While there may be a world of difference in America’s regional cuisines, the love of the classic steakhouse remains consistent from coast to coast. From the polished wood paneling of New York’s well-established eateries to the celebrity-chef driven chop houses of LA and Vegas, carnivores are elevating the simple steak to new gastronomic heights. Organic, grass fed, or Wagyu, whatever your preference, nothing defines the good life like a spectacular cut of beef. We realize that there as many favorites as there are cuts of beef, but here are a few steak houses that are at the top of our list.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
1221 Sixth Avenue. New York, NY
New York is prime steakhouse territory, but Del Frisco’s sophisticated, sleek interior and stellar reputation have already given it landmark status. Everything about this restaurant is big—three stories, 20-foot windows revealing the bright-lights-big-city lure of midtown Manhattan, and enormous portions from appetizers to dessert. Start with the crab cake stuffed with tender chunks of crabmeat in a perfectly balanced, savory broth or a garlicky Caesar salad with crunchy homemade croutons. Del Frisco’s signature steak, the Double Eagle Strip, features 26 ounces of superbly seared rib-eye, and the intensely marbled Wagyu Longbone is almost buttery in texture. No self-respecting steakhouse would be complete without a roster of equally delicious sides, and Del Frisco’s does not disappoint; you can’t go wrong with the lobster macaroni and cheese or spinach supreme (loaded with bacon!). The award-winning wine list continues Del Frisco’s tradition of living large – if you can’t find a bottle that you love here, you won’t find it anywhere. Delfriscos.com
Jeff Ruby’s Precinct
311 Delta Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
Housed in a former police station, the Precinct has a dark, gothic feel that is reminiscent of a speakeasy, but it’s no secret that this east Cincinnati favorite has some of the best food in town. Kick off dinner with a selection of east and west coast oysters from the raw bar—including a velvety Bluepoint and the less briny Fish Hook—and a few fat tiger shrimp dunked in the Precinct’s own horseradish cocktail sauce. Jeff Ruby’s Precinct prides itself on its selection of hand selected steaks, many from local farms, and they do not disappoint- the chili rubbed dry aged bone-in rib eye served with cipollini onions and spicy shiso peppers shines, as does the 65 day dry aged bone-in NY strip.
Jeffruby.com/precinct
CUT
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA
The legendary Wolfgang Puck’s CUT offers a contemporary menu that’s a twist on the classic steakhouse, and like its sharp-as-a-steak-knife contemporary architecture, the menu is anything but traditional. Choose from an array of entrees such as the signature Kobe beef short ribs with Indian spices and the prime Illinois corn-fed 21-day aged bone-in rib eye steak. The sides are a no less adventurous interpretation of the traditional fare; red jewel sweet potato gratin with candied pecans, Nantes carrots in lemongrass, ginger, and micro basil, and roasted Brussels sprouts with smokey bacon and pearl onions. An extensive international wine list compliments the bold menu.
wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/fine-dining/3789
Chicago Cut Steakhouse
300 North LaSalle Drive, Chicago, IL
Consistently at the top of critic’s lists, Chicago Cut’s sparkling dining room offers knockout views of the Chicago River and the Loop along with their now infamous three-finger thick dry-aged steaks. Starters include seared foie gras with apple bread pudding and a super-ripe tomato and creamy burrata salad. A slate of chops, seafood, and house butchered steaks are offered here along with your traditional steakhouse favorites, green beans almandine, fresh shucked corn, and spinach sautéed in garlic and Olive Oil. Don’t pass up the house-cut fries, soft on the inside and with a crispy exterior, they hit all the characteristics of top-notch frites.
Chicagocutsteakhouse.com
Bern’s Steak House
1208 South Howard Ave. - Tampa, FL
A Tampa institution since 1956, Bern’s is everything you’d expect in a steakhouse—red velvet walls, impeccable service, and a telephone book-sized wine list, but there are a few surprises in store here too. In addition to amazing dry-aged steaks, Bern’s has an impressive caviar menu that features 20 different varieties of the precious roe along with some unique vodka pairings. The veggies are organic, the steaks are broiled over lump hardwood charcoal for optimal flavor, and they hand sort the coffee beans before grinding them- there’s no cutting corners here. The end of the meal is as good as the beginning – a serpentine path leads to a dessert room and a cigar bar. If you have an entire night to dedicate to dinner, this is your spot.
Bernssteakhouse.com
