A chophouse (or two) off a different block
Staking out NYC’s steak house alternatives
New York City’s lineup of long-existing steak houses are tourist attractions in and of themselves. These institutions are found in all the guidebooks, travel sites and apps that tourists rely on. But while they’re renowned, these chophouses are notoriously expensive, and reservations aren’t always easy to snag. Skip the expense and hassle by trying New York’s more affordable and equally delicious — albeit lesser-known — steak houses.
PETER LUGER STEAK HOUSE
178 Broadway, Brooklyn
One of two famed destinations where cheques average US$100 per person (the second is Sparks; see next item).
Open since 1887, the 200seat Peter Luger in Williamsburg uses only USDA Prime beef — the gold standard in the meat industry.
All the steaks are dry-aged in-house, but the 32-ounce (907-g) porterhouse is the star of the show.
For sides, most diners splurge on the creamed spinach and German fried potatoes. The key lime pie is the bestselling dessert.
SPARKS 210 East 46th St.
This sprawling 678-seat dark-wood-hued Midtown East hot spot, has been an expense account and special occasion go-to since it opened in that location in 1977. (It’s also famous for being the site of a New York mob murder.) The menu includes a halfdozen or so cuts of steak that come from USDA prime beef hand butchered and aged in-house — the 16-ounce (454-g) prime sirloin is the most popular. Sides include hash browns and mushroom caps in a lemon butter sauce, and come dessert, it’s almost sacrilegious not to order the New York cheesecake.
TBAR STEAK & LOUNGE
1278 Third Ave.
One of two newer steak houses where diners can get away with $55 to $65 apiece (the second is Quality Eats; see next item),
Situated on the Upper East Side, TBar has been a beloved neighbourhood fixture since it opened in 2007. The 120seat white-hued dining room has a decidedly modern feel, and the steaks are butchered and aged from black angus beef. Like Luger’s, the porterhouse is a must-order, and at 40 ounces, it’s more than enough for three. Sides, such as creamed or sautéed spinach and the crispy Brussels sprouts, are meant for sharing, too, so you can save room for the housemade banana parfait with coconut and caramel sauce.
QUALITY EATS
West Village, 19 Greenwich Ave.; NoMad: 3 East 28th St.; Upper East Side: 1496 Second Ave.
Quality Eats debuted in 2015 and now has three locations: West Village, NoMad and Upper East Side. It’s the more accessible brainchild of Michael Stillman, whose father, Alan, founded the famed Smith & Wollensky. All locations have around 60 seats, killer cocktail lists and walls adorned with graphic artwork. Five varieties of steak are on the menu, including sirloin, hanger and bavette. The top seller is the Don Ameche — a sliced filet with chicken liver mousse on garlic toast with caramelized onions. Corn crème brûlée and brown bag curly fries are the sides to order, and decadent desserts include “birthday cake”: chocolate malt ice cream topped with confetti cake and vanilla icing.