The garlic mash potatoes and onion rings were to die for!!!! I loved dessert as well it was a banana fosters cheesecake. However the hostess and our waiter were not on their A game which is disappointing considering the amount of money we spent to eat there.
(4)
Angie N.
The meals here from start to finish have ALWAYS been delish... ALL the steaks & ALL the seafood is to die for! Therefore, I usually opt for the delectable surf & turf (it never disappoints!) The service is superb, and the ambiance is perfect! I have been here quite a few times thus far, & never leave with anything other than a smile on my face!
(5)
Diane C.
This is my favorite restaurant ever! We had a wonderful time! Great food! Great staff! Great drinks! I highly reccomend this restaurant!
(5)
Jackson F.
Very chill steakhouse - had the aged Cowboy Ribeye - waiter gave us some complimentary shots of vodka blue-cheese fusion.
(5)
JL Q.
We've been here a couple of times and have yet to have a bad meal. The steaks are wonderful and the side dishes incredible. My husbands steak wasn't as good as mine, though, and we ordered the same steak but I told him he was luckier than me because I had more veins in mine than he did and that made mine bigger. Still, this is a great steakhouse.
(4)
Michael B.
Came in and sat at the bar. Was very pleasant. Staff was very nice. We order appetizers for our dinner. It took a very long time to get our salad, like 20 minutes. The guy ordered a ribeye next to me and got it before I even could get a foigras served or a shrimp cocktail. The foigras was raw in the middle and it was in my mouth as cold as ice. I hope I don't get sick. Then we said we wanted to leave. Took them forever to get me a check and I am sitting right in front of them. I am so grossed out. So then we are trying to leave and so called manager came over. Tried to charge for food we didn't get. Think they would comp the check but they still tried to charge us for the raw food. After the wait, raw food, I still paid.
(1)
Steve C.
Ducked in to catch some of the music in the lounge but the musician we wanted to see was not there. Sad face. I've been swillin' martinis and chowing red meat in this overpriced gem since the day it opened. Nice, clean, professionally run and appropriate for a casino as it is the perfect spot for some expense account entertaining. Cabeza OUT!
(4)
Bill S.
Councilor, or councillor is a title for a member of a council used in the United States. If that's true then sign me up for membership baby! Neatly tucked away in the Hard Rock Casino hotel is the Council Oak steakhouse. Steakhouses are supposed to be masculine, with dark woods and big huge steak knives. Nope, this is south Florida. Nothing but elegance and bright stonework found here. This is a steakhouse done Florida style. I'm with family and they are eaters! I had plans to eat small, no such luck. They already ordered without looking at the menu: Lobster Mac & Cheese, Asparagus and potatoes. I was trying to be good here, too late. Surf and Turf for everyone! The lobster mac and cheese is decadent. Made with cheesy goodness and big hunks of lobster, this dish is not to be missed. (Probably 10,000 calories!!) Our surf and turf? Cooked to perfection. The lobster was very fresh and the steak? Perfect petite cut that was like butta... I did ask if they had a version of their steak sauce, our waiter was all over us and happy to oblige. (Meh) If you're looking for a fine dining restaurant in South Florida, Council Oak should be at the top of your list. PS - What's with the all of the Oak names???? Oak trees are primarily in the northeast.. Get it straight! :D
(4)
Joe D.
4-4.5 overall Excellent steak house hidden in the Hardrock casino. Happened to be staying here on a recent trip down to Florida. After thumbing through yelp for something nice, we decided Council Oak would be the ideal place to checkout in the area. The service was top notch. Wait staff was well trained. They went above and beyond with any request we had, including some crazy drink requests. The steaks were perfect. Sides and sauces were as well. I cant think of anything that was off. I don't get down here too often but this is exactly where I will be eating on my next trip to Ft Lauderdale.
(4)
Hena A.
The aged prime filet mignon medium rare was the best i've ever had! The Brussels sprouts with bacon was on point and the wine list is impressive. Our waiter, Jonathan, was very attentive and even complimented us with a coffee bean ice cream with whipped cream desert. My friend won some $ playing the roulette so it was all paid for. Great place to go for dinner and then go gambling.
(5)
Lindsay B.
Came here for the first time the other night and had a very nice time. When we first walked up we were greeted by very upbeat attentive hostesses. As we were walking to our table there was a jazz player in the lounge setting a very pleasant tone. The restaurant itself has a sexy vibe and is dimly lit with a bit of a masculine feel to the decor. I ordered the sea bass which was a pretty large portion and was quite tasty. My boyfriend had one of the specials which was two different pieces of filet mignon prepared two different ways, which tasted outstanding! We also had the lobster mac and cheese for a side which was delicious but not quite as good as the one at capital grill. Our server was good overall but didn't really do much to make our experience over the top. Would possibly return because we were very satisfied with the food.
(4)
Rebecca U.
Made a reservation for Saturday night. We showed up and had to wait to be seated, although there were plenty of empty tables. There were several other parties that had to wait as well. Could this be a PR ploy?? We were seated at an odd table the was awkwardly placed in the aisle. The table was turned sideways so it wouldn't stick out you much, but I was do far from my date I couldn't hear him! He requested a different table, so we moved yo the other table in the aisle, but at least this one was turned to a normal position. Waiter came and we wanted to order drinks and apps, but he only wanted to take the drink order. I hadn't eaten all day, didn't want to drink on an empty stomach. Finally got to order a dozen oysters, which were delish. As were the steaks, baked potato and wedge salad. When I made the reservation, through open table, I wrote in the special instructions that it was my birthday. There was never a mention of it from the waiter or hostess. Even though the food was amazing, I give 3 stars for mediocre service, crappy table and a total miss on the birthday notice. We left without even having dessert or coffee.
(3)
Luis D.
I have been to Council Oak many times over several years and have never been disappointed. Always consistent quality and service. I need to try the Sunday brunch which is very highly rated next. The 12oz filet was cooked to perfection with a lot of Oscar topping really added a great flavor. The lobster mac and cheese was a hit as well. Looking forward to next time!
(5)
Alex V.
Amazing food and atmosphere. Everything we had was spectacular. The drinks from mixologist, the desserts, the meat (OMG melts your mouth), and the waiters all of it was excellent. Can't wait to go again. Just wish it wasn't so pricey but the quality made it worth it.
(5)
Tamela S.
This review is for the Council Oak brunch and it was a disappointment to say the least. I really was expecting to be wowed after all the great reviews and reading about the menu options on their website. Honestly, from the moment we arrived it felt like we were stuck in a Walmart after Christmas sale. There were lines of people at every food station and no one had any manners. The acoustics in this place were terrible also. It was loud and the vibe was frantic. I do have to give some kudos to the wait staff. They seemed calm and pleasant, but I have to wonder what goes through their minds with some of behavior from the patrons. I am wondering if we just hit them on an unusual day, but with the layout of the place, I am thinking probably not. It was really difficult to navigate around to the food stations, and no one wanted to yield to anyone else. I started with the seafood at the entrance, and thought the shrimp looked really good. I grabbed a couple of those, and a crab leg. Then I grabbed a couple oysters. My plan was to sample everything I could, so I also got three small pieces of sushi. I didn't load up my plate as I wanted to see how round one would go. I zigged and zagged back to my table trying to not get run over in the chaotic stampede that was trying to run me down. I sat down and took a deep breath to find our Bloody Marys waiting. I immediately took a big sip of that puppy. I had a feeling I would need it for this dining experience. Not bad! Actually, pretty damn good. There was hope yet, I thought. I took a bite of shrimp and then I sank in my seat. The shrimp was over cooked. It looked okay, but the texture was chewy, and the disappointment sank in. I was looking at the oysters and they didn't look very appetizing either, so I thought I would have some crab. I can't say that was bad, I just prefer the crab legs warm with butter. So it was meh. Then I had a couple sushi, They were just okay. I think they season them with wasabi, but they weren't as good as I was expecting either. The white fish was terrible. I also tried the bacon mac and cheese, but that wasn't very good either. I only took a little bit thankfully on my little plate. Hubby did load up his plate, and he passed me a lamb chop, and that was the bite I had been waiting for. It was delicious! I wish I had started with that. It really was the best thing I tried there. Hubby also gave me the crabcake benedict,but that didn't do it for me like the lamb. I went ahead and stuck with the lamb after that. I decided not to go out and fight the crowded mob again, and sent Hubby for dessert. I had a bite of each, one from the berry custard and one from the chocolate mousse, both were excellent. If I rated this place on the staff, the lamb and the dessert, I would give 4 stars. However, I can't ignore the price and the experience as a whole. I also resented them not telling me that for $4 more, I could have unlimited Bloody Marys. I realized that when we received the bill. I really couldn't wait to leave, and any place that makes me feel this way is never A-OK in my book. We will not be back.
(2)
Jonny E.
For a "high-end" steak house this place didn't impress. I've been to many steak houses all over the country and for the prices they charge here they're way behind. I guess that's what happens when you're the only steak place around the area. At the hard rock...it's hard to find good food
(3)
Carolina M.
It has been a long hiatus for me since the last time i was at Council Oak. LAst time i was there was many moons ago, and i remember how good it was. Another time my husband and i were meeting some friends at the Hard Rock so we decided to stop by here and have dinner before, we could not because the restaurant was completely booked so we decided to make reservations for next time. We were going to the Improv this past weekend so i had made reservations in advance, i highly recommend making reservations. We came on a Friday night early (7 pm), and the place was already very busy. Our server was nice and proceeded to take our drinks order. The menu is presented now on an ipad , as i have seen on many other restaurants now so that is cool. We started with one of my favorite dishes the Burrata which was nice but not as creamy as i like my burrata to be. I also had the lobster Bisque which was very good, so yummy and creamy and decadent. we also had the scallop ceviche which was delicious I wasn't feeling steak so i had the Chilean Seabass, another one of my favorite dishes. The fish was perfectly cooked, not overcooked in the least and was sitting on a bed of delicious risotto. It was very, very good. My husband decided on the Cowboy Ribeye and that was the star of the meal. Of course if you go to a steak house you must try steak, but i was happy with my choice. I tried his steak and it was one of the best ribeye steaks i have ever had. It was huge, like 30 OZ, and he ate every last piece it was so delicious!. We paired it with Au Pouvre and wild mushrooms, everything was finger licking good. We were really stuffed at the end of the entree but everything was so good i had to order dessert. I decided on the Chocolate Souffle, which has always been one of my favoites desserts. The best i have had has been at a restaurant in NYC and at the Blue Moon Cafe in Fort Lauderdale, however this was just as delicious as the ones i have tried before. Worth the 30 minute preparation time and worth EVERY.CALORIE. Certainly they know about steaks, as their reputation precedes them and they have been around for a long time. If you're looking for a fine steak house, this and Steak 954 at least in Broward. All this deliciousness comes with a hefty price tag too but OH so worth it.
(5)
Tawny W.
This place is great . The steaks are always perfectly done . The service is excellent . Our waiter Simeon from Jamaica was the best . He was very helpful, patient and just simply amazing. Can't wait for another dinner at council oak.
(5)
Andre C.
I forgot to mention a amazing wine selection as well as bar!! And LIVE MUSIC!!! Good!!! LIVE!! MUSIC and me being a saxophonist myself and have played in many Casino's, SupperClubs, etc....I know fine dining, drinks, wine, and music do ya self a favor and stop by!!
(5)
Ana S.
Let me begin w/ that waiting staff is amaze balls! The only good thing. Food ok, they have no GLUTEN FREE substitutions - hello? This is 2015?! The truffle oil fries? Bunk! Too thick 2 be crunchy! And the nerve to serve 6 fries? Unreal... Bunk! Bunkorama!
(2)
Marqus R.
Council Oaks is quite clearly the "high roller" restaurant of the Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood. Located inside, just off the one armed (now all electronic push button) bandit area of the casino, its specialty is that of top quality aged meats, having just about every desirable cut and type from the ultra-pricey 14 ounce Cabassi Black Wagyu (Australian +9) New York Cut Strip, $149.00 down through Long Bone (Cowboy) Ribeye, veal chops, lamb chops and others. All, however, have been properly dry aged which to me was very apparent in the tenderness and full robust flavors of their meats. They also have a good seafood as well as side selections, but everything including your salad is a la carte. When you enter you may be seated at the bar or tables near the bar on your right which also has a stage with regular entertainment. This would be the place to sit if you don't care to speak with whomever you're with, since the entertainment sound is often near deafeningly loud. For dinner conversation you're better off in the main dining area however if crowded, you'll find it to also be rather loud. We went for the Caesar salads with extra white anchovy, creamed spinach, a Cabassi Black Wagyu tenderloin and a New York strip which I ordered Pittsburgh. The salads were good and though white anchovy is mild, it seemed rather wimpy mild for being ordered with extra anchovy. As for the creamed spinach, also rather good though I'm used to having it hopped up as in a New Orleans style with a dash of Pernod. The Wagyu, even though as a personal preference don't like my meats well done, consider such to be a culinary heresy, was indeed tasty, juicy and a top of line as far as Wagyu meats are concerned. My Pittsburgh done New York strip was excellent, a perfect Pittsburgh with nice char to the outside to a pink inside with a blood rare center. On the odd side of things, something I've never seen before are three little bowls, each with a tiny spoon. One contains a course ground black pepper, the other said to contain French salt (tasted like any ordinary sea salt to me) and the third with a so-called "Hawaiian salt" which tasted rather akin to an ordinary Lawry's. As for service, Council Oaks is top of the line in being friendly, speedy and totally professional. My guess would be that to work around all of the gamblers, low rollers and high rollers, you really have to know what you're doing and have a good way with yourself in order to cut it as a waiter in that type of environment. As far as good steaks go, it's about as good as it gets, but I'm only going four stars on it since price wise it ought to be about as good as it gets, but more so as I found the general ambiance lacking. Too much noise and generally lacking in the sedate elegance found at other top of the line steak houses.
(4)
Michelle S.
Came here last night. The lounge at the front has live music and is pretty loud but I requested a quiet table and was seated by the window. I suggest making a reservation as the restaurant filled up by 8:30. Almost everything we had was phenomenal. We had: Tuna tar tar - 3/5 the tuna was delicious but the tostada it came on was a bit too thick and greasy tasting for me. Filet mignon - 5/5 tender, melt in your mouth beef seasoned and cooked to perfection. Lamb chops - 2/5 bland. The meat wasn't tender enough. It wasn't tough, but it was nothing special. Get the steak if you come here. Wild mushroom side - 5/5 garlicky and delicious with the creamed spinach. Creamed spinach 4/5 Baked potato - 5/5 my boyfriend loved this For desert we had the cronut. Honestly this was heavenly. 5/5 and I don't even like dessert! The service was excellent. Even the breads they brought out were amazing.
(4)
Allen S.
If you're a high roller who assumes paying $65+ for brunch gives you swag, you're already a lost cause, don't bother reading this review. If you're someone who pays $65 for brunch simply because you want quality I can understand that. Mind you $65 a person is not outta reach for us (Thank you God) but we're old folks and as old timers we expect at least an attempt at value or quality for our hard earned dollars. Council Oak's brunch failed badly, I mean really badly. I feel so strongly about this I had to come back from my sabbatical from yelp and actually write a rare review to warn others. So my sweet beautiful thoughtful wife wants to surprise me on our 10 year anniversary with a local upscale brunch, I was honestly surprised. When it was all said and done, so was she unfortunately. My Wife made reservations, so as we waited at the entrance, looking in all we saw was total chaos inside. I admit I'm not the smartest fella around but even I would not place the busiest 'station' (Sushi,Seafood and Raw Bar) right at the entrance where you have to basically push your way inside when entering. We were kinda bummed it was as chaotic as it was while being led to our table but we joked "the food must be awesome.." Famous last words. We had: Prime Rib, Lamb Chops, Alaskan King Crab Legs, Shrimp, Oysters, Crab Cakes Benedict, Sushi, Sashimi and Bloody Mary's. Sounds pretty damn good right?, we thought so when we saw the menu.. As God is my witness everything we tried was either subpar or actually terrible except for the Lamb and Bloody Mary's. To make a long story short, the Prime Rib wasn't very tasty (don't know how you mess up Prime Rib) and NONE of the Seafood tasted fresh. Oh and BTW some items they list on their site, Filet Mignon and that the waiter actually mentioned, Beef Wellington never appeared. I'm not a picky eater and thank my wife trying to do something special for our anniversary but I grew up eating Oysters and Shrimp and never had worse. This is my advice to my blue collar Brothers that see this, if you want to impress your Lady do not bring her here for Brunch, you're only paying for the name.. It was like eating at a Cafeteria, not just the food but we had to yell at each other to be heard :\ P.S. If these guys want to pass themselves off as a legit 'Casino' at least try. I've been to Las Vegas twice and had $6 24oz. Prime Rib dinners with dessert and a drink which is available at almost every single joint on the strip..
(2)
Brian R.
Brunch was amazing, food for days! Raw bar, waffles, bacon eggs, deserts, etc etc!
(5)
Matthew D.
Went for dinner with a friend last night. Bring your wallet.. However I will say the food was worth every penny. We started with Caesar salads, a little disappointed in the snooze for the price but loved the anchovy on the salad. 2nd course we ordered the twin filets one encrusted in Bleau cheese the other was oscar style. 58.00 for 7oz of meat but again it just melted in my mouth and it was cooked to perfection. Didn't try any sides or dessert.
(4)
Jenny D.
This place was HEAVEN! I swear everything we had was amazing! It was a table of 4, including 2 food snobs my best friend and her fiance. Good wine - according to 3 others at the table. I had a Unusual cocktail which was very tasty - Pineapple juice with citrus vodka, Served in a martini class with a bacon rimmed. Ha! It's the sweet and salty drink that I loved. But I could only have 1 because it was very sweet. Appetizers: Bread and butter - fresh and good. On the table they pink salt which I sprinkled on my bread with butter. Waygu tartare - OMG OMG OMG...this melted in my mouth and was fantastic. Well I guess it better at the price... Oysters - So fresh and delicious Onion Rings - beer battered and are the size of donuts. Again a melt in your mouth food. Lobster Mac and Cheese - OK i've had many versions of lobster mac and cheese and this was by far the BEST I've ever had. It was the perfect consistency, perfect amount of cheese a bit crunch on top. Grille Asparagus - ehh...not exciting to me but my healthy friend loved it Entrees: Mine was a special. Chilean Sea bass over sliced fingerling potatoes, pieces of lobster and carmelized onions. Oh yes this was amazing. Husband ordered lamb chops - Another amazing dish, I don't like lamb but I tasted my husbands and it was actually delicious. My 2 other friends have been there numerous times before and suggested that entree. My 2 other friends had steaks and said the meat was really good quality. NY strip and Filet mignon. Dessert: OK another piece of Heaven was the Fresh Cronut. I'm crying because I'll have to fly to florida to ever have this peace of heaven again. Chocolate Souffle - oh so light and fluffy, please let me fine this again. This is a place you want to go if you want to SPOIL yourself. It's expensive, but worth it.
(5)
Boris B.
Very good service, excellent steak. did not have a chance to try any sides, I'm sure they're good.
(4)
Ney D.
Never again! Overpriced on the highest level, average food and a loud ambient. US$ 300.00 for a mediocre dinner experience. Tasteless steak!
(2)
Reixa C.
Superb service, excellent food. Best steak I've ever had.
(5)
Ricky G.
Clean, expensive ( but worth it) you dont have to remind your waiter for anything. Knowledgeable from the fanciest wine list to different oysters, they are there to make your dinning experience great. Go and spend your money there because its worth it
(5)
Nicole V.
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place since I've been coming since they opened! I was there for dinner when they first opened. My server was Earl and I remember my experience vividly- that was nearly a decade ago! The service was top notch and the Sea Bass served over creamy potatoes was probably one of the best meals I've ever had. Soon after, they started serving brunch, which is a personal favorite of mine! The fresh seafood- although they don't always offer clams :-( is always my first stop. Sure they have breakfast favorites but I could have that any old day! A pasta station, omelet station, and the dessert bar is a must! My favorite servers/bartenders are Joel and Gus but unfortunately Joel just left to open his own restaurant. I'll be reviewing that soon! Dinner or lite bites in the lounge is also entertaining. The oysters Rockefeller are out of this world. I also used to like the side of lobster mac n cheese but they've skimped on the lobster lately so just mac n cheese. They have great live music and the clientele put on a show themselves so it's great for people watching.
(5)
Neil G.
I have come here 5 years in a row on vacation. It is a great meal every time. Every dish I've tried has been good. Waiters are quite knowledgable and friendly. Steaks are delicious and always properly cooked. The desserts are extraordinary. If you get a chance try the cronut! I enjoy a coffee after my meal. Council oak always serves it up right. This time was French pressed with warmed milk. Very tasty.
(5)
Jessi M.
Ok, so I know this probably has nothing to do with the restaurant and it is probably a freak thing but I can't not say it. We had a little friend/visitor dining with us this evening. By a little friend, I mean a baby cockroach. I ended up killing him after his 3rd visit and the waiter was so embarrassed. Have no worries, it certainly didn't reflect in his tip. He handled the situation very respectfully. Since we already had a comp for our meal (which I'm assuming most people do; as long as they are a high roller or whatever its called), so there was really nothing for him to do. My date ordered the steak, which was very tiny, but I wouldn't know because I'm not a meat eater. I ordered the seafood dish. It was very good. So was the complementary bread basket. There are these little cheez-it type sticks that are really good. I noticed someone else uploaded a pic of the bread basket, check it out. The sun dried tomato focaccia is also very good. I didn't try a dessert on this visit but I've been here in the past and I'm sure it is still fantastic. Whatever you do, I don't recommend the escargot lol too sandy.
(3)
Andy D.
The seminole's Hard Rock, is slowly catching up, to it's counter part in Biloxi Mississippi, not even close to Vegas, but, there chasing after Biloxi! The have a premiere restaurant, at the Hard Rock Council Oak, a high end steak house, which service was great, the singer in the bar, was horrible, but after escaping the bar and getting a table, I found that Council Oak can compete with the best of them. Great ambiance, and an interesting menu. from King Crab, to a huge cowboy rib eye, both were very good, the rib eye, for the $39.00 price was slightly tough, the King Crab was fresh and good. I had no complaints, they did a good job there!
(4)
Tomas B.
Bringing the star rating up a notch from last night as we had a right on point meal that was close to 5 Stars... Keep it simple since this is an updated review. Shrimp Cocktail 4 Large @$20.00 very good.. forget extra horse radish. Chopped salad not large for the price points but very good. Little neck clams small clean fresh. Entrees: Twin South African Lobster Tails Market Price.. I didn't pay so I don't want to know but very fresh and tasty. plenty of drawn butter and lemon. Lamb Chops - not gamey cooked perfectly very good. NY Strip.. Good but not spectacular. WINNER WINNER Veal Chop Grilled / broiled to perfection could be top of all time. Sides. Lobster Mac & Cheese $18.00 pricey but tasty Button Mushrooms sauteed Good - nothing special. Creamed Spinach (SUPPOSED TO BE SAUTEED) - brought sauteed later both were actually excellent. Service from "Lew" was a little slow last night they were busy and it was not as brisk as it should be nor did he remember the special order and 1 side was messed up.. Instead of removing the side they brought the sauteed spinach late. All and all food was close to perfection... Service & Price points knock it down 1 star.
(4)
Lory M.
This place is great! Very important to note that it is not inexpensive. So if you are in the mood for the best steaks be prepared to pay a couple hundreds here (well worth it!) Tonight I had the filet special: two tenderloins, one with blue cheese and bacon on top and the other with crab meat, asparagus and hollandaise sauce on top - TO DIE FOR! My husband, who usually orders the Cowboy rib eye steak (gigantic piece of meat, bone in, Flintstones style) went with the NY strip. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. For the sides we got the creamed spinach and the lobster mac and cheese. The spinach has always been good here, but I remembered over a year ago ordering the Mac and cheese and not liking it at all. Well, things change and this place is constantly trying to make itself better. They freaking mastered the Mac and cheese!! Now served in a hot cast iron pan, oozing cheese and big chunks of lobster....unbelievable! So good I'm thinking of next time just ordering the Mac and cheese by itself as a meal. It was truly amazing! Last but never least: dessert! Have you heard of the "Cronut"? It's a flaky croissant that looks like a doughnut, covered in cinnamon sugar! It comes out nice and hot, with a side of whipped cream and a bourbon vanilla sauce. OMG! Please, try this, it will make your night! Honorable mentions: Service here is over the top. You will never have dirty dishes on your table for over a minute. They are constantly asking if we need anything. Water gets refilled at all times, same with any drinks. Chopped salad - wow! Crispy, cold and ridiculously good! Cappuccino- a great way to end the night, worth the try. Pictures attached!
Council Oak will always be a special place for me. It's where I asked my wife's parents for permission to marry their daughter. What a fitting place since this is a classic steak house with an old school vibe. They even have the bottles of wine and dry-aged steaks on display. Now don't think they got 5 stars because of this special occasion, the FOOD here is seriously LEGIT! Although Council Oak might have gotten 4 stars if her parents said NO to us getting married! JK The quality and the flavor of the steaks here can rival some of the top steakhouses I've been to (ie. Cut & Mastro's in LA, Perry's in Dallas, etc.). The sides, just as important as the steaks, are also fantastic. I highly recommend the Lobster Mac & Cheese, Sauteed Mushroom Caps, Garlic Mash, and the Truffle Fries. Like any good steakhouse, Council Oak has a GREAT WINE SELECTION and a knowledgeable sommelier to help pick that right bottle or three (in our case). As for service, it ranges from very good to top notch (I've gone a few times). Don't expect your waiter to be on top of you every minute when it's busy. Afterwards, grab a nightcap at the bar area where you'll be entertained by a LIVE BAND! Warning: This perfect night doesn't come cheap. Prepare to pay a hefty tab: $40-100 per person on food (depending on the steak you get or if you share) and bottles of wine are $40+. A good red is in the $80's range. Now go spoil yourselves!
(5)
Stephanie L.
What a wonderful meal to share with my in-laws!! I'm a huge fan of the Hard Rock Cafe/Casino as I'm a Hard Rock Pin Collector, but when I'm in town for a visit I love coming to this steakhouse and feeling like I'm right at home in NY!! AHH.... I've had the pleasure of eating here twice in my lifetime and both times have been outstanding! Not a thing to change, and perfect in every way from service, to wine list, to mouth-watering food that makes me dream it was in my backyard and I could go to more than once a year!! Now this is a special occasion place, unless of course you win big in the casino, so prepare your eyes for the pricetag... But also remember, you get what you pay for and if I could lick my plate I would have!! :-)
(5)
Jennifer A.
Excellent brunch! There was a great variety and plentiful selections at each station. The mimosas and Bloody Marys were included and delicious. The sea bass was superb, as was the banana pudding shooter! I received a special birthday dessert, which was a nice surprise. I will most definitely be returning to Council Oak for another special occasion brunch.
(5)
Anna V.
Ambient restaurant atmosphere. Very quiet and peaceful. The food was really good and the waiters are exceptional. Will definitely come back again.
(4)
Natali D.
What a phenomenal experience!!! Everything was delicious and the service was exceptional. The quality of the meat was definitely above average and definitely worth the money I paid. The side dishes were all delicious, especially the lobster Mac n cheese . My steak was cooked to my exact liking. I have absolutely no complaints and I will definitely be coming back. I highly recommend this place to everyone!
(5)
Joseph J.
Came after a great night at AmaLuna and wish I didn't! Ordered the rib eye and garlic mashed. The potatoes were great, but the steak was very sub par. Couldn't be more disappointed!!
(1)
Natasha R.
Went here for Father's Day. Service was great! The 14oz Waygu NY Strip was exquisite! The Surf and Turf (South African freshwater lobster and filet mignon) was amazing! Everything was great across the board! The food was a little pricey BUT DEFINITELY worth every penny!
(5)
Danielle B.
On Sunday, March 22nd I hosted a surprise birthday party and I had the most amazing service and the management on top of that was just as amazing. They were very accommodating to my desires to make this a special dinner. It was my first time dining here and it is now my number one spot! Thank you for the outstanding customer service!!! See you soon!
(5)
Nick S.
It is with grave disappointment that I have to post a negative review. I used to come here about once a month for a number of years but experienced a hiatus for about 2 years. I went back in May, and couldn't believe how bad our service was. Our waiter was clearly just looking to turn our table over, made absolutely no attempt to build a rapport with us, and spilled water all over the table in front of me without noticing. I typically will allow a maximum of 3 obvious errors to be made before I start getting annoyed however, this is supposed to be an upscale steakhouse so the bar is naturally set a bit higher. The food was acceptable not spectacular, but unfortunately the poor service completely distracted from our party enjoying the food and their time at Council Oak. I sincerely hope our table that night was a fluke, especially given the number other positive reviews here on yelp. My bottom line: There are better steakhouses for the cost (Ruth's Chris, Capital Grille, etc).
(2)
Nina N.
It was a great experience to dine at this awesome restaurant. Everything was fine! Me and my family really enjoyed our stay there. The atmosphere was amazing and the waiters are very polite. I had the filet mignon steak medium rare with some asparagus. As an appetizer we had a shrip cocktail. They also have a butchery in the restaurant where you can choose which steak you would like to eat.
(5)
Jason M.
The lobster bisque was very good. The bread was delicious. Main course was VERY disappointing though. We had the fish special which was snapper with fingerling potatoes and sauce with lobster. The sauce was almost non existent and there was maybe 3 or 4 tiny cut up potato bites. The fish was the most pathetic I've ever seen. It was 1/4" thick and dried out. There was no sear on it. It looked and tasted like I imagine it would if it came from a microwave dinner. Luckily, we also got the onion ring stack which was excellent. Definitely the best onion rings I've ever had. Came with delicious truffle mayonnaise and homemade ketchup. Ended with the expresso chocolate martini and it was amazing. Service was very good. Even with all the great parts of the meal, I couldn't give more then 2 stars. I can't believe that fish made it out of the kitchen and I expect better when I'm paying $400 for a dinner for 2.
(2)
Slim B.
Excellent service. Steaks are somewhat variable but on the higher side of very good.
(4)
Mitchell M.
Go here from time to time. Food is good but have had some mediocre meals as well.
(3)
Abby T.
My husband brought me here for our anniversary for the Sunday brunch. The decor is really nice and the service was great. The food was awesome. Fresh seafood, crab legs, shrimp cocktail, oysters and mussels. They had two guys making sushi. The assortment of food was good. I can't even remember everything. You could have an omelet, there was a carving station with lamb chops, beef Wellington. Then the desserts...mmm. By this time I was so full, I could only sample one or two things. We got there around 10:30 and the place was empty. However by the time we left the tables had really filled. Unlimited peach bellini's, mimosas. And there were other drinks the waiter mentioned you could have. The only thing with the drinks is that the waiters have to pick them up at the bar. So you only get a refill if you ask for one or if your glass is empty. Not a big deal. Other places I have visited they just refill the drinks, however those places only have unlimited mimosas. Our server Keith was friendly and attentive, but not overly attentive.
(5)
Savanna M.
The review is only for brunch - Sundays only. I've had dinner here a few times, and although it's not bad, and the service is top notch, I would choose one of the other local competing steak houses in Broward. Ok, so back to brunch. It's ~$55 a person, so not cheap, but trust me if you do it right and drink enough champagne (or bloody marys) and eat enough from the raw bar you can definitely get your money's worth. This is a buffet, so feel free to sit there as long as necessary until you've tried it all and don't feel guilty for spending all your cash. Besides, afterwards you'll be drunk enough to believe gambling is a good decision and you may end up winning back some of your money! When you first walk in you'll see they've transformed their waiting area in to the dessert station. Seeing these desserts and chef preparing bananas foster right in front of you should be enough to make you realize you've found the best brunch in broward county. The first station is a breakfast area - sausage, bacon, french toast, potatoes, THE BEST EGGS BENEDICT OVER A CRAB CAKE (and I don't even like crab cakes, but this is 90% crab and 10% cake) etc etc. There's a chef ready to make your perfect omelette, belgium waffle, create your own pasta station and someone cutting up roast beef and lamb chops. But don't fill up there, theres so much more! There's a salad station with everything you imagine and a soup that changes weekly. A sushi chef preparing sushi rolls. The raw bar with oysters, clams, jumbo shrimp, king crab legs and crab claws. There's one last station with lunch items, these change frequently but there's usually a chicken, fish, veggies, rice - and not your run of the mill dishes, I'm talking lobster crusted salmon, chicken with macademia nuts etc. Our last time there they had a short rib dish that was awesome! Then, if you still have room (and definitely leave room), head back out the front and get your fill of all of the desserts. The bananas foster station does take a while, so plan that according. There's creme brulee, cheesecakes, fruit tarts, a chocolate fountain, fruit, cookies... you name it it's there. Remember this is an official 4 star steak house (only rated down a star because the bathroom is located outside of the restaurant inside the casino) so the service is top notch. The waiters (Gustavo is the best) are willing to go above and beyond to make you happy and will bring you anything you desire. Last time we were there and I requested something to wipe my hands off since they were smelling like seafood and they brought out hot towels that were scented with almonds.
(5)
Joy L.
Review for Council Oak It's between at 3 and a 4. No one can negate that there is a wide selection of luxury food choices on their brunch menu (lobster, jumbo shrimp, lamb chops, beef, chilean sea bass..)- But as one of the most expensive brunch buffet's in SoFla ($65 pp - the price has gone up $10- and there is a hefty gratuity added to your bill) you would expect phenomenal presentation, mouth watering selections, and fabulous service. I was only minimally impressed on all three of these accounts. The layout of the buffet is not quite a nightmare, but doesn't make a lot of logical sense either. It is obvious that the AYCE brunch buffet was an after thought as all of the stations are small and dispersed all around the restaurant (If you are wheelchair bound or have any difficulties walking, you will most likely need someone to assist you with your selections as this is not very handicapped friendly- it is more of an obstacle course than a buffet line. Your shellfish is located all the way in the back past the sushi station, the fish is with the pork chops in the middle off to the right down a few stairs, the cold salads are in the middle on the left, just before the sushi station and also has some cheeses, the main selections are located along the wall at the front of the dining area, and the desserts are located in the entry way when you first walk in... this made everything a bit confusing, and if you are trying to take it all in and try everything offered, you have to make sure that you have gone all around the restaurant looking in every corner... Even with all of these scattered stations, when the place gets busy, the lines get backed up and there isn't a lot of room to move. Speaking of not a lot of room to move- we called ahead and said that we were a party of 7 and would be there at 10:30 am. There was only one other party that was there before us (probably when the buffet opened at 10 am) and they sat us literally on top of the other group. The chairs are ginormous and and very comfortable. The rounded booth was beautiful to look at and made for a great showpiece- being so close to the other group though, it was not easy maneuvering in and out of my chair and the birthday girl had to have the party-goer to her right get up every time she wanted to get something because she was blocked in on the left (the side I was sitting on). This easily could have been solved by pushing the table next to us over about 4" - but even after making several comments, we were never accommodated. Highlights: lamb chops = perfection Cheese blintzes: cream filling = phenomenal- the berry topping with whipped cream. was just an added bonus Bananas Foster ~ with mixed berries amazing!
(3)
Shannon M.
We have been here several times for dinner but never for the Sunday brunch! OMG why did we wait so long??? Anything and everything that you can imagine for a brunch and then some!!!! There was a variety of breakfast items such as eggs Benedict, bacon, sausage, French toast, bagels and lox, varieties of breads, croissants, fresh berries, waffles. Then there was a carving station with lamb chops and beef tenderloin, moving on you come to more of a lunch selection with salmon, sea bass, skirt steak and saffron rice. Moving on to the soup and salad station... Caprese salad with balsamic glaze, chicken Caesar salad, and various pasta salads. Most importantly they had their fabulously delicious lobster bisque! As we continue to the next station, fresh sushi. And next was a raw bar with crab legs, shrimp cocktail, oysters and clams on the half shell, caviar, and tuna. Finally we come to the desserts... OMG.... The desserts.... too many to name!!! All DELICIOUS!!! You will also have your choice of a complimentary mimosa, champagne or Bloody Mary. Definitely worth every penny! BUT you do need reservations!!
(5)
Gary S.
WOW! The service was amazing. I needed a pair of glasses to read the menu...they were prepared with a pair wrapped in sealed plastic. Bravo!!!! The lunch we had was served promptly and hot and tasted great. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Vivian R.
I love eating here. It never disappoints. Normally, I do not like to dine at hotel restaurants, if I have other choices as I do in the Miami area, because typically,the food is not great. Council Oak is quite the exception. We drive a good 25 minutes to go anywhere to have a good experience whether home or traveling. This is always very worth the drive. Whether you are a casino person or not, this is a great oasis at Hard Rock. Great Steak, Oysters, and great Wine List. This is a great destination, worth the drive and who knows you can also play a little of your luck. Great night of dining and playing all together.
(4)
Rocki R.
Pretty disappointed with this place. We eat at a lot of high end restaurants so our standard of quality might be higher then the average person. So my man ordered the wagyu filet and i had the special that had 2- 4oz filets done 2 different ways. The wagyu was good but wasn't as good as other ones ive tried from different restaurants and for a steak that costs over 100.00 it should have the wow factor. My dinner was served room temperature so i sent it back, they brought it back with no change in temperature. There is no excuse for this to happen in a higher end restaurant, im not a fan of cold food and I wasn't going to send it back again. I will say the flavor was good so i just ate it cold and wasn't in the mood to make a big fuss about it. We wont be going back. Other than that the place was nice, server was great, they comped a glass of wine for the screw up.
(2)
Chase T.
Do NOT miss! Best steak dinner of my life! It's worth the drive even if you're not going to a show at Hard Rock. The service is impeccable. Of particular note is Sommelier, Don DeRocher. He is engaging, humorous and extremely knowledgable. His pairing suggestions made an amazing dinner an unforgettable culinary experience. Do not miss: Cronuts for dessert.
(5)
Nicole K.
Council Oak is pretty much like any other steak house. The steaks are good, the sides are decent, and they make a damn good martini. I found the service lacking for somewhere so expensive. Then again I am a stickler for those things so others might not notice. The restaurant is also very loud so take that into consideration if you choose to eat there. There isn't much to say about the food because nothing really stands out. Steaks are the star of the show, with a few seafood dishes for variety. Council oak used to engrave your initials into the bone of your ribeye but they don't do that anymore. They also used to have the best wedge salad in the world but they switched to baby bib lettuce and it just isn't the same. I am not a fan of steakhouses, but have a friend who adores them so I have been to way too many of them. If you are staying at Hardrock or heading to a show I could see going to Council Oak, but thee are much better options in South Florida for expensive steak.
(3)
Matt B.
I gamble quite a bit at the hard rock and they gave me a comp to this place and I have to say I was not impressed at all. For the price they charge you for a meal, the food was not up to par. Had I actually had to pay for the meal I would have been angry but since it was a free meal, the good was great. I would suggest going to the NYY steakhouse at Their sister casino up in coconut creek if you want an amazing meal at an upscale steak house.
(2)
Barbara R.
We went to Council Oak last night as there's no way to avoid the restaurants in the casino when attending a concert. They allow smoking on the veranda, which we didn't know, so we had to endure the second-hand smoke from other tables. The service is excellent and the food is fair. My major complaint is the amount you receive and I am not a big eater. My husband ordered the grouper special: it consisted of a minuscule piece of fish with a medley of other types of seafood. For $42 you would expect at least a side dish, something inexpensive as potatoes or rice, but no. At least it was good. I had the tuna Tataki that normally fills me up. What I got for $25 was just four (4) tiny pieces and a couple of shreds of nondescript vegetables: something fit for a Persian cat but not really for human appetites. I ended up eating the garnish and scraping the small bowl of tapenade that came with the bread so hard that I must have dented it. The bill, with a couple of drinks, came to $98 before tip. We left underwhelmed and underfed: we ended up gorging on popcorn at the concert.
(2)
roxy k.
Located inside the Hard Rock casino this place has good food! Ambience is classy but you can come dressed casual that's the beauty of this place; I wish I had photos of the food to show but I don't trust me when I say the Lobster Mac and Cheese is delicious!!! The service is impeccable imagine you're on Princess or Royal Carribean cruise it's like that! The name comes from Indian tribe the council would meet at the Oak tree hence the name of the restaurant plenty of parking in garage or valet service I liked this place but make sure you make RSVP!!! We sat down at 6:45 Memorial Day weekend by 7:30 all tables were filled
(5)
Hope P.
Ive been to this restaurant years ago and remember having such a great experience a nice cozy atmosphere in the middle of the casino..who would've thought?! Got a table in front of the bar..there are a lot of bottles of liquor showcased in the bar. There's also a Huge mounted-Mahi on the wall behind the stage. There was an acoustic act playing and it was very nice music, guitar player and great woman singer...made it a relaxing experience. The Bread basket has great crusty white bread, and foccacia with tomato on it and cheesy bread thin sticks with seseme seeds on it..very nice breads all fantastic. Sundried tomato sauce and butter accompany the bread..both great. Ordered Crab Cake...it came one and I've had better..I liked that is was baked nicely(I prefer over fried cakes), but nothing special it came with a Tomato orange marmalade and herb salad.....sweet and odd? the salad was micro, and crab cakes usually have remoulade instead of marmalade ...also the menu said crab Cakes..hmm are restaurants forgetting the other cake(s)??? I ordered the Baby Arugula and watermelon Salad;Feta cheese, cucumber, tomato, toasted almonds, and aged sherry vinaigrette..there were 5 pieces of watermelon in it...hmmm but it was a refreshing tasty salad. I also ordered the Blackened Tenderloin Beef Tips came with Arugula, red onion, and bleu cheese dressing came in a bowl on the plate..not very cheesy I thought it was a remoulade! But the Beef Tips were AMAZING! Really great I thought it made up for the other apps. For the main dish I wanted a fish and chose the Snapper Fillet..the special fish of the night..I think it was crawfish it came with? They were little shimp that tasted dirty, and the Snapper was on a bed of bland rice...was this risotto?? There were grilled veggies on the plate as well and they were really Yummy...but soo disappointed in this bland tasteless dish...not happy. I tried the NY Strip...and that was nothing shot of AMAZING!! such a tasty steak...best Ive had in a loooong time!! Also Truffled fries as a side...they came out not-so-Truffely...so the waiter offerd to toss them with more truffle...wow they came out BANGING! Best crunchy-natural fries and what's better than Truffle???!!!! The Waiter was great his timing was perfect ...next time Im getting the STEAK...
(3)
Chris A.
Best steak I had in a long time. Long wait, expensive (same ole steak house routine), but mouth watering steak! Just to expensive and service not quite good enough for 5 stars.
(4)
Melissa C.
We love going here. Play a little blackjack and then work up an appetite for some serious steak. The lamb is also amazing. Percy is the best waiter there. The pastry chef is superb. It is pricey but you will love the food and the service. The sides are shared because you receive so much. The ambience is beautiful and classy.
(5)
Rob P.
For the price, there is no way this place should leave me writing a 4* review. It should be 5*. But I just couldn't justify it. I went three nights in a row, and our food was good but the service wasn't up to snuff. Awkward at times and a bit slow. I did better the night I ate at the bar, and I got to ogle their amazing scotch selection. I'll definitely be doing some of my drinking here next time I go to the Hard Rock!
(4)
Sara H.
My boyfriend and I have brunch here every time we stay at the HR. We went last night for dinner and again this morning. He's not a huge fan of the dinner options; he enjoys the food but finds it indistinguishable from all other steakhouses in its price range. I agree for the most part, but can't resist the lobster mac and cheese. Also, the atmosphere is much nicer than the loud Italian place outside. I would have ordered the carrot cake but it is no longer on the dinner menu (but they had it this AM at brunch and it was great). So I got a peanut butter s'more dessert instead - didn't care for it, however, my boyfriend and I both loved his mango sorbet. I found out the next morning that they also offer a sampler type dessert of all the sorbets they have so I'll have to try that next time. The variety of Sunday brunch was awesome as usual. The format has changed a bit; the dessert section is in the back now and the seafood is in the front. They don't have brunch at their Tampa location unfortunately! My bf loved the lamb chops but didn't discover them until he was practically full.
(5)
D R.
Very pleased with the filet. Cooked perfect. Service was attentive and friendly. Give the council oak corn a try!
(4)
Sandy S.
Very mediocre at best, and very expensive for what they deliver. The smallest rib eye steak on the menu is $93, and it doesn't even come close to the quality offered by the chain steak houses for a much lesser cost. Three dinners, 4 drinks, 2 sides, 4 salads and one dessert were $450 without gratuity. Steaks were overcooked and salty. Sides were too small to share. Dessert was a $16 donut. Added $2 charges for olives in a martini, which was small to begin with. Service was friendly but scarce. Definitely not a place to go if you are used to the quality of the Capital Grille or Palm.
(2)
Kathy D.
Oh my...where do I start! This exquisite high end restaurant (bit pricey buy worth it) in the Hard Rock Casino/Hotel in Fort Lauderdale (Hollywood) gets 5 stars for everything in my book. We started out with cocktails-lemon drop martini with sugared rim being my fav, and it was delish! We enjoyed a variety of artisan rolls and breadsticks with our drinks. For entrees, my husband and I each had the braised short ribs. Very rich and very good with what I think was a wine reduction sauce with an accompaniment of fresh green beans was just the ticket. We chose reasonably priced Argyle pinot noir wine from Willamette Valley, and it was excellent. Our waiter, Phillipe, was very attentive but not overly so. We were seated in a luxurious booth and enjoyed the privacy. We relaxed and didn't feel rushed at all-how nice! If you go, be sure and try the short ribs-yummmmmmm!
(5)
Pasquale R.
We decided, on our last leg of the trip, to stay in the vicinity of the airport since we had an early flight. We didn't arrive until late and since it was Superbowl Sunday our dining options were limited. We decided to stay in the hotel and eat a "great meal". It's definitely a high end steakhouse located in a casino however it's no Bobby Flays or any steakhouse I have been to in NYC. We were seated promptly (rewind a second when we called to make reservations from the room they said the next available slot was 1.5 hours from now). So on a hunch we decided to hoof it downstairs for and there was no wait-- morale of the story, go with your gut). It had very nice decor however it was missing something...great steaks. Yeah I know I am comparing it to NYC but if you are dropping coin on a steak you better believe it needs to be good. Some hints: *Don't load up on the bread. *Lobster *Their wines by the glass are somewhat decent. *Their Lobster Bisque is average and their French Onion is lava hot (be careful). *Prime Rib was eh. It was cooked like I wanted it but the flavor was lacking. Again when you had the best it's hard to match up. *Braised Short Ribs were loved by my fiance. I didn't try them. *Asparagus sides were crunchy but thick...wasn't a huge fan. *Service was good. It wasn't busy so we had personable service. *Very expensive and I hate to say it but not worth the $$ spent.
(3)
Susie J. S.
Best steak in town... But equally as fabulous is the lobster bisque soup, the lobster macaroni and cheese, and stone crabs... Christine is the fabulous bartender and you can comfortably eat at the bar! Thursday through Saturday be entertained by my dear friend Dale who is just amazing! Request Mac the Knife, and he will get the entire place going!
(5)
Anthony L.
It was not to what I expected Council Oak to turn out to be, it was more. The setup was gorgeous inside. Our waiter always kept our water glasses full and was very knowledgable about what's on the menu. The steaks don't come with no sides and the sides you order are a sharing size portion. I've also tried the nitrogen infused martini, and it's watermelon flavor. Take a look at the description and remember why you made reservations there or eating there. It was a must try and how it's presented, I thought it was like Halloween drink you would see in a movie. I've tried the lobster Mac and cheese and don't recommend it unless you like Mac and cheese the lobster is the crust (picture below) we got it replaced with the mushrooms. The mushrooms were amazing and a must have to an additional to your steak. I order the 8 oz filet medium and they taste of it was none the less what I could imagine from a steak that's been dry aged. A bit on the jerky side taste wise, I prolly would be getting medium rare next time to make it a bit more juicy. I would make reservations at half a week in advance and not try to do it the day of or before unless you want to be going at a later time. They also have specials when you get greeted by your server, choose wisely and enjoy! Hope my experience will help your future one.
(4)
Carl E.
This is a great restaurant. I've been there a few times and it is always terrific. The beef cuts are very flavorful, large, and very well prepared. Service is excellent. The 3.5 lb Maine lobster is also excellent choice and large enough to share. The sides are huge, but my favorite is the grilled asparagus. Brunch on Sundays is outstanding!---the best I've seen.
(5)
Jomary J.
Steak has not really been my thing lately so going to Council Oak may not have been the best idea. I started off with their Manhattan since the drink menu is a little late catching up to Miami's Bourbon craze. It was pretty smooth. Thing I most liked about it were the Amarena cherries (Italian dark cherries) that were perfectly placed on top. I proceeded to order the seafood tower for 2 though it came out for 4. I wasn't mad. Our server cracked and pulled out all the meat from the lobster and king crabs. Much to my disbelief, there was still a lot of seafood left over when our entrees came. A perfectly medium two double-cut chops were placed in front of me and I couldn't be happier. Or fuller. Mint was forgotten, but I survived. Great service, good location (nothing to eat in broward), okay food (but plenty of it).
(3)
Rick R.
Went to Council Oak with a group of friends. I am a fan of the ribeye but when I saw that this place charges $96 for theirs, I had to pass. There was no way I was going to spend that amount. I decided to go with the Filet which was $56 I believe. If you are going to charge these high prices then please deliver the quality of other steakhouses such as Capital Grille, Flemings, Prime 112, Red etc.. My steak while perfectly cooked at medium rare tasted just above the quality you will find at Longhorn or Outback. Very disappointed. I guess they over charge to subsidize all the comp'd dinners for their high rollers.
(1)
Tanya L.
Can't get any better than this! Never heard of this place and stopped by to give it a try before a fun night at the hardrock. Arriving you cannot help but notice all the different variety of steaks they have at the window. The first bar is nice with live music. People dancing and having a great time! We were seated at a booth in a very nice location facing the pool. Our waiter was funny and kept us entertained! Also recommended great items in the menu. First we started off with appetizers: JUMBO SHRIMP COCKTAIL- Horseradish cocktail sauce and ESCARGOT -Baked in garlic butter sauce. I have to admit I was terrified of the escargot. There was no way I was going to get it. So I started off with the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Finally after being pressured to try the escargot I gave in. Just one! YUP only one! (GAG) I have to say the seasoning for this was awesome! But I am not a fan of escargot. I will stick to the Jumbo Shrimp! YUM! For dinner I had the Fillet Mignon! mmm.. Best Steak ever! You have to come here to give this a try! AMAZING. We ordered a side of FRESH ASPARAGUS grilled! This combination was great! I hope to be back soon! love this place!
(5)
Marlo M.
Steak is fantastic! The Ozzie Salad is really great. My favorite sides is the Lobster Mac and Cheese and the mushrooms which are amazing! My boyfriends hates mushrooms and he was devouring them. The Banana Fosters cheesecake isn't your typical cheesecake texture but interesting. I have to say I give it a thumbs up!
(5)
Jacquie N.
Meh! Not really my style but then neither are casinos. The live band is what give it an extra star as the member where quite engaging and put out a fine show with a wide range of music culled from the crowd. The service was fair to good but not outstanding for the price point. The food was a serious miss. The pricing is way out of line for the quality and (I hate to say this) quantity brought out. I am not a big eater, in any stretch of imagination, so it feels startling to look down at an appetizer and say "Really?!!! You are kidding, right?" Both plates were unimpressive and not worthy of repeating. Yes, I will admit I ordered a seafood dish in a steak house (I know --- the sin) But really, how difficult is it to get pasta right.
(3)
Yi L.
My bf and I had Sunday brunch here. It's pretty expensive at $55 a person. Especially since neither of us took advantage of the mimosas or bloody Mary's. we tried to make reservations the night before, but it showed that they had nothing near the time we wanted to eat. So, we showed up hoping to get lucky. They offered to let us sit outside, which would have been ok, had there not been bugs swarming about... Gross. They then offered to let us sit in the bar area...much better. I questioned all the empty tables, but the host said they were all reserved. Boo. Back to the food... The food selection was amazing.. The cold bar had king crabs, stone crabs, giant cocktail shrimps, oysters and clams. They also had a sushi bar, salad bar, lunch and breakfast bar. Omelette station as well. They meat carving station looked nice, but my piece of steak tasted like the gamey lamb next to it - so I skipped it. The biggest disappointment, which was the thing I was most looking forward to trying were the crab cake Benedict's. the crab cake was so dry. I was such a waste as they used real crab!
(4)
allen d.
escargot, waygu new york steak strip with lobster tail, mac n cheese, waygu tenderloin, and crab meat were all delicious!!! terrific wine list to pair with the food. loved the ambiance ad they had a live band...
(4)
Steven C.
I have been here several times but only for brunch so I can't comment on anything else. For a brunch this place is great. A huge spread with unlimited Bloody M's and Mimosas. Lamb chops, oysters, crab legs, sushi, waffles, crab eggs benedict, and amazing deserts. Service is usually spot on. Its neat to be able to walk around the casino after with the Sunday brunch buzz.
(4)
Jackie M.
super good. food here is outstanding. well rounded fancy restaurant. love that it is dark, you can be casual... yet still upscale & intimate. love to bum around and eat well after winning or losing lots of money @ the hard rock. stone crab if they have it is good. very good steaks.... as you can see... they are displayed when you walk in. i DONT recommend the millionaires salad though... it sounds better than it tastes. other than that, the oysters, cold seafood & steaks are the best way to go when you come here. why bother with a fish or chicken.. when you can have their steaks!!!!!!!!!!
(4)
M W.
Yes, this will probably be one of your more expensive meals of the year, BUT the food is fantastic, the service is top-notch and the ambiance is great. My date and I both had steak - strip and tenderloin and we couldn't decide whose was better - we ended up splitting each in half so we could eat both. Appetizers and side items are traditional steakhouse items, but really, really delicious. All that, plus terrific martinis and a serious wine list! Admittedly, the location, inside of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, might be a turn-off for some. However if you park in the new parking garage by the casino, as you enter the casino, Council Oak is immediately on your right, so you don't have to deal with the casino if you don't want to. It is really worth it.
(5)
Ari I.
5 star food and service. Live jazz music at certain times. You are welcome to approach a large glass window separating you from the butcher so you can view the cuts of beef. I recently had dinner there with my family and it was definitely in my top5 restaurant experiences of my life. I recommend the cowboy ribeye which comes with a humungous rib bone sticking out of it. Best lobster bisque Ive ever had, my only regret was not tasting the creme brulee because i was overstuffed. Its going to run you around $80-100 per person but with food this good you cant afford not to eat it! haha
(5)
Justin S.
Great quality streaks , never disappointed! Oh the brunch on Sundays is soooo good :)
(5)
Nina C.
The filets were great! The service was just ok- it could be sooo much better! The wine selection was great! The food selection was great but we just got filets, salads, potatoes and creamed spinach (which was nasty DON'T GET IT) and we had apps too but I really don't remember what they were I do remember one was send back because it was gross! Bit defiantly going back for the ribeye!!
(3)
Jasmine S.
Amazing food and service! The pizza bread and cheese stick kinda bread are absolutely to die for. Appetizers Steak Tips: Very tender and tasty, the blue cheese just adds a little something extra to the meat. Definitively would order again! Oyster: Very tasty however it is loaded with cheese. If you love tasting the oyster of itself i would not recommend ordering this. Crab cakes: Are absolutely amazing, very fresh and you actually get real crab! Main Course Snapper: served with risotto and a butter wine sauce. This is an excellent choice for those who dont eat meat. I would have it again Filet Mignon: thumbs up! I just had a bite from my friend's plate and it was amazing. Mind you, i dont normally eat beef. Prime Rib: one bite of the meat felt like a complete dish by itself! Just wonderful and mouth watering. Just thinking about it makes me wanna have some again. For sides we had lobster mac and cheese and dauphinoise potato. Both taste great , however very fattening, not exactly the best choice if you are counting calories. ;) Overall, would definitely return for the Prime Rib, Steak Tips and Crab cakes :)
(4)
Yanet R.
Love the ambience and the food to die for... The best meat ever!
(5)
M J.
Fantastic atmosphere! Well aged steaks. Great drinks. A wonderful meal. Any questions? :)
(4)
Aman S.
You cant go wrong here. I have been here several times for dinner and sunday brunch. The food is top notch and the service is second to none. Fresh steaks and seafood and a good ambience. You must try the brunch sometime - well worth the price.
(5)
Len D.
Nothing beats a nice 16oz dry aged ny strip steak, rare. It's going to cost you $60 but that is the price of quality. Also the fact everything was comped, so I can''t complain. We also had the jumbo shrimp ( really awesome), truflle fries, asperagus /w hollanday sauce, snails (i forget what they call it in French, but you know what I'm talking about) and the lobster mac. Out of all of the sides the lobster mac was the best. I really liked the sundried tomato dipping sauce that comes with the bread. At a place like this the service is always top notch.
(4)
Marcus D.
Went here for brunch last Sunday - started with oysters and ended with bananas foster, which always reminds me of Christina Ricci in THE OPPOSITE OF SEX. The Bloody Marys were subpar, so after just one I went w/the mimosas. The crabcake benedict, the tenderloin and the pinwheel flank steak are among the top three - aside from the raw oysters, topped off with horseradish - reminds me of November in Galway. Fifty bucks, but worth it.
(5)
Harvey D.
Absolutely one of the best steaks I have ever had! Hands down! One of the best experiences I have had at a steakhouse as well. I had a gift card for anywhere in the Hard Rock complex so my wife and I decided to use it on NYE. What a great decision. I made a 9:30pm reservation and they seated us almost immediately in a nice table for two. The only complaint I have is that the service started out a bit shaky. We waited approx. ten minutes for the waiter to greet us and after we said we were both just drinking water, the other waiter came by about five minutes later and introduced himself. They use a form of team service which I know firsthand is the way to go in the restaurant industry. We split a chopped salad, the broccoli and the onion ring stack. I ordered the 20 oz. cowboy heavy cut and it was fantastic. This piece of cut is definitely in contention for the tastiest steak I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly and the flavors they added were nothing like I have ever tasted before. The server did warn us that the sides were large enough to share which we did and they were just the right amount. The onion rings were also possibly the best I have ever eaten and my wife thought the broccoli was incredbile. She even told the server to compliment the chef on how he gets the broccoli just right. They refilled our water glasses fairly promptly and they use Fiji water (arguably the best water out there). Actually, I misspoke. The second complaint I had was that while everyone else received a bread basket, we did not and we had to ask for it. The server, in the middle of refilling my water glass, apologized and went to see what he could do about it. He came back a few minutes later and told us the bread will be right out. The bread didn't arrive until only a few minutes before our meal but I wasn't that upset. Other servers/food runners were going around with a little cone filled with salmon and caviar so that helped squish my slight hunger pains. Both servers checked on us a few times throughout the meal and cleared the empty plates away in a timely fashion. We debated on dessert and then decided on the chocolate souffle. After hearing that this dessert takes approx. thirty minutes to prepare(kind of wish they had told us this at the beginning of the meal so it would have been ready when we finished our meal) but seeing as how we weren't in a hurry and we planned on just walking around the Hard Rock complex anyway, we agreed to wait. It did take right around thirty minutes for them to bring it out, but it was so worth it. It came with a vanilla sauce and it was phenomenal. One of the best desserts I have ever had. When we had finished, the waiter then looked at this watch and noticed it was almost midnight. He proceeded to ask us if we would like a glass of champagne, on the house, to toast in the New Year. He brought those out really quickly and by the time we paid, we still had time to walk over to the live band and fireworks. What a great night with exceptionally fantastic food. It it weren't for the price, I would come back here more often. As it is, we agreed to save this place for speical occasions. I'll tell you: I, for one, can't wait until the next special occasion!
(5)
Chris L.
We arrived at 830 for dinner and was seated immediately. Our waiter, Stephen was right at our table for drink orders. We ordered the lump crab cocktail, which is not on the menu along with lamb chops and lobster tails. Wow it was so good. I have eaten here many times and never been stuck. We wanted to sit outside before our meal came because the weather was so good and our waiter Stephen made sure drinks were delivered to us outside. Service was incredible, ask for Stephen when you go and the food is an A PLUS.
(5)
John Y. C.
Tucked in the corner of the hustling and bustling main casino of Hard Rock is Council Oak. Swathed in wide plank wood floors and panelled walls, it is remarkably quiet once you step in from the casino floor. To the right is the bar and to the left is a display of what's for dinner. This is the place to go if you're looking for great dining experience. The place is large, open, and airy. There is plenty of ample seating, the tables are plenty separated from each other so that you're not bumping elbows with other patrons. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and lively. There is no pretentious attitude, and the crowd is more involved in their own affairs rather than trying to attract attention from others. In essence, this is not the typical SoBe steak house! The bread selection was impressive right off the bat. The butter temperature was perfect for spreading. The lobster bisque was good, but once we added their special sea salt (from France), it became that much better. The 26oz long bone cowboy rib-eye was cooked to perfection. Excellent char on the crust. They even brandish your initials into the bone (cheezy, but attention to detail nevertheless). Oneida silverware and Languiole steak knives easily carves the steak into perfect bite size pieces. Coupled with the mushroom and asparagus sides and I'm plenty content. So if you strike it big at a slot machine, or work your way through several blackjacks, Council Oak is definitely the place to celebrate those winning.
(5)
Nadia L.
Great bar! I always come here before concerts or going to the outside area. Get Cyril as a bartender! He is great! The music here is live and very fun! The environment is very high class, mature and an overall great experience.
(5)
Adriana R.
I am a true steak lover, as is my boyfriend, we go out to eat steak all the time... here is our review... Music in bar and dining area is too loud to have a conversation with person next to you and forget about the person across the table. Techno music while dining is not what you expect at a steak house...I felt like I was at a Rave back in the early 90's!!!! Here is our rundown on the food... Filet mignon- great quality but they do not understand Pittsburgh style. Lamb Chops- excellent taste, but 4 small chops does not fill a grown man. Lobster Mac and Cheese- NOT WORTH IT.. Tasteless and lobsterless. Asparagus- plain without seasoning... boring. Au Gratin potatoes- they were good but not GREAT Escargot- nothing spectacular Caprese Salad- very good but nothing out of the ordinary We did not order dessert since we were all tired from not being able to have a decent conversation at the table. I will only go back if i HAD to, such a s a birthday party or some event... Not a place I would go to by choice. Lots of other steakhouses in Fort Lauderdale that stick to being steak houses and not a club/steakhouse. Prices are a bit higher than other steakhouses hence the reason you should expect a bit more from Council Oak. Hope they read this and get back to basics. They used to be great. Their brunch is excellent though.
(2)
Arly J.
Went for the Sunday brunch around 11:30 and OMG it cannot get any better than the amount of food you can eat for the $55.00 per person. From the hostess to our waiter Timothy, to all the staff they go out of there way to help you and are so friendly. The mimosa were flowing the entire we were there. The food presentation is amazing and the layout is great. They have different station all over the restaurant so you never are really in a line. The food is always full and fresh. They have a cold station with stone crabs, shrimp and crab legs, they have a sushi station, cold pasta station (which had antipasto, garbanzo salads and many more) the big station had all the regular breakfast items, sausage, apple smoked bacon and THE BEST crab benedict you will ever have. we also like the cheese blintze. They had the regular omelette and pasta station with a belgian waffle station followed by beef tenderloin and lamb. To the side was salmon, pecan crusted sea bass (delicious) beef braised short ribs and in the entrance the most spectacular desert bar you could imagine next to the banana fosters station. Spectacular station and amazing staff. HIghly reccommend for a fantastic day at council Oak!
(5)
Jane C.
We went there for the brunch! 3 words... DONT MISS IT! At first, the hostess told us it vas 55$ per person, which is pretty expensive, but right after, we decided to take a look and then we could just not go someplace else! seriously! this is amazing!! the service is excellent, the seafood is delightful, the deserts also! the lamb! Its not too lousy but DO TAKE A RESERVATION! because or else they'll sit you somewhere less nice than the big room! anyway. Now that we've tried it, its a must for years to come! enjoy!
(5)
Jodi C.
Excellent service, excellent food & excellent atmosphere. It's a win-win restaurant. I had lobster. We had the lump crab appetizer which is AMAZING! Love it. I've also tried to brunch here & there's so much food & such a great variety you can't go wrong. Not to mention the endless mimosa's. The bar has live music. Cyril takes really good care of his customers. We always end up here after concerts.
(5)
Cookie C.
this had to be the best food i have had in a looong time. OK, EVER! it must be a hard rock secret though. its right in the middle of the casino so i didn't expect much.the bill was heavy. i mean, its a pretty penny but so0o0o0o0 necessary. i had great service, excellent food & wine and the atmosphere was Darling. i had the twin lobsters and i can only describe them as cousins to butter. the crab meat was sweet and single--no bread crumbs attached. ladies, this place deserves your revised edited freakum dress and red bottoms...i say edit the freeakum to a classy version because the crowd is a bit antiquated. shameless secret? i almost slipped on the icy floors in my heels, lol. the food arrived on time and with a smile. the lighting was perfect and i love the crescent booths. ooooh, this place is amazing.
(5)
Stan K.
I use to think this place was great. the quality seems down lately. Although service is always great the food is suffering. I hope they can get their act back together.
(2)
Nathan J.
Updated review. In a word: underwhelming. I don't mind spending ~ $75 (plus tip) on a steak dinner for myself, but it better be one really good steak. In comparison to meals at Capital Grille, Prime 112, Steak 954, etc., I think this is good, but not amazing. The food is closer to 4 stars, but in relation to the price it's a 3. I spend a lot of time at Hard Rock and have eaten here several times since this review, usually on comps. The atmosphere continues to be enjoyable. Hands down the best restaurant at Hard Rock, but that isn't saying much. If you don't mind spending the money, it's not going to be a bad meal by any means. But don't expect to truly get what you're paying for.
(3)
Marie H.
It was good. The bill was $170 for 2 of us..so I expected my lobster to be cooked right..it was overdone..when we told the manager, he ordered us a new one immediately. Once that came out, everything was perfect, the steak was cooked the way I ordered it and it was better than any steak I'd had in a long time however I don't normally like/want steak. We left there and won all our money back in the casino :)
(4)
Richard D.
First a quick tip. Don't rely on the concierge or the reservation service to get a table. We were told that there was only availabilty after 8:30 on both of the nights we ate there. We went at 6:00 and were seated immediately without a reservation. I again had the braised shortribs and they are to die for. 'nuf said.
(5)
The Next Time O.
Steakhouse located within Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. It was easy decision for my friends and I to eat there as we were staying at the hotel and had comp to use. The decor is nice, service was excellent. We ate in the private dining room where the wines are stored, if you are looking for a quiet dinner - requested if not occupied. Food: Oysters & Clams - Clams were fresher than the Oysters Soup - Lobster Bisque - good enough; Spinach salad - excellent Mains - our group agreed that Steaks were cooked to order and excellent; Lobsters - some undercooked - some overcooked; Stuffed Lobster - I would skip it; Fish - Grouper - would skip that as well. I recommend Kitchenetta & Tom Jenkins BBQ outside of hotel. The Next Time: only if the dinner is on the casino, clams and oysters for starters and steak only for entrees
(3)
Candice L.
Ahhh,,Council Oak!!! Where do I begin?! This place is amazing from the time you walk in the door and see all of the meats displayed and only continues to get better and better as you move throughout dinner. Mickael,,the General Manager,,is entertaining,,funny,,knowledgeable and generous! Luis,,our waiter even got us our own private room in the wine cellar! The 8oz. filet mignon was the best meat I have ever tasted! The Bluepoint oysters were on point! Mickael comped us rig & cheese with truffle oil and truffled french fries. Both very delicious and highly recommended. I tried the Spinach salad with pine nuts and it was truly savory! Also recommended along with the above aforementioned items. The service was out of this world not to mention our own private seating in the extremely well-stocked fine wine cellar! I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. Their Sunday brunch for $39.99 is enough to feed 10 kings with everything from a private sushi chef making sushi (ask for the caviar) ;) to more Bluepoints,,Alaskan crab (ready to eat!),,omelet stations,,waffle stations,,salad stations with the most exotic mushrooms everywhere (some even stuffed with various cheeses),,all the champagne you could drink,,caipirinhas made with fresh strawberries or watermelon,,chocolate fountain with fruits,,marshmallow and bonbons,,and a banana fosters station!!! Do not eat the night before,,we were advised during our dinner trip and Mickael was right! This is a must try for Sunday brunch and a delicious steak and seafood dinner located inside the Hard Rock!!!!! Love it! Will be back!!!
(5)
Rick P.
Great steaks. I've been here twice, Filet Mignon once and the Bison Filet the second time. The bison was incredibly tender, which was a surprise, but was what the waiter told us it would be. It was like a Kobe bison or something like that. Whatever it was, it was very tasty. Very expensive, but worth it,especially when comped by the casino :)
(5)
Erick A.
Visited Council Oak inside the Hardrock Casino for the second time in the last two or so years. Once again, it did not disappoint. Excellent service and even better food. One thing that makes this place special is that even though its considered an upscale steakhouse, the waiters are really down to earth. They assist you with the menu and make suggestions that you will not regret. Its up there in pricing, but worth every penny if you're in the mood for a good steak.
(4)
Jacq A.
Decided to have a pre valentine date here with my husband. Made a reservation at 8:00pm and we got a booth by the entrance which I don't recommend, unless you don't mind people walk in and out every 5 minutes. I started with a glass of Riesling $13 per glass I think. Pricey if you ask me. I just ordered Caesar salad which is very ordinary, nothing special. My husband ordered the 26 oz ribeye. Omg, it's massive! He gave me a little bit, but we still didn't finish it. It was good, but not the best considering the $69 price. Service is kinda slow. It took them almost 20 minutes to bring my wine. It was a busy night, but still. I don't mind waiting for food, but delaying my wine is not okay. We definitely would not come back, we just tried it because we frequent Hard Rock.
(3)
Jeff W.
I'm a big fan of upscale steakhouses and this place held its own. The restaurant had a quiet atmosphere when I visited which was probably due more to the fact it was a Monday evening than anything else. The food itself was very good. Had the raw bar appetizer for two which included lobster, oysters, shrimp and crab which was excellent. Followed that up with a New York Strip that was perfectly cooked medium rare. The waitstaff were attentive without being excessively so. The dinner for two, with a bottle of wine thrown in for good measure, came out around $250, not including gratuity. Thanks to a two hundred dollar casino comp, the meal was a good value. However, if you are not a degenerate gambler and can peel yourself from the craps tables for a while, you may get more bang for your buck, along with a livelier atmosphere somewhere along the waterfront.
(3)
Charmie P.
I am giving it 3 stars because the food is very good, I would give it 1 star if it was based on service alone. I have been to the Council Oak a few times now, and yes the steaks, salads and side dishes are excellent, but I think the food is over priced. Also, the first time I visited, I had a much more attentive, professional server, where as the last few times I felt that I was being served at the local TGIF's, I don't need a wanna be comedian who forgets he has a table to serve, serving me my $65 Porterhouse. Also, I noticed they have cut back on their cocktail sizes which I don't understand since they already overprice their menu in comparison to other Prime steakhouses in their league. I won't be returning, every time I have gone back the service and cocktails were worst and not better.
(3)
Mandy H.
Took my boyfriend for his birthday dinner at this place. We went one of the coldest night in south FL and the host offer us to sie outside. My first impression was it's very cold outside. But she told us that they have heater outside if we would like to check it out before we make our decision. She was right the environment outside is very quite and nice. We had oysters - excellent; Prime Ribs - wonderful; Scallops - nothing special. So don't get the scallops there because you will be ending up disappointed.
(3)
Jaclyn G.
True Story: I Survived My Bachelorette Party I woke up on Sunday morning at the Seminole Hard Rock with only mere flashes of the night before held within the confines of my memory - a hot pink pimp hat, a phallus-shaped sippy cup filled with vodka cran, gyrating dancing on piano tops, the molestation of a zombie and several go-rounds on a mechanical bull with bruises on my thighs as proof. What's a hungover, squinty-eyed, missing-voiced bachelorette to do? Hit up Council Oak for some "hair of the dog" lovin' and goooood grubbin'. Me and the rest of my crew were seated immediately by the hostess and were quickly greeted by the witty, charming and all-too-understanding Joel. We instructed him that under NO circumstance were our mimosa and bloody mary cups to remain empty. Oh, our lovely Joel...not only did he deliver, he delivered in BULK. Our table became a wasteland of champagne flutes and Tabasco laced cups. With unlimited mimosas and blood marys, how can you say no? You *can't*. And they kept coming. The bloody marys rank amongst the best I've ever had...you have an option of using Absolut, Absolut Peppar, and Absolut Citron - not everyone gets the right ratio of juice to vodka, but Council Oak nails it in spectacular fashion. And the mimosas? God bless Joel's little heart...they kept getting lighter, and lighter, and lighter until the orange hue was a faint memory of a some long ago sober thought. And the food, you ask? Well, my friends...Council Oak wants to make sure your stomach is *well* padded for the alcoholic assault you're committing on your liver. Fresh sushi lovingly prepared by Sushi Maki, a generous raw bar complete with shrimp the size of your face, ginormous mussels, clams, crab legs and stone crabs, a crepe station, a stir fry station, a carving station, an omelet station, breakfast foods by the ton (cheese blintzes were out of this world as were the applewood smoked sausage and bacon), dinner options (flank steak, chicken, mahi mahi), salads, soups and the piece de resistance - the dessert bar. I might have lost my virginity for the second time whilst dipping homemade marshmallows and chocolate truffles into a chocolate fountain. Crème brulee, mousses, meringues, chocolate chip/peanut butter/oatmeal cookies the size of flapjacks, brownies, cheesecakes also take center stage here...need I go on? The gluttony is so overwhelmingly decadent, I literally became 'high' off of all the exquisite and delicious consumption. Our group sat at a very comfortably appointed table with a view to their lush outdoor patio for close to 3 hours of drinking, eating, laughing...the staff never once made us feel rushed or hurried. They promptly cleared plates, refilled our waters (and booze) without asking and made us feel completely at home. And thank you Joel for putting up with our antics...it takes a helluva good sport and server to be wrestled down onto a woman's lap several times to be administered kisses on the cheek and endure stares/pictures of their butt. In the words of the classic comic Peanuts, "You're a good man, Charlie Brown." The cost for this amazing experience: $50 per person. I easily drank a sickeningly scary amount more than those $50 - chances are if you have a liver like mine, you will too. Parking in the Seminole Hard Rock garage is free (do not use the garage on Lucky Street - they'll charge you anywhere from $8 - $20). And Joel, if you're reading this...hit up my girl, Alex. And bring along that chocolate fountain while you're at it.
(5)
Franco M.
Very elegant, there is a quaint bar off to the right with smooth jazz or other mellow live music. To the left is the butcher shop showcasing the beautiful cuts of meat. Once seated, our waiter Pascal treated us wonderfully. He was very knowledgeable and sophisticated while still treating my wife and I very warmly. When seated, they serve you an assortment of artisan breads, grissini, and focaccia along with butter and a tomato compote of sorts. We started with an order of escargot and half a dozen oysters. Both were excellent. For the main, I ordered a 26oz bone in ribeye with a wild mushroom medley. My wife had a 12oz filet mignon oscar style (topped with crabmeat, asparagus, and hollandaise). The steaks were exceptional. Perfect temperature with a thick crust on the outside and they were perfectly seasoned. We split an order of lobster mac n cheese which was great and steamed asparagus with hollandaise. For dessert we had the key lime dream which is key lime pie in cake form with mascarpone cheese, a genoise I think, key lime custard, and it had a chocolate ribbon with gold leaf on the outside of it. Very talented pastry chef. Also we ordered a couple single malt scotches from their large selections of fine wine and apertifs. Overall the meal was excellent. The steaks were as good, if not, better than Mortons. Be prepared to spend a lot, but after the meal you won't care what the price was.
(4)
Jenny Q. V.
I went there a few years ago for a birthday and I'm never going back. Over priced and the food was BLAH..
(1)
Todd K.
Good, solid steaks. Good sides. Pricey. Had the truffle fries and wild mushrooms, with 8 oz fillet. Fillet came out slightly overdone from my requested medium rare, but was good anyway. great basket of bread with tomato tapenade. Good choice of wines. Had great $10.00 glass of Malbec.
(4)
FRANCO P.
So in Hollywood, FLORIDA it is very oh so very hard to find good food. This place is highly rated so we checked it out. Not bad, but not great. Let's call it safe. Typical touristy steak house you'd find near Disney or Time Square. Again, the food was good, but I would not repeat if I had the choice.
(2)
brian s.
I must say that Council Oak is by far the best steak house ever! Being from Chicago i have eaten at all the greats-Ruth Chris, Morton's, Gene & Georgetti's, Chop House Etc... The way that they implement dry aged chops is just remarkable. Available for view on the way in. No wonder why all the area's professional athletes chow down here. If you wanna see celebrities and eat like one this is the place! Also a must is the Wedge Salad, amazing and comes with the Blu Cheese olive in a shot of vodka! I also must recommend the Bone In Cowboy Wagyu Ribeye of course Oscar! Loves It, Loves It! Could go on forever !
(5)
Dave W.
Over priced, poor service and lack luster. Would never go back even if it was free
(1)
Colleen O.
The ambiance and food at Council Oak is five stars but the service is mediocre at best. Daisy and Francis are a poor first impression for the rest of the restaurant. While my husband and I will be returning to eat we will be sure to avoid the persnickety bartenders and hope that the rest of the front of the house will make up for their slack.
(3)
ItsSunnyinHawaii O.
We a party of 6, give 5-stars for the meat. Ordered: "COWBOY RIBEYE": Hands down the best I've ever had! Aged 3-weeks. BONE-IN-VEAL: we are guessing it was the Rib-Eye cut, also the best ever! FILET MIGNON: also the best we've had. Tender, tender! cooked perfectly KING CRAB LEGS: Holy Huge Legs lots of meat, moist & flavorful! LOBSTER BISQUE: also excellent. Lots of Lobster flavor, Very Rich & creamy, and served perfectly warm. Topped and mixed throughout with dried scallops. CEASAR SALAD: excellent, but not the "best I've ever had.." ONION RINGS: Served the beer batter not crunchy style. They were boarder line soggy-boarder line good. DESSERTS: Apple Crunch Ala Mode & a Warm Molton Chocolate Cake Ala Mode... Eh, both were ok. Service: Excellent, friendly, playful attentive server. Live music: had me dancing The Bar: poured nice stiff drinks ::-) I highly recommend. Excellent, Excellent meat, not just another high-end steak house.
(5)
Steven G.
We made a last minute reservation and from the moment we arrived we were treated like royalty. They gave us one of the best tables in the house and the service was exceptional. The hostess even offered my GF a shawl as she thought she may be cold with the AC. Food was exceptional- great cocktails, phenomenal wine selection ( well-priced) and amazing apps and entrees. Highly recommend the spinach salad and the garlic mash is to die for. All the steak selections look great however the cowboy ribeye is something else. If you can- ask for Earl to be your server. He will show you a good time.
(5)
Brian C.
Always a great place for a steak! Stopped by for my birthday dinner on Monday and was delighted as always. Had the prime rib, which was very tasty and juicy. It was well seasoned served at the right temperature. I would suggest starting with something like the oysters on the half shell, which were fresh and tasty! The king crab legs were great as well!
(4)
Marc M.
The wife and I went for our anniversary. Nothing special. Tough NY Strip. The waiter reached across me backhanding a soup to my wife when he could easily have gone to the other side of the booth and placed it properly. If the steaks are dry aged why no flavor? I work in a high end place and don't want to get into too many details about the night but for comparable prices to my restaurant, I would not work there for long if I addressed the client as "Bud" and seamed so as uninterested as our server. The manager was open about being rude to the busser in the middle of the dining room about how to set up a table as well. I guess a high volume place like this has its boring half busy nights like we experienced but from what I know from where I work, this becomes the most important time to create a memorable experience to ensure a guests return. We however will not.
(2)
Kim M.
Overall, the service was exceptional, the food was good, and the bill was pricey. Our server, the runner, and the manager were incredibly attentive without being smothering. The server was outstanding- one of the best I've ever come across (it was his first night AND I also used to be a server). He made some great recommendations for the meal and the wine. Three of us shared 2 sides (family style), which was perfect. The lobster macaroni and cheese was fantastic! We shared the beef carpaccio appetizer, which was excellent as well. Our server steered us in the right direction: the aged beef was the way to go. We didn't go for the toppings, which was again probably a wise choice. It was certainly not the best steak I've ever had, but it was very good and a huge portion. Be prepared to spend at least $50 per entree. Bonus: chairs were seriously comfy! The best part of Council Oak was the service. It made our meal worth the entire (pretty big) bill.
(4)
Monika K.
came here for sunday brunch.... 4stars for food, everything was delicious and I have to usually try a bit of everything but I have some kinda complex that i dont want to miss something spectacular. 2 stars for service... we waited at the hostess stand for a couple min b4 someone greeted us. she just sat us down didnt explain anything to us and a waiter just popped up out of no where askin what we wanted to drink, we basically walked around the place to c where the food was. the plates weren't cleared quickly enough off the table, service got better as time went by but still not up to par. nevertheless.... Food- was awesome, seafood, different salads, cheese, smoked salmon quiche was fantastic, was bummed bc there was no crab cake Benedict but it was w. ham and asparagus. but still good. cheese blitzes, French toast casserole, omelet station, Belgian waffle station,pasta station, lamb and beef tenderloin were both juicy and delicious. dessert room was like being in a dream, bananas( w some berries) foster was an orgasm in a dish. def worth the $50 a person for brunch. work on the quality of service and it'll be 5 star worthy.
(4)
C P.
Steak joint . Very orchestrated wait staff. The food was pretty darn great....especially since I had just taken $500 from the Casino and it was on their dime. FREE FILLET is hard to beat. The fillet was very good...in my top 10. Lobster mac and cheese is good every where...it be good at burger king if they had it. Also they have those 3 "special" salts. the Hawaii one is awesome. The waiter even game the lamo story of how the Indians came up with the council oak... and have meet at the council oak for hundreds of years...up until !.... The council oak tree was cut down so that the Indian tribe could make $50 million at their new casino. So they named the restaurant after that poor lil tree. so go....Located in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casio this sophisticated gem is an excellent dinning establishment.
(4)
Ronnie F.
I had the opportunity of checking out Council Oak on casino food comps, meaning I ate free. Hence, I'm not sure of what anything cost, so it's entirely possible that certain items were not a good value. That said, this place is top-notch, in terms of quality and service. Ambiance is a nice touch; the dining room is soft-lit with great booths. Definitely sit on the lowest floor and ask for Phillip or Sonya to serve you. As Marc mentioned, Council Oak serves Fiji water, whether you ask for it or not. Here are my favorites: wedge of iceberg salad (amazing dressing), asparagus, porterhouse for two (the filet is out of this world incredible; probably the best i've ever had), lobster (or is it crab?) macaroni, spinach dip. I'm not sure ordering the filet on its own would taste as good as the porterhouse (ny/filet). I would recommend the above with Acacia Pinot Noir. The best thing about Council Oak is you can walk out and play at Seminole casino. Great restaurant; great location.
(5)
Marco M.
Located in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casio this sophisticated gem is an excellent dinning establishment. First Class all the way. The Prime rib is outstanding and comes with a Popover the size of your head. The table water is even poshed up, they only serve bottled Fiji artisan water. Top notch menu and service!!!
(5)
John C.
Yes, I tried another hotel-affiliated steakhouse. This time it was the Council Oak at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood Florida, and I was there with my mother for a very special occasion: her 76th birthday. Jimmy at the bar and Miguel (with one exception) in the dining room both gave really good service. I asked for a special booth, and Deborah at the hostess desk was happy to oblige. The apps: Stuffed clams (good, fresh and not too filling) and escargot (WOW. Outstanding) were very good, but the bread...was divine - nice assortment, fresh from the oven and served with creamy butter and fresh tapinade that tasted of high quality olives and sun-dried tomatoes. My mom had the queen cut prime rib, which was enormous. She would probably have been better off witha filet (or better yet, the bone-in filet, which looked great.) I had the New York strip, medium rare (served more medium than rare). As a side, we had the lobster mac n cheeze (not worth the price, and not as good as most barbecue places serve all over south Florida.) The main reason that the Council Oak doesn't get 4 stars from me is that the server upsold us to a wine that was $100 more than the price range of the two bottles that I had asked about. I was looking for something $50 to $55, and asksked about two bottles in that range. He recommended a Sterling Cabernet. I looked on the list and saw a Sterling for $52, and went with his recommendation. When the check came, I realized that he had brought a bottle of Sterling RESERVE at over $150 a bottle. When I explained this to the manager (didn't get her name) she asked if I "had a problem with that." When I told her that I did, she dropped the wine charge to $52, which was what they should have done. It was just kind of dissapointing that the server would have done that in the first place. All in all, if you are going to be at the casino or at Hard Rock live for a concert, and want to do the fine dining thing, I would recommend the Council Oak. Otherwise, there are too many great steakhouses in South Florida to make a special trip...
(4)
eglys h.
we were fortunate enough to try out this place at least once and it was on the house. my brother in law won a limo ride to the hard rock, tickets to see robin williams and dinner for 4 at this restaurant. my husband is steak lover and his jaw dropped at the sight of this place.. the meat is aged which if you love steak knows what happens to meat when aged!!! we were able to taste such delicacies as the fresh crab salad - this was the real thing - plump, juicy, flaky crab!!! my mouth is watery right now!! my brother in law had the jumbo shrimp cocktail, they were really jumbo!!! for dinner i had the fish of the day (yes dumb thing to have at a steak house!) but they pulled it off - it had a nice golden crust on the outside and fish was still tender and flaky in the inside. my sister in law had the chops. these were very nice big plump chops grilled to perfection. my brother in law had the I do not remember exactly ounces port house but the darn thing even had a bone on it that was way over the plate!!! he could not finish off the whole thing.. my husband, he went for the steak med well. his knife cut it like cutting butter! it was tender, juicy and one of the best he says he has had... then came dessert!!! i had the trio of creme Catalonia's which was 3 small delicate plates, 1 of milk chocolate, 1 white chocolate with raspberries and the other dark chocolate (excuse me now, cause I'm drooling just thinking about it!!!) the chocolates were like silk on the palate. my husband had a red velvet cupcake, yes cupcake huge!! it was delicious as well. we did have to pay for the drinks. we had 2 shots of Grand Mainer 12 yrs aged and 1 other shot my sister in law had and it was $108.00 so if we would calculate all the surreptitious food we ate, we believe it would of been over $600! so thank goodness for my brother in law!!!! we would like return one day but it is very expensive (worth every bill thou!) if you can, go to this place...at least once!
(5)
Shannon P.
Best Filet EVER. Dry aged 28 days in house MMMMM. Yummy sinful Chocolate Souffle. Excellent service. Lovely ambiance. I am in Love.
(5)
christine p.
Super Super good! The best service ever! Have the lobster mac-n-cheese!! My filet was perfection and my husband's rib eye was just so tasty! Would go there again! (Have the Banana Fosters Cheesecake dessert)
(5)
Jai K.
Really have no complaints whatsoever about this place, really great steakhouse, pricey but you get quality food and service. Filet mignon was exceptional. Decor is very beautiful. Highly recommend!
(5)
Michelle R.
This Sunday Brunch is worth EVERY PENNY you will spend! Located at the Seminole Hard Rock at Sterling Road and 441 in Hollywood. Valet and walk right in or find a free spot in the one of lots or garages. The service is impeccable, thank you Sonia - and crew. All inclusive Mimosas, Bloody Marys, etc.. Several stations with Crab legs & claws, jumbo shrimp, mussels, oysters, clams. Gourmet cold salads, cold cuts, olives, etc. Real crab cake and eggs Benedict along with all the usual - but delicious buffet breakfast items. Carving station with Tenderloin and Rack of Lamb. Sea-bass, Salmon, braised Leg of Lamb, etc. and finally the "piece de resistance" the all important dessert ROOM. Don't worry, you don't have to actually save space for it, your brain will take care of that. May I encourage the Bananas Foster or Fresh Fruit Foster as it was. We did not have anything that we did not like, and we tried to "taste" everything....
(5)
kristina t.
amazing food, great wine. alil pricey but well worth it.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Michy G.
The garlic mash potatoes and onion rings were to die for!!!! I loved dessert as well it was a banana fosters cheesecake. However the hostess and our waiter were not on their A game which is disappointing considering the amount of money we spent to eat there.
(4)Angie N.
The meals here from start to finish have ALWAYS been delish... ALL the steaks & ALL the seafood is to die for! Therefore, I usually opt for the delectable surf & turf (it never disappoints!) The service is superb, and the ambiance is perfect! I have been here quite a few times thus far, & never leave with anything other than a smile on my face!
(5)Diane C.
This is my favorite restaurant ever! We had a wonderful time! Great food! Great staff! Great drinks! I highly reccomend this restaurant!
(5)Jackson F.
Very chill steakhouse - had the aged Cowboy Ribeye - waiter gave us some complimentary shots of vodka blue-cheese fusion.
(5)JL Q.
We've been here a couple of times and have yet to have a bad meal. The steaks are wonderful and the side dishes incredible. My husbands steak wasn't as good as mine, though, and we ordered the same steak but I told him he was luckier than me because I had more veins in mine than he did and that made mine bigger. Still, this is a great steakhouse.
(4)Michael B.
Came in and sat at the bar. Was very pleasant. Staff was very nice. We order appetizers for our dinner. It took a very long time to get our salad, like 20 minutes. The guy ordered a ribeye next to me and got it before I even could get a foigras served or a shrimp cocktail. The foigras was raw in the middle and it was in my mouth as cold as ice. I hope I don't get sick. Then we said we wanted to leave. Took them forever to get me a check and I am sitting right in front of them. I am so grossed out. So then we are trying to leave and so called manager came over. Tried to charge for food we didn't get. Think they would comp the check but they still tried to charge us for the raw food. After the wait, raw food, I still paid.
(1)Steve C.
Ducked in to catch some of the music in the lounge but the musician we wanted to see was not there. Sad face. I've been swillin' martinis and chowing red meat in this overpriced gem since the day it opened. Nice, clean, professionally run and appropriate for a casino as it is the perfect spot for some expense account entertaining. Cabeza OUT!
(4)Bill S.
Councilor, or councillor is a title for a member of a council used in the United States. If that's true then sign me up for membership baby! Neatly tucked away in the Hard Rock Casino hotel is the Council Oak steakhouse. Steakhouses are supposed to be masculine, with dark woods and big huge steak knives. Nope, this is south Florida. Nothing but elegance and bright stonework found here. This is a steakhouse done Florida style. I'm with family and they are eaters! I had plans to eat small, no such luck. They already ordered without looking at the menu: Lobster Mac & Cheese, Asparagus and potatoes. I was trying to be good here, too late. Surf and Turf for everyone! The lobster mac and cheese is decadent. Made with cheesy goodness and big hunks of lobster, this dish is not to be missed. (Probably 10,000 calories!!) Our surf and turf? Cooked to perfection. The lobster was very fresh and the steak? Perfect petite cut that was like butta... I did ask if they had a version of their steak sauce, our waiter was all over us and happy to oblige. (Meh) If you're looking for a fine dining restaurant in South Florida, Council Oak should be at the top of your list. PS - What's with the all of the Oak names???? Oak trees are primarily in the northeast.. Get it straight! :D
(4)Joe D.
4-4.5 overall Excellent steak house hidden in the Hardrock casino. Happened to be staying here on a recent trip down to Florida. After thumbing through yelp for something nice, we decided Council Oak would be the ideal place to checkout in the area. The service was top notch. Wait staff was well trained. They went above and beyond with any request we had, including some crazy drink requests. The steaks were perfect. Sides and sauces were as well. I cant think of anything that was off. I don't get down here too often but this is exactly where I will be eating on my next trip to Ft Lauderdale.
(4)Hena A.
The aged prime filet mignon medium rare was the best i've ever had! The Brussels sprouts with bacon was on point and the wine list is impressive. Our waiter, Jonathan, was very attentive and even complimented us with a coffee bean ice cream with whipped cream desert. My friend won some $ playing the roulette so it was all paid for. Great place to go for dinner and then go gambling.
(5)Lindsay B.
Came here for the first time the other night and had a very nice time. When we first walked up we were greeted by very upbeat attentive hostesses. As we were walking to our table there was a jazz player in the lounge setting a very pleasant tone. The restaurant itself has a sexy vibe and is dimly lit with a bit of a masculine feel to the decor. I ordered the sea bass which was a pretty large portion and was quite tasty. My boyfriend had one of the specials which was two different pieces of filet mignon prepared two different ways, which tasted outstanding! We also had the lobster mac and cheese for a side which was delicious but not quite as good as the one at capital grill. Our server was good overall but didn't really do much to make our experience over the top. Would possibly return because we were very satisfied with the food.
(4)Rebecca U.
Made a reservation for Saturday night. We showed up and had to wait to be seated, although there were plenty of empty tables. There were several other parties that had to wait as well. Could this be a PR ploy?? We were seated at an odd table the was awkwardly placed in the aisle. The table was turned sideways so it wouldn't stick out you much, but I was do far from my date I couldn't hear him! He requested a different table, so we moved yo the other table in the aisle, but at least this one was turned to a normal position. Waiter came and we wanted to order drinks and apps, but he only wanted to take the drink order. I hadn't eaten all day, didn't want to drink on an empty stomach. Finally got to order a dozen oysters, which were delish. As were the steaks, baked potato and wedge salad. When I made the reservation, through open table, I wrote in the special instructions that it was my birthday. There was never a mention of it from the waiter or hostess. Even though the food was amazing, I give 3 stars for mediocre service, crappy table and a total miss on the birthday notice. We left without even having dessert or coffee.
(3)Luis D.
I have been to Council Oak many times over several years and have never been disappointed. Always consistent quality and service. I need to try the Sunday brunch which is very highly rated next. The 12oz filet was cooked to perfection with a lot of Oscar topping really added a great flavor. The lobster mac and cheese was a hit as well. Looking forward to next time!
(5)Alex V.
Amazing food and atmosphere. Everything we had was spectacular. The drinks from mixologist, the desserts, the meat (OMG melts your mouth), and the waiters all of it was excellent. Can't wait to go again. Just wish it wasn't so pricey but the quality made it worth it.
(5)Tamela S.
This review is for the Council Oak brunch and it was a disappointment to say the least. I really was expecting to be wowed after all the great reviews and reading about the menu options on their website. Honestly, from the moment we arrived it felt like we were stuck in a Walmart after Christmas sale. There were lines of people at every food station and no one had any manners. The acoustics in this place were terrible also. It was loud and the vibe was frantic. I do have to give some kudos to the wait staff. They seemed calm and pleasant, but I have to wonder what goes through their minds with some of behavior from the patrons. I am wondering if we just hit them on an unusual day, but with the layout of the place, I am thinking probably not. It was really difficult to navigate around to the food stations, and no one wanted to yield to anyone else. I started with the seafood at the entrance, and thought the shrimp looked really good. I grabbed a couple of those, and a crab leg. Then I grabbed a couple oysters. My plan was to sample everything I could, so I also got three small pieces of sushi. I didn't load up my plate as I wanted to see how round one would go. I zigged and zagged back to my table trying to not get run over in the chaotic stampede that was trying to run me down. I sat down and took a deep breath to find our Bloody Marys waiting. I immediately took a big sip of that puppy. I had a feeling I would need it for this dining experience. Not bad! Actually, pretty damn good. There was hope yet, I thought. I took a bite of shrimp and then I sank in my seat. The shrimp was over cooked. It looked okay, but the texture was chewy, and the disappointment sank in. I was looking at the oysters and they didn't look very appetizing either, so I thought I would have some crab. I can't say that was bad, I just prefer the crab legs warm with butter. So it was meh. Then I had a couple sushi, They were just okay. I think they season them with wasabi, but they weren't as good as I was expecting either. The white fish was terrible. I also tried the bacon mac and cheese, but that wasn't very good either. I only took a little bit thankfully on my little plate. Hubby did load up his plate, and he passed me a lamb chop, and that was the bite I had been waiting for. It was delicious! I wish I had started with that. It really was the best thing I tried there. Hubby also gave me the crabcake benedict,but that didn't do it for me like the lamb. I went ahead and stuck with the lamb after that. I decided not to go out and fight the crowded mob again, and sent Hubby for dessert. I had a bite of each, one from the berry custard and one from the chocolate mousse, both were excellent. If I rated this place on the staff, the lamb and the dessert, I would give 4 stars. However, I can't ignore the price and the experience as a whole. I also resented them not telling me that for $4 more, I could have unlimited Bloody Marys. I realized that when we received the bill. I really couldn't wait to leave, and any place that makes me feel this way is never A-OK in my book. We will not be back.
(2)Jonny E.
For a "high-end" steak house this place didn't impress. I've been to many steak houses all over the country and for the prices they charge here they're way behind. I guess that's what happens when you're the only steak place around the area. At the hard rock...it's hard to find good food
(3)Carolina M.
It has been a long hiatus for me since the last time i was at Council Oak. LAst time i was there was many moons ago, and i remember how good it was. Another time my husband and i were meeting some friends at the Hard Rock so we decided to stop by here and have dinner before, we could not because the restaurant was completely booked so we decided to make reservations for next time. We were going to the Improv this past weekend so i had made reservations in advance, i highly recommend making reservations. We came on a Friday night early (7 pm), and the place was already very busy. Our server was nice and proceeded to take our drinks order. The menu is presented now on an ipad , as i have seen on many other restaurants now so that is cool. We started with one of my favorite dishes the Burrata which was nice but not as creamy as i like my burrata to be. I also had the lobster Bisque which was very good, so yummy and creamy and decadent. we also had the scallop ceviche which was delicious I wasn't feeling steak so i had the Chilean Seabass, another one of my favorite dishes. The fish was perfectly cooked, not overcooked in the least and was sitting on a bed of delicious risotto. It was very, very good. My husband decided on the Cowboy Ribeye and that was the star of the meal. Of course if you go to a steak house you must try steak, but i was happy with my choice. I tried his steak and it was one of the best ribeye steaks i have ever had. It was huge, like 30 OZ, and he ate every last piece it was so delicious!. We paired it with Au Pouvre and wild mushrooms, everything was finger licking good. We were really stuffed at the end of the entree but everything was so good i had to order dessert. I decided on the Chocolate Souffle, which has always been one of my favoites desserts. The best i have had has been at a restaurant in NYC and at the Blue Moon Cafe in Fort Lauderdale, however this was just as delicious as the ones i have tried before. Worth the 30 minute preparation time and worth EVERY.CALORIE. Certainly they know about steaks, as their reputation precedes them and they have been around for a long time. If you're looking for a fine steak house, this and Steak 954 at least in Broward. All this deliciousness comes with a hefty price tag too but OH so worth it.
(5)Tawny W.
This place is great . The steaks are always perfectly done . The service is excellent . Our waiter Simeon from Jamaica was the best . He was very helpful, patient and just simply amazing. Can't wait for another dinner at council oak.
(5)Andre C.
I forgot to mention a amazing wine selection as well as bar!! And LIVE MUSIC!!! Good!!! LIVE!! MUSIC and me being a saxophonist myself and have played in many Casino's, SupperClubs, etc....I know fine dining, drinks, wine, and music do ya self a favor and stop by!!
(5)Ana S.
Let me begin w/ that waiting staff is amaze balls! The only good thing. Food ok, they have no GLUTEN FREE substitutions - hello? This is 2015?! The truffle oil fries? Bunk! Too thick 2 be crunchy! And the nerve to serve 6 fries? Unreal... Bunk! Bunkorama!
(2)Marqus R.
Council Oaks is quite clearly the "high roller" restaurant of the Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood. Located inside, just off the one armed (now all electronic push button) bandit area of the casino, its specialty is that of top quality aged meats, having just about every desirable cut and type from the ultra-pricey 14 ounce Cabassi Black Wagyu (Australian +9) New York Cut Strip, $149.00 down through Long Bone (Cowboy) Ribeye, veal chops, lamb chops and others. All, however, have been properly dry aged which to me was very apparent in the tenderness and full robust flavors of their meats. They also have a good seafood as well as side selections, but everything including your salad is a la carte. When you enter you may be seated at the bar or tables near the bar on your right which also has a stage with regular entertainment. This would be the place to sit if you don't care to speak with whomever you're with, since the entertainment sound is often near deafeningly loud. For dinner conversation you're better off in the main dining area however if crowded, you'll find it to also be rather loud. We went for the Caesar salads with extra white anchovy, creamed spinach, a Cabassi Black Wagyu tenderloin and a New York strip which I ordered Pittsburgh. The salads were good and though white anchovy is mild, it seemed rather wimpy mild for being ordered with extra anchovy. As for the creamed spinach, also rather good though I'm used to having it hopped up as in a New Orleans style with a dash of Pernod. The Wagyu, even though as a personal preference don't like my meats well done, consider such to be a culinary heresy, was indeed tasty, juicy and a top of line as far as Wagyu meats are concerned. My Pittsburgh done New York strip was excellent, a perfect Pittsburgh with nice char to the outside to a pink inside with a blood rare center. On the odd side of things, something I've never seen before are three little bowls, each with a tiny spoon. One contains a course ground black pepper, the other said to contain French salt (tasted like any ordinary sea salt to me) and the third with a so-called "Hawaiian salt" which tasted rather akin to an ordinary Lawry's. As for service, Council Oaks is top of the line in being friendly, speedy and totally professional. My guess would be that to work around all of the gamblers, low rollers and high rollers, you really have to know what you're doing and have a good way with yourself in order to cut it as a waiter in that type of environment. As far as good steaks go, it's about as good as it gets, but I'm only going four stars on it since price wise it ought to be about as good as it gets, but more so as I found the general ambiance lacking. Too much noise and generally lacking in the sedate elegance found at other top of the line steak houses.
(4)Michelle S.
Came here last night. The lounge at the front has live music and is pretty loud but I requested a quiet table and was seated by the window. I suggest making a reservation as the restaurant filled up by 8:30. Almost everything we had was phenomenal. We had: Tuna tar tar - 3/5 the tuna was delicious but the tostada it came on was a bit too thick and greasy tasting for me. Filet mignon - 5/5 tender, melt in your mouth beef seasoned and cooked to perfection. Lamb chops - 2/5 bland. The meat wasn't tender enough. It wasn't tough, but it was nothing special. Get the steak if you come here. Wild mushroom side - 5/5 garlicky and delicious with the creamed spinach. Creamed spinach 4/5 Baked potato - 5/5 my boyfriend loved this For desert we had the cronut. Honestly this was heavenly. 5/5 and I don't even like dessert! The service was excellent. Even the breads they brought out were amazing.
(4)Allen S.
If you're a high roller who assumes paying $65+ for brunch gives you swag, you're already a lost cause, don't bother reading this review. If you're someone who pays $65 for brunch simply because you want quality I can understand that. Mind you $65 a person is not outta reach for us (Thank you God) but we're old folks and as old timers we expect at least an attempt at value or quality for our hard earned dollars. Council Oak's brunch failed badly, I mean really badly. I feel so strongly about this I had to come back from my sabbatical from yelp and actually write a rare review to warn others. So my sweet beautiful thoughtful wife wants to surprise me on our 10 year anniversary with a local upscale brunch, I was honestly surprised. When it was all said and done, so was she unfortunately. My Wife made reservations, so as we waited at the entrance, looking in all we saw was total chaos inside. I admit I'm not the smartest fella around but even I would not place the busiest 'station' (Sushi,Seafood and Raw Bar) right at the entrance where you have to basically push your way inside when entering. We were kinda bummed it was as chaotic as it was while being led to our table but we joked "the food must be awesome.." Famous last words. We had: Prime Rib, Lamb Chops, Alaskan King Crab Legs, Shrimp, Oysters, Crab Cakes Benedict, Sushi, Sashimi and Bloody Mary's. Sounds pretty damn good right?, we thought so when we saw the menu.. As God is my witness everything we tried was either subpar or actually terrible except for the Lamb and Bloody Mary's. To make a long story short, the Prime Rib wasn't very tasty (don't know how you mess up Prime Rib) and NONE of the Seafood tasted fresh. Oh and BTW some items they list on their site, Filet Mignon and that the waiter actually mentioned, Beef Wellington never appeared. I'm not a picky eater and thank my wife trying to do something special for our anniversary but I grew up eating Oysters and Shrimp and never had worse. This is my advice to my blue collar Brothers that see this, if you want to impress your Lady do not bring her here for Brunch, you're only paying for the name.. It was like eating at a Cafeteria, not just the food but we had to yell at each other to be heard :\ P.S. If these guys want to pass themselves off as a legit 'Casino' at least try. I've been to Las Vegas twice and had $6 24oz. Prime Rib dinners with dessert and a drink which is available at almost every single joint on the strip..
(2)Brian R.
Brunch was amazing, food for days! Raw bar, waffles, bacon eggs, deserts, etc etc!
(5)Matthew D.
Went for dinner with a friend last night. Bring your wallet.. However I will say the food was worth every penny. We started with Caesar salads, a little disappointed in the snooze for the price but loved the anchovy on the salad. 2nd course we ordered the twin filets one encrusted in Bleau cheese the other was oscar style. 58.00 for 7oz of meat but again it just melted in my mouth and it was cooked to perfection. Didn't try any sides or dessert.
(4)Jenny D.
This place was HEAVEN! I swear everything we had was amazing! It was a table of 4, including 2 food snobs my best friend and her fiance. Good wine - according to 3 others at the table. I had a Unusual cocktail which was very tasty - Pineapple juice with citrus vodka, Served in a martini class with a bacon rimmed. Ha! It's the sweet and salty drink that I loved. But I could only have 1 because it was very sweet. Appetizers: Bread and butter - fresh and good. On the table they pink salt which I sprinkled on my bread with butter. Waygu tartare - OMG OMG OMG...this melted in my mouth and was fantastic. Well I guess it better at the price... Oysters - So fresh and delicious Onion Rings - beer battered and are the size of donuts. Again a melt in your mouth food. Lobster Mac and Cheese - OK i've had many versions of lobster mac and cheese and this was by far the BEST I've ever had. It was the perfect consistency, perfect amount of cheese a bit crunch on top. Grille Asparagus - ehh...not exciting to me but my healthy friend loved it Entrees: Mine was a special. Chilean Sea bass over sliced fingerling potatoes, pieces of lobster and carmelized onions. Oh yes this was amazing. Husband ordered lamb chops - Another amazing dish, I don't like lamb but I tasted my husbands and it was actually delicious. My 2 other friends have been there numerous times before and suggested that entree. My 2 other friends had steaks and said the meat was really good quality. NY strip and Filet mignon. Dessert: OK another piece of Heaven was the Fresh Cronut. I'm crying because I'll have to fly to florida to ever have this peace of heaven again. Chocolate Souffle - oh so light and fluffy, please let me fine this again. This is a place you want to go if you want to SPOIL yourself. It's expensive, but worth it.
(5)Boris B.
Very good service, excellent steak. did not have a chance to try any sides, I'm sure they're good.
(4)Ney D.
Never again! Overpriced on the highest level, average food and a loud ambient. US$ 300.00 for a mediocre dinner experience. Tasteless steak!
(2)Reixa C.
Superb service, excellent food. Best steak I've ever had.
(5)Ricky G.
Clean, expensive ( but worth it) you dont have to remind your waiter for anything. Knowledgeable from the fanciest wine list to different oysters, they are there to make your dinning experience great. Go and spend your money there because its worth it
(5)Nicole V.
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place since I've been coming since they opened! I was there for dinner when they first opened. My server was Earl and I remember my experience vividly- that was nearly a decade ago! The service was top notch and the Sea Bass served over creamy potatoes was probably one of the best meals I've ever had. Soon after, they started serving brunch, which is a personal favorite of mine! The fresh seafood- although they don't always offer clams :-( is always my first stop. Sure they have breakfast favorites but I could have that any old day! A pasta station, omelet station, and the dessert bar is a must! My favorite servers/bartenders are Joel and Gus but unfortunately Joel just left to open his own restaurant. I'll be reviewing that soon! Dinner or lite bites in the lounge is also entertaining. The oysters Rockefeller are out of this world. I also used to like the side of lobster mac n cheese but they've skimped on the lobster lately so just mac n cheese. They have great live music and the clientele put on a show themselves so it's great for people watching.
(5)Neil G.
I have come here 5 years in a row on vacation. It is a great meal every time. Every dish I've tried has been good. Waiters are quite knowledgable and friendly. Steaks are delicious and always properly cooked. The desserts are extraordinary. If you get a chance try the cronut! I enjoy a coffee after my meal. Council oak always serves it up right. This time was French pressed with warmed milk. Very tasty.
(5)Jessi M.
Ok, so I know this probably has nothing to do with the restaurant and it is probably a freak thing but I can't not say it. We had a little friend/visitor dining with us this evening. By a little friend, I mean a baby cockroach. I ended up killing him after his 3rd visit and the waiter was so embarrassed. Have no worries, it certainly didn't reflect in his tip. He handled the situation very respectfully. Since we already had a comp for our meal (which I'm assuming most people do; as long as they are a high roller or whatever its called), so there was really nothing for him to do. My date ordered the steak, which was very tiny, but I wouldn't know because I'm not a meat eater. I ordered the seafood dish. It was very good. So was the complementary bread basket. There are these little cheez-it type sticks that are really good. I noticed someone else uploaded a pic of the bread basket, check it out. The sun dried tomato focaccia is also very good. I didn't try a dessert on this visit but I've been here in the past and I'm sure it is still fantastic. Whatever you do, I don't recommend the escargot lol too sandy.
(3)Andy D.
The seminole's Hard Rock, is slowly catching up, to it's counter part in Biloxi Mississippi, not even close to Vegas, but, there chasing after Biloxi! The have a premiere restaurant, at the Hard Rock Council Oak, a high end steak house, which service was great, the singer in the bar, was horrible, but after escaping the bar and getting a table, I found that Council Oak can compete with the best of them. Great ambiance, and an interesting menu. from King Crab, to a huge cowboy rib eye, both were very good, the rib eye, for the $39.00 price was slightly tough, the King Crab was fresh and good. I had no complaints, they did a good job there!
(4)Tomas B.
Bringing the star rating up a notch from last night as we had a right on point meal that was close to 5 Stars... Keep it simple since this is an updated review. Shrimp Cocktail 4 Large @$20.00 very good.. forget extra horse radish. Chopped salad not large for the price points but very good. Little neck clams small clean fresh. Entrees: Twin South African Lobster Tails Market Price.. I didn't pay so I don't want to know but very fresh and tasty. plenty of drawn butter and lemon. Lamb Chops - not gamey cooked perfectly very good. NY Strip.. Good but not spectacular. WINNER WINNER Veal Chop Grilled / broiled to perfection could be top of all time. Sides. Lobster Mac & Cheese $18.00 pricey but tasty Button Mushrooms sauteed Good - nothing special. Creamed Spinach (SUPPOSED TO BE SAUTEED) - brought sauteed later both were actually excellent. Service from "Lew" was a little slow last night they were busy and it was not as brisk as it should be nor did he remember the special order and 1 side was messed up.. Instead of removing the side they brought the sauteed spinach late. All and all food was close to perfection... Service & Price points knock it down 1 star.
(4)Lory M.
This place is great! Very important to note that it is not inexpensive. So if you are in the mood for the best steaks be prepared to pay a couple hundreds here (well worth it!) Tonight I had the filet special: two tenderloins, one with blue cheese and bacon on top and the other with crab meat, asparagus and hollandaise sauce on top - TO DIE FOR! My husband, who usually orders the Cowboy rib eye steak (gigantic piece of meat, bone in, Flintstones style) went with the NY strip. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. For the sides we got the creamed spinach and the lobster mac and cheese. The spinach has always been good here, but I remembered over a year ago ordering the Mac and cheese and not liking it at all. Well, things change and this place is constantly trying to make itself better. They freaking mastered the Mac and cheese!! Now served in a hot cast iron pan, oozing cheese and big chunks of lobster....unbelievable! So good I'm thinking of next time just ordering the Mac and cheese by itself as a meal. It was truly amazing! Last but never least: dessert! Have you heard of the "Cronut"? It's a flaky croissant that looks like a doughnut, covered in cinnamon sugar! It comes out nice and hot, with a side of whipped cream and a bourbon vanilla sauce. OMG! Please, try this, it will make your night! Honorable mentions: Service here is over the top. You will never have dirty dishes on your table for over a minute. They are constantly asking if we need anything. Water gets refilled at all times, same with any drinks. Chopped salad - wow! Crispy, cold and ridiculously good! Cappuccino- a great way to end the night, worth the try. Pictures attached!
(5)Brian R.
I'm upping my rating one star because Council Oak is doing better. Service is over the top good. As always. They do details much better than they used to. The kitchen is still a let down. Steaks are perfect dead on but sides? The corn came out cold. The oysters were shucked but they left a lot of sand and grit in them . New Brussels sprouts were tasty but again cold. They have soufflé but the waiter didn't mention so we had to pass as it takes 30 min and they're still doing three years ago lava cakes. Hire a real pastry chef. After dinner drinks: Resist Jack Daniels marketing and add a couple of orphan barrel or other hard to find bourbons that are as rare as your other pamper items. Same goes for whiskeys. How about Cardhu or Singleton or something not from the companies that hustle the "name" brands to improve the cool factor?
(4)Roland R.
Council Oak will always be a special place for me. It's where I asked my wife's parents for permission to marry their daughter. What a fitting place since this is a classic steak house with an old school vibe. They even have the bottles of wine and dry-aged steaks on display. Now don't think they got 5 stars because of this special occasion, the FOOD here is seriously LEGIT! Although Council Oak might have gotten 4 stars if her parents said NO to us getting married! JK The quality and the flavor of the steaks here can rival some of the top steakhouses I've been to (ie. Cut & Mastro's in LA, Perry's in Dallas, etc.). The sides, just as important as the steaks, are also fantastic. I highly recommend the Lobster Mac & Cheese, Sauteed Mushroom Caps, Garlic Mash, and the Truffle Fries. Like any good steakhouse, Council Oak has a GREAT WINE SELECTION and a knowledgeable sommelier to help pick that right bottle or three (in our case). As for service, it ranges from very good to top notch (I've gone a few times). Don't expect your waiter to be on top of you every minute when it's busy. Afterwards, grab a nightcap at the bar area where you'll be entertained by a LIVE BAND! Warning: This perfect night doesn't come cheap. Prepare to pay a hefty tab: $40-100 per person on food (depending on the steak you get or if you share) and bottles of wine are $40+. A good red is in the $80's range. Now go spoil yourselves!
(5)Stephanie L.
What a wonderful meal to share with my in-laws!! I'm a huge fan of the Hard Rock Cafe/Casino as I'm a Hard Rock Pin Collector, but when I'm in town for a visit I love coming to this steakhouse and feeling like I'm right at home in NY!! AHH.... I've had the pleasure of eating here twice in my lifetime and both times have been outstanding! Not a thing to change, and perfect in every way from service, to wine list, to mouth-watering food that makes me dream it was in my backyard and I could go to more than once a year!! Now this is a special occasion place, unless of course you win big in the casino, so prepare your eyes for the pricetag... But also remember, you get what you pay for and if I could lick my plate I would have!! :-)
(5)Jennifer A.
Excellent brunch! There was a great variety and plentiful selections at each station. The mimosas and Bloody Marys were included and delicious. The sea bass was superb, as was the banana pudding shooter! I received a special birthday dessert, which was a nice surprise. I will most definitely be returning to Council Oak for another special occasion brunch.
(5)Anna V.
Ambient restaurant atmosphere. Very quiet and peaceful. The food was really good and the waiters are exceptional. Will definitely come back again.
(4)Natali D.
What a phenomenal experience!!! Everything was delicious and the service was exceptional. The quality of the meat was definitely above average and definitely worth the money I paid. The side dishes were all delicious, especially the lobster Mac n cheese . My steak was cooked to my exact liking. I have absolutely no complaints and I will definitely be coming back. I highly recommend this place to everyone!
(5)Joseph J.
Came after a great night at AmaLuna and wish I didn't! Ordered the rib eye and garlic mashed. The potatoes were great, but the steak was very sub par. Couldn't be more disappointed!!
(1)Natasha R.
Went here for Father's Day. Service was great! The 14oz Waygu NY Strip was exquisite! The Surf and Turf (South African freshwater lobster and filet mignon) was amazing! Everything was great across the board! The food was a little pricey BUT DEFINITELY worth every penny!
(5)Danielle B.
On Sunday, March 22nd I hosted a surprise birthday party and I had the most amazing service and the management on top of that was just as amazing. They were very accommodating to my desires to make this a special dinner. It was my first time dining here and it is now my number one spot! Thank you for the outstanding customer service!!! See you soon!
(5)Nick S.
It is with grave disappointment that I have to post a negative review. I used to come here about once a month for a number of years but experienced a hiatus for about 2 years. I went back in May, and couldn't believe how bad our service was. Our waiter was clearly just looking to turn our table over, made absolutely no attempt to build a rapport with us, and spilled water all over the table in front of me without noticing. I typically will allow a maximum of 3 obvious errors to be made before I start getting annoyed however, this is supposed to be an upscale steakhouse so the bar is naturally set a bit higher. The food was acceptable not spectacular, but unfortunately the poor service completely distracted from our party enjoying the food and their time at Council Oak. I sincerely hope our table that night was a fluke, especially given the number other positive reviews here on yelp. My bottom line: There are better steakhouses for the cost (Ruth's Chris, Capital Grille, etc).
(2)Nina N.
It was a great experience to dine at this awesome restaurant. Everything was fine! Me and my family really enjoyed our stay there. The atmosphere was amazing and the waiters are very polite. I had the filet mignon steak medium rare with some asparagus. As an appetizer we had a shrip cocktail. They also have a butchery in the restaurant where you can choose which steak you would like to eat.
(5)Jason M.
The lobster bisque was very good. The bread was delicious. Main course was VERY disappointing though. We had the fish special which was snapper with fingerling potatoes and sauce with lobster. The sauce was almost non existent and there was maybe 3 or 4 tiny cut up potato bites. The fish was the most pathetic I've ever seen. It was 1/4" thick and dried out. There was no sear on it. It looked and tasted like I imagine it would if it came from a microwave dinner. Luckily, we also got the onion ring stack which was excellent. Definitely the best onion rings I've ever had. Came with delicious truffle mayonnaise and homemade ketchup. Ended with the expresso chocolate martini and it was amazing. Service was very good. Even with all the great parts of the meal, I couldn't give more then 2 stars. I can't believe that fish made it out of the kitchen and I expect better when I'm paying $400 for a dinner for 2.
(2)Slim B.
Excellent service. Steaks are somewhat variable but on the higher side of very good.
(4)Mitchell M.
Go here from time to time. Food is good but have had some mediocre meals as well.
(3)Abby T.
My husband brought me here for our anniversary for the Sunday brunch. The decor is really nice and the service was great. The food was awesome. Fresh seafood, crab legs, shrimp cocktail, oysters and mussels. They had two guys making sushi. The assortment of food was good. I can't even remember everything. You could have an omelet, there was a carving station with lamb chops, beef Wellington. Then the desserts...mmm. By this time I was so full, I could only sample one or two things. We got there around 10:30 and the place was empty. However by the time we left the tables had really filled. Unlimited peach bellini's, mimosas. And there were other drinks the waiter mentioned you could have. The only thing with the drinks is that the waiters have to pick them up at the bar. So you only get a refill if you ask for one or if your glass is empty. Not a big deal. Other places I have visited they just refill the drinks, however those places only have unlimited mimosas. Our server Keith was friendly and attentive, but not overly attentive.
(5)Savanna M.
The review is only for brunch - Sundays only. I've had dinner here a few times, and although it's not bad, and the service is top notch, I would choose one of the other local competing steak houses in Broward. Ok, so back to brunch. It's ~$55 a person, so not cheap, but trust me if you do it right and drink enough champagne (or bloody marys) and eat enough from the raw bar you can definitely get your money's worth. This is a buffet, so feel free to sit there as long as necessary until you've tried it all and don't feel guilty for spending all your cash. Besides, afterwards you'll be drunk enough to believe gambling is a good decision and you may end up winning back some of your money! When you first walk in you'll see they've transformed their waiting area in to the dessert station. Seeing these desserts and chef preparing bananas foster right in front of you should be enough to make you realize you've found the best brunch in broward county. The first station is a breakfast area - sausage, bacon, french toast, potatoes, THE BEST EGGS BENEDICT OVER A CRAB CAKE (and I don't even like crab cakes, but this is 90% crab and 10% cake) etc etc. There's a chef ready to make your perfect omelette, belgium waffle, create your own pasta station and someone cutting up roast beef and lamb chops. But don't fill up there, theres so much more! There's a salad station with everything you imagine and a soup that changes weekly. A sushi chef preparing sushi rolls. The raw bar with oysters, clams, jumbo shrimp, king crab legs and crab claws. There's one last station with lunch items, these change frequently but there's usually a chicken, fish, veggies, rice - and not your run of the mill dishes, I'm talking lobster crusted salmon, chicken with macademia nuts etc. Our last time there they had a short rib dish that was awesome! Then, if you still have room (and definitely leave room), head back out the front and get your fill of all of the desserts. The bananas foster station does take a while, so plan that according. There's creme brulee, cheesecakes, fruit tarts, a chocolate fountain, fruit, cookies... you name it it's there. Remember this is an official 4 star steak house (only rated down a star because the bathroom is located outside of the restaurant inside the casino) so the service is top notch. The waiters (Gustavo is the best) are willing to go above and beyond to make you happy and will bring you anything you desire. Last time we were there and I requested something to wipe my hands off since they were smelling like seafood and they brought out hot towels that were scented with almonds.
(5)Joy L.
Review for Council Oak It's between at 3 and a 4. No one can negate that there is a wide selection of luxury food choices on their brunch menu (lobster, jumbo shrimp, lamb chops, beef, chilean sea bass..)- But as one of the most expensive brunch buffet's in SoFla ($65 pp - the price has gone up $10- and there is a hefty gratuity added to your bill) you would expect phenomenal presentation, mouth watering selections, and fabulous service. I was only minimally impressed on all three of these accounts. The layout of the buffet is not quite a nightmare, but doesn't make a lot of logical sense either. It is obvious that the AYCE brunch buffet was an after thought as all of the stations are small and dispersed all around the restaurant (If you are wheelchair bound or have any difficulties walking, you will most likely need someone to assist you with your selections as this is not very handicapped friendly- it is more of an obstacle course than a buffet line. Your shellfish is located all the way in the back past the sushi station, the fish is with the pork chops in the middle off to the right down a few stairs, the cold salads are in the middle on the left, just before the sushi station and also has some cheeses, the main selections are located along the wall at the front of the dining area, and the desserts are located in the entry way when you first walk in... this made everything a bit confusing, and if you are trying to take it all in and try everything offered, you have to make sure that you have gone all around the restaurant looking in every corner... Even with all of these scattered stations, when the place gets busy, the lines get backed up and there isn't a lot of room to move. Speaking of not a lot of room to move- we called ahead and said that we were a party of 7 and would be there at 10:30 am. There was only one other party that was there before us (probably when the buffet opened at 10 am) and they sat us literally on top of the other group. The chairs are ginormous and and very comfortable. The rounded booth was beautiful to look at and made for a great showpiece- being so close to the other group though, it was not easy maneuvering in and out of my chair and the birthday girl had to have the party-goer to her right get up every time she wanted to get something because she was blocked in on the left (the side I was sitting on). This easily could have been solved by pushing the table next to us over about 4" - but even after making several comments, we were never accommodated. Highlights: lamb chops = perfection Cheese blintzes: cream filling = phenomenal- the berry topping with whipped cream. was just an added bonus Bananas Foster ~ with mixed berries amazing!
(3)Shannon M.
We have been here several times for dinner but never for the Sunday brunch! OMG why did we wait so long??? Anything and everything that you can imagine for a brunch and then some!!!! There was a variety of breakfast items such as eggs Benedict, bacon, sausage, French toast, bagels and lox, varieties of breads, croissants, fresh berries, waffles. Then there was a carving station with lamb chops and beef tenderloin, moving on you come to more of a lunch selection with salmon, sea bass, skirt steak and saffron rice. Moving on to the soup and salad station... Caprese salad with balsamic glaze, chicken Caesar salad, and various pasta salads. Most importantly they had their fabulously delicious lobster bisque! As we continue to the next station, fresh sushi. And next was a raw bar with crab legs, shrimp cocktail, oysters and clams on the half shell, caviar, and tuna. Finally we come to the desserts... OMG.... The desserts.... too many to name!!! All DELICIOUS!!! You will also have your choice of a complimentary mimosa, champagne or Bloody Mary. Definitely worth every penny! BUT you do need reservations!!
(5)Gary S.
WOW! The service was amazing. I needed a pair of glasses to read the menu...they were prepared with a pair wrapped in sealed plastic. Bravo!!!! The lunch we had was served promptly and hot and tasted great. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Vivian R.
I love eating here. It never disappoints. Normally, I do not like to dine at hotel restaurants, if I have other choices as I do in the Miami area, because typically,the food is not great. Council Oak is quite the exception. We drive a good 25 minutes to go anywhere to have a good experience whether home or traveling. This is always very worth the drive. Whether you are a casino person or not, this is a great oasis at Hard Rock. Great Steak, Oysters, and great Wine List. This is a great destination, worth the drive and who knows you can also play a little of your luck. Great night of dining and playing all together.
(4)Rocki R.
Pretty disappointed with this place. We eat at a lot of high end restaurants so our standard of quality might be higher then the average person. So my man ordered the wagyu filet and i had the special that had 2- 4oz filets done 2 different ways. The wagyu was good but wasn't as good as other ones ive tried from different restaurants and for a steak that costs over 100.00 it should have the wow factor. My dinner was served room temperature so i sent it back, they brought it back with no change in temperature. There is no excuse for this to happen in a higher end restaurant, im not a fan of cold food and I wasn't going to send it back again. I will say the flavor was good so i just ate it cold and wasn't in the mood to make a big fuss about it. We wont be going back. Other than that the place was nice, server was great, they comped a glass of wine for the screw up.
(2)Chase T.
Do NOT miss! Best steak dinner of my life! It's worth the drive even if you're not going to a show at Hard Rock. The service is impeccable. Of particular note is Sommelier, Don DeRocher. He is engaging, humorous and extremely knowledgable. His pairing suggestions made an amazing dinner an unforgettable culinary experience. Do not miss: Cronuts for dessert.
(5)Nicole K.
Council Oak is pretty much like any other steak house. The steaks are good, the sides are decent, and they make a damn good martini. I found the service lacking for somewhere so expensive. Then again I am a stickler for those things so others might not notice. The restaurant is also very loud so take that into consideration if you choose to eat there. There isn't much to say about the food because nothing really stands out. Steaks are the star of the show, with a few seafood dishes for variety. Council oak used to engrave your initials into the bone of your ribeye but they don't do that anymore. They also used to have the best wedge salad in the world but they switched to baby bib lettuce and it just isn't the same. I am not a fan of steakhouses, but have a friend who adores them so I have been to way too many of them. If you are staying at Hardrock or heading to a show I could see going to Council Oak, but thee are much better options in South Florida for expensive steak.
(3)Matt B.
I gamble quite a bit at the hard rock and they gave me a comp to this place and I have to say I was not impressed at all. For the price they charge you for a meal, the food was not up to par. Had I actually had to pay for the meal I would have been angry but since it was a free meal, the good was great. I would suggest going to the NYY steakhouse at Their sister casino up in coconut creek if you want an amazing meal at an upscale steak house.
(2)Barbara R.
We went to Council Oak last night as there's no way to avoid the restaurants in the casino when attending a concert. They allow smoking on the veranda, which we didn't know, so we had to endure the second-hand smoke from other tables. The service is excellent and the food is fair. My major complaint is the amount you receive and I am not a big eater. My husband ordered the grouper special: it consisted of a minuscule piece of fish with a medley of other types of seafood. For $42 you would expect at least a side dish, something inexpensive as potatoes or rice, but no. At least it was good. I had the tuna Tataki that normally fills me up. What I got for $25 was just four (4) tiny pieces and a couple of shreds of nondescript vegetables: something fit for a Persian cat but not really for human appetites. I ended up eating the garnish and scraping the small bowl of tapenade that came with the bread so hard that I must have dented it. The bill, with a couple of drinks, came to $98 before tip. We left underwhelmed and underfed: we ended up gorging on popcorn at the concert.
(2)roxy k.
Located inside the Hard Rock casino this place has good food! Ambience is classy but you can come dressed casual that's the beauty of this place; I wish I had photos of the food to show but I don't trust me when I say the Lobster Mac and Cheese is delicious!!! The service is impeccable imagine you're on Princess or Royal Carribean cruise it's like that! The name comes from Indian tribe the council would meet at the Oak tree hence the name of the restaurant plenty of parking in garage or valet service I liked this place but make sure you make RSVP!!! We sat down at 6:45 Memorial Day weekend by 7:30 all tables were filled
(5)Hope P.
Ive been to this restaurant years ago and remember having such a great experience a nice cozy atmosphere in the middle of the casino..who would've thought?! Got a table in front of the bar..there are a lot of bottles of liquor showcased in the bar. There's also a Huge mounted-Mahi on the wall behind the stage. There was an acoustic act playing and it was very nice music, guitar player and great woman singer...made it a relaxing experience. The Bread basket has great crusty white bread, and foccacia with tomato on it and cheesy bread thin sticks with seseme seeds on it..very nice breads all fantastic. Sundried tomato sauce and butter accompany the bread..both great. Ordered Crab Cake...it came one and I've had better..I liked that is was baked nicely(I prefer over fried cakes), but nothing special it came with a Tomato orange marmalade and herb salad.....sweet and odd? the salad was micro, and crab cakes usually have remoulade instead of marmalade ...also the menu said crab Cakes..hmm are restaurants forgetting the other cake(s)??? I ordered the Baby Arugula and watermelon Salad;Feta cheese, cucumber, tomato, toasted almonds, and aged sherry vinaigrette..there were 5 pieces of watermelon in it...hmmm but it was a refreshing tasty salad. I also ordered the Blackened Tenderloin Beef Tips came with Arugula, red onion, and bleu cheese dressing came in a bowl on the plate..not very cheesy I thought it was a remoulade! But the Beef Tips were AMAZING! Really great I thought it made up for the other apps. For the main dish I wanted a fish and chose the Snapper Fillet..the special fish of the night..I think it was crawfish it came with? They were little shimp that tasted dirty, and the Snapper was on a bed of bland rice...was this risotto?? There were grilled veggies on the plate as well and they were really Yummy...but soo disappointed in this bland tasteless dish...not happy. I tried the NY Strip...and that was nothing shot of AMAZING!! such a tasty steak...best Ive had in a loooong time!! Also Truffled fries as a side...they came out not-so-Truffely...so the waiter offerd to toss them with more truffle...wow they came out BANGING! Best crunchy-natural fries and what's better than Truffle???!!!! The Waiter was great his timing was perfect ...next time Im getting the STEAK...
(3)Chris A.
Best steak I had in a long time. Long wait, expensive (same ole steak house routine), but mouth watering steak! Just to expensive and service not quite good enough for 5 stars.
(4)Melissa C.
We love going here. Play a little blackjack and then work up an appetite for some serious steak. The lamb is also amazing. Percy is the best waiter there. The pastry chef is superb. It is pricey but you will love the food and the service. The sides are shared because you receive so much. The ambience is beautiful and classy.
(5)Rob P.
For the price, there is no way this place should leave me writing a 4* review. It should be 5*. But I just couldn't justify it. I went three nights in a row, and our food was good but the service wasn't up to snuff. Awkward at times and a bit slow. I did better the night I ate at the bar, and I got to ogle their amazing scotch selection. I'll definitely be doing some of my drinking here next time I go to the Hard Rock!
(4)Sara H.
My boyfriend and I have brunch here every time we stay at the HR. We went last night for dinner and again this morning. He's not a huge fan of the dinner options; he enjoys the food but finds it indistinguishable from all other steakhouses in its price range. I agree for the most part, but can't resist the lobster mac and cheese. Also, the atmosphere is much nicer than the loud Italian place outside. I would have ordered the carrot cake but it is no longer on the dinner menu (but they had it this AM at brunch and it was great). So I got a peanut butter s'more dessert instead - didn't care for it, however, my boyfriend and I both loved his mango sorbet. I found out the next morning that they also offer a sampler type dessert of all the sorbets they have so I'll have to try that next time. The variety of Sunday brunch was awesome as usual. The format has changed a bit; the dessert section is in the back now and the seafood is in the front. They don't have brunch at their Tampa location unfortunately! My bf loved the lamb chops but didn't discover them until he was practically full.
(5)D R.
Very pleased with the filet. Cooked perfect. Service was attentive and friendly. Give the council oak corn a try!
(4)Sandy S.
Very mediocre at best, and very expensive for what they deliver. The smallest rib eye steak on the menu is $93, and it doesn't even come close to the quality offered by the chain steak houses for a much lesser cost. Three dinners, 4 drinks, 2 sides, 4 salads and one dessert were $450 without gratuity. Steaks were overcooked and salty. Sides were too small to share. Dessert was a $16 donut. Added $2 charges for olives in a martini, which was small to begin with. Service was friendly but scarce. Definitely not a place to go if you are used to the quality of the Capital Grille or Palm.
(2)Kathy D.
Oh my...where do I start! This exquisite high end restaurant (bit pricey buy worth it) in the Hard Rock Casino/Hotel in Fort Lauderdale (Hollywood) gets 5 stars for everything in my book. We started out with cocktails-lemon drop martini with sugared rim being my fav, and it was delish! We enjoyed a variety of artisan rolls and breadsticks with our drinks. For entrees, my husband and I each had the braised short ribs. Very rich and very good with what I think was a wine reduction sauce with an accompaniment of fresh green beans was just the ticket. We chose reasonably priced Argyle pinot noir wine from Willamette Valley, and it was excellent. Our waiter, Phillipe, was very attentive but not overly so. We were seated in a luxurious booth and enjoyed the privacy. We relaxed and didn't feel rushed at all-how nice! If you go, be sure and try the short ribs-yummmmmmm!
(5)Pasquale R.
We decided, on our last leg of the trip, to stay in the vicinity of the airport since we had an early flight. We didn't arrive until late and since it was Superbowl Sunday our dining options were limited. We decided to stay in the hotel and eat a "great meal". It's definitely a high end steakhouse located in a casino however it's no Bobby Flays or any steakhouse I have been to in NYC. We were seated promptly (rewind a second when we called to make reservations from the room they said the next available slot was 1.5 hours from now). So on a hunch we decided to hoof it downstairs for and there was no wait-- morale of the story, go with your gut). It had very nice decor however it was missing something...great steaks. Yeah I know I am comparing it to NYC but if you are dropping coin on a steak you better believe it needs to be good. Some hints: *Don't load up on the bread. *Lobster *Their wines by the glass are somewhat decent. *Their Lobster Bisque is average and their French Onion is lava hot (be careful). *Prime Rib was eh. It was cooked like I wanted it but the flavor was lacking. Again when you had the best it's hard to match up. *Braised Short Ribs were loved by my fiance. I didn't try them. *Asparagus sides were crunchy but thick...wasn't a huge fan. *Service was good. It wasn't busy so we had personable service. *Very expensive and I hate to say it but not worth the $$ spent.
(3)Susie J. S.
Best steak in town... But equally as fabulous is the lobster bisque soup, the lobster macaroni and cheese, and stone crabs... Christine is the fabulous bartender and you can comfortably eat at the bar! Thursday through Saturday be entertained by my dear friend Dale who is just amazing! Request Mac the Knife, and he will get the entire place going!
(5)Anthony L.
It was not to what I expected Council Oak to turn out to be, it was more. The setup was gorgeous inside. Our waiter always kept our water glasses full and was very knowledgable about what's on the menu. The steaks don't come with no sides and the sides you order are a sharing size portion. I've also tried the nitrogen infused martini, and it's watermelon flavor. Take a look at the description and remember why you made reservations there or eating there. It was a must try and how it's presented, I thought it was like Halloween drink you would see in a movie. I've tried the lobster Mac and cheese and don't recommend it unless you like Mac and cheese the lobster is the crust (picture below) we got it replaced with the mushrooms. The mushrooms were amazing and a must have to an additional to your steak. I order the 8 oz filet medium and they taste of it was none the less what I could imagine from a steak that's been dry aged. A bit on the jerky side taste wise, I prolly would be getting medium rare next time to make it a bit more juicy. I would make reservations at half a week in advance and not try to do it the day of or before unless you want to be going at a later time. They also have specials when you get greeted by your server, choose wisely and enjoy! Hope my experience will help your future one.
(4)Carl E.
This is a great restaurant. I've been there a few times and it is always terrific. The beef cuts are very flavorful, large, and very well prepared. Service is excellent. The 3.5 lb Maine lobster is also excellent choice and large enough to share. The sides are huge, but my favorite is the grilled asparagus. Brunch on Sundays is outstanding!---the best I've seen.
(5)Jomary J.
Steak has not really been my thing lately so going to Council Oak may not have been the best idea. I started off with their Manhattan since the drink menu is a little late catching up to Miami's Bourbon craze. It was pretty smooth. Thing I most liked about it were the Amarena cherries (Italian dark cherries) that were perfectly placed on top. I proceeded to order the seafood tower for 2 though it came out for 4. I wasn't mad. Our server cracked and pulled out all the meat from the lobster and king crabs. Much to my disbelief, there was still a lot of seafood left over when our entrees came. A perfectly medium two double-cut chops were placed in front of me and I couldn't be happier. Or fuller. Mint was forgotten, but I survived. Great service, good location (nothing to eat in broward), okay food (but plenty of it).
(3)Rick R.
Went to Council Oak with a group of friends. I am a fan of the ribeye but when I saw that this place charges $96 for theirs, I had to pass. There was no way I was going to spend that amount. I decided to go with the Filet which was $56 I believe. If you are going to charge these high prices then please deliver the quality of other steakhouses such as Capital Grille, Flemings, Prime 112, Red etc.. My steak while perfectly cooked at medium rare tasted just above the quality you will find at Longhorn or Outback. Very disappointed. I guess they over charge to subsidize all the comp'd dinners for their high rollers.
(1)Tanya L.
Can't get any better than this! Never heard of this place and stopped by to give it a try before a fun night at the hardrock. Arriving you cannot help but notice all the different variety of steaks they have at the window. The first bar is nice with live music. People dancing and having a great time! We were seated at a booth in a very nice location facing the pool. Our waiter was funny and kept us entertained! Also recommended great items in the menu. First we started off with appetizers: JUMBO SHRIMP COCKTAIL- Horseradish cocktail sauce and ESCARGOT -Baked in garlic butter sauce. I have to admit I was terrified of the escargot. There was no way I was going to get it. So I started off with the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Finally after being pressured to try the escargot I gave in. Just one! YUP only one! (GAG) I have to say the seasoning for this was awesome! But I am not a fan of escargot. I will stick to the Jumbo Shrimp! YUM! For dinner I had the Fillet Mignon! mmm.. Best Steak ever! You have to come here to give this a try! AMAZING. We ordered a side of FRESH ASPARAGUS grilled! This combination was great! I hope to be back soon! love this place!
(5)Marlo M.
Steak is fantastic! The Ozzie Salad is really great. My favorite sides is the Lobster Mac and Cheese and the mushrooms which are amazing! My boyfriends hates mushrooms and he was devouring them. The Banana Fosters cheesecake isn't your typical cheesecake texture but interesting. I have to say I give it a thumbs up!
(5)Jacquie N.
Meh! Not really my style but then neither are casinos. The live band is what give it an extra star as the member where quite engaging and put out a fine show with a wide range of music culled from the crowd. The service was fair to good but not outstanding for the price point. The food was a serious miss. The pricing is way out of line for the quality and (I hate to say this) quantity brought out. I am not a big eater, in any stretch of imagination, so it feels startling to look down at an appetizer and say "Really?!!! You are kidding, right?" Both plates were unimpressive and not worthy of repeating. Yes, I will admit I ordered a seafood dish in a steak house (I know --- the sin) But really, how difficult is it to get pasta right.
(3)Yi L.
My bf and I had Sunday brunch here. It's pretty expensive at $55 a person. Especially since neither of us took advantage of the mimosas or bloody Mary's. we tried to make reservations the night before, but it showed that they had nothing near the time we wanted to eat. So, we showed up hoping to get lucky. They offered to let us sit outside, which would have been ok, had there not been bugs swarming about... Gross. They then offered to let us sit in the bar area...much better. I questioned all the empty tables, but the host said they were all reserved. Boo. Back to the food... The food selection was amazing.. The cold bar had king crabs, stone crabs, giant cocktail shrimps, oysters and clams. They also had a sushi bar, salad bar, lunch and breakfast bar. Omelette station as well. They meat carving station looked nice, but my piece of steak tasted like the gamey lamb next to it - so I skipped it. The biggest disappointment, which was the thing I was most looking forward to trying were the crab cake Benedict's. the crab cake was so dry. I was such a waste as they used real crab!
(4)allen d.
escargot, waygu new york steak strip with lobster tail, mac n cheese, waygu tenderloin, and crab meat were all delicious!!! terrific wine list to pair with the food. loved the ambiance ad they had a live band...
(4)Steven C.
I have been here several times but only for brunch so I can't comment on anything else. For a brunch this place is great. A huge spread with unlimited Bloody M's and Mimosas. Lamb chops, oysters, crab legs, sushi, waffles, crab eggs benedict, and amazing deserts. Service is usually spot on. Its neat to be able to walk around the casino after with the Sunday brunch buzz.
(4)Jackie M.
super good. food here is outstanding. well rounded fancy restaurant. love that it is dark, you can be casual... yet still upscale & intimate. love to bum around and eat well after winning or losing lots of money @ the hard rock. stone crab if they have it is good. very good steaks.... as you can see... they are displayed when you walk in. i DONT recommend the millionaires salad though... it sounds better than it tastes. other than that, the oysters, cold seafood & steaks are the best way to go when you come here. why bother with a fish or chicken.. when you can have their steaks!!!!!!!!!!
(4)M W.
Yes, this will probably be one of your more expensive meals of the year, BUT the food is fantastic, the service is top-notch and the ambiance is great. My date and I both had steak - strip and tenderloin and we couldn't decide whose was better - we ended up splitting each in half so we could eat both. Appetizers and side items are traditional steakhouse items, but really, really delicious. All that, plus terrific martinis and a serious wine list! Admittedly, the location, inside of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, might be a turn-off for some. However if you park in the new parking garage by the casino, as you enter the casino, Council Oak is immediately on your right, so you don't have to deal with the casino if you don't want to. It is really worth it.
(5)Ari I.
5 star food and service. Live jazz music at certain times. You are welcome to approach a large glass window separating you from the butcher so you can view the cuts of beef. I recently had dinner there with my family and it was definitely in my top5 restaurant experiences of my life. I recommend the cowboy ribeye which comes with a humungous rib bone sticking out of it. Best lobster bisque Ive ever had, my only regret was not tasting the creme brulee because i was overstuffed. Its going to run you around $80-100 per person but with food this good you cant afford not to eat it! haha
(5)Justin S.
Great quality streaks , never disappointed! Oh the brunch on Sundays is soooo good :)
(5)Nina C.
The filets were great! The service was just ok- it could be sooo much better! The wine selection was great! The food selection was great but we just got filets, salads, potatoes and creamed spinach (which was nasty DON'T GET IT) and we had apps too but I really don't remember what they were I do remember one was send back because it was gross! Bit defiantly going back for the ribeye!!
(3)Jasmine S.
Amazing food and service! The pizza bread and cheese stick kinda bread are absolutely to die for. Appetizers Steak Tips: Very tender and tasty, the blue cheese just adds a little something extra to the meat. Definitively would order again! Oyster: Very tasty however it is loaded with cheese. If you love tasting the oyster of itself i would not recommend ordering this. Crab cakes: Are absolutely amazing, very fresh and you actually get real crab! Main Course Snapper: served with risotto and a butter wine sauce. This is an excellent choice for those who dont eat meat. I would have it again Filet Mignon: thumbs up! I just had a bite from my friend's plate and it was amazing. Mind you, i dont normally eat beef. Prime Rib: one bite of the meat felt like a complete dish by itself! Just wonderful and mouth watering. Just thinking about it makes me wanna have some again. For sides we had lobster mac and cheese and dauphinoise potato. Both taste great , however very fattening, not exactly the best choice if you are counting calories. ;) Overall, would definitely return for the Prime Rib, Steak Tips and Crab cakes :)
(4)Yanet R.
Love the ambience and the food to die for... The best meat ever!
(5)M J.
Fantastic atmosphere! Well aged steaks. Great drinks. A wonderful meal. Any questions? :)
(4)Aman S.
You cant go wrong here. I have been here several times for dinner and sunday brunch. The food is top notch and the service is second to none. Fresh steaks and seafood and a good ambience. You must try the brunch sometime - well worth the price.
(5)Len D.
Nothing beats a nice 16oz dry aged ny strip steak, rare. It's going to cost you $60 but that is the price of quality. Also the fact everything was comped, so I can''t complain. We also had the jumbo shrimp ( really awesome), truflle fries, asperagus /w hollanday sauce, snails (i forget what they call it in French, but you know what I'm talking about) and the lobster mac. Out of all of the sides the lobster mac was the best. I really liked the sundried tomato dipping sauce that comes with the bread. At a place like this the service is always top notch.
(4)Marcus D.
Went here for brunch last Sunday - started with oysters and ended with bananas foster, which always reminds me of Christina Ricci in THE OPPOSITE OF SEX. The Bloody Marys were subpar, so after just one I went w/the mimosas. The crabcake benedict, the tenderloin and the pinwheel flank steak are among the top three - aside from the raw oysters, topped off with horseradish - reminds me of November in Galway. Fifty bucks, but worth it.
(5)Harvey D.
Absolutely one of the best steaks I have ever had! Hands down! One of the best experiences I have had at a steakhouse as well. I had a gift card for anywhere in the Hard Rock complex so my wife and I decided to use it on NYE. What a great decision. I made a 9:30pm reservation and they seated us almost immediately in a nice table for two. The only complaint I have is that the service started out a bit shaky. We waited approx. ten minutes for the waiter to greet us and after we said we were both just drinking water, the other waiter came by about five minutes later and introduced himself. They use a form of team service which I know firsthand is the way to go in the restaurant industry. We split a chopped salad, the broccoli and the onion ring stack. I ordered the 20 oz. cowboy heavy cut and it was fantastic. This piece of cut is definitely in contention for the tastiest steak I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly and the flavors they added were nothing like I have ever tasted before. The server did warn us that the sides were large enough to share which we did and they were just the right amount. The onion rings were also possibly the best I have ever eaten and my wife thought the broccoli was incredbile. She even told the server to compliment the chef on how he gets the broccoli just right. They refilled our water glasses fairly promptly and they use Fiji water (arguably the best water out there). Actually, I misspoke. The second complaint I had was that while everyone else received a bread basket, we did not and we had to ask for it. The server, in the middle of refilling my water glass, apologized and went to see what he could do about it. He came back a few minutes later and told us the bread will be right out. The bread didn't arrive until only a few minutes before our meal but I wasn't that upset. Other servers/food runners were going around with a little cone filled with salmon and caviar so that helped squish my slight hunger pains. Both servers checked on us a few times throughout the meal and cleared the empty plates away in a timely fashion. We debated on dessert and then decided on the chocolate souffle. After hearing that this dessert takes approx. thirty minutes to prepare(kind of wish they had told us this at the beginning of the meal so it would have been ready when we finished our meal) but seeing as how we weren't in a hurry and we planned on just walking around the Hard Rock complex anyway, we agreed to wait. It did take right around thirty minutes for them to bring it out, but it was so worth it. It came with a vanilla sauce and it was phenomenal. One of the best desserts I have ever had. When we had finished, the waiter then looked at this watch and noticed it was almost midnight. He proceeded to ask us if we would like a glass of champagne, on the house, to toast in the New Year. He brought those out really quickly and by the time we paid, we still had time to walk over to the live band and fireworks. What a great night with exceptionally fantastic food. It it weren't for the price, I would come back here more often. As it is, we agreed to save this place for speical occasions. I'll tell you: I, for one, can't wait until the next special occasion!
(5)Chris L.
We arrived at 830 for dinner and was seated immediately. Our waiter, Stephen was right at our table for drink orders. We ordered the lump crab cocktail, which is not on the menu along with lamb chops and lobster tails. Wow it was so good. I have eaten here many times and never been stuck. We wanted to sit outside before our meal came because the weather was so good and our waiter Stephen made sure drinks were delivered to us outside. Service was incredible, ask for Stephen when you go and the food is an A PLUS.
(5)John Y. C.
Tucked in the corner of the hustling and bustling main casino of Hard Rock is Council Oak. Swathed in wide plank wood floors and panelled walls, it is remarkably quiet once you step in from the casino floor. To the right is the bar and to the left is a display of what's for dinner. This is the place to go if you're looking for great dining experience. The place is large, open, and airy. There is plenty of ample seating, the tables are plenty separated from each other so that you're not bumping elbows with other patrons. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and lively. There is no pretentious attitude, and the crowd is more involved in their own affairs rather than trying to attract attention from others. In essence, this is not the typical SoBe steak house! The bread selection was impressive right off the bat. The butter temperature was perfect for spreading. The lobster bisque was good, but once we added their special sea salt (from France), it became that much better. The 26oz long bone cowboy rib-eye was cooked to perfection. Excellent char on the crust. They even brandish your initials into the bone (cheezy, but attention to detail nevertheless). Oneida silverware and Languiole steak knives easily carves the steak into perfect bite size pieces. Coupled with the mushroom and asparagus sides and I'm plenty content. So if you strike it big at a slot machine, or work your way through several blackjacks, Council Oak is definitely the place to celebrate those winning.
(5)Nadia L.
Great bar! I always come here before concerts or going to the outside area. Get Cyril as a bartender! He is great! The music here is live and very fun! The environment is very high class, mature and an overall great experience.
(5)Adriana R.
I am a true steak lover, as is my boyfriend, we go out to eat steak all the time... here is our review... Music in bar and dining area is too loud to have a conversation with person next to you and forget about the person across the table. Techno music while dining is not what you expect at a steak house...I felt like I was at a Rave back in the early 90's!!!! Here is our rundown on the food... Filet mignon- great quality but they do not understand Pittsburgh style. Lamb Chops- excellent taste, but 4 small chops does not fill a grown man. Lobster Mac and Cheese- NOT WORTH IT.. Tasteless and lobsterless. Asparagus- plain without seasoning... boring. Au Gratin potatoes- they were good but not GREAT Escargot- nothing spectacular Caprese Salad- very good but nothing out of the ordinary We did not order dessert since we were all tired from not being able to have a decent conversation at the table. I will only go back if i HAD to, such a s a birthday party or some event... Not a place I would go to by choice. Lots of other steakhouses in Fort Lauderdale that stick to being steak houses and not a club/steakhouse. Prices are a bit higher than other steakhouses hence the reason you should expect a bit more from Council Oak. Hope they read this and get back to basics. They used to be great. Their brunch is excellent though.
(2)Arly J.
Went for the Sunday brunch around 11:30 and OMG it cannot get any better than the amount of food you can eat for the $55.00 per person. From the hostess to our waiter Timothy, to all the staff they go out of there way to help you and are so friendly. The mimosa were flowing the entire we were there. The food presentation is amazing and the layout is great. They have different station all over the restaurant so you never are really in a line. The food is always full and fresh. They have a cold station with stone crabs, shrimp and crab legs, they have a sushi station, cold pasta station (which had antipasto, garbanzo salads and many more) the big station had all the regular breakfast items, sausage, apple smoked bacon and THE BEST crab benedict you will ever have. we also like the cheese blintze. They had the regular omelette and pasta station with a belgian waffle station followed by beef tenderloin and lamb. To the side was salmon, pecan crusted sea bass (delicious) beef braised short ribs and in the entrance the most spectacular desert bar you could imagine next to the banana fosters station. Spectacular station and amazing staff. HIghly reccommend for a fantastic day at council Oak!
(5)Jane C.
We went there for the brunch! 3 words... DONT MISS IT! At first, the hostess told us it vas 55$ per person, which is pretty expensive, but right after, we decided to take a look and then we could just not go someplace else! seriously! this is amazing!! the service is excellent, the seafood is delightful, the deserts also! the lamb! Its not too lousy but DO TAKE A RESERVATION! because or else they'll sit you somewhere less nice than the big room! anyway. Now that we've tried it, its a must for years to come! enjoy!
(5)Jodi C.
Excellent service, excellent food & excellent atmosphere. It's a win-win restaurant. I had lobster. We had the lump crab appetizer which is AMAZING! Love it. I've also tried to brunch here & there's so much food & such a great variety you can't go wrong. Not to mention the endless mimosa's. The bar has live music. Cyril takes really good care of his customers. We always end up here after concerts.
(5)Cookie C.
this had to be the best food i have had in a looong time. OK, EVER! it must be a hard rock secret though. its right in the middle of the casino so i didn't expect much.the bill was heavy. i mean, its a pretty penny but so0o0o0o0 necessary. i had great service, excellent food & wine and the atmosphere was Darling. i had the twin lobsters and i can only describe them as cousins to butter. the crab meat was sweet and single--no bread crumbs attached. ladies, this place deserves your revised edited freakum dress and red bottoms...i say edit the freeakum to a classy version because the crowd is a bit antiquated. shameless secret? i almost slipped on the icy floors in my heels, lol. the food arrived on time and with a smile. the lighting was perfect and i love the crescent booths. ooooh, this place is amazing.
(5)Stan K.
I use to think this place was great. the quality seems down lately. Although service is always great the food is suffering. I hope they can get their act back together.
(2)Nathan J.
Updated review. In a word: underwhelming. I don't mind spending ~ $75 (plus tip) on a steak dinner for myself, but it better be one really good steak. In comparison to meals at Capital Grille, Prime 112, Steak 954, etc., I think this is good, but not amazing. The food is closer to 4 stars, but in relation to the price it's a 3. I spend a lot of time at Hard Rock and have eaten here several times since this review, usually on comps. The atmosphere continues to be enjoyable. Hands down the best restaurant at Hard Rock, but that isn't saying much. If you don't mind spending the money, it's not going to be a bad meal by any means. But don't expect to truly get what you're paying for.
(3)Marie H.
It was good. The bill was $170 for 2 of us..so I expected my lobster to be cooked right..it was overdone..when we told the manager, he ordered us a new one immediately. Once that came out, everything was perfect, the steak was cooked the way I ordered it and it was better than any steak I'd had in a long time however I don't normally like/want steak. We left there and won all our money back in the casino :)
(4)Richard D.
First a quick tip. Don't rely on the concierge or the reservation service to get a table. We were told that there was only availabilty after 8:30 on both of the nights we ate there. We went at 6:00 and were seated immediately without a reservation. I again had the braised shortribs and they are to die for. 'nuf said.
(5)The Next Time O.
Steakhouse located within Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. It was easy decision for my friends and I to eat there as we were staying at the hotel and had comp to use. The decor is nice, service was excellent. We ate in the private dining room where the wines are stored, if you are looking for a quiet dinner - requested if not occupied. Food: Oysters & Clams - Clams were fresher than the Oysters Soup - Lobster Bisque - good enough; Spinach salad - excellent Mains - our group agreed that Steaks were cooked to order and excellent; Lobsters - some undercooked - some overcooked; Stuffed Lobster - I would skip it; Fish - Grouper - would skip that as well. I recommend Kitchenetta & Tom Jenkins BBQ outside of hotel. The Next Time: only if the dinner is on the casino, clams and oysters for starters and steak only for entrees
(3)Candice L.
Ahhh,,Council Oak!!! Where do I begin?! This place is amazing from the time you walk in the door and see all of the meats displayed and only continues to get better and better as you move throughout dinner. Mickael,,the General Manager,,is entertaining,,funny,,knowledgeable and generous! Luis,,our waiter even got us our own private room in the wine cellar! The 8oz. filet mignon was the best meat I have ever tasted! The Bluepoint oysters were on point! Mickael comped us rig & cheese with truffle oil and truffled french fries. Both very delicious and highly recommended. I tried the Spinach salad with pine nuts and it was truly savory! Also recommended along with the above aforementioned items. The service was out of this world not to mention our own private seating in the extremely well-stocked fine wine cellar! I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. Their Sunday brunch for $39.99 is enough to feed 10 kings with everything from a private sushi chef making sushi (ask for the caviar) ;) to more Bluepoints,,Alaskan crab (ready to eat!),,omelet stations,,waffle stations,,salad stations with the most exotic mushrooms everywhere (some even stuffed with various cheeses),,all the champagne you could drink,,caipirinhas made with fresh strawberries or watermelon,,chocolate fountain with fruits,,marshmallow and bonbons,,and a banana fosters station!!! Do not eat the night before,,we were advised during our dinner trip and Mickael was right! This is a must try for Sunday brunch and a delicious steak and seafood dinner located inside the Hard Rock!!!!! Love it! Will be back!!!
(5)Rick P.
Great steaks. I've been here twice, Filet Mignon once and the Bison Filet the second time. The bison was incredibly tender, which was a surprise, but was what the waiter told us it would be. It was like a Kobe bison or something like that. Whatever it was, it was very tasty. Very expensive, but worth it,especially when comped by the casino :)
(5)Erick A.
Visited Council Oak inside the Hardrock Casino for the second time in the last two or so years. Once again, it did not disappoint. Excellent service and even better food. One thing that makes this place special is that even though its considered an upscale steakhouse, the waiters are really down to earth. They assist you with the menu and make suggestions that you will not regret. Its up there in pricing, but worth every penny if you're in the mood for a good steak.
(4)Jacq A.
Decided to have a pre valentine date here with my husband. Made a reservation at 8:00pm and we got a booth by the entrance which I don't recommend, unless you don't mind people walk in and out every 5 minutes. I started with a glass of Riesling $13 per glass I think. Pricey if you ask me. I just ordered Caesar salad which is very ordinary, nothing special. My husband ordered the 26 oz ribeye. Omg, it's massive! He gave me a little bit, but we still didn't finish it. It was good, but not the best considering the $69 price. Service is kinda slow. It took them almost 20 minutes to bring my wine. It was a busy night, but still. I don't mind waiting for food, but delaying my wine is not okay. We definitely would not come back, we just tried it because we frequent Hard Rock.
(3)Jeff W.
I'm a big fan of upscale steakhouses and this place held its own. The restaurant had a quiet atmosphere when I visited which was probably due more to the fact it was a Monday evening than anything else. The food itself was very good. Had the raw bar appetizer for two which included lobster, oysters, shrimp and crab which was excellent. Followed that up with a New York Strip that was perfectly cooked medium rare. The waitstaff were attentive without being excessively so. The dinner for two, with a bottle of wine thrown in for good measure, came out around $250, not including gratuity. Thanks to a two hundred dollar casino comp, the meal was a good value. However, if you are not a degenerate gambler and can peel yourself from the craps tables for a while, you may get more bang for your buck, along with a livelier atmosphere somewhere along the waterfront.
(3)Charmie P.
I am giving it 3 stars because the food is very good, I would give it 1 star if it was based on service alone. I have been to the Council Oak a few times now, and yes the steaks, salads and side dishes are excellent, but I think the food is over priced. Also, the first time I visited, I had a much more attentive, professional server, where as the last few times I felt that I was being served at the local TGIF's, I don't need a wanna be comedian who forgets he has a table to serve, serving me my $65 Porterhouse. Also, I noticed they have cut back on their cocktail sizes which I don't understand since they already overprice their menu in comparison to other Prime steakhouses in their league. I won't be returning, every time I have gone back the service and cocktails were worst and not better.
(3)Mandy H.
Took my boyfriend for his birthday dinner at this place. We went one of the coldest night in south FL and the host offer us to sie outside. My first impression was it's very cold outside. But she told us that they have heater outside if we would like to check it out before we make our decision. She was right the environment outside is very quite and nice. We had oysters - excellent; Prime Ribs - wonderful; Scallops - nothing special. So don't get the scallops there because you will be ending up disappointed.
(3)Jaclyn G.
True Story: I Survived My Bachelorette Party I woke up on Sunday morning at the Seminole Hard Rock with only mere flashes of the night before held within the confines of my memory - a hot pink pimp hat, a phallus-shaped sippy cup filled with vodka cran, gyrating dancing on piano tops, the molestation of a zombie and several go-rounds on a mechanical bull with bruises on my thighs as proof. What's a hungover, squinty-eyed, missing-voiced bachelorette to do? Hit up Council Oak for some "hair of the dog" lovin' and goooood grubbin'. Me and the rest of my crew were seated immediately by the hostess and were quickly greeted by the witty, charming and all-too-understanding Joel. We instructed him that under NO circumstance were our mimosa and bloody mary cups to remain empty. Oh, our lovely Joel...not only did he deliver, he delivered in BULK. Our table became a wasteland of champagne flutes and Tabasco laced cups. With unlimited mimosas and blood marys, how can you say no? You *can't*. And they kept coming. The bloody marys rank amongst the best I've ever had...you have an option of using Absolut, Absolut Peppar, and Absolut Citron - not everyone gets the right ratio of juice to vodka, but Council Oak nails it in spectacular fashion. And the mimosas? God bless Joel's little heart...they kept getting lighter, and lighter, and lighter until the orange hue was a faint memory of a some long ago sober thought. And the food, you ask? Well, my friends...Council Oak wants to make sure your stomach is *well* padded for the alcoholic assault you're committing on your liver. Fresh sushi lovingly prepared by Sushi Maki, a generous raw bar complete with shrimp the size of your face, ginormous mussels, clams, crab legs and stone crabs, a crepe station, a stir fry station, a carving station, an omelet station, breakfast foods by the ton (cheese blintzes were out of this world as were the applewood smoked sausage and bacon), dinner options (flank steak, chicken, mahi mahi), salads, soups and the piece de resistance - the dessert bar. I might have lost my virginity for the second time whilst dipping homemade marshmallows and chocolate truffles into a chocolate fountain. Crème brulee, mousses, meringues, chocolate chip/peanut butter/oatmeal cookies the size of flapjacks, brownies, cheesecakes also take center stage here...need I go on? The gluttony is so overwhelmingly decadent, I literally became 'high' off of all the exquisite and delicious consumption. Our group sat at a very comfortably appointed table with a view to their lush outdoor patio for close to 3 hours of drinking, eating, laughing...the staff never once made us feel rushed or hurried. They promptly cleared plates, refilled our waters (and booze) without asking and made us feel completely at home. And thank you Joel for putting up with our antics...it takes a helluva good sport and server to be wrestled down onto a woman's lap several times to be administered kisses on the cheek and endure stares/pictures of their butt. In the words of the classic comic Peanuts, "You're a good man, Charlie Brown." The cost for this amazing experience: $50 per person. I easily drank a sickeningly scary amount more than those $50 - chances are if you have a liver like mine, you will too. Parking in the Seminole Hard Rock garage is free (do not use the garage on Lucky Street - they'll charge you anywhere from $8 - $20). And Joel, if you're reading this...hit up my girl, Alex. And bring along that chocolate fountain while you're at it.
(5)Franco M.
Very elegant, there is a quaint bar off to the right with smooth jazz or other mellow live music. To the left is the butcher shop showcasing the beautiful cuts of meat. Once seated, our waiter Pascal treated us wonderfully. He was very knowledgeable and sophisticated while still treating my wife and I very warmly. When seated, they serve you an assortment of artisan breads, grissini, and focaccia along with butter and a tomato compote of sorts. We started with an order of escargot and half a dozen oysters. Both were excellent. For the main, I ordered a 26oz bone in ribeye with a wild mushroom medley. My wife had a 12oz filet mignon oscar style (topped with crabmeat, asparagus, and hollandaise). The steaks were exceptional. Perfect temperature with a thick crust on the outside and they were perfectly seasoned. We split an order of lobster mac n cheese which was great and steamed asparagus with hollandaise. For dessert we had the key lime dream which is key lime pie in cake form with mascarpone cheese, a genoise I think, key lime custard, and it had a chocolate ribbon with gold leaf on the outside of it. Very talented pastry chef. Also we ordered a couple single malt scotches from their large selections of fine wine and apertifs. Overall the meal was excellent. The steaks were as good, if not, better than Mortons. Be prepared to spend a lot, but after the meal you won't care what the price was.
(4)Jenny Q. V.
I went there a few years ago for a birthday and I'm never going back. Over priced and the food was BLAH..
(1)Todd K.
Good, solid steaks. Good sides. Pricey. Had the truffle fries and wild mushrooms, with 8 oz fillet. Fillet came out slightly overdone from my requested medium rare, but was good anyway. great basket of bread with tomato tapenade. Good choice of wines. Had great $10.00 glass of Malbec.
(4)FRANCO P.
So in Hollywood, FLORIDA it is very oh so very hard to find good food. This place is highly rated so we checked it out. Not bad, but not great. Let's call it safe. Typical touristy steak house you'd find near Disney or Time Square. Again, the food was good, but I would not repeat if I had the choice.
(2)brian s.
I must say that Council Oak is by far the best steak house ever! Being from Chicago i have eaten at all the greats-Ruth Chris, Morton's, Gene & Georgetti's, Chop House Etc... The way that they implement dry aged chops is just remarkable. Available for view on the way in. No wonder why all the area's professional athletes chow down here. If you wanna see celebrities and eat like one this is the place! Also a must is the Wedge Salad, amazing and comes with the Blu Cheese olive in a shot of vodka! I also must recommend the Bone In Cowboy Wagyu Ribeye of course Oscar! Loves It, Loves It! Could go on forever !
(5)Dave W.
Over priced, poor service and lack luster. Would never go back even if it was free
(1)Colleen O.
The ambiance and food at Council Oak is five stars but the service is mediocre at best. Daisy and Francis are a poor first impression for the rest of the restaurant. While my husband and I will be returning to eat we will be sure to avoid the persnickety bartenders and hope that the rest of the front of the house will make up for their slack.
(3)ItsSunnyinHawaii O.
We a party of 6, give 5-stars for the meat. Ordered: "COWBOY RIBEYE": Hands down the best I've ever had! Aged 3-weeks. BONE-IN-VEAL: we are guessing it was the Rib-Eye cut, also the best ever! FILET MIGNON: also the best we've had. Tender, tender! cooked perfectly KING CRAB LEGS: Holy Huge Legs lots of meat, moist & flavorful! LOBSTER BISQUE: also excellent. Lots of Lobster flavor, Very Rich & creamy, and served perfectly warm. Topped and mixed throughout with dried scallops. CEASAR SALAD: excellent, but not the "best I've ever had.." ONION RINGS: Served the beer batter not crunchy style. They were boarder line soggy-boarder line good. DESSERTS: Apple Crunch Ala Mode & a Warm Molton Chocolate Cake Ala Mode... Eh, both were ok. Service: Excellent, friendly, playful attentive server. Live music: had me dancing The Bar: poured nice stiff drinks ::-) I highly recommend. Excellent, Excellent meat, not just another high-end steak house.
(5)Steven G.
We made a last minute reservation and from the moment we arrived we were treated like royalty. They gave us one of the best tables in the house and the service was exceptional. The hostess even offered my GF a shawl as she thought she may be cold with the AC. Food was exceptional- great cocktails, phenomenal wine selection ( well-priced) and amazing apps and entrees. Highly recommend the spinach salad and the garlic mash is to die for. All the steak selections look great however the cowboy ribeye is something else. If you can- ask for Earl to be your server. He will show you a good time.
(5)Brian C.
Always a great place for a steak! Stopped by for my birthday dinner on Monday and was delighted as always. Had the prime rib, which was very tasty and juicy. It was well seasoned served at the right temperature. I would suggest starting with something like the oysters on the half shell, which were fresh and tasty! The king crab legs were great as well!
(4)Marc M.
The wife and I went for our anniversary. Nothing special. Tough NY Strip. The waiter reached across me backhanding a soup to my wife when he could easily have gone to the other side of the booth and placed it properly. If the steaks are dry aged why no flavor? I work in a high end place and don't want to get into too many details about the night but for comparable prices to my restaurant, I would not work there for long if I addressed the client as "Bud" and seamed so as uninterested as our server. The manager was open about being rude to the busser in the middle of the dining room about how to set up a table as well. I guess a high volume place like this has its boring half busy nights like we experienced but from what I know from where I work, this becomes the most important time to create a memorable experience to ensure a guests return. We however will not.
(2)Kim M.
Overall, the service was exceptional, the food was good, and the bill was pricey. Our server, the runner, and the manager were incredibly attentive without being smothering. The server was outstanding- one of the best I've ever come across (it was his first night AND I also used to be a server). He made some great recommendations for the meal and the wine. Three of us shared 2 sides (family style), which was perfect. The lobster macaroni and cheese was fantastic! We shared the beef carpaccio appetizer, which was excellent as well. Our server steered us in the right direction: the aged beef was the way to go. We didn't go for the toppings, which was again probably a wise choice. It was certainly not the best steak I've ever had, but it was very good and a huge portion. Be prepared to spend at least $50 per entree. Bonus: chairs were seriously comfy! The best part of Council Oak was the service. It made our meal worth the entire (pretty big) bill.
(4)Monika K.
came here for sunday brunch.... 4stars for food, everything was delicious and I have to usually try a bit of everything but I have some kinda complex that i dont want to miss something spectacular. 2 stars for service... we waited at the hostess stand for a couple min b4 someone greeted us. she just sat us down didnt explain anything to us and a waiter just popped up out of no where askin what we wanted to drink, we basically walked around the place to c where the food was. the plates weren't cleared quickly enough off the table, service got better as time went by but still not up to par. nevertheless.... Food- was awesome, seafood, different salads, cheese, smoked salmon quiche was fantastic, was bummed bc there was no crab cake Benedict but it was w. ham and asparagus. but still good. cheese blitzes, French toast casserole, omelet station, Belgian waffle station,pasta station, lamb and beef tenderloin were both juicy and delicious. dessert room was like being in a dream, bananas( w some berries) foster was an orgasm in a dish. def worth the $50 a person for brunch. work on the quality of service and it'll be 5 star worthy.
(4)C P.
Steak joint . Very orchestrated wait staff. The food was pretty darn great....especially since I had just taken $500 from the Casino and it was on their dime. FREE FILLET is hard to beat. The fillet was very good...in my top 10. Lobster mac and cheese is good every where...it be good at burger king if they had it. Also they have those 3 "special" salts. the Hawaii one is awesome. The waiter even game the lamo story of how the Indians came up with the council oak... and have meet at the council oak for hundreds of years...up until !.... The council oak tree was cut down so that the Indian tribe could make $50 million at their new casino. So they named the restaurant after that poor lil tree. so go....Located in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casio this sophisticated gem is an excellent dinning establishment.
(4)Ronnie F.
I had the opportunity of checking out Council Oak on casino food comps, meaning I ate free. Hence, I'm not sure of what anything cost, so it's entirely possible that certain items were not a good value. That said, this place is top-notch, in terms of quality and service. Ambiance is a nice touch; the dining room is soft-lit with great booths. Definitely sit on the lowest floor and ask for Phillip or Sonya to serve you. As Marc mentioned, Council Oak serves Fiji water, whether you ask for it or not. Here are my favorites: wedge of iceberg salad (amazing dressing), asparagus, porterhouse for two (the filet is out of this world incredible; probably the best i've ever had), lobster (or is it crab?) macaroni, spinach dip. I'm not sure ordering the filet on its own would taste as good as the porterhouse (ny/filet). I would recommend the above with Acacia Pinot Noir. The best thing about Council Oak is you can walk out and play at Seminole casino. Great restaurant; great location.
(5)Marco M.
Located in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casio this sophisticated gem is an excellent dinning establishment. First Class all the way. The Prime rib is outstanding and comes with a Popover the size of your head. The table water is even poshed up, they only serve bottled Fiji artisan water. Top notch menu and service!!!
(5)John C.
Yes, I tried another hotel-affiliated steakhouse. This time it was the Council Oak at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood Florida, and I was there with my mother for a very special occasion: her 76th birthday. Jimmy at the bar and Miguel (with one exception) in the dining room both gave really good service. I asked for a special booth, and Deborah at the hostess desk was happy to oblige. The apps: Stuffed clams (good, fresh and not too filling) and escargot (WOW. Outstanding) were very good, but the bread...was divine - nice assortment, fresh from the oven and served with creamy butter and fresh tapinade that tasted of high quality olives and sun-dried tomatoes. My mom had the queen cut prime rib, which was enormous. She would probably have been better off witha filet (or better yet, the bone-in filet, which looked great.) I had the New York strip, medium rare (served more medium than rare). As a side, we had the lobster mac n cheeze (not worth the price, and not as good as most barbecue places serve all over south Florida.) The main reason that the Council Oak doesn't get 4 stars from me is that the server upsold us to a wine that was $100 more than the price range of the two bottles that I had asked about. I was looking for something $50 to $55, and asksked about two bottles in that range. He recommended a Sterling Cabernet. I looked on the list and saw a Sterling for $52, and went with his recommendation. When the check came, I realized that he had brought a bottle of Sterling RESERVE at over $150 a bottle. When I explained this to the manager (didn't get her name) she asked if I "had a problem with that." When I told her that I did, she dropped the wine charge to $52, which was what they should have done. It was just kind of dissapointing that the server would have done that in the first place. All in all, if you are going to be at the casino or at Hard Rock live for a concert, and want to do the fine dining thing, I would recommend the Council Oak. Otherwise, there are too many great steakhouses in South Florida to make a special trip...
(4)eglys h.
we were fortunate enough to try out this place at least once and it was on the house. my brother in law won a limo ride to the hard rock, tickets to see robin williams and dinner for 4 at this restaurant. my husband is steak lover and his jaw dropped at the sight of this place.. the meat is aged which if you love steak knows what happens to meat when aged!!! we were able to taste such delicacies as the fresh crab salad - this was the real thing - plump, juicy, flaky crab!!! my mouth is watery right now!! my brother in law had the jumbo shrimp cocktail, they were really jumbo!!! for dinner i had the fish of the day (yes dumb thing to have at a steak house!) but they pulled it off - it had a nice golden crust on the outside and fish was still tender and flaky in the inside. my sister in law had the chops. these were very nice big plump chops grilled to perfection. my brother in law had the I do not remember exactly ounces port house but the darn thing even had a bone on it that was way over the plate!!! he could not finish off the whole thing.. my husband, he went for the steak med well. his knife cut it like cutting butter! it was tender, juicy and one of the best he says he has had... then came dessert!!! i had the trio of creme Catalonia's which was 3 small delicate plates, 1 of milk chocolate, 1 white chocolate with raspberries and the other dark chocolate (excuse me now, cause I'm drooling just thinking about it!!!) the chocolates were like silk on the palate. my husband had a red velvet cupcake, yes cupcake huge!! it was delicious as well. we did have to pay for the drinks. we had 2 shots of Grand Mainer 12 yrs aged and 1 other shot my sister in law had and it was $108.00 so if we would calculate all the surreptitious food we ate, we believe it would of been over $600! so thank goodness for my brother in law!!!! we would like return one day but it is very expensive (worth every bill thou!) if you can, go to this place...at least once!
(5)Shannon P.
Best Filet EVER. Dry aged 28 days in house MMMMM. Yummy sinful Chocolate Souffle. Excellent service. Lovely ambiance. I am in Love.
(5)christine p.
Super Super good! The best service ever! Have the lobster mac-n-cheese!! My filet was perfection and my husband's rib eye was just so tasty! Would go there again! (Have the Banana Fosters Cheesecake dessert)
(5)Jai K.
Really have no complaints whatsoever about this place, really great steakhouse, pricey but you get quality food and service. Filet mignon was exceptional. Decor is very beautiful. Highly recommend!
(5)Michelle R.
This Sunday Brunch is worth EVERY PENNY you will spend! Located at the Seminole Hard Rock at Sterling Road and 441 in Hollywood. Valet and walk right in or find a free spot in the one of lots or garages. The service is impeccable, thank you Sonia - and crew. All inclusive Mimosas, Bloody Marys, etc.. Several stations with Crab legs & claws, jumbo shrimp, mussels, oysters, clams. Gourmet cold salads, cold cuts, olives, etc. Real crab cake and eggs Benedict along with all the usual - but delicious buffet breakfast items. Carving station with Tenderloin and Rack of Lamb. Sea-bass, Salmon, braised Leg of Lamb, etc. and finally the "piece de resistance" the all important dessert ROOM. Don't worry, you don't have to actually save space for it, your brain will take care of that. May I encourage the Bananas Foster or Fresh Fruit Foster as it was. We did not have anything that we did not like, and we tried to "taste" everything....
(5)kristina t.
amazing food, great wine. alil pricey but well worth it.
(4)