There are many reasons why steakhouses are the best places to eat. Some of them are hard to get into, while others are famous for their meat sauces or white-glove service.
1. Location
As red meat consumption continues to climb worldwide, many of us are seeking new and exciting steakhouses. The options are endless and can be a bit overwhelming. But analyzing cuts, tenderness, flavors, required cooking methods, and price points can be helpful. There are a number of factors that should be considered before choosing the perfect steakhouse near you.
A good place to start is at the city’s most well-known and respected steakhouses. These establishments have the reputation, history, and experience to prove their worth as a top choice for any serious carnivore.
One of the most celebrated steakhouses in the city is Peter Luger Steakhouse. It is a legendary family-owned steakhouse with a long history in the city. It has a reputation for gruff service and raucous ambiance, but the quality of the food is unmatched in the city.
Another legendary establishment is Keens Steakhouse in the Herald Square Theatre District. The restaurant opened in 1885 and is steeped in tradition with wood paneling, a collection of pipes strung from the ceiling, and a staffed with formally dressed waiters. The menu here features traditional cuts as well as a signature order of muttonchops.
Other highly acclaimed and popular steakhouses in the city include Sparks, Michael Mina, and Four Cuts. Each offers a variety of different cuts, including the infamous Wagyu beef. These incredibly rare and luxurious steaks can be expensive, but the taste and texture are worth it. Other notable dishes include lobster mac and cheese, a Wagyu burger, and butter-poached lobster.
For those who want to dine in a more relaxed and casual atmosphere, there is the trendy and fun Vinyl Steakhouse in the Flatiron District. The restaurant celebrates the connection between food and entertainment with a 2,000-sleeve record library. It is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious steak with a great soundtrack.
There are also a number of steakhouses in the city that cater to a more upscale clientele. These establishments tend to be more expensive, but they offer an amazing selection of steaks and sides. Some of these restaurants even have spectacular views of Central Park and Columbus Circle.
2. Type of Meat
When you’re deciding where to go for dinner, the type of meat served can make or break the experience. Whether you’re looking for a high-end steakhouse with meticulous preparations and long dry aging or a casual diner that serves up decadent cuts with delicious sides, you have plenty of options. But, with so many choices comes the possibility of getting ripped off if you’re not careful.
To avoid being cheated, you’ll want to know the difference between different types of beef. You should also consider whether or not a restaurant serves grass-fed and organic meat, as these will generally have a better taste and texture than conventionally raised beef.
There are many different kinds of steak cuts, from the ribeye to the tenderloin. While the latter is known for its melt-in-the-mouth texture and mild flavor, the ribeye is rich and decadent with tons of marbling. Both steaks are usually priced similarly, but the ribeye is typically more expensive.
Another popular cut of steak is the short rib, which has an abundance of meat and can be cookedlow and slow to create a tender and succulent meal. If you’re on a budget, you can still enjoy a great steak at a steakhouse by opting for the flank steak, which is also found in dishes like PF Chang’s Mongolian Beef. While this cut is lean and slightly tough, it’s relatively cheap and tasty when prepared well.
The most luxurious steakhouses are those that serve Kobe or Wagyu beef. While these can be extremely expensive, they’re often a worthwhile investment if you want to experience the best steaks in the world. The menus at these restaurants will feature a variety of specialty cuts and dishes, including the bone-in Kobe ribeye, which has a bone marrow component to add even more flavor.
At RPM Steak, located in the heart of New York City’s theater district, the chefs use only the finest beef from small farms across America and Japan. Their extensive collection of 60-day dry-aged steaks, including the Tomahawk steak, is something that you’ll have to try.
3. Menu
When it comes to New York City steakhouses, a few stalwarts have established themselves over the years. These are places that can offer diners an experience that harkens back to the era when a meal at a downtown steakhouse was often a celebration of something big or notable. These places also have a sense of tradition to them and understand the importance of providing the best cuts of meat, simple sides, and a great wine list.
Then there are the newcomers to the scene that have come in with a modern approach or a unique twist to an old classic. Gallaghers, for example, is an old-school steakhouse that still has a cult following and is the go-to spot for many family celebrations like graduations. Then there is Quality Eats, which is proving that it’s possible to tweak the steakhouse model and attract a younger crowd. This cramped Greenwich Village spot, with its menu of sub-$30 steaks and lack of white tablecloths, is speaking to a new generation of steak eaters that wants more from their meals than just a well-cooked piece of meat served on a plate.
While it’s true that you can find all of these types of restaurants in NYC, not every one of them is created equal. Some are reinterpreting the traditional steakhouse model and creating their own take on it, while others are just adding their name to the list of NYC’s best steakhouses.
For example, at Strip House, diners can enjoy their food in an environment that has been designed to recreate a traditional Manhattan tavern with dark woods and rich reds. They can also enjoy a selection of wine from around the world to pair with their delicious steaks and other dishes on the menu.
Another restaurant that has reinterpreted the traditional steakhouse is Peter Luger’s. This old-school steakhouse has been in business for over a century and offers diners the chance to enjoy some of the finest cuts of beef in the city. Diners can sit at a table and watch as the jacketed waiters come by to spoon jus over their beef, or they can head to the half-moon-shaped bar where they can enjoy their steaks with a few drinks.
4. Price
New York City offers several high-end options if you’re in the mood for a hearty steak. However,deciding where to go can be challenging when it comes to choosing a restaurant that will meet your price point and still deliver an exceptional meal.
Red meat is a staple in many diets, but the quality of cuts can vary greatly, as do cooking methods and required seasoning. Depending on the type of meat and the current market, there are several factors that influence how much you’ll pay for your meal.
For example, a three-ounce filet at Gallagher’s will cost you about $36, while the same cut at Hawksmoor costs twice as much. While both are considered premier steakhouses, the difference in cost reflects the differences in the level of care and preparation involved in making each meal.
In addition, the popularity of certain cuts has driven up prices at some restaurants. For instance, the skirt steak at Laurent Tourondel’s Chelsea spot costs about $45 compared to $28 when it first opened. The skirt steak is a lower-cut and has less marbling than the ribeye, but it’s incredibly tender and full of flavor. The restaurant also serves a variety of dishes that highlight different types of meat, including chicken, lamb, and fish collars.
But despite the high-end prices, plenty of affordable steakhouses are still in the city. One of the most popular is Bowery Meat Company, which has gained a following for its duck lasagna and Wednesday prime rib night. The upscale restaurant has seating for 35 and is an ideal location for small groups or private dining events.
Another option is Wolfgang Puck’s Cut, a luxury brand that has six locations around the world. The original Cut in Los Angeles is famous for its rooftop infinity pool that entitled international types love to Instagram, and the New York City outpost is housed in a hotel that’s nearly as pricey as an apartment in its own right.
The same trend of modifying the steakhouse experience to appeal to a younger crowd is apparent in Quality Eats, a cramped Greenwich Village space that’s devoted to serving a range of off-cut steaks for under $30 each. As long as you make a reservation, this is the perfect place to try out your new favorite cut of beef without breaking the bank.
Comments are closed.