Suggestions for Steak besides Keens??

[cperryfranz]

Hi All,

My friend and I are coming into NY on Dec. 9th. She wants steak, but our last visit to NY we went to Keens. (which was great!) We would like to try a different place. Any suggestions? We are going to a show afterwards, but we can travel a bit on the subway if needed.

Thanks!
Carolann

[bifpocaroba]

Knickerbocker. Great steak, good location.

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Knickerbocker Bar and Grill
33 University Pl, New York, NY 10003

[uwsister]

Definitely Minetta Tavern.

[MRS]

Wolfgang's is the way to go!!!

[Hey19]

BLT Steak, or BLT Prime, both would be easy if you have a show after. Le Relais de venise entrecote is also an idea. Quality meats would also be easy.

You can never, ever go wrong with Wolfgang's though, never been to the 54th st location, but I cant imagine its very different. In fact, forget my top recs, if you have never been to lugers or Wolfgangs, you should go to wolfgangs.

The Kosher conversation is pretty off topic, so I wont comment there.

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BLT Prime
111 East 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010

BLT Steak
106 East 57th Street, New York, NY 10022

Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecote
590 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022

[cookeatforone]

Harry's (in Financial District), Primehouse (Park Avenue South), Dylan Prime (Tribeca), Le Marais (Theater District).

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Dylan Prime
62 Laight Street, New York, NY 10013

Primehouse New York
381 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016

Harry's
1 Hanover Sq, New York, NY 10004

Le Marais
150 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

[RGR]

I would only suggest Le Marais if someone requires that the food be kosher.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[cookeatforone]

Why? Kosher meat is some of the best quality and they have their own butcher.

[dyrewolf]

Kosher meat is of no better quality to start, but of no worse quality either. Two cows can be identical and if one is slaughtered one way it produces a steak that can become kosher, another way and it does not. The beef can then be graded as prime. if it is good enough The problem has long been that there was not a good production channel of prime beef that is treated correctly. Another big issue is that currently no one is aging kosher beef. Les Marais ages its own... so they can approach the same level of quality as a non kosher steak house but have no advantage on quality. And because of the distribution channels, they probably start out behind. Now, if they could get some live cows from Creekstone and slaughter them correctly....

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Le Marais
150 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

[Pago77]

I agree with the above. I work with some folks who keep kosher, and thus have dined at a few kosher steakhouses in the city (visited Le Marais for a third time two weeks ago). As someone who loves steak and eats at a steakhouse 2-3x a month, I would say that any top tier kosher steakhouse will generally be less enjoyable than a top tier non-kosher steakhouse to most people.

Also, while I hate panning places other folks suggest (taste is ultimately a very individual thing)...I have to pan it -- Artisanal as a place for steak frites is a bad suggestion in my opinion. Then again, I think Artisanal for most things is a less than desirable choice.

As for the person who suggestion the 3rd ave location of Wolfgang's, I concur that the 54th street location is far quieter than the 33rd street location -- which is why I prefer it for my regular visits. However, if I were taking someone who was not a regular, the 33rd makes for better people watching as it's far more lively.

Another place I forgot to mention would be Sparks. It's good, but I love a porterhouse (not a Sparks specialty) and think Strip House does a better ny strip. That said, the cote de boeuf with bone marrow at Minetta trumps all for me.

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Sparks Steak House
210 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Strip House
13 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

[Elizabeth E.]

If you like steak with a French rather than American touch, I recommend Artisanal. They have several steak-frites combinations, and, if you want to splurge, the Côte De Boeuf Pour Deux is wonderful. And I can never resist an order of gougères.

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Artisanal
2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

[bronwen]

To add to the thread about steak with a French touch, I think Les Halles does a great job.

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Les Halles
15 John Street, New York, NY 10038

Les Halles
411 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016

[bronwen]

Oh, there are so many fabulous steak places in New York. I personally like Uncle Jack's, Mark Joseph, Bobby Van's on Broad Street, Frankie & Johnny's and, of course, Peter Luger!

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Uncle Jack's Steakhouse
440 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10001

MarkJoseph Steakhouse
261 Water St, New York, NY 10038

Frankie & Johnnie's
269 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036

Bobby Van's Steakhouse
25 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004

[Lesliepbg]

I may be flamed here...but I had a great steak at Capital Grill as well as Del Frisco's. Dh (snob) likes Del Frisco's a lot. Of course there's Peter Luger (but it's in Brooklyn)...

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Del Frisco's
1221 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020

Capital Grille
155 E 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017

[cperryfranz]

NO captial grille for us. We have them in Boston. I"ve read good things about Wolfgangs? Is it worth the hype??

[Pago77]

I posted this earlier this month...

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/817859

If you don't mind eating early, go to Minetta.

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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

[Delucacheesemonger]

Would agree with Minetta's or it's brother Balthazar. Cotes de boeuf for two is the cut.

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Balthazar
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

[TrishUntrapped]

Balthazar's Cote du Boeuf for two is magnificent and it comes with wonderful onion rings and veggies. However, Balthazar is not the spot for pre-theater in my opinion. I've had the steak frites at Artisanal and it is just ok not worth a splurge.

How about Ben Benson's? Well known for steaks and not a bad walk to the theater district from there. I've never been there, it's been on my to do list for about five years now...

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Ben Benson's
123 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

[Pago77]

It's been a while since I've been to Ben Benson's and I've only been there twice, so point that out ahead of my comment. I think Wolfgang's is a much better steakhouse experience. I didn't find BB's to be awful, but I would go to a number of other places over it. But, not a bad suggestion if concerned about getting to a show.

Also, re: Wolfgang's 33rd vs. 54th locations. If you don't eat early at 33rd, you run the risk of sitting 15-30 mins later than the reservation. This is based on 3 out of my past 5 times dining there on a Thu/Fri/Sat at around 8pm (all in recent months). The 54th street location seems to always seat you on-time. (I realize this may not be important, given that you are expecting to eat on the early side because of a show).

Also, I will admit a serious hole in my steak dining experiences, which is Porter House in the Time Warner Center. That would also be pretty convenient to the theater district. I've never been, and would be curious to hear what others think.

Anyway, I stick to my earlier recommendation -- Minetta for an early dinner. It never disappoints.

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Wolfgang's
4 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016

Ben Benson's
123 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

Wolfgang's
200 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022

[cperryfranz]

We are going to a show, not sure if we would have enough time for Minetta?

[coleyas]

If you are going to a show, Minetta is perfect. Let's face it. You probably aren't going to be able to get a normal dinner time there anyway, so your best bet is to go early. If you have a 5:30 reservation, you will smoothly sail into any show on Broadway perfectly on time, if not ahead of schedule.

I am a huge filet fan, and Minetta's is definitely my favorite.

Good luck with your plans!

[MVNYC]

Wolfgang's is essentially a Luger's clone menu wise. Their steaks and burgers are very good and I would be hard pressed to tell the difference in a blind taste test with Luger's. The bacon appetizer is a must.

I also like the design of the Park Ave location. The tiled roof is nice.

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Wolfgang's
4 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016

[coleyas]

Agreed. In my opinion, the things that differentiate Wolfgang's and Luger's are few and far between, and if I had to argue it, they are only in Wolfgang's favor:

- Cash vs. Card

- Gruff Service vs. Somewhat friendly

- No nonsense decor vs. gorgeous tiled ceilings

- Over the bridge vs. on the island (sorry)

The rest is comparable. Though, I DO still think everyone needs to do Luger's once. Can't say the same for Wolfgang's.

[RGR]

That "tiled roof" is a Gustavino ceiling, the same architect who designed Grand Central Terminal. The interior at Wolfgang's is landmarked, which means they were not permitted to make any changes. While the ceiling is gorgeous, it does cause the noise level to be extremely high when the place is packed as I mentioned in my post below). That's why I prefer to 54th St. location. Same great food, plainer though pleasant decor, and a conversation-friendly noise level.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[MVNYC]

Yeah I am aware of the Gustavino ceiling and I love it. It really adds to the overall experience. I generally have no problem with crowd noise, especially in a steak house. So what the original poster has to figure out what he/she likes in terms of atmosphere. I find the midtown location to be a bit more sterile. The Park Ave location would is a bit more livelyand the architecture is definitely a plus. Both places have the same food but different strokes....

[RGR]

Regulars on this board know that I detest insanely high noise levels and studiously avoid going to restaurants with that reputation. We happened to go to the 33rd St. location on a very slow Sunday night. So, noise wasn't a problem. I didn't know that it could be until later on when I read many reports here about how horribly noisy it gets when all tables are occupied and there is a crowd in the bar area. Thus, I prefer not to take any chances and will sacrifice beauty for the more comfortable noise level albeit in a less attractive -- though still quite pleasant -- dining space on 54th St..

But as you said, different strokes....

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[RGR]

We've been to Wolfgang's, to the flagship a few years ago and recently to the 54th St. location. The porterhouse was perfectly prepared and delicious, as was everything else we had. If you prefer quieter, go to 54th St. because the 33rd St. location can be insanely noisy.

Wolfgang's photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157627721359166/

While Keens is our favorite steakhouse, I think the food at Wolfgang's is just as good.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com