Eating alone at top Midtown Steakhouse for lunch??

[steakrules85]

Hi all, I have a question. There are many great steakhouses in the Midtown area and I was wondering if you need a reservation to eat lunch at them. I am talking about places like Ben Benson's, Del Frisco's, Keen's, Ruth's Chris, Bobby Vans, Gallaghers, Frankie and Johnnies etc etc etc. Can you just walk in lunchtime and get a table for 1 or will they look at you funny???

[belle]

The bar at Maloney and Porcelli is great for having lunch on your own.

[steakrules85]

Thanks these are all really useful suggestions guys.

[Desidero]

The mutton chop is very popular, but the one time I tried it, it didn't blow me away. (I hasten to admit that my complaint was that the chop was too fatty which may very well be a defining characteristic of the mutton chop.) They serve a smaller portion of the mutton chop in the pub room, at a reduced price. Unless you have an enormous appetite, it should satisfy you. I have to say, I love the atmosphere in the pub room as well as in the main dining room. I would like to return to try one of their steaks.

[steakrules85]

Thanks for the recommendation on the mutton chops, BUT I am a steakman pure and simple as the name implies and I only go to steakhouses for the steak! Any other recommendations guys?? Will these other places refuse to seat you at lunch if you just pop in alone at around 12:30 during the week?

[ESNY]

I've never had to wait more than a few minutes at lunch for a table of two without reservations. I've never been alone but there is usually free tables. Worst case scenario, there is alway the bar to eat at, which I prefer when eating alone.

Regarding the actual steaks, I'd stay away from Ruth's Chris (is it even still open?) and Bobby Vans, I haven't really enjoyed them. Depending where in midtown you are, I'd go to Spark, BLT Steak, Del Friscos, Keens.

[steakrules85]

I'm on 49th and 6th right across the street from Del Frisco's and within walking distance to all of these great institutions. The problem is I don't know where to go because I am on a bit of time budget and want to make sure I can get a table. Also if you sit at the bar at these places do they let you choose from the regular menu?

[ESNY]

Yeah, most of the time it is the same menu. Some places have a different bar menu that is typically cheaper with smaller portions or sometimes have stuff like burgers that aren't available in the main dining room. That being said, in those places with separate menus, its been my experience that they'll let you order off of the main dining room menu at the bar, but not from the bar menu in the main dining room.

[steve h.]

i'm a fan of the pub room at keens for lunch. no reservation required.

[steakrules85]

Really, what is good to order there????

[steve h.]

lots of good stuff. from the pub menu you can't go wrong with the mutton chop, the prime rib, the prime rib hash, the burger and so on. if you ask real nice they'll even bring over the full menu.

you might consider getting there a little early and savoring a single-malt scotch at the amazing bar. best selection of single malts in manhattan.