We came, we saw, we left 10lbs heavier.
Written: Mar 16 '02 (Updated Mar 17 '02)
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Pros: If heaven has steak, it will taste like Luger steak ~ Awesome spinach
Cons: Bland decor (but who really cares) ~ Four people, $189 bill
The Bottom Line: If you have money, time, and a large stomach, eat at Peter Luger Steak House. Often.
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| futurestar06's Full Review: Peter Luger Steak House |
I'd heard all the stories. I'd read the epinions. I'd seen it on television. And after a $15 cab ride from the Central Park area, I was at Peter Luger steakhouse. The exterior is nothing special. It's not the greatest of neighborhoods, but unless you're forced to park far away, that is of no real concern.
It was a crowded Wednesday night, full of noise and smoke and anticipation. I read the plaques on the wall while drinking my first Budweiser, and I watched as the waiters brought out plate after sizzling plate of steak. No fish. No pasta. You don't go to Luger for anything but steak.
We were seated shortly after our reservation time, and after taking a peek at the menu, I realized I didn't want to spend much more on alcohol. I ordered a water, and my fiancee and I went with a "Steak for Two", with creamed spinach and hashbrowns. I was kind of looking forward to a rude and obnoxious waiter as I'd read about, but he was somewhat "normal". He wasn't exactly Mr. Rogers, but he was polite and succinct. That is, he didn't waste any time chatting about the weather or the Yankees.
The interior decor is nothing amazing either. My first impression of the dining room was that of a Viking dining hall of sorts. Hardwood tables, wooden chairs, high ceilings, and tons of noise. A man cafeteria, if you will. No candles, no romance, none of that stuff. That's not to say it's not a good date restaurant, but don't expect to be able to have a nice quiet dinner for two. The tables are set up in a way to maximize space, and it's not uncommon to have to squeeze out of your seats so as not to bump into the seat behind/beside you.
The first item brought to our table were the complimentary rolls. They were the onion type, and not liking onions, I hesitated. But I decided to try one. Then I tried a couple more. They were unbelievable. Lugers even does bread well. Next up was the sauce, which I'd heard a lot about, but didn't really enjoy. To me, it tasted more like a raspberry vinagrette dressing than anything I'd put on steak.
Next up was the steak. A very large cut, sliced up into smaller strips. We ordered medium, it came out rare. I was told this may happen, so it didn't worry me. The taste? Please. Bear with me, as I'm typing this epinion with tongue out, dripping onto my keyboard. Even now, four days after my visit, I can taste it. I can feel it in my mouth. So tender. I recall wondering where the steak was going as I chewed. I didn't really swallow it at all. It just kind of disappeared or melted. I have no idea. I really wasn't capable of conversation at the table, as 96% of my body's resources went into enjoying that steak. I was bedazzled. I tried some of the hashbrowns and spinach, but not wanting to take up any more room in my tummy, I focused on the steak. Piece after delicious piece, we ate. After a solid half hour of eating, it was gone. I returned back to the terrifically creamy spinach and polished that off, but didn't really like the hashbrowns. They're similar to hashbrowns/panfries/homefries you can get at any breakfast place, and seemed somewhat out of place at Lugers.
Exhausted and very full, we stared at the steak bone, which the waiter offered to wrap up for us if we so desired. As we were staying at a hotel for a few days with no refrigerator, we declined. I can only imagine the stew that could have made. For whatever reason, be it a death wish or the fact that we were still mentally dazed by the steak, we ordered dessert. Two cheesecakes, a pecan pie, and a vanilla ice cream, the latter going to me. Just like everything else, it was perfection. I didn't hear any grumbles from the others either, aside from the random full-mouthed "Oh man this is good".
The bill? $189 for four people. That's one beer, one hot chocolate, two steaks-for-two, spinach, hashbrowns, and four desserts. Being a waiter, I ogled over the monster tip he was getting, but he genuinely deserved it.
We had the front desk call a cab for us, and endured the ride back to Manhattan. It was quiet, all of us relishing in the fact that we had just eaten the greatest meal of our lives. That is, until the next time we go to Lugers.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Go with the steak. And if you order anything else, I apologize. You don't know what you're missing.
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
futurestar06
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Member: Joey Proulx
Location: Manchester, NH, USA
Reviews written: 29
Trusted by: 9 members
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