My friend and I went to this restaraunt on a weekend. I heard about it through the local newspaper and checked out their website. They have 4 locations in Ballard, West Seattle, Redmond, and Tacoma. There is also a location in Portland, OR. We chose the Tacoma location. It was opened this year and is located in dowtown Tacoma in the restaraunt row on Pacific Ave.
The building is red brick with awesome metal sculptures on the outside. When you open the door you come through two long red velvet curtains. The first thing you smell is steak. To the right is the bar which feature a metal scultupe of a bull skull. The bar also feautures two plasma screen tvs and offers a warm atmosphere of lit candles,a fire pit and a premier Tequila bar.
We were told there would be a 30 minute wait, so we found a seat at the bar. We ended up only waiting 15 or 20 minutes and were seated at one of the tables by the windows. I would have preferred one of their beautiful wood carved booths but oh well.
While you wait you are given fresh, warm tortillas chips and salsa. The salsa was unique, a little spicy, a little fresh with an extra flavor I couldn't quite place. For appetizers we orderd Dungeness Crab cakes-"Fresh crab cakes lightly browned then served with coconut pineapple cream sauce" and Spicy Fried Calamari-Lightly breaded in a blend of spices, ancho and chipotle chiles, then served with lemon garlic aioli.
For dinner my friend ordered the surf and turf which was skirt steak and garlic prawns-"Carne Asada/ Surf & Turf
Tender seared skirt steak sits in our secret marinade all day, then grilled to temp. Served with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed corn and leeks. Add Garlic or Habanero Prawns."
I ordered a rib eye-"12 ounce Ribeye steak grilled to temp then topped with chipotle butter. Served with garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal veg and cherry tomato relish."
My friend really enjoy the skirt steak and the garlic prawns. We both enjoy the garlic mashed potatoes which featured some kind of crunchy garlic goodness on top. My ribeye was okay. It was cooked right but it was a little fatty. I know rib eyes are supposed to be fatty, but mine had a little more than normal.
Over all we had a great time. The atmoshpere was great. The food was really good and the portions were great for the price. Parking is limited. They don't take a reservations. You check out more info on their website www.matadorseattle.com
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