New York City Restaurant Tips by brewjohnson

Balthazar: Am I in Paris or SOHO? Balthazar Review

While the setting, decor and waitstaff's uniform's at Balthazar all scream Paris brasserie, this place is all New York. The place has a semi-frenetic pace, with white coated waiters running across black and white tiled floors, and the people watching is very good. It seems that every time I've been here (normally on business), the tables next to me are filled with attractive 30 and 40 something women enjoying champagne or white wine between a day of shopping. So, if you want to get a peek at the lunchtime habits of New York business people and socialites, Balthazar is a great choice.

Good food in a great setting with some top-notch people watching. One of my favorite lunch spots in the city.

Favorite Dish: Steak Frites.

Address: 80 Spring St, Manhattan, NY 10012

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: SOHO.

Phone: 212-965-1414

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: French

Website: http://www.balthazarny.com

Peter Luger: Steaks and Surliness Peter Luger steakhouse Review

Peter Luger is considered by many to be the best steakhouse in America and for good reason. A meal here is an experience that every steakhouse lover should experience once in their life. While the steaks are the star, every aspect of having a meal here is part of the experience: from the trek over the Williambsburg Bridge from Manhattan, to the unassuming (i.e., pretty crappy) decor and the white jacket clad waiters, to the fact that they only take cash, everything about this place reeks of old school New York City. The steaks are big and delicious, the waiters are surley yet extremely professional, and the cocktails are strong. There's a lot about the place that can intimidate you, the all male service staff, the blue collar Brooklyn decor, the frenetic energy, the goombah-esque maitre d's, the thick Canadian bacon appetizer, pretty much everything... I mean, they don't take cash for chrissakes! But don't be intimidated, its all part of the fun because its the type of place that you can only find in New York City (Brooklyn, to be exact). A Valhalla for steak lovers.

Regarding the service at Peter Luger: the waiters here are generally described as brusk, surly, curt, etc., but don't let their non-warm style make you doubt their professionalism. The last time we ate at Peter Luger, we told our waiter that we wanted to take a plate of food to go for our driver who was waiting across the street to take us to the Yankee game. He said no problem and we expected to have the plate ready with the check, so it would be nice and warm when we delivered it to our driver. As we were about to dive into our steaks, one of our party excitedly pointed outside to the street, where we were delighted to see our waiter carrying a tray of food above his head as he ran across the street, dodging traffic to take a fresh plate to our driver. It was right out of Goodfellas and made the meal that much more enjoyable.

Favorite Dish: Porterhouse for the table.

Address: 178 Broadway Brooklyn New York

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Take a cab. They should know it..or else have your concierge give the cab directions.

Phone: (718) 387-7400

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Steakhouse

Website: http://www.peterluger.com

Sparks Steakhouse: A Steakhouse dripping with "Old School" Sparks Steakhouse Review

For anyone looking for a Steakhouse that's the definition of "Old School", Sparks is an absolute must. Even though New York has more incredible steakhouses than any other city in the world, if I don't eat at Sparks while I'm in town, I feel like I've missed out. You can have your Smith & Wollensky, Del Frisco's, or any of the johnny come-lately's. I'll take Sparks. Even if you don't like steaks but are interested in gangster-history, you'll be happy to know (in a twisted way) that Sparks is where John Gotti gunned down Big Pual Castellano, the then boss of the Gambini crime family (well, he actually sent 6 henchmen to do the work for him, but you get the point). This odd historical footnote doesn't make the steaks taste any better (they don't need the help), it does add a sense of intrigue to your dining experience. Who knows, that big guy at the next table diving into the Porterhouse could be the head of one of the five families. Good times all around!

Favorite Dish: Appetiver: Mozzarella and Tomotoes (incredible); Dinner: Sirloin Strip (you'll thank me later)

Address: 210 E 46th St (between 2nd and 3rd Ave)

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Midtown

Phone: (212) 687-4855

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Steakhouse

Website: http://www.sparkssteakhouse.com