
10

"Fresh, fun, and a little bit hip, this sprawling Midtown steakhouse-oyster bar mashup delivers both spectacle and comfort: big circular bars, a breezy plaza-facing patio, and an old-school 'Presenting of the Meat' before you choose your cut. My perfect order starts at the bar or patio with freezing-cold $20 martinis and the fantastic off-menu burger - a dense, funky patty under a huge blob of melted cheddar and sinus-clearing house horseradish, theatrically drenched tableside with prime rib jus (a definite fork-and-knife situation) and flanked by a mountain of beef-tallow fries. For sharing, I like the English-cut prime rib platter, the neatly sliced deckle (rib-eye cap), and a crock of house steak sauce for zip, plus sides like the light-yet-luscious smoked cheddar souffle, classic mashed, mac and cheese, and creamed greens. Snacky hits include buttery crab-and-leek toast, plenty of oysters from both coasts (the Long Island peekos are chef Derek Boccagno's pick), and Parker House rolls with roasted garlic butter - best timed to soak up prime-rib juices. Bigger splurges span rib-eyes and porterhouse for the table, even caviar service with cheddar waffles, while the jumbo-lump crab cake, chilled deviled lobster, and caviar spaghetti with pancetta keep the party rolling. Desserts punch above their weight: a superb New York cheesecake from pastry chef Andrew Yeeles led a lineup that also impressed (cherries jubilee sundae, many-layered carrot cake, and a caramel-drizzled crumb cake). The bar menu runs a bit cheaper and adds a legit French dip, and the Madison Square Garden-adjacent location - at the base of the Penn 2 tower - makes it ideal for pre-gaming, though the scene swings with arena events." - Scott Lynch