This is Westminster's best kept restaurant secret. Legends Cafe should be rated no less than a four star restaurant. Now I know that is saying a lot but if you try different menu items, particularly from their dinner selections, you will see what I mean. I can assure you, if you try different items on the standard and supplemental weekly dinner menus you are in for a gastronomical experience that will bring you back time and again.
This was our anniversary so I planned a surprise dinner this past Saturday evening. I asked for a private area and I was seated in a separate room with dim lighting and a candle in the center of the table. The quality of the food was so exceptional that I want to encourage you to try Legends if you have not already. I also met the owners, Jim and Amy Fields who are absolutely delightful. Jim is also the chef. Jim studied at the Culinary, and for a few years, in Italy just outside of Rome.
Don't be fooled, this is not just a comfort food family restaurant, as I said at the outset, the dinner menu is absolutely four star quality. There is a weekly specialty menu. Currently it is a "Taste of Fall." It includes Roasted Pumpkin and Duck Soup, Scallops Marzan, The Ricky (a specialty meatloaf), Sesame Tuna, and homemade Bread Pudding for desert.
For an appetizer, we had ÃÂ"Arnold's Mussels," steamed muscles in a garlic and white sauce. It was incredible. The muscles were fresh and perfectly steamed (that in itself is an art), but the sauce was superb with fresh Italian parsley and garlic. I selected the Pumpkin and Duck Soup from the Fall specialty menu. The pumpkin was pureed and contained roasted pumpkin seeds, three ounces of smoked duck and a dollop of sour cream in the center. It was one of the best soups I can remember, you have to try this one. My fiance had baked French onion soup that was hearty and flavorful with lots of provolone cheese floating on the top. Next, I chose a Caesar Salad that was excellent, the Romaine was crisp and the dressing was classic Caesar.
Now the entrees: I chose the "Chuck Harrison" a hand cut to order prime angus beef rib eye. I ordered the 16 ounce cut, medium rare. The steak was seasoned and char-broiled to perfection. It was tender and juicy, as good as, and even better than, any specialty steakhouse and at half the price. It was served with caramelized onions, fresh cut French fries and garnished with lettuce and chopped tomato; again absolutely exceptional, My fiance ordered the "Babe's Baby Backed Ribs." They were slow cooked, fall off the bone tender with an incredible home made BBQ sauce that should be bottled and sold separately; it is tangy, bold with a hint of smoke, but not over spiced. Again, try to find ribs this good at a specialty rib house and you will pay twice as much and it won't come close to these.
The prices are moderate and an exceptional value when you consider the quality of the food. We always need a to-go box because first, there are ample portions, and second, we could not conceive of leaving food this good behind. Not to forget the service: It is very friendly and attentive without being invasive. We cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. Come several times and try different items on the menu. You can't go wrong with their dinner features, I can assure you.