We've never made it to Peter Luger's and would like to see what all the hubbub is about. We never do dinner there when in NYC because we're at the theatre every night. And the last time we arrived for a month with plenty of open evenings we called and asked when in the next month we could come for dinner and were told we couldn't -- fully booked.
But this next trip in May we'll need to vacate our apartment in Manhattan by noon. We need to be at JFK by 4:30 PM for our flight to Madrid. We were thinking of taking a taxi to Peter Luger's for lunch and then on to JFK from there. How receptive would they be to holding our luggage -- two large rolling duffles and a carry on each? Does this seem like a good idea? Comments? Amount of travel time to allow both sides of the restaurant?

Where in NY is your apartment? I think time is no problem. As for the bags, If you show up there with them they can hardly deny space in the coatroom. If you decide not to make the foray out there, check out Ben and Jack's in the East 40s which was opened by ex-Luger people and seems to be "the" steak place in town right now. Time from Luger to airport depends on day of the week...during week I would allow 45 minutes. One other idea is to book a car service and have them wait for you with the bags in the car but of course that will cost you.

Yes, I'd imagine the car service waiting would cost an arm and a leg. I don't have any limbs to spare! I know it's very easy to get a taxi from the apartment (50th between 8th and 9th) to Peter Luger's, but what about getting a taxi from there. Will they call one for us, or is it the sort of place where after business lunches, there are taxis waiting? Or perhaps just arrange for a car service to meet us at Peter Luger's at a certain time to take us to JFK?

Being from Florida I forget about coat checks. And in late May, I assume that room would be pretty empty, so I guess the luggage really isn't an issue.

Either have them call a car service or arrange your own. I would not depend on having yellow cabs outside although there may well be some. When you call to reserve, put this to them on the phone. I know you will be a little nervous with the flight looming but not to worry. Yes, better to save the limbs and not give them away so easily!

http://nymag.com/urban/guides/bestof...ar_service.htm

I won't be nervous about the flight. The flight is at 6 PM, we'll plan to leave Peter Luger's no later than say 3, maybe earlier. With a Business Class check-in and a lounge to wait in, we'll plan to be there in plenty of time.

Thanks for all the advice. Incidentally the only time I booked a car service, they called a half hour before to say there was a problem and they couldn't meet us, and so we ended up taking a taxi. (That was the highly recommended Carmel). I guess that was unusual, but it made me wonder why take a car service from midtown when taxis are so readily available there. But of course, from PL's in Brooklyn, that could be quite a different matter.