Bern’s Steak House Evolves With Modern Menu Changes

By Ronda M. Parag

As 2023 begins, it’s time to reflect on the past, but also charge forward with bold, new, fresh ideas, and in the case of Bern’s Steak House, spring menu changes. Executive Chef Chad Johnson along with Chef de Cuisine, Brent Hunt, and the entire kitchen staff have been working to develop a refreshed menu.

While staples of the menu remain the same including the dry-aged for 45+ days, in-house trimmed and cut NY Strip, Delmonico, Porterhouse and T-Bone steaks with the untouchable classic sides of French Onion Soup Au Gratin, House Salad, Baked Potato, Onion Rings and the Vegetable of the Evening, Johnson has been working to add modern dishes that will add some fun to the menu.

As some have noted founder Bern Laxer was part genius, part madman. There are many facets of Bern’s operations that have held true to the past, but today his son David Laxer and the entire culinary team want to add to the variety and seasonality of the menu. “Chad Johnson has been part of the Bern’s family for more than 18 years,” says David Laxer, owner, Bern’s Steak House. “I know that he and his team will honor my father’s legacy and uphold the Bern’s standard of excellence, while adding to our guest’s experience and memories.”

We recently had the wonderful experience of a wine pairing, four-course dinner to taste testing some of the items that will likely be added to the spring menu. Head Sommelier Brad Dixon paired the dishes with amazing wines to bring out the flavors of each dish. As each course was brought to the table, both Dixon and Johnson discussed the dishes and wines in depth, and what made them special and worthy of a spot on Bern’s menu. An alternative to the classic French Onion Soup and house salad would be the Chilled English Pea Soup and the Lobster & Vegetable Salad. The beautifully presented soup had flavors of mint, harissa and pickled carrot, while the salad had large chunks of lobster, avocado, jalapeño with a delicious vinaigrette dressing. A 1999 Scharzoh Riesling accompanied the dishes, which Dixon said would pair nicely with the heat of the harissa and jalapeño of the dishes.

Next, out came Maple Kabayaki King Salmon and Cream Fed Pork paired with 2005 Tollot Beaut Chorey les Beaune. Both dishes were expertly prepared and would certainly recommend as an alternative to ordering a steak. Finally, we had a specially prepared trio of steaks — Lobster Crusted Tournedos with tarragon and tomato, Wagyu Flank

Steak with beef rib sofrito and Cognac Aged Delmonico topped with vanilla bean butter. Served with a delicious 1994 Ibernoble Crianza Ribera de

Duero wine. We certainly savored each bite. New menu side dishes include the Asparagus Gratinee, Butter Braised Radish and Smoky Steak Fries. “Radishes are one of the most under appreciated vegetables,” said Johnson. We loved how they were prepared with an insane amount of butter.

Of course, no dinner at Bern’s is complete without a visit to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room. Pastry Sous Chef Hannah Thomas created an amazing Hummingbird Cake with pineapple, pecan and roasted banana ice cream, and a Caramelized White Chocolate Tart. The cake paired with a 1978 Chateau Rayne Vigneau Sauternes and the tart with a Carrot Cake Old Fashion — dessert in a glass, all by itself.

“While we look ahead at how to best serve our loyal guests, we are staying true to our roots of what makes Bern’s so special — “classic dishes made with love and best-in-class ingredients,” says Johnson. “This menu gives our guests the balance and respect to what’s new, versus what our guests have grown to love over the decades. We aren’t changing, we are evolving.” M

For more information, visit www.bernssteakhouse.com.

Hours: Sunday from 5 PM to 10 PM. Tuesday through Thursday from 5 PM to 10 PM. Friday & Saturday from 5 PM. to 11 PM. Closed Mondays.

Whether it’s calming us down or revving us up, music can be good for the heart. Such is the therapeutic power of music.

But did you know that music can also help save a life? A cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, often while at home, at work or at play. And you could be the beat for someone you know and love. The American Heart Association believes anyone can learn the simple steps to save a life, and everyone should, with just two simple steps:

1. Call 911.

2. Push Hard and Push Fast until help arrives.

But you may feel more confident performing Hands-Only CPR and ensuring you are staying between 100-120 compressions per minute by singing a song while you perform the compressions.

Some examples of music that stay between 100 and 120 compressions per minute are: “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross, “Macarena” by Los Del Rio, and “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.

You can find more songs online at: www.tinyurl.com/bethebeatspotify, but here are some favorites from our local Leaders with Heart.

Tampa Bay Go Red for Women event focuses on saving lives

The American Heart Association is calling on Tampa Bay residents to “Be the Beat” and learn CPR to save lives through its iconic Tampa Bay Go Red for Women Event and American Heart Month activities in February. According to the American Heart Association, about 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a spouse, a parent or a friend. This February during American Heart Month, the American Heart Association sheds light on the importance of knowing Hands-Only CPR. This year’s heart month theme, “Be the Beat,” urges people to be the beat it takes to keep someone alive by learning the two simple steps it takes to save a life.

• More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year, with about 70% happening in homes.

• CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

• Women are less likely to receive Hands-Only CPR because people fear accusations of inappropriate touching, sexual assault, or injuring the person.

• Hands-Only CPR involves two simple steps and anyone can learn it from a 60-second video available at heart.org/handsonlycpr.

• Step 1: If a teen or adult in your home suddenly collapses, call 911 immediately.

• Step 2: Place one hand on top of the other as shown in the video and push hard and fast on the victim’s chest.

The highlight of American Heart Month in Tampa Bay will be the Go Red for Women Luncheon February 10, which will be held from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Armature Works in Tampa. Tickets and information at www.TampaBayGoRedLuncheon.heart.org.

Since 2004, Go Red for Women has had a profound impact on women’s health. As the trusted, passionate, and relevant force to eradicate heart disease and stroke, through the Go Red for Women movement, the American Heart Association remains steadfast and committed to meeting the comprehensive health needs of women — at every life stage.

The Go Red for Women Event is designed to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for women in the United States, as well as generate funds for lifesaving cardiovascular research for women.

Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and the Tampa Bay event is locally sponsored by Tampa General Hospital, Encompass Health, Bristol Myers Squibb, ConnectWise, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Raymond James, Ultimate Medical Academy, Avalon, HCA Healthcare-West Florida Division, Healthe Systems and Old Republic Title, BayCare, Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc., Chenoa Information Services, Inc., Cogent Bank, Companion Data Services Ernst & Young LLP, IntraFi, Maxim Healthcare Staffing, MicroLumen, Optum Insights, PAR, Inc, PwC, Pinnacle Home Care, Questmont Virtual Family Office, RSM US LLP, Schellman, Tampa Bay Rays, USF Health, Valley National Bank, Vertex, Vpay. Media sponsors are 10 Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay Metro.