Remember Ben Benson’s, on West 58th? My interdealer bond broker once took me there.
The waiter insisted on breaking the lobster claws for me, so that we could eat faster, to turn the table. I pushed the entire dish at him, and told him to pulverize the lobster in a blender (Bass-O-Matic styled) and serve me the result in a fountain glass with a straw. He backed off, but another waiter come over to hover. In 45 minutes, we were rushed out of there, minus $225 without drinks……….a lot of money back in 1986.
This is my challenge with most steakhouses. Without even having that much skill, one can often do better, often more consistently and certainly more cheaply, at home.
Is it annoying that they only take cash? Sure. Then again, they haven’t taken credit cards besides their own since they opened. Are the servers grumpy? Sure, but again many are the same people who’ve been there for 20-30 years. Also, anyone who’s been there is and has been fully aware of this, as this is the way they’ve always been.
I’ve found the steaks to be consistently good since the 90s, the wine list to be reasonable for NYC (bedrock ovz for $60, etc), and it to be a fun place to have dinners with friends when I’m in the city.
Like his locol review, I don’t understand why one would review Lugers, nor would it make a smidgen of difference to anyone who’d go there. What’s he going to review next? The 21 club?
Is it the best restaurant? Certainly not. Does it offer great steaks and a fun environment with decent wine? IMO yes. If it’s not for you, don’t go.