Purists say putting any kind of sauce on a steak is an insult to both the chef and the steak - a good piece of meat should be juicy and flavorful in itself. But as Executive Chef at Downtown’s modern American steakhouse Room at TWELVE Centennial Park, I have found that certain sauces (stay away from the ketchup!) can actually enhance a steak. Room’s grilled house steak served with a red wine sauce creates a harmony of flavors that will take your enjoyment of steak to the next level. How do you like to break the “no sauce on a steak” rule?
- Chef Oltarsh
October 10th, 2007
The Perfect Pairings for Steak
Fall is officially here, and it’s the perfect time to get your grilling in before the weather turns frosty. So gather your family and friends, throw some steaks on the grill and enjoy a delicious meal on the deck. Add just the right bottle of wine, and you might even have guests thinking you are a trained professional. As Executive Chef of Lobby at TWELVE and Downtown Atlanta’s modern American steakhouse, Room at TWELVE Centennial Park, I’ve experienced firsthand how wine can make a meal. Today, a more relaxed approach of guidelines makes pairing much easier and more interesting than the standard red wine, red meat mantra; great pairings are all about balance. Perfectly grilled steak pairs well with a full intensity red such as Cabernet Sauvignon while a Syrah brings out the flavors in red meat covered in an herb marinade. What are some of you favorite meat and wine combinations?
– Chef Nick Oltarsh
October 5th, 2007
