#50 Porter House New York
Filet mignon with maître d’hotel butter $48
Classically prepared, this was the perfect kind of filet mignon. The 10-ounce portion had been seared on both sides to seal the flavor and then slowly cooked, leaving it still red on the inside. As the square of creamy, house made butter melted, it added delicate accents of parsley, lemon juice and freshly ground pepper. Plated with a generous heap of lightly dressed greens and sliced red onions (enough to assuage any anxieties about getting your veggies). In addition, I opted for a side of rich béarnaise sauce.
Honey and thyme roasted carrots $10
While simply a side, these delicious carrots easily counted as their own dish. A colorful assortment of heirloom vegetables slathered in a sweet honey glaze and peppered with sprigs of fresh thyme. Slightly crunchy yet soft enough, this succulent selection was an ideal accompaniment.
In an overcrowded landscape of prestigious steakhouses, spruced up Porter House New York stands out for its accommodating waiters, paired down décor and excellent meat and fish. Housed within the towering Columbus Cirlce shopping mall, the space doesn’t exude character (muted brown tones and tan banquettes), but that’s not what you came for, anyway. The savvy staff can give you a veritable education on the anatomy of a cow and will happily help explain the distinctions between different cuts. Once you’ve placed your order, don’t worry about going home hungry. There’s plenty of fresh bread and, when your food is promptly served, expect generous portions of expertly prepared American fare. Of course, don’t hope for culinary fireworks: the cuisine itself demands simplicity and excellence, and Chef Michael Lomonaco and his team definitely deliver.
While I’m not going to hurry back (more due to personal preference than concerns about quality), I’d certainly say this is one of the best steakhouses in town. Take family or business colleagues and enjoy a great, authentic American meal.
10 Columbus Circle
212-823-9500
