Longhorn Steakhouse Sanford FLSome weeks ago I was able to sample Longhorn Steakhouse’s all new Fall menu. Many restaurants in the area now offer seasonal specials and I think it’s a wonderful idea! Longhorn Steakhouse definitely did an outstanding job selecting just the perfect combination of dishes, all reminiscent of the flavors of autumn, like fresh baked bread and warm spices.

Being German, I was especially excited to see the all new Oktoberfest pretzel sticks on the menu. I wasn’t sure if they would live up to my standards but I am happy to report that they were beyond delicious (and they taste wonderful even the next day after popping them in the toaster)!

Longhorn Steakhouse Sanford Menu

Longhorn Steakhouse Sanford FLI tried the Montana Mule with them to complement the sticks and super delicious beer cheese dipping sauce and was blown away by this, to me, all new taste for a cocktail! In fact, I looked up the ingredients online to recreate this cocktail for upcoming get togethers in the next couple of months, including Thanksgiving of course. I am sure everyone will just love the hint of ginger with bourbon and fresh lime juice. It’s refreshing yet warming – just a wonderful drink and trust me, I will be back just for this appetizer/cocktail combo alone! And did I mention how much I enjoyed this presentation as well? I want to get a mug just like that!!

salad

Next up was the Apple Harvest Salad. It was tough to stay away from the pretzel sticks but the sweet flavors of apples, pecans, dried cranberries and sweet potato crisps combined with bacon and spinach in an apple cider vinaigrette did a good job 😉

steakMy entree was the Porcini Portabella Ribeye. Oh my, what a great flavorful and juicy steak that was – and the grilled portabella was the perfect topping! I had a very hard time not eating it all at once (the only thing that stopped me from it was the fact that I knew what was expecting me for dessert, but more about that later!).

As side dish I ordered the Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin. I remember hating Brussel sprouts as a child and somehow I haven’t given them a whole lot of attention in my adult years. Honestly, after eating the Brussel sprouts prepared with bacon in this creamy cheese sauce and topped off with parmesan/provolone bread crumbs I feel like I missed out on years of enjoying Brussel sprouts as a vegetable. Why didn’t anyone ever prepare them like this? Another compliment to the chef who came up with this combination and another recipe I am going to “borrow” for our own Thanksgiving feast.

lava-cakeLast but not least I was treated to the perfect Fall dessert: The Pumpkin Spice Lava Cake. Now you know what I had saved room for! A warm pumpkin spice cake filled with cream cheese icing and topped off with bourbon/caramel sauce and candied pecans. I have no idea how I didn’t just slowly (because that’s how I eat when I enjoy my food) devour this heavenly cake, but my inner voice kept telling me, “save some for the hubby!” – and he was happy as a little boy that I did!

But enough already about the menu, what I was equally impressed with was the incredibly elegant interior of Longhorn Steakhouse here in Sanford!

Longhorn Steakhouse Sanford FL

barJuan, the manager of the restaurant’s brand new location, told me that the art work was original and also that this particular restaurant was one of the most modern and exclusive in style in the entire state. Looking at the details of the interior design and the impressive bar alone is a joy for anyone who enjoys the complete fine dining experience. I have to say, when I’m out for dinner I really do care about the atmosphere and Longhorn Steakhouse is rated top in my book now!

I look forward to going back to Longhorn Steakhouse in Sanford soon, also because there’s another item on the menu that I am dying to try: the Pork Osso Buco (tender, meaty, slow-cooked pork shanks topped with wine and roasted vegetable sauce over creamy mashed potatoes).

Definitely check out their menu at http://www.longhornsteakhouse.com/menu/default.asp (click on Menu Specials to view all seasonal items) and after visiting this location let me know what you think 😉

PS: Longhorn Steakhouse in Sanford also offers an all new special lunch menu with over 30 lunch combos starting at $7.99. Best of all: it’s a super quick and convenient way to get a real lunch. Sign up here to receive a free appetizer.

Longhorn Steakhouse Sanford FL