319892 Tue Aug 22 22:26:53 -0700 2006 72 21 The Best 0 1826112 Decor and price are not important....just the best steak Tue Aug 22 22:26:53 -0700 2006 20773 Ackerman 1 1826388 I haven't had it but three people have told me the steak at Perry Street (Jean Georges) served with some sort of fondue dipping sauce was the best steak they ever had. I should add that this is not a steakhouse.....just has good steak. My favorite is Del Friscos.....pretty touristy and very loud but they have the best sides. Wed Aug 23 00:40:47 -0700 2006 1826112 20483 jenniebnyc 2 3874799 strip house black truffle creamed spinach scallops app. strip, midrare Wed Jul 16 13:55:12 -0700 2008 1826388 210414 mesohunie 1 1826438 whats your favorite cut? Wed Aug 23 01:04:03 -0700 2006 1826112 13611 csw 2 3960418 i actually really like the filet as boring as that is, its as soft as ive had but u cant beat the strip in my opinion love the goose fat potatoes and u cannot miss the choc layer cake ive had it all there and never disapoints love the clams app too Fri Aug 15 12:32:08 -0700 2008 1826438 210414 mesohunie 1 1826516 Peter Lugar..nothing comes close Wed Aug 23 01:42:51 -0700 2006 1826112 14685 serious 1 1826720 Peter Luger, porterhouse for two, medium rare, creamed spinach. Steak nirvana. Get a sundae for dessert--I'm not kidding. Go there now. Wed Aug 23 03:57:32 -0700 2006 1826112 16728 kenito799 2 1826937 tomato and onion salad, their bread, and, I'm not kidding, a side order of bacon. Shrimp cocktail as it exists nowhere else. Wed Aug 23 08:59:07 -0700 2006 1826720 14685 serious 3 2125266 Actually, I think the shrimp cocktail at Nemo/Prime 112 in miami is actually better, but it is close. Prime 112 is coming to nyc btw. Steak not even close to PL though. PL is easily the best steakhouse I have ever been to. Go for lunch so you can share a burger as an app :). Maybe the best burger ever. Sat Dec 23 21:28:46 -0800 2006 1826937 50328 tpigeon 2 1831906 yes, plus the potatoes. ahhhh--sooooo good! Fri Aug 25 02:59:11 -0700 2006 1826720 28347 yalechk 1 1831644 Peter Luger's, no question. Though we went to Wolfgang's for mothers day and it came pretty close! Fri Aug 25 00:30:05 -0700 2006 1826112 28257 haleyjen 1 1837289 I like the steak at Lugers but don't like the trek. I'm settling for Angelo and Maxies, who's steaks aren't bad. I get my meat fix here, good atmosphere, and no trek. Mon Aug 28 05:14:22 -0700 2006 1826112 20765 designerboy01 1 1843741 at PL don't forget the individaul bacon slices either... cottage fries , If you don't like to trek .. Old Homestead or Strip House Wed Aug 30 19:24:33 -0700 2006 1826112 29691 ggconcannon 1 1843748 Without a doubt , Peter Lugars is the best. Wed Aug 30 19:26:31 -0700 2006 1826112 21541 tk467 1 1847696 I'd like to add a thought here about consistency. The fact is, I've gone to PL and had fantastic steaks, but I've also gone and had some pretty mediocre ones too. The same is true of The Palm, Sparks, and countless other steakhouses in the city. There is an upper echelon of steakhouses in this city, and I think they've all been mentioned in this post and the others, but what makes one better than another on a given night is as much a matter of chance as it is quality of beef and a grilling skills. One other thing about Luger's--and I'll admit, I'm being a little contrarian for contrary's sake: I sometimes wonder if it's all worth it. The steaks can be fantastic (though if you like a cut other than porterhouse, good luck--I'm more of a New York Strip guy myself, and I'm SOL at Luger's), but there are other things that can diminish the experience. Your reservation is essentially meaningless and after more than 25 years of dining there, I sometimes wonder when "charmingly brusque waiters" crosses over into just plain surly at times. Here's my theory--Luger's reputation is based in part on a long and proud tradition of being the best (or one of the very best) steakhouses in the city, but that rep is enhanced by the restaurant's relative remoteness to Manhattan. Up until recently, a trip to Luger's meant a car ride to a lightly-trafficked corner of Brooklyn. Once you get there, you have to sort of justify the trip. "This is the greatest..." people tell themselves and others, because they just spent 30 minutes to an hour to get there, and they're going to drop upwards of $75 a person when they're through. Put it another way: If Luger's was in midtown Manhattan, it would still be considered one of the finest steakhouses around, but others would creep into that top spot from time to time. It would in a class of great steakhouses, which I think is where it should have been all along. Fri Sep 01 04:00:47 -0700 2006 1826112 15992 sgrobart 2 1849915 "The steaks can be fantastic (though if you like a cut other than porterhouse, good luck--I'm more of a New York Strip guy myself, and I'm SOL at Luger's)..." You're SOL only if you don't realize that steak for one is a strip. Sat Sep 02 02:42:47 -0700 2006 1847696 15954 meatme 3 3222561 or if you're unaware that a porterhouse is a strip steak cooked "bone in" plus a filet. It's the only steak that's actually two distinct cuts. If the filet is small, they'll call it a T-bone, but if it's big (closer to the middle of the animal), then it's called a porterhouse. Unfortunately, there's too many names for the same thing in steak. Wed Dec 19 11:53:09 -0800 2007 1849915 151141 chasmantx 2 4186670 @sgrobart: Absolutely right. My Luger's steak (for four) a few weeks ago was fine. Not astounding. Luger's is an institution, and god bless its brusque, buttery soul, but it has no monopoly on greatness. Depending on the night, a steak at Wolfgang's, Strip House or S&W can meet or exceed the deliciousness of the original. Wed Nov 19 12:48:30 -0800 2008 1847696 154634 ScienceMike 1 1849351 Only part of the PL experience not mentioned in this string so far is the Schlag that comes with all the deserts. Some of the best whipped cream anywhere. GDS Fri Sep 01 21:36:50 -0700 2006 1826112 28146 GDS 2 2125270 Yup. Sat Dec 23 21:31:52 -0800 2006 1849351 50328 tpigeon 1 1850341 Burton and Doyles in Manhasett, LI Uncle Jack's in Bayside, Queens Peter Luger's in Willamsburg ,Brooklyn (First Stop) Ember's in Bay Ridge ,Bklyn Enjoy FAL Sat Sep 02 13:55:46 -0700 2006 1826112 11512 FAL 1 1857196 They tried PL in Manhattan with Wolfgang's .. It was awful ... even the bread was lame.. was a shame cause the space is great. Houstons is a little further south but way better. Fabulous salad too .. But the Strip House has truffled spinach .. an vegetable insight you must experience sometime.. PL also has fabulous adult beverages.. in a manly , man's bar area.. so the wait is fun too .. Wed Sep 06 15:10:19 -0700 2006 1826112 29691 ggconcannon 1 2082248 Oh man, this is gonna make me look like such a loser, but I wasn't really so completely impressed by Peter Luger - I mean, I was expecting to be absolutely blown away. Getting a reservation was a big pain, and I ended up having to get it three weeks in advance for a Wednesday at nine o'clock. I was really pumped up and ready to have the best steak I've ever had. And I might have, I wasn't sure. It was some excellent, excellent beef; it wasn't so far better than everything else, though, that I'd say it was worth the hassle of getting the reservation and the trip. I mean, it was a while ago, but I didn't remember it as being that superior to Morton's, really. Well, okay, Luger's spinach/potatoes/SUNDAE (that whipped cream!) really pushed it over into "the best" range. However, in the future, I'll just go to Sparks instead, as it's a lot easier and comes pretty darn close in quality, even though it's a pretty different style (not quite so buttery). I can't think of a place less "chow-ish" than Sparks, as it's basically a big expensive cafeteria at this point with a ridiculous atmosphere, but it is really my favorite steak that's not really a hassle to get. Just my opinion, though. Fri Dec 08 18:30:18 -0800 2006 1826112 23640 TRogers 2 2096459 Lugers is way over rated. The snotty attitude of ther servers is suppose to be cool, I find it annoying. The steak is good but not the second coming like some make it out to be. I like my steak whole, not sliced on a platter to share. I am selfish when it comes to eating my steak. I don't want everyones forks and paws all over it. I want my own. Hands down Morton or Smith and Wolinskys blow Lugers out of the water. If ever in Aruba I love El Gaucho too. It's Argentainia Beef Different than the beef we have in the states. Wed Dec 13 18:01:42 -0800 2006 2082248 38432 angelo04 2 2125272 Sparks does not have creamed spinach. That is facist and automatically takes them out of the runnig. PL is better anyway :). Sat Dec 23 21:33:42 -0800 2006 2082248 50328 tpigeon 3 3229264 Sparks has creamed spinach: http://www.sparksnyc.com/menu.htm Fri Dec 21 14:12:34 -0800 2007 2125272 150662 white light 1 2088069 I really like the strip steak at Strip House (especially when they offer a double strip for two). But have heard through the grapevine that the place may be on the decline. That said, possibly the best steak I have had in NY in the past couple years. Also a fan of Lugers and less so of Del Friscos. Wild card entry--the Tomahawk Chop at Lonsesome Dove is an incredible cut of meat. Can't say much for the rest of the place (the food is generally ok but the place kind of has a weird vibe) but the steak is really great. It's a huge rib steak served for two with the full rib bone attached (like 2-feet long). Apparently this leads to the marrow basting the meat as it cooks. Not sure if this is true but the taste is great. They used to only offer the chop as part of a package with lobster tail and scallops (for like $125) but they have smartened up and are now serving it on its own. At around $50--served w/ sides, it is certainly a bargain. Mon Dec 11 04:42:41 -0800 2006 1826112 58932 ashaps 1 2093719 I once had the opportunity to dine with Del Frisco in his Dallas location before he sold out and moved on to Three Forks and than retirement..I asked him point balnk is best steakhouse and he told me emphatically PETER LUGERS BROOKLYN. The reason simple...Nobody can reproduce the heat of their ovens and they own the only one in the US...Allows them to age their meat and select more marbled cuts than anyone else...This also allows them to skip alot of the buttery toppings many need for sizzle...regardless I believe Lugers is tops and everyone else is slinging for second..I like WOlfgangs in the city in that regard. Tue Dec 12 21:16:26 -0800 2006 1826112 58197 lukeydog 1 2093757 Peter Lugers has the best steak. Will you be served it is another problem - go,enjoy(or not) and make up your own mind. Love the sauce for the tomatoes and love to ask the waiter to include some bread in my Doggie bag -as my dog only eats sandwiches(old joke) - worth the trip from Manhattan ONCE in a while. Sparkes is a good alternative. Tue Dec 12 21:24:35 -0800 2006 1826112 31750 drobbia 1 2094105 I really did not like Peter Luger on my one visit. I generally prefer a filet to a porterhouse, so the cut of meat just doesn't taste good to me. And I hated the atmosphere - I went a few summers ago and I thought the building was not nearly as nice as even an average Manhattan spot, it was a major trek to get there, and most of the clientele looked like a bunch of tourists in their jeans and t-shirts - very little class. Tue Dec 12 22:49:37 -0800 2006 1826112 43693 pcwd 1 2095919 I think Peter Luger is over-rated personally. I've been there three times. It's very good, but people freak over it and I just don't see why. Our last meal there was very disappointing and not worth the trek. I think Strip House is fantastic. Was there twice last week on business. Over-priced appetizers but excellent, excellent steak and a great atmosphere. This is my favorite steakhouse at the moment. Keen's is my favorite for a more traditional steakhouse - no fancy-pants menu items, just the good old-fashioned stuff. I've also enjoyed Uncle Jack's and Del Frisco's but if I had to pick one it'd be Strip House. But you'll need a reservation (opentable.com) Wed Dec 13 15:32:18 -0800 2006 1826112 59347 wunderbar 1 2096440 Obviously, I need to try Luger for myself (pretty embarrassing that I have yet to go there). . . what about Brazilian Churrascarias (If I spelled that right)? I mean the all you can eat places where they bring the meat around on thick kebobs and carve pieces for you. . . I went to Plataforma II near Times Sq awhile ago and thought it was good but got the impression that there was much better out there. Suggestions? Wed Dec 13 17:56:34 -0800 2006 1826112 20773 Ackerman 2 2099094 Definitely a bargain and fun: Green Fields on Northern Blvd in Corona. Better for cuts like skirt steak, you're not going to get nice rare ribeye (although they bring ribeye and other steak cuts around). Also go when it's insanely crowded (like weekend nights) so the meat is coming out hot and fresh. The sides and salads at the buffet are often good too, just try to stay away from starches so you can maximize your meat intake. I like to get a big pile of watercress and hearts of palm to put the meat on. They will bring around sausages, pork and rabbit (usually too dry) too. Thu Dec 14 14:52:10 -0800 2006 2096440 16728 kenito799 3 2099679 I've been to the one in White Plains, pretty good but I'd say Platforma is better. I agree maxmizing meat intake is important so avoid starches and the ruffage at the salad bar. Thu Dec 14 17:38:08 -0800 2006 2099094 38432 angelo04 4 5152575 What was the name of the place in White Plains? Tue Nov 03 11:47:56 -0800 2009 2099679 1121429 jdg5005 1 2120282 Haven't had Luger's yet but I feel like its so hyped up. anyways. hands down the strip steak at THE STRIP HOUSE is a MUST!! soo good. do not get any other cut if you go here because everything else is okay....but the strip steak is really awesome!! they also have really delicious sides like goose fat potatoes and creamed spinach with truffles. Thu Dec 21 19:19:56 -0800 2006 1826112 61215 minimill23 1 2123964 Luger is not hype- it is a masterpiece of a restaurant- perfect steaks every time- i was there recently for my birthday with a party of 15- we had every doneness of steak from well done (for the pregnant ladies), medium (for the lightweights), medium rare (for the normals) and rare (for the adventurers) and each was presented PERFECTLY cooked- all at the same time, perfectly coordinated, waiter remember exactly who wanted what, was not brusk in any way, excellent service, apps and sides perfect, fantastic wines, and delicious deserts (my daughter destroyed her ice cream sundae)- and the lugers "hanukah" gelt always makes everyone happy. the only thing to avoid at lugers is the coffee- swill- but everything else is consistantely PERFECT! it's really one of my favorite restaurants in the world. i find it's a pretty zen place- if you just let it be, just order steak and sides, it's great- if you fuss with the waiter or try and get something that they just don't do there (i.e. anything but porterhouse and sides) you will not have a great go of it. it's just "steak for ..., potatoes, creamed spinach, and some bacon to start (oh that bacon- deadly good) and you are done- perfect meal. enjoy fb Sat Dec 23 02:12:52 -0800 2006 1826112 40207 frankbooth 2 2125257 So true! I feel like people are expecting the world when they go to PL. My family has been going there since I was a kid. We all love it and if I'm going for steak that's where I want to be. I've never really felt like I had to jump through hoops to get a res. It's a popular place so you need to plan ahead. The same can be said for Per Se, Babbo and a slew of other restaurants in NYC. If you don't like to plan ahead go someplace else. It's really not that complicated. Sat Dec 23 21:21:27 -0800 2006 2123964 11993 CornflakeGirl 3 2125278 Funny you mention Per Se. Their Wyugu is actually better than PL, but godawfully expensive. I am not a fan of Kobe beef in general btw. Sat Dec 23 21:37:52 -0800 2006 2125257 50328 tpigeon 1 2127403 Great thread. I am a steak guy. Besides sushi and an occasional Italian restaurant -- "where's the beef" (OK, I am aging myself here a bit). Anyway, I've been going to Peter Luger's since I was a kid. The place, and the aura has been made famous in legend and song. Some will love it and worship it. Others will not. I like it. I like it a lot. To me, without question it deserves it's place near the very top of the list. However, in recent years, I have been there and had incredible steak -- just incredible; but I have also been there and had steak that by Luger standards (and others as well) that was just, I hate to say it, "so-so". The dynamic is what it is -- nobody is going there for the service or the romantic ambiance, LOL. I like that in recent years we have seen the Wolfgang's, the Mark Joseph's, etc., along with usual suspects and all time greats -- Sparks, the Palm, Smith & Wolinksy, and the Old Homestead, and many more. The Del Frisco's, Angelo & Maxie's, Morton's will of course also have their fans -- I am one. The nuances of likes, dislikes and tastebuds will make the "greatest" list a truly great list. Enjoy them all. Eric Mon Dec 25 04:51:32 -0800 2006 1826112 61742 ELA 1 2141222 My favorite is Capitol Grille. Sun Dec 31 10:28:08 -0800 2006 1826112 63110 AlexGates 1 2141237 Never been to New York, therefore never been to PL. However, I do truly believe that a steakhouse differentiates itself from others by EVERYTHING ELSE that they offer. Apps, salads, sides, etc. A cut of beef is a cut of beef. Whether it's prime, kobe, choice, or what have you. I haven't read anything about PL that makes me want to visit it other than the porterhouse is fabulous. Well, that's great and all ... but what if I'm in the mood for a ribeye, or a skirt, or even a strip or filet by itself? Again, I'm not all that familiar with PL, but from what I hear it's the "best steak in New York". Well, I can't get behind that because I'm a strip fan and will always order that when I see it on the menu. If I don't see it, then I don't consider where I'm dining to be a steakhouse. What I'm saying is that steakhouses are a dime a dozen ( at least in Vegas they are ). What separates the good from the bad are the apps, the salads, and the sides, IMO. I don't really know where I was going with this other than the fact that if PL serves *only* a porterhouse steak that is excellent, then I wouldn't even consider it one of the best steakhouses in New York and probably wouldn't visit it if I were there on vacation. Sun Dec 31 11:01:59 -0800 2006 1826112 47792 lvmanager 2 2141907 You are correct. You have no idea what you are talking about. Steakhouses specialize in cuts of meat and you should eat those cuts if you want to have a great meal there. For example, you don't go to Sparks for a filet. BTW. The steak for one is a strip at lugers. PL is the best steakhouse I have been to and I have been to many across the country. Sun Dec 31 19:06:45 -0800 2006 2141237 50328 tpigeon 3 2142140 No idea what I'm talking about? Interesting. I'll keep that in mind. Sun Dec 31 21:05:58 -0800 2006 2141907 47792 lvmanager 3 3297970 Well, I had a filet at Sparks a few weeks ago. It was the best filet I have had in a long time. Tender and rare, just the way i like it. Tue Jan 15 11:58:38 -0800 2008 2141907 13406 Raisel 1 2141336 The best steak I've had in NYC was the Wagyu rib eye at L'Atelier Joël Robuchon. The little piece of Wagyu steak at Per Se was great, but was only a sample. Perhaps they'd let you order a whole steak off menu, but it would have to be very expensive. I love the steak house feel at Keens and loved their mutton chop the one time I went there. Want to go back and try their steaks. Del Frisco has good meat and is also fun because its so large and busy. I enjoyed the steak house feel at Peter Luger and liked the food. But the fact that their porterhouse comes pre-sliced and sitting in a pool of melted butter suggests that they are trying to compensate for a lack of marbling in their meat. I've tried a few other steak places in NYC, but these are the highlights so far. Steaks aren't hard to prepare, so the final result mostly depends on success at the butcher shop. You can make steaks at home as good as any you can buy in restaurants, if you can find really good meat. Sun Dec 31 13:49:02 -0800 2006 1826112 61643 bill_in_dunn 2 2141912 The Per Se steak is the best I had. I too wish I could have gotten 48 ounces of that :). Are you saying Robuchon was as good or better or just bigger? If it is as good or better I am definitely going to try it. Sun Dec 31 19:08:21 -0800 2006 2141336 50328 tpigeon 3 2142196 They both had great flavor and were both tender. The Robuchon steak had a bit more visible fat and was more tender. One nice thing about Robuchon is that you can order your steak by the ounce, to get the size you want. You can also choose between US and Japanese Wagyu beef. At Per Se you just get a couple ounces as part of a long tasting menu. I'd be interested to hear other opinions on the comparison between these two. Sun Dec 31 21:32:42 -0800 2006 2141912 61643 bill_in_dunn 1 2143521 I have to say SGRobart hit it on the head. I don't mean to say this in a pejorative way, but everybody should stop asking what THE BEST steakhouse is, and perhaps ask what is the 10 best, or 5 best steakhouses - and certainly New York will have at least that many. Peter Luger's is great, but what makes it great, or good, or mediocre, can vary from night to night. Though good places, and PL included, vary less from night to night because they have a fool proof system - I mean who's cooking their steaks, a conveyor belt, and a $10/hr mexican chef (again not meant pejoratively, I mean it more as a compliment) as is the case for 90% of kitchen staff. As is true for most delicacies, the value, or the perception of value is less on taste than it is on rarity, or the air of rarity. PL is probably considered the best by many because it is very good, top 5 or top 10, and because of its mystique. That being said, I've been to Morton's and dropped more money and had a mediocre to good steak, I've been to Old Homestead and have had one of the best steaks I've ever had to my chagrin, I've been to Blair Perrone (which is less heard of) and had one of the best hot seafood appetizers and one of the best steaks ever, and I've been to a small, 100+ year old steakhouse in Upland, California called Sycamore Inn where I've had one of the best (if not the very best) steaks I've ever had in my life - though good wine, incredible appetizers and desserts could have added to the "best steak ever" title. Because we are in NYC (see financial industry, machismo-center) the steakhouse business is big, and there are a lot of good places, and great if they were anywhere else in the country. Is PL is the best, personally speaking not THE BEST I've ever had, but close enough that it doesn't matter. And one of the best steaks I've ever had, has been the porterhouse or Ribeye that I bought at Ottamanelli's which I cooked up myself on an Aluminum All-Clad pan (not even cast-iron) and then broiled slightly, then I make myself a three-mushroom fig vinegar dressing and voila it's one of the best steaks I've ever had. Lets just build a list and leave the rankings for each individual reader. -Peter Lugers (down and dirty and great) -Morton's (great fancy ambiance if that's what you're looking for, and pretty good but expensive) -Old Homestead (Suprisingly great) -Blair Perrone (also surprisingly great, and fancy 20' ceilings if you want to feel like you work at a hedge fund) -Sycamore Inn (It's in Upland California, but one of the best I've ever been too, who would have thunk it). Mon Jan 01 18:57:50 -0800 2007 1826112 42688 deadseasquirrels 2 2144914 I agree on the list idea as opposed to crowning one place the King of All Steakhouses. I think your list needs to have Strip House and Keen's on there though. I've had mostly so-so experiences at Old Homestead. We've taken to calling it Old Meathead because of the crowd. I'm curious about nearby Frank's Steakhouse. Never been. It's been around a while, but you can get a table last minute at 8p on Saturday and that frightens me. Tue Jan 02 12:13:28 -0800 2007 2143521 59347 wunderbar 2 2192020 "Old Homestead?" I bet you haven't been there since 88. Mon Jan 15 23:10:47 -0800 2007 2143521 41268 Sweatshirt Guy 1 2203860 I'm a fan of Del Frisco, and Burton & Doyle on LI Thu Jan 18 22:45:02 -0800 2007 1826112 67619 ascherer 1 2275410 My first and only trip to PL's was a mess... I was not impressed by anything about the meal... the steak was overcooked, I asked for rare, and the waiter got lippy with me when I asked for blue cheese for my steak, he was a complete smart ass and brought back a gravy boat of blue cheese dressing, which I didn't eat, and when he gave me lip about it again I told him that I wasn't entirely sure he didn't spit in it with the attitude he gave me when I asked for it. Haven't been back and don't care to. Fri Feb 09 07:11:58 -0800 2007 1826112 73014 TarheelYankee 1 2290529 Agree with some that Peter Luger's is not so impressive. I believe though I must have got an off piece of meat. The side dishes were delicious, though that was not what I was there for. I have had a great steak at Keen's which had a great atmosphere as well. I got the Strip which was perfect while the other folks I was with got the Mutten Chop and Porterhouse for 2. Angelo and Maxies is good for the price and being local. They also give you way more then most can eat in each portion. I have yet to go to the Old Homestead though I have heard mixed reviews ... many folks say it is not what it used to be. Tue Feb 13 19:02:47 -0800 2007 1826112 73997 shazanger 2 2370994 I had an amazing steak at Bobby Van's downtown, and I am a very picky steak eater. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Fri Mar 09 15:18:55 -0800 2007 2290529 10269 chowkitty 3 2376147 Nor can I, us, our family, who has lived in NYC, we are West Coasters, in NYC for the last three years, now back to our 'hood. OH, someone mentions Bobby Vans at last!!!! As for the Midtown location, we lived for the last three years on and off in NYC midtown, now back to West LA, and honestly, this place is special for us, and we miss it! The service beyond fabulous description, and the steaks always to perfection, and I am saying perfection! ... and the lobster ordered by me upon occasion, sweet and succulent, the peppered lemon shrimp enjoyed and so much else. Not a scene, but fabulous! Every penny, and many gazillions of them for this family, well spent! Sun Mar 11 23:21:47 -0700 2007 2370994 23350 Jesdamala 1 2372158 Been to Lugars, Sparks, Homestead, Smith and W. etc. etc., again and again. Had great and sub-par steaks at each. For overall consistency of performance, I'd suggest Lugars. There are many variables which can affect steak- it's like love-making (well, maybe more important than love making). Seriously though, no steak house can guarantee cookie-cutter consistency. Sat Mar 10 05:31:48 -0800 2007 1826112 80872 addictedtolunch 1 2376048 Surprised no one has mentioned Pietro's ! Sun Mar 11 21:54:31 -0700 2007 1826112 20323 Bigtigger 2 2531455 As someone who's experienced just about every steakhouse in NY, I think there are a few things we need to clarify. First off, in my experience this argument will never be settled because there are too many variables that come into play. Such as, what exactly defines “the best steakhouse?” In my experience they break down into two groups and I'll use two examples, Lugar’s and Blair Perrone. Forget the food for a moment, Lugar’s is an “old school” steakhouse, there's absolutely nothing fancy about it. When I say old school, think lot's of wood, with a basic layout. Ben Bensons is pretty much the same, loud and masculine. Blair Perrone, Mortons or Uncle Jacks have more ambience. So you have to ask the question, what kind of steakhouse do you prefer strictly from an aesthetic point of view, then you can move on to the food. There's no right or wrong answer, but these are very different places and unless you’re only debating the cut of meat, I think it’s really unfair to compare. So the question you should be asking is not “what’s New York’s best steakhouse”, but, what's New York's best old school steakhouse and what's New York’s best upscale steakhouse? In other words, how much emphasis do you place on the overall picture? I'm not going to submit my opinion on what's my personal favorite is because it doesn't matter, but I will say this with regard to Lugar’s. It’s far from my # 1 choice! The steaks are fantastic, but throw in everything else and they come up short. PL Tue May 01 11:47:19 -0700 2007 2376048 95575 Pauly1 1 2553980 Since "just the best steak" seems to be your only criteria, I'm going to say Peter Luger's, however the quality has slipped during a few of my visits. Be warned, traveling there sucks, you eat alongside ravenous tourists dressed in jeans and tanktops(!),and as a restaurant the only thing good there is the steak... ok fine, the creamed spinach too. However, on the other hand, more times than not, when I go to a steakhouse I want to relax and eat my beef without worrying about formalities such as "can I pull off this dress shirt in this crowd?" but that's just me. Wed May 09 00:27:41 -0700 2007 1826112 97356 Souper 1 2562373 Anyone have an opinion aboutKeen's on 36th? Fri May 11 13:15:15 -0700 2007 1826112 38432 angelo04 1 3243641 Try Morton's 48 oz porterhouse for two. I'd put it up against any steak in America. Del Frisco's and the Capital Grill are chains too, and meat knows no loyalty. Morton's has up'ed their game considerably. The steaks are great. The sides are great. The service is great. As a card-carrying Lugar's fan I know great steak. The Strip House is also great, but it's one cut of meat. Morton's excels these days. I would have thought otherwise, but I'm a convert. Fri Dec 28 16:09:00 -0800 2007 1826112 153086 ManhattanX 2 3243732 "As a card carrying Lugar's fan" you should know it's LugEr''s :-} Fri Dec 28 16:54:34 -0800 2007 3243641 20921 Tay 3 3262491 Amen to that Tay haha=)- Fri Jan 04 17:46:00 -0800 2008 3243732 76968 steakrules85 1 3297069 strip house, without a doubt Tue Jan 15 08:45:23 -0800 2008 1826112 20498 marye 1 3297261 I still love Luger and BLT Prime but I had a truly fantastic meal at Keens last week. Click on the link for my entire review. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/478045 Tue Jan 15 09:30:36 -0800 2008 1826112 76968 steakrules85 1 4101799 Please reccommend the best Brazilian or Argentinian steak house in Manhattan. The Chimichurri Grill didn't do that much for me. Mon Oct 13 14:11:11 -0700 2008 1826112 229852 PAULSCOHEN 2 4104503 For Brazilian in Manhattan, you must go to either Plataforma or Porcao. Those are the two best churrasquerias on the island. Tue Oct 14 16:34:48 -0700 2008 4101799 112114 ironsheik 1 5124825 This is my favorite go to place, and it happens to have great steaks as well. Its a real favorite in the neighborhood, and has been around for ever. Its got a great old school New York vibe, wood, booths, brass. on the weekends there is live Jazz, but it gets kinda crowded. I think for the buck, the Huge T Bone is the best deal for those Steak House people, comes with 2 sides(included). There are alot of other selections, that my friends think are excellent, but I'm a steak guy. Oh, the Chocolate souffle for dessert is Incredible! Fri Oct 23 06:36:04 -0700 2009 1826112 179371 DEKEN 2 5124853 You didn't specify what this place is you speak of. Fri Oct 23 06:49:11 -0700 2009 5124825 76968 steakrules85 1 5163336 Did anyone try center cut on the upper west side while it was still around? I tried both center cut and Smith & Wolensky's during the same restaurant week and Center Cut annihilated S & W. Everything about Center Cut was great, the steak the sides the homemade cookies they give you to take home...even the biscuits were amazing. too bad its gone now. I tried sparks a while back and wasn't that impressed. Sat Nov 07 09:54:51 -0800 2009 1826112 1122506 jzungre 1 5173576 I cannot imagine better steak than Luger's for consistency of texture, surface to interior juice distribution, and overall taste. With the German potatoes it cannot be beat. What can compete with it? Wed Nov 11 13:24:50 -0800 2009 1826112 94651 NYJewboy 1 5194269 There is no "right" answer to this question. The first thing that I want to know is what cut of beef are we talking about. Some places do one particular cut better than others. I would go to Luger's for the Porterhouse and the Palm for a NY Strip. Want a great NY Strip done Au Poivre, go to Raoul's. Like skirt steak? Go to Landmarc. And on and on. There are many good places to get steak in NYC and that is the great thing. So many great cuts and preparations. Thu Nov 19 10:07:51 -0800 2009 1826112 15970 sushiman