Newcomer Sullivan’s set to open downtown location
Where’s the beef? In downtown Baltimore, it seems as if it’s around every corner.
Plush steakhouses dot the city’s landscape, a beacon to the business traveler with an expense account, or a company with clients to impress. From two Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses within a half-mile of each other to a newcomer like Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Baltimore offers plenty of options to carnivores.
One sign that businesses might be cutting back on expense accounts came from an Association of Corporate Travel Executives survey. A recent survey showed 51 percent of member companies reported major cuts in business travel in 2008.
“We love steak in Baltimore,” said Anirban Basu, president and chief executive officer of the Sage Policy Group. “Steakhouses have become the new power meeting spot. They’re a great way to entertain clients … [but] that doesn’t mean we’re over capacity in Baltimore.”
In addition to two Ruth’s Chris locations, downtown Baltimore is also home to The Capital Grille, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and M & S Grill. Sullivan’s will open a new restaurant in the Verizon building on Pratt Street in February or March.
Even during a recession, when consumers are altering their dining-out habits, steakhouses seem to be able to weather the economic storm, said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research and information services for the National Restaurant Association.
“Despite tough economic times, America’s basic love affair with beef continues,” Riehle said. “Even in the current environment, new locations continue to open up.”
Steakhouses continue to do well in good times and bad because so much of their patronage comes from the business community, Riehle said.
“Business travelers as well as personal travelers make up a fairly large percentage of consumers of high-check establishments,” Riehle said.
At Morton’s in downtown Baltimore, business has stayed brisk in recent months, said Ron McNeill, the restaurant’s general manager.
“With Baltimore being a convention-driven city, we’ve done pretty well because we’re right next door to the Convention Center,” McNeill said. “A lot of business people are still coming in, and we’ve seen a good influx of local people coming in on the weekends.”
McNeill said a special three-course offer for a party of two for $99 has helped boost local business in recent months.
“That enables people to come in and get a very good meal for a decent price,” McNeill said. Morton’s handles boardroom parties for businesses, and while the businesses have scaled back on their spending during the event, they’re still holding the events at steakhouses, McNeill said. “It’s just what they’re used to,” McNeill said. “They’re not going to make big business deals in T.G.I. Friday’s.”
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