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The American steakhouse is the culinary intersection of class and comfort. Our #OpenTable100 Best Steakhouses list highlights restaurants that deliver a high-end dining experience that is singular and soothing all at once. We determined the list of honorees after analyzing more than five million reviews of more than 20,000 restaurants across the country — all submitted by verified diners.

Last night I was invited to attend a blogger happy hour event at the new Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse in downtown Nashville. I was excited at the opportunity since I had already heard so many great things about the food and the atmosphere of the restaurant; so naturally I jumped at the chance to visit (even though it was our 2nd wedding anniversary). Since the event was right at the end of my work day, I figured “why not?” and stopped by for an hour. I am so glad that I did.

If you didn’t know that Jeff Ruby is a real guy who launched an eponymous steakhouse, you might think that Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse is some sort of Disney creation. The fedora-wearing restaurateur travels between his various restaurant properties in a custom-wrapped luxury bus, a rolling billboard for his brand of high-end dining and excellent customer service. The details of the restaurants' decor seem impossibly over-the-top unless you’ve met Ruby himself and realize that he actually is larger than life. This is the man who gained national attention for banning O.J. Simpson from his Louisville steakhouse during Derby Week, landing himself and his brand on every network’s news and morning shows.

It's American as apple pie, the idiom goes, partly because it just rolls off the tongue right nice. However, if there were a type of food that really typifies the idea of America, it has to be steak: Raised by cowboys, seared on grills and served up in giant slabs befitting a land of plenty. The list below is a expert's rough guide to where you can find some of the best steaks and steakhouses in every state from Maine to Hawaii, and everywhere in between. 

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Local restaurant “The Precinct” hosted a victory dinner on the house for our local Chopped Jr. champion. Nadjah Bray and her family stopped in at The Precinct on Sunday night. Not only will Nadjah shadow cooks at Jeff Ruby's restaurant. She will also be adding a new addition to her family, a therapy dog donated by the American Success Dog Training Academy. Nadjah wanted to use the money she received from Chopped to buy a therapy dog for her family. Her twin brothers have autism and her younger sister has health issues as well. Nadjah says the main ingredient is love, in her dishes and in her family.  

Kentucky may best be known for horse racing and bourbon but the Bluegrass State also boasts an incredible culinary scene. So the next time you’re traveling through Kentucky check out a few of the 25 best restaurants listed below. Ranging from fine dining to diners to down home country cookin’ your stomach will thank you for eating at any of these great spots.

... The award was presented at the ORA "Chairman's & Industry Awards Event" held July 9th this year at the White Castle headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1920 the ORA is an advocacy group for its members, and "... the only statewide organization with a full-time lobbyist and political advocacy program devoted exclusively to the foodservice industry..." according to the ORA website. Each year the ORA presents Industry Awards to members for distinguished careers and service in the foodservice industry, which includes the Outstanding Purveyor Award for being "a company recognized for its exceptional service to the restaurant community." "Not only is this award a great honor, it is testament to your company's commitment to the industry and the responsible stewardship you have exemplified throughout your years of service." says Bradie Berry, Director of Project Services for t...

Though Jeff Ruby made his name in Cincinnati, his Nashville location has established itself as a go-to special celebration location in two months. I love it just for the splendid, carefully designed period decor, but the time travel aspects of the menu are unusual indeed. If exquisite culinary nostalgia has any allure for you, add this one to the bucket list.

The filming hasn't wrapped yet, but Cincinnati is already receiving high praise for its latest movie role. Kevin Connolly, director of "The Life and Death of John Gotti," noted the Queen City was convincing as 1970s/1980s New York City. "There are a lot of locations in this movie, but we've been really lucky," said Connolly, best known for his work with HBO's "Entourage." "It's been easier than I thought at times,"  he said. "And also challenging at times. You have to get it out of your head that you are not actually in New York." Production of the film about the rise and fall of the notorious mob boss began in July and stars John Travolta as Gotti and Kelly Preston as Gotti's wife. Lionsgate Premiere is set to release the drama domestically. With three filming days left, Connolly, as well as producer Michael Froch, writer and actor Leo Rossi, actor William DeMeo (who plays...

Thank you to OpenTable Diners in Nashville for naming us a Winner in the Diners' Choice category!