adjective :

• a) of the highest grade regularly marketed -used of meat and especially beef
• b) first in rank, authority, or significance

Last night Keli and I attended an event at Barclay Prime on Rittenhouse Square (part of Starr Restaurants) and I’m pretty sure Webster’s Dictionary had them in mind when they wrote this definition.

There were no details overlooked, this intimate gathering of event planners was just the right size for this luxury, boutique steakhouse experience –

We were all greeted with butlered selections of white, red and sparkling blush wine – as a relative non drinker every server made sure to ask if they could bring me some water or a soft drink (a huge pet peeve of mine at events).

The restaurant’s decor is a beautiful mix of old and new – as is the lounge area where we gathered and enjoyed a blending of old and new in the form of hors d’oeuvres: bellini with crème fraiche and farm raised caviar, yellowtail sashimi, and several others-

However my mind went to gel when they presented us with a pairing of Sliders – one Dry Aged Beef, and the other Kobe Beef…. One more amazing, moist and tasty than the next

Before moving to their private dining room we took a peak into the restaurant – this library has beautiful, old, original floors, ceilings and chandeliers from the 1920’s luxury Barclay Hotel and the show stopping twist of a dining room filled with stunning retro leather sofas and club chairs in lime green and yellow (they’re so comfortable you might not want to leave).

We moved to their private event space across the building which is all dark wood and marble – perfect size for a rehearsal dinner or the start of a private dining experience for a bachelor party.

True to form for the evening we indulged in butlered tastings of their crab cocktail with lump crab the size of my thumb, fresh scallops wrapped in bacon and the biggest cocktail shrimp I’ve ever seen (and I’ve been around).

Then they got to the meat of the matter (all puns intended) – a tasting trio of their dry aged rib eye, dry aged NY Strip and a bone-in filet – with sides of creamed spinach and whipped potatoes.

Our event ended with bite-sized samplings of strawberry cheese cake, lemon meringue tarts, banana cream tarts, crème brulee spoons… each was lighter and more tempting than the next..

In a city filled with steakhouses they stood out not only with the beautiful décor, and prime quality food, but from an event planners perspective the level of attention to detail and service were above and beyond…

Chef James LoCascio, General Manager Gordon Dinerman and the Special Events Staff outdid themselves…

I’m sure many of our clients hosting weddings in and around the Rittenhouse Square area will be considering rehearsal dinners is this Prime location.