Steak Universe 酒师扒房 Laurier Cocktail & Bistro 月桂叶餐厅·酒廊

Article By Nahida Khan


2F, Block C, Changan International , Nan Guan Zheng Jie.
南关正街长安国际C座201
(029) 8526 6958
11:30am-2:00am

Average Price per Person /人均消费: 156RMB


Steak Universe, located within the restaurant Laurier by Little Somms, introduces a missing ingredient to the dining scene in Xi’an with a modern, western-style steakhouse. This unique restaurant is conveniently located near the Yong Ning Men metro station, exit B. The steakhouse is joint to its sister restaurant, Laurier, and therefore the entrance can be difficult to find. However, their award-winning staff will be happy to direct you should you get lost. Laurier, from the outside, puts forward the look of a fine dining experience, which to some can have intimidating connotations. However, once inside you will realise that this is a unique experience which breaks this stereotype with a welcoming atmosphere provided by the warm interiors and friendly staff. Although Laurier has only been open two months, it has quickly become a popular hotspot for many locals, national tourists, and has an increasing western clientele.

As you enter the Steak Universe restaurant, you instantly notice the multiple service awards proudly displayed on the walls. This immediately highlights the extremely professional team working here, however the experience received was above and beyond anything that was expected. Upon the day I visited the restaurant, I was seeing off the end of a cold. My waitress, Beta, noticed my sniffles upon arrival and brought me over some hot lemon tea. This thoughtful and kind gesture highlights the staff’s ambitions to make the customers dining experience the best it can be. Moreover, the employees have a high level of English, meaning strong communication between diner and staff allows them to cater to all your needs. The restaurant benefits from a beautiful view, looking over the city wall. This is the perfect backdrop to what will be a memorable evening. The restaurant is dimly lit, with an open kitchen so you can see the chefs preparing the food for your table. Steak Universe is an ideal setting for date night, celebrations, or any other special event.

Once seated, you will be greeted by a basket of complimentary bread rolls – perfect to nibble on while looking over the fantastic cocktail menu, designed by head barman Dorian. I would recommend the delicious Espresso Martini (available on request), or their customized take on The Bramble. If you have any questions about the cocktails, or desire something not listed on the menu, Dorian will be happy to share his extensive knowledge and accommodate your requests. Laurier boasts an impressive collection of imported and Chinese wine in their adjoining wine cellar, which is available by both the glass and bottle. With the staff’s extensive knowledge of wine, they will be more than happy to help you identify which serving will pair perfectly with their mouth-watering cuts of meat.

When browsing the Steak Universe menu, you are spoiled for choice with a variety of appetizers to start your meal. My waitress recommended the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served table side to add entertainment to you dinner. The hybrid fine dining experience would suggest small sized portions, however the salad is big enough to share between two. The chef is also able to modify various ingredients to fit certain dietary requirements, however there is not yet a gluten-free menu. Looking at the primary focus of the restaurant, the steaks, there is a wide selection of various cuts and sizes. I personally opted for the Australian rib-eye, which was cooked perfectly – medium-rare. When the steak arrives, do not be fooled by the size as these are premium cuts, meaning no fatty bits or waste. This allows you to enjoy the whole content on your plate and ensures you’re not left hungry.
Steak Universe offers larger cuts which are aged between 40-45 days, perfect for a group of 3-4 people to share. Being a steakhouse, the star of the menu is beef, however they do have other offerings such as slow roast chicken (available with a 24-hr notice), salmon, and black cod for those looking for a lighter dish. Although the mains and appetizers are filling, be sure to leave room for desserts. Personally I can never resist a chocolate lava cake, which takes 15 minutes to make. The lava cake was worth the wait as it was perfectly baked with a delightful filling of rich chocolate, served with a side of ice cream and chopped nuts. The warm fondant with the cold ice cream was the perfect combination to finish a delicious meal. A selection of coffees are also available should you wish to order one.

Rating the overall experience of the Steak Universe restaurant within Laurier, I can say without any doubt that they deserve five stars, as they exceeded expectations in every aspect. The restaurant is beautifully designed, the service was fantastic and the food, whether it was starter, main or desert was consistently phenomenal. The assistant manager of the restaurants, Luke, will be more than happy to cater to any request you may have and loves to display his passion and vision for the business with customers. Steak Universe aims to cater to a wide range of clientele with premium steaks starting at 98RMB, and with the average price per head for the evening around roughly 300RMB, a bargain for the level of quality you will receive. This hybrid steakhouse is like no experience you will find in Xi’an, so be sure to make a reservation and check it out as soon as possible.

Nahida Kahn can be reached at reviews@xianease.com

14-1