Vernons Hidden Valley Steakhouse

The knock 3 times and ask for Joe gimmick to enter the restaurant is silly and dumb. Our waiter was patronizing and felt he had to instruct us on the experience of fine dining. My $55 dry aged T-Bone had OK flavor but was less than an inch thick. These prices are over the top and for less money you could have a dinner at Peter Luger's in Brooklyn or Gene and Georgetti's in Chicago, 2 of the best steakhouses in the world. Cons: overpriced, patronizing service, kitchy concept more

I was part of 2 couples that went for this unique, big city, east of the Mississippi experience. First, you really have to look for this place on 4th Street, which lends serious credibility to the claim of speak easy anonymity the restaurant strives to create. Once inside, and your eyes adjust to the muted lighting, you kind of expect to see flappers and zoot suits wandering about, stirring their mixed drinks, looking for their certain someone. Yeah, it's really like that. The bar is small, well stocked and very capable. The hostess seated us within minutes of our reservation in the main dining room. Our wait staff was attentive without being annoying. Our food was prepared as ordered - except for one steak that needed to go back on the grill for medium well. The place was alive, and it was fun just to take it all in. Compared to the standard cookie cutter restaurants that have big names, big rooms, big noise, big lines and big prices, we found Vernon's to be a great out of the way, sneak up on you, speak easy value. If you like a cozy, yet lively dining experience this one is worth a trip to 4th Street with your special someone. Pros: Atmosphere, Service, Attentiveness, Food Cons: Gotta love small restaurants more

The novelty of a prohibition-era restaurant plays well here. Service is attentive and wait staff enjoy pampering their customers. Alas, if only the food matched the enthusiasm, ambiance and service. The lamb chops were tops, while the rib eye was only average. The veggies were terrific, but the spud was over-baked. For such account-breaking prices, at the least for the Albuquerque market, food ought to be consistently exceptional. Pros: Ambience, Attentiveness, Novelty Cons: Some food items only average more

By far the best dining experience my husband and I had since moving to NM from Scottsdale, AZ. Vernons had a good vibe and the speak-easy setting was unique! EXCELLENT wine list. Our steaks were cooked perfectly. A restuarant we would definitely return to! Pros: Wine list, ambience, menu selection more

I have had the opportunity to eat at Vernon's Hidden Valley Steaks on numerous occasions. Each visit is more pleasurable than the previous! Hands down Vernon's has the best steak in Albuquerque. Also, the atmosphere makes your dining experience fabulous. It is fashioned like an old speakeasy of the Prohibition Era. The door to enter Vernon's is hidden in the back of a liquor store. You have to say, ""Joe sent me"" to get in! I love the coziness with the fire place and live piano. Pros: ambiance, service Cons: none! more