STEAK HOUSES
Porter House NY: Steakhouse. Time Warner Center; 10 Columbus Circle @ 60th; 24/25/$78; 823-9500; Amazing views of Central Park; Gorgeous interior, superior service; Perfect for pre Lincoln Center or to entertain a client; Expensive even for the genre; High end quality; Menu includes all the favorite cuts of beef including a Veal Chop; Cowboy Rib Eye; and a Lamb T-Bone; Seafood available; Raw bar appetizers.
Ben Benson’s: Steakhouse. 123 W 52nd @ 6-7th; 25/18/$69; 581-8888; Biz class favorite; Gigantic steaks; Life threatening Martinis; Veteran service. Wood & brass décor; Creamed spinach here; Tenderloin or porterhouse or filet. Appetizers include Gravlax, Filet Mignon or salmon tartare, and shrimp scampi; Serve Roast Prime Rib; Soft Shell Crabs in season; Biggest menu I’ve seen for a steakhouse; Tons of seafood; Huge wine list;
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. Relaxed, cool setting – not gruff; Great décor and friendly –normal- staff. Steaks cooked in 1,800 degree oven and served on 500 degree plate; Large selection of seafood to go along with the steaks- which are why you come here.
Capital Grill: Steakhouse. 120 W 51st @ 6th-7th Av; 21/22/$63; 246-0154; Amazing Steaks; Clubby Feel; Business types; Extremely friendly service; Time-Life Building. Lobster Mac n Cheese side stands out; Steaks arguably smaller than some of its competitors; Great bar scene; Slightly larger menu than most. Chrysler Building location is the flagship.
Palm: Steakhouse. 250 50th @ BWay-8th Av; 24/17/$66; 333-7256; Gargantuan steaks and enormous lobsters; No-nonsense; Saloon type décor. 2nd Ave location been around nearly 100 years; Old style feel. It is a chain restaurant now, losing some of its cache; Seared Ahi Tuna; They do have amazing sides; Rib Eye, Filet Mignon, and King Crab Legs.
Del Frisco’s: Steakhouse. 1221 6th Av @ 49th; 25/23/$75; 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. Crab cakes & creamed spinach most notable sides; Bacon strips available (off menu); Wall street type of crowd; Ahi Tuna, Seafood Soup, Expensive even for NYC. King Crab Gnocchi, Mac N Cheese side;
Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 269 W 45th @ B-Way-8th Av; 22/16/$64; 997-9494; This location has been around since Babe Ruth’s era; Speakeasy-ish vibe; Old school waiters in bow ties; Another location on 37th and 5th Av with less history; Standard menu with Sirloin, Rib Eye, Porterhouse and Filet Mignon available; Salmon, Sole, Lobster and Shrimp also on menu.
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; 24/18/$72; 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. They have a Kobe beef burger; Truffle Mac N Cheese; Giant desserts – chocolate cake is Mmm; Raw Bar; Bufala Mozz & Tomatoes; Prime Rib; Filet Mignon; Branzino, Sea Bass, Lobster – large menu.
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. Lobster & White Truffle Mac N Cheese side; Salmon Tuna tartare; Gorgeous dining room; Giant Martinis; Cheese Fondue appetizer; Rib Eye is excellent; Seared Yellowfin Tuna; Pick your own sauces; Tons of salads and sides. Female friendly.
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; 21/19/$55; 220-9200; Young and modern look; Corporate types; Great for lunch; Gigantic steaks and great sides. There is a less expensive, next-door bar and grill with top burgers. Overall, even main dining room cheap for genre. Martini’s are extra special; Filet Mignon & creamed spinach stand out. Large menu – fantastic desserts. Great bang for your buck. BLT Prime: Steakhouse. 111 E 22nd @ Lex-Park; 23/21/$71; 995-8500; Steakhouse from chef Laurent Tourondel; Artful-contemporary setting that is date friendly; Very strong food- Kind of formal; Double Cut Bacon, Seafood Platter, Crab cakes are featured apps; Kobe beef available; Rib Eye, Hanger Steak, Short Ribs, Rack of Lamb all cry out; Excellent wine list.
Primehouse New York: Steakhouse. 381 Park Av @ 27th; 24/23/$68; 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; Mac n Cheese side; Excellent setting, date friendly; Really top service; Shrimp Dumplings, King Crab, Oysters, Bufala Mozz; Sea Bass, Lobster, NY Strip, Ribeyes (the best), Veal Chop, Arctic Char, Filet.
Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 255 5th Av @ 28th-29th; 23/18/$68; 532-7600; Business professionals; Amazing sides- especially the creamed spinach and German potatoes; 2 former Peter Lugar servers own it; Communal porterhouse; NY Strip, filet all great; Nicely charred steaks; Extensive wine list; Plain, yet spacious setting; Very attentive service. Bacon as appetizer & seafood platter; Prime Rib. More extensive menu at this location – better setting.
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; Been around forever and filled with memorabilia; Giant single-malt list; American nostalgia; Meat lovers- huge portions. Creamed spinach amazing; Mutton chop and Prime rib are classics; Thick cut bacon; Tomatoes & Mozz; Lamb chops, short ribs. Dover sole.
Benjamin Steak House: Steakhouse. 52 E. 41st @ Madison –Park; 25/22/$72; 297-9177; More of an upscale setting, nicer décor; Top of line service- more civilized; Monster sized steaks; Tons of seafood on the menu; Onion and Lobster Bisque soups; Thick Bacon appetizer; Rib eye and Sirloin steaks are signatures; 6 seafood entrees to choose from; Amazing desserts – Pecan Pie!
Capital Grill: Steakhouse. 155 E 42nd @ Lex-3rd; 21/22/$63; 953-2000; Amazing Steaks; Clubby Feel; Business types; Extremely friendly service; Chrysler Center. Lobster Mac n Cheese side stands out; Slightly larger menu than most; Steaks arguably smaller than some of its competitors; Great bar scene; This location is the flagship;
Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. 219 44th @ 2nd – 3rd Av; 23/18/$68; 682-5678; Business professionals; Amazing sides- especially the creamed spinach and German potatoes; 2 former Peter Lugar servers own it; Communal porterhouse; NY Strip, filet all great; Nicely charred steaks; Extensive wine list; Plain, yet spacious setting; Very attentive service. Bacon as appetizer & seafood platter; Prime Rib. More extensive menu at this location – better setting.
Palm: Steakhouse. 837 2nd Av @ 44-45th; 24/17/$66; 687-2953; Gargantuan steaks and enormous lobsters; No-nonsense; Saloon type décor. 2nd Ave location been around nearly 100 years; Old style feel. It is a chain restaurant now, losing some of its cache; Seared Ahi Tuna; They do have amazing sides; Rib Eye, Filet Mignon, and King Crab Legs. Another location next door at 840 2nd Av;
Morton’s: Steakhouse. 551 5th Av @ 45th; 24/21/$73; 972-3315; Clubby, dark place; Beef orgy; Porterhouse is outstanding; Old school vibe; Mammoth sides; Tableside preview of beef.; They are a chain but wow they do it right; Features ultra friendly service; Incredible appetizers – Tuna Tartare, Crab Cake, Shrimp Alexander stand out; Chicago style Ribeye, Sea Bass, Lobster all available. Double Cut Filet.
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; 23/20/$66; 750-2233; Crackling pork shank is signature for $29; Martinis galore; Huge slabs of beef; 28 ounce rib steak; Incredible au gratin; 5 pound lobsters; Loud but great time. Five different styles of Filet Mignon; Braised short ribs; Fish selections; Slightly cheaper than others in the genre.
Rothmann’s: Steakhouse. 3 E 54th @ 5th-Mad; 23/20/$72; 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. Lobster cocktail, Mozz & Tomatoes; Tuna Tartare; Skewered shrimp & scallopps with bacon; Lots of salads and seafood entrees; Lamb mixed grill; Sirloin, Rib Eye; Lamb Shank, Veal, Filet, Hanger Steak; Pasta dishes, endless sides including Mac n Cheese.
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/$77; 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. Multiple international locations; Bistro ambiance; Grilled Bacon, Lobster Cobb salad on appetizer list; Can choose sauces for steaks; Fish and shellfish available.
Parlor Steakhouse: 1600 3rd Av @ 90th; 22/21/$59; 423-5888; Female friendly steakhouse with a great bar scene; Extensive wine list; Extremely inexpensive for the genre; $35 prix fixe available; They have a Raw bar; Lobster Roll on the menu; Yellow fin Tuna, Short Ribs, Mac N Cheese side; Rib Eye, NY Strip, Filet Mignon and Porterhouse. Various sauces available.
Peter Lugar: Steakhouse. 178 B-Way, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 27/15/$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. Sizzling Bacon by the slice; Caesar salad; Very small menu – you’d better love porterhouse!