Every once in a while, a meal rises above being merely “good” and becomes something you know you will remember for years.

Our recent dinner at Charles Hellier’s Chophouse on Broad Street was one of those meals. In fact, it easily ranks among my top 10 dining experiences of all time.

I ordered the 20-ounce ribeye. Kim chose the Chicken Piccata. I came very close to ordering the Chilean sea bass, but I wanted to see how the Chophouse steak compared with several exceptional ribeyes I have enjoyed recently. Ribeyes and sea bass, after all, account for a considerable percentage of the best meals I have ever eaten.

Yes, the ribeye was pricey. It was also a freaking 20-ounce, hand-cut steak.

Most restaurants serve a 12-ounce ribeye, with an occasional 16-ounce option for those feeling particularly ambitious. This one arrived looking less like an entrée and more like a personal challenge. The last time I remember eating a steak that large was decades ago, when I traveled with the Georgia Bulldogs to the Cotton Bowl for a game against Texas.

The steak was beautifully prepared, deeply flavorful and cooked exactly as requested. It delivered the rich marbling and satisfying beef flavor that make a great ribeye difficult to beat.

Kim’s Chicken Piccata was equally successful. The two chicken breasts were tender and complemented by the bright, savory flavors you expect from a properly prepared piccata. Kim declared it spot on, and both chicken breasts disappeared before I could make much of a dent in my ribeye.

For our shareable sides, we chose the lobster macaroni and cheese and the Brussels sprouts. Calling them “shareable” may be an understatement. The portions could easily have served five or six people, and we carried most of both dishes home.

The Brussels sprouts were quite simply the best I have ever eaten. They were caramelized with honey and layered with seasonings that balanced sweetness, savoriness and the natural character of the sprouts. Even people who claim they do not like Brussels sprouts might reconsider after trying these.

The lobster macaroni and cheese was more delicate than the heavy, home-style version many diners might expect. Hints of celery seed and nutmeg added complexity without overpowering the lobster or cheese. It was rich, refined and extremely enjoyable.

But Chophouse on Broad Street is about more than large steaks and polished plates.

Charles Hellier moved to the area from Connecticut after his family fell in love with Rome while his son attended soccer camp at Darlington. An engineer who appreciates the finer things, Charles grew tired of fighting Atlanta traffic whenever he wanted a sophisticated dining experience. He decided Rome should have that level of food, hospitality and special-event dining without requiring a trip down Interstate 75.

He is now creating something that feels genuinely different for our community.

In addition to the restaurant, Charles is developing a private dining club and bringing respected culinary, wine and spirits professionals to Rome for intimate ticketed experiences. Recent guests have included Biltmore winemaker Sharon Fenchak. Upcoming events feature Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey, Caymus wines, Ketel One vodka and Elijah Craig bourbon, paired with specially designed multicourse menus.

These are not ordinary promotional dinners. They are carefully planned culinary experiences featuring premium steaks, seafood, handcrafted cocktails, fine wines and guided tastings. They give local diners access to the kind of evening they might ordinarily expect to find in Atlanta, Nashville or another major dining market.

Charles’ ambitions, however, extend well beyond the dining room.

He has been involved with Park Outreach since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry began after he encountered several homeless individuals gathered beneath a shelter at a public park on a cold Sunday morning. He wondered whether they were warm, hungry, employed or receiving the encouragement they needed.

Then he did something about it.

Charles approached the group and proposed meeting weekly. Participants would receive food, coffee and financial assistance for attending a brief faith-based personal-development program. Attendance would be documented so Park Outreach could later serve as a character reference as participants sought employment.

That first conversation grew into an ongoing effort providing food, clothing, encouragement and practical training in business, health and faith. Its goal is not merely to provide temporary relief, but to help people move from life in the park back into the broader community.

That means dining at Chophouse on Broad Street can feel indulgent without feeling empty. Guests can enjoy an exceptional meal while supporting an owner who is also investing in people who are hungry, homeless or struggling within our own community.

Chophouse on Broad Street has already received “Best of Georgia” recognition from the Georgia Business Journal and multiple OpenTable Diners’ Choice awards. Based on our experience, the attention is well deserved.

Come for the hand-cut Angus steaks, seafood, Chicken Piccata and enormous shareable sides. Consider attending one of the private pairing dinners or purchasing a membership.

And come knowing that at Chophouse on Broad Street, a memorable meal can also help place food into the hands of someone who needs it.