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steeeeeeeak !!!!!

Breezing into NYC for Memorial Day weekend and promised by carnivorous husband a steak dinner in a big and famous steakhouse. I have Smith & Wollensky in mind but a friend suggested Peter Luger and still another aid these are old foggies and that a new kid in the block, Strip House is good. I am not into steak so what I'm really looking for is a place where my hubby can pig out and where I can also eat something else with perhaps less meat....like a lobster? Is this a silly question? Veggies perhaps? help.....?

best piece of red meat I ever had was steak au poive at Balthazars. Like the sauce steak you can have anywhere.

While Peter Luger is considered the ultimate by many steak lovers, I would not go there if both of you don't want to eat steak. While they have non-steak/meat things on the menu, it's all about the steak, and they look a bit askance at someone wanting something else (they're known for their gruff waiters, as well). I can't speak to non-steak meals at Smith & Wollensky, but people I know give it very mixed reviews, and don't have it at the top of their lists. In your situation, I'd definitely recommend Strip House. I don't eat steak, and when my boyfriend wanted to go to a steakhouse for his b-day, Strip House was a good choice. This is a rare steakhouse that actually takes good care with non-steak dishes. He found his strip steak (their specialty, natch) excellent, and I had fish, which I can't say was memorable, but it was good. There are at least as many non-steak entree choices, if not more, than steak options, though I don't remember if they do lobsters. The sides are very good: best fries I've ever had, truffled creamed spinach, potatoes cooked in goose fat - it's all good. Nice salads, as well. The name is a double entendre; the theme is posh, old-fashioned strip clubs. IT's done in a classy way, and the atmosphere is fairly swanky (though not extra-formal), and much more welcoming than the "men's club" feel of many steakhouses.

The meal I had at Smith & Wollensky was far and away the most unpleasant $200 I ever wasted. The ambience was non-existant; it was crowded, extremely noisy, and so unpleasant that the quality of the food added nothing to the experience (in fact, other than it being a good steak, there's little else about the meal that transcends the bad memories).

I second NOT going to S+W.... i don't mind "old school" but i DO mind this place. A waste of money. Since the meal is about him, i would take him to Peter Luger's. Luger's is always mentioned when discussing the best steak in NY (if not the country), so let him have some history about his own great meal there.

Go to Sparks. Great steaks, fantastic wine cellar, convenient midtown location, and if it's good enough for the "boys", believe me it's good enough for your husband. Mangia!

I agree, Sparks is a great steakhouse. Aside from the great meal, you will be part of New York mob history: its where Paul Castellano, former Gambino family head was murdered.

Hey xxx: Stop spreading misinformation. It happened OUTSIDE the restaurant, not IN the restaurant. Your description sounds very unappetizing

Well, I'm a great fan of Smith & Wollensky. Yes, it is noisy and brash, but all the wiaters I've ever had serve me (half a dozen visits) were well informed, polite although informal, and believed that serious steak eaters deserved fine, friendly, efficient service. But they love to mock the mockable -- while cheerfully accepting big tips from showoffs. On one visit, the waiter gave me the left over carafe of $150 wine ordered by the guy at the next table who clearly was showing off, ordered the expensive wine and left after only one glass. As for non-steak: you might want to check ahead for lobster. On one visit, a woman at another table wanted lobster; the waiter siad that all they had was a four-pounder. The lady said that would be all right, causing the waiter to believe that he had, once again, a mockable showoff unwilling to take advice. Anyway, it was quite a scene when he arrived -- he drew the attention of several of us to the about-to-happen event -- at the table with the huge beast. From my point of view as a foreigner in New York, S&W is "real" New York, and an adventure. As for Luger, Sparks, and Palm -- I have been told there are problems getting reservations, so plan ahead. I've managed to get in S&M without problems, phoning perhaps two or three hours before arrival. No one has mentioned Bensons -- one steak there was excellent, good service, nice surroundings, but it was not an adventure in any sense. Regardless, your husband is lucky that you'll take him to a steakhouse, and wish him happy birthday from themeat lovers here, too, please. BAK