I like steaks - I'll be in NY in May
 

Hi,I'm from belgium. <BR>Visiting NY in May and would like to have your advice. <BR>We'll be staying in a Radio City studio(W49 street) <BR>Where can we find the best steaks in the area ? <BR>I also love the american ribs - where do I go ? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your advice. <BR>Luc <BR> <BR>

The best steaks are at Peter Luger's which is in Brooklyn, which means you'd have to take a cab or subway there. <BR>Good barbecue ribs are closer! You can get them at Virgil's on 44th Street, just 5 blocks from where you are staying!

Howard - I have to share this with you since you & I seem to like the same places to eat (Virgils, Luger's, etc.) Have you been to Bobby Van's at 46th & Park - across from Bear Sterns. My husband is a die hard steak eater (even has a Peter Luger's credit card) and has been to all of them, but keeps coming back to BV's. He thinks it is just as consistant & quality as Lugers, with the advantage of being in the city. I like it because the non-meat portion of the menu has a lot of variety. Crab cakes are to die for. Would love to hear what you think of this one after you've tried it. P.S. The original BV's is in Bridgehampton. Pretty much the same menu, but in the summer it is a zoo.

Peter Luger's. Best of the best. Worth the trip.

I hear Gallagher's is supposed to good.

We were extremely disappointed in Gallagher's. Almost tasteless steaks, one extremely tough, all with a lot of fat and gristle. Terrible service including losing our order twice. And stone cold side dishes. Luger's is it and worth the taxi I would think. Have never been to Wollensky's, but friends swear by it. <BR>P.S. I love Virgil's, but can't get past the pulled pork rather than the ribs. Never mind it is all good there, and you'll make back the money you spend on a taxi to Brooklyn for Luger's.

Hi: <BR>I like Gallagher's too. I'm sorry that patrick had such a bad experience. I have never been disappointed there. <BR>228 West 52 St 212-245-5336 for reservations. Welcome to NYC!

Other options to consider for steak (without a trip to Brooklyn) are Smith & Wollensky, Ben Benson's and Keane's (not sure of my spelling). They don't seem to get rated quite as highly as Peter Luger's but have their own followings. I think the ribs at Tennesee Mountain on Spring Street in SoHo are the best in NYC. Be sure to order baby back ris - their are other varieties but baby back are generally the best regardless of where you go.

No, Ellen, we've not been to Bobby Van's. though I've heard good things about it. We reallu don't go to steak places that often. <BR>Patrick is correct. Gallagher's can't hold a candle to the best steak restaurants.

Let me explain our experience at Gallaghers. First of all it was late --after theatre dining. After our waiter took our drink order and brought drinks he took our food order. We waited and waited. No one came near our table, so finally we got up, found the maitre-d and asked what was up. Seemed our waiter had finished his shift and gone home and no one else had been assigned to our table. There was no record of our order. We reordered. After another long wait, our main courses came out. We asked about our salads or appetizers. Oops. They had forgotten those, so back went our food. Another long wait for our starters -- as I recall one had a wonderful bowl of French Onion soup, but others had soggy and oversalted caesar salads. Finally our main courses came back which is why everything was stone cold --obviously they let them sit while they prepared and we ate our appetizers. The steaks we all ordered rare, however had been kept warm and were now all medium to medium-well done. As I said, we switched because one girl could literally not cut her sirloin strip. There are great restaurants in New York. At home I'll give a place the benefit of a doubt and try them at least twice before I count them out. But Gallaghers is one place I wouldn't bother to try again.

Bal Luc, all of the above advice is good. Smith & Wollenski is a really good steakhouse straight across town (east) from Radio City. Easily walkable. And not far from PJ Clarke's where you can can have drinks in a really old NYC bar. It's usually jammed with the after-work crowd, and fun. Keane's has a lot of atmosphere, old building, one of the rooms has clay pipes hanging all over the ceiling. Apparently, that's where patrons used to keep their pipes until next time they were there. Everyone in NYC has his favorite steak place and there are quite a few great ones. Everyone loves Peter Luger's. It's a hike, though, from where you're staying. If the distance doesn't bother you, go to Peter Luger's for the quintessential New York steak experience.

hi there, <BR>Thanks very much for your advice. <BR>Can't wait to go to Peter Luger's. <BR>Maybe our Belgian Waffles and chocolates are the best, but they can't beat your steaks and ribs. <BR>Keep you advice comming because I have a great appetite. <BR>Smile, <BR>Belgian Luc

One important thing about Peter Luger's: They don't take credit cards, so bring cash.

One place that hasn't been mentioned and surprisingly enough (to me) gets very good reviews: Michael Jordan's Steakhouse. It's on the mezzanine in the newly restored Grand Central and has a great view of the main concousre. Despite the fact that it's attached to a celebrity's name it has bee highly rated by many for the quality of its beef.

It was already mentioned cash is only method of payment at Lugar. Also everything is a la carte. Figure on at least $50 per person. Finding a taxi to take you there should not be a problem. Finding one to get back to Manhattan could be a problem.

Can you get there by subway or bus? If we drive, how is parking?

1)Dylan Prime in Tribeca very good food and great vibe. <BR>2)Mortons in the E. 40's <BR> <BR>check www.citysearch.com It will list all the best of NYC

not sure about subway or bus to Lugers but there is a parking lot across the street and it is guarded by Lugers employees at all times...by all means Luc the best meat in NY, but no credit cards and be sure to book at least 3 weeks in advance for a weekend ...if you must stay in Manhattan, Bobby Vans is good, also the Post House, Palm, Keens, Old Homestead you really can't go wrong with the exceptions of Gallaghers ( not what it was 30 years ago) and Smith and Wollensky (really overrated)...good luck and good eating !