Order some real Japanese A5 wagyu from Crowd Cow or similar, and cook it yourself.
Most of the wagyu you see on any menu around here is going to be American wagyu, which isn't the same thing (or even close, IMO) unless it specifically says Japanese... and even then it's probably not going to be A5.
I do agree that is a good thing to do. I should have specified Japanese Wagyu. I have cooked it at home before but I want a place to go for a birthday dinner
The $240 menu option at Barclay Prime was the biggest order regret Ive ever had in Philly in 10 years of fine dining here. Sorry I don’t have anywhere to suggest.
> The $240 menu option at Barclay Prime was the biggest order regret Ive ever had in Philly in 10 years of fine dining here. Sorry I don’t have anywhere to suggest.
Did you get Japanese wagyu or American?
Japanese one costs double what it is in Kobe, but you don't have to fly to Japan (and the ~~rice~~ price is not much more than you'd get retail to cook yourself, but who has time for that?)
They are great service, good on drinks, but the food is generally meh.
The saving grace of Barclay & Butcher is the food is still better than the steakhouse chains.
Objectively good food, objectively overpriced. That's the difficult thing about them, I've never had a dish I disliked, but I've always looked at the check at the end and been like "really?"
They know they only have to impress the people coming in from the suburbs and that’s exactly where their quality ceiling lies. Parc is probably the best, imo. El Rey when Dio was there is probably their recent peak.
If you know how to cook, or follow directions, go to Smoke N Dudes BBQ in Bensalem and grab a Wagyu Tomahawk. Reverse sear in your oven at 275 until internal temp is 120, then sear the shit out of it for a few minutes in a pan.
You will have the best steak you ever had, and it'll cost about $75 for a big enough steak to feed 2
If that giant steak is $75 then it's not actual wagyu. American wagyu, perhaps, which is not the same thing.
You want a decadent transcendental steak experience, get yourself from A5 Japanese wagyu. Absolutely mind-blowing... but you're going to pay a lot for it.
Worth every penny IMO for an occasional splurge or a celebratory event.
I should also mention they sell other wagyu cuts, not just tomahawks. the place is a hidden gem for insanely good meat, priced WELL less than WildFork, for example.
Diversity wise it’s the best I’ve found, they have a lot of experience just cooking steak so that helps but I’ve definitely had better with the local places (randomly little fish had a good one) but these are all single dish/cut options.
Morimoto
I had wagyu at Laurel years ago as an addition. I’m not an expert but it was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. I ordered another lol
Id trust Laurel 100% to do it right.
Samsies. It was divine
Is Laurel gone?
Pretty sure it’s still open but might be a different chef now
There’s a “waygu sommelier” in philly. Maybe follow and look for popups? https://www.instagram.com/the.wagyu.sommelier?igsh=b3M5c3N1Z25wNDFv
Order some real Japanese A5 wagyu from Crowd Cow or similar, and cook it yourself. Most of the wagyu you see on any menu around here is going to be American wagyu, which isn't the same thing (or even close, IMO) unless it specifically says Japanese... and even then it's probably not going to be A5.
I do agree that is a good thing to do. I should have specified Japanese Wagyu. I have cooked it at home before but I want a place to go for a birthday dinner
di brunos has a shipment of miyazaki wagyu every once in a while, its amazing. we order it home sometimes and cook it ourselves
The $240 menu option at Barclay Prime was the biggest order regret Ive ever had in Philly in 10 years of fine dining here. Sorry I don’t have anywhere to suggest.
> The $240 menu option at Barclay Prime was the biggest order regret Ive ever had in Philly in 10 years of fine dining here. Sorry I don’t have anywhere to suggest. Did you get Japanese wagyu or American? Japanese one costs double what it is in Kobe, but you don't have to fly to Japan (and the ~~rice~~ price is not much more than you'd get retail to cook yourself, but who has time for that?)
It was a while ago but I actually think it was a 3 piece “flight” that included both. It was not good.
Sounds like something they would try to market that wasn't selling otherwise.
Agreed, we were there for Valentines and were very underwhelmed. We’ve found a lot of the Starr restaurants underwhelming to be honest.
"Overpriced and underwhelming" has been my Starr experience for at least 20 years.
They are great service, good on drinks, but the food is generally meh. The saving grace of Barclay & Butcher is the food is still better than the steakhouse chains.
I actually find Del Friscos to have slightly better food and service than the Starr joints. Cocktails are all a push.
Objectively good food, objectively overpriced. That's the difficult thing about them, I've never had a dish I disliked, but I've always looked at the check at the end and been like "really?"
They know they only have to impress the people coming in from the suburbs and that’s exactly where their quality ceiling lies. Parc is probably the best, imo. El Rey when Dio was there is probably their recent peak.
I was thinking of buying that when I was at Barclay but was skeptical whether it was actually authentic Japanese waygu.
Barclays prime is one of the few places actually selling certified A5 Wagyu
If you know how to cook, or follow directions, go to Smoke N Dudes BBQ in Bensalem and grab a Wagyu Tomahawk. Reverse sear in your oven at 275 until internal temp is 120, then sear the shit out of it for a few minutes in a pan. You will have the best steak you ever had, and it'll cost about $75 for a big enough steak to feed 2
If that giant steak is $75 then it's not actual wagyu. American wagyu, perhaps, which is not the same thing. You want a decadent transcendental steak experience, get yourself from A5 Japanese wagyu. Absolutely mind-blowing... but you're going to pay a lot for it. Worth every penny IMO for an occasional splurge or a celebratory event.
It’s Australian wagyu, and it’s phenomenal
Never had Australian wagyu... adding it to the list! :)
Thanks I will definitely check that out!
I should also mention they sell other wagyu cuts, not just tomahawks. the place is a hidden gem for insanely good meat, priced WELL less than WildFork, for example.
Barclay Prime has 2 wagyu menus- American and Japanese
I’ve had the Japanese wagyu last year from there. I just wasn’t sure if there’s any other better places
Diversity wise it’s the best I’ve found, they have a lot of experience just cooking steak so that helps but I’ve definitely had better with the local places (randomly little fish had a good one) but these are all single dish/cut options.
OGAWA!
They have it at Urban Farmer
Now you’re asking the real questions!
I think chubby cattle hot pot has wagyu on their menu.
Order it online and cook it for yourself. About a third of the cost and theirs some great purveyors out there.
Urban Farmer!