Smith & Wollensky

All 323 rated mentions, most helpful first

  • You can get the steak which is great, and you can split sides together, of Mac and Cheese, potatoes or whatever you want. I would say this is tough to beat.

    H3

  • replying to u/Annual_Cantaloupe294: Last time I went to smith and wolenskys the service was terrible. Waiter was an ass and I said I would never go back. Shame too bc I loved them

    Agreed last time we went the waiter was also a dick. He decided he would be picking our wine. He produced and placed a bottle on the table without us agreeing. We walked out. Never to return.

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  • Vibe atrocious unfortunately. I’ve been to S&W, Peter Luger, and Keens. S&W hands down worst experience out of the three. Extremely rude waiters except not in the sort of charming way Luger has them.

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  • replying to u/Character_Interest33: Chicagoan here. I liked Smith and Wollensky but also enjoy Peter Luger, so take that as you may.

    I liked Smith and Wollensky, but had an issue with the experience. Steak delivered medium well when requested medium rare and they tried to say it came as ordered.

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  • my favorite is Smith & Wollensky. The cake is not too sweet, the texture is perfect and (and imo not gummy like Lloyd’s) while having great cake/frosting ratio.

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  • replying to u/Bigdaddyhef-365: Its always been Peter Luger If you can not get in Smith & Wollensky Wolfgang’s Sparks

    Absolutely do not go to Smith and Wollensky. Went for the first time last week and got a medium filet, dry as a bone and totally under seasoned.

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  • I found the vibe quite boring! Seems like it is for old people.

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  • replying to u/PAE8791: Both are good options. If it’s strictly steak, I’m going to Smtih.

    S&W solely because of the Cajun ribeye. Last meal before the guillotine type shit right there

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  • their hash browns are a must + the creamed spinach, mushrooms, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese all going to hit the top-level traditional notes you're looking for. plus the steak is damn good

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  • replying to u/JelloDarkness: If you're going to Keen's for anything other than mutton, then you are doing it wrong. There are great places for a steak all over the city, Keen's is not among them. I wish they never changed their name from "chophouse" to "steakhouse" if only so that this would be more obvious to others.

    Probably the 2nd best Prime RIb in NYC, Smith and Wollensky is like an A

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  • The bone-in ribeye at Smith and Wollenskys is EXCELLENT. I’ve had it 4 times, won’t order anytime else.

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  • All in all, I would say the steaks are comparable, but the prices and atmosphere are where Smith and Wollensky really edges out Delmonico’s

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  • Smith and Wollensky is by far, one of the worst steak houses in the city. Service is awful, drinks are terrible, sides are trash and the steak is mediocre.

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  • One place that I like that doesn't get talked about as much is Smith and Wollensky. They may have gone a little commercial with outposts in places like Vegas and Orlando, but they are a favorite of mine because they introduced me to the cajun ribeye.

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  • replying to u/AgentGravitas: Ah, I see. Just checked the menu, and the other things sound sufficiently delicious! We’d be down for a steak + non steak, haha.

    A recent visit to Smith & Wollensky was VERY disappointing, for what it’s worth.

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  • replying to u/deathbusters: Smith and Wollensky's is really good but that's midtown east. I'm very invested in this convo though. Good luck on your search

    The best I've had as well

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  • replying to u/makunahatata: I’m surprised no one has mentioned. The bone-in ribeye at Smith and Wollenskys is EXCELLENT. I’ve had it 4 times, won’t order anytime else. Their sides are hit or miss, so make sure to order the good ones. Oh and their martinis are excellent too

    Had the Cajun ribeye last week. Outrageously good.

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  • replying to u/prunedoggy: Go on Keen’s waitlist If can’t get in, go to Smith & Wollensky’s or Wolfgang’s on 33rd (the original). Both of these will still be classic, NY steakhouses. Sparks also has a lot of history. Benjamin is pretty good too. There are a ton of steakhouses overall. Eg Other people have said strip house, but they’re owned by a conglomerate and while I definitely go there for convenience I don’t think this is what you’d be looking for. Mastro’s is more corporate. STK same thing. Avoid Morton’s.

    My husband and I went a few weeks ago and had the driest Filet of our lives, and undercooked somehow. If that’s what you want, avoid

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  • Consistently excellent steaks for the last zillion years; not “scene-y”, but still bustling; fancy enough for a birthday; classic ny steak.

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  • replying to u/seriouslydontcomment: I haven’t been to Keens since it went under new management, but it was the best before then. I think Royal 35 is an underrated gem. Bowery Meat Company is absolutely stellar, but go hungry and get a steak and the Duck Lasagna to share. Generally speaking, I find it tough to go wrong with a steakhouse in NYC if you avoid Smith & Wollensky.

    The Cajun ribeye is maybe my favorite steak in the city for the last 20 years and the hash browns are absurd.

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  • replying to u/DynastyKook365: Keens - 7/10. Steaks and Lamb were good, not great. Best thing was the ambiance. Smith& Wollensky - 3/10. Didn’t enjoy my steaks/ prime rib both times I went. I felt like it was very overrated. Would honestly rather stay home. Gallagher’s - 9/10. Excellent dry aged steaks and sides. Peter Luger - 9/10. I don’t get the negative reviews. Loved the crust on the steaks, excellent desserts, and a lot of space. GUI Steakhouse - N/A Cote - 8/10. Liked it, but had better Kbbq elsewhere. Would also recommend HYUN instead. AYCE A5 wagyu, 10/10. 4 Charles - N/A. Very hard to get in. But Monkeybar is a sister restraint with excellent drinks, sides, and prime rib. 10/10.

    Yeah same on smith, overcooked my steak

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  • My favorite steak spot is still Smith and Wollensky’s, but that’s further uptown.

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  • The Wine Dinner special at Smith & Wollensky is fun for special occasions. It is indeed bottomless.

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  • replying to u/rvdsn: Cajun Ribeye at Smith and Wollensky might be the perfect steak. Obviously you have to want the seasoning but the Cajun rub they put on becomes this incredible flavorful crust on the steak. My mouth is literally watering as I type this out. I can’t recommend this enough.

    100% correct and may i add to to the grille side and not the main restaurant.

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  • replying to u/chitowninthebay: 4 Charles is the saltiest meal of all time. Don’t get the continued appeal whatsoever. And, get out of Manhattan - plenty of killer spots in other boroughs.

    the prime rib is excellent, better than The Grill, on par with Smith and Wollensky.

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  • replying to u/La_Contadora_Fo_Sura: No love for Smith & Wollensky?

    Been there recently and it was extremely good! Especially their rib-eyes….🤤

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  • replying to u/NYY16: I was looking at Steakhouses recently and came across Royal 35 which looks great but it doesn’t come up on these threads. How do you think it compares to the big names in the city?

    I would only venture to Smith and Wollensky for their prime rib

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