STEAK HOUSES
Ben Benson’s: Steakhouse. 123 W 52nd @ 6-7th; 23/18/$69; 581-8888; Biz class favorite; Gigantic steaks; Life threatening Martinis; Veteran service. Wood & brass décor; Creamed spinach here; Tenderloin or porterhouse or filet.
Ruth’s Chris: Steakhouse. 148 W 51st @ 6-7th Av; 25/20/$66; 245-9600; New Orleans themed; Large, sizzling steaks; Tender, cooked in butter. My personal favorite in the city. Relaxed, cool setting – not gruff; Great décor and friendly –normal- staff.
Palm: Steakhouse. 250 W 50th @ B-Way-8th; 24/17/$66; 687-2953; Gargantuan steaks and enormous lobsters; No-nonsense; Saloon type décor. 2nd Av location been around nearly 100 years; Old style feel.
Del Frisco’s: Steakhouse. 1221 6th Av @ 49th; 25/23/$70; 575-5129; Great setting; Solid all way round; Pre-theatre deal; Top beef served in a Texas-elegant setting; Generous with portions and drinks. Perfect service and a can’t go wrong experience.
Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 440 9th Av @ 34-35th; 244-0005; 22/19/$70; Melt in your mouth giant cuts of beef; 3 pound porterhouse for 2 for $85; Carnivore’s delight; Old school scene. Pricy.
Old Homestead: Steakhouse. 56 9th Ave@ 14-15th; 24/17/$67; 242-9040; Extremely large slabs of first rate meat; Old school feel; Great burgers as well; Top shelf drinks. Been around 40 years; Traditional dark wood setting. NY Sirloin is tops.
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 409 Greenwich @ Hubert; 25/20/$74; 889-3369; Like Lugar’s; Incredible Porterhouse; Wildly popular; Vaulted ceilings. Laid back, with old-school cool; Gorgeous décor and fish-friendly menu as well.
Dylan Prime: Steakhouse. 62 Laight @ Greenwich; 24/23/$66; 334-4783; TriBeCa location; Date friendly; Stylish and far less pretentious than others; Cool bar scene; Superb food; Feel of a lounge as much as steakhouse. No attitude. Has lighter fare.
Strip House: Steakhouse. 13 E 12th @ 5th Av; 24/22/$68; 328-0000; Dark, hip joint; Amazing steaks; 1950s scene; Red interior reminding one of Moulan Rouge; Pin Up Photos, yet very female friendly; Amazing Sides; Just a different take on carnivore experience. Angelo & Maxie’s: Steakhouse; 233 Park Av @ 19th; 21/18/$55; 220-9200; Young and modern look; Corporate types; Great for lunch; Gigantic steaks and great sides. There is now a less expensive, next-door bar and grill with top burgers. Overall, even main dining room cheap for genre. BLT Prime: Steakhouse. 111 E 22nd @ Lex-Park; 24/21/$71; 995-8500; Steakhouse from chef Laurent Tourondel; Great steaks & sides; Very strong food. Kind of formal; Old school-ish.
Primehouse New York: Steakhouse. 381 Park Av @ 27th; 23/23/$70; 824-2600; Huge selection of not just steak related items. See website menu. BR Guest group; Contemporary and date friendly; Caesar salad amazing; Sides outstanding; Raw bar.
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 4 Park @ 33rd; 25/20/$74; 889-3369; Like Lugar’s; Incredible Porterhouse; Wildly popular; Vaulted ceilings. Laid back, with old-school cool; Gorgeous décor and fish-friendly menu as well. Keens Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 72 W 36th @ 5th-6th; 24/23/$65; 947-3636; Old boys club feel; Great service for genre; Classic feel- 80,000 clay pipes line ceiling; American memorabilia; Meat lovers- huge portions. Capital Grill: Steakhouse. 155 E 42nd @ Lex-3rd; 23/22/$63; 953-2000; Amazing Steaks; Tender; Clubby Feel; Business types; Extremely friendly service; Chrysler Center. Lobster Mac n Cheese; Slightly larger menu than most.
Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 219 44th @ 2nd – 3rd Av; 23/17/$68; 682-5678; Business professionals; Boys night out; Amazing sides; 3 former Peter Lugar servers own it; Communal porterhouse; NY Strip, filet all great; Nicely charred steaks. Palm: Steakhouse. 837 2nd Av @ 44-45th; 24/17/$66; 687-2953; Gargantuan steaks and enormous lobsters; No-nonsense; Saloon type décor. 2nd Av location been around nearly 100 years; Old style feel. Morton’s: Steakhouse. 551 5th Av @ 45th; 24/19/$65; 972-3315; Clubby, dark place; Beef orgy; Porterhouse is outstanding; Old school vibe; Mammoth sides; Tableside preview of beef. Sparks: Steakhouse. 210 E 46th @ 2-3rd Av; 25/19/$72; 687-4855; Big steaks; Endless wine list; Hugely popular; Biz types. Old boy network; Gruff service; Signature sirloin; Always packed. Smith & Wollensky: Steakhouse. 797 3rd @ 49th; 22/17/$70; 753-1530; Huge portions; Old school; Wollensky’s Grill next door; Macho feel; Biz types & their escorts. Wisecracking waiters.
Wollensky’s Grill: Steakhouse. 201 E 49th @ 3rd Av; 23/16/$54; 753-0444; The less expensive yet still excellent sister restaurant to Smith & Wollensky. Open late til 2am; Great steaks. Bar scene.
Maloney & Porcelli: Steakhouse. 37 E 50th @ Madison-Park; 22/19/$68; 750-2233; Crackling pork shank is signature; Martinis galore; Huge slabs of beef; 28 ounce rib steak; Incredible au gratin; 5 pound lobsters; Loud but great time.
Rothmann’s: Steakhouse. 3 E 54th @ 5th-Mad; 22/20/$68; 319-5500; Young, business like scene; Great service; Food is excellent and it is starting to receive a top notch buzz. Giant porterhouse for two; 850+ bottles of wine.
Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 44 W 56th @ 5th Av; 244-0005; 22/19/$70; Melt in your mouth giant cuts of beef; 3 pound porterhouse for 2 for $85; Carnivore’s delight; Old school scene. Pricy.
BLT Steak: Steakhouse. 106 57th St@ Lex-Park; 24/21/$75; The original in Laurent Tourondel’s empire; Top notch cooking; Always popular; Only porterhouse for 2 is giant; Modest cuts for genre but sauces and sides amazing as is service. Peter Lugar: Steakhouse. 178 B-Way, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 27/14/$75; 718-387-7400; Steak Utopia; #1 in Zagats; Killer sides; Cash only. Dingy décor and gruff service but the Porterhouse for two is EPIC.