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| My friend and I had dinner at Gordon Ramsay's steakhouse. For $320, we thought the meal was a good value. Erin McDowell |
As someone who grew up glued to episodes of Gordon Ramsay’s "Kitchen Nightmares," dining at one of the celebrity chef’s restaurants had long been on my bucket list. So during a recent girls’ getaway to Atlantic City, New Jersey, my friend and I made reservations at Gordon Ramsay Steak, located inside Harrah’s Resort.
This was my first real foray into Atlantic City and my first visit to a Ramsay-branded restaurant. With the chef’s larger-than-life reputation, expectations were high. And while the experience left our wallets a little lighter, we walked away impressed overall.
Here’s a look at our evening dining at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Atlantic City.
We arrived right on time for our reservation.
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| The restaurant was easy to spot on the second floor of Harrah's. Erin McDowell |
We secured our 7 p.m. table for a Wednesday night about a week in advance. Since it was midweek and we booked early, we had no trouble getting a prime dinner slot for two.
The restaurant sits a level above the casino floor, and it was hard to miss thanks to glowing neon signs one showcasing Ramsay’s name, another with a cartoon of him sharpening knives, and one featuring a beef cut diagram.
A video of Ramsay himself welcomed us to the restaurant.
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| A screen outside the restaurant played a video of Gordon Ramsay. Erin McDowell |
A digital screen played a clip of Ramsay introducing the restaurant and its signature dishes, including the prix fixe menu.
As fans, we appreciated this personal touch it made the experience feel more authentically connected to Ramsay himself.
After a brief wait, we were shown to our table by the hostess.
A Union Jack mural marked the entrance to the dining room.
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| A British flag was painted onto the wall. Erin McDowell |
Born in Scotland and raised in England, Ramsay’s British heritage is reflected throughout his restaurant décor.
We liked that the dining room was completely removed from the hustle of the casino, creating a more intimate and upscale ambiance than many of the restaurants we visited that week, which opened directly onto the casino floor.
Seating included booths, high-back chairs, and standard table settings.
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| The dining room had a mix of seating options. Erin McDowell |
We were given a spacious booth, which felt roomy for just two people.
The overall design of the dining area struck a balance between cozy and contemporary. Earthy greens and blues dominated the color palette, with occasional pops of red. With leather seating and candlelit tables, the room felt romantic but not dim overhead lighting made reading the menu easy.
Table settings offered a touch of sophistication.
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| The place setting at Gordon Ramsay Steak was elegant. Erin McDowell |
Each place was set with a cloth napkin, two forks, and a butter knife. When I ordered steak, my server brought a dedicated steak knife as well.
We both chose drinks from the signature cocktail list.
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| We both ordered specialty cocktails. Erin McDowell |
I opted for the Supersonic G&T ($18), Ramsay’s spin on a classic gin and tonic.
With yuzu, grapefruit juice, and grapefruit syrup, the drink was refreshingly sweet and light a perfect complement to our meal.
My friend picked the British Culprit ($18), the restaurant’s version of an espresso martini made with rum instead of vodka. It was sweet without being overly creamy, which she appreciated. It gave her a much-needed energy boost after a long trip from New York.
We began with warm house rolls and butter.
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| We were given complimentary bread at the start of our meal. Erin McDowell |
The rolls were fresh out of the oven, topped with a touch of salt, and paired with butter that was just soft enough to spread easily.
The bread had a hint of sweetness. The butter was mild in flavor, but we were grateful for a little something to nibble on before our appetizers arrived.
Our waiter suggested the smoked wagyu beef tartare for our appetizer.
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| The beef tartare was served with potato chips. Erin McDowell |
He described it as one of their standout dishes, elevated by a smoky flavor. Being a fan of beef tartare especially after several trips to Paris I was eager to compare.
The tartare delivered a powerful punch of flavor and richness.
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| The beef tartare impressed us with its flavor, but it was a little small. Erin McDowell |
Prepared with lemon zest, red onions, capers, and topped with a creamy quail egg yolk, the beef was served alongside Yukon Gold potato chips.
This was hands-down one of the best tartares I’ve had. The beef quality was excellent, and the smoke added a bold, savory layer that stood out.
Still, $30 felt steep for the portion size. While it was just enough for two people to enjoy, it might feel a little lacking for larger groups.
I appreciated the crunch of the potato chips, but they felt a bit too casual for such a refined dish. Toasted crostini or crisp bread might have suited it better.
Next, we shared the wedge salad.
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| Our second course was the market wedge salad. Erin McDowell |
The $18 market wedge was artfully plated. Two small iceberg lettuce heads were drenched in a rich Stilton blue cheese dressing and topped with red onions.
The salad was dressed both on top and underneath the lettuce, so each bite was creamy and flavorful.
It was a bold and refreshing twist on a classic.
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| The wedge salad was a rich, flavor-packed start to our meal. Erin McDowell |
The iceberg base gave the dish a satisfying crunch that paired well with smoky bacon pieces. Slices of heirloom tomato and crisp English cucumber added freshness and contrast.
The Stilton dressing was tangy, creamy, and unapologetically sharp exactly what blue cheese lovers crave.
My friend ordered the pan-seared branzino for her entrée.
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| The branzino was served in a stew-like broth with vegetables and olives. Erin McDowell |
Priced at $59, the dish included rock shrimp, artichokes, fennel, kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes in a lemony broth.
Visually, the plating was elegant and inviting. After a hearty appetizer and salad, the branzino’s lighter profile was a welcome change.
The dish was clearly influenced by Mediterranean flavors.
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| The branzino dish was almost like a stew. Erin McDowell |
Though Ramsay’s menu leans British, this dish highlighted a different part of Europe with ingredients like olives, fennel, and sun-dried tomato.
The fish was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and moist flesh. It sat atop a broth that resembled a savory Mediterranean stew full of depth, yet not overly heavy.
My friend described the dish as a balanced “ecosystem” of bold, clean flavors.
For my main course, I splurged on the priciest steak on the menu.
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| I ordered the wagyu filet, which was the most expensive item on the menu at Gordon Ramsay Steak. Erin McDowell |
I selected the 8-ounce American wagyu filet, priced at $120. It’s the most expensive à la carte steak on the menu.
Though they also offered Japanese A5 wagyu by the ounce, I went with the highest-priced listed item.
At our server’s suggestion, I ordered it medium-rare.
While incredibly tender, the steak wasn’t what I expected from wagyu.
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| The steak was super tender, but based on the price, I'm not sure I would order it again. Erin McDowell |
I’m no steak expert, but I expected more pronounced marbling.
Still, the steak impressed. It was boldly seasoned, had a beautifully seared crust, and practically melted in my mouth with buttery richness.
What caught me off guard was the presentation. For over $100, the steak came alone no sides, just a swipe of jus and a dollop of grainy mustard.
It was a great piece of meat, but next time, I’d consider a less pricey cut like the $80 New York strip or the $70 standard filet.
We were too full for dessert, so we capped off our evening with another cocktail.
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| We both ordered a spicy margarita to finish our meal. Erin McDowell |
Eager to explore more of the drink menu, we each ordered a spicy margarita.
The Mayahuel Margarita ($18) was crafted with Patron silver tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime, passion fruit, and jalapeño. It was flavorful, with the right balance of spice and salt a fitting end to our evening.
In total, our meal cost $320 expensive, but worthwhile.
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| We'd definitely eat at Gordon Ramsay Steak again. Erin McDowell |
With two starters, two mains, and four cocktails, our final bill came to $320 after tax and tip.
That’s certainly more than we’d typically spend for dinner, but I did order the most expensive steak available.
If I return, I’ll probably pick a more modest cut of beef, but I wouldn’t hesitate to re-order the appetizers and cocktails.
Some might argue that dining at a celebrity restaurant means paying a premium for the name, but in this case, the food and experience lived up to the hype enough that I’d gladly return.
