"Bourbon Steak is the kind of place I would take my mom to dinner at when she visits (that is, if my mom were less Californian, and more of a martini-and-steak right on the park kind of woman). This spot screams Uptown (or rather, politely whispers), and when I dipped into the moody, air-conditioned space on a balmy summer night, it was undeniably the choice of many for indulgent surf and turf—there’s a gold-trimmed cart that rolls past tables, proffering a regal King Crab; caviar service, seemingly a non-negotiable at any American restaurant these days, is Petrossian of Paris; and a section of the menu is titled “World of Wagyu.” It’s the same steakhouse concept chef Michael Mina has brought to cities like Miami and LA. Here, in his entry to New York City, the JW Marriott Essex House is its home. This restaurant is not rewriting history, or breaking boundaries: it’s just a very, very good incarnation of a classic experience, with some of the best service in town. Don’t be afraid to dip into the meat-free fare—the hearts of palm salad, the tuna tartare, and the scallops were serious highlights. —Megan Spurrell, associate articles director"
