What Price Bourbon Steak?

After such a mix of diverse reviews, I was anxious to get on with our dinner at Bourbon Steak. I, like others had high expectations for what is a decidedly pricey steakhouse.
Arriving early to enjoy a cocktail and bite at the bar at 7:00 on Black Friday, the space was packed. We were able to shuffle up to the bar after a few minutes and enjoyed our drinks with the perfunctory Lobster Corn Dogs.  They are wonderful bites, no doubt, but at $16 for four - two bite snacks, the game was on. Cocktails were spot on, and the bartender pleasant.
Seated 30 minutes early was a treat for us. I had brought wine, which was taken when we checked in with the hostess, and presented again when we sat. This set the tone for service that was impeccable all evening. That level you expect at a venue like this where you no one is hovering or bothering, but absolutely nothing goes wanting. Simply wonderful service.
A note on the noise level. Unfortunately there was a table of 8 or so that were acting as if they were at Outback Steak vs. Bourbon Steak. They were raucous and disruptive to the point where the table next to us complained. Once they left, we were able to judge the noise as buzzing, not quiet by any means but not so loud that we couldn't maintain a personal conversation.
Duck Fat fries three ways with three sauces were excellent, a very nice "gift" to start. Kumomoto Oysters were lovely, and served with two sauces, a mignonette and cocktail. ($21 for 4).
But we came for the beef! My wife had the 14oz New York ($46), and I the 18oz Bone In Rib Eye ($49). My Rib Eye was extremely tender and very flavorful. Not disappointing, but I expected an ethereal carnivore experience. They slow butter poach the steaks before a quick grill, a preparation I have been dreaming about. They charge more for Prime beef, and I feel this was maybe the difference. 
My wife's NY was, in her words...tough. Dare I say grislely? Obviously much less than expected.
The Truffle Mac and Cheese (all sides are $10) delivered the goods, but the sauteed spinach was just that and nothing more, shockingly bland. They pay so much attention to detail, to put a blob of wet spinach on a plate with some crispy bits on top was a let down. I know it's just spinach, but whats easier to dress up?
The roller coaster continued with a spectacular Root Beer Float ($10) dessert. A real treat with both Root Beer liquid and a granita over Ice Cream served with two perfect chocolate chip cookies. See what can be done with simple dishes (see previous spinach reference)
A decidedly mixed night, unfortunately not living up to expectations. Very tough to rate with the service and experience so very nice...but we came for perfect Steaks, and I would have traded some of the service perfection for better beef.
4 stars at $250....3 stars at $400!

Sassa Sassy

Walnut Creek residents and visitors have certainly benefited from the explosion of restaurants downtown in the last 10 years. The quality and variety bar has been raised, challenging newcomers to keep pace. This trend has even brought recognition from his highness Michael Bauer in the way of 8 straight years for Va de Vi's placement on the Top 100 list.

While many of these new establishments bring very good to excellent food to the area, they all feel "safe" in their menus.  Even Va de Vi, while in places innovative doesn't show a real flair for creativity. Mac 'n cheese again...really?

This is where Sassa shines. There are no doubt small clunks along the way; the $5 skewered Chicken Hearts tasted more of the seven pepper spice than the richness of the hearts themselves, but overall there a real feeling of passion for what Chef Sam Castro is preparing.

The $30 Sashimi Deluxe offered 6 double portion, healthy sized, and delectable nuggets. Supremely fresh, each piece was wonderful and just special enough to deserve the premium to the $22 entry level Sashimi Izakaya. The Deluxe included Sea Urchin…the fantastic Foie Gras of the sea.

The overall selection is vast but not overwhelming, and doesn’t seem to overtask the kitchen. It’s a menu that makes you want to come back to explore more. The $12 Roasted Asian Squash Dumplings, using Won Ton type wrappers as a sedan were lovely, accented smartly with a rich but not over powering Balsamic-Brown Butter sauce. Trishy loved the generous portion of $7 Pan Roasted Brussel Sprouts, which were dressed with bacon and Lemon, Brown Butter & Soy sauce.

There’s not much to choose from East of the tunnel when it comes to Offal, and in fairness we’re entry level members of the nasty bits club, but Chef Castro delicately introduces the masses. In addition to the aforementioned Chicken Hearts we had the liberal potion of $12 Ika Sugatayaki – grilled jumbo whole Squid.  It was very good, although the bottom of the rounds were just a bit chewy, they were served with a nicely spiced sambal aioli.

The $13 Anago Hot Pot Rice used a perfectly poached egg to bring together BBQ Sea Eel, Scallions and Sansho Pepper. I just wish the soft boiled egg was as soft in the “Green Eggs and Ham”. A long tray of deftly handled Soy Braised Pork Cheeks dressed adorned with micro greens. The combination worked well, but oddly the Panko Breaded egg was served chilled which, in my opinion wasn’t the ideal way to set off the dish. I think the wait staff might benefit from offering a utensil other than the chop sticks with this dish to help dissect the egg.

The space in the front is very attractive, utilizing the original brickwork of this lovely old building, but the room in the back where we were seated, while nicely decorated, was a bit cold, making one feel as if they are relegated to coach class while the rest of the patrons are seated in business. The wait staff is attentive and knowledgeable, and act as if they are proud of what they have to offer. Something lacking all too often in so many restaurants. After a 15 minute wait for the car valet upon arrival the hostess took my keys and delivered my valet ticket to our table when it was finally parked. Nice.

The staff’s attention to detail is a point of difference to Va de Vi, where at times they make feel as if you’re privileged to be dining there. And while the tariff is similar, there’s more of a feeling of value at Sassa. It’s not cheap, but perhaps it just the sense of everything coming together better at Sassa.

Sassa’s menu is not ideally suited for a huge wine list, but with that said, it should be pointed their list is very disappointing, offering only a small, routine selection. Boring

If Walnut Creek is to really stand out and give us reason to stay home from San Francisco (and even Oakland now) for a special meal with innovative cuisine, Sassa's kind of new thinking is more of what’s needed here.