and challenging. I had servers and chefs who sit down with me and go over the menu items that I can eat because they will make it for me. I choose a steak restaurant because generally, steak is cooked with oil, salt, and pepper, very simple. The people I was dining with love beef. Why ask about food allergies when you will not accommodate. Do I need to bring out my epi pen? She didn't add the split fee. I will not pay it if it was added. Do not recommend unless you asked for an experience server.