Where to find a great steak in Morris

Whether you're looking for lavish elegance or simple comforts, Morris has good variety of steak choices and a good range of prices too.

Looking for ethnic flair? You've got Louisiana-style cooking at New Orleans Steakhouse or steaks cooked to order Japanese-style at Sakura. Yes, quality steaks are plentiful and the variety only spices things up.

If you like things simple, one choice is a nondescript, nearly-100-year-old former speakeasy, Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill in Mendham, which plates up tasty steaks and chops, dry-aged and hand-cut on premise in a rather unconventional way. Guests step in and place their orders, then retire to the very casual basement bar for a cocktail and, perhaps, a game of bumper pool.

"It's not a traditional experience,'' said Sam Fornaro, who runs the third-generation business and the kitchen with his brother, Phil. Their sister, Mary Ann Fornaro and Sam's wife, Gina, each keeps things running in the front of the house. "It started when my grandfather had it — he was a one-man show. He'd take your order upstairs, then send you downstairs while he cooked it for you.''

Sammy's has taken this laid-back approach since the days of Prohibition, when Fornaro's grandfather, Sam Fornaro, started his business and an underground pipe ran spirits to the bar from a still in the mill across the street. The lore, and the unique way of serving, makes Sammy's unique, Fornaro said. "It gives you a different, relaxing experience,'' he said. "You're not just sitting there at your table, waiting. It's not for everyone, but I think it's a unique experience."

Entrees range in price from a $13 burger to a signature T-bone steak for $52. All entrees include family-style salad, French fries, fresh vegetables and dessert or coffee. Sammy's is closed on Mondays, but open from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 4:30 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. It's located at 353 Mendham Road West (Route 24) in Mendham; tel. 973-543-7675.

Oh, and don't look for a neon sign along Route 24. You won't find one, or any sign at all, for that matter. "It fell down, and he never put it back up,'' Fornaro said of his grandfather, with a laugh. "I think it adds to the mystique.''

Other great choices for steaks in Morris County include:

New Orleans Steakhouse

75 State Highway 15 Jefferson, (973) 366-7700 www.neworleanssteakhouse.net

Specializing in prime rib, steaks and jambalaya, the restaurant features a variety of Louisiana fare and is also known for its extended Sunday Brunch.

The dinner menu features Zydeco rib eye steak, prime rib, meat loaf, pork chops and surf and turf combinations. Poultry specials, including Chicken Francaise and Rustic Calabrese (both $16.49) are also offered, as is an extensive seafood menu and Louisiana barbeque offerings.

Sunday Brunch is offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $14.99. Children 12 and younger are $7.99. Brunch features eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese blintzes, a salad bar, potato pasta, calamari, roast beef, Virginia ham, turkey, biscuits and barbecue ribs.

Sakura

949 Route 46 East, Parsippany, (973) 335-8818, www.sakuranj.com

This Hibachi-style steakhouse is great if entertainment is on your agenda. Chefs prepare steaks, chicken and seafood right in front of guests at tables that seat anywhere from eight to 20 people.

In a dining room that seats 180 guests, there's room for large parties or small families. Alice Yeoh manages the 15-year-old restaurant, located right next to the Ramada Inn. Hibachi dinners range in price from $11 for vegetables to a $39 seafood combo. Teriyaki specialties are offered, as is a full sushi bar and rolls. Sushi appetizers range in price from $5 to $12.

Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille

1 Convent Road, Morristown, (973) 539-6666 http://rodssteak.com

The elegant dining room at Rod's features rich wood paneling and highly polish brass, or you may dine aboard the private parlour cars on Friday and Saturday evenings for a unique dinner experience. The cars were formerly the private domain of the rich and famous, but now the turn-of-the-century antiques are open to all.

Dinner entrees range in price from $24 Roast Chicken to Filet and Lobster Tail for $42. Chateaubriand Bouquetiere for Two is offered for $79 with mashed potatoes. Sunday brunch, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. features a carving station, pasta station, chef's omelet station and a Viennese pastry table. Seafood, beef and chicken entrees are also offered. Prices are $28.95 for adults; $16.95 for children.

Roots Steakhouse

40 W. Park Place, Morristown, 973-326-1800, www.rootssteakhouse.com/morristown

Brick walls, lavish oak bar and brass accents give Roots Steakhouse a true steakhouse ambiance. The classic chophouse is open for lunch and dinner. Lunch choices feature salads, soups and sandwiches for under $20, and swordfish and filet mignon, which cost a bit more at $27.95 and $30.95, respectively. Dinner choices include Aged Kansas City Steak for $39.95 a 12 -ounce Filet Mignon for $39.95 and a 48-ounce Dry Aged Porterhouse Steak for Two for $79.95.

Beautiful stone walls line private dining room, which seats a maximum of 16 guests and is perfect for a special event or an exclusive dinner meeting. Roots serves lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Dinner is served from 4 to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m.

Arthur's Tavern

700 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains, 973-455-9705 or www.arthurstavern.com

Arthur's Tavern offers giant steaks, burgers, huge salads and overstuffed sandwiches. The causal atmosphere and red striped bar awning make you feel like you're in an old-fashioned neighborhood tavern.

Menu items include chili, salads, soups, burgers, steak and Reuben sandwiches and choice cuts of meat. Dinner prices range from $7.95 sandwiches to the "48-ounce Double'' for $47.95.

Additionally, Monday is "Customer Appreciation Day,'' at the restaurant, and diners receive 15 percent off their entire bill.

The hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

1 Hilton Court, Parsippany, 973-889-1400, www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/parsippany

The warm, comfortable atmosphere at Ruth's Chris is a hit with consumers, who consistently rank the restaurant high for value and food quality, according to its manager, Richard LaMonica. Featuring public and private dining rooms, the restaurant attracts a strong business clientele and can accommodate nearly 800 diners. Open on all major holidays, Ruth's Chris' Parsippany location is one of 170 nationwide, including restaurants in Hong Kong, Dubai, Puerto Rich and Aruba.

Dinner entrees feature signature steaks like Ribeye, New York Strip and T-bone, while specialty entrees include barbecued shrimp, lamb chops and Caribbean lobster tail.

Hours are 5 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. The restaurant is not open for lunch.

J&K Steakhouse

56 South Street, Morristown, 973-998-8061 http://njsteak.com

An elegant atmosphere and prime cut dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood are offered at J&K Steakhouse, as well as an extensive list of appetizers and desserts. Owner Jarod Zelaya prides himself on offering New York City-style dining in a convenient Morris location.

J&K offers banquet lunch and dinner menus, featuring an appetizer, salad, entrée, dessert and coffee for $60, $66 or $78 per person. Lunch banquets range in price from $40 to $46 per person.

J&K is BYOB and open Tuesday through Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m. and from 3 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Got an eatery to recommend? Email eabreu@dailyrecord.com