Features
TS Steakhouse takes dining to new heights
By Sophia Gaulkin ’17
April 14, 2016
Tags features
The Turning Stone Resort Casino is a popular place for some Hamilton students to get a taste of Vegas-like gambling, but others go for a taste of something different: steakhouse dining.
While many students come to Turning Stone “to game,” like Alexander Popovic ’16, after a successful night of gambling, the TS Steakhouse might just be the perfect way to treat yourself.
Matias Wolansky ’16, self-proclaimed card shark, has a great deal of respect for the “intellectual puzzle” that is poker, attributing his success to a liberal arts education that promotes “advanced logical reasoning, mathematics and a strong understanding of psychology.” Beyond the cerebral benefits, he adds, “It’s a nice source of supplemental income.” The TS Steakhouse can be pricey, but for regulars to the casino like Wolansky, it is an invaluable part of the entire experience of Turning Stone—he always orders the Veal Tomahawk.
TS Steakhouse boasts “high taste and lifted spirits,” referencing its location on top of the Turning Stone Tower. To get to the restaurant, you have to take a special elevator inside the casino that goes exclusively to the 21st floor. Naturally, the restaurant offers a panoramic view of Verona from that elevation.
From the first step out of the elevator, it is clear that extraordinary time and energy goes into making every detail of the physical space reflect the casual elegance for which TS Steakhouse is known. It is almost too carefully orchestrated; the drunken demeanor of many guests betrays the fantasy of refinement that the staff works hard to cultivate.
Without a doubt, their image is important to them; almost comically, the restaurant credits its menu to “the cultural dining history of the Oneida Indians” and their practice of eating “locally sourced and sustainable foods.” If they were truly inspired by the Oneida people, perhaps they would have emphasized their dietary staples: meats like deer and raccoon, lots of nuts and complex carbohydrates such as wild rice and dandelions. Forced connections to indigenous people aside, I appreciate TS Steakhouse’s support of local, sustainably sourced ingredients.
The restaurant certainly sets itself apart from the traditional idea of a steakhouse. While it specializes in beef steaks and other portions of meat or fish, gluten-free options and vegetarian alternatives are also available. There is no single dish that is left without a creative culinary flair; even a traditionally basic appetizer like the iceberg wedge is infused with maple bacon.
What TS Steakhouse lacks in authenticity and natural charm is more than compensated for by the sheer quality of the food—it is truly fantastic, and I have no criticisms to offer on that front. Even the bread was memorable; lemon tarragon butter and red wine butter accompanied various types of freshly baked rolls. TS especially shines with its selection of sauces, which includes, but is not limited to, their signature TS steak sauce, a horseradish cream sauce, a cabernet demi glaze and a classic béarnaise sauce.
And, despite a clear focus on steak, for the more pescatarian-leaning guests like myself, the Miso Sea Bass was phenomenal. Baked with a miso glaze, the outside is crisp while the inside practically melts in your mouth. I had to close my eyes from sensory overload—it was just too good.
Even after a lucrative winning streak at the casino, TS Steakhouse still ought to be reserved for special occasions due to its privileged nature as an almost overwhelming dining experience.
TS Steakhouse at Turning Stone is located at 5218 Patrick Road, Verona. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday and Thursday from 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5-11 p.m. and Sunday from 5-10 p.m. Call 800-771-7711 or 315-361-7711 for reservations.