#34: Steak

Nothing makes you beam more, from a foodie standpoint, than to hear the waitress look at your licked clean plate and go WOW, I’m impressed. (I mean I guess that jesus christ you just ate an ungodly amount of food reaction could be interpreted negatively as well…). Such was the case the other night at El Almacen, where I ordered a steak the size of my face (although I did not specify this in my order) and demolished the whole thing. Felt like saying you should see my teeny tiny mother take down her 10th plate of pasta at Babbo’s without a sweat. Bless those genes.

So steak…is it a NY thing? Its definitely a big city thing. Like whoa look out who's ordering the steak. But as for what I associate it with this depends on the restaurant. Lets take a brief tour.

El Almacen, is a place conveniently located off the Bedford L and represents the king of steaklands (cool title): Argentina. I spent many years living in that country and so will say with some authority the décor is spot on and felt like a San Telmo parilla (although truthfully those years are actually a bit hazy. Must have been all the....meat?). The rib eye was awesome. Now, as far as the menu, it did lack a little authenticity (never saw a gaucho eat truffle fries). So for the full argentine steakhouse experience definitely find a place with the following: provoleta, morcilla, chorizo, lomo, empanadas, with lots of chimichurri on the side and any dessert with dulce de leche (and if there are mollejas, you know you found a legit spot). One option is Novecento, an upscale chain that is actually popular in Buenos Aires and also in NY. I am sure there are less pricey places with the goods, and I plan on dedicating more time to finding one.

If we venture to German territory, you may have heard of this place called Peter Lugers. (I think this guy named zagat likes it?)….Since it’s super famous, I am sure this recommendation is no revelation. However, I have been going there with some serious eaters (aka my family) since I was a kid I will share with you the rules that distinguish the first timers from the regulars.

1) Don’t open the menu.

2) Order your steak in doubles and share, rather than singles. You get more filet that way.

3) Put the steak sauce on the onion rolls and the tomato and onion appetizer…never the steak.

4) The meat continues to cook a bit on the sizzling plate, so if you normally do medium venture to medium rare.

5) Creamed spinach and home fries are a must.

6) Order coffee with schlag (whip cream)

7) Bring a suitcase of cash.

For a final recommendation, you can't really do this post without a great French place with steak frites. The winner has gotta be L'Entrecote for several reasons.

1) It's the only thing they serve (I actually think it's appropriate to quote the website here: we have offered a unique dining experience where customers come to enjoy just one dish – a green salad with walnuts dressed with mustard vinaigrette followed by steak frites, served with a secret recipe sauce, in buzzy, convivial surroundings.

2) You have the option of ordering it blue (not for me, but still impressive)

3) The sauce kills (pictured above...not so sure about the buzzy convivial surroundings)

4) They bring your sliced steak in 2 shifts, so your never eating cold meat.

5) The servers have cute outfits.

Ok I’m getting the meat sweats just writing this….