SALT CREEK GRILL – Restaurant of the Week

By Janice & Jim Lacy

We dine at Salt Creek Grill frequently. It’s Dana Point’s best steakhouse, located at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Golden Lantern, with a “peak” ocean view. We say “best steakhouse,” but the best dish by far is the remarkable baby back rib plate. This large dish has wood-smoked sweet tender pork falling off the bone in a tangy but not too spicy BBQ sauce.

Start with a fresh grilled California artichoke with a creamy garlic-butter sauce.

The menu ranges from wood-fired cheeseburgers made of either ground chuck or Kobe beef, to seasonal seafood offerings, tri-tip, and your choice of “choice” steaks. You can sit in the lively bar, often featuring live jazz or a good game on the flat screens, or in the dining room, which has ample booth space available.

Don’t forget to peer into the fire pit before you open the door to the restaurant and walk into a world of sweet soft-smelling BBQ. However be prepared for a wait on Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday brunch. Valet parking is available and seasonal outside seating is an option. Other locations include Rumson and Princeton NJ and El Segundo and Valencia CA.

Salt Creek Grill is located at 32808 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. Phone number is (949)-661-7799. Web site is http://www.saltcreekgrill.com