What is THE best steakhouse?

[JazzyB]

I'm coming from New Orleans in Sept. to visit my dad. I'd like to treat him to the best steak in NY. Price is not a factor. For him, it's all about the meat, sides don't matter. He is very picky. At home he only eats USDA prime strip so, it must be prime. If there is butter on the steak he won't eat it. Where should we go? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[joe143]

Try Bobby Van's they have 2 locations midtown and 1 downtown in the financial district. Depends where you are staying. Pricey, but very good strip, no butter. Everything on the menu is very good. Case Closed.

[GIOny]

I concur with the most everyone else on this thread and reccomend Peter Luger's as the best steakhouse in NY. Not sure where your dad lives so it might be a little out of the way but it's so worth it. If you are looking for a place in Manhattan then the Old Homestead, they also have a killer tiered seafood appetizer. IMHO Sparks is one of the worst steakhouses in NY, it just doesn't cut it anymore.

[jhopp217]

As I've said in other posts (Haven't been to the Old Homestead) if you want seafood at a steakhouse get the 3 tier seafood platter and Smith & Wollensky's. A good friend once told me, S&W is a great seafood restaurant that happens to serve steak!

[steakrules85]

Yes, Old Homestead is also an awesome joint. Get the Empire Cut Prime Rib bloody rare. It is a 32Oz. masterpiece.....!!!!!!!!!!

[jhopp217]

The butter thing is just silly, because I have yet to see a steakhouse that doesn't serve their premier steaks without it. That being said Smith and Wollensky's didn't and in my humble opinion, it's the worst steakhouse steak I've had. Luger's is for lack of a better word, perfect. It's steak cooked the way it is supposed to be cooked. The butter mixes with the meat's juices to enhance the flavor and create a natural sauce. For those that want to try something else, try their steaksauce, which I save for the beefsteak tomatoes.

And don't miss out on the sides. IF Dad, doesn't like them, smile and realize there is more for you. Creamed spinach and the slab bacon are not to be missed. The bacon comes by the slice I believe and is the only thing that will make your taste buds say wow more than the streak.

Don't make a mistake and go smewhere else. This is the best!

[steakrules85]

Amen jhopp. As everyone knows I am a Luger fanatic and it is without a doubt the best steakhouse around. Don't forget about the french fries and onion rings as well- both are amazing sides. And for dessert the holy cow hot fudge sundae is amazing.

On the whole butter vs. no butter topic- I am a huge believer in having butter incorporated into the whole steak cooking process. YES, just about all premier steakhouses use butter and this really helps make the steak taste great. Butter and steak are great compliments to each other and it further enhances the meat's taste.

[jhopp217]

Let's not forget the Schlag. They basically give you a bucket of it with the desserts!

[ChefJune]

I like Keen's.

[timmarist]

I like Kean's, which is also a neat place to take folks from out of town. Another place I've enjoyed is Rothmann's on East 54th, just off 5th. Everyone I've brought there has enjoyed their meal. Great wine list, too and a pleasant waitstaff. I know I'm in the minority, but to me, Peter Lugar's was "eh."

[phantomdoc]

Peter Luger is the best. The suppliers put their best aside hoping Lugers will buy it. That is what they select from.
Haven't had the rib steak there. Has anyone tried it?
Hear the lunchtime burger is great too.
Does the Long Island branch compare to the Williamsburg?

[steakrules85]

Friend had the ribeye at Peter Luger. Just as amazing as the porterhouse my friend!

[kim e]

If you just want the best steak, go to Peter Luger. If you want the best prime strip...hmm...Sparks maybe? I haven't been there in awhile, but it was pretty good when I went a couple yrs ago.

[misspastina]

The Old Homestead.

[mbs]

Porterhouse in Time Warner

[sushiman]

It depends on the type of steak that you want. There are some places that are clear winners in certain categories.

Luger's gets the universal nod for Porterhouse.

But for NY Strip, Filet, Skirt, T-bone, Hangar, Tartar, au Poivre and others there are other choices.

Why doesn't everyone post their favorite by TYPE of steak? And preparation.

[FoodMan88]

Ben Benson's

[steakrules85]

This is a topic I can weigh in on.

Like the consensus on this board it is simple. PETER LUGER.

If staying in the city Keens, BLT Prime, Old Homestead (prime rib is amazing), and Uncle Jack's are all great.

Del Frisco's is a beautiful place, however I wouldn't rank it in the top tier of steakhouses.

[fujiko]

BLT PRIME is the best. Trust me.

[kamcc12]

Definitely Del Frisco's if you want the full NYC atmosphere (power lunches and dinners, right in the heart of midtown, a wine list to die for)....BUT....my true favorite....and I really do think I've been to all of the "high end" steakhouses in NYC, Keens Chophouse. Pure mastery! www.keens.com

I don't know about the butter, but I'm sure your dad won't be disappointed.

p.s. Lugers is so over hyped. I've been there a hundred times and yeah, it's great....but it's not the best.

[Spends Rent on Food]

What Lugers is pouring over their steaks isn't butter, its the grease & fat from the seared meat. When I pan sear ribeye at home I get the exact same juices to pour over my steak and I use absolutely no butter.

Some chain steakhouses smother their meat in butter after the cooking process, (Ruth's Chris I'm looking in your general direction) some people love it, others (like me) hate it.

So here's me saying I hate butter on my steak and I love the steak at Lugers (because they don't pour butter on it).

In short, I recommend Lugers or Wolfgangs,

[jhopp217]

SRoF, I am sorry to diappoint, but Luger's like other does put butter on it. It's just melted before it gets to you and incorporated into the natural juices

[Spends Rent on Food]

I stand corrected - after calling Lugers to confirm. So there you go, my first time being wrong... ever.

At first the Maitre D' said "no butter" then he said to hold on, he said He're's the chef and someone started speaking very quickly explaining: that they don't cook the steak in butter, they broil the steak, then they put the butter on the searing hot plate (not on the steak). When the waiter gets to the table, he then spoons the melted butter & fat onto the plate. They then said if you don't like the butter then they can do it without. End of conversation.

I stand by the fact that I can make a mighty mean ribeye without butter, or any other steaksauce.

Jhopp, you are correct. Well played sir.

[mushr00m]

"Oh yeah, there's lots of butter...but it's okay because it's a organic."

-Peter Luger's, August 18, 2008.

[NYJewboy]

Don't ask for a no butter steak at Luger's, but convince your dad to go there. IMO there is none better in NYC nor has there been for over 100 years.

[captainhaddock]

For a SEXY steak I would go to DYLAN PRIME in Tribeca - their slogan is 'this is not your fathers steakhouse' - and they have great cocktails. My second choice for the 'new generation' of steakhouses is QUALITY MEATS on 58th St - excellent decor and great product. For 'old school' steak you cant miss with OLD HOMESTEAD - which is the oldest steakhouse in NYC - or even GALLAGHERS where you walk in past the aging beef.

I would agree however that the BEST steak in the country is at PETER LUGER'S - even though I have not been there - yes I am truly ashamed.

[JazzyB]

We had a Smith and Wollensky in New Orleans prior to Katrina and it was quite good. Not one mention of it here. How does it compare to Strip House, BLT Prime, Lugers (or is it not even in the ballpark)?

[baldwinwood]

Smith & Willys is one of the worst steaks in the city, dont waste your time. Bobby Vans on 46th has a very good porterhouse for two.

[misnatalie]

Lugers hands down

[tpigeon]

Go to peter lugers, even with the butter. There is a reason this place has been packed since the late 1800's despite the fact it was, until recently in the middle of nowhere.

[curiousgeo]

Can one request the steak without butter at Peter Luger's? Seems like a reasonable enough request.

[foodnwine]

I really enjoy Maloney & Porcelli.I always have a good meal there,although I get the bone-in ribeye.It is excellent and I like the atmosphere there more than a lot of other steak places.Haven't had their strip steak.

[steakrules85]

Just wondering- You ever try their crackling pork shank? Sounds interesting.

[vatl619]

i hear a lot of del friscos, as the primary substitute for lugers quality meat in manhattan. also a nicer atmosphere than some of the classic steakier spots (i.e. sparks) in my opinion.

[tpigeon]

Not even close

[GTopp]

The answer is not so easy since pops will not eat the steak if there is butter on it. That definitely excludes Lugers because they drown their steaks in butter, as do most of the Luger offshoots. I would suggest Strip House or Sparks if he is a big strip fan.

[ESNY]

Lugers and all the clones definitely use butter. I'd say BLT Prime, they add a pat of butter to the steaks as they bring it to you but you can specify to omit this. Its not as big a part of the steak as the Lugers and clones. I'm not that enamoured with Sparks any more.

[drumwine]

easy answer----Peter Luger in Brooklyn....you'll see endless threads on this subject on the boards, but I'm going to save you a lot of time.....repeat....Peter Luger

[kcijones001]

Peter Lugers

[steve h.]

"if there is butter on the steak he won't eat it."
that lets lugers out.

[RichardW]

I don't think that Peter Luger puts butter on their steaks.

[steve h.]

sure do.

[NYJewboy]

Luger's uses butter as serious as a heart attack