Review of Final Cut Steakhouse at Charles Town Races

(I would like to clarify that this meal was compensated by Final Cut Steakhouse. However, I always express my true thoughts on the food regardless of who is paying.)

Recently the hubby and I were invited out to visit Hollywood Casino in Charlestown Races and try out what Final Cut Steakhouse had to offer. I was thinking, ok, Steakhouse, your typical Steak and Potatoes type of place, I bet I've had it all before, but why not let's give it a try..... I'm so glad we gave it a try.

Final Cut is located within the Casino, and they welcome you as you are. Fine dining in casual dress and atmosphere. (First big point in my book!) The first thing I noticed when we entered the restaurant was that you couldn't hear the typical buzz of the casino. In fact if you didn't look out the windows, you wouldn't even know you were in a casino.

The second thing I noticed was at all the tables, there was an iPad! I found out that each table had an iPad with the entire wine and cocktail list. (Which is very useful when you offer over 300 wines.) Not only did the iPad's offer a very readable list, but it also offered suggestions and tips on pairings with you menu selections. So even if you didn't know a thing about wine, you can still pick a great pairing with the help of the iPad!

We started off the night with an off menu dish of Beef Carpaccio and Black Truffles. You could SMELL the truffles in the room before you saw the dish. It was perfect. Perfectly sliced beef, perfectly seasoned, and perfect amount of truffles. Not to much to overpower, and not to little that it left you wanting more.

Next we moved to the Caprese Salad of heirloom tomato, mozzarella, and aged balsamic. Who doesn't love this combo in the summer? It was great, just a hint of salt, and gooey mozzarella with tomato all in one bite. We also enjoyed the Seared Ahi Tuna with cucumber, avocado, ginger, lemon, soy dressing, and wonton. So refreshing, and seared just right. It was also a great way to start a summer meal.

Next we moved on to the Prime Steak and Cheese with gorgonzola cream, caramelized onions, and red pepper relish. We also "nibbled" on the Kobe Sliders with aged cheddar, bacon, onions, herb ketchup, on seeded brioche.

If I have to pick one or the other, I would have to go with the sliders. (I mean, come on - Kobe.) Both were tasty, each in their own way. The steak and cheese was in a perfect little crisp tart, and went great with the onions. The sliders were awesome. They were perfectly cooked, juicy, properly seasoned and bursting with that meaty flavor we all love. And watch out for the house made ketchup, it has quite a kick!

Next we "sampled" the Ravioli with seasonal vegetables, fresh herb, and artisan cheese, and the Day Boat Scallops with fried leaks, potato, bacon and chive cream. The scallops were seasoned wonderfully, and cooked with a beautiful sear, but I ended up diving more into the side of potato and bacon! The ravioli was fulfilling and ended up being more than we could eat with everything else.

Now, onto the "Main Meal"! But first, I will let your eyes feast on my mediocre pictures, before I start describing the flavor parade that appeared before us.

Now I know what your thinking, how can two people possibly eat all that? Well, unfortunately we admitted defeat  and had quite a large "doggy bag" to take home. What you saw pictured above was the Colorado Rack of Lamb, The Prime Ribeye, House Made Steak Sauces, Creamed Corn, Pan Roasted Mushrooms, Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach, and Truffle Mac and Cheese.

We sampled everything. I take that back, we tried to eat everything and failed.

The lamb, oh the lamb was cooked perfectly, and did I say it was Colorado Lamb? Seasoned just right, seared to perfection, and brimming with flavor. If you are ify on lamb, I dare you to try this, it will change your mind. The Rib-Eye was seared off just right, locking in that prime beef flavor. (P.S. The Final Cut ONLY uses Prime cuts) To be honest both the meats were so wonderful on their own, they didn't necessarily need the sauces, but I am one never to say no to Bearnaise Sauce.

If the meat courses weren't enough, we also got to feast on the sides. And yes, that was Lobster Mash. Never before have I seen lobster in mashed potatoes, and after trying it, I'm sad I haven't. It wasn't just lobster flavor in the potatoes, it was large pieces of lobster meat in the potatoes. The creamed corned was great, the mushrooms a perfect topping to the steak, and the spinach was my husband's favorite side. And that was only because I almost ate all of the mac and cheese.

Before we rolled ourselves out the door, we somehow managed to consume some dessert also. I had the Creme' Brulee and Nathan had the Doughnuts. Both cooked to perfection, and leaving us in a sugar coma. Fresh berries, custard and fried dough, what more could you ask for?

Overall our meal was surprisingly wonderful. We drive through the area a lot on travel and vacation, and now we know where to stop to get dinner. The Final Cut, is NOT your typical steak house, with it's stuffy dress and typical steak and potatoes. They seem to having something for everyone, and they do it with taste and style. If you are looking for a great birthday place, or just something new, go try them out. The decor was beautiful, filled with memorabilia from movies such as Mission Impossible, The Blind Side, and even The Man With The Golden Gun. The staff was equally attentative, formal, but not to stiff. The Final Cut is an overall enjoyable experience with great food, atmosphere, and service.

If you would like to see more pictures from our evening, make sure to see the whole album on Facebook.