Best deal in town: the four-course $64 tasting menu at Matū in Beverly Hills

This is part of our series highlighting affordable tasting menus at upscale restaurants in L.A. Previously we visited Italian restaurant Mozza on Melrose. Look for more to come. [Unless otherwise noted, the menu prices do not include alcohol or taxes and tips.]

Matū is an updated steak restaurant concept with locations in Beverly Hills and Brentwood. It serves 100% grass-fed wagyu beef from New Zealand and emphasizes health, sustainability and the humane treatment of animals.

There are several different tasting menu options. I opted for the Picanha Dinner four-course tasting menu for $64 — a definite bargain, as that can be the price of a high-end meat entree by itself. (In case you're curious, the most expensive was the Lock, Stock & Barrel for four with seven courses at $115 per person.)

The first course was a 24-hour bone broth. It was rich and flavorful, but I found it particularly filling after a few sips. I didn’t finish it.

The shrimp cocktail at Matū

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Gab Chabrán

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LAist

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Then came a shrimp cocktail. Four sizable shrimp placed in a pool of appetizing cocktail sauce with fresh grated horseradish. I’m a shrimp cocktail fiend, and this totally checked all the right boxes. I took my time dipping each shrimp before topping it with horseradish for a kick with each bite.

I had high hopes for the next course, beef croquetas served over a celeriac puree, but was a bit let down. While the dish was cooked well enough, with a crispy outside and tender beef on the inside, there was a distinct lack of seasoning, mainly salt.

Beef croquetas with celeriac puree

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Gab Chabrán

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But the main event, the picanha steak, (also known as sirloin cap) picked things up again. It came perfectly cut and thin, unveiling its medium-rare pink inside and was exceptionally cooked. A side of their ‘47’ salad, while well dressed, only had about four leaves, so it felt a bit sparse.

The Picanha steak, part of the four course dinner

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Gab Chabrán

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LAist

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As for the ambiance — well, let's just say the loud classic rock and groups of men discussing business around me wasn't the most appealing.

But overall, it’s a great price for the amount and quality of food.