...to Ed Brayton from Dispatches from the Culture Wars.
My good man,
It has recently been brought to my attention that you and I may be in the greater New York area during a similar period of time a few months from now. Knowing that, I challenge you to a duel.
Figure 1: Slap, Slap (those are the sounds of my black satin elbow-length opera glove challenging one Ed Brayton to duel). That's the 40 oz porterhouse at Peter Luger's joint.
I'll bring the Lipitor and the camera to document my victory over the beast.
All my love,
Isis the Scientist
Comments
Steak freaks me out a little, however there is another fantastic steakhouse in NYC called Ben and Jacks that has phenomenal steaks. (I've never liked steak, but I tried a piece there, and well, it was damn good).
If there was a sushi challenge, I would dominate.
Posted by: Eugenie | May 6, 2009 9:21 AM
Peter Luger's is the one true steakhouse. Dry-aged, corn-fed (environmentally incorrect=especially delicious), and perfectly prepared. They made my black-and-blue steak perfectly caramelized on the outside and with a faint moo-ing coming from the barely warmed inside. (Sadly, the cost of living in NYC meant that I only went there once.)
But I beg of you, do not torture the delicate sensibilities of your readers by ordering your steaks burned out of all recognition. There is no fouler phrase than "well done."
Posted by: Miriam | May 6, 2009 1:18 PM
You are living awfully dangerously here, I would highly recommend that you prepare yourself to lose. It's not that I have a bias, honestly I would love to see you win - but you winning this is about as likely as me actually managing to miss the ground, the next time I try to jump off something and fly.
Just saying...
Posted by: DuWayne | May 6, 2009 1:36 PM
In my experience, there are better steak houses in NYC, both in terms of the food and in terms of losing that ridiculous Luger's "waiters treating the customers like complete shit is part of the charm" nonsense.
Posted by: Comrade PhysioProf | May 6, 2009 1:40 PM
good steak in NYC!!! As physioprof would say HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA! If you want a good steak you must go to a state that produces beef. Period.
Posted by: drdrA | May 6, 2009 2:02 PM
What a load of crap. Good NYC steakhouses get the same beef that is produced in those states, and then they age it on site.
Posted by: Comrade PhysioProf | May 6, 2009 2:11 PM
PP-
I'm open to suggestions on other restaurants as well.
Posted by: Ed Brayton | May 6, 2009 2:35 PM
Yes and WHAT SHOES WILL YOU WEAR? to this extraordinary contest?
I want to be part of the audience! We need to get a few tables with you guys in the middle. If you have a date in mind tell us what it is because you need to reserve WAY in advance.
count me in!
Posted by: Kevin (NYC) | May 6, 2009 3:11 PM
For an old tyme New York steak house experience that comes with great steaks and great service, I really like Keen's Chop House. They also have a greater diversity of other meats besides just porterhouse, such as a really nice mutton chop (it's not *really* mutton, but a big fucking twinned lamb chop they call mutton).
Posted by: Comrade PhysioProf | May 6, 2009 3:24 PM
You should all come to Omaha and get your steak near the source. With all the excellent, and inexpensive, ethnic restaurants I found in NYC, I can't imagine going out for a steak there. Especially when I live in cattle country!
I personally eat mine very rare - seared on the outside and bloody within. The bacteria do not penetrate the muscle meats, so this is safe. And delicious.
Posted by: Pascale | May 6, 2009 3:50 PM
Did you seriously just challenge someone to an eating competition?
Posted by: ScienceMama | May 6, 2009 4:35 PM
You bet your Naughty Monkeys I did!
Posted by: Isis the Scientist | May 6, 2009 4:43 PM
Dear Isis,
As someone who has spent a few dollars on steak in NYC, allow me to suggest Le Marias ( http://lemarais.net/index2.htm ) when you find yourself in Manhatten. It's a kosher steak house, so don't try to go there on Friday night.
Tom
Posted by: tms | May 6, 2009 5:25 PM
Oh yeah baby.... and that's why God gave us canine teeth.
I'm going with Tom's Steak House in Melrose Park, Illinois all the way.
Posted by: suzanne | May 6, 2009 6:14 PM
I've never understood that, either. I had a friend who raved about a place where the servers are actively hostile to the customer. That's not what I want; I'm a service snob. I've been known to tip 100% of the check for great service, mostly because I've worked in a restaurant (and am married to a former waitress), and I know the kind of shit a server has to put up with and still be pleasant and helpful on top of it all. I'm generally forgiving of some surly/snarky/depressive service for the same reason (but I won't forgive incompetence unless someone is obviously very new); however, the expectation is that the server is at least trying. If I wanted someone treating me like shit while delivering food, I'd cook for myself.
Posted by: Ranson | May 7, 2009 9:16 AM
Physioprof- OH bla bla bla. Go to the beef producing state. It'll be better, It'll be more economical, and it will come w/out the attitude.
Pascale- I'm so with you on this one. I can think of 100 things other than steak I'd rather eat in NYC.
Posted by: drdrA | May 7, 2009 9:42 AM
corn fed is not 'absolutely delicious', you have simply been taught that because that is what you eat, unless you are hunter. Now last minute corn fattening can do some good and be more environmentally friendly.
personally, I have never been to steakhouse (including those mentioned here and rated in top 10) that beats a home grilled good cut of meat. Steak is exactly one of those foods that is about the cow, not the cook (unless you burn the darn thing).
Best steak ever--find a nice small local beef farm in your area, build a nice relationship and buy direct. you will get prime cuts for choice prices.
Posted by: rb | May 7, 2009 12:20 PM
Kansas City. You want to go to Kansas City for your steak. Plaza III Steakhouse. Mmmmmm.
Posted by: Zuska | May 7, 2009 10:42 PM
Tom: A kosher steakhouse?! That means the meat will (necessarily) be overcooked. Yikes!
Posted by: Catharine | May 8, 2009 10:22 AM
@2 (Miriam):
Actually there is one worse option, Volcano (A.K.A. forgetting to remove the food from the stove).
Posted by: Who Cares | May 10, 2009 11:55 AM