The Pines Menu

The Pines Restaurant Review:

Upscale steakhouse The Pines is well-hidden on the second floor of the cavernous San Manuel casino. Despite the relatively high prices, your money will last longer and be better spent here than at the card tables or endless rows of slot machines. The restaurant, which converts into a nightclub after the staid dinner guests depart, has the flavor of a glitzy Vegas lounge, anchored by a brightly illuminated circular bar. Starters include crab cakes with a Creole mustard rémoulade, a scallop and sea bass crudo topped with pomegranate seeds and ginger, and tempura tiger shrimp with passion fruit-Serrano chile mustard. There are also classics like an iceberg wedge or lobster bisque, but eventually one must get to the steaks. Cuts like a 20-ounce bone-in rib-eye, 14-ounce New York, and ten-ounce filet mignon are available, next to Colorado lamb porterhouse chops and a miso-marinated Chilean sea bass. For dessert, there’s peanut butter mousse, and the apple tart is topped with cinnamon ice cream. The wine list holds plenty of California Cabernet Sauvignons.