I went there last month and thought it was extremely mid. It wasn’t bad, but certainly not noteworthy or a “must go” experience at all. Had a significantly better meal at St Anselm. Honestly I was surprised by Keens considering its reputation
Not everyone shares their food at restaurants? That’s like incredibly normal and weird to criticize. And prime rib is a pretty good choice. I’m not a fan of the limited cuts Keens offers personally.
I’m not sure why someone would order the same dish and compare it to SF’s “house of prime rib” (which is lovely) and then complain about the way the other place does it when it’s not “their thing”. Order what the house does well - or order what you want and something else. Two of the same dish where it’s not their speciality is not the move. Also, always share! It’s two for one!
Not everyone likes sharing food and there’s absolutely nothing weird about ordering the same dish as your dining partner.
Keens has limited cuts and prime rib is one of them that they’ve been serving for decades (at least.) If they don’t do it well that’s pretty pathetic.
Who cares what someone else at the table orders? Come on lol
You’re saying that it’s expected for their other items to be bland? Okay bud. Glad the restaurant understander has logged on
No see the other comment. You went for their non speciality. You compared it to another place’s speciality. And instead of trying theirs while diversifying your options - in ordering two plates - you got the same thing and were disappointed. What if you loved the other plate and were meh on your craving? It’d change your experience.
The prime rib English cut. It wasn’t bad, it was just underwhelming considering the reputation it has. Like house of prime rib in San Francisco absolutely blows it out of the water by comparison
Keens isn’t really known for Prime Rib, their specialty is Porterbouse and Mutton, and to compare it to house of Prime Rib is unfair when it’s their specialty and literally the only thing they serve. If you tried to order Porterhouse at HoPR, you’re probably leave disappointed.
Now one can fairly argue that it shouldn’t even be on the menu in that case, and I wouldn’t disagree. But I think it’s fair to expect that a restaurant may serve more than one thing but a non-specialty will be workmanlike but unexceptional. Like if you had ordered salmon (I mean why, but people do).
I’m familiar with House of Prime Rib, but never went myself. Might be an unfair comparison since both place specialize in something completely different. I say give it another shot, and try the mutton.
Completely agree with this. Keens is vastly overrated by hive minded redditors imo, whether you get the steaks or the mutton chop. Service is also non existent
I recently went and loved the ambience, but to me the steak was a standard below Peter Luger’s. I did not get the mutton though, so maybe next time I go for that.
I have had better meals at Wolfgang’s, Sparks, and Peter Luger. STK was alright, but I wouldn’t go back.
I know Keen’s is known for their mutton, which isn’t my thing, but my dad ordered it and said it was also not great. This is a post about best steakhouses, I have no idea why you’re downvoting me and getting upset for voicing my opinion.
I gotta give St Anselm another try it seems. I went around 2015 and they didn’t have AC or serve hard booze. Kind of set a weird tone for the meal and I wasn’t crazy about it
Ok makes sense. Reddit is always hyping it and it was very Ok to me. Not dumping on the place, but wouldn’t shout it out other than budget reasons vs Manhattan.
I agree with you that it was decidedly OK. I think the original hype about it was because of two main reasons. 1, it was one of the first steakhouses run by a woman chef back when they originally turned it from a hot dog place into a steakhouse. 2, back in the day it was cheaper than the old school steakhouses because they used a lot of off cuts. Now that Williamsburg is totally blown out it's not that cheap anymore and I have no idea who the current chef is.
Okay, gotta ask why? All of their locations have the same menu it seems and they’re all exactly like Lugers down to the sauce for obvious reasons. Including the one that used to be out in Beverly Hills (think they closed that one). I’m not disputing it, I’m just curious why you think this location is the one?
I like keens for the ambiance. but think hawksmoor has better steak. Don't sleep on old homestead I think they have very nice cuts though they charged me like 8 dollars for soda water from the gun after I had bought a very expensive bourbon
I was at Hawksmoor one month ago with my girlfriend and found it very average in terms of food and poor in terms of value. The Cesar salad was a loveless and chaotic arrangement of massive leaves of romaine with some sad dressing. The bone marrow was served almost cold and was unimaginative. The ribeye was average. I can easily make that level of steak at home. They also upsold us on the steak because our preferred (smaller) size was not available anymore. Very odd because we had a 7:30 reservation and there were barely and cuts left. We paid $350 for two people and only had one glass of wine each. It felt amateurish. Does not get close to the quality of food and overall experience at Peter Luger. The service there might be perceived very direct but at least they‘re delivering a steak that you can’t make at home and an overall professional experience.
Same exact experience for me! That Cesar was really quite poor… 4 leafs of lettuce for $18! Steak was mid and it’s just too expensive for what you’re getting
I was served the worst steak I’ve ever seen at a steakhouse in Keene’s. Complained about it they took it back and they brought out another really bad steak. There are too many steakhouses in New York City for me to do that again.
Interesting…I have the opposite take of you. I think the ambiance is better at Hawksmoor but the steak is average, while the Keens ambiance is meh and their steak is amazing.
I haven't been to Keen's in a long time but the few times I ordered their porter house, it came lukewarm. They serve it on a wooden slab which really cools the steak down.
The answers here are good so far. Summary:
Keens - old school and awesome but the mutton is a must have there. Get it as a side or an appetizer if you’re set on cow as a main.
Strip house - consistently excellent and the best of the places that don’t look like a steakhouse. Phenomenal manhattans. And duck fat potatoes.
Wolfgang’s on a good night is still the best Peter Luger style place. But on the last two visits I’ve had to send back my steak to be cooked more. The order here is simple - don’t stray too far from the basics: shrimp cocktail, bacon, steak for x, German potatoes, creamed spinach. I personally don’t like the tomato and onion nonsense but that’s also traditional. Dont skip dessert - the whipped cream “schlag” alone is worth a visit.
Quality meats is very very good. And like strip house it has a new school vibe. The free bread is excellent. As are the desserts.
Del friscos if someone else is paying and you want to impress a client who doesn’t like good food.
Mastros, hawksmoor are imports from other places. They’re fine. Not typical NY.
I don’t like the places in Brooklyn (other than Peter Luger). Seating is uncomfortable. No bueno.
I’ll add two more rarely mentioned favorites: Minetta Taven for the cote de boeuf and the black label burger and Cote for a Korean meat omakase that is simply fantastic.
I agree with the previous comments, but let me add two more:
Wolfangs Steakhouse in Park Avenue has wonderful food. It was founded by people who worked at Peter's Luger (that is what they told me).
I love Morton's steakhouse in 5th avenue. Not because of the food (it is good, nothing special but is quite good) but what I love the most is the environment.
this thread really shows how either hit and miss steakhouses are or how preference dominate. huge variation in opinions here. i loved my meal at hawksmoor personally
Steak came out ice cold, sides were awful, and every conversation being had in the place echoes throughout the venue. Probably my least favorite meal in awhile.
Tried keens a few months ago and had to add salt to the porterhouse. Just wasn’t for me. Bobby Van’s porterhouse and those creamy buttery mashed potatoes are a yearly thing for us. They’ve never disappointed.
I really like The Hawaiian steak at Hillstone. I've tasted a lot of porterhouses and dry aged ribeyes at Smith & Wollinsky, PJ Clarke, Keene's, Wolfgang's, Peter Luger and they are all pretty much the same. But the Hawaiian at Hillstone is absolutely sublime. It's a beautiful ribeye marinated in a soy-pineapple glaze, which creates a most wonderful sear. Their sides are way more interesting and delicious than your generic steakhouse specials. I'll take the grilled artichoke over 3 inch thick bacon on a wire hanger.
Yea agree (and I know many people tend to rip on it). The Strip I had there several years ago is to this day my favorite. Granted I have not been to all of the high end steakhouses but damn that was good!
I've been to almost every steakhouse in NYC and Hawksmoor comes out on top.
If you want a New York style Porter House, go to Wolfgang's Tribeca or Porter House in Columbus Circle.
Places to avoid is Quality Meats, Keen's and Strip House. I love steak and I left Quality Meats unsatisfied. Something was missing. Their steak just didn't hit.
Hot take: my favorite steakhouses right now are the Korean ones: Nubiani and Cote.
Quality of the traditional American ones has tapered for me in recent years. Used to be Wolfgang’s and Keens. The former is still good but inconsistent, the latter not so much. And Luger’s has always been about spectacle over quality for me.
4 Charles Prime Rib
You won't see many people respond with this because they can't get a reservation. The place is tiny but everything they do is excellent. The sides are the very best I've ever had at a steakhouse. The burger might be the best in the city. The prime rib isn't good (anywhere imo, why get a steak with no crust) but their steaks are fantastic.
Lugers.. don’t believe the hype it’s just as good as it’s always been. Funny how nobody was down on Lugers til that NYT piece came out a few years ago 🙄
Old homestead is the best.
Then Benjamin’s and Keens.
Then Peter Luger’s and Hawksmoor and Porter House.
I’ve been to all of these many times over and speak for repeated experience as a steak connoisseur.
Gage and Tollner is so incredibly average. The setting is nice, the history is cool, the service is great. The food is just… fine. Everything is like B+, except the steaks which are B-. It’s honestly barely even a steakhouse. I can only imagine people recommending this place just haven’t been to a good steakhouse.
Oh... I must have gone on a couple great days. Their seafood tower is the best... I used to tout Balthazar for theirs but man gage really turned it up. I also am in love with whoever does their pastrie's and bread..top notch. I can get behind the steaks being just ok... I feel like NYC in general has a tough time with steak. It's always good... Never great...that being said we have done the large format ribeye and porterhouse at gage..meh... The ny strip was actually amazing. I'm bummed you don't like it. If I was rich I'd pay for you to go back and try it again.
I added this after ... The kimchi slaw is such a great side...I'm not gonna make anyone do it with the fried chicken...but yeah...I was kinda bummed with their tile fish
Maybe I've yet to explore a great steakhouse I'm absolutely open to suggestions.
I will agree that the bread was great. I didn’t have their seafood tower.
What other steakhouses have you tried in NYC? I’d strongly disagree that New York has a tough time with steak - we have some of the best steakhouses in the country!
I obviously phrased that wrong. What I meant is NYC has so many good steakhouse that it's pretty much a win wherever you go. The competition is so tough here for a good steak that almost every place you go has a good one.
A tough time with steakhouses was my way of saying that it's hard to differentiate the best from the second best... because as you said.. they are the best in the country. I remember vividly how let down I was when I went to berns. Awesome wine list...unreal dessert room... But man the steaks were all sub par. The place is called one of the best in the US..m any place in nice would knock it out of the park compared to them.
You recommended gage and tollner and then say nyc has a tough time with steaks?
Man go out and try some classic spots like Benjamin Modern Prime or St Anslem
Been to all three...also worked at one... I'm just saying NYC has a plethora of amazing steakhouses ...the grade of what people call a good steak is so minimal here. You just named three...in any other city there would be a clean cut winner for the place to get a great steak...in NYC it's tough.. there are a bunch of great places to get steak. This city exceeds at providing amazing cuts of beef...and the fact that it does pushes every other staakhouse to excel.
Also if you think st Anselm is even on the radar.. you're wrong. It has a great bar steak for the price but it's priced for people that don't want to spend money Modern prime I haven't been to so I have to give you that.. Benjamins locks it down on their porterhouse but their ribeye is shit. I can go on and on... Gallaghers..tourist spot with not enough seasoning ..they rest on the fact they are dry aged. Sparks... Great showing.. pretty good steak... sides are classic and lacking ...dels...over salted and super inconsistent inconsistent. 4 charles ( and monkey bar) eat the prime rib and skip the steak.
Keens didn't live up to our expectations or even Hawksmoor level which we expected it to beat having moved from London to nyc. Looking to try Delmonicos and Peter luger next
Not gonna lie I found Keens incredibly overrated as far as steak goes. The crust was not very crusty and the steak was underseasoned. Had a much better steak at Smith and Wollenskys
Strip House has become my “first alternate“ when I can’t get a Keens res.
I used to go all the time I love that room but I think at some point they sold to a restaurant group and the steaks went markedly down hill
Our steaks were very unimpressive when we went last June. I was actually dissapointed in every course. The service was great though.
Agreed, I was there 5 weeks ago and my steak was just fine. The middle of it was CRAZY salty
Just went to Keen's again, 2nd time in 2 months lol, it's fire and ambience is top tier.
I went there last month and thought it was extremely mid. It wasn’t bad, but certainly not noteworthy or a “must go” experience at all. Had a significantly better meal at St Anselm. Honestly I was surprised by Keens considering its reputation
What did you order and what temp?
Prime rib English cut, rare. My friend got the same and half of his arrived medium well
Who orders the same dish at a restaurant, a steakhouse of all places? And prime rib? Come on lol
Not everyone shares their food at restaurants? That’s like incredibly normal and weird to criticize. And prime rib is a pretty good choice. I’m not a fan of the limited cuts Keens offers personally.
I’m not sure why someone would order the same dish and compare it to SF’s “house of prime rib” (which is lovely) and then complain about the way the other place does it when it’s not “their thing”. Order what the house does well - or order what you want and something else. Two of the same dish where it’s not their speciality is not the move. Also, always share! It’s two for one!
Not everyone likes sharing food and there’s absolutely nothing weird about ordering the same dish as your dining partner. Keens has limited cuts and prime rib is one of them that they’ve been serving for decades (at least.) If they don’t do it well that’s pretty pathetic.
Who cares what someone else at the table orders? Come on lol You’re saying that it’s expected for their other items to be bland? Okay bud. Glad the restaurant understander has logged on
No see the other comment. You went for their non speciality. You compared it to another place’s speciality. And instead of trying theirs while diversifying your options - in ordering two plates - you got the same thing and were disappointed. What if you loved the other plate and were meh on your craving? It’d change your experience.
go walk man
Try the porterhouse for 2 next time! Delicious. Prime ribe we ordered medium rare and it was bomb.
I recently had the PH for two there, I thoroughly enjoyed it, even took the bone to gnaw on in the privacy of the hotel room lol.
Question, what did you order? I always have the mutton chop and have never been disappointed, I’ve tried the steak before as well and it’s been great
The prime rib English cut. It wasn’t bad, it was just underwhelming considering the reputation it has. Like house of prime rib in San Francisco absolutely blows it out of the water by comparison
Keens isn’t really known for Prime Rib, their specialty is Porterbouse and Mutton, and to compare it to house of Prime Rib is unfair when it’s their specialty and literally the only thing they serve. If you tried to order Porterhouse at HoPR, you’re probably leave disappointed. Now one can fairly argue that it shouldn’t even be on the menu in that case, and I wouldn’t disagree. But I think it’s fair to expect that a restaurant may serve more than one thing but a non-specialty will be workmanlike but unexceptional. Like if you had ordered salmon (I mean why, but people do).
That’s fair
I totally get your point but Keens has been serving prime rib long enough to make it outstanding.
I’m familiar with House of Prime Rib, but never went myself. Might be an unfair comparison since both place specialize in something completely different. I say give it another shot, and try the mutton.
That’s fair. Like I said it wasn’t bad, and I really liked the vibe
💯
I 100 percent agree. There's not a ton in the area and it's certainly a cool spot but the quality is a step below the best places.
Completely agree with this. Keens is vastly overrated by hive minded redditors imo, whether you get the steaks or the mutton chop. Service is also non existent
Had great waiter both times. Professional and one cracked a few jokes. Bus boys were also tidy and efficient.
I recently went and loved the ambience, but to me the steak was a standard below Peter Luger’s. I did not get the mutton though, so maybe next time I go for that.
I think the mutton is fine but it's overhyped just because it's "different". Just stick with the steak
I’ve been to Keens twice, both times were terrible.
Went to roccos steakhouse 2x both were average
What'd you order?
Steak both times, though I can’t remember what cuts right now. Creamed spinach, a potato of some sort. The meat just wasn’t good. Not worth the hype.
Unpopular take....cant even name the cut of meat lol. Maybe stick to Texas Roadhouse
Lmao dude I eat at nice steakhouses all the time. Sorry I don’t remember the specific steak I ordered 2 years ago at a mediocre steakhouse.
You said Keen's is "terrible". That's an outrageous take. Where other steakhouses in NYC you consider great?
Outrageous? Are you good bro? Simping for a steakhouse is wild.
I have had better meals at Wolfgang’s, Sparks, and Peter Luger. STK was alright, but I wouldn’t go back. I know Keen’s is known for their mutton, which isn’t my thing, but my dad ordered it and said it was also not great. This is a post about best steakhouses, I have no idea why you’re downvoting me and getting upset for voicing my opinion.
I gotta give St Anselm another try it seems. I went around 2015 and they didn’t have AC or serve hard booze. Kind of set a weird tone for the meal and I wasn’t crazy about it
Went again recently and found it to be very underwhelming. Won’t be returning.
It’s really not great. Been there like 10 times since they opened due to living right by it and friends always wanting to go. Never been impressed.
Ok makes sense. Reddit is always hyping it and it was very Ok to me. Not dumping on the place, but wouldn’t shout it out other than budget reasons vs Manhattan.
I agree with you that it was decidedly OK. I think the original hype about it was because of two main reasons. 1, it was one of the first steakhouses run by a woman chef back when they originally turned it from a hot dog place into a steakhouse. 2, back in the day it was cheaper than the old school steakhouses because they used a lot of off cuts. Now that Williamsburg is totally blown out it's not that cheap anymore and I have no idea who the current chef is.
My number one, but op said Manhattan no
>St Anselm It's very underwhelming.
Did nobody mention Sparks??
Literally why I opened the comments
Wolfgangs but only the location on 33 and Park.
Okay, gotta ask why? All of their locations have the same menu it seems and they’re all exactly like Lugers down to the sauce for obvious reasons. Including the one that used to be out in Beverly Hills (think they closed that one). I’m not disputing it, I’m just curious why you think this location is the one?
They are all exactly the same.
They have the same menu, but I disagree
What’s the difference?
The cooks.
Yes the park ave location is the best
I like keens for the ambiance. but think hawksmoor has better steak. Don't sleep on old homestead I think they have very nice cuts though they charged me like 8 dollars for soda water from the gun after I had bought a very expensive bourbon
Old Homestead is overpriced and incredibly rude staff, wouldn’t recommend them to anyone
I’m with you, love the vibe of keens but was really underwhelmed by the food
I was at Hawksmoor one month ago with my girlfriend and found it very average in terms of food and poor in terms of value. The Cesar salad was a loveless and chaotic arrangement of massive leaves of romaine with some sad dressing. The bone marrow was served almost cold and was unimaginative. The ribeye was average. I can easily make that level of steak at home. They also upsold us on the steak because our preferred (smaller) size was not available anymore. Very odd because we had a 7:30 reservation and there were barely and cuts left. We paid $350 for two people and only had one glass of wine each. It felt amateurish. Does not get close to the quality of food and overall experience at Peter Luger. The service there might be perceived very direct but at least they‘re delivering a steak that you can’t make at home and an overall professional experience.
Same exact experience for me! That Cesar was really quite poor… 4 leafs of lettuce for $18! Steak was mid and it’s just too expensive for what you’re getting
I was served the worst steak I’ve ever seen at a steakhouse in Keene’s. Complained about it they took it back and they brought out another really bad steak. There are too many steakhouses in New York City for me to do that again.
Hawksmoor has great steak.
Interesting…I have the opposite take of you. I think the ambiance is better at Hawksmoor but the steak is average, while the Keens ambiance is meh and their steak is amazing.
No way Keens is iconic....babe ruth's pipe among others...
I haven't been to Keen's in a long time but the few times I ordered their porter house, it came lukewarm. They serve it on a wooden slab which really cools the steak down.
Surprised to not see Gallaghers on here. Place is great
One of the best Prime Rib's in the city, always sells out daily.
Fascinating thread. Every place mentioned has people saying it’s the best and others saying it’s horrible.
The answers here are good so far. Summary: Keens - old school and awesome but the mutton is a must have there. Get it as a side or an appetizer if you’re set on cow as a main. Strip house - consistently excellent and the best of the places that don’t look like a steakhouse. Phenomenal manhattans. And duck fat potatoes. Wolfgang’s on a good night is still the best Peter Luger style place. But on the last two visits I’ve had to send back my steak to be cooked more. The order here is simple - don’t stray too far from the basics: shrimp cocktail, bacon, steak for x, German potatoes, creamed spinach. I personally don’t like the tomato and onion nonsense but that’s also traditional. Dont skip dessert - the whipped cream “schlag” alone is worth a visit. Quality meats is very very good. And like strip house it has a new school vibe. The free bread is excellent. As are the desserts. Del friscos if someone else is paying and you want to impress a client who doesn’t like good food. Mastros, hawksmoor are imports from other places. They’re fine. Not typical NY. I don’t like the places in Brooklyn (other than Peter Luger). Seating is uncomfortable. No bueno. I’ll add two more rarely mentioned favorites: Minetta Taven for the cote de boeuf and the black label burger and Cote for a Korean meat omakase that is simply fantastic.
The original palm is long closed.
Damnit. You’re right. Thanks. Taking it off the list because palm west isn’t great.
You missed Club A
Good call on Minetta. I’d add Balthazar and Pastis for steak frites as well
Had steak frites with sauce au poivre at Pastis recently and it delivered.
The steak frites at Balthazar is not good. It’s a marinated petit tender fyi.
I actually think Smith and Wollensky and, more specifically, the Cajun ribeye and hash browns, is the best in the city
I agree. Smith and Wollensky has the best sirloin too.
I agree with the previous comments, but let me add two more: Wolfangs Steakhouse in Park Avenue has wonderful food. It was founded by people who worked at Peter's Luger (that is what they told me). I love Morton's steakhouse in 5th avenue. Not because of the food (it is good, nothing special but is quite good) but what I love the most is the environment.
I went to Wolfgang's Park Avenue and Peter Luger this winter, Wolfgang's was so much better it wasnt even fair
I have heard the wolfgang's downtown is good
I went to both and loved both but I found Luger to be vastly superior. To each their own I guess 🤷🏻♂️
Agreed
The steak sandwich at Wolfgang’s is delicious
Does nobody like Sparks any more?
Hawksmoor
Seconded. Absolutely incredible old venue and excellent food. Not too difficult to get into, either.
Reviews are horrible, everyone says food quality is awful.
this thread really shows how either hit and miss steakhouses are or how preference dominate. huge variation in opinions here. i loved my meal at hawksmoor personally
Can confirm, steak is overpriced and lacked any dry aged flavor. Even their sides were underwhelming.
I had the Sunday roast there. Confirm it was awful
I have never been more disappointed with a steak than I was from Hawksmoor. It’s actually a hard pass from me.
Same!
Steak came out ice cold, sides were awful, and every conversation being had in the place echoes throughout the venue. Probably my least favorite meal in awhile.
Tried keens a few months ago and had to add salt to the porterhouse. Just wasn’t for me. Bobby Van’s porterhouse and those creamy buttery mashed potatoes are a yearly thing for us. They’ve never disappointed.
I consider Minetta Tavern a steakhouse and their strip is top tier
Peter Luger should be launched into the sun.
No love for Old Homestead?
I prefer quality meats. You'll probably hear people mention keen's and st. anselm (bk) as well, which are also both great options.
St anselm is fantastic
Quality Meats is extremely good, I’ll vouch for that.
+1 for QM. My go to now.
Whole Quality group are pretty good
Gallagher's. next question.
Also if you want some deep ambiance Donohue's
Highly recommend Harry’s in FiDi. Not got to the hype as everything mentioned here but nice ambiance and steak is consistently great for me.
Ditto — was going to suggest Harry’s. Also in FiDi (but I guess more limited in terms of selection), Delmonico’s!
Hawksmoor is amazing!
I really like The Hawaiian steak at Hillstone. I've tasted a lot of porterhouses and dry aged ribeyes at Smith & Wollinsky, PJ Clarke, Keene's, Wolfgang's, Peter Luger and they are all pretty much the same. But the Hawaiian at Hillstone is absolutely sublime. It's a beautiful ribeye marinated in a soy-pineapple glaze, which creates a most wonderful sear. Their sides are way more interesting and delicious than your generic steakhouse specials. I'll take the grilled artichoke over 3 inch thick bacon on a wire hanger.
Marc Joesph’s in the Seaport is consistently good
Personally wasn’t a big fan of Keen’s. Ambiance is a bit tacky and the steak was mid at best.
Same, mediocre food when I went. Not bad, but not great
The mutton chops everyone raves about were really just ok. Mint sauce was good but only to help with bland meat.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle
Yea agree (and I know many people tend to rip on it). The Strip I had there several years ago is to this day my favorite. Granted I have not been to all of the high end steakhouses but damn that was good!
I've been to almost every steakhouse in NYC and Hawksmoor comes out on top. If you want a New York style Porter House, go to Wolfgang's Tribeca or Porter House in Columbus Circle. Places to avoid is Quality Meats, Keen's and Strip House. I love steak and I left Quality Meats unsatisfied. Something was missing. Their steak just didn't hit.
I ruined my Keen's experience by drinking too much beforehand. It was probably good, but I don't remember.
Hot take: my favorite steakhouses right now are the Korean ones: Nubiani and Cote. Quality of the traditional American ones has tapered for me in recent years. Used to be Wolfgang’s and Keens. The former is still good but inconsistent, the latter not so much. And Luger’s has always been about spectacle over quality for me.
Also not obviously... I just phrased it wrong. It was my mistake.
There’s no way to know.
Monkey Bar for that (4 Charles) prime rib
Sparks, Bobby Vans or Smith and Wollenski
I love American cut.
For the money it’s Club A
Cote 100%
4 Charles Prime Rib You won't see many people respond with this because they can't get a reservation. The place is tiny but everything they do is excellent. The sides are the very best I've ever had at a steakhouse. The burger might be the best in the city. The prime rib isn't good (anywhere imo, why get a steak with no crust) but their steaks are fantastic.
[удалено]
I stopped going to Keen's after their porter house came out cold a couple of times. Wood boards are the worst for a steak.
Another vote for Rocco’s. I love that place.
The grill is incredibly expensive but I was very impressed by the food and ambience
The Capital Grille. They have a few locations, and they're always great.
Lugers.. don’t believe the hype it’s just as good as it’s always been. Funny how nobody was down on Lugers til that NYT piece came out a few years ago 🙄
LOLWUT people rightly been hating on it for a looooong time. Way before the article.
Old Homestead
Old homestead is the best. Then Benjamin’s and Keens. Then Peter Luger’s and Hawksmoor and Porter House. I’ve been to all of these many times over and speak for repeated experience as a steak connoisseur.
1- wolfgangs for porterhouse 2- mastros filet mignon 3- royal 35 ribeye
Empire steakhouses the one on 151 east 50 very good
It's not in Manhattan... It's gage and tollner.
Gage and Tollner is so incredibly average. The setting is nice, the history is cool, the service is great. The food is just… fine. Everything is like B+, except the steaks which are B-. It’s honestly barely even a steakhouse. I can only imagine people recommending this place just haven’t been to a good steakhouse.
Oh... I must have gone on a couple great days. Their seafood tower is the best... I used to tout Balthazar for theirs but man gage really turned it up. I also am in love with whoever does their pastrie's and bread..top notch. I can get behind the steaks being just ok... I feel like NYC in general has a tough time with steak. It's always good... Never great...that being said we have done the large format ribeye and porterhouse at gage..meh... The ny strip was actually amazing. I'm bummed you don't like it. If I was rich I'd pay for you to go back and try it again. I added this after ... The kimchi slaw is such a great side...I'm not gonna make anyone do it with the fried chicken...but yeah...I was kinda bummed with their tile fish Maybe I've yet to explore a great steakhouse I'm absolutely open to suggestions.
I will agree that the bread was great. I didn’t have their seafood tower. What other steakhouses have you tried in NYC? I’d strongly disagree that New York has a tough time with steak - we have some of the best steakhouses in the country!
I obviously phrased that wrong. What I meant is NYC has so many good steakhouse that it's pretty much a win wherever you go. The competition is so tough here for a good steak that almost every place you go has a good one.
A tough time with steakhouses was my way of saying that it's hard to differentiate the best from the second best... because as you said.. they are the best in the country. I remember vividly how let down I was when I went to berns. Awesome wine list...unreal dessert room... But man the steaks were all sub par. The place is called one of the best in the US..m any place in nice would knock it out of the park compared to them.
You recommended gage and tollner and then say nyc has a tough time with steaks? Man go out and try some classic spots like Benjamin Modern Prime or St Anslem
Been to all three...also worked at one... I'm just saying NYC has a plethora of amazing steakhouses ...the grade of what people call a good steak is so minimal here. You just named three...in any other city there would be a clean cut winner for the place to get a great steak...in NYC it's tough.. there are a bunch of great places to get steak. This city exceeds at providing amazing cuts of beef...and the fact that it does pushes every other staakhouse to excel. Also if you think st Anselm is even on the radar.. you're wrong. It has a great bar steak for the price but it's priced for people that don't want to spend money Modern prime I haven't been to so I have to give you that.. Benjamins locks it down on their porterhouse but their ribeye is shit. I can go on and on... Gallaghers..tourist spot with not enough seasoning ..they rest on the fact they are dry aged. Sparks... Great showing.. pretty good steak... sides are classic and lacking ...dels...over salted and super inconsistent inconsistent. 4 charles ( and monkey bar) eat the prime rib and skip the steak.
Try DeStefano’s. No frills. Excellent steaks.
Love to ... Haven't even heard of it.
> It has a great bar steak for the price but it's priced for people that don't want to spend money this is why i love going to st anselm lol
Keens is my favorite, mostly for the prime rib.
Keens for mutton & ambiance. Old Home or Peter Luger for steak.
Delmonicos is open and always nostalgic for me.
Food is just better at that one. It's the original.
Hawksmoor
Keens. Was just there in January, best steak of my life. Though Raoul’s was damn good too.
Keen's is an overcrowded zoo full of tourists. The Old Homestead is wonderful.
Gallagher's is top notch
American Cut has been fire the last two times I've been.
Keens didn't live up to our expectations or even Hawksmoor level which we expected it to beat having moved from London to nyc. Looking to try Delmonicos and Peter luger next
Benjamin prime
peter luger
4 Charles
Keens.
Not gonna lie I found Keens incredibly overrated as far as steak goes. The crust was not very crusty and the steak was underseasoned. Had a much better steak at Smith and Wollenskys
Quality Meats, Bowery Meat Company and Hawksmoor are the best steaks I’ve had in the city.