May 2004-Restaurant review: Lunch at Florentine’s Tuscany Club:

Lunch at Florentine’s Tuscany Club:
Florentine’s offers great selection, reasonable prices, gorgeous atmosphere and way to the writer’s heart.

I’ll come right out with it; eating lunch at Florentine’s Tuscany Club was terrific! Having watched the addition to Florentine’s being built some months ago, I was eager to see what was in store.
Now firstly, the place is beautiful. With its marble and mahogany accents as well as it’s soft creamy lighting, the Tuscany Club is reminiscent of an old New York or Chicago supper club. Even while I was in the restrooms, which for some reason I always critique, (ESPN Zone scores high for televisions in the stalls!), I was admiring the attention to quality, (the automatic flushing toilet startled me but then sweet talked me into liking it again not having to press the handle down with my foot.)
We were early for lunch and the Club had just opened, so there weren’t too many people, yet throughout the course of our stay the place quickly populated. A few of us ordered wine, of which they have a fine selection. If you too choose to imbibe, I highly suggest the Artesa merlot, the Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay, or the Concannon cabernet sauvignon. Or if you prefer something more unique, try a signature Flantasia or Florentini.
Most of us not having had our breakfast that morning, (I know, I know, it the most important meal), were eager to eat when the food arrived. And without disappointment, the aroma of our selections baited our tasted buds. Amongst our choices was the seared Hawaiian Ahi, a dish I love to order but don’t always end up loving. Florentine’s was on the mark. Having had seared Ahi in Maui, I was pleasantly surprised to experience a gustatorial de je vou. For the Hawaiian seafood novice, (wink) seared Ahi is fish that is cooked hot and fast (seared), so that it only gets cooked on the outside while the inside stays raw. I know, sounds unappetizing, till you’ve tried it! It’s a combination of grilled fish and sushi, which is why the wasabi and pickled ginger garnish are the perfect accompaniment.
Another favorite among the group was the blacken fresh seafood which included salmon, a XXX fish and jumbo shrimp (which the were scarfed down by the editor before I had a chance to try one!) The taste of the blackened cooking was just right, not overbearing and the shrimp were, in fact, jumbo.
Yet I must say that my favorite entree of all was the New York steak with sautéed Portobello mushrooms and caramelized Maui onions. I admit, I am a hopeless romantic for a good steak. I know it’s not an intricately made dish, (like our sausage and pepper lasagna, which was tasty and had great texture), but let’s say that if a woman, a striking woman, a striking woman with all of her teeth were to propose to me, it would need to be over a nice thick New York cut; medium rare. (hint hint all you ladies with deep pockets; no ring on this finger... yet.
Our server, Lisa, was terrific. Our food came out quickly, and it tasted delicious. And to top it off, it was reasonably priced, (dinner prices are, of course, higher, but with the incredible choices they serve, it’s still not unreasonable.) I highly recommend the Tuscany Club for lunch. My only regret was that I didn’t go for dinner too! I will soon though.