there are dozens of worthwhile steakhouses in NYC, and the S.O.'s steakhouse of choice is bobby van's on park & 46th. although it's never topped my list, i can see the appeal for him. the maitre d' warmly greeted him by name upon arrival (actually, he greeted him by my name - an inside joke between them since i always make the reservations on opentable). the waiters are incredibly friendly and helpful. the whole place is like an old boys' club (an attribute that the S.O. loves).
from my perspective, it had an appeal too. when i walked in, alone, i went straight to the bar (i was hungover), and right away, men (note: not boys) started taking long glances in my direction, trying to make eye contact. before my drink even hit the bar, three men had spoken to me and one had offered me a taste of his food (that is not a euphemism). fortunately one of our dining companions arrived soon thereafter, or i may have been a few (free) drinks in before my S.O. even arrived. to put it mildly, i know where i'm going with my single girlfriends the next time we do drinks in midtown!
 |
| hair of the dog: beefeater martini on the rocks, extra dry w olives |
i was hungry when i got there (despite eating 50 dumplings for lunch... and a big bowl of pasta for breakfast) so i was pretty thrilled when they put a ramekin of butter in front of me. i won't try to hide it; i started eating the butter sans any bread/crackers/breadsticks. it's my thing. i love butter. it wasn't particularly good butter, but i was hungry... i'm not picky.
it was only three of us at dinner, but the person hosting us knows my appetite well and suggested we get the porterhouse for 4... i didnt' complain. i ordered baked clams oreganata as a starter (i saw a guy at the bar eating them, and they looked buttery and yummy), and they were fine, but i didn't really enjoy the sauce on the side. i probably should have gone for the oysters on the half-shell, which rarely disappoint.
 |
| baked clams oreganata - i dug in and then remembered to photo |
our porterhouse came as two sizzling porterhouse for 2 since our host wanted his meat medium and i wanted mine bloody and rare. porterhouse isn't my favorite cut (bone-in ribeye is), but my S.O. wanted to share, and since this meal was free (for me), i wasn't going to complain. my biggest complaint with bobby van's porterhouse (and steak in general) is that it's not seasoned enough. it needs more salt. i also thought my porterhouse was a touch overcooked, but since my S.O. prefers the meat more medium-rare, i kept to myself on that.
 |
| porterhouse for 2 - "rare" |
 |
| my first serving of meat |
we got a bunch of sides - asparagus (we needed a green), sauteed mushrooms (salty but good paired with the meat), and my favorite side: the fried combo... fried zucchini, onion rings and cottage fries (that we swapped out for french fries). i could feel the grease oozing out of my pores the next morning, but it was worth it. the zucchini is my favorite - i think there's parmesan cheese sprinkled on top!
 |
| fried combo - fries, zucchini, onion rings |
best steakhouse in NYC? probably not. but decent food, stiff drinks, great staff... (and free meal). i'll take it!
230 park avenue at 46th street (in the helmsley walk east)
new york, ny 10169
212/867.5490
reservations available on opentable
