NYC Steak Houses

[crew]

The other thread asking for your preference on which cut of steak you prefer prompted me to ask about NYC steakhouses.
We're headed to NYC the first weekend in December for our annual Christmas excursion. Each year we try a different steakhouse. This year I was all set to make reservations at Peter Lugers, which I've never been to. Before doing that, though, I thought I'd ask for the thoughts and experiences of those that live in the City or travel there.
My other considerations include Smiith & Wollensky's, Sparks and Del Frisco's.
I'm very open to your suggestions though.
We've been to Quality Meats (enjoyed it), Frankie & Johnnies and Gallagher's.
We're staying near Central Park but location shouldn't be a deciding factor for us. Ambience would be nice but a great steak is paramount.
Thoughts?

[warrior]

From everything that I've ever seen on TV and read, you better go to Peter Luger's. Consistently the top rated steakhouse in the NYC area, if not the entire country. Never been there, though!

[wantonebad]

I've been to Lugers many many times and I will be going back, many many times! One of my fav's even with the detractions, tourists, locals and purists telling me to go elsewhere.

[Manofsteelpt]

I see PL on the tv shows all the time, I've never been, but supposed to be top notch.

Ever been up my way to Russells, John? I can HIGHLY recommend that!

[Jwg3113]

Keens Steahouse at 72 W 36th Street gets my vote. Old school steakhouse rich in history. We had the porterhouse for two, it was amazing!

[sco]

PL for me too. Amazing....

Unless you have an old school credit account with them make sure to bring cash! Unless they have changed their policies that is.

[crew]

Originally Posted by Manofsteelpt

I see PL on the tv shows all the time, I've never been, but supposed to be top notch.

Ever been up my way to Russells, John? I can HIGHLY recommend that!

Never been to Russell's Mike, but I hear it's great. We were in Buffalo about a month ago and had dinner at the Buffalo Chop House. Very good.
I need to try Russell's though!

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by sco

PL for me too. Amazing....

Unless you have an old school credit account with them make sure to bring cash! Unless they have changed their policies that is.

Yup!!

[SMD]

Minetta Tavern. Google the old NYT review. Always amazing. Can't go wrong with Keens or Lugers but have to try Minetta.

[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by crew

The other thread asking for your preference on which cut of steak you prefer prompted me to ask about NYC steakhouses.
We're headed to NYC the first weekend in December for our annual Christmas excursion. Each year we try a different steakhouse. This year I was all set to make reservations at Peter Lugers, which I've never been to. Before doing that, though, I thought I'd ask for the thoughts and experiences of those that live in the City or travel there.
My other considerations include Smiith & Wollensky's, Sparks and Del Frisco's.
I'm very open to your suggestions though.
We've been to Quality Meats (enjoyed it), Frankie & Johnnies and Gallagher's.
We're staying near Central Park but location shouldn't be a deciding factor for us. Ambience would be nice but a great steak is paramount.
Thoughts?

You can go to Smith & Wollenksy's, Del Frisco's etc, in any city. I would stick to the one-off NYC steakhouses. Never been to Luger's, but if I was going, that would be my choice.

[Highland Ranger]

Lugers - in Brooklyn . . . . used to be one on Northern Boulevard (queens or nassau), not sure that one is still there but I recall it not being as good as the original.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

You can go to Smith & Wollenksy's, Del Frisco's etc, in any city. I would stick to the one-off NYC steakhouses. Never been to Luger's, but if I was going, that would be my choice.

Agree except for Wolfgangs. They have multiple locations but give Peter Luger a run for its money.


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[rr-nyc]

Delmonico's is great and as old school as you can get. Not to be confused by the dozens of places throughout the country that use the same name


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[s14roller]

Lugers is good...more so because their sides and desserts are amazing. Otherwise, I honestly feel like high-end steak tastes pretty close...

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by crew

Never been to Russell's Mike, but I hear it's great. We were in Buffalo about a month ago and had dinner at the Buffalo Chop House. Very good.
I need to try Russell's though!

CH is VERY good, John... Personally, I put Russells a tad ahead of them though. Can't go wrong with either though. Love to hear how PL compares to CH when you get back if u go there.

[Danny83]

Peter Lugers or Smith & Wollenskys, Sparks are all my favorites

[swils8610]

Peter Lugers is amazing! If your in Buffalo I think Russell's is a notch above The Chop House.

[simbal]

PL is it!

[Bruin Watch]

My thoughts echo other's input already.

PL, Keens, and Sparks are all great choices. Different types of meat, experience, and history at each; well worth trying them all if you can!

[agsstructures]

Quality Meats

[yjfang]

The particular steakhouse is not as important as what you get. When you get a great piece of meat, you don't need to do too much to it. The flavors and textures are already there.

Look for USDA Prime and 28 (or whatever) days dry aged. The aging allows the meat to tenderize (break down of tissue and release of glutamic acid - enhancing umami). This will generally be the top 3% of all meats.

As far as cuts go, you can't go wrong with Ribeye because of the marbling. NY Strip or Kansas City Strip (really the same thing) are good too. A lot of places will offer T-bone for 2 or Porterhouse for 2, those are cool too because you get a strip on one side and filet on the other side so you get 2 very different flavors / textures.

Also, if you have a chance to try wagyu (grade A5 not American Kobe), don't miss it.

Bon Appetite!

(Foodie here due to wife being a Chef.)

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by sco

PL for me too. Amazing....

Unless you have an old school credit account with them make sure to bring cash! Unless they have changed their policies that is.

According to this, no cash either.

"Peter Luger Steakhouse does not accept any credit cards at either Brooklyn or Great Neck locations.
Accepted forms of payment are the Peter Luger Card, US checks with ID, and US debit cards."

[dera]

PL does take cash. Been there maybe 10-15 times. No comparison.
Keens gets close, and Del Frisco's isn't bad if not a bit generic.

PL has been voted the best steakhouse in NYC for I think 29 years running now. And for a good reason. Always a fun experience. "Do you need the menu?" "No thanks" :)

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by dera

PL does take cash. Been there maybe 10-15 times. No comparison.
Keens gets close, and Del Frisco's isn't bad if not a bit generic.

PL has been voted the best steakhouse in NYC for I think 29 years running now. And for a good reason. Always a fun experience. "Do you need the menu?" "No thanks" :)

Been to NYC several times, but never to PL. A friend of mine recently went and he told me it wasn't anything special. Also very mixed reviews on Tripadvisor.

[dera]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Been to NYC several times, but never to PL. A friend of mine recently went and he told me it wasn't anything special. Also very mixed reviews on Tripadvisor.

The thing with PL is that you can only order one thing. Everything else they have on their "menu" isn't that great. You go there and order steak for two(assuming there's two of you) and creamed spinach. If you like a porterhouse and creamed spinach, you will absolutely love it and it is one of the best steaks of your life. If you don't, well, then it's not the best steakhouse for you :)

If you're used to non-dry aged, or non-prime-level marbling, or less fatty cuts, you prob won't think its anything special.

So - filet eaters should go elsewhere :)

I've been to just about every noteworthy NYC steakhouse, to most of them more than once, and PL is by far the best, caveat mentioned above.
If you're a ribeye guy, the tomahawk ribeye at Del Frisco's prob is your best bet.

You also either love or hate the atmosphere at PL. It's a very old school off-Manhattan restaurant.

[tfly212]

I know its heresy but I think Luger's is overrated. Between the inconvenience of the location and the cash only policy (the Luger credit card doesn't count) I just don't think it is worth it.

My faves...the original Palm, Keens and the Strip House in union sq.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by dera

The thing with PL is that you can only order one thing. Everything else they have on their "menu" isn't that great. You go there and order steak for two(assuming there's two of you) and creamed spinach. If you like a porterhouse and creamed spinach, you will absolutely love it and it is one of the best steaks of your life. If you don't, well, then it's not the best steakhouse for you :)

If you're used to non-dry aged, or non-prime-level marbling, or less fatty cuts, you prob won't think its anything special.

So - filet eaters should go elsewhere :)

I've been to just about every noteworthy NYC steakhouse, to most of them more than once, and PL is by far the best, caveat mentioned above.
If you're a ribeye guy, the tomahawk ribeye at Del Frisco's prob is your best bet.

You also either love or hate the atmosphere at PL. It's a very old school off-Manhattan restaurant.

Agree with you 1000% you are spot on with the choices at Lugers, I don't know if their other offerings are sub-par because I've never ordered them.

I also agree with the Tomahawk selection at DF's with the possible exception of the occasional Wagyu specials.

Best steak I ever had in my life was at CUT wolfgang's chain of steak houses.

[antbkny]

i still prefer del friscos

[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Agree with you 1000% you are spot on with the choices at Lugers, I don't know if their other offerings are sub-par because I've never ordered them.

I also agree with the Tomahawk selection at DF's with the possible exception of the occasional Wagyu specials.

Best steak I ever had in my life was at CUT wolfgang's chain of steak houses.

I was at CUT in Beverly Hills about 5 years ago. Very good, nothing extraordinary. Mastro's for about half the price was much better.

I do have to say that Wolfgang was there the night we ate there, and he stopped and visited every table, said hello, and shook everyone's hands and thanked them for being there.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I was at CUT in Beverly Hills about 5 years ago. Very good, nothing extraordinary. Mastro's for about half the price was much better.

I do have to say that Wolfgang was there the night we ate there, and he stopped and visited every table, said hello, and shook everyone's hands and thanked them for being there.

I have friends who are angry at me for telling them about CUT, they think it's over priced poppycock. All I can say is the single greatest steak of my life came from CUT and I still dream about it.

Goes to show you that of course opinions are subjective but that even consistent restaurants can turn people off with a few mistakes or oversights.