Bandera – 6/26/10

Bandera
3201 E Coast Hwy
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

Bandera is part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group, known for restaurants such as Houston’s and Gulfstream, and having a no-corkage-fee policy. I had been here before, but was summoned back to celebrate a friend’s new job. The restaurant always seems to have a lot people waiting outside – the comfortable American food is one of the main draws.

To start with, we had the skillet cornbread, one of their well-known appetizers.

Skillet Cornbread with jalapenos

The cornbread is nice and moist on the inside, with a crispy crust on top. The jalapenos give it an extra dimension of flavor. Unfortunately, this is a very filling dish – small portions are best.

Bandera-Style Roasted Chicken with green rice

This chicken is cooked on the rotisserie, and had a nicely browned skin. However, it wasn’t crispy at all, which was a disappointment. The meat was not quite as moist as I expected, but had some good flavor.

Sliced Leg of Lamb with Red Chile Sauce and Escabéche

I preferred this meat to be cooked a little bit less. The leg is cooked to a medium-well, though it wasn’t dry or tough. The lamb was mildly gamey, and the chile sauce added a little heat.

Barbecue Beef Back Ribs served with mashed potatoes and coleslaw

One of Bandera’s most notable dishes is the beef ribs, and for good reason. These ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, with a rich barbecue glaze that works well with the meat. Deliciously succulent.

Aged Prime Rib Slow Roasted on the Bone served with mashed potatoes

We also ordered the prime rib, which came with a side of au jus. This is one of the best au jus I’ve had in recent memory; we even asked for some to go. The prime rib was tasty and cooked a nice medium-rare, though I often find it’s hard to distinguish a good prime rib from a great one. The au jus here, though, really elevated it.

House Made Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches made with creme de cocoa

When I first came into the restaurant, I saw this dessert being served and immediately thought to myself “I must have this!” And it did not disappoint. It’s a rather simple dish of homemade Oreo ice cream sandwiches, in a chocolate sauce with a subtle espresso flavor. Being a huge fan of both ice cream sandwiches and cookies and cream ice cream, this was a great match. One of the best desserts I’ve had in a while.

We had a pretty solid meal at Bandera, with a few clear highlights (the beef ribs, prime rib au jus, and ice cream sandwich come to mind). The service was really exceptional from start-to-finish, only making the experience better. I’ve been craving that ice cream sandwich ever since, so I’ll be back soon…at least for dessert.