Lava Rock: A Prime Way to Cook Steaks

There are many ways to cook a steak, but a new steakhouse in town is offering one you probably haven’t thought of: lava rock.

Lest you think it’s a new gimmick, Rok Prime General Manager Angel White most assuredly asserts that the practice is ancient.

“The lava rock is heated to 750 degrees. When the meat is placed on that, it does a very quick sear,” sealing in the juices and flavor, Angel said.

According to this list, the number of restaurants using the rocks is few and far between, with a Bakersfield restaurant being the only other Southern California restaurant employing them.

Like the name implies, Rok Prime uses only prime meats. White said only 6 percent of all meats qualify as good enough.

The prices reflect that quality. The highest priced item is a bone-in rib eye for $48. A half-roasted chicken, on the other hand, will only set you back $19.

The restaurant, in the former location of Simply Fondue and kitty-corner to Mission San Juan Capistrano, has been under renovation for months. White called the resulting décor, “elegant eclectic.”

“Did you see my jaw drop when I walked in here? It’s beautiful,” said Stephanie Frisch, chairwoman of the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce.

Rok Prime had a soft opening Black Friday, and Mayor Pro Tem John Taylor helped owners Jim and Marilyn Nieger and Mary and Ed Fletcher cut the ribbon this past Friday.