For our anniversary, my husband and I went to L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House, also known as LGS, for dinner. In advance, we checked the menu to see what we would order (we wanted to anticipate the damage to our wallets).

Information that I was kind enough to Google

LGS (yes, the name is too long; I’ll abbreviate it for the rest of this article for your reading pleasure) is known for its aged prime steaks and house specialties. According to their website, they are USDA-inspected, meaning the restaurant complies with the inspection process (I think). I don’t know since it’s vaguely mentioned on their website.

Not my first time

It’s not the first time (and I don’t think it will be the last) we’ve been at LGS. Valentine’s Day of 2020 (yes, about a month before everybody went ham on toilet paper in Aruba and the rest of the world), we visited the restaurant for the first time. We had a lovely time (I can’t remember what we had, but it was delicious). I told J. I’d been there before when I was a little girl. Only that it wasn’t the same restaurant. It was called L’Escale (I think that’s how you spell it). Mom and Dad took me to brunch. I remember eating shrimp as a 6-year-old (ish). I remember not liking it.

J. thought I was bullshitting him; I’m kind of the girl who cried wolf, so I don’t blame him. I asked our server what the restaurant was before LGS was called. Coincidentally, he had worked for the restaurant before and backed up my story. J. felt like a complete idiot (kidding, but he was a bit embarrassed).

Anniversary dinner

So, yes, J. and I are excited to return in December of 2024 for our anniversary. This time, we were lucky because we got a table right next to the window, or so I thought, J. booked our table next to the window (I just didn’t know). We could look outside (well, J. could because I sat with my back to the window). We had a lovely server this time as well. The place was packed. There weren’t a lot of locals, but I felt comfortable. 

God damn it, that is good. Oh shit, that is fresh!

Initially, we were both going to start with a cocktail. I wanted ‘Earth,’’ what seemed like a Caribbean drink. Sadly, they didn’t make it anymore and hadn’t updated the menu. That was a good thing because nothing would have prepared me for the decadent poison that I was about to swallow 15 minutes later. After quickly scanning the menu, I asked for a ‘Rose Among Us’; it seemed sweet.

Little did I know, a mobile bartender (I think that’s what it’s called, but you get what I mean) came with his trolley full of alcohol, glasses, fruits, and garnishes. In a show-like manner, he started prepping my drink. Our server explained to the guests who sat beside us that only certain beverages were prepared next to the dinner table. 10 years ago, heck, even 5 years ago, I would have died of embarrassment for that. I was so mesmerized that I didn’t even have time to film it. We did take a picture, but the drink was already halfway gone (because it was so delicious). 9 out 10!

But first… apps

For appetizers, J. and I agreed that we would get two and share them. He ordered the pork belly, and I got the pan-seared scallop. My scallops were yummy (I think Chef Ramsey would approve), but the pork belly made me fall out of my seat. It was so decadent, so soft, so flavourful. Spoiler, it was the best thing I had that night. 10 out of 10!

Still craving mac and cheese

For the main course, I ordered the Black Angus Rib Eye (the hardest decision I had made in a while). I remember when I was a little girl, I hated any kind of beef or poultry with fat on it, but now I savor it. It was perfectly cooked (at least to my taste). I had asparagus with my meat (and I regret not asking for mac and cheese). I enjoyed each bite of my meal, but like I said, that pork belly really stole my heart that night. 8 out of 10!

To each their own dessert

After our meal, we still had a little space left for dessert, so we both ordered one. I wanted baked Alaska, but they were sold out, so I asked for apple pie and ice cream. It was alright. It’s too dry for my taste. The hot toffee was nice. 6 out of 10.

Conclusion

Have you been at LGS already? Let us know your experience.
As a local, fellow locals and I must be treated the same as tourists visiting our island. Being treated indifferently for being local is a mega turn-off (and I will not be coming back, yes, thinking of you, pancake place in Palm Beach, who didn’t even bother to take my order).

Well, that’s it for this review. Would I go again? Yes. Would I encourage others to go? Yes.

Photo credit: Jason Yarzagaray