I note that everyone keeps saying Luger's for the steak. The chef of Benjamin's was at Luger's for 20 years. Its the same steak, but in Midtown Manhattan (and takes credit cards).

Posted by EwingsGlass:

I note that everyone keeps saying Luger's for the steak. The chef of Benjamin's was at Luger's for 20 years. Its the same steak, but in Midtown Manhattan (and takes credit cards).

Yes, the ability to cook steak is important to eating one... but knowing how to pick out elite cuts is much easier said than done. I like to think I cook a mean steak, but I have no idea how to pick a great, good, or mediocre cut... which is why I'll pay an obscene amount at a steak house for something I can cook myself. From what I understand, the Luger family doesn't teach outsiders the steak selection process, which is a major reason it has been considered the best steakhouse in NY for my entire life.

[Edited by - supremecommander on 01-22-2008 12:01 AM]

Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by EwingsGlass:

I note that everyone keeps saying Luger's for the steak. The chef of Benjamin's was at Luger's for 20 years. Its the same steak, but in Midtown Manhattan (and takes credit cards).

Yes, the ability to cook steak is important to eating one... but knowing how to pick out elite cuts is much easier said than done. I like to think I cook a mean steak, but I have no idea how to pick a great, good, or mediocre cut... which is why I'll pay an obscene amount at a steak house for something I can cook myself. From what I understand, the Luger family doesn't teach outsiders the steak selection process, which is a major reason it has been considered the best steakhouse in NY for my entire life.

[Edited by - supremecommander on 01-22-2008 12:01 AM]

I am not trying to slight Luger's. Give Benjamin's a try, then decide whether you need to go to Williamsburg to get a fix.

Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by EwingsGlass:

I note that everyone keeps saying Luger's for the steak. The chef of Benjamin's was at Luger's for 20 years. Its the same steak, but in Midtown Manhattan (and takes credit cards).

Yes, the ability to cook steak is important to eating one... but knowing how to pick out elite cuts is much easier said than done. I like to think I cook a mean steak, but I have no idea how to pick a great, good, or mediocre cut... which is why I'll pay an obscene amount at a steak house for something I can cook myself. From what I understand, the Luger family doesn't teach outsiders the steak selection process, which is a major reason it has been considered the best steakhouse in NY for my entire life.

[Edited by - supremecommander on 01-22-2008 12:01 AM]

It's not so much the ability to select the meat (it's all about the marbling) but the ability to get the best meat. Based on how long Luger's has been operating, the volume that they do, being known as the best steakhouse in NYC and other things, they have the contacts with the meatpackers to get the best product. It's not unlike other top restaurants that have relationships with the best purveyors. That's the biggest difference.

Even though former Luger's employees may be opening up steakhouses with similar operating procedures and concepts as Luger's, they don't have the connections to get the same quality meat as Luger's does. They may even know the supplier but they're always going to reserve their best product for Luger's.

Other steakhouses can be very good but there's still only 1 Luger's. Well actually there are 2, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Great Neck, Long Island.

I grew up with Corner Bistro in my neighborhood, and it's amazing to see how it has changed. My sister and her friends used to go there to drink and smoke, when they were underage, to hang out, but by the early 2000's they wouldn't let you sit at a table unless you were eating.

Now the line's are absolutely ridiculous. That said, the burgers are still on point.

Shun Lee is cool too. I went to the one by Lincoln Center once and the decor is straight outta a 1950's movie. The food is also cool, as they have those bizzaro creations like Szechuan Lamb Chops, and Hunan Alligator or something or rather. A bit pricey but a cool experience, none the less.

I have a Brother Jimmy's by me, which I went to twice and didn't love, but I went again to the one a bit further downtown recently and it was better. Honestly, I don't think it's all that, but that's me. However, it's better than Dallas BBQ (aka "BBQs") which is about as chain restaurant as BBQ can probably get (my apologies to djsu). Perfect to take a girl on a date...if you're 15, of course. Daisy May's is the one I've been meaning to try, and heard good things about. I've been to the original Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse and there it was really good, and based on what I hear I'm guessing the one in Harlem is worth it too.

The thing about Wolfgang's, and I haven't been there yet, is that the owner was a waiter at Peter Luger, not a chef, right? A lot has been written about guys who used to work at Luger and using the name to promote their own spot, even when they didn't make the food. I'm also not so certain it's the same meat, in the sense that each place ages and prepares it differently. However, I have heard they have a very good steak, regardless. Uncle Jack's and Strip House are also very good.

[Edited by - PresIke on 01-22-2008 01:02 AM]

wow thanks for all the response

if I can go it's combined for work, unfortunately will only be able to see the knicks play the grizzlies but at least that's a game they might win, ouch. Probably 18 to 23-24 March

"knicksbabyyeah, what kinda stuff do you like so people can make recommendations tailored to them? And what about cost? Give us some parameters."

I like loads of stuff, difficult to say. Love hip hop but will probably only hit village vanguard. Love shopping for clothes due to the favorable dollar euro currency exchange (akademiks, pelle pelle, ecko, stuff like that, perhaps some decent work eligible stuff).

Love italian food and indonesian (spicy), occasionally some sushi (primarily california maki) but I can't eat a lot of it (stomach doesn't agree)

Since I'm just quickly stopping by I'm just interested in some recommendations, something I'd have to see while in NY, been almost 7 years now since my last visit.

anyway..

Coal ovens banned? What the hell? As well for Indian food? (think tandoori)

Steak huh? Actually I've been wondering, you can't even get kobe steak here but it's been referenced to in US series and movies, is it that much better? I like steak but am not brought up with steak houses, there aren't any. Sure you can get a steak at any restaurant here but it's likely just a steak or boeuf stroganoff or something along those lines. (chateau briand kicks ass)

I think I was 17 when I had my first t-bone steak, it's not on any menu here. Even was banned awhile if I recall correctly as it was more susceptible to something.

As for Bagels, tried it once but is it supposed to be salty dryish bread? Not sold here as well


anyhoo

sofar

- benjamins or luger
- yama
- new green bo (I'm a sucker for dumplings)
- the olive garden
- shun lee palace
- Grimaldi's?

- soho (supreme here I come)


Gonna try these

krispy kreme

donuts not popular here at all, dunkin donuts did try here but didn't work, never ate a krispy kreme and apparently it's a popular NBA players snack (remember reading Arenas licked them all when they made him get donuts for the entire team as a rookie)

in n out

mcdonalds is quite present, burger king becoming rare and there are like two applebee's here but no in n out but it is referenced to in a lot of series and movies

gray papaya

some awful movie with chandler and salma hayek, don't like hot dogs anyway

As for videogames, does NY have a big Fry's or something like that? Not looking for an arcade hall (which don't exist here anymore since they are allowed to have one-armed bandits and they're alot more profitable). Still if they had house of the dead 4 I'd be tempted


I've actually played a lot of pool and been to both amsterdam billiards places, corner pocket as well. My back has been acting up though (but fortunately my therapist is working wonders pushing and cracking my back) and you can still smoke in pool halls (which I absolutely hate since I quit 3 yrs ago) matter of fact you can still smoke in every place here (until the 1st of July) unless it's a public place (train station, bus station, city hall that sorta stuff)


as for any entertainment, depends on which colleagues will join me. I don't even know how much free time I'd have.




just to clarify, this isn't my first time. I have been to the WTC when it was still there, to the met museum, guggenheim, msg, ellis island, empire state, nba store, virgin store, vinyl record stores (for which I walked most of new york lol), blue note club, village vanguard, loads of shoe stores and restaurants which names I don't remember

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by EwingsGlass:

I note that everyone keeps saying Luger's for the steak. The chef of Benjamin's was at Luger's for 20 years. Its the same steak, but in Midtown Manhattan (and takes credit cards).

I find that when it comes to a steakhouse, it's not really the chef or the front of the house staff, like the guys who opened Wolfgang's, but the cut of meat. It's not the same steak. Luger's is the best because they always get the best meat. Throw in the German beer hall atmosphere and it's just the best steak in NY. IMHO.

Most of those guys get the same cut- they followed the exact same business model as Luger's to a T. To be honest with you, I think the steak tastes exactly the same as Wolfgang's. You are right though- its pretty much a New York instituion to go to Luger's, with the gruff waiters and beer hall setting. It's an experience in and of itself that is subtracted by visiting the upscale environs of Wolfgang's

Sorry for the 4th consecutive post- but for Indian Food you have a few different places you can go....For a fancy, A+ experience try Devi and the Tandoori Lamb Chops. But if you don't want to break the bank there are so many good places around 28th and lex and 6th st. by 1st avenue. A few standouts, but you can wander into a place and enjoy the food.

I don't know about Indonesia, but for Malaysian I'd say Nyonya in chinatown.

btw nyc has many many fine psychotherapists and it’s often a good idea to avail yourself of one while here visiting.

you guys are making me HUNGRY. Good read. Second only to the Alba thread.

Posted by jimimou:

Posted by martin:

you guys are making me HUNGRY. Good read. Second only to the Alba thread.

you sure about that one martin........

vs.

Hold still there Jessica or my plate of juicy steak will fall of your backside. No shaking that ass!