Ever since I saw the “Coming Soon” sign I have eagerly awaited the option of enjoying one of my favorite steakhouses in a North Austin location.

With an award-winning menu, impeccable service and an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere, it’s little wonder Perry’s has been serving Texas for four decades. And now they’re open in the Domain NORTHSIDE.

Since starting as a meat market in southeast Houston, Perry’s continues to offer butcher fresh USDA-aged prime beef and signature tableside carving presentations, along with flaming deserts. Most commonly known for their Friday pork chop lunch special, the restaurant has so much more to offer than those delicious and savory pork chops with a side of whipped mashed potatoes.

A decadent menu that includes creative specials for social hour (aka happy hour) makes Perry’s an even more affordable treat. The social hour is from 4-7pm weekdays at Perry’s Bar 79, named for the year Perry’s opened.

My favorite tastings and pairings from the Domain NORTHSIDE social hour menu included the Asian ahi tuna tartare with Perry’s mai tai. One of the lighter options on the menu, their fresh ahi tuna is served with crispy wontons. To be honest, the mai tai was actually better than a mai tai I recently had at a luau in Hawaii. It was so good that I had ask the bartender a little more about the sweet drinks, rimmed with an edible orchid on top.

It turns out, those moreish mai tais are made with Cruzan light rum, Pyrat XO Reserve rum shaken with fresh lime juice and a hint of almond. Our bartender told me it’s the hibiscus sugar on the rim which helps bring out the lightness of this drink.

Another favorite at our table included some luscious and rich crab cakes. Delicious and fresh, Perry’s crab cakes are made with jumbo lump crab meat and served with beurre fondue and potato haystack. The crab cakes are perfectly paired with Peachy Glen, a 10-year-old scotch shaken with Belvedere Peach Nectar vodka, stone fruit puree and fresh pressed lemon juice. If you’re looking for a prettier, more girly drink, the Peachy Glen could be your cocktail of choice as it’s beautifully decorated with edible orchids.  Perry’s signature fried asparagus is another delicious option for a light appetizer. A pescatarian treat, it is topped with jumbo lump crabmeat.

Of course, no steakhouse experience at Perry’s is complete without some steak and some pork chop bites. Savory and the best quality, the Chateaubriand steak was another popular choice at our table. Carved tableside, the dish is sure to delight and might make for the perfect date night entrée. For a post-work snack, the pork chop bites make for a nice appetizer. Stacked and served on sticks, these bites are perfect for grabbing and pair very well with Perry’s pinot noir.

Overall, I’d say Perry’s is the perfect spot for a fun evening out if you’re wanting to try some new and unique cocktail creations, while enjoying some savory and rich bites from the social hour or dinner menu. Their patio options and private dining rooms also allow for unique options if you are planning an event.

Perry’s currently operates 16 steakhouses, with Texas locations in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

Cover: Chateaubriand with lightly fried asparagus. Photo courtesy Perry’s