Even though I have asked to have menu dishes altered, I had never thought to ask for an off-menu item.

Thanks. And I mean it.

fyp

Maybe Doc should stay in Times Square!

I've asked them to do stuff like this for my kids and it wasn't an issue. Call in advance if you're really concerned (and use OpenTable to get reservations).

RWL.

I have never been to an Olive Garden in NYC although we were forced to go to an Applebees near Rockefeller Center where it was very packed.

When we go back, we will probably make reservations ahead of time at Wolfgang's and Tavern on the Green. Other than that, we will probably play it on the fly.

Had a nice stay at the EVEN Hotel Times Sq South (which was like 33rd st or something). It wasn't ritzy but it was quite comfortable, had a yoga mat in the room, and easy access to NJT and Lincoln Tunnel (most of my stuff was at the Meadowlands but obviously was going to stay in the city) and everything else of course.

Usually I find good value in the Financial District on weekends but during the business week those prices seem to go up (makes sense).

Of all the things we did as a first time visitor, the thing I liked the most was just being there and walking around.

Had two good recent ice cream stops.

1. Milk Bar FiDi on Front Street near Wall Street. Had the Cereal Milk Soft serve - cornflakes, brown sugar, and their standard vanilla-ish soft serve ice cream. Was pretty darn good - but not rushing back for this. Should have had the truffles.

2. Big Gay Ice Cream - East 7th Street, East Village. Was somewhat disappointed in the storefront/selection. Nothing seemed all that appealing. Chose the American Globs cone - vanilla soft serve ice cream covered with crumbled pretzels and then choco dipped. Was excellent.

Hi, any recommendations for a Broadway show? Also what/where is the best source for tickets? Thanks.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Hamilton or book of mormon

Proper ranking of hard ice cream spots in the East Village/LES is:

Laboratorio del gelato
Ice & Vice
Oddfellows
Mikey Likes It (best vibe for sure)
Morgenstern's
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
Van Leuwen

Soft serve rankings:

Milk Bar
Big Gay
Soft Swerve

Excellent list. I’ll add Superiority Burger’s gelato and sorbets - really amazing stuff.

Interesting take down of Peter Luger in the nyt. Anyone go there in the last year with thoughts on whether or not its really fallen off this badly?

I'm a tourist, went there about a year ago but was my only experience so can't compare it. However, for everything I'd read about it, I was expecting more.

The archaic booking system, generally hostile waiters and staff etc didn't bother me as I thought it was "all part of the experience". But the steak was generally underwhelming and a ****ing rip off. Would not go back.

Wondering out loud...

I think food has gotten *much* better in the last 10-15 years and our expectations have skyrocketed. I have a (casual) place in LV that I used to love. I am pretty sure the food there hasn’t gotten worse, but I’m underwhelmed every.single.time I go now.

Obviously the article - which was fascinating - points out clear deficiencies. But I also wonder if the view of Luger 15 years ago was just way inflated since there weren’t as many diverse, excellent food options. Like maybe Luger ticked down a notch, but average went up 3-4 notches. I don’t know.

I think it’s partially that. But another issue is nothing at Luger’s is potentially “good” besides the bacon, steak, and burger. And the steak is pretty well overpriced for something that is apparently inconsistent. I haven’t been in a few years but I agree with Wells about it being generally underwhelming for the cost. Don’t get me wrong, the steak is still good (just not for the price) and it’s a cool atmosphere/vibe, especially if you’re from out of town. The bacon is excellent as well. But if you’re going to have a lack of options you need to execute on what you’re supposed to do flawlessly.

Just as an example, I had a family style meal at Momofuku Nishi recently, which is an Italian restaurant from David Chang with Asian fusion elements. The dry aged steak for two there was better than Luger’s last time I went and I believe good bit cheaper as well. We also had some fairly good pastas, apps (crudos, salads) and they have a solid modern wine/beer list. Service was excellent. Compare this to Luger’s where the app options are mealy, out of season tomatoes, bad shrimp cocktail and a wedge salad. And Nishi isn’t even considered a top restaurant - Peter Luger has a Michelin Star and is seen as must visit in NYC. I still think it’s a fine/cool spot for a special occasion with parents or a group of non-foodie guys that want a big night out with some steak and wine. But it’s possible it’s declined even more in recent years since I’ve been (along with other restaurants stepping it up) that maybe it’s not even a great option for that. I generally trust Wells’ reviews enough to think that might even be likely.

I last went to Luger in October 2018. Wells wrote some stuff I agree with (the wine list sucks), some I disagree with (I like the steak sauce, but then again I use it pretty sparingly), and some stuff which surprised me (interesting to hear he hates the German potatoes, I haven't had them in >5 years and now I wonder if they suck too).

On balance, though, I don't see any reason to stop going to Luger because of this article. I never thought it was the best steak or steakhouse in NYC. As Mullen said, it's more of a fun place with a unique atmosphere to go stuff your face with beef and bacon. If you go at lunchtime and get a burger or one of their daily specials, it even approaches something of a value. I'll be back soon I'm sure.

I'll be back in NYC next week for a few days but unfortunately don't think i'll make it to Luger to test for myself. Was looking for an old post and found this gem where El D sexually harrassed me!

I'm not surprised. I don't order steak often in restaurants, but in my limited experience, it's not unusual for a steak from a high-end restaurant to be better than the typical steak from a high-end steakhouses.

I have wanted to go to Lugers for years...after this writeup, I think I'll just stick with Wolfgangs or Keens.

Yeah, you don't go to Luger's to get the best steak you've ever tasted, and as noted the only + things on the menu are it and the bacon. And what NYC steakhouse isn't overpriced?

But you certainly don't go to get a Daniel like experience.

As for how each meal is totally personal - been to Momofuku Ko a few months after it opened and was incredibly underwhelmed.

I haven't been to Luger in a long time but remember really liking the steak & bacon. I always though the somewhat condescending service was part of the charm/experience.

The girlfriend and I have started an annual holiday trip to NYC and we always stay at The Beekman hotel, its incredible and you can get a nice King size room for about $325/nt.

Its a 3 minute walk to the Brooklynn bridge and an all around beautiful hotel and bar. The restaurant Augustine is attached and is very good French food

Frankies/Lil Frankies or Supper is on our must eat every trip

Katz pastrami is off the charts and I have to go every time Im in NYC

ditto on the 911 museum & skip the tower

grab a cronut or any of their other outstanding pastries at Dominique Ansel Bakery

Things I haven't done but are on my list are:

https://rooftopcinemaclub.com/new-york/

Lin-Manuel Miranda's https://freestylelovesupreme.com

http://www.celebrityautobiography.co.../the_show.html

http://www.comedycellar.com

I'd love to go see Saturday Night Live but I've been trying to get tickets for 30 years and dont think thats ever gonna happen

I believe SNL has a standby line but you'll spend a good part of your Saturday sitting around. They have the ~9pm dress rehearsal as well, so you have chances of getting tickets to at least one of them.

I've been to both the rehearsal and live show, the rehearsal is pretty cool since you get closer to a 2-hour show, since sketches ultimately get cut.

Regardless, it's an amazing thing to see live - particularly watching the crew change sets during a few minute commercial break.

Went to Crown Shy last week (https://www.crownshy.nyc). They just received a Michelin Star.

A bit of a Wall St. scene but a pretty damn impressive menu and wine list. Worth a trip.