ilovetotravel29

Looking for a good steak house in NYC for my b-day---looking for something preferrably (sorry for spelling error) under 40 bucks total....I just want a nice little steak(8-10 oz is fine for me, but I know, may not seem so little to many people) with a potato, so good bread, and a glass of wine.

Any good suggestions? Have you been there more than once?

mclaurie

Assuming you mean $40 for one person and assuming "everything" includes tip and tax, working backwards, that means with wine costing $7-10/glass min., you're talking about $20-25 for food.

I haven't been there, but Wolf & Lamb is a kosher steakhouse that gets great reviews on menupages and has a. ribeye steak for $25-$30. I think it comes with a salad and potato. That's a bargain b/c at most of the other steak places, the steak starts at $35 and you get NOTHING with it. Here's reviews and a menu to look at
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...0&cuisineid=61

You can get a steak at Keen's for $25-30 I think. They also have a less expensive pub menu.

The other option is having steak frites (steak and fries) at a French bistro. Les Halles and Balthazar are very good. Here's a discussion on the best place to do that from egullet
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=57427

bugswife1

For under $40 total you won't get the 'best' steak in NY. Sadly, they are over $40 just for the steak, and even the potato is ala carte.

I would try Angelo & Maxie's (2 locations in the city), or try a French Bistro that serves a steak frites dish--that will be in your range.

Also, they may be less expensive on a lunch menu.

Neopolitan

I think the hardest part of your question is the size of the steak. Most New York steakhouses don't seem to offer a smaller cut. Usually any New York Strip will be about 14 or 16 ounces. A filet may be 12 or so, but will likely still cost over $40. Are there two of you? Splitting a steak for two may be your best answer even though they may charge for the service.
My favorite is Smith and Wollensky. I like the bar (still with tables and a nice atmosphere) rather than the stuffier dining rooms.

MFNYC

Christos in Astoria, Queens is a Greek steakhouse and more reasonable than NYC steakhouses. Their steak, and everything else is very good.

I have split steaks several times in several restaurants (Sparks, Old Homestead, Knickerbocker, etc). We'd order salad and a side or 2, and it would be plenty for 2 people who are not huge steak eaters.

lisettemac

You won't be able to go to most of the great steakhouses in NY for $40 a person.

One you might try -- not a traditional steakhouse, but a French bistro with a great steak frites -- is Les Halles. Their steak au poivre is also very good, as are the mussels.

bill_boy

Well, I have to break it to you that a GOOD 10 oz. steak exist in Manhattan.

For lunch at Keen's, generally considered one of the best steakhouse in NYC, they serve a "steak salad " consisting of a 10 oz. aged prime sirloin and a perdestrian salad. A lot of people that I know swear by this steak (hey, it's Keen's afterall).

Since the vegetables are already included, with an $8 glass of wine, you'd be set to spend under $40 (including tax and tip).

bill_boy

P.S.
The steak salad is priced at $23.

MFNYC

I just remembered I had a nice grilled steak the other night at an Italian restaurant in the E. Village, Col Legno. The steak was about $17. Check their menu on menupages.com.

The interior of this restaurant is nothing special decor wise, but it's comfortable, the staff is very pleasant, and they also have a wood burning stove that they use for pizza (which is outstanding) and some other dishes.

Neopolitan

Of course, a number of good steakhouses will offer what you ask for LUNCH. But am I the only one who guesses when someone is talking about a special birthday celebration they probably mean dinner? I even checked Keen's for a smaller or less expensive steak on their dinner menu with no luck.

Or are you willing to make it lunch for a lesser price, ilovetotravel?

fishee

My friends shared a $70 steak at Peter Lugers -- Zagat's pick for best steakhouse for the past decade. They said it was incredible and worth every penny. I'm not sure if this was for lunch or dinner... Maybe their menu is on-line...

MFNYC

You can find Peter Luger's menu, and most other Manhattan and Brooklyn restaurant menus on menupages.com. Unfortunately Queens menus aren't there.

ilovetotravel29

thanks, everybody! maybe I will just try and go to Les Halles? I would love to eat there....does Anthony Bourdain work there? Or am I getting it confused with his cookbook?

Ryan

In terms of Les Halles, he is the Executive Chef. However, the reality of a "celebrity chef" is that they are rarely in the kitchen.

A couple of places I might suggest are the Wollensky Grill, which is the less expensive part of Smith and Wollensky's, and Brasserie LCB on W. 55th.

The last couple of times I've been to both, a colleague has paid so I can't vouch for the cost. But, I believe they are both far less expensive than places like Sparks.

bill_boy

Anthony Bourdain is NEVER at Les Halles, that most speculate that he may not be connected with the restaurant anymore.

We were just at Wollensky Grill last night. It is NEVER our prefered steak restaurant as there simply is way too many in NYC that have better steaks. It is only a few blocks from where we live and we patronize the place on because they offer the most decent prime hamburger ($14) in our area that is considered a major neighborhood wasteland as far as good restaurants are concerned. It is very touristy, though. Anyway, the cheapest steak-type dish was a cut of English-style Prime Rib au jus at $29. This doesn't come with anything. The cheapest wine, by the glass, was $10. Hence, cheapest meat plus wine = $39 no tax and no tip.

Brasserie LCB is a good French brasserie complete with French waiters and long white aprons and Parisian ambiance and decor. The steak frittes is OK, but not in the "best steak" category that the OP is looking for. Terrific cassoulet, though.

handmaiden

Tony Bourdain may not be at Les Halles on Park Ave. South, but the food is still very good. The frites here are MUCH better than Balthazar, and it isn't so LOUD!

I just love the steak au poivre w/frites, moules, Rossini burger, and calamari.

I just visited my daughter, Emily, who lives in Manhattan, on Wednesday. I had a Guss' pickle on Orchard Street. DAMN! Was that ever good.

Christine