4. Restaurants

Barclay Heights Diner

Rt 9W, Saugerties, NY, 12477
  • (845) 246-4610
  • Store is closed

Barclay Heights Diner Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Saugerties for healthy meals suggestion.

Saugerties Diner ( 2762 Rt 32 N )

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  • Glyn T.

    A friendly and welcoming steakhouse which clearly has a lot of regulars. Great steak, pricing around normal for this kind of a place / this part of town. Have also had the tuna, without disappointment. Good warm potato chips at the bar, also the girls working behind the bar (as well as greeting/ reservations / coat check duty) are as delectable as the food; you don't need to head off to a proper table to eat if there's only a couple of you out for a more casual lunch.

    (4)

  • Undercova A.

    Medium steak is well done. Well done is shoe leather. Argh!! The cottage fries were potato chips (no potato taste). Oily onion rings, flabby bread. Awesome Awesome wine list, though. Will I ever go back? Nah. Had better steak elsewhere. And the price . . . ooh la la expensive. Steak for two: $84.

    (2)

  • Jen H.

    Came here for a birthday dinner for my boyfriend and my brother. No wait. I was late and they still seated my party before I came in. Steak was DELICIOUS. Atmosphere was casual and friendly. Room was well-lit, which I love after getting a food coma from ingesting so much steak and red wine. Best part was that they remembered my note on the reservation to bring the dessert out with a candle for the birthday boys. A group of staff sang happy birthday and gave us a super strong complimentary cocktail to top off the meal. I have already recommended the restaurant to other steak lovers. I will come back again and again and again.

    (5)

  • Will S.

    I went here with a bunch of coworkers back in the day when we could enjoy spending over $100 on a steak dinner. It's a very open space but not huge. It probably would not accomodate too many large parties. The food was excellent and so was the service. The Canadian bacon came out nice and sizzling. We ordered steaks for the table and they came out sizzling and cooked exactly as we liked.

    (5)

  • Lydia M.

    In Murray, the home made chips are still great. Crowd got quiet though at Happy Hour, I need to go more often, liven it up!

    (3)

  • T- R.

    not so much...was completely ripped off! the waiter was horrible...he did not help us in our decision. i think he was ignorant.

    (1)

  • D N.

    First off, why are there 2 pages to the same restaurant? I'll add to this one since it has the real "FIRST" review... When dining at a Peter Luger knockoff, one can't help but compare to the original. Benjamin's misses the mark. While we didn't have to wait very long for our table, our waiter was substandard. He seemed very confident, but that just maginified his missteps. He twice forgot to bring another wine glass to the table as well as a dinner plate for another in my party. We, of course, ordered the bacon, steak for 6 and the creamed spinach. The strip of bacon I got was a little burnt and well, that just ruined it. I didn't order the steak, but I'm pretty confident that my fellow patron didn't order the steak rare. I like my meat tender, but medium rare is plenty juicy for me... All in all, the food was good enough to satisfy a peter luger craving without having to cross any bridges or go through any tunnels, but maybe there really is only one peter luger (and by that, I mean the two locations)

    (3)

  • Diego g.

    Not Just the Food but the service was Great!!!! I've been to few stake houses and this one is far the Best!

    (5)

  • stephanie n.

    Since Michael Jordan's steakhouse was closed for a wedding reception, a waitstaff there was kind enough to recommend another steakhouse for us. So we decided to give Benjamin's a try. Upscale decor. Tables are pretty cramped. Busy place. Quick and attentive service. Had the fliet mignon for two-juicy, tender, perfectly grilled on the outside. Pretty large portions.

    (4)

  • Vishal D.

    Upscale Peter Luger clone. Great service. Huge seafood platter. But the steak just wasn't quite there where Luger's is.

    (4)

  • Lev K.

    Been there several times, excellent steaks, great service. Will definitely return.

    (5)

  • Bob b.

    This is a serious restaurant. Great food, fine drinks and excellent service. It is loud but as visitors from California, the energy seemed just right. Fantastic steaks and great sides. We will return. The only down side is the long dark hallway to get to the restaurant, but once you are there, you are fine.

    (4)

  • Heidi B.

    I love when I am the FIRST to write about a restaurant! Benjamin's is a wonderful steakhouse. I started off with the lobster cocktail and shared the filet mignon! The lobster was fresh, tasty and a nice change from your ordinary shrimp cocktail. They also have a nice seafood selection! The desserts look scrumptious but I could not fit anything else into my tiny body:) If you are looking for great food with a cool looking decor then check this place out! It is a little pricey so make sure whomever you take is worth it;)THE OWNER BENJAMIN PREVUKAJ IS OUTSTANDING. IT IS HIS PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE HAPPY!(He sat at our table:)

    (5)

  • Will S.

    Ate a business meal here. Old school atmosphere (lots of testerone, very few women). Food was solid but not great. Probably wouldn't come back here again

    (3)

  • Rick K.

    Not many restaurants in general could have handled a table for twelve as easily as this one did. This steakhouse was absolutely amazing. From the food to the service to the decor, you could not ask for more. I arranged a birthday party there and the wait staff was professional and able to properly guide us so we did not "over-order". Benjamin himself was there and was as pleasant and accommodating as could be. Thanks for making the birthday party so enjoyable and hassle free. I highly recommend for a large group. Check out their awesome website. Amazing schlag.

    (5)

  • Tony H.

    I tried to get a reservation at Peter Luger's about 3 weeks before coming to NY and they were already booked up. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers, I was able to research the next best steakhouse to Peter Luger's and it was Benjamin's. After hearing that it was the same concept and the Chef from Peter Luger's left, I decided to give it a try and I'm glad that I did. We ordered a rib-eye to share. Yes, only one rib-eye because when we arrived in NY, we were so hungry, we went to Carnegie Deli and ordered the Woody Allen! It was huge! We walked around trying to digest and get hungry again for dinner, but we were still stuffed and we could only order one slab of meat. We ordered it medium rare and it came out just perfect and still sizzling! We also accompanied our meal with a thick slab of Canadian bacon and a Benjamin Salad. I was in hog heaven after having a piece of bacon with my steak. It was so delicious, I had to convince my Fiance that it's not good to eat this kind of foods especially when you have to maintain your figure before we get married. Sure enough, she gave me the rest of the bacon. Now, that's what I call love and sacrifice! The only selfish reason that I didn't give this place 5 stars is because I didn't try other things that I wanted and didn't get a steak for two. I will definitely visit them again.

    (4)

  • Sasha C.

    I actually had a wonderful experience here. Of course it's on the pricey side but that's what you pay for when you get a great ambience and fabulous steaks. It's restaurant is beautiful and the service was very good. I'd definitely want to go back.

    (4)

  • Stella P.

    My experience here was ok at best. Walking in, the atmosphere seemed refined. However, when we spoke to the hostesses they seemed pretty rude and unprofessional. Waited half an hour for a table, with a res. We even came up to ask how long it would take, they looked at the computer and said we were the third res to be seated, even though our name was first on the list. At least, hide your computer if you're going to jip us. Anyway, we were finally seated, and the service was mediocare. The waiter barelly came over and half the time the host was helping us. This wouldn't bother me normally, but it really looked like the waiter had no time for us. Looking at past reviews, it's pretty evident this place overbooks and has no problem with it. The food was good and I did really like my steak, but I probably wouldn't come back because the service just wasn't there. There's plenty of other places to spend your money on in NYC!

    (3)

  • Kenny T.

    Amazing steak!!! Definitely great place for a date.

    (4)

  • Savita S.

    Lamb Chops were perfectly cooked. Mashed potatoes were yummy. Overall it was a great meal.

    (4)

  • Morgan G.

    The steak was great but the service was retarded. The woman who checked us in was so obnoxious. Didn't anyone tell her she works in the hospitality business? They messed up our reservation by 2 hours on Father's Day. The two girls behind the counter seemed to be about 17 (actually, just one of them did) and had NO IDEA what they were doing. Bad first impression. The older girl behind the desk didn't even greet us cordially. She had a tight lipped attitude, and condescendingly told us to wait 20 minutes at the bar for a table to open up because "other people who actually made reservations were waiting before us." LOL. We did actually have one, they just didn't input it right. Obviously. Who would eat at 930 on Father's Day anyways? She's probably just bitter she works at the Benjamin Steakhouse to begin with, AND is working on a Sunday night of Father's Day. We made the reservation/plans so late we really didn't have much choice as to where to eat- hence our choice to try this place out. I guess I can't blame her for being rude and just plain obnoxious. The restaurant just didn't have it together. The people were so poorly dressed who sat around us, I felt like I was in Omaha. Wouldn't go back. So many better steakhouses in New York (Sparks, The Palm, etc), why waste my money when I could be treated like a normal human being and actually pay for good service, sit amongst normal looking people and feel like my $300 meal was worth it? Sorry Benjamin, you lose!

    (1)

  • J G.

    This place was GREAT! The staff, the food, you totally get what you paid for! We were disappointed with our meal at the Tavern earlier that day, and this place totally made up for it and then some! I highly recommend this place to people who want good quality food and service

    (5)

  • SAM M.

    i was in nyc for the week and wound up at keens chophouse on friday and at benjamis steakhouse the following monday. ordered the filet and it was absolutely perfect! the one at keens was equally tender however the one at benjamins had better flavor. the sauteed brocolli was good and dessert was pecan pie with ice cream and it was ok, but i give this place 5 starts for the awesome steak.

    (5)

  • Tedgrrr P.

    I've been here twice in the past few weeks. The first time I would have given it five stars. The food was delicious and the service was great. The second time the steak was a bit off and I had to gesture five or six times to get my drink refilled. I'll probably be back because I'm nearby, but hopefully they can improve their consistency.

    (3)

  • brette m.

    My boyfriend, his sister and I ate here last night. They had eaten here once before and had a bad experience (long wait times, not great service), but this time we had none of that. We were seated promptly and received drinks right away. We each ordered a slice of the thick cut bacon for an appetizer, which was good, but not as good as Peter Luger. Our steaks were cooked perfectly, and the sides (hash browns and creamed spinach) were delicious. No complaints, other than that this was a pretty expensive meal.

    (4)

  • Ann Marie D.

    Choosing a great Steakhouse is part of our annual trip to NYC. We decided to dine at Benjamin's this year. The space is tight, and the atmosphere was bustling. There was a large after work crowd at the bar. I will note before I go any farther that we had incredible service. The servers were friendly and knowledgeable, the owner was making the rounds, stopping to chat with us and other tables. For appetizers we had of course, the bacon. Delicious! We also had the shrimp cocktail. Everyone really enjoyed the appetizers. For the main course we had the Steak for 6. The steak was cooked perfectly, and cut, then brought to the table, and the "juice" drizzled on the top. I have to say, the "juice" aka "fat" ruined it for me. I understand that fat adds flavor, but I did not like the extra fat flavor on my meat. I would have been happier if that had been left off. I just felt like that great steak flavor was not there. It tasted like fat. Comparing the steak to Peter Luger's I have to say I preferred Peter Luger's. Our side dishes were the creamed spinach, onion rings and cottage fries, and mashed potatoes. Everyone really enjoyed the creamed spinach and cottage fries. The cottage fries were essentially homemade potato chips. The mashed potatoes were fine- nothing super special. For dessert we had the apple strudel, pretty good. The carrot cake, very good, though a little shy on the frosting. The chocolate mousse cake, very rich! Pecan pie and key lime pie, all with the homemade schlag (cream). The desserts were good and they make several of them in house. I appreciate a restaurant that takes the time to make their desserts and not buy them. Overall the food was good, but not great. We are glad to have tried Benjamin's, but won't be back.

    (3)

  • Irene K.

    I would give the steak and the food dishes a 5 but the services a 3 star, so that averages the rating out to 4. My date and I really enjoy the dishes there, I ordered a fillet mignon and he ordered a rack of lamb. The meat was cooked to how we would like it and the side dish of sauteed mushroom was done just right. However, in terms of services, I expected more for a restaurant like this. Our table set was not complete when we sat down. We had to ask for bread plate and utensils and continuously asking for water refill throughout the night. I would recommend the restaurant if you are a steak fan and meat eater, just don't expect too much from the service.

    (4)

  • Chad M.

    Meh..it was ok. If you're visiting NYC on a budget, then look the other way. The food is way to pricey, sides are "a la carte". I ordered my steak medium..it was extremely crispy upon arrival, had zero flavor and the presentation and atmosphere left something to be desired.

    (3)

  • Vagelina K.

    Very good atmosphere, the food was perfect and the service was very friendly and accomodating. Surely woth a visit.

    (4)

  • Gill O.

    Came here on Saturday night with my cousin and had a lovely time. Although it was busy (prob at full capacity) it was quiet enough to be able to have a normal conversation (without shouting). I got the filet mignion and my cousin got the strip steak. Both were huge portions! True NY steak. Cooked to perfection. My mouth is watering as I think back on it :) We shared the creamed spinach and the home fries. I found the sides to be average enough. They were nice but nothing special. It's the steak that's the winner. We had a few cocktails, my favourite was the Bellini. NY is overrun with shoddy places offering 'bellini's. Come here if you want a proper one. We ended the meal by sharing their hot fudge sundae. We only got it as we saw everybody else getting one and we had food envy. Delighted we did though, as it was amazing! Really loved this place and def want to go back. Docking 1 star as the sides were just fine and our server was a wee bit pretentious.

    (4)

  • Jimmy N.

    I'm from Kansas City, so I know steak very well. Benjamin Steakhouse is a masterpiece, a gem, and an experience every steak lover should experience. I recommend going to this place with a group of 10+, and reserve the Mezzanine level. You'll get a private long table, overlooking the restaurant floor. You'll get your own wait staff and bus crew. As for ordering, just turn in a few appetizers (everything is good so you can't go wrong) then ask for the Chef's choice dinner. The Chef will fix up incredible boned in T-Bones to share family style (they're thick) and all the appropriate side dishes to fill you up. The wine list is next to none and the Old Fashioned here is done right, as it should. Five star it is, so Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Ina T.

    Great steak. Long waiting line, crammed around the bar to reception area.

    (4)

  • Adam S.

    There was no part of our dining experience that wasn't exquisite. The ambiance of the venue was great - attractive space that was tastefully decorated and tables distributed for max utilization, but without feeling crowded. The service was nothing short of top notch. A team of cross trained staff saw to our every need, including 3 visits from Nick (the consummate charming manager), verifying that all was to our liking. As for the food, words may fall short, so I'll use them carefully : simply the best steak I have ever had. Shrimp cocktail and baked clams were delicious, and the creamed spinach was amazing. One of the most extensive wine lists I have encountered. Not inexpensive by any stretch, but worth it to commemorate a special occasion. Make the investment on a meal you will remember for years.

    (5)

  • M W.

    So we had a redo at this restaurant when our first visit didn't hit the mark. From the moment we arrived when the team acknowledged our names, our thoughtful seating, we knew this was a differentiating dining experience and one that was signature to what I would expect of a restaurant of this caliber. The staff were attentive to our dining needs, made terrific food and wine recommendations and made us feel welcome and inviting. They stepped up and I truly appreciated their efforts to win us back. They succeeded and I highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)

  • SuZanne R.

    I went here yesterday based on the yelp reviews. We were supposed to be a table of 5 but 2 of our guests could not make it. We were told by the manager that this was an issue because they were so full. Not sure why it was an issue, we were at the smallest size table they have in the room. He just wanted to let us know. The caesar salad was NOT special. I ordered the cheese steak because I had a mind blowing cheesesteak at S&W and thought this restaurant was on the same caliber. Definitely not. I ended up deconstructing it and eating the steak. You could do so without anything looking like it was attached to the other. The bread had no traces of the cheese or steak.. My guess is it's not ordered often. Maybe my mistake. The 2 others with me had the ribeye. That looked good but no comments either way across the table. I think the best part about the Benjamin Steakouse are the guests. The crowd was lively and happy. We were asked to leave during our coffee because they were waiting for our table. We were seated for a little over 60 min.

    (2)

  • Imran R.

    It was fine. There are a lot of comments on the service. While the servers were not rude, they certainly made you feel rushed. The food was fine. I think you can match the quality of the food at any of the top places. Anyway, overall it was a 3, just ok for the price. Will try another place next time as they def did not wow me enough to go back.

    (3)

  • Joel C.

    Great in every respect. Our Dinner: Fresh Oysters, Filet for my wife, Porterhouse for me, Tiramisu for my wife, Bourbon Pecan Pie for me. Great wine. Great martinis. Nice whiskey selection. We thoroughly enjoyed each course. My porterhouse was a perfect medium rare with just the right amount of seasoning and the quality was so high that occasionally I couldn't tell the difference between the filet and the strip side. We were warmly greeted by Jonny at the front and then well taken care of by our server, Nick. Sitting upstairs was very nice and probably a little quieter than downstairs.

    (5)

  • Kehau S.

    My husband and I disagree as to which is better, Wolfgang's Steakhouse or Benjamin Steakhouse. It's one of more ridiculous arguments, because both are fantastic! And they're a lot alike, so it really doesn't much make a difference. They recently brought over the head chef from Peter Luger, so perhaps that makes a difference. Bottom line: it's fantastic from start to finish. Get some drinks. Get the porterhouse. Save room for dessert.

    (5)

  • Nora F.

    My husband and I made a reservation on a Saturday evening at 6:30 pm. Due to the traffic we had to call the restaurant and let them know we're running late. The host was nice enough to push the reservation to 7 pm, which was terrific! We got there at exactly 7 and asked to wait a little bit and was told the next table is ours. The Manager and Sommerliar came up to ensure that our table is almost ready, which is great. We didn't wait that long and finally we were seated at a corner table (table for 4) which is amazing! The whole process alone was fantastic. Wait till you hear about our dinner... Our waiter named Kenny (the tallest man in the restaurant) served us for the night. As always we both enjoy great service. We ordered appetizers and then steak for two. We enjoyed our dinner although we couldn't finish the whole plate. It was meant to take home anyway so we could enjoy again the next day (also because we're trying to slim down!) *:))) I came to Benjamin quite often a few years ago. I love the ambience and approved of it LOL *=) The food was great then and still is now. My husband said we'd go back again so that he can try the lamb chop. So OK, you got my vote! Thanks for serving us a great dinner.

    (5)

  • Diane C.

    Good steak and decent sides but the service was mind bogglingly poor. Asked the waiter what the difference between steak and cottage fries were... the waiter said cottage fries are "skinny fries", but when we got them, they were potato chips! I also ordered a diet coke which never made it to the table. Still, the pork belly, shrimp cocktail and iceberg wedge salad were pretty tasty appetizers. The steak was also excellent, although the steak sauce was definitely too sweet for me. Came here for a party in the upstairs room and the seating was pretty awkward because there was a big column on one side of the table which made the last 2 people sitting on 1 side completely hidden from the rest of the room. Made for strange seating. In the end, the restaurant looks pretty good, like an old school steakhouse and the steak was solid - just wish the service was better.

    (3)

  • John W.

    Visiting NYC with the family and our meal could not have been better. Val (our server) was gracious and friendly with the kids and grandparents alike. Ribeye, creamed spinach, apple strudel and hot fudge Sundays are a must. This is a traditional NYC steakhouse that is sure to be revisited on future business trips. I recommend this place highly because of the quality of the food and the SERVICE.

    (5)

  • Jil K.

    Yum Yum! Similar to Ben & Jack's and Wolfgang's and every other high-end steak joint in NYC. I always get the Porterhouse at these places and honestly, I think if you blindfolded me and fed me a bite from each restaurant, I would not be able to tell them apart. If you have some sort of crazy carnivorous dinosaur appetite, challenge yourself to getting the bacon appetizer as well. YAY, MEAT.

    (5)

  • Joel P.

    I recently ate here and the food and service were fantastic. We were taken care of by Johnny Martinaj and he made the experience even better. I am definitely eating here on my next trip to New York.

    (4)

  • SomeOne S.

    This is a baby version of Peter Lugar's with the two main chefs being alumni of PL, but inferior to it. It might be sacrilegious to say this in New York, but I'm not a fan of PL and I think there are much better steaks elsewhere. In light of that, I'm even less of a fan of Benjamin Steakhouse. We ordered a steak for two which is a generous portion of porterhouse, but in all honesty I cannot say that it was prepared to perfection. Parts of it were dry, parts of it fairly tasty and parts not so much. It just wasn't a great steak. I should also note that we ordered it medium rare and came out medium, something that is unacceptable to me in a steakhouse that respects itself. The wedge salad had a dressing that tasted commercial (the same dish at Keen's is far superior), although the bacon is good. The spinach side was fine. We didn't get to check their wine selection because the waiter did not even offer us a wine menu. The onion bread and butter are very good, and I would recommend not to fill up on it and leave room for the steak. The atmosphere and decor is fine but not intimate or romantic. Overall I would give this restaurant 3 1/2 stars, and while the meal was okay, I won't be rushing to return there anytime soon. PS. The following morning both me and my wife had an upset stomach. Since we were fine before we ate at Benjamin Steakhouse, and the only thing we both eat that day was the meal at this establishment, I can only conclude that the dinner there was the cause of our tummy problems. The meat did taste a bit off, and it's quite possible it wasn't particularly fresh or wasn't handled safely.

    (3)

  • Richard W.

    Great dinner! Loved everything from the shrimps to the salads and on to the steak. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Minh H.

    Good steak house with nice wine. Detected a heavy hand with salt. Thought the makeshift coat room (& $1 charge) was a bad move that detected from the potential elegance of the place.

    (4)

  • Laith A.

    Great place with great service and great food. Try the steaks and I dare you to be disappointed! ;)

    (5)

  • jessica f.

    Went here last night for a business dinner with an out of town client. Dinner was early - 6:30 but the place was beyond packed, others were complaining about waiting, it is way too small. Right away I was disappointed when we were seated. The tables are so close together it felt like we were seated with the tables to the right and left of us. Our first bottle of wine we chose they did not have, our second choice the waiter gave the I don't know if we do attitude. Then the apps were just ok. The baked clams were tiny but good. The tomato and mozz was not good at all. Tomato was gross actually. The fresh mozz tasted like grocery store fresh mozz. It was not "fresh". The steaks were over cooked completely. Very disappointing. Then after dessert we were rushed out. I went for a sip of my wine and realized they cleared it. I wasn't done. Overall, I regret going there.

    (3)

  • Rachel M.

    I will give it 5 stars for food, but 2 stars for service. that's why avg = 3stars The reason why I picked this place because the owner was from Peter Lurger (which my#1 steakhouse), I give it a try. We arrived 15mins earlier than our reservation, we got seat at the bar and wait for one of our friend. We were carrying 5 big bag, after shopping from Time Sq. i realized it wasn't comfortable to sit with all the shopping bags, so I went to ask the host who at the front desk to check my bags. She told me give her 1 mins, then she just talked to other customer, and totally ignored my request. OK fine, then i had book table for 3, and they keep asking me if we are 2 people, I had answered more than 3 times, then finally we seated before my other friend arrive, and the waiter took us to a small table which only have 2 seats. We got settled on a a bigger table, and my frd put all the belonging next to him, and we need to tell and request the waiter move the silverware, plate and glass to the empty seat, isn't it a waiter job to notice which spot will be seated by the customer? and can they be sure the silverware is clean enough to put onto the table? If you are Peter lurger i can accept this kind if service, because they are more like family style steakhouse, but Benjamin was presented as more upscale restaurant from the location to the decoration. I hope they can improve the way how they treat their customer. Again, steak is awesome as good as PL, but service definitely need to improve. FYI my phone was showed as "No Service" - AT&T inside the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Wafa A.

    I hate writing bad reviews but I didn't have a good experience in this place- They will try to squeeze you in a table of 2 even if you are a party of 3-4, I thought the food trays would be falling on our heads.. The place is loud very loud even for New York loud standard, the main menu food was OK nothing special about. On the positive side the staff are nice/attentive and the dessert was good.

    (2)

  • Regina H.

    The food here is superb! According to foursquare, the chef used to work at Peter Luger and I would totally believe it. I came here for an early lunch/late breakfast and ordered the Eggs Benjamin. I was under the impression that the dish was Eggs Benedict with steak, but it came with what seemed more like the huge delicious slabs of bacon at Peter Luger. Maybe they screwed up my order - I still have no idea but the food was amazing. The restaurant is located in the Dylan Hotel. The dining room is spacious with high ceilings and the slightly pretentious air of a classic steakhouse. Service was fine, we were one of maybe four parties and the food came out quickly. One note: you can either order a la carte or choose the breakfast buffet for around $16.

    (4)

  • Debra L.

    I visited this restaurant on Christmas Day while visiting my son in NYC. The restaurant atmosphere was miserable; too crowded and loud. My son was seated in an aisle. The food was also overpriced for what was served. Truly disappointed on all levels.

    (3)

  • Harry K.

    Came here for lunch as an engagement celebration with my East Coast family. They stop serving breakfast at 11am, however they were kind enough to bring out bagels and lox for the 5 neurotic Jewish New York women in our party. My dad and I each got the steak sandwich. It was AWESOME. I loved it. I also got the french soup which was so so delicious. My favorite part of the meal was the desert. They have this home made "shlag" -- for you stoners, no it isn't a type of weed. It is like a home made whip cream. They brought out a whole bowl of it for our pecan pie, and I was seriously eating spoon fulls of it. Actually, Tasia had to move the bowl from me because i put about half of it down and she was getting disgusted with me. I liked the decor of the restaurant. their were cool German Steins above the fireplace, and the seats were large and comfy. I would need to come back for dinner in order to asses the 5'th star, but I really enjoyed myself

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    The steak was delicious here, but the overall experience was mediocre, waiters were not overly friendly and we were shocked to find out side dishes cost extra and were not included with the meal. I probably would not return to this establishment.

    (3)

  • Mark T.

    My girlfriend took me here for a celebratory dinner, and she hit the nail on the head! We got the porterhouse for two with the Benjamin Potatoes and creamed spinach (a perfect combination with steak) and it was fantastic! It is the best steak restaurant in NYC, in my opinion. The great food, wonderful environment, and attentive staff make this a great go-to steakhouse!!!

    (5)

  • Scott N.

    An absolute gem! I love steakhouses, every city I travel to, I go out for steak and this is one of the very best. It is busy, a little loud and the room is filed with excitement. We were there on a Saturday night right before Christmas and it was bumping. The crowd was generally well dressed, but not overly formal. My wife and I had tomato and onions, steak for two, home fries and pecan pie. End to end, the service was spot on, attentive and friendly without hovering, ask for Ricky if you get the chance. You could have cut the steak with a spoon and the sides were elegant and classic. Overall, more character than Morton's, Ruth's Chris or Flemings and better execution than Wolfgang's or Peter Luger's. This is the definition of classic New York steakhouse.

    (5)

  • Laurel S.

    I have to start this review by saying I did not eat steak. Our dinner started after 9 and I just didn't want to eat such a heavy meal so late. That being said..... The ambiance of this place is great. It screams upscale steak house. We started with each of us getting a piece of bacon. This is not your average piece of bacon (and 1/2 a piece or a 1/3 would have been plenty for me). It is tasty but I feel like I can hear my arteries closing as I eat it. Its a neat novelty. I had the iceberg wedge salad. Unfortunately it wasn't great. The blue cheese dressing was the culprit, it was just very bland. Same problem with my onion soup. It came out looking amazing but it was greatly under-seasoned. My dining companions who ate steak seemed to very much enjoy it. I tried a french fry, it wasn't good. They said the broccoli was great but the asparagus was huge and a little tough.

    (3)

  • Candida S.

    Came with my husband for a belated Valentine's dinner & we were NOT disappointed. I've worked in NYC on/off for over 16 years & this was, hands down, the best steak dinner I've ever had! The service was beyond impeccable. They were always nearby for your every whim, and their recommendations were on-point and delicious. They were genuine and treated us like 5-star guests...not like we were just another tip. The lobster bisque was well-seasoned and was full of large chunks of lobster. The steak for two was divine & cooked to perfection. I kid you not...it was the best steak we've ever had the pleasure of eating. The sides we selected (sautéed onions & creamed spinach) were huge and a perfect complement to the Rib Eye. The pecan pie with homemade 'schlag' was the icing on the cake that was this dinner. Add to all of this the beautiful, elegant setting capped by a classic vaulted ceiling making the space feel un-crowded and airy as well as a HUGE gorgeously appointed fireplace & you have a pointedly perfect evening. We loved every minute of this dinner & cannot wait to return.

    (5)

  • Scott K.

    We went for our anniversary and had high expectations. And I must admit those expeditions were not meet. Our food was great.but our service was something you would expect from McDonald's. Not a steak house where you will drop $ 300.00 foot dinner.

    (3)

  • Nadia A.

    Wine delicious Thick cut bacon delicious Mashed potatoes delicious T-bone for 2, perfect

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    Great steakhouse with an old school vibe and solid service. The steak has the perfect char and is really flavorful. Get the steak for # - that's the way to go. All the sides are good. Can't go wrong here.

    (5)

  • Abdul M.

    Went here with a big group and ordered the bone in ribeye. Very flavorful and cooked perfectly. The onion rings and the house potatoes were excellent.

    (4)

  • Vince V.

    First the atmosphere is classic, very woody, very New York and some interesting people who are impressed with themselves. You get passed that and the food is outstanding. I am from Chicago and we know are meats and this place does met good :) Enjoy the atmosphere, people watch and expect in impeccable service and enjoy the evening it's worth it.

    (4)

  • R K.

    First time visit and what a wonderful surprise. Very comfortable spacious dining area - we were seated at a nice quiet table for four. We decided to share the "sliced tomato & onions", "jumbo shrimp" and "little neck claims" appetizers. The little necks were a bit too fishy for me. The shrimp - while not as large as other steakhouses - did not disappoint. The waiter suggested two Porterhouses for 2 which we went with. Fantastic - the steaks were medium cooked to perfection and the sides (asparagus / creamed spinach / home fries) perfectly complemented the steak. The service couldn't have been more alert and courteous as they catered to our every need. In short - a wonderful steak dinner - we couldn't have asked for anything more.

    (5)

  • Jerry M.

    Gotta say after reading all the stellar reviews, my expectations were very high. I was a bit underwhelmed honestly. I was expecting more of a Gibson's or Morton's experience and it wasn't quite that. The space is attractive. The service was OK, nothing to write home about. The noise level was fine, although we were there after 10:00 PM so most people were finishing up. First steakhouse I have been to where the waiter didn't come back to ask about how the steak was cooked...and mine was a bit overdone. Wine list is fairly extensive. I am not going to complain about the price point as it is competitive with the marketplace. And the portions are ample which will definitely be a hit with the quantity crowd. The bread was a poor effort. Maybe because it was late, it seemed dry. Wedge salad was good but was one step away from being outstanding...it was dressed with ample dressing, however the dressing was missing actual bleu cheese...there was some in there, but they could have upped it by presenting with some Stilton (or some similar sort of fine bleu) crumbles. The bacon I must say was epic...much like little cubes of pork belly rather than bacon. The sides were kind of a disappointment. Creamed spinach wasn't very creamy nor flavorful. White pepper and a little garlic go a long way. We ordered a 50/50 of onion rings and potato crisps...the potato crisps were way overcooked...but it was late and we weren't going to complain.

    (3)

  • Cole O.

    As we closed down the six-day celebration that was the birthday of Mark S. - myself and four others met at Benjamin for a man's dinner (Bourbon, Bacon, Beef). We settled into our 5-top in the main dining area and took in the atmosphere. This place was a loud and bustling NYC steakhouse with the menu and clientele to match. Following our drink orders - - Bacon was the next thing on our mind. Now this just isn't any bacon, seriously when I say this - the single strip was the size of a baby's arm. Bacon down. Steak time. We ordered the "Steak for 3" and "Steak for 2" those keeping score at home will put that together as 5 of us. The steak flooded our table. It looked almost as good as it tasted. On the suggestion of one of our esteemed colleagues - these steaks were ordered rare. Good choice. Along with a couple pounds of the finest steak - we also got the creamed spinach, Benjamin home fries, and the mushrooms. Needless to say this place hit the spot as it left all 5 of us slumped in our chairs with our stomachs poking out. Not doing to lie - my pants felt a little tight around the waist. If you're looking for an amazing steakhouse (OR have an expense account) then you should tag the Benjamin because it will not disappoint. Boom.

    (5)

  • Alan H.

    Came here with some friends for a random dinner gathering and had the best steak dinner of my life. A good start to the dinner was the thick cut bacon which had the right amount of salt and not as oily if that makes sense. We did order both the porterhouse and ribeye (on the bone) and it was phenomenally better than my experience at Luger's. this was perfectly complemented by a side of cream spinach and mushrooms. Easily 5 stars for a much more elegant decor and great table side service. We had a complimentary round on the house as well!! Best of all they take credit cards and I also don't have to travel into Brooklyn for a great steak.

    (5)

  • gerald b.

    Porterhouse steak was Peter Luger quality. Side dishes very good. Atmosphere was typical steakhouse, very masculine, but nice.

    (4)

  • Joseph H.

    Excellent steak and great service. Salad for two was delicious also. Had the chocolate mousse desert and it was wonderful. It was a bit loud but that was due to so many people there, a testament to the good food. Would definitely recommend.

    (4)

  • Gene W.

    Amazing experience. Perhaps the best service I've had at any restaurant. We were seated about 15 minutes later than our reservation, so the restaurant gave us a dessert plate and coffee on the house. I had the sea bass, which was cooked to perfection. My father had the filet, and my mother had tuna. Both were delicious. I'm already looking forward to my next trip to New York so I have an excuse to eat at Benjamin.

    (5)

  • Jessica J.

    Ordered the filet ( medium rare ) and the salmon ( well done )... absolutely outstanding. Crab cakes were perfect.

    (5)

  • Steve R.

    Typical NYC steakhouse. Very similar to Morton's or sparks. The steaks are perfectly cooked and taste magnificent. The appetizers are the same way. Baked clams are great, a bit small but great. And the Caesar salad with shrimp was also very tasty. Any steak you order will be great tasting and filling, the portions are nothing to complain about. Service is also very good. Friendly and high class. Awesome atmosphere and a great experience. A must go!

    (4)

  • Kevin G.

    I've been to all of the well known steakhouses in manhattan, Peter Luger, blt, keens, wolfgangs, etc..so I know what a good steak is,. And I have to say, without a doubt, this is THE WORST steakhouse I have ever eaten at in manhattan. I'm going to jump right to "meat" of my review (no pun intended) and talk about the quality of the food. My girlfriend and I both ordered a medium rib eye steak. Mine was undercooked and brought to me medium rare. Her's was overcooked and served medium well. Aside from the wrong temperatures, what really bothered us was a subtle rancid smell emanating from our steaks. I know steaks are aged, but they are not supposed to smell rancid and have a fish taste. Mine was the worst of the two. My girlfriend's didnt smell as bad, but had a texture similar to liver when chewing on it. We only ate a few bites and I had the waiter take them away. In addition to the steaks, we had also ordered oysters as appetizers. They were so bad I had to spit one out of my mouth. It was so decayed that it had the same texture as mash potatoes. It was like eating some kind of goo. Thank God I didn't eat it, otherwise Id probably be writing this from a hospital now. Aside from the food, the furniture is in disrepair. My chair was completely ripped on the upper back part of it which is something ridiculous to see at an upscale restaurant. All in all, $200+ down the toilet. I'm very upset with the whole diner. It is completely unacceptable and wrong to serve food that bad which can make people sick especially when you have customers paying top dollar. Shame on them. It's not only the money you waste there, but your night and in our case, our special occasion was ruined with the disgusting food they served us. I will most definitely NEVER be going back there and i will spread the word to my friends as well.

    (1)

  • Hassa L.

    Too corporate/ business lunch for my taste. The lamb was well salted, I actually enjoyed it more the next day. The caesar salad was disappointing Everything else was ok. I probably won't go back since there are so many other steakhouses to try.

    (3)

  • Katie M.

    Hubby and I went here on a recommendation from the concierge at our hotel as we were given some money for our wedding. We wanted a New York steak experience but we had better meals when we were on holiday. I ordered a steak and creamed spinach (on a recommendation) and was left pretty disappointed. I ordered medium rare but it was more medium with no pink parts - very disappointing. The restaurant itself was quiet nice looking but we were very close to our neighbours and it was extremely noisy. Quite disappointed that this was our 'special' meal when we were in New York - I've had better steak in Perth, Australia.

    (3)

  • Angel W.

    oh new york steakhouses. there are so many, but only a few that will stand out. benjamin's steaks were delicious and well cooked. We ordered 2 rib eyes and 1 rack of lamb, all of which were seared well, with tender meat inside. the benjamin's sauce on the tables is the shining star for me, very reminiscent of Peter Luger's with a sweet tang. appetizers are totally optional-- we ordered the house salad and the canadian bacon, and I would have been okay without them. total for 4 person dinner, including a bottle of $40 wine, was $300/tip-- pretty decent for a nice dining experience with hearty portions and high quality meat!

    (4)

  • Nai W.

    Came here first time for valentine dinner. $99 per a person. Ordered bacon for appetizer, crab cake, porterhouse for two for entree, chocolate and cheese cake for dessert. Good service, standard average atmosphere, not very fashion trendy crowd. Saw few girls weary cheesy prom looking dresses for valentine omg fashion nightmare. The famous bacon was okay. Kinda expected taste with dark chocolate sauce. It was way fat and sweet for me. I wasn't expecting this huge portion for appetizer, with bread it could be my whole meal. Crab cake was actually very good, not too starchy, I could actually taste the big crab chunks. But a bit on the salty side, and needs nicer veggie garnish to balance the oily crab cake. After the heavy bacon taste for appetizer. Porterhouse was too much meat for entree. Side with cream Spinach and mashed potato. (Great creams spinach) To be fair, it was very good. Crust outside and medium rare juicy inside. Best part of the dinner. Was it the best steak I had? Compare to Wolfgang, Peter Luger ? It's about the same... Value wise not so much.. it was more expensive on Valentine's day. My date are and I had no space for the dessert that night.

    (3)

  • melissa T.

    We LOVED the place! the food was amazing, the atmosphere was upbeat, and energetic, and had such a great NYC feel to it. Exactly what we wanted. I would give this 5 stars except our waiter was not friendly, barely spoke to us, and seemed annoyed to be waiting on us. They have an excellent wine selection. The steaks were large portions, and cooked exactly the way we liked them. He ordered the New York steak, I had the Filet. Would visit again for sure. Wish they had one on the west coast.

    (4)

  • Davina D.

    Peace out Luger's. Former chef of Lugers now is kickin' ass in his own kitchen @ the Dylan Hotel. For serious steak connoisseurs, you must at least check this off your list amongst other new yawk great steak-outs. On par service, dope wine selection, our waiter accidentally rewarded us a bottle of $165 bottle, when we originally ordered a $75 bottle of malbec. our service was so fantastic, we covered the difference of the bottle and tipped accordingly,. Fantastic classiness too, doesn't put me to sleep like Lugers. Ha. Lobster Bisque is yum. RIB EYE Medium Rare and you're set for the night. and they're pretty quick. i didn't have to down a whole bottle as a result of hunger and impatience like some other restaurants will do to you....my only beef here is that with parties of 2, they sit you pretty close to other tables, possibly like 8 inches apart. we were hearing everybody's conversations and they was hearing ours. we must've been salivating at every bite cuz the table to my left, arrived after we ordered. and saw everything that came perfect from the kitchen (that's a fancy ass kitchen door), they copied cat us. they were cute too. asked for steak and chips. our waiter said to the couple "steak and chips. you want steak and mash"...we nodded furiously so they agreed. it was my man's bday so we had to get a dessert which i normally have no room to stomach. the waiter flashed the dessert menu at us and pointed only at the pecan pie. that's a slice of jingle bells on a xmas night. wow as we waddled away........

    (5)

  • Scott J.

    Went for Christmas Eve dinner. Two of us decided against the prix fixe menu, and ordered off the regular menu. Service started out well enough. One in our party got the Sea Bass, another a Ribeye, yet another the steak off the prix fixe, and myself: the lamb from the prix fixe. I ordered my lamb rare and it came out medium. No biggie- I'm impressed by steakhouses who can get it right every time- so it's not a huge deal to me when my lamb is only off-pink. What bothered me was the amount of salt they put on it. I could barely taste the meat. It was like a pickled street pretzel. The amount of salt in this meat was absurd; I can only guess that it was brined and seasoned, and then further salted by a chef who smokes a pack a day. The vegetable sides were well made but the quality of the meat ruined it for me. I was disappointed by the quality of the entree, which is worth two stars, to me. The atmosphere was warm, the door staff was courteous, and coat check was free. The last star deducted comes from the waitstaff. Trying to get a decaf coffee in this place was a nightmare. First they bring out two cups and announce "double espresso". We send them back, and they bring out two cups of what I'm happy to say was actual decaf coffee. Then another one comes to our table with two cups of double espresso, and gets upset when he sees we have coffee already. It turns out the double-shots were for the table next to us- but the lack of professionalism in handling two cups of coffee was pretty representative in the rest of the wait service. Small mistakes, emotional reactions, having to micromanage the waitstaff serving your table: all indicative of poor training. We went because it was one of the only steakhouses open on Christmas Eve. If under the same pressure, I'd avoid it. I've been to cheaper chain steakhouses who don't over-season.

    (2)

  • Katrina C.

    I went here for dinner on a Friday night with my mom and aunt at the recommendation of our hotel concierge. Unfortunately, we had an absolutely horrible experience. We arrived right on time for our 8 o'clock reservation. We were told by the hostesses (yes, it takes three people to manage reservations and seat people), that it would be a couple of minutes before our table was ready. They told us that we could go and hang out by the bar, but there was absolutely no where to move in the bar area. We took a seat in the adjoining hotel. After about 20 minutes, my aunt went back to the stand to check when our table would be ready. "You're next on the list," they told us. "Your table will be ready momentarily." So we waited another 10 minutes. Yes, yes, your table is next. Fine. Back to the hotel lobby we went. Meanwhile, there were at least three other parties in the same situation - reservation at 8 p.m., still not seated and complaining to hostesses. At 8:45, we went back up to the hostess stand. When we asked what was taking so long, the younger hostess said, "Well, this is NYC..." as if we were from the stix or something! I'm not a native New Yorker, but my family has been many times, and we've never had to wait 45 minutes past our reservation. Another hostess offered to buy us drinks to shut us up, but all we want to do is eat. Finally, about 5 minutes later they got a table for us in what I would like to call "the angry customers corner". It was in the furthest back corner of the restaurant, and we were surrounded by other customers who had an 8 p.m. reservation and were just getting seated. About 10 minutes after seating, the waiter comes to take our order. We order steaks, and sides of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The order comes in a decent amount of time. The steak is okay. Not excellent, not bad, just okay. Not worth the price, for certain. The mashed potatoes are cold. When I requested for them to be re-heated, I was brought back new, equally lukewarm potatoes. By that point, I gave up on having hot mashed potatoes. In addition, as we were eating, a waiter came and took all of our purses off the remaining chair at our four-top table, put them on the floor, and took the chair. Seriously, who does that? You never touch a women's purses without asking, ever. We complained to management the next day. They were nice enough, and they wanted to treat us the next day to dinner, but we were leaving that afternoon. They were going to send us a gift certificate for our next visit, but as of a week and a half later, they haven't even contacted us to get the address to send it to. TLDR version - Slow, poor, service. Mediocre food and high prices. Don't plan on sitting down at your scheduled reservation time - this is New York, after all.

    (2)

  • Katya L.

    Recommended by a friend, we decided to check out "the best steakhouse in NYC". To say it was the best steak would be a stretch , however it was pretty good. Prices are nowhere to be found in the website , so I'll spill the beans Steak for two ( that's what we had) was nearly $100. Steak for 3 was around $140. Salads ranging from $12-16 Potatoes ($10-13), baked potato $6 Side dishes $7-10 Our steak for two, as I mentioned was pretty good, and actually enough for 3. It comes on a plate, cut up, accompanied with a bone. The servers will place the meat on your plate, and will watch if you need more, ready to assist at any time. Steak fries were just ok, look much better on the picture on their site. Mozzarella and tomato salad offered 4 pieces for each, pretty good, but how can one mess up caprese salad? Overall, definitely worth the visit!

    (4)

  • L H.

    Update 8/17/14: After receiving a card from the restaurant I decided to come back for another visit. I must say I was extremely impressed this time around. As I mentioned before, the food was great. We had no issues with our order and the steak was cooked perfectly. As for the service, I have to say it was a definite improvement. It was definitely less busy than the last time we came for dinner. Our table was ready when we arrived and the waiters were extremely attentive. Overall, a great dinner.

    (4)

  • Teddy C.

    I've been to some of the best steakhouse's in NYC and I have to say Benjamin's is right up there. It was our first time there and I was not disappointed with the food and service. We ordered a steak for two and I would say outside of peter Lugers steak for two it's as good as any other steakhouse, tasty and cooked. to perfection.i recommend to anyone, nice atmosphere and attentive staff.

    (4)

  • Lysander R.

    The best steak ever!! Won a football bet during the NFL season and finally my big winnings was a steak dinner at Benjamin Steakhouse. The service was top notch from the hostess assigning us to our table and getting greeted by the manager to ask us how our experience and food was. The dinner was great and the service was even better will be sure recommend Benjamin Steakhouse to friends.

    (5)

  • Adam M.

    Luger's/Benjamin's/[insert next NYC establishment] are all the same. I prefer a more classic steakhouse, if there is such a thing. The porterhouse is just okay, but I feel like it's a vehicle for the sauce. That said, it's something everyone should experience in NYC. Even vegetarians.

    (3)

  • Tom T.

    Quality is not as good as before. The porterhouse quality was not that good, and it was not seared well. We ordered the cottage fries (thick cut potato chips), and it tasted like they used stale oil, and it was oily and not crispy. The onion rings were oily too.

    (3)

  • Jim P.

    I made a mini tradition of stopping in here for lunch once in a while, and sitting on their deep cushioned leather bar chairs and having a glass of red and their steak sandwich. I had a chance to resurrect that tradition yesterday with a friend, and the quality of the food and level of service has remained consistent. They have 2 variations of the sandwich. The Philly cheesesteak made with sirloin. (18.95) onions, diced tomatoes on a nice ciabatta roll. (no cheese for me) Excellent! Only one small piece of meat was a little tough, but overall, with a small side salad, in place of fries, and this is worth every penny. Their other version is a rib-eye version, which I haven't had recently enough to review. (19.95) The bartender here is super friendly and it's pretty much a "suit" crowd at the bar, or guests staying at the adjoining hotel. Overall, a "business" feel to the place. I've also had lunch and dinner here in the large ceiling restaurant several times, and the level of service and food has always been spot on.

    (4)

  • Lynda R.

    Benjamin's was fabulous! We were celebrating a special birthday and an anniversary and I highly recommend Benjamin's to have a special occasion! The steaks were huge and cooked to perfection! I found this place while on the airplane, Delta's Sky Magazine Ad. Fabulous!

    (5)

  • Anna T.

    Seated promptly for our reservation. Wine list was extensive and great prices. we ordered Seafood platter for two and it was goid..not great..But I went with my husbands palate and He thought it was great. We ordered Porterhouse for two , house homefrieshashbrownspotatoes and creamed spinach and a bottle of Ruffino Reserva. Steak was cooked perfect and the sides were delish. No room for dessert but some came out and looked so yummy. Service was excellent! Great food and great service.

    (4)

  • Mike X.

    Won't be going back to Benjamin's anymore...Had a lousy experience. Been going there for a number of years...You think they treat there steady customers better.Guess you have to be a movie star..

    (3)

  • Paul W.

    OK. I get it. If I spend $1 million on dinner, it can't be bad. Here, you spend close and it's always great. Pretty close to worth it too. Staff is friendly and will let you linger over coffee even where they have a line at the door. Everything I have eaten here is great, from the iceberg wedges to the steak for 2 and the asparagus. Good coffee and the chocolate cake is kick ass. If you can stand the sticker shock, then I recommend Ben's. Just get behind me, please.

    (5)

  • Frank G.

    Best steak I've ever had, hands down BEN WAS the best waiter, The creamed spinach was excellent. Their bacon appetizer included the thickest slice of bacon I've ever seen, but it was worth the price. Give the Benjamin sauce a chance--it's one of the few sauces I'll put on meat. The dining area feels like an old school brew house from Germany high ceilings it's a nice contrast. Onion rolls were awesome. The first taste of the sauce was underwhelming, like cocktail sauce. But like all the food here, as I started to understand why certain things were paired together my appetite really woke up. Steak for 3 - OMG. At first I couldn't really taste the nuance of the beef, but as I got closer to the bone and fat I could start to see what differentiates a good steak from an outstanding steak. The changes in the texture, from the crispy outside to the pink center - omg. omg. omg. We could have eaten the steak for 3 and had enough. But it's Benjamin stake House, so walking out bursting is ok. We ordered Med Rare. I would not bother coming here if you want it well done. We ordered one creamed spinach and one hash browns potatoes. The potatoes were pretty good, but I didn't find them to be over the top or anything. The spinach was awesome. The two sides were enough for all 4 of us, considering we had so much steak to focus on top I had tuna :) Mr Benjamin the owner was very hospitable and sat us down and kept checking personally weather everything was fine. It was a great overall experience and I can't wait to relive it.

    (5)

  • Sabin C.

    Went there last night with my steak "wing" man and it's still just as good, if not a touch better. The food was excellent and I was not disappointed. Everything stands from the previous review except it wasn't hot this time! If you haven't been there please go, and go with a smile, it help!

    (5)

  • Alexandra C.

    I took the bf here for dinner for a special occasion. It was hard to enjoy the evening because it was LOUD in there (Friday night). We tried the creamed spinach, but it was not very flavorful. The bacon was fantastic (but... how can you do bacon wrong?). We ordered the porterhouse medium rare, and it came out close to medium. Some parts were thoroughly cooked which was extremely disappointing. The service was decent, but it will never erase the disappointment of overcooked meat out of my mind.

    (2)

  • Meredith D.

    Let me start off by saying that I NEVER write reviews but I absolutely felt I must give props to Benjamin's for amazing service and food. My husband and I were in NYC for a few days with our almost 2 year old daughter. My brother works right near Benjamin Steakhouse and highly recommended it to us and said it'd be fine to take our daughter to if we go early. We went around 5 pm on Monday night. From the start my nutcase child wanted to do nothing but throw everything she saw. The staff there were very good with her (and us). Once our meal was served my husband tried giving her some of his steak. She took her fork and threw it right at me ninja style and somehow slicing my wine glass in half and soaking the table, my food, myself and everything near us with red wine. The servers came over like a Nascar team of tire/care repairs (whatever they do really quick) and cleaned the table completely, replaced my wine and my food. I hate giving into insane two year old behavior but we didn't want to cause any more disturbances there so my husband and I just let her carb load on all the bread/crackers they gave us and that immediately quieted her down. Again, They were amazing there and I apologize if anyone had to experience the demon that possessed my normally sweet girl while we happened to be in a beautiful restaurant. The only reason I would say it's not kid friendly is because it's not fair to the staff.. but they do allow us to bring our spawns with us.

    (5)

  • Liz S.

    I chose Benjamin based on location (friends were staying nearby) and the reviews and I was not disappointed. The steaks, we had rib eye, sirloin and filet between us, were outstanding and the sides were excellent as well. In truth, I would have given a 4.5 star rating as I did not think the service was quite up to the quality of the food, or the price point. Also, they seated us on the second floor which was fine until we had to use the facilities which necessitated a two story walk down and up. But that was a minor detail in what was otherwise an excellent meal. Special kudos to our waiter for asking if we wanted tap water first and not trying to upsell us to bottle.

    (5)

  • Nellie W.

    the porterhouse was good, and so was the bacon! It's not your regular bacon, it's like a thick piece of pork and it's very good!

    (4)

  • Ferdinand H.

    Having now relocated to the midwest, reviewing steakhouses has changed greatly. There was once a time that colossal, towering hunks of bloody red meat seemed impressive, avant-garde, perhaps... a return to primeval sensibilities. But, steakhouses of the western world, and particularly of the Anglo-Saxon lineage have to be true to the sense of the hunting lodge and old boy's club. Benjamin aims for this niche, which is no surprise given the founder's relationship with Peter Luger's. I sat at the bar working on a writing project, while waiting for my friend. A Sidecar, my classic test-cocktail was served straight, which served as a delightful past-time, as I typed away. My Albanian bar-tender was quick, precise, and friendly. When the party was complete, we went to the tables, and had large chunks of medium-rare steak. Cool center, seared exterior, it was a solid effort. Creamed spinach on the side, and some shared desserts which were really, just an afterthought. As a disclaimer, I have yet been to Luger's. Benjamin, however is a solid experience with high-quality meat and service. While the ambiance is a trifle loud for my tastes, it was reasonable. As much as I liked the steak, I suspect most of my steaks will either be 1) cooked by me, or 2) back in the midwest where steaks are a way of life.

    (4)

  • Frank B.

    it's OK

    (3)

  • Jackie T.

    My boyfriend took me to this lovely steakhouse a few days ago. We ordered "Steak for Two" and we couldn't finish it. I loved every bite. I felt bad because he thought I didn't like my dinner. Actually, I didn't feel good because I was feeling sick and I didn't tell him. Every thing was superb: Wait staff made very nice recommendations Great wine selections Portions of side dishes were perfect. I would definitely return when I'm feeling better!

    (4)

  • Lee G.

    Well it isn't Quality Meats. It's a hotel steak house full of lost looking tourists. Decor is fake 30 s granduer. Service is v Eastern European. Food was decent. Rib eye looked better than the fillet. Nicely crisp on the outsid ena medium rare on the inside. Fillet was slightly overlooked for a medium. As was the soggy veg. Rather naughtily the lunch special menu was on the board outside but we only received it after asking. Don't like bait and switch.

    (3)

  • Wine M.

    It's like the place could be near great, but fights itself. New York has great steakhouses and while this place may decent it's not one of them. I know it tries to be Lugers but comes off more like a copy of Bobby Vans. Some of the furniture is damaged and the place needs a face lift. Wine by the glass was way too cold (and I like my wine chilled) and food temperatures off. Staff is incredibly friendly but they're here to serve and sometimes they just can't get it straight. So the real question is why with all the great steakhouses you would bother coming here

    (2)

  • Jane H.

    Food is ok. Not as good as I imagine. Service was OK as well.

    (3)

  • Pasquale R.

    *4.5 Stars* This is how a real steakhouse should run. Upon entering my gf and I were greeted by the friendly hostess. The maitre d then came over and spoiled us with a great table. I admit I went here because a big wig I know put in a request for us. But that's not important. =) So once we were seated we noticed the architecture. It has the look of an old school bank especially because of the high ceilings and engraved walls. This is not like you normal steakhouse though. You can go with the boring usual or just say "steak for...1,2,3...and so on". Before you order the steak I suggest you order 2 apps that we loved. 1. Bacon slab...even the fat on the bacon was flavorful 2. Crab cocktail with the horseradish they provide. 2 ridiculous items that go perfectly together. They also bring out bread prior to everything which was enjoyable especially the onion one. Wine list was extensive and reasonably priced considering it was an upscale SH. The main course was of course steak for 2. It comes out on a sizzling plate and already sliced up for your masticating pleasure. No fuss. The plate is tilted enough that the juices are at the edge. You have the option to dip it in it's own juice. What I was impressed with is it came out exactly like we wanted it. Medium rare...and not too much seasoning, just like a steak should be done. Throughout everything the service was impeccable. Our wine glasses/water were never empty. We were always checked on. The sides were the only thing we would improve. We had the peas and onions which we didn't know what to make of it. The peas seemed hearty like an apple but the onions were cooked perfectly. We also had the asparagus which were good but missing something. I knew we should have gone with a starch! Well after getting to a point of stomach explosion, we forced ourselves to stop eating the steak (left about 1/3 of it). Not because we couldn't fit anymore but because we needed dessert as well. On recommendation of the server, we went with the apple strudel....and berry's with ice cream...yeah we are glutenous! They were very good and seriously put us over the edge. Believe it or not I liked the berry's better...maybe I was going crazy or something. Recap: Decor -- 4 stars - fancy, welcoming and comfortable. Food -- 4.5 stars Fantastic for the most part. Sides could use a little work but still overall great. Service -- 5 Stars - Zero complaints and they really were awesome. Prices -- 4 Stars - Steakhouse in NYC, what do you expect. Definitely one of the better ones I have been to. Top 2 in NYC. ENJOY!

    (4)

  • Chuck N.

    Outstanding cuts of meat. I had the NY Sirloin, prepared medium-rare perfectly, my wife the Filet, well done perfectly. But, the rest of the meal was not up to the entrée' standard. The sautéed asparagus, so so. Baked potato, I suppose it is what it is. But the biggest disappointment was the beefsteak tomato and mozzarella platter. Three words, "hot house tomatoes!" Served cold, under-ripe and flavorless. If better ingredient's are not available because of seasonal considerations, why bother having them on the menu? For the prices Benjamin's charges, i would expect top tier cuisine across the board. Having said that, I must also complement ti wait staff who each were attentive and accommodating. The staff was top notch, if not the food overall.

    (3)

  • 1 2.

    I find it amazing that somehow my review does not turn up. Nevertheless, this place is terrible. There are too many other options.

    (1)

  • Sumit B.

    Great steakhouse. I got the shrimp cocktail appetizer.. Delicious, large and fresh. (believe it or not, bobby vans shrimp cocktail was horrible) I had the filet mignon... Rare. Cooked exactly as ordered. The steak itself isn't drenched in butter (like at Ruth's Chris) and I prefer it this way. The steaks are really good here, as expected. For desert, I had the fudge sundae... It was ok. Nothing to write home about. Overall, the meal was delicious and I would highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Page S.

    The Manager treated us like we were regulars and sat us immediately. Ran into the cast of SNL here. We both had Great filet's.

    (5)

  • Diane Z.

    The bacon was perfect. The steak was really charred, too black for my taste. Sides and dessert were ok, nothing to write about. The service was spotty. A waiter came by and started giving my friend a side we didn't order, and when he offered it to me, I told him that we didn't order it and he just said, "you didn't??" and ran off. We also packed up some food and we ended up with two leftover porterhouses when we only had one. They gave us someone else's leftovers!! And the waiter just said which do you think is yours? and took the other one away! (WTF!) The bacon was the saving grace.

    (3)

  • Chui L.

    O M G Black and blue. This is the only way to have your steak. I would have to agree... I think it's even better than Peter Luger's... And I'm a little embarrassed to use that comparison but I think you get what I mean when I put it that way. Yeah I can't get over it. Still swooooning over that steak!

    (5)

  • Andrea L.

    Celebrated a big birthday and 1st date post-baby w/ my husband here. The service was great - from the phone calls to remembering to bring surprise chocolate mousse cake with a candle (comped, too!). The rib eye steak and rack of lamb (came with spinach) were done well and we liked the side of chips and onion rings, as well as the starter Benjamin Salad For 2 - apples, raw onions, and crabmeat over mixed greens. When I called back the next day to find out what wine I had, I got some great tips from the sommelier. We also liked that, in addition to our waiter, management came around to see how we were doing. Truly a great experience overall, and to top it off, Benjamin happens to be my son's name.

    (4)

  • Rita L.

    Pretty decent, super empty for lunch. I got the rib eye from their lunch menu and the steak came out to be pretty big, my friend ordered the junior sirloin and hers was only half of my size but a bit thicker. The only thing I hate about the experience was that there were flies around us the whole time we were eating, it was really gross and we had to constantly wave around so they wouldn't be near our food. Overall the quality's decent for the steak but the price is def too high for an ordinary lunch. Plus the flies ruined our experience. We mentioned it to the waiter and he only smiled at us and didn't do anything. They also provided us with some bread and crackers, they tasted stale and I bet they've just been sitting around outside all day. I think going there for dinner might be a better choice, it'd probably be more expensive but at least you won't have flies bothering you while you eat.

    (3)

  • Thalia M.

    I admit it. I am spoiled. We came here on a whim with no reservations. You would never guess that both my man and I work in non-profit. Priorities. Good food, especially steak = Priority #1. A classic NY steakhouse opened by another renegade Peter Luger veteran. They've taken the Peter Luger steak concept and kicked it up a notch with the classy dining room and classy service. If I could, I'd give them a 4.5 just to show that I appreciate the extra effort. This is the kind of place serious business people can (and do) take their clients to wine, dine, and impress. We were a party of 4 and we ordered steak for three and a few sides and appetizers. We still had room afterwards for dessert. If I had to do it all over again, I would have insisted on the steak for four because steak for three split four ways just left me craving more. Now that I've had it the classic way, I hope I'll get a chance to go back and try the black & blue. I didn't even know that steakhouses of this caliber experimented with variations like that on their steaks, it certainly wasn't on the menu (thanks for the tip Chui L.!).

    (4)

  • Sergio N.

    Was recommended by the hotel concierge and I'm glad I went. The lobster bisque was light and plentiful at the same time. Ending with the rib eye that was cooked to right temp and the Benjamin fries, I will definitely make another stop next time I'm in New York.

    (4)

  • Abby S.

    This was a delightful experience. The food was excellent, the decor was elegant, and the service was great. Mostly importantly, the steak! Perfect crisp on the outside with a tender, juicy center. The filet was my favorite, as it had so much flavor. The creamed spinach was also very nice. The service was spot on. Friendly and professional. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • A R.

    Came here for a weekday lunch. Nothing too fancy here, its a white tablecloth steakhouse in a two-tiered dining room with a "clubby" feel. Their wine list isn't very extensive but they do offer several options by the glass of both white and red. Menu is standard steakhouse fare and is well-prepared in the typical fashion. Everything we ordered, we liked but nothing blew us away. This place fell short of the mark in the service department. It took way too long to a) get us menus b) take our order c) check on us to see if we had what we needed d)bring a second glass of wine to the table e) bring dessert after it was ordered. The delays in service alone added about 30 minutes to the meal. This was all exceptionally noticeable because the place was half-empty when we were there so there is no reason for these delays beyond inattentiveness. For the money, the next time I'm looking for steak on the east side of midtown, I'm going to Smith and Wollensky, the Capital Grill, the Palm/Palm Too, Bobby Van's, Wolfgang's etc....that's the point with this place. Its ok, but with so much competition in the area, ok isn't going to cut it.

    (3)

  • Daniel Y.

    I came here a few years ago for my birthday in a large group. Mario was warm and hospitable, but they steakhouse just seemed to have trouble with a large group. The order took quite long and some steaks were cold by the time they came out. As much as I wanted to like and support it, it is not up to the standards of Wolfgang's or even Ben & Jack's for porterhouse.

    (2)

  • Richard C.

    Benjamin Steakhouse has earned five stars from me. Start with a great variety of wines with some excellent mid-priced options from which to choose. I had the rib-eye - simply delicious. Good veg on the side as well, not too heavily seasoned, creamy or garlicky. The dining room was full but it did not feel like a noisy environment. The service was courteous and attentive but not intrusive. Benjamin deserves its kudos as one of the top steakhouses in the country.

    (5)

  • Kristina P.

    The place is fancy and romantic so it's a good date spot. The hostess was really pretty and the service was superb. I also love the high ceiling of this place. I am a big steak lover so I go to many different steakhouses and benjamin is one of my favorites! Their steak is so juicy and tender and come in large portions. Their wine selection is good too. However, I feel like their side dishes are a hit or miss. Definitely go check Benjamin out if you're craving some good steak!

    (5)

  • Dee L.

    Great food and service. My porterhouse steak was cooked very well, just as I ordered it- medium. The server were so attentive. Customer service is 5 star without a doubt. I also ordered a side of fresh spinach which was very tasty. This place is a carnivorous delight. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Lu H.

    Really not that great. Came here several months ago for a large work dinner, and the steak-lovers of the group found the steaks just okay. Sides were not memorable. The dessert sampling was pretty good, it was nice to get a variety of desserts. The worst part about the experience was they tried to seat our party at a table that had a huge column on one end, cutting off the last seat from the rest of the party. They expected somebody to sit there behind the column and talk around it? After some negotiating and hasty assembling, they moved us to a different table, but I found it pretty unbelievable that they tried to seat us with that column in our table. Service was fine, but with all the steakhouses in the city with great food, I will not be returning here.

    (3)

  • Irm M.

    The ambiance in here makes you want to close on some big business deal. Lots of suits, which makes sense since it's located around the corner from Grand Central. I came here on a date though, so there were no negotiations going down. (Or were there?...) Let me preface this by saying I'm not a red meat girl. So, yes I was that person that came to a steakhouse and ordered fish. The waiter insisted I get the Chilean Sea Bass. I was first struck by its size. They sure aren't skimpy on portions here! It was very good, doused in butter then cooked up nice and crispy while remaining tender on the inside. My date got the rib eye I believe, served piping hot in barbaric portions. Of course I had to try a piece. It was great. I wasn't tearing the meat off the fork and laboriously chewing at it like I usually feel with steak. Meat melted in my mouth and it was very juicy! For sides we ordered the steak fries and creamed spinach. I enjoyed it all and only wish I had more room in my stomach to fit it all! The service was really top notch. Our waiter was knowledgable and even quirky, joking around with us as we ordered. Gruff service is one thing about the "Peter Luger" experience I don't mind being absent. When our food came out, about five different guys hovered over us laying down plate after plate of a meal fit for a king. They really know how to make you feel special here.

    (4)

  • Ashley B.

    Great atmosphere and very responsive staff. The manager on duty (Mario) went out of his way to make our first experience excellent. If you are looking for an excellent steak and a great experience, I recommend Benjamin's.

    (5)

  • Jessica B.

    My steak came out almost raw, not how I ordered it. I have an auto-immune problem that makes eating undercooked beef very dangerous. Since the server never checked on us, I was forced to inform the busser that the steak was not what I had ordered. I watched him go over and show our server who was able to clearly see how the steak was cooked, but later when discussing it, acted as if he was unsure how the steak looked. We were offered free drinks but, I had already had one drink which is all I'm permitted due to my medical issues. Even if that were not the case, it's hardly appropriate to offer someone more liquor on an OBVIOUSLY empty stomach. While I never pressed the issue, the steak was never comped so I was forced to pay $50 for something I couldn't eat. My partners steak wasn't spectacular and quite greasy and cooked well past the medium that he ordered.

    (1)

  • Cindy R.

    My family and I went to Benjamin Steakhouse for my grandmother's birthday last weekend and it was amazing!! I shared the steak for 2 with my brother and it was legit the best steak I've ever eaten! It was also HUGE!!! We got a bunch of salads and appetizers to start.... You MUST order the bacon when you go. I also recommend ordering anything that says Benjamin on it!! The Benjamin potatoes and Benjamin salads are both unreal! Also the waitstaff was soo nice! They brought out a dessert for my grandmas birthday and everyone was so friendly!! Already DYING to go back here!!!

    (5)

  • Angie G.

    Visited recently w my bf. Im a huge steak fan so he thought I would enjoy the visit. NOT! Steak was okay but a little over cooked (I like mine rare, cold center) def didn't live up to the expectations. But the real problem was the service...all the waiters are men (europeans fyi) and when asked why no women waited tables our waiter was outraged!! Anyway, whenever our waiter wanted to check in, he would address my bf not once did he look my way (as if i was painted on the wall). I must say, he had no problem checking out my a** when i walked away. As a professional woman I found that sick macho attitude to be outdated and insulting. On a brighter note, dessert was AMAZING. We had the chocolate cake and I will definitely be returning for more (to go!).

    (2)

  • Cindy M.

    The atmosphere at the Midtown location is nothing to speak of. My filet mignon was good, my dining companion's rib eye was good also. But for a NYC steak house you expect excellence. The apps and sides were average at best, with the exception of the mushrooms which were great. The seating in this restaurant is probably the most comfortable of all the restaurants I've been to recently. The wait staff is average,not overly attentive. We had to wait quite a while to get the check. I would say the seating is the highlight in this establishment. With all the excellent steak houses in NYC, there is no particular reason to dine here.

    (2)

  • Joseph H.

    Headed here for a guys night out and have heard nothing but good things going in. The funny part about this review is I want to give the food 5 stars and the service 3 so I ended up with a 4. We ordered and the waiter didn't write anything down. Impressive in theory This became a problem later. Apps. for 5 of us Dozen baked clams - Amazing Oysters - Typical Bacon - Absurdly amazing (Wanted it same time as the steaks,but was the first thing they brought out) Motz and Tomato - Okay nothing amazing here Wedge Salad (Waiter Forgot) Dinner Steak for 5 Amazing....Cooked perfect tender Filet side that melts in your mouth like butter and flavorful Sirloin side. 5 stars. Side Creamed Spinach - Amazing Onion rings and cottage fries - Very good Mashed Potatos - Nothing special When they brought me my left overs the young busboy says to me " the steak bone didn't fit in the container...." I ask okay where is it....? He said he threw it away..........Anyone who loves steak knows this is a mortal sin. I can't hold the place responsible for a dumb-kid but Benjamins get the doggie bags like all the othe real steakhouses not the metal and plastic containers! So to recap : food 5 service 3 Dont miss the bacon

    (4)

  • Darya S.

    Benjamin's is the epitome of the upscale classy steakhouse. I saw lots of professionals when I went, perhaps on business meals. Service was impeccable and impressive, and the decor is super classy. Had the wedge salad and new york steak. salad was wonderful- now I don't ever eat bacon, but the salad comes with bacon and it was ridiculously delicious. i couldn't help loving it! and the steak, which i got medium rare, was definitely one of the best i've had. cooked perfectly, juicy, and filling.

    (4)

  • PHAN D.

    I went to Benjamin Steakhouse with a friend on the recommendation of the concierge at my hotel. Our waiter was visibly annoyed that we didn't order wine and actually walked away while we were asking about the menu (to speak to a table near us). We ordered a wedge salad and what came out was just lettuce and dressing. When I asked about bacon, tomatoes, and onions, I was told that they only do that by request, and I had not requested it (this wasn't explained as we ordered). We both ordered ribeye steaks, the mashed potatoes and asparagus. The steak was the same steak I've had at any steakhouse and the sides were very bland. For $150, I expect a level of service and food quality, but was disappointed on both. While I dine in NYC every month, I will not be coming back to Bejamin Steakhouse any time in the future.

    (1)

  • Miles H.

    Great Steak, Great Food, Fantastic Service, Great Atomsphere, I loved the balcony. What did I enjoy: - Fantastic Steak, we ordered a Ribeye & a steak for 2 shared for 4 and we were ALL stuffed. We basically shared all the cuts possible. - The SAUCE was amazing who dips bread in Steaksauce...WE DO WE DO - Great Dirty Martini, very well made (Not easy to find) - Fantastic wine collection, some were quite reasonably priced - Good sides - But not spectacular - Very nice salads as well - Ohhh & The host was kind enough to provide complimentary digestives at the end. Great Dinner, Great Experience, one of the better NYC Steak houses for sure.

    (5)

  • Gene C.

    I visited this place with one of my best friends and her boyfriend in the spirit of looking for some quality steak. The ambiance of the restaurant is that of classic refinement, high ceilings and dark overtones with candlelight table-side, which was somewhat of a sharp contrast since this place doesn't have a tight dress code and I managed to roll in wearing jeans and flip-flops. The menu is very basic, sticking to what people are really here for: quality meat. You can order steak for 2, 3, or 4, which is their classic New York cut (either a sirloin or porterhouse, not sure). We ordered 2 filet mignon and one prime rib, along with 3 strips of the Canadian bacon that people had been raving about, a side of cottage fries with onion rings, a side of sauteed mushrooms, and the creamed spinach. The Canadian bacon was literally a long, thick strip of meat with 2 long strips of fat running through it. It is served unadulterated without any garnishes or sauces, appearing to have been cooked with just salt and a dash of pepper. While it was tasty and I can see why meat lovers would be all over this, the only memory I will retain is its appearance, a single strip of meat occupying a very large plate. The filets were a good size and quite tender, sitting somewhere between very good and delicious. The creamed spinach did not disappoint with its smooth texture and rich flavor, and the sauteed mushrooms were also quite good. The cottage fries were basically extra-large just-fried potato chips, served with picante sauce, and the onion rings were more like fried onion strings, both of which I felt we could've done without. Service was solid, with an attentive wait staff who kept our dining experience relatively clean and tried to answer the few questions that we had, although not particularly well. This place does pretty well with desserts, as we tried the creme brulee, the pecan pie and the NY cheesecake. The pie was fresh and decadent, the cheesecake light and airy, and the creme brulee was standard fare but done nicely. We were also give a complimentary bowl of whipped cream to go with the whipped cream already plated with each dessert. Overall, a good experience, but I would probably recommend skipping the Canadian bacon unless you're a total carnivore, ordering their standard New York sirloin over the filet and to hold off on the cottage fries/onion rings (too greasy) and opt for the mashed or baked potato. Quality place for a date who digs beef.

    (4)

  • Angelica d.

    so I came back. This time with kids in tow and it is still as good as the first time! The steaks are still the best I've (we've) ever had. Loved the sides, I recommend the lobster bisque, and the desserts are lick-the-plate-clean good. and of course..will come here again next time I'm in town..

    (5)

  • Jenine F.

    We ate here last night, after visiting the Morgan Library. They seated us in the upstairs section, away from the noise of the bar. The menu prices made me whince, initially, but after following our waiter's recommendation to order the house Malbec and the ribeye (we usually lean towards the filet mignon), we were VERY happy. Sure, it was more than I had planned on spending on dinner but we enjoyed a wonderful meal with attentive service. GO!

    (4)

  • Stephen P.

    Happened to be near Grand Central Station and Yelped it to find this restaurant. What a pleasant surprise! Steaks were so good and service was excellent!

    (4)

  • Greg O.

    Excellent Filet Mignon, and exceptional service. I tried the bacon appetizer, it was a thick piece of bacon, two people could share. The filet was cooked a little more than I expected, but was still an excellent piece of beef. The cheesecake was perfect.

    (5)

  • Winnie W.

    I don't understand why everyone said Benjamin steakhouse steak is better than Peter Luger ! My husband and me had been to so many different steakhouse in NYC . Benjamin steakhouse just v normal . Can't even compare with Luger 's steak .ok service , v normal steak . We won't go back to there again .

    (3)

  • John D.

    This is one of the best steakhouses in the city, everytime i go there this is what i eat: 1. Wine 2. Lobster tail (for app) 3. Porterhouse Steak (cooked medium) 4. Portwine in the end When you go there if you want your dinner to be funm ask to sit on Arty's section he knows more jokes then Jerry Seinfeld.

    (5)

  • Beth P.

    This restaurant is way over rated! We went on the recommendation of our hotel concierge. It was just ok, my husbands lamb chops were very good, my filet was not. It was grisly & so bad that I had to spit piece out. I know, I know I should of sent it back- but it was late & quite honestly, just wanted to get out of there. The crab cakes were excellent, the chopped tomato/onion/bacon salad blah-zay (no dressing- just chopped with a lot of strong white onion which over powered it) & the cream spinach we ordered had no taste. The service was great! The ambience not so hot, very high ceilings, therefore very loud. Would never go back. Spend your money elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Robert S.

    I am still very bitter over how HORRIBLE the steak was that I was served at Benjamin's as well as how Victor treated me when I complained. This happened back in September 2011. I recently returned to NYC and had a steak at the Palms and at Rothmann's Steakhouses. They both were wonderful. I wrote to Benjamin's and received no response. I called and only received lip service. The meal was truly disgusting. I posted pictures of the steak on other sites. The waiter was great but the manager and the food was worse than any place I can remember and I travel a lot.

    (1)

  • Dee T.

    Absolutely not the type of restaurant that I usually patronize when visiting the city, but my friends did not want to make the trek further downtown and wanted to keep it local (ah, I remember the days of thinking I could traipse around sightseeing in little strappy sandals...) to our hotel. I yelped a nearby location and found this place. The interior is wonderful. The menu is pretty classic steakhouse vibe, and fairly old-skool at that since I don't even think poultry was served, just seafood and steak. I don't think any of the patrons were actually city residents, either - the Benjamin obviously caters to the many visitors who stay close by. Food was fine. Service was pleasant. Prices are not eyebrow-raising given the locale and the zip code. Won't be back, ever, I don't think, but don't let that deter you. If you're visiting NYC and staying nearby, this is a solid dining option.

    (3)

  • Janice K.

    Menu: Steak for Two is a must! Yes, I shared this dish with my cousin who came up to visit me. Prior to our steak, we had their Benjamin Salad for Two. The light but somewhat filling salad increased our appetitie for our entree. As the sizzling steak came out, we were already drooling over the food. Cooked medium, the steak has somewhat pink ring in the middle and still cooks off the hot plate. As I cut into my steak, I knew that I would be enjoying the food; indeed I did. Crispy outside yet chewey and soft inside, the steak was perfect! I would definitely visit here again because the service is amazing. The ambience of the restaurant is fancy and very romantic -- definitely good for a date! Although we were having a friendly dinner, I still enjoyed the mood and the food! A++++!! Try it for yourself! The price of the steak is around $40 and the seafood ranges around there with a great fluctuation. But if you are looking for a fine-dining and good food, this is a place to be! =D

    (5)

  • Navid T.

    I ordered the cheese steak..it was pretty tasty.. fries are good too... i got delivery so i cant talk too much about the service but they did deliver pretty fast through seamless web. its a bit pricey but I guess you pay for quality. I would consider ordering again but Id likely try something new.

    (4)

  • J. G. B.

    Excellent steaks and Benjamin, the man, is quite charming for a foreigner. Scotch and streaks were extraordinary, salad was uncanny and the lobster bisque was better than relations with my wife. I still swatted the waiter with my umbrella, as is my custom; but I assure you these were swats of gratitude.

    (5)

  • Joey C.

    Couldn't get a seat at Peter Luger's so went here instead- the chef is a former apprentice of Luger and this is plainly obvious in the porterhouse and rib eye steaks. They're huge, juice and completely filling, if not more so. Benjamin is conveniently located in midtown, so if you have a sudden steak craving, this may be a great alternative than making the trek to Brooklyn.

    (4)

  • Noel B.

    The service is very good and the steak was great. Usually I order a steak medium well the waiter recommended I go medium and I trusted him and the he was right it came out just like how I like it pink but no blood.

    (5)

  • Bill H.

    I enjoyed my dinner. My friends steak was too well done. Manager offered to get whatever. Very good service not charged for over done steak. Would go back !!!!

    (4)

  • Lori W.

    The Benjamin Steakhouse did a great job of taking care of us. The food was amazing. One of the best steaks ever. Dessert was fantastic. The bar area was also nice for pre- and post-dinner drinks.

    (5)

  • Dana M.

    This is just a follow up from my last visit. The service and atmosphere was much better this time around. I opted to try the fish this time. I ordered the sea bass. I found it to be a bit bland. I had to add salt and lemon. Tasted a bit better then. My wife ordered the filet mignon. It was very delicious. The sides were great - mash potatoes and asparagus. Next time, I will get the filet mignon.

    (4)

  • Alexis M.

    I can hardly believe I forgot to post my review of Benjamin's steakhouse! My father during his trip in the US wanted to go to a good steakhouse. These, usually being over my price range (+ I cook a mean Rib Eye myself), I didn't know where to go. Peter Lueger was a definite no after most of my friends had bad experiences there so I went with the Yelp reviews and a friend's advice to Benjamin's steakhouse. First I was worried because I am a nobody and the maitre d' seemed to know most people entering the place. No worries, he wasn't very buddy buddy with me but very polite and directed me to the bar while I was waiting for the rest of my party (btw their draft beer is really cheap for the neighborhood). The rest of my party arrived and we were seated. We skipped the appetizers and went straight for the main course: Steak for Three (so big it deserves its own paragraph) It arrived on the table and the 3 of us who ordered it started wondering how many days of leftovers would there be in the end. Well there was none... Not 1 bite left on this half cow. It was tender, it was juicy, it was flavorful and perfectly seasoned. It was most likely, one of the best steaks I've ever had (the other one was the Filet Mignon at Delmonico in Vegas). We had onion rings as side and there were delicious as well. One of us, not eating red meat, had the Chilean sea bass and loved it as well. We actually had a little room for dessert. Tiramisu and Chocolate mouse cake. They were accompanied with some rich thick whipped cream that could have been it's own dish. The service was exceptional. And the surprise came with the bill that was much lower than expected. I'm looking forward to find an excuse to go back as soon as possible!

    (5)

  • monique c.

    Now this is my favorite steak house. I love absolutely everything. I send all my guests(hotel guests ) there! It is so nice to sit down by the fireplace or the round table (sort of secluded) in the back with some friends. I have tried almost everything on the menu. Appetizer: Lump Crab Cake $19.95 Soup: Lobster Bisque $13.95 Steak: I usually have the steak for 2 (deff enough for 2 people) $82.95 Fish: Chilean Sea Bass: 32.95 or Grilled Norwegian Salmon $32.95 Sides:Creamed Spinach $8.95 or Asparagus $11.95 These are just few options...all good and big portions to share. The steak melts in your mouth ....i love it! Crazy for a girl who is trying so hard not to eat meat . The Lobster soup is so creamy and tasty. Oh and endless bread (my enemy). Try the the creme Spinach it's my favorite compared to other steak house restaurants. Your typical dark steak house decor but with a modern twist. Ben( manager) is awesome ! He is always friendly and makes sure you have a great meal and a great time.

    (5)

  • Pete B.

    Having been to Wolfgang's, Keene's, Old Homestead, and Capital Grille I can honestly say this place is my favorite overall from food to service. Steak for two has been flavorful, tender and cooked perfectly each time. The right amount of char(which i love), the right amount of juice. Bacon, well, its bacon, enough said! Onion rings, cottage fries are both wonderful. The service is always spot on, enough attention without feeling they are all over you. I have not been to Luger's yet so I can't say its the best but I can say it is the best I have had so far. I love this place and will continue to visit. Thank you Benjamin!

    (5)

  • karen t.

    after my last review benjamin sent me a $100 gift certificate.6 of us went back this time, same good ol service with much better food. we had so much fun we were there from 6-10pm. grapa n wine not a good mix..

    (4)

  • Kenneth H.

    Excellent food and a great environment. The wine was a bit pricey and the bar was pretty small (jammed). Overall, I hosted a great dinner for 3 for about 400 bucks.

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Took our sons to Benjamins a year ago for the oldest's sweet 16. Wanted him to experience a NY Steakhouse dinner. We were NOT disappointed. My son and I split the steak for two and my wife had a filet. They were both fabulous as was the creamed spinach. To start, we had the seafood tower for two and again, it was first rate. With the bottle of wine and a couple desserts we were well over $400 so, not for the faint of wallet but, its right about what you should expect for a high-end dinner in NYC. Service was first rate as well. Had a young Russian waiter who was just so playful and kind with our two kids. Best part of writing this review is knowing we're going back to NY later this month and already have our reservations...

    (5)

  • Jim P.

    Good service (albeit pushy), good food, nice place. We ate very early so can't comment fairly on atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Chris H.

    We were sent to this place by the concierge of our hotel as we were to lazy to find our own place and we didn't have the net so I couldn't Yelp myself a decent place (a mistake I learnt from after this). Enjoy my new bullet point review system. Setting - low lighting and very cramped feeling when busy. Service - Weird and not in a good way. One guy even slapped my friend on the back of the head at one point. Food - For me it was over priced and of average quality (steak was good but the lobster was not) as well as having missleading description. But my two freinds enjoyed their food but this isn't their review. Overall - I would not go here again.

    (3)

  • Michael H.

    Benjamin is a solid steakhouse. In a city full of remarkable steakhouses, I don't know if "solid" is enough to support the life of this place. In under 5 years, ownership has changed three times (one owner was Brittney Spears!!), so I imagine that there is a lot of turmoil here. Regardless, the food is solid. If you're a fan of Luger's, this place can save you the trip to Williamsburg. (I believe the current owner was affiliated with them for quite a while so the presentation and menu are nearly identical). One surprise --better steak sauce than the original! Overall, I'd put them one step above Gallagher's and one step below Bobby Vans/Craftsteak/Keens. Pros the dining room is beautiful as opposed to Luger's. Cons - At an entry level price of $42.00 for just a steak ,$10+ sides and $15.00 martinins, I don't see myself returning anytime soon...at least when I'm paying!!

    (3)

  • Colleen L.

    The steak was awesome. Really really really delish. And the service and presentation were pretty fantastic too. My qualm bringing this from four to three stars is the monstrous portions. I went with two men who did not see this as a problem in the slightest, but I was a bit overwhelmed with the food that kept being put in front of me. We ordered soups - the onion soup got the best reviews, my lobster bisque was a bit too rich and made my stomach hurt a little - then the steak for the whole table. I might have been happier if we had all shared the 'steak for two' portion since we also got sides. The mashed potatoes were pretty great, the creamed spinach... well, I just don't really like my spinach creamed. It was, however, the best creamed spinach I've had. I fully recognize that I made the decision to order the creamy soup, but I was pretty creamed-out by the time they were spooning the spinach onto my plate. The desserts were just a delish as the steak, and really the service was great. I just found the whole meal overall to be a bit on the heavy side. But, the guys I was there with didn't seem to mind this at all and would have at least given 4 stars.

    (3)

  • Gil S.

    The best steak house in the city. we came back after 3 years and the place is just great as we remembered.

    (5)

  • Donna L.

    I took my boyfriend for a nice romantic dinner for his birthday to Benjamin's and was extremely disappointed. I've really had better steak. We had the porterhouse for 2 medium rare for some strange reason I don't believe they could not get it right. The steak was extremely greasy and was not hot at all. It could well be because we sat upstairs and it might have cooled off when they brought it upstairs from the kitchen... oh by the way don't sit upstairs. I felt like I was eating standing on a balcony. The survice was just ok. For the money it should have been a lot better. The one bright spot of the nice were the clams and creamed spinach which was excellent. We had a better time at Rothmans Steakhouse for his birthday last year than at Benjamin's. Ok when in doubt we can always go back to good ole faithful... Angelo Maxies. Additionally the department of health grade was "pending"... which means that it had a C or lower and is being given at leaset 6 months to correct it.

    (2)

  • Paul R.

    One of the best porterhouses I have ever eaten. The lobster bisque is incredible, especially when drizzled over the steak. They also serve thick home cured bacon that is probably one of the most amazing things I have eaten. The ambience is classy and the prices match. A great spot for a night out and only a block from Grand Central Station. By far one of the top 5 steaks I have ever eaten.

    (4)

  • dale d.

    We had a great dinner here, both of us had the Filet Mignon. Items are al a carte (like other steak houses) and pricey but delicious. The service was fabulous. They went out of their way to accommodate the two vegetarians who came with us with a pasta and vegetables plate. Go to this place hungry, the servings are huge.

    (4)

  • Sheila D.

    If you are looking for an upscale restaurant with GREAT food and EXCELLENT service regardless of the price, this is the place to be. It was our last day visiting in NYC (my bf and I). We wanted to have a really nice dinner and we found this place. I'm sure glad we did because this was absolutely the best steakhouse I've ever been! Their steaks are dry aged in their own aging box. Great way to end an Anniversary celebration/Vacation! We got there, and was well greeted. The place was huge and very well decorated. It was warm (had a fireplace) and was seated comfortably. It was romantic and very relaxing. Just what we were looking for especially after walking around a lot the last 5 days we were there. We had 3 waiters taking care of us. Not that we needed all but, I liked the special treatment. They were very attentive and I thought that was really nice. We started off with the Lobster Bisque (creamy) and the Onion soup. Then had their mouthwatering Porterhouse which was AMAZING! The steak melts in your mouth. It was so tender and juicy! We also got mashed potatoes and mushrooms on the side. And then we had Creme Brulee for dessert. We spent a little over $200 BUT, everything we had was great! Overall a stellar experience and was worth every penny. Great way to end and Anniversary celebration/Vacation!

    (5)

  • Jolie W.

    I don't understand the hype. First, the service was lackluster. Our server was less than subtle in his attempts to turn the table, coming back every 2 minutes to get our order, beginning in the first 5 minutes of our seating. He was also a tremendous upseller - very unappealing. That said, I can deal with poor service if the food is good enough. The wedge salad was sad, not even including anything but a chunk of discolored iceberg and dressing (we were charged extra for bacon and tomato, standards on a wedge salad). I think the porterhouse (the house specialty) could have been pretty good if it had arrived hot. Similarly, the sides would have been very good if they got to the table while hot. As for pluses: the wine list was good; the ambiance was decent. Mixed review for the hovering waitstaff who were very attentive and wanted to continue to serve us throughout the meal. I found it to be a bit overkill.

    (2)

  • Mark N.

    Food was good, steak in particular was very good, but the service was very slow. The waiter did not seem very interested in being there and doing his job. It is really too bad because otherwise it would have been a good experience all around.

    (2)

  • Chris B.

    Company-paid dinners are the best :) Steak - very good. It had a nice crust that reminded me of crispy bacon, yet perfectly cooked in the middle. Everyone who I was with say, get the Porterhouse and share it. Creme brulee dessert - eh, average. Bacon appetizer (you'll know what I mean) - was the best piece of pork fat I've ever had. Can you just give me a plate of that next time? All in all, very solid. Great place for a big group - we had 22 people in our party and service was excellent. They even comped us some 10-year Tawny port after dinner... mmmmmmm.

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    My wife and I were celebrating our anniversary, and wanted to find a top-flight steakhouse for our dinner. We were able to get late-night seating after attending a Broadway show, and in spite of not getting there until 10:30 PM, we did not feel rushed in any way at all. The serving crew was uber-attentive, and the actual placing of our Benjamin salads on our plates was a special touch. Our treatment felt the same as though we were VIPs, and the food was a perfect "10" by every account. Our 'steak for 2' was quite possibly the best steak I've ever had, and the wine selction was a who's who of the Napa Valley superstars.

    (5)

  • Karen T.

    Needless to say the steak was exceptional but the 5-star is for the Sea Bass we also ordered. I'm a huge fan of Sea Bass and often order it but the Sea Bass here was by far the best I've ever had. Prepared and presented like steak, the Sea Bass was just cooked to perfection.

    (5)

  • John C.

    As a Texan I consider myself an expert on steak and have to admit that the chefs at Benjamin know how to cook a steak! My wife and I had the Benjamin salad (OK but no memorable), the lobster bisque (which was absolutely delicious), the crab cakes (tasty but small), and the Porterhouse for two with creamed spinach and potatoes (which was memorably scrumptious). I have been to Ruth's Chris, Mortons, and Capital Grille in different cities (Dallas, New Orleans, Scottsdale) and would have to rank Benjamin right up there at the top of the list. I would have given it 5 stars except that it was very loud and the tables were crammed together (if the table next to ours was not empty we wouldn't have had the room for our dishes and drinks).

    (4)

  • MR C.

    I made reservations for me and my wife to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary. When we arrived at 6:45pm the place was packed. Molly who was the hostess greeted us like we were her family. She sat us in a very nice table on the second floor overlooking the first floor dining area and a view of the fireplace. If you make plans to eat here and have Molly as your hostess you can not loose she is wonderful and a true professional. Next was our waiter, Christian he was on top of his game. Anytime we needed something all we had to do was look in his direction, as a matter of fact , if we did not need anything and he thought we were looking over at him he would come by. I apologize for not knowing all the other staff members names involved but it is a team effort here. And they all were FANTASTIC. The food was out of this world. My wife had the French Onion Soup and I had the Lobster Bisque, both outstanding. The salad, bread, vegies and wine were all Great. The highlight of the evening was the special of the house the Porterhouse Steak for 2, OMG, huge portion and the flavor was sooo good. As I read in another review I had them test the cutting with a spoon and sure enough the steak was so tender, you can cut it with a spoon. Overall, I would highly recommend this Steak House, I travel all over the world and have visited many restaurants, and I have to put this one in the top 2. The icing on the cake was they brought us a nice piece of cake for our anniversary and 2 glasses of Champagne. Top Notch. Thank you Benjamin's for helping us celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary. Your entire staff is Outstanding!!!!

    (5)

  • Martina B.

    I am surprised this place is rated a 5 star! This has to be one of the best steak houses I have ever been too! The customer service was great, and the food was fantastic! You can dress however you want. We were casual and fit right in. The owner was there working, and he was the one that got us in even though we didn't have reservations and it was packed! When we return to NYC for vacation this summer this will be one of the places we will be visiting again!

    (5)

  • Eli B.

    If Applebee's was a smidge fancier and housed in an opulent dark wood restaurant with a gaping fireplace, you'd have Benjamin's. I'll preface my next comments with the fact that this a not a review of the steaks. We stayed at the Dylan, so this was our home court for 4 days. I had the crab salad, which turned out to be some crab, some romaine lettuce, some green apple slivers and some red onion slices. I'm just not impressed. I don't know if it's because it shows a lack of thought ("Let's come up with a passable salad with the least amount of ingredients and prep time."), but I expect more from a $15 salad. Let's just say I found the $7 Delta salad I was forced to purchase during my cross-continental flight more enjoyable. The German potato soup which turns out to be more like a beef stew was canned tasting, perhaps it was the quantity of salt. I think the atmosphere is great - perfect for a steakhouse, but I expect the prices to be reflective of the amount of thought/quality put into the food.

    (2)

  • Avril D.

    Been taking my clients here for a while but finally was able to take my family there last Sunday evening. Made a special request for the hostess ahead of time to only drop the wine menu and she graciously obliged and executed. Waiter was great and the team gave us tremendous service. We started with the Seafood Platter for 6 and went for the Porterhouse for 6 with German Potatoes, Creamed Spinach and Sauteed Asparagus for the main course. Got a couple bottles of White and Red and we were extremely satisfied. Steak was delicious and the service was top notch. As always, Victor came over and made sure we were taken care of. Probably the best of the Old School steakhouses in NYC. Will be back.

    (5)

  • Ashli S.

    I took my boyfriend to Benjamin Steakhouse on Saturday for his birthday. Everything - from the wine, the food, the service, and the ambiance - was fabulous. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Noteables: Very nice dinner with attentive service, but not overwhelmingly so. The ceasar dressing was different - and excellent. We asked for garlic in the mashed potatoes and they were delicious and we loved the creamed spinach (if you eat it with your steak it's unbelievable). Oh - and quite possibly the best steak we've had. They even brought him cheesecake complete with a candle. So thrilled we found Benjamin, we look forward to making it a staple when we visit New York.

    (5)

  • Heather R.

    Love the food & bar here. They have the best happy hour prices on wine.

    (4)

  • Mog C.

    A friend of mine suggested this place for a group dinner and for a steakhouse we'd never heard of, it was quite good. The setup of this place is slightly strange, with a long hallway finally leading to the hostess and the main dining room. Our reservation for 8 worked out for the best as we were led upstairs to the balcony. We were slightly concerned we wouldn't be able to get the attention of our waiter but despite our location, we were well taken cared of all evening, without having to deal with how loud the main dining room gets. Service was consistent all through the evening with bread, water and wine replenished all through the course of the evening. Per my friend Obed's suggestion, the eight of us shared the steak for 4 (and as Obed rightly surmised, it definitely was big enough to feed at least 6 hungry people), the rib eye and the sirloin steak. We also ordered two orders of cottage fries (a cousin of the shoe string fries) and onion rings platter, as well as a couple of sides of creamed spinach, mushrooms and the obligatory mashed potatoes. The steaks came out as ordered, medium rare on the inside and nicely grilled on the outside. The steak for four is basically a 2 inch thick slab of meat the size of a rectangular serving tray, with bone in. By the time, you get closer to the middle of the steak, the meat is rare and juicy and just perfect. The filet mignon was tender but nothing spectacular (though I prefer on the bone and more marbled cuts so I'm a bit biased). The rib eye was good but in my book, the steak for 4 was definitely the highlight of the evening. This place is sort of hidden, a couple of blocks away from Grand Central and there are plenty of steakhouses around here. But the details, from the very good bread to the extensive but not overwhelming wine list makes Benjamin's steakhouse definitely worth a visit. Great for group dinners.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth B.

    I came during a slow slump in the day, and I was waited on by three people. The service here was great, but at times too attentive. I felt like I couldn't relax because waitstaff was literally staring at me. I guess it looked kind of weird that I came here alone for lunch (my weekend alone in NYC - before I went back with the BF), but the Library Hotel recommended Benjamin's and I am glad that I came, but there were moments I felt like I was an attraction at a zoo. I sat at the bar and the bartender tried his best to make me at home. The food is certainly in the fine food tier, and is the best in the immediate area. Do NOT go to Madison & Vine next door! (see review) If I were to stay at the Library Hotel again, I would come back to Benjamin's.

    (4)

  • Kristopher W.

    My favorite steak house yet. The atmosphere her is wonderful. I loved all the wood work inside. The dinning room is also very unique. We were lucky enough to sit right next to the giant fireplace. The food was simply amazing. My fiancee got the Chilean Sea Bass and it melted in your mouth. I got the aged steak for one and it was the best steak I ever had. My mouth is watering right now writing about it. I can not wait to come back here again.

    (5)

  • wendy c.

    Great food, service and atmosphere. Creamed spinach and NY steak outstanding! Had a very manly man feel. Don Draper would dine here!

    (5)

  • John L.

    I've been to Peter Luger's and I've been to MarkJoseph. Benjamin's beats them both. This is a more formal place, and the service -- while excellent -- is a bit pretentious. But it's the steak that makes this a 5-star place and worth the price. I went with 2 friends, one of them a female who is not used to gorging herself with red meat. I made what I thought was a mistake at the time and ordered the porterhouse for 3. The meat came out perfectly cooked (medium rare), incredibly soft, and amazing flavor. We were all full after knocking back half of it, but my other (guy) friend and I decided that to waste a steak like this would be a disgrace to ourselves and our families. It took us another 45 minutes but we finished it. I will definitely be back there soon.

    (5)

  • Julie G.

    This was a recommendation from the Marriott Courtyard Hotel. My hubby and I were on our honeymoon and wanted to dine at a nice steakhouse. We arrived at around 3, and upon entry, we were greeted by a very friendly hostess who took our coats and seated us. At first i wasn't sure what to expect since we were the only guests seated in the entire dining area...but then again, it was a really late lunch. The server was very attentive and nice. My husband ordered the lobster bisque and rib-eye steak and was in LOVE with it. I had a delicious caesar salad and rib-eye sandwich. Everything was very tasty. As we were eating, I couldn't help but notice the wait staff carefully examining every glassware set on the table. They were going to each table steam cleaning them one-by-one. Wow! Price wise, it was not too bad. Definitely on the higher end, but you get what you pay for. We would definitely come back to Benjamin's when we visit NYC again.

    (5)

  • Trish G.

    My husband and I go to steakhouses in every city that we travel to. BENJAMIN STEAKHOUSE is #1 in my book, We visited New York in December and I often dream about the most delicious steak EVER! Can't wait to go back in October. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

    (5)

  • Reginald M.

    I have to say , The service was exceptional! The General Manager himself came to show us to our table, Thank you Victor! The waiter was amazing, very attentive and helpful with the menu. The waiter suggested we have the Porterhouse, which was 19 ounces of deliciousness medium rare cut into 7 pieces. WOW! accompanied by 2, 10 ounce Lobster Tails, OMG! Sides included buttery mashed potatoes, with an amazing gravy, Steamed Vegetables(Brocoli, Asparagus and spinach) Sauteed with Thin sliced garlic. HOLY! No wine, but I had the Stella Artois, Service is still amazing, straight thru the end. For dessert we shared a Tiramisu with tea and a cappuccino. I would recommend Benjamin Steakhouse to Everyone who is a Meat and Seafood Connoisseur.

    (5)

  • Jason H.

    Had an 8:30 reservation. Didn't get seated until 9:15. Fish and ribeye were good - nothing special. The veggies were cold and dry. The two filets came out bone dry and tough as old boots. Cancelled one, returned the other for a ribeye (medium). It came out rare. Sent it back to cook for a bit longer. Came back out finally cooked how we asked for it but very unspecial, flavourless steak. Would not come here again.

    (1)

  • Jill C.

    We decided to go to Benjamin last night for our long hankering steak fix before we went to the Met Opera to see Carmen. We mentioned to our wonderful server from the get go that we were celebrating a birthday and were in a hurry to catch the 8pm show. The service was impeccable, they served all our food from start to finish with a smile and classy white tuxedo. I mean really service couldn't get better than this. I read the reviews on the lackluster decor. These people must be overly spoiled. I loved the ambiance with the big bottles of wine on the mantlepiece, hugmongus fireplace, vaulted ceilings with crown molding, and old school art deco chandeliers. It's what you would expect out of a traditional NY steakhouse and much more. The feeling you get is clean, airy, warm, and inviting. The noise level was enough to feel comfortable and not overly loud like some other hip restaurants. Now, on to the real 'meat' of the review so to speak. From the outset, we received a basket of onion rolls and some sort of sesame cracker. We had a tomato chutney? OR it could be homemade ketchup brought to our table. We also had a basket of saltine crackers and horseradish. Let me start by saying that this is where the restaurant lost a star from me. At first I thought oohh Onion rolls! Which has always been my favorite at steakhouses. I took one bite and the onion roll was hard as a rock! Not to mention, cold as one too. I know that Benjamin is not known for their onion rolls now. But for such a classy establishment I would expect the rolls to be at least at room temperature. This shouldn't be a bother for you though. Just ask for the rolls to be heated. It hought I would move on to the sesame crackers. I must say that these were a pleasant surprise. Infinitely better than the onion rolls. I dipped them in the ketchup and it was wondeful. My dinner companion had a pack of saltine crackers. Once again was disappointed. The crackers were stale! So unanimously we have taken away a star for these minor offenses. Next we ordered the seafood platter and Benjamin salad. The seafood (2 oysters, 2 half lobsters, a lump of crab meat, 2 cocktail shrimp, and 3 clams served with lemon, drawn butter, cocktail sauce, and sherry vinegar on the side) was superbly fresh and absolutely delightful. The Benjamin salad (Romaine lettuce, red onions, gala apples, and crab meat w/vinaigrette) was light and delicious. Next, came the Porterhouse for two. I mean the reviews don't lie. The steak was served on a sizzling plate with the juice drippings. We ordered our steak medium. It came out oh so flavorfully melt in your mouth yummy. I can usually only have about 4 oz. of steak at one sitting. With this one, I just couldn't stop. Our side dish was the German potatoes (french fries fried with onions) which we topped amply with the ketchup. Our wine pairing was a half bottle of the Grigch Farms Biodynamic 2006 Zinfandel. The nose of the wine was very fruity and floral. It really paired with the steak beautifully. And at $49.00 it was a steal in the mid-price mid-value range. We concluded this lovely dinner with berries and fresh schlag (housemade whipped cream) and a cup of cappucino. Fresh berries in the middle of winter is a real treat to me. To be honest, I've had cappucino the world over and Benjamin does make a really fantastic cappucino. Oh, to top it all off our server was supremely kind and offered us some after dinner apertifs on the house. We chose some port. All in all we would definitely come here again. Really everything that mattered was exceptionally delicious except the lousy bread.

    (4)

  • Matthew D.

    A truly first-class steakhouse. The room is cheerful and packed, without a lot of elbow room, but thanks to high ceilings noise is at a reasonable level. We did this joint the right way -- party of four = seafood platter for four, followed by steak for four, medium rare. Great lobster and chilled crab meat and other accompaniments. Steak was prime porterhouse beyond reproach. The wine list had a lot of a reasonably priced bottles, along with a few splurge choices if you were of the mood. We did a red WELL under $100 in price and greatly enjoyed it. The service at the bar and at the table was fast, effective, and friendly. We were hardly big spenders (see wine price above) and we were still treated to a round of dessert wine on the house and cordial send off by the maitre d' on our way out. Other food notes: The Benjamin salad was simple, but reasonably priced, too. Same comment re mashed potatoes and asparagus. We were in no shape to savor desserts (who can be if they do the first two courses and sides right) but still did a bit of damage to a tasty slice of cheesecake. Arrive ahead of your reservation, or dining partners, if only to enjoy the house-made chips at the bar.

    (5)

  • Eros A.

    I used to be a huge fan of Steak Restaurants before I became Pesco-Vegetarian and lucky me, I got to try probably the best Steak Houses in New York. Recently went to Benjamin for dinner and besides that I got there 1/2 hour later; the staff was very accommodating at seating us right away even-though the dining room was completely full. Housed in the back of the Dylan Hotel; this place looks and feels like a Steak House; working fireplace gives the room warmth and a bit of classic old New York. The owner (Benjamin) himself sat us at our table and recommended the "Porter House for Two" which is their most popular dish (we didn't have it). Two minutes after we sat down; they have decided to give us a better, bigger table on the corner; I was happy for this because we could see the whole room from out table; and gave us some privacy. I felt the waiters were trying a bit too hard to be friendly; too many "enjoy" "cheers", just after pouring water... anyway, better that than nothing at all, I guess. Our food came; and we were starving at this point... I had the Chilean Sea Bass which I must say, it was the biggest Sea Bass I ever had in my life. I think those fishes were under some hormones treatment or something... Anyway, it was fantastic, when I saw the size, I thought this is going to be bland, but it wasn't. It was full of flavors and good texture. I had the Crab Cakes for appetizer and this was delicious as well. My friend had the Fillet Mignon (which I believed he liked); we also had some side dishes like Mushroom (I love mushrooms and these were just amazing!); the potatoes; and according to my friend, the asparagus were good as well. I think the best part of dinner came between main course and dessert; my friend gave me VERY pleasant surprise... We shared the Carrot Cake for dessert; I thought it could use some improvement; but at this point I was so full I didn't care so much for dessert.. Generally the whole experience was good; and would definitely come back for another of the over sized dishes!

    (4)

  • Y Z.

    3.5... Steak was delicious , Benjamin soup and lobster bisque were great, and the hosts and the manager were very nice and attentive. I came here with my boyfriend for his birthday and let them know ahead of time. They gave us some ice cream with a candle (we didn't order desert), sang a song, and everyone shook his hand and wished him a happy birthday on our way out. Very nice! Btw, the place was beautiful! High ceilings, fireplace, real nice old school feel, etc.. BUT, we waited 25 mins for our soup (neighboring table got their meat by then, and they sat down after us), the waiter forgot how we wanted our steaks prepared, and ended up bringing us a wrong side.. Normally I dont like to complain about the service, but when the tab is over $200, they should get my steak right..

    (3)

  • Steve P.

    Exceptional steaks. Service staff worked exceptionally well together.

    (4)

  • Marella M.

    Excellent Service, Amazing food!! You will NOT be disappointed. Of course - there was a group of 6 of us and we were a little annoyed at the wait. However, the food was definitely worth the wait. The crab cakes were deliciously full and meaty. Everyone was happy with their steak selections and we all ordered our meat (filets and NY strip) cooked at different temps and were all satisfied. The seasoning was so tasty, but did not take away from the meat. PROS: Appetizers, Steaks and Service were all GREAT. Pretty extensive wine list and quality bar. Waiters were all very friendly and professional. - SHOT OUT TO WALTER! Great guy! CONS (for the sake of having some): Bread that comes out initially isn't warm; bathrooms are out of the way down a steep stairway - but hey, it's New York!

    (4)

  • T B.

    I have to say - not the best food in the world. Great service - we always had the attention of at least two waiters and a manager walking around. Great wine and drink selection. Not too many options here for someone who does not eat red meat or seafood. Plus: +Beautiful decor & ambiance +Great attentive service +Good drinks Minus: -Food

    (3)

  • Michael R.

    Well it is about the nicest steakhouse I've been to in my life, and the food is just as good. I went with the new York sirloin medium rare, completely unreal. Then I must HIGHLY RECOMMEND the creamed spinach - way better (and greener:)) than Peter Lugers. The Verne brûlée desert was outrageous also. Yeah I could barely walk afterwards but it was SO GREAT.

    (5)

  • Leslie A.

    I went to Benjamin Steakhouse last night for the first time and I have to say that everything about this restaurant was top notch! Everything from the decor, the food and the service definitely surpassed what I was expecting. We started off with the baked clams which was a perfectly portioned appetizer for two, then went onto have our Steak for 2 with mashed potatoes and mushrooms. I've had good steak that melted in my mouth, but this was GREAT steak. It was perfectly paired with a great Cabernet wine and finally we topped the night off with an espresso. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone looking for a great steakhouse. The staff and management made us feel so welcome and at home. Needless to say, I will be back very soon.

    (5)

  • kb j.

    Benjamin is a classic steakhouse and a temple dedicated to serving massive portions of red meat cooked to perfection. The restaurant consists of a crowded first floor dining area surrounding a partially secluded bar and an upstairs, somewhat quieter dining area. The restaurant is well lit . We started in the too small bar area while waiting for a table. We waited about 20 minutes for a table. While there a few other steaks and menu options to choose from, highly recommended is ordering steak by the person. This is an excuse to provide prodigious amounts of tender steak to the table. Recommended sides include the creamed spinach and German potatoes. The wine list includes a couple of pages of California Cabernet Sauvignon at a variety of price points. Service was friendly and efficient.

    (4)

  • Elliot J.

    a tourist crammed imitation, but the steak was pretty good.

    (3)

  • Angela Y.

    Crabmeat salad appetizer is really good! Steak was good too. Everything about this place - food, decor, waiters, etc - made me feel like I was at Peter Luger. Reason for not giving it 5 stars - I've had better seabass dish.

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    Good...God...Almighty. Were I to believe in the above-said deity ( and the jury is still out on that ), I believe that this is EXACTLY the kind of restaurant he/she would insist upon in heaven. Seriously. It looks like a tiny hole in the wall on the outside...and once you get inside...it just turns into this vast, expanse of a restaurant...with an entire second-level ( that I must explore next time ). They were amazingly accommodating with changing my reservations not once but thrice ( I had an indecisive client at the end of the day )... And once we got there, they knew EXACTLY who we were... They seated us immediately, and we were treated to the most impeccable service this side of Peter Luger's...with good reason, as the chef / owners of this establishment are recent defectors from the Luger camp. The steaks were amazing...the sides enormous...the wine fantastic...the desserts divine... I won't bother with too much detail. I killed a good 3 hours or more here with my agent, and at about 100 bucks an hour, it was well worth it! I'll definitely go back...I hope I nail a couple more big gigs to give me an excuse to go back and "celebrate" some more. Rock on Benjamin Steakhouse...see you soon!

    (5)

  • Kazumi M.

    good service, good atomosphere,delicious steak!!!

    (5)

  • Rich C.

    Definitely not the best steak I have eaten, especially in NYC! It was under cooked and very marbled and fatty. The taste of the meat was very good and the creamed spinach is the best anywhere! The best part about this place is the service. All male, European waiters who were spot on! You will simply not find better service anywhere (Ask for "Gem's" section). Finally, there needs to be a better dress code. I don't like going to a place that is trying to be high class and sitting next to people in jeans, t-shirts and flip flops! Overall, just average. Better places to go for high-end steak.

    (3)

  • Sofia M.

    This place is nice ... Food: 3-4?/5 ... my boyfriend and I came here ... and he ordered the rib-eye and I ordered the chilean seabass ... i thought the steak was just ok ... but he liked the steak ... as for the seabass ... its so juicy! ... we also ordered the cottage fries and onion rings combo .... OMG i love their cottage fries ... they are sooo GOOD Service: 4/5 ... they are very attentive ... when we were done with our entree ... 3 ppl came to clean our table ... it was so funny to me because i felt like i was celebrity getting all my makeup done ... lol ... that's how it felt like ... lol ... o and they forgot about my cheesecake cuz they gave us the dessert menu ... cuz it was my bday and my boyfriend was so mad ... but we decided not to order any dessert cuz we were too full ... but he was still mad ... but right before he got back his credit card ... they brought me my cheesecake and sang ... so in the end they made it up ... and that was nice ^^ Decor: 4/5 ... I like how they use candles in their fireplace instead of a real fire ... o and the bathrooms are downstairs ... so you have to take an elevator downstairs Overall ... i couldn't decide if i should give it a 3 or a 4 .. because ... i've had better ... and i dont know if i would come back here ... so i gave it a 3 ... cuz i think its just an a-ok place

    (3)

  • Feygens S.

    This is Peter Luger's apprentice spin-off restaurant. A chef of 20 years, Arturo McLeod who left to open his own restaurant. I went with my whole family a while back and the steaks may be even better than Lugers! The sauce was so savory and the location was prime like a steak. Very expensive though but like all steak houses! You love this place!

    (4)

  • Ben L.

    Of the many steakhouses I've been to in NYC, this has to be one of my favorite. Why? Because the filet mignon melts on your tongue like none other. As I'm sure you've read, this steakhouse was opened by the former chef from Peter Luger's. Some may consider this blasphemy, but I think Chef Arturo McLeod has actually improved upon Luger's. Consider this place Luger's 2.0 upgraded, not only due to the comparable quality of beef, but due to convenience (located in Manhattan), impeccable service, and gorgeous decor. Make sure to order a slice of the canadian bacon, german potatoes, and creamed spinach with the porterhouse.

    (5)

  • Peter G.

    In my opinion, the best steakhouse in Manhattan. I say this having treid most of them. Steak is perfection here. We had the steak for 4. It was sublime. Seafood is great too. I recently went with 3 close freinds and we had a great time. Loaded up on wine and protein and the wait stuff even enjoyed our boisterous style, We had a blast. Spinach is awesome but I did not like those potatoe homefries - stick with the mashed!

    (5)

  • Shand S.

    I was going to give this place three stars, but I bumped one up simply because of our waiter. The food was pretty average for a steakhouse. I honestly expected a little better (my steak was a tad over cooked), but it was still good with large portions. A friend and I wanted to split our meal and they went so far as to cut the filet in half and cook each half separately and served on separate plates (so I can't hate on them too much). Very nice. Our waiter was hilarious and very attentive. One of my secret (well not anymore) joys is being a waiters favorite table at a restaurant. My vastly inappropriate friends and I won hands down that evening. It's much bigger then I anticipated upon walking in. Very high ceilings and the upstairs looked cool (I didn't go up - wine + stairs = bad). Overall, good but not great food. Great service and drinks.

    (4)

  • Audrey J.

    As I am covertly Yelping from work *cues "Mission Impossible" music and darts furtive looks around the office*, I will keep this brief: The steak was excellent and buttery soft, but the sides were lackluster. I believe my friend was on target when he said "the mashed potatoes reminded me of airline food." However, it IS a steakhouse, so four generous stars for getting that on the money. *closes the browser and turns to sit with pen poised above the avalanche of papers*

    (4)

  • Will C.

    Celebrated my boss birthday over there. Very nice steak and nice environment. The waiters are very nice and efficient. However, the table of two is a bit small if you want to order more food. The steak of the house is in huge portion. 1 order for 2 is sufficient. Enjoy the meal

    (5)

  • Tricia K.

    Dined here with clients the other night. This is a generic midtown steakhouse in a multilevel, cavernous, windowless yet bright space. The crowd is after-work suits. I had the Filet, which was huge. I like my steak medium rare and this was property prepared, but not the best grade of beef I've had (they use USDA Prime) and it was seared with a thick black crust of seasoning that I did not care for (i prefer the softer top to a steak, a la Del Friscos). I tried most of the side dishes, asparagus, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, all fine, maybe a bit bland. I won't speak against the wine because our host chose and he was no sommelier. While our meal was pleasant, the service was a bit slow. What I had to downgrade Benjamins on was the fact that NOTHING stood out. This is traditional steak, traditional sides, that's it. I have come to appreciate and expect that when I go for a fine dining experience in New York, something should be unlike anything I've had before ( a particular dish, the drinks, decor, service, crowd, something). This is just not the place for me, and I feel that for the money, there are much better steakhouse experiences to be had. Sorry, Bens.

    (2)

  • Mitch S.

    beautiful restaurant with upstairs and downstairs service. difficult to get to during rush hour due to traffic signs, etc. bar is nicely crowded. but the food was just ok. not an a-1 steakhouse, like the homestead or wolfgangs. maybe a b-c listing in my opinion. side dishes were good, but my filet and lobster tail weren't at all great. just ok. not worth going back. too many other places with better food.

    (3)

  • Michael W.

    Went to this steakhouse to make a birthday special. in reality, we shoulda and coulda picked any other restaurant. we were seated next to the kitchen door (very bad location), and our food was acceptable, but not nearly what we paid for. neither I nor my family will be returning

    (1)

  • Jason C.

    I have been eating at Benjamin's for 6 years now and keep coming back for more. The food is unbelievable and the service is even better. You will meet Benjamin himself and he will make sure that you eat like a King. There is a private room for large parties and the Events team is one of the best in the city. I can't say enough good things about this restaurant, make sure you go and get the Rib eye!

    (5)

  • EJ K.

    Ate here with my new boss and colleague while on a business trip to NYC. Quite simply, it was everything I could have hoped for and more. You should expect everything that comes with fine dining... dress well, check your coat, and most important, know somebody who can get you a reservation. The filet was outstanding, aged to perfection, and cooked precisely the way I like it. The entire experience was perfection with a single-malt scotch as icing on the cake. Don't come here expecting a simple upper-end dining experience. This is a place meant to impress!

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    This is truly this best steakhouse I have ever eaten at. My mom and I got the porterhouse steak for two and creamed spinach and salads. The steak is so tender and juicy. The creamed spinach is out of this world. It is worth paying the money for this meal. The service is very nice and quick.The restaurant is beautiful inside. If you want a good steak, you have to go to Benjamin's .

    (5)

  • KeeperOfSecrets H.

    Appetizer: Seafood platter - I liked the one at Smith and Wollensky's better in terms of quantity and quality Entree: Filet Mignon is absolutely delicious...second Davidoff in that it melts in your mouth! Dessert: average cheesecake; wayyy too strong irish coffee Waitstaff: extremely friendly, but had to ask several times to have my soda refilled and they spilled stuff on some of the guests My $0.02: Great steakhouse...but still like Del Frisco's better :)

    (4)

  • Anna H.

    Am I going back to this restaurant again? Yes very soon. Me and my boyfriend came here on Saturday night but before that I made reservation just in case all the tables are taken. Service was excellent. The reason I said that was we both were seated at the corner on the second floor and it was still quiet on that floor but our waiter was there to be sure that we were being taken care for our needs. I hardly get that kind of treatment in a restaurant. We order the steak for 2 was so good. The steak wasn't burn on the bottom so you can enjoy the meat taste.

    (5)

  • Drew D.

    Ok so my friends asked me would I ever give out a 5 star rating. Well I thought about it and finally decided to do a review on my hands down favorite steakhouse in New York, and maybe in the world. I have only been here twice once a really long time ago and again only a year ago but I can review the meal like I had it yesterday. I started out with the onion soup a personal favorite of mine, it was delicious. It was made with extra amounts of melted cheese and the broth was to die for, my mom had the lobster bisque and that wasn't at all a let down either. Then came the entree, we got the steak for 2 since we figured my mom wouldn't eat much, we were correct we were fine on steak but the steak, I couldn't say enough good things about it, it was tender and juicy, and we got sides of asparagus and broccoli both steamed and the waiters all around us placed food on our plate. Then they came back when we were getting close to finishing and put more vegetables and steak on our plates. I was in absolute heaven each bite was scrumptious. Then we got dessert, ever since I was little my favorite dessert has been berries. A long time ago I was on a cruise a cruise looking over all the vast amounts of desserts I finally just asked the waiter if he could just bring some assorted berries, henceforth assorted berries have been my favorite dessert. They always cleanse my pallet and leave me with a smile on my face leaving the restaurant. That is why Benjamin steakhouse is a five star establishment, and I can't wait to go their every time I'm in New York.

    (5)

  • Dot K.

    their steak is out of this world. words just can not describe the feeling you get when you see that sizzling perfectly grilled meat on that huge plate... it can possibly bring some tears to your eyes. i mean it. i almost did. we had the steak for 4 for 5 people. way enough food. we also had the mashed potato, creamed spinach and mushrooms - way good as well. i am not a big fan of using steak sauce, but their homemade sauce wasn't too bad either. the waitstaff were absolutely attentive and super nice (they brought a bucket of iced water for my flowers). heard this place used to be NYLA - brittany spears restaurant.

    (5)

  • Tony A.

    took my girlfriend for a long overdue nice meal. the food was terrific, the steak for two was prepared exactly as we asked, sides were terrific and she chose an excellent wine. waitstaff was great, especially sal. room was a bit loud, but otherwise awesome

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    Steak is still solid four stars, but felt obligated to give this review an update after a recent visit. Benjamin's has absolutely, positively, unimaginably, the best salad I've ever had. I am not a vegetarian. In fact, I can count on one hand the times I've had salad in the past five years. But I would convert for the Benjamin salad. Crisp apple slices, tender flavorful greens, and mouth watering fresh crab meat. It came amazingly close to overshadowing the steak (which was as good as I remember).

    (4)

  • Peter K.

    What can I say about Benjamin's? Well I can't say anything bad about it...that is for sure. I have been here several times and I always have had an excellent experience. From the service to the food, everything is fantastic. I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. I have been to many steakhouses in NYC and this one is by far THE BEST!!!!

    (5)

  • Karen B.

    Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Benjamin Steakhouse. It is similar to other steakhouses - decor, service, etc. But food-wise I think Benjamin is just a bit better than others I've been to (Luger, Mortons). Service was excellent. Table was a bit tight, not much room to maneuver and the place got really crowded after 7 pm, as expected. Iceberg wedge was okay, but the canadian bacon put it over the top. Crabcakes were excellent. Steak was excellent, as were the sides of creamed spinach (not so creamy but delicious) and the onion rings/potato chip thingies, I forget what they were called. As expensive (maybe a tad more) as other steak places in the area, but worth it.

    (4)

  • Tom K.

    Well deserving of a four star rating. Food was very good and served by a friendly staff. This was highly recommended by other Yelpers and it was within walking distance of our hotel. Made for a pleasant experience in NYC.

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    Believe all these good reviews you are reading here. Benjamin Steakhouse is excellent, from the appetizer potato chips at the bar to the highly attentive service and superb steaks. The waiters might even be a little overzealous but you can't really fault that. One tip: they may push the Porterhouse. It was good but half of it was kind of fatty. Maybe I'm just too much of a Filet Mignon guy. My wife had the Filet and says it was the best ever. The room is cool too!

    (4)

  • Angel M.

    We went to Benjamin's it was recommended by the concierge at the Hilton I thought he over sold the place but after going there he undersold the restaurant. Home run !! Fabulous steaks and sides. The wine list was extensive and wonderful as well. Nice place also to Star gaze we saw Bradley Cooper & Stockard Channing.

    (4)

  • Rebecca M.

    First thing's first the bacon appetizer's the realest. I was really not into the idea of eating just a fatty slice of bacon, but it's so good with their wedge salad. Get it (and then go to the gym... eventually, or whatever). The filet mignon was good, but there was really nothing extraordinary about any of the food or the experience. I am not a fan of the creamed spinach (strangely sweet) or their steak sauce (very reminiscent of cocktail sauce). We had a nice malbec with our meal and the service was good, but I won't be back. Go to the bathroom while you're there if you want to feel like you're lost inside a ship.

    (3)

  • Skip T.

    Overpriced for the quality of food. Very noisy and crowded. Service was mediocre. Didn't enjoy the experience. Won't repeat.

    (3)

  • Andrea P.

    I've been here on three occasions, all work related, once for breakfast and twice for lunch. The atmosphere is very classy and gives off the aura of a upscale establishment for sure. The solid wood paneling as well as the artwork really add a nice touch. The food is standard for a NYC steakhouse and to be honest I cannot attest to the steak itself as I've always ordered the seafood. With that being said the lobster bisque and the sea bass are delicious! There is nothing fancy about preparation or sauces, however the quality of the food itself is apparent. The service is top notch, complete with multiple servers and appropriate cutlery. You definitely pay for the experience but that is a given. Overall high quality steakhouse will never disappoint in that category.

    (3)

  • John B.

    food was great, just not as good as Peter Lugar. Bacon was a bit dry. Steak for 2 was cooked perfectly. Cream spinach was tasty, just a small portion for the price. Dessert was missing the big bowl of whipped cream that Lugar gives you. Service was SPOT ON. Restrooms not easily accessible. Worth a visit for a special occasion

    (4)

  • Paul P.

    Good soups and salads, subpar steak. We ate the porterhouse for two. The filet and strip of the porterhouse were chewy. The seared surface went too deep and ruined the whole steak. We won't be back. Del Fricos and Strip House so far are our favorites. They have both been consistent with excellent quality meats cooked to order.

    (2)

  • Krysia K.

    We dined here on Saturday night. Amazing time! Benjamin Steakhouse is absolutely phenomenal. I had one of the best Rack of lamb in my life here. My husband has Rib Eye steak. The Rib Eye, it was juicy, tender, extremely flavorful and perfectly cooked to order. The portion sizes are enormous, so you will definitely be taking home leftovers. It is quite expensive (appetizers about $20, entrees about $50 and above, side dishes about $15) so factor that in to your decision. Three glasses of wine, 2 entrees and 2 side dishes cost $180 without tip.The service is the best; they are friendly, attentive and professional. Everything was perfect. We will definitely be coming back here.

    (5)

  • Shel B.

    Came here on a Saturday night before a Broadway show. We booked for a 5:15 dinner, which is the only available slot for the night. We arrived partially on time, and decided to seat at the bar and order a few drinks. When our whole party arrived, we were seated in the middle of the dining room. It's a two floor restaurant in a hotel. It's not huge, it's not small. It has high ceilings, and the bathroom is in the basement. In just 15 minutes, the place is half full. There are four of us. We ordered the sizzling thick cut bacon, and I ordered crab cakes. For a $4 bacon each,I'd say its a must to order. I ordered the crab cakes, for $20, and I get two pieces, a bit pricey if you will think of it, but with every bite, the crabmeat is overflowing with its natural flavors. It's a great start, I am impressed!! For our main course: We ordered Two filet mignons, butterfly cut, and a Steak for two, which includes a porterhouse on one side, and a filet Mignon on the other side. We also ordered steak frites, mashed potato, and creamed spinach. The steak for two costs $100. It's served In an oven safe sizzling plate, sliced, with TBone as part of the presentation, and steak jus. I'd say, I enjoyed the experience more than the steaks itself. As our food arrives, three to four servers surrounded our table and started plating our foods. I felt so special. I got nothing else to do but to chew on my steaks. Plus the portion may be enough for three people if they got appetizers like us. For dessert, creme brûlée is very good. Our bill is $400 and for four of us, it's a bit pricey but would definitely be back. I love this place and would recommend for special occasions. Service is outstanding, 5 stars. Food is 3.5 stars as well as the decor. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Sean S.

    A friend of mine brought me here when I was in the city for a visit and while it was very good, I was expecting a little more fora restaurant founded by a former Peter Luger's chef. The wait staff was very friendly and took care of requests quickly, sides were good as well, but I came here expecting to have an incredible steak and I left after having a very good one.

    (3)

  • Kaixi L.

    It's the best steak I have ever eat. Remember just ask for "steak for two/3/4" don't order vegetables, so you can focus on the taste of the steak. It's amazing!

    (5)

  • Neil F.

    Honestly, I am perplexed by the high Zagat rating which is where this place likely derives so much of its business. The place is VERY busy, but also appears to be way smaller than most of the top steakhouses and has a very small narrow entrance and bar area, which makes it appear busier than it is as well as makes it very uncomfortable To begin, please note that I am comparing Benjamin relative to the Top 10 NYC Steakhouses, since it is certainly priced that way and if you are going there, you are missing out on Delfrisco or Mortons or Lugers, etc etc. From the time we got there the service was beyond unacceptable. Since one of the people in our party was running late, for a 5:30 reservation, they told us we could only have the table if we ordered appetizers right away, without the 3rd person being there yet. It was clear from the beginnng that they are in a rush to get you in and out, as I ordered soup and baked clams as appetizers, and they were bought out together, and several times the waiter tried taking them away before each was finished. The French Onion Soup was unflavorful ..the clams were fine, but i have never had bad clams oreganato As for the steaks, we ordered the ribeye, filet, and porterhouse and the 3 of us were unimpressed. The ribeye was extremely fatty - even for ribeye and was unflavorful which is the reason you order it. The cut on the filet was mediocre at best and the porterhouse was also fatty. There is simply no comparison with the steaks you get at other top steakhouses, this was easily the worst As mediocre as the food was, the service was far and away the worst for any steakhouse. After forcing us to order early, the food came out very quickly, but we had to ask 3 or 4 times for drinks, and had to wait over 30 minutes for them to come to the table. They made several attempts to clear our food away early and the manager came over at the end of the meal to ask how everything was, we told him it was only fair, and he seemed to offer us complimentary dessert and coffee,which of course they ended up charging us for. And finally, after all that, before we were even done with the dessert, he came back to the table to ask if he could buy us a drink downstairs, since he needed the table, so I replied back, "just like you bought us the dessert and coffee, no thanks". He was completely unapologetic,after we told him we were glad to leave. Hard to imagine a management staff who is as clueless as this one, but its probably some sort of language barrier, since half the employees seem to be some sort of Eastern European derivation, one that is certainly not schooled in the finer points of customer service Do yourself a favor and if you are looking for a nice evening out, go to DelFrisco if you have the money, Mortons if you want consistency, Lugers if you want an adventure into Brooklyn to see the Original or STK if you want to go hipster. Benjamin's offers none of these, and the only metric it can compare is price, as in charging you MORE than most any steakhouse in NYC

    (1)

  • Lytc L.

    Me, my girlfriend and our baby went to this steak house on father's day. Staff was very friendly and the steak was cooked really nicely^^ it was a little salty but the flavors of the steak was great! They also have gravy with mashed potato:) Enjoy your visit if u are thinking of coming to this great place

    (4)

  • Steven P.

    Food very good, service attentive, but waiters not too friendly. Overpriced. Very busy for lunch.

    (4)

  • Raymond S.

    Really wanted to give Benjamin 5 stars, but there were a couple little things that were off the mark that didn't allow me to do it. Being a huge steak fan, I think Benjamin is the best steakhouse that I have been to in Manhattan so far. Other places I've tried out include Ben & Jacks, Wolfgang's, Club A, Capital Grille and Delmonico's. Benjamin is by far best in terms of the steak quality and consistency (I've been here 5+ times now and never disappointed!). Service also ranked very high. So where did it go wrong? Firstly, there is no cellphone service in parts of the restaurant -- eek. Secondly, the sides and desserts are pretty lacking. Would have loved it if they had corn of some sort. Thirdly, one of the tables I sat at had a HUGE chip the size of my hand! Having said that, Benjamin will be my go to place for a steak! Wine prices are pretty decent too.

    (4)

  • Thomas A.

    Good food but the service was pretty spotty. I felt like they were negligent to the customer needs. They took orders without a smile, and they just seemed very brusque. The food was excellent though. The bacon was thick but not as cooked as perfectly as Luger's. The jumbo shrimp cocktail was good but forgettable. I mean there was no wow factor. I wish the cocktail sauce had some horseradish or something. I actually preferred combining the shrimp with the Benjamin steak sauce. We also shared a wedge salad and ehhh that was wack. It was just a big slab of iceberg , blue cheese, and crumbled bacon. The porter house for 4..That's where it's at though. Perfectly cooked medium rare. The steaks had a nice crust of flavor, and the pieces were still juicy. The steaks weren't as juicy and moist as Luger's but they were still good. Overall the entree was great, the apps were ehh, and the service was blah.

    (3)

  • Donna V.

    This place rocks! I have been here twice and the steaks are legit. I have been to Peter Luger's, Wolfgang's... and they generally have similar preparations-- not sure who's biting who's style with how the steak is selected, cooked, and served at the table... wait, even the special sauce is similar... but because of the consistency of these steakhouses, you will not be disappointed with your steak here. The bread at the table came out warm and we devoured them with butter. The steaks are consistently good. Sizzling hot when they arrive... thick and cooked to the right temperature where its crunchy on the outside and soft and tender in the inside. Simply the best steak preparation around!!! And the cheesecake is phenomenal. The crust is graham cracker and the filling is thick velvety heaven. If possible, make a little room in the tummy for this delicious treat!

    (4)

  • Dan D.

    Not impressed. RC is much better. I ordered medium and it came medium well. Was pretty much flavorless. I almost wanted to put sauce on it. My typical response when asked if I want sauce is " I hope not " we had a 7p reservation. We were seated at 8:40!!! The bacon is AMAZING AMAZING! Steak not so much. Get the bacon appetizer then go to Ruth's Chris for the steak. By the way, this restaurant was highly recommended

    (3)

  • Antoinette M.

    We were lucky enough to get a table with out booking - it was very full the night we attended. The service was impeccable, the food just as good, and the wine list extensive.A very memorable night.And the cap I left behind was waiting for its owner to turn up the next day!

    (5)

  • Joseph P.

    It's OK. Nothing to really rant about, but also nothing to rave about. Pretty much standard New York City steak house fare. Personally, I don't like having my steak cut up for me, so any place that does loses points for that. The steak itself was good, not great but good. In fact I can say that about just about everything we had. The onion soup was good but not great, likewise the creamed spinach. Mashed potatoes were better than average but the asparagus was poor. The wedge salad was interesting. It's 1/4 head of lettuce cut out and left as it is. Does not compare with the top steak houses in New York. So far del Frisco's is still tops, followed by sparks and keen's. It was also rather noisy and cramped, but the service was excellent.

    (3)

  • Joanna M.

    Need to write a review for Benjamins! I've been here a a couple of times, often with my father whenever we are in the area. First time we came here was after a family outing to see Radio City's Christmas Spectacular. Dad is like me, loves steak KNOWS HIS MEAT and is a former NYC meat market/old fashioned guy from Mulberry St. so he is picky (knows this stuff) and hard to please. After trekking over to Gallagher's, Dad turned his nose up to the subpar and overpriced cuts of meat they were serving and disappointed they no longer served the porterhouse he craved and remembers eating there way back when like wayyyyyyyyy. Benjamin's was our backup but boy were we so glad. It was meant to be! Great for their porterhouse steak (Our favorite!) and typical steakhouse side dishes: creamed spinach, asparagus, potatos au gratin. Yummy! Owner is former Peter Luger's chef so if you can't make the trip to BK, go to Benjamins. Oh and they take cc!

    (5)

  • Greg N.

    Took my team out to dinner last night and based on my friend's recommendation, we tried out Benjamin's. We were definitely not disappointed. There were 5 of us and we got the "steak for 3" and a lamb chop for each of us. First off, it was the lamb chop I've ever had. Ever. The steak was also excellent, not sure if it was the best ever but definitely right up there, expertly cooked and seasoned to perfection. Great wine selection, very good service. We also each had a slice of bacon. Yes, a slice of bacon but we're talking one BIG THICK piece of bacon. Incredible. The only thing I can say that wasn't outstanding was the mashed potatoes. They weren't bad but nothing special; I would've expected something else but that's definitely being nit picky. Go and enjoy!

    (4)

  • Kelvin B.

    Holy shit snacks! The food here is fucking righteous and pricey as shit but well worth it. I went in for a solo dinner. First of all, if you don't make a reservation, you're either shit out of luck or eat at the bar. I got a seat at the bar cause I'm a lucky guy. I ordered the rib eye steak done medium rare (which everyone says is the best steak) and creamed spinach. The food is really good and filling. Topped it all down with a glass of wine for a total of about $78. Not bad at all.

    (5)

  • David O.

    Great food and one of the best services experiences The steak I had was perfect. The seasoning was outstanding. Everyone else loved their food to. The server was timely and very knowledgable about the dishes and wine. You can. It go wrong with this place

    (5)

  • Shaw I.

    The two of us were very disappointed at the quality of food and service. We arrived promptly for an 8.45pm reservation but had to wait for almost 1/2 an hour. Others who arrived later (same party size) were seated first, perhaps because they were society types. It made us feel not welcomed. We were constantly told to move to make space. Finally when we finally got our table, it was a noisy busy area and the waiter spilled some oils on my jacket. In addition, the medium rare rib eye I selected was overcooked, more medium than medium rare. A terrible sin for a $49 steak. I make better steak at home. Only thing that was good was the wine. Definitely not coming back. Bad food, unwelcoming front desk and too expensive for what you get.

    (1)

  • John L.

    The signature dish is the aged steak for 2-4 and it does not disappoint. We ordered it medium-rare, and it arrived with an tasty crisp char on the exterior and a tender, tasty interior. They do it well. The side dishes, salads, service, etc... are all on the mark. The only negative is that the big room can get a bit loud. One the best steak houses in Manhattan.

    (4)

  • Lazy S.

    Went here for dinner tonight, it was superb! Very upscale steak house that competes with the best of them. The steak for four was phenomenal, we actually split it between 6 of us (2 were children). The blue cheese bacon wedge salad was amazing! The bacon is very thick cuts, never had one quite like that before! We also had the onion rings and home fries, which were also wonderful. They took us In for a 7pm reservation last minute, which saved us seeing as how it was our last meal before hopping on the train back home. This was done on a recommendation from the concierge at the Hyatt right around the corner, so glad we asked.

    (5)

  • Shon R.

    Bottom line - great food and service. There is a reason so many compare this place to Luger's and its due to the great food here. My steak was top notch. Well prepared and perfectly seasoned. The staff was phenomenal. My cup was literally never empty and they were the perfect balance of attentive without being too intrusive. Overall, with so many steakhouses in New York, I have given up on ranking them. However, Benjamin Steakhouse is definitely among the best.

    (5)

  • Jimmy G.

    Working as a Concierge in New York City had its perks(this is one of the perks). This place is phenomenal. You must get the bacon appetizer! Its a huge steak like slab of bacon you need to cut with a knife and fork. The porterhouse is very flavorful and I highly recommend it! But the real winner here is the above and beyond service. I've dined here many times and I am always impressed by the excellence of this place.

    (5)

  • Sammy H.

    Omg, after reading all the reviews about this place it made me go there asap... Honestly nothing crazy .. The steak was just great. Please do not get you're hopes up, and also please make sure to bring credit cards and cash just incase the bill maxes out your credit card

    (3)

  • Inna A.

    Ordered a NY strip with lobster tail. Steak and lobster were juicy and cooked just right. The cream spinach was ok. I think Morton's cream spinach is way better. Even thou we showed up 20 minutes late, the manager was extremely polite and sat us down right away! The coat girls were friendly and waiters were super professional. Having been that we showed up late, we were able to eat and get to our show on time. Thank you to the great staff at Benjamin's.

    (4)

  • Josh W.

    Pros: -Best porterhouse I've had in my life. Seasoning was perfect, cook was just right, and the sear on the steak was to die for Cons: -Creamed spinach very salty -Friends had over salted steaks -oysters on a half shell were fishy, old, and over priced

    (4)

  • Ali S.

    Always get the filet mignon. Rare. Never too bloody because they age the meat. Creamed spinach not too creamy at all, which is great because tastes better that way. Vodka martini with their blue cheese stuffed olives made by their king of the bar "G"- perfection. Service always efficient and friendly funny staff. I just wish it was less of a dark cave. Zero windows. Well, faux ones. Looking out at nothing. And i don't really like their steak sauce, but meat is great, so doesn't really need the sauce anyway. But food and drinks make it completely worth it.

    (4)

  • Irene L.

    The interior was lovely, the service was okay, and the steak was pretty good. The reason why I'm giving Benjamin a 3 star review instead of a 4 star one is because of the sides. I found them basically inedible! I'd recommend asking the hostess for a table in the corner of the first floor as it is tucked away nicely. If you're lucky, you might even get one of the two giant booths! The oysters tasted pretty good, but nothing special. The caesar salad was not bad, but pretty mediocre for the price. The steak (my boyfriend and I got the steak for two, which I think is a T-bone or porterhouse) was tasty. They weren't stingy with the butter! I think I would have preferred a fattier cut though. My real complaint lies with the sides. We ordered the mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and grilled onions. Both the mashed potatoes and creamed spinach were wayyyy too salty. I was reaching for my water after every two bites. A bit disappointing since the sides are extra. I loved the interior. The restaurant used to be a subway station or something, so it's got high ceilings and beautiful molding. The lighting is dim, so it's not great for taking pictures of your food, but you should probably be savoring your expensive meat anyway lol. I think I'd be willing to come back and maybe choose different sides.

    (3)

  • Lacey G.

    I found this place really underwhelming. The steaks lacked flavor and didn't compare to ones from places like Morton's, Ruth Chris, or the Palm. Also, the service was really lacking: our waiter was quite brusque and we really had to work to flag people down when we needed something. It definitely wasn't the authentic New York steakhouse experience I was looking for.

    (3)

  • Christopher W.

    The service here was exceptional. They let me sit down early before my reservation and were courteous to wait on me as I waited for the rest of my party. It worried me early in the night that the place was empty. But towards the end of my meal, the place was fully packed. The owner even helped take some pictures for my party along with photobombing a few of my photos =) The food was cooked the way I ordered it. However, I feel that the quality of the food could have been better for the price. Overall, great place. Would not necessarily come back here, but would not disregard the suggestion. There are just too many other places to eat at in NYC.

    (4)

  • S P.

    My husband and I used to frequent this steakhouse. We liked the food and service was always great. First, let me clarify that service isn't usually a deal breaker for me if the food makes up for it, but last night was a different story. When I took my out-of-towner guests here last night, we could NOT have been more disappointed. (I should have noted the recent negative ratings on this joint) It was clear from the beginning our waiter wasn't properly trained and he didn't want to be there. He was very condescending and when I needed to get something clarified on the menu, he SMIRKED. Yes I'm serious. He left out a small laugh and looked at me like I was a dumb@ss (if you are curious, i was getting clarification on steak for 2/3/4 ppl being porterhouse cut and the portions) I will let other smaller things slide besides the smirk, like 1) greeting us in Japanese at first, because we are Asian (Asian profiling much?) There are other Asian languages, dude. 2) keeping our wine glasses on the table after we said we won't be ordering wine, 2) lack of attention given to table throughout the night 3) his jittery composure 4) the rude way he was taking my husband's cocktail orders ("What do you want?" [It was Moscow Mule, btw] "What is it?" What? [ he didn't know what it was and kept asking like we were not saying it right!!!] "I don't think we have it at the bar, let me check", "Hey, how do you make it?") and 5) making comments on our foreign friends who were taking photos of the food.... !!!!!!! The worst of it all was when I was ordering Benjamin salad. It didn't have ingredients listed and I couldn't remember. Since one of our guests have several food allergies, I asked what was in it and he said "greens, crab meat, red onion." and he said "why are you asking?".... @#$#$%^ Is he serious? I took a deep breath and told him the reason. Then I double checked with him on the ingredients. When the salad came, guess what was in it? APPLES. Our allergic guest CAN'T EAT APPLES. She was being nice about and said it will be okay because it was just on top of salad (Not chopped up finely and mixed in everywhere) but I was EXTREMELY unhappy after how the waiter has been the whole night. PLUS, it wasn't a complicated salad: it had 5 ingredients total. If he didnt know, he should have checked with manager or other waiters. There are other wonderful steakhouses in the city. We will NOT return. ****oh, a little random, but worth mentioning: the side order of asparagus had 8 pieces total..... We got 2 pieces each/person and the empty dish was taken away.

    (1)

  • Wing C.

    "Who gets fish from a steakhouse?" I judged many many times prior of those who did. But on the day I stopped in, I was just in no mood for a big piece of juicy steak. Instead I went with their blackened salmon salad (yep a salad too, why come to a steakhouse?). I was pleasantly surprised at how well my salmon was made - perfectly seasoned and grilled. My generously sized filet was flakey and moist. The dressing was your standard vinaigrette but I didn't need any since a squeeze of lemon along with the freshness of the fish itself were more than satisfying to my palate. Overall, although I'm not dying to return any time soon by this meal itself, Benjamin definitely exceeded my expectation as a steakhouse!

    (4)

  • Arthur A.

    The service was great -- timely, friendly. After we had been sitting for about 5 minutes, our waiter comes by and predicts our order, and came pretty darn close! I'm guessing that's his regular shtick, but it was a good icebreaker. Food was solid. Sides were a little on the smaller side, particularly the potatoes. Steak was prepared well.

    (4)

  • Sarah V.

    One of my personal favorite steakhouses. Very good cuts of meat, with very generous sides. It is a fair price for the prime beef you are getting. I have been here multiple times and go out of my way to come here whenever I'm in the city. It is a more upscale place which is great when you're looking for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. I would definitely recommend it.

    (5)

  • Maya S.

    I thought for the price point this would be a more upscale restaurant. You had to go down smelly, dingy stairs to get to the bathroom; while the bathroom was nice, they had cheap, rough public bathroom napkins to wipe your hands. The upstairs is very romantic but the tables were close together and a little awkward for a date. Food: The prime rib was very tasty. Not the best I've had but definitely a good choice. The sea bass was burned with no flavor so I sent it back for a less burned one that was actually pretty tasty. The mashed potatoes were very good but for the price, quite a small portion. Dessert: Again, for the price, the presentation was comparable to an Applebees and the Chocolate Mousse was just OK. I would go back because the steak was good but it wouldn't be my first option.

    (4)

  • Eduardo W.

    Excellent steak Was not to full for a Saturday pm Service was friendly Oysters were not the best Crab cake and mushroom were great Expensive but not above same type of restaurant

    (4)

  • Samuel M.

    It is like a movie set, the decor is dark medieval. I drank the pinot noir by the glass, good. I ordered the classic jumbo shrimp cocktail, very good. And the lobster, it was crunchy, had its own style, but didn't kill me. I was expecting something yummier. It wasn't good at all. Lots of fame here but the reality is another. As you enter you feel in a Haunted House. There is an army of waiters, the space is strange, the food mediocre. We cannot understand how this business are so successful offering this unflavored and boring food. If you want quality go to Peter Luger.

    (1)

  • David S.

    Great food, fun atmosphere. We were late (stuck walking from our hotel in Times Square and its a madhouse - almost New Years). Hostesses were C U next Tuesday's but whatever we hit up the bar and Emma & Gigi made us feel right at home. We ate at the bar and enjoyed our evening. The manager tries to seat us multiple times and we denied said its more fun here at the bar. He apologized for the hostesses and bought us a round of drinks. We will return for another meal and probably hit up the bar. We are Floridians and very laid back.

    (4)

  • Marios D.

    Just enjoyed another fabulous meal here. It was as epic as every other experience. I love coming back.

    (5)

  • Jerry Z.

    TL;DR - Incredible food, I mean it's really top notch, and sub par service. Based solely on the food Benjamin's is to me, the second best in town, with a very slight edge going to Keen's. It's definitely on par with Peter Luger's. Came here with four friends for a friday night guy's night out. We had a reservation for seven but two dropped out at the last second. We were also running about 15-20 minutes late. I called ahead, but thought it was very nice of them to be able to accommodate us, especially on a busy friday dinner rush. For an appetizer I ordered one slice of bacon. And boy, when they say thick cut, they mean THICK CUT. On a normal day I think a couple of slices would count as a meal by themselves. The bacon slice came out beautifully done, perfectly crisped on the outside, but not burned. I would very highly recommend it should you end up here, and will definitely order it myself next time. Tried a bit of creamed spinach, and while adequate, and while it was fine, it really was nothing special, just adequate. For the main entree, since I've been on a strict diet regimen, I decided to go all out, and got the steak for two for myself, medium rare. It... was... perfect... One of the hardest things to do with a thick steak is to cook it to perfection, and it was done beautifully. Perfectly seared, perfectly seasoned, and just perfect inside. Not medium, not rare, not, god forbid well done, but a perfect medium rare, beautiful balance of an almost bloody center, but not quite rare. As steak goes this is definitely one of the two best I've ever had. The filet mignon side cut with barely any pressure, and the other side was almost as tender. It was presented on a hot plate, angled down to let the oil drip off somewhat, and precut. One of my big personal pet peeves, is I want to get the steak when it's still hot, just after it's been rested. Here once again Benjamin's delivered perfectly. For the side I opted for the Cottage Fries and Onion Rings combination. Both were ok, but really nothing special. I thought the onion rings could have been better done. Where the steak was the highlight of the meal, the service was definitely the low point. Our waiter though very courteous was very often nowhere to be found, and seemed to disappear for 20 minutes when we wanted to place our order, and when we wanted to pay. We were there to relax, and had no schedule to keep to for the night, but still it was rather annoying. Don't get me wrong, I'd not expecting the waiter to hover over the table, but it would have been nice for him to have done a proper introduction of himself as our waiter, and to have stopped by more than 3 times in two hours. Taking a star off for this. In a Friday's I wouldn't, but in an upscale restaurant I expect more. Overall it was an excellent dining experience that I think cost me at least a couple of days at the gym, but still worth it, and I will definitely end up going back.

    (4)

  • Kelly L.

    Solid steak and sides. Romantic white tablecloth type traditional restaurant.

    (4)

  • Mitchell M.

    A solid 4 stars goes to this restaurant and for now my favorite NYC steakhouse recognizing that I have not been to Keans, Delmonicos, Sparks and Gallaghers. Brought clients here and most of us started with good various type salads, followed by a bone in rib eye (strong 4 stars) very flavorful with their home fries potatoes (great) and multiple type vegetables. We ordered a very good Chapellet to accompany the meal. Highly recommend this place for those of you willing to spend a few dollars and for me better than Peter Lugers and various others (other than Sammy's Roumanian Steak House my favorite).

    (4)

  • Nicolas N.

    Four stars for the superb service, elegant and warm ambiance, and the delicious filet. I also had the oysters, which is not something I will order again since they were bland and tasteless. You don't go to a steakhouse for seafood. High recommendations for the steak, spirits, and wine. * Steak and Sides My taste buds gave the filet a standing ovation!!! I went a modified Pittsburgh style this time for that nice crust. The filet was seared to perfection without the need for any condiments. We also had the creamed spinach - which I liked that it was bright green, with a perfect balance of buttery flavor, and tasted like spinach. If you have a meal at any great steak house across America, one thing you can always expect to see on the menu is creamed spinach. I am not sure when creamed spinach came to be a steakhouse staple, but I am sure are glad it is. Because there's nothing like a saucy plate of greens to cut the rich umami flavors of a medium-rare steak. * Location and Ambiance Great location, away from the herds of grazing tourists. With the air of an exclusive club, this is one of NYC's finest steak houses (to me). This place makes Wolfgang feels like a fast food joint. * Service Excellent, attentive and quick service. * Value Steaks are priced similarly to other steakhouses. They also have a lunch menu with reasonable prices and smaller portions. Great value for the excellent service, steak, and experience. I am definitely coming back to try other cuts.

    (4)

  • Rida M.

    This place is good, I would say it is one of my favorite steak houses in the City after Peter Lugar and Wolfgang, you have to make a reservation, it is a classy place you will see a lot of people in business suits specially if you go during lunch. You get top service, to the point I thought I just need to open my mouth for them to feed it to me. The steak is great but the place is very formal and I did not like their deserts.

    (4)

  • Heather E.

    We made reservations at this restaurant and the hostess said she wrote it down and put our name to the side. We were told we would be sat in a "couple minutes" and after waiting a half an hour, watching 2 tables of walk-in people say before us, and no effort to take care of seating us, we left. Extremely disappointed.

    (1)

  • Michelle L.

    OH YUMMMMM!!! I made a reservation here for my brother and my dad's joint birthday dinners, and I'm so glad I did! The service was so attentive, and the food was absolute perfection! My brother even said that the steak we got (steak for three) was better than what he's had at Peter Luger's. It was so rich and so flavourful and so juicy!!! The sides were also pretty good, as was the Chilean Sea Bass. But OMG the steak!! Droolingggggggggggg

    (5)

  • Arben H.

    Great experience and pleasure having dinner at Benjamin's steakhouse. The food is excellent as well as ambiance and decor. We head steak for two and seared tuna which was out of this world. I will highly recommend this place! Thanks Ben Q for great service!

    (5)

  • Ed B.

    Very good steakhouse in mid town. Ambience and service is very good. I liked the NY steak I ordered. Recommend it.

    (4)

  • Gabriel G.

    The fabled Benjamins! I finally had the chance to eat here! I could tell it was going to be good right when we walked in. We were greeted and, after checking our coats, led to the table where the rest of our party had been seated. The decor is very minimalist with the extremely high ceilings and sparse, but tasteful, art/ornaments on the walls. The tables are spaced well apart so you aren't being crowded by other guests, they have a second floor so room isn't an issue. However, you should still make a reservation given the restaurant's popularity. Its definitely a somewhat more casual setting than some of the other high end steak houses in NYC which is nice. (e.g. you aren't going to feel out of place for not having a jacket and tie on, but enough about that though, lets talk about the food!) As an appetizer we had the lump crab cake which was great, 1% cake, 99% crab, as it should be. For entrees we ordered the steak for 4 which turns out was 2 massive porterhouse steaks that hadn't been cut apart, leaving the whole filet right in the middle between two huge pieces of strip steak. Cooked medium rare to perfection and thick cut, it was certainly a magnificent steak worthy of the reputation that preceded it. They have a house steak sauce which is quite good. I'd describe it as sweet and tangy. Now normally I don't put anything on my steak, but after eating SO much meat, I had to change up the flavor for the last few pieces I ate. The service was excellent, our water glasses were refreshed often without anyone having to mention anything, and they came over with a large dish of mashed potatoes which they scooped onto our plates. When the food came out the waiters encourage everyone to take pictures of the enormous steak. Would love to come here again. 5 star review well earned

    (5)

  • V B.

    My husband made VDay dinner reservations here during our trip to New York. He also bought tickets to a Broadway play so we didn't have too much time to linger. The staff seated us right away as they knew we had to go to the theatre afterwards. They had a prix fixe menu for VDay which offered a great sampling of their dishes. We started with the jumbo lump crab cakes which were yummy. We both ordered the rib-eye with broccoli and creamed spinach. We were starving so we had the complimentary bread, which we found to be dry and not worth the carbs. The champagne was great with the crab cakes. Our ribeyes were so delish!! We have been to many steakhouses and the meat here is on par with the best steaks. There is a reason why this steakhouse is still around, being the first steakhouse established in NYC. We will return here every time we are in the Big Apple!

    (5)

  • Diana W.

    My friend's law office is nearby - he suggested Benjamin over a year ago "G- is the greatest bar tender in town." Like most things he tells me he was exactly right about that too. In the last year Benjamin and the family here has provided me with comfort, perfect service and a place that makes me feel at home. The food is incredible and some of my favorite dinners over the last year have taken place here, including NYE's dinner. G is amazing and his service is unlike anything in NYC, I am at home here - it's 100% worth the visit, you will find yourself staying a long while.

    (5)

  • Frank F.

    Wow, truly bad. Just...wow. Slow with a capital S. My medium rare ribeye (and who can screw up a ribeye?) came out medium-well, overcooked into shoe leather. But it took SO LONG for the dinner to arrive, here was no way in hell I was sending it back and making the rest of our business dinner wait for me. I noticed one person tried his beef soup then barely touched it again. I am his customer so he would never have complained about it, out of courtesy. But he obviously didn't like it. The service was ridiculously unattentive. The house Cabernet was very nice. The sides of creamed spinach and home fried potatoes also were very good. Skip it. There are too many other excellent steakhouses in New York to waste money on this one.

    (1)

  • Nima B.

    I came here for lunch & ate at the bar. Very attentive and friendly bar staff. Pretty good rib eye. Best Blue Point oysters I've ever had...!

    (4)

  • Calvin S.

    This was tough to give. In a way, what was good about this restaurant was very good. What was bad, was very bad. In terms of coming back, I will say I'll definitely give this place a second chance, perhaps in a less "crazy" day than Christmas Eve. I reserved a table for 3 at 8:30pm. We arrived about 15 minutes early, and were told our table would be in a few minutes. The few minutes actually took half an hour, and we were seated at around 8:45pm. Okay, no problem. This is Christmas Eve in NYC after all. It took 5 minutes for a server to come serve us, which wasn't bad considering it was beyond busy. We ordered lobster bisque, baked clams, sirloin steak, rib eye, filet mignon, sauteed mushrooms, and onion rings. The lobster bisque came first, and it was quite salty for my liking. In fact, it seemed like it came from a can...? I don't know, but it had that feel for some reason. The baked clams were decent, each of us had 2 pieces as there were 6 in total. The sirloin steak was easily the highlight of our meal, as it was perfectly medium cooked (as requested), with herbs and spices that really brought out the juicy flavour. The rib eye was almost as good, but wasn't as juicy. The filet mignon was a disappointment as it was neither juicy or medium cooked, and was quite tough. The sauteed mushrooms should've probably been changed to "salty" mushrooms, and the onion rings were decent, about what I expected. We also ordered a cheesecake and chocolate mousse cake, which were both absolutely delicious. First time having a New York-styled cheesecake too! Total came to $250ish, which was about what we expected for a Christmas Eve meal in a steakhouse in NYC. Again, I will give this place a second chance, but will definitely stick to the things they are known for (New York sirloin steak, clams, rib eye, desserts).

    (3)

  • James B.

    The steaks would have sunk the titanic. Big boys. Very nice. That's about it. No real atmosphere inside the place, a big grand room felt a little tacky. Had to wait 20 minutes at the bar prior to being seated despite making a reservation. My mum got very drunk and spilled her Bacardi that was a highlight. There's better places

    (3)

  • Charles T.

    Ranked # 1 in NYC that should say enough! Food was excellent and service was great! We ordered slice of bacon, steak for 2 with mash potatoes and cream of spinach! For dessert we ordered pecan pie which was amazing! Can't wait to come back here again!

    (5)

  • Aleksandra R.

    This place is cool. I liked the dining hall and the second floor makes it very spacious. I had to sit at the bar because I had no reservations. The bar as full service so it was fine. Nice selection of drinks and the servers are pretty knowledgeable. I had a Cosmo followed by a White Russian. Had lobster soup which was delicious, and for my main course I had the NY strip medium cooked. I forget what I had for dessert but it was delicious as well. The bartenders where nice and one of the managers bought me and my friend who I was with, two drinks which was nice of him. The experience was nice and upscale. For the price I was very satisfied with the service and food. The only thing I would say about this place was that even with a lobby to prevent the cold to come in the restaurant, it was pretty bad when someone opened the door up front. The cold draft would come right into the bar area making it very uncomfortable. But having said that, I would certainly go back.

    (4)

  • Kay I.

    Our server was the perfect professional throughout our dinner and gave suggestions on how our steaks should be cooked. I had the New York steak strip and my fiancé had the rib eye. Both steaks were the best we have ever had. I can't begin to explain how delicious they were. The service was superb from the moment we arrived to the moment we stepped out of the restaurant, from the hostess to the gentleman who refilled our waters. You are always tended to with smiling, polite, knowledgable staff. A real treat in a world where customer service is not always provided. The drinks are delicious as well. We were seated behind the bar and could hear the bartender, which we didn't mind at all because he was hilarious! The only thing that I would've liked was more space between tables. The restaurants overall atmosphere encourages an intimate meal but you can hear every word coming from the couple seated a foot from you. However, this is to be expected in a NYC restaurant. Oh! Last but definitely not least - the dessert capped off the phenomenal dinner perfectly! The cost is a direct reflection of the quality experience you'll receive, the food, the service and everything in between. We will be sure to return to Benjamin's during our next visit into the city.

    (4)

  • A M.

    After eating here several times I'm continually amazed at the consistency and quality of service. They have a fantastic system down at this place and it shows. The only comment I have is to make sure you (the customer) space out your orders if you would like to take your time as the food can sometimes arrive quickly. These guys are good at turning tables, in NYC I can't fault them for that. The Matre'd Mario is amongst the best I've seen. The guy has a memory for his patrons that is uncanny. Steak for two was perfect, so were the oysters we started with. Cocktails are spendy but always expertly made. Nice job, keep it up.

    (5)

  • Benny Q.

    No doubt. Best steakhouse in the city. Best porterhouse,best ribeye steak. Great staff and service.

    (5)

  • Narissa H.

    Very nice service and atmosphere. I have had better lamb, but I was pleased with everything else #vday

    (4)

  • Ji J.

    Highly Recommended. Excellent seafood, Benjamin salad (w apple & crab meats), bacon, steak for 2, 3, 4 were all excellent! I personally like Benjamin better than other steakhouses in the city. Master's might be slightly better than Benjamin because of the decor and service. I see why Zagat picked Benjamin as number 1 steakhouse in the city. #2 in my book but still very good. Definitely top 3 steakhouses in Manhattan. I will come back. I like Dino & Harrys Steakhouse in Hoboken NJ, Mastro's in 50's NYC and Benjamin.

    (5)

  • John K.

    We went here last night table for 2, The decor was beautiful and the food was great we got steak for 2 great cut overall very good. Pricey though even for a nyc steakhouse one of the more expensive ones. Similiar to wolfgangs.

    (5)

  • Jimmy C.

    One of my favorite steakhouses so far. The steaks were perfectly aged and marbled. Each bite was amazing. Service was also fantastic.

    (5)

  • Clark G.

    I was in town for a night and was looking for a classic NYC Steakhouse. Benjamin's was recommended by a friend. I was a party of one which usually means I sit at the bar. That can yield mixed results, but tonight it was perfect. The bar was very busy, but Gene took great care of me. Once he found out I was going to eat at the bar he found me a seat pronto. From there, he made me feel at home. I ordered Onion soup, a New York Sirloin and asparagus. It was all timed out perfectly. The food was wonderful. Just what I expected. The Onion soup was good not great. The steak was outstanding. It was cooked a perfect medium rare. The asparagus was just right. Here's where Benjamin's sets itself apart. The service. Gene and the other bartenders made me feel like a regular even though I live a thousand miles away. A great bartender is hard to find. I hope Benjamin's realizes they have a great one.

    (5)

  • Christina D.

    Fantastic steak! Petite filet is amazing. Shrimp is tasty as well as the sides mushrooms, carrots, broccoli :) 3x in one week- I'm addicted!

    (5)

  • Beau F.

    I don't consider myself to be a steak connoisseur, but I know enough to know that Benjamins sells a quality cut of meat and cooks it well. I ordered a filet, medium rare, which was cooked perfectly red and had lots of flavor. The service was where a star was lost-my wife and I were seated for nearly 10 minutes before we were greeted, and then it was only to drop off bread and crackers. It took several more minutes to get water, and several more to deliver drinks. Our food arrived quickly and I never felt rushed to leave, despite the fact that the restaurant was packed. For the money in NYC, there are better steaks, but not many. I'd recommend Benjamins as a good second choice if all of the top steakhouses are full.

    (4)

  • Daniyar T.

    I went there with my classmate from Moscow who asked to dine in this place because someone recommended it to him. When we came however, he said he had eaten 3 hours before so he wasn't very hungry. We ordered a stake for one and shrimp cocktail with 4 shrimps. That was more than enough for two young males. We actually didn't finish either the steak not the shrimps. The shrimps were the size of a lobster - gigantic! We had mashed potatoes on the side and a bottle of beer each. We paid $75 each incl tax and tip. The quality of the meat was very good. It was cooked perfectly. I did have better steaks in my life but this one was quite impressive too. Oh one more thing, I was gonna show up in my sweats... Don't! It's quite swanky.

    (4)

  • Jaime F.

    Fantastic service. My cranberry and titos was amazing, all three of them! I had the filet, mashed potatoes, and Apple strudel, all of which were amazing. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Cyndi N.

    We came for an early lunch before catching a plane home. I felt like the wait staff were very attentive. We ordered appetizers and the Benjamin salad to share and loved that they served you the shared dishes. My petite filet was good not amazing as was the creamed spinach. Ended with the creme brûlée. It was good not amazing. Overall a great experience. As a visitor to New York I probably would not go back the next time I'm in the city but would recommend it.

    (4)

  • Kris C.

    Meal was incredible! This was the best lobster bisque I've ever had. Creamed spinach melted in your mouth. I received a larger cut of filet mignon than I've been accustomed to at other restaurants. In addition, the ribeye was huge! Definitely got our money's worth in both quality and quantity. It was a packed house, but the service didn't waver. Will definitely return.

    (5)

  • Matt G.

    We had reservations somewhere else but relived that they were only a 3 star restaurant. We were referred to Benjamin's by our hotel, Eventi. This steakhouse was exactly what we were looking for! The food was outstanding!! I'm a "steak aficionado" so I ordered the surf n turf; lobster tail with a filet. The lobster was wonderful, but the filet was one of the best steaks I've ever had! It was tender and prepared perfectly! Not only is the food outstanding, the portions were incredible!! So much so that each of us has to take a doggy bag home. The service was also outstanding. The manager came to visit our table to say hello. He also asked if my son and daughter were famous which we thought was funny and cool all in one. I will recommend this steakhouse to everyone I know that visits or lives in NYC! I will also be back each time I visit! Thank you, Benjamin's Steakhouse! That night would have been my parents 45th anniversary if not for my dad's passing the day after Thanksgiving. Not only did you all make our night wonderful, but you made my mom's night wonderful, which means the world to me! Thank you so much!!! We'll definitely be seeing you all again!

    (5)

  • Natalie B.

    We visited "Benjamin" today and were not disappointed. The menu is very similar to the "Peter Luger" steakhouse. We ordered the dish which our servant recommended as one of the best - "Steak for two". We tried the same at "Peter Luger" but "Benjamin" won. I am into steaks, very picky about them, and here I did like it (we ordered medium rare, and it was just perfect). Our side order was creamed spinach, asparagus, and mashed potato. Wine: Cabernet //Hess Allomi. Everything was good and delicious. The servants were attentive, friendly, polite. At the end we were treated by a shot of portwein. Nice gesture. The price point: the restaurant is expensive. But this is always the case with steakhouses. So nothing unexpected. Our bill (with a bottle of wine, plus one glass of wine, plus tips) was slightly below $300. The steak for two costs $99. Ambience: traditional, conservative atmosphere, quite dark, no windows. So pretty much "medievalish" style :-) I would not mind more air and light, but we, New Yorkers, are used to narrow and dark places with the lack of fresh air and natural light. Overall: I recommend this place. If you're in Midtown and crave a good piece of meat, "Benjamin" is a safe choice.

    (5)

  • Terri K.

    Great vibe and great steaks at this little gem on East 41st Street. You could walk by the Benjamin and then when you enter you realize others have discovered this fabulous hideaway. It doesn't stop with the food - the service is truly equal. Our waiter, Rito was superb and Nick, one of the managers, made certain our evening was complete. This quality of service is not often seen today. Don't miss out. FYI if ordering the Steak for 2, it is a wonderful Porterhouse. If you prefer equally fabulous Sirloin, order the single steak.

    (5)

  • Biru S.

    If it's not a porterhouse, you ordered the wrong thing. This place has an amazing ambiance and the service is outstanding. We got to the restaurant a bit early so we sat at the bar which had a very nice selection of whiskeys. My wife and I enjoyed about half of the cocktails on their menu and an order of their bacon before we finally got seated. Their bacon + their steak sauce = heaven. We ordered a steak for two with a side of mashed potatos and mac n cheese. The steak was served on a classic hot plate so you could alter the amount of "pink" you see on the steak if you felt it was necessary. The steak was buttery and melted in your mouth. The sommelier came around and suggested a beautiful bottle of red wine for us to complement our meal. All said and done, this is a great steakhouse but I can't say it's my favorite. Will I be back? Only if someone invites me to a get together, not on my own. This place lacked the originality that competitors have. It felt pretty generic overall honestly speaking. In summary, this palce had great food, pricing is where it should be for a place of this caliber and the drinks were great.

    (4)

  • Josie J.

    Stellar service, shockingly bad food. I took a colleague here for his birthday lunch and felt I needed to apologize at the end of the meal, I was so embarassed by the bad food. The crab cake and lobster bisque appetizers were a shade below mediocre. But the steaks were the thinnest, worst tasting pieces of meat I've ever had. They were rib eyes! Not much you need to do to make them delicious except salt and pepper them before you put them on the grill! They were prepared exactly to temperature, so mine came out a perfect medium rare, but it was soooooo bad. Tried to improve it with their house steak sauce and that made it infinitely worse. The only positive of the meal was our server, who was attentive and brought our dishes, however lackluster, out quickly and efficiently. I'm guessing the only draw of this place is its proximity to Grand Central. Once you've eaten here once, you won't go back.

    (1)

  • Michael F.

    My buddy and I were looking to have a great steak dinner, and our search led us to Benjamins. We stopped in early in the afternoon as we wanted to sit at the bar, and be able to see the NCAA hoop game while we ate. The Manager, Johnny, couldn't have been more accommodating, and told us to be back at 5:30 and he'd take care of us. We arrived to the seats we wanted, already laid out with napkins and silverware. We were promptly seated, and treated to a fantastic evening. Emma and GiGi were exceptional behind the bar. We got the steak for two and it was cooked perfectly. We were not rushed, and had pleasant conversation with members of the Team the entire evening. Even with the Restaurant getting very busy, we felt we were being individually catered to. It was a wonderful meal, with great people, and we will definitely be back in the future. Well done!!

    (5)

  • Stephanie G.

    great atmosphere! loved my crimson punch drink and there are no words to describe the steak! Ricky is the best server, huge thanks to him!

    (5)

  • Meg W.

    Oh Benjamin's, I cannot praise this place enough. My husband and I have been to a few steakhouses in the city over the years and this is by far our favorite. We have an annual tradition of coming here during Christmas time and it is ALWAYS absolutely delicious. I cannot say anything bad about this place. I've never had a difficult time making reservations (although I am very proactive and plan atleast a month ahead), and the food is absolutely superb. I highly recommend if you're hankering for a nice, meaty, perfectly cooked steak.

    (5)

  • Alison L.

    Perhaps it was because the meal was on our generous Partner (there's no way I would be able to afford it on my own), but this place was amazing. We got the mozzarella appetizer, steak for four, garlic mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The steak was super juicy and perfectly medium rare. I think the creamed spinach was good, but a bit over rated (and warning, it gets stuck in your teeth....). I was so stuffed by the end. I am reviewing it the day afterwards and I haven't had breakfast yet because I am still full from last night.

    (4)

  • Christopher Q.

    The food was everything I expected. The steak was wonderful and the lobster bisque was exactly what a lobster bisque should be. A full lobster flavor with the right anoint of cream. We ordered steak for 3 and they gave us two smaller porterhouse steaks. The other thing I like about this place was the tables were not jammed like sardines . The staff were really accommodating even with my four year old. The prices were really reasonable for what you get. Would definitely come again!

    (4)

  • Monty M.

    Update: after returning every few months since my last review, I can say that the Benjamin Steakhouse is reliably excellent. Their managers are extremely attentive and gracious. The waitstaff is impeccably trained, coordinating their service with precision, efficiency and some appropriate humor. The experience of dining here is simply "nicer" than the other platinum steakhouses in the City (I have visited most and my comments on 4 of them appear in Zagat, so I'm basing my opinion on these competitors). I visit The Benjamin every few months, usually alone but sometimes with family, a friend or my agent. I can share that they offer the quality of food expected in a premium steakhouse, but in a more comfortable setting and a lot more refined atmosphere. Ladies (and some men) may notice that the waiters are very fit and handsome, yet they are never cocky or "pushy" as you may see in other steakhouses. By that I mean that they do not nudge you to order more than you want, and they are never dismissive, gruff or distracted when you need them, even when the restaurant is full. They truly seem better trained than most steakhouse waiters, more eager to ensure that you enjoy yourself. The service, overall, is more focused on the guests, more patient and helpful than other steakhouses, even the "great" ones. That's actually very important if you're on a date or celebrating a birthday or anniversary. The Benjamin Steakhouse feels roomier, friendlier, better thought-out and a better value than its competors. It feels slick and sophisticated for power players, but also warm and inviting for date night or catching up with a close friend. They treat you well, so it's worth visiting. Their team is impressive in that way.

    (5)

  • Shaw D.

    There is no better experience, service, food, or restaurant. Ask for Christian. Benjamin steakhouse is the absolute best restaurant I've ever been too. The meat, (friend had filet, I had New York strip) was cooked to perfection. Id give this place 7 stars if I could. The manager Nick was incredible. Christian was our waiter and he was perfection as well. Unobtrusive and attentive. Unafraid to give a recco but not forceful. No better place to go.

    (5)

  • Takiya J.

    I am a lover of steakhouses. Let's just put that out there. Benjamin's is by far my favorite steakhouse! The service is outstanding. The atmosphere is a bit professional yet relaxed. This is a perfect place for an important business dinner or a classy night out with your date. Now the food. Their NY strip is done to PERFECTION! Perfect juiciness, tenderness, and taste. The creamed spinach was amazing!!! Probably the best I've had. It was my boyfriend's birthday, so they sang to him and brought him the cheesecake we ordered, which was actually very good (I should have purchased some to go separately). This steakhouse is definitely a 5 star!

    (5)

  • Betty C.

    "Words cannot describe how amazing the food is here." reli?? sry i've finally realized i'm not a fan of the meat, or say... top-notch restaurants.

    (3)

  • Rob D.

    Peter Luger's sister - it smells like Luger's, it taste like Luger's, and the waiters must have been raised by the same parents. Better wine list and they are located in midtown - definitely worth it!

    (4)

  • Jason T.

    A bit over the top for a steak house. Limited menu with no display of the beef and limited cuts. Prawn cocktail tasted like thawed prawns from Vietnam, and the accompanying sauce was bland. No real atmosphere. Benjamin steak sauce was like a regular supermarket bbq sauce. All in all, won't come back and would not recommend.

    (3)

  • Meghan G.

    Had to run here for a FAST lunch with a group of 4 - no reservations and had to get to Jersey City right after. Lunch time is crowded but we were seated right away and service was extremely fast to accommodate us. They have a great lunch menu - heavier/larger entrees like steaks and sandwiches but also entree salads - I went with the seared tuna salad .... perfectly cooked and light on the dressing. No wine this time ... BUT I'll be back .... Also great spot to run into for a lunch/ drink (afternoon wine!) at the bar.

    (4)

  • Jessica D.

    Such a lovely restaurant! The waitstaff is highly attentive and super friendly. Without reservations we were wisked upstairs to a great table at the balcony. Not since Shelly's Steakhouse have I had a porterhouse so yummy! The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars was because ours was ever so slightly overdone. Aside from that, everything was perfection!

    (4)

  • Ezra S.

    Food was 4 stars, but closeness of tables and lack of privacy was annoying. It is hard to hear yourself think. They have a good rep, and good food, but lacks so much more. Getting to the restroom is going through an obstacle course , and the bathrooms ( unisex) leave much to be desired. On one occasion recently, I was seated in a booth, in the inside area , and the waiter couldn't get my food to me because of a lack of space to fit in. They are taking in a fortune, but how long can it last My recommendation , there are so many top steakhouses in NYC, try a different one.

    (2)

  • Yani R.

    This place is amazing. The food is great. The service was awesome. Best steak in town.

    (5)

  • Carly W.

    Will cost you a few hundred bucks for 2 people but the best steak I've had - amazing

    (5)

  • Sasha W.

    Food was terrific! Filet was awesome and the baked clams were well prepared! Food was top notch, just expect a loud atmosphere and slightly disorganized service.

    (5)

  • J F.

    BenjaminSteak absolutely fantastic dinner!! Christian was a great host and server. Management went over and above. Highly recommend it! Fantastic wine list; steak was perfectly cooked and the atmosphere was great. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Sunny S.

    A vegetarian at a steakhouse...I know, but I came to dinner here last night with a colleague who was visiting from out of town. The service here is impeccable. I haven't been to many steakhouses, so I don't know if this is the norm or not, but everyone was friendly and made sure were taken care of. All of the hostesses, like 5 of them, were courteous, and when we were finally seated, even the manager came over to say hello. Our waiter, Ricky, is one of the best waiters I've ever had. He was super attentive, extremely nice, and gave us great recommendations. My colleague has a broken wrist with a cast on it, so Ricky even came over and cut up his steak for him into smaller pieces. I told him I was vegetarian and asked about the pasta dish, but instead, he told me to go with the vegetable plate because it's more filling and the veggies are awesome. He was absolutely right! I ended up getting an asparagus-mushroom-broccoli veggie plate and it was delicious. Definitely some of the best sauteed mushrooms I've ever had. My colleague got the rib-eye and we split a pair of sides: the creamed spinach and the home fries. The creamed spinach was amazing...especially when you mix it with the home fries. My colleague also said his steak was cooked perfectly. For those that want a good steak and great service, go check out Benjamin.

    (4)

  • Gibran H.

    So I want to preface this review by saying that perhaps I have been tainted by the incredible service and quality and steakhouses in Houston. With that being said, let the honesty begin. Service- I've only been in New York for a few days, but I've managed to get out to multiple bars and restaurants. The quality of service in general is not very high, so when comparing Benjamin to other New York eateries, I'd have to say that it is not bad. The hostess is nice enough, the coat check ladies managed a smile, and the waiters waited. Nothing special, but certainly not bad. All in all, 4 of 5 stars for service. Due to the geographic differences, I chose to rate service on it's own so that I could compare apples to apples, New York to New York. Let me be real clear that if I compared this to Texas hospitality, it would fall in the low 2, and perhaps even 1 star category. Unfortunate for this establishment however, is that service and hospitality is where the geographic differences stop mattering. Food is food, and it is either very good, or very bad. Benjamin is a roller coaster, and I'd like to take you on my ride. Liquor Menu - For starters, the beer, spirits, and wine menu, are all three a major disappointment for a restaurant of this quality. Many of this wines on the list are your favorite CVS selections with a 4x markup. To even get close to a decent wine you will be spending well over $150. The Scotch list is almost comical, as are the prices. Lastly, I would at minimum expect a handful of specialty craft or Belgian beers on the menu. Instead I was greeted with Corona and Budweiser. Good for a hot day, not so good for a premier steakhouse where all of the famous dine. 1 of 5 stars. Appetizers - Sadly, I cannot speak much on behalf of these, other than they sounded very good. I can say I am a fan of warm bread, and the bread that hit the table was ice cold. Perhaps it was warm and they walked it outside before bringing it to me. Enough about bread. I did have a slice of the thick cut bacon, which has forever ruined bacon for me. Not because it was bad, but because it was so unexpectedly good. If I didn't have a massive hunk of rib eye on its way, I could have easily downed another 4 slices of bacon. I will give the other appetizers the benefit of the doubt, and even if they are terrible, all you really need is the bacon. 5 of 5 Side Dishes - I began by ordering two classic steakhouse sides, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. I figured, how could anyone possibly ruin those two sides. Sadly, Benjamin found a way to. They may very well be better off visiting their local grocery store, and purchasing the Country Crock pre-cooked sides and reheating them. As a matter of fact, I'm not so sure they didn't, but opted for the store brand instead. I'm not one to send food back, but I had no choice but to with these two atrocities in front of me. The waiter asked if I'd like something else, and I kindly said no, in fear of what other "just add 2 quarts of water and mix" side I would be served. The general manager however felt it necessary, and delivered to the table asparagus and some pile of brown -yes, brown as a noun - that resembled hash browns from waffle house at 4 a.m. Fortunately, appearances are not everything, and this concoction actually tasted good. It was a relief that the executive chef and his team have not completely forgotten how to make a decent side dish. For you steak purist out there, I understand that a steakhouse is about the steak. But you must admit, a great steak is always better with great sides. 2 of 5 stars STEAK - Ok Benjamin, now is your chance to impress me, because thus far, I have been far from impressed. I will save you the extra three lines I intended to write of build up and anticipation, and just let you know that the steak here is world class. I am not a major porterhouse fan, so I instead opted for the bone in rib eye steak. I appreciate a steakhouse with in house dry aged beef, and the flavor of the meat here did not disappoint. It had a nice subtle nuttiness to it, while retaining a perfect level of moisture and butter like quality that melts in your mouth. I wouldn't go as far as to say that it is the best steak I ever had, or even in my top 5, but given all of the disappointments throughout the night, it was wonderful to know that this steakhouse can certainly cook up a good steak. 5 of 5 stars For a place that derived from a Michelin 1 star restaurant, and whom received a 27 from Zagat on food, I'm having a hard time figuring out what I missed. Perhaps they forgot to sprinkle the magic dust on me before dining, but I just was not impressed. If I recommended to a friend, I would have to say, "Eat bacon, have steak, head home." I will thank the manager for the complimentary port wine for all of my troubles. Unfortunately, that small glass was not enough to inebriate me to a 4 star review. Benjamin final - 3 of 5

    (3)

  • Robbie O.

    Been to Benajmins three times. Third time I brought my good friend. Great service we wanted to come in late on a Friday night and so we called .. they where amazing let us order late and sit at bar. Love this place amazing cuts great customer service

    (5)

  • Ivan T.

    I have tried many of the surrounding steak houses. Benjamin's is the only one that I believe serves prime dry aged beef. Many times at other places I suspect choice beef is being served but at prime prices. Benjamin's cooks it perfect and seasoned so well. The service is great also. Don't waste your time and money at the other surrounding steak houses!!!

    (5)

  • Eliza R.

    Amazing food! The Oysters and the steak were among the best I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Sylvia A.

    Delicious and Always spot on! My go to place for steak! I have been here way too many times since Peter Luger's being in brooklyn is not worth the wait and distance. My guests from Asia can't get over how good this place is compared to the legendary Peter Luger's. They said they are definitely coming back whenever they are in nyc for business. We ordered the steak for two - it melts in our mouths. I also always recommend the lamb chop - super juicy and tender! Wine selection pretty extensive.

    (5)

  • Brenda W.

    Lets just start with, I love benjamins! I come here fairly frequently as my coworkers like to have our corporate lunches here. The service is perfect, they don't rush you out but when you come for lunch youre also not committing to being there for 3+ hours like some restaurants in the area. I've never had a complaint about what I ordered and everything is delicious.

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    Very disappointed in this place . This is my second time coming here and today we went for Christmas dinner. Our reservations were at 5 PM and after waiting an hour and asking the hostess 2 times about how much longer it'll be , I find that she was annoyed and actually CHANGED our reservations to 6 PM !!!! Didn't even know they could do that or why they would . What a power trip . She was so rude and obnoxious we were so close to walking out . I complained to the manager and he apologized and I showed him my reservation time and but there really was no coming back from having their own hostess change our time simple due to the fact that we asked twice after waiting one whole hour . We had a price fixed course and it was reasonably priced . The lobster bisque was way too salty . The steak was decent but nothing to rave about . But like I said before , the experience with the hostess ruined it all. Who the heck does that ?! Don't come here. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TRY PETER LUGERS OR WOLFGANG!

    (1)

  • John D.

    We were looking for a top notch steak house, and we were not disappointed. A memorable night, great service...really great service! The Rib Eye was fantastic, my wife's lamb chop was worth talking about to the folks at home. Great martini's. Couldn't ask for more! Oh and the tiramisu to share(it's huge) top off the night!

    (5)

  • Suki L.

    all of foods are so salty

    (1)

  • Brett P.

    Hands down, Benjamin's is one of the best steak houses in NYC and one of the best steaks I've ever had in my life. The sirloin was soo good you could punch your mother in the face!!!There wait staff and management were exceptional, there was not one time where I was waiting for a new drink or had a question about the menu that either the wait staff or Nick the manager were not attentive. From the starters to entrees and even dessert, everything was great. Literally my mouth was singing with every bite!!! Everyone in the tri-state area should experience Benjamin's, the ambiance, food, and staff combo will definitely satisfy you. You will truly feel nostalgic leaving this wonderful eatery.

    (5)

  • Lindsey S.

    Pros: actual fire place, great steak Cons: nothing! XD My plan is to tackle down one steak house a birthday and this is crossed off my list on my bday! :) It was party of 8 and was seated at a very spacious table next to the fire place. YES! FIREPLACE with actual wood burning! :D Loved the seating. We had steak for 8, bacons, creamed spinach, mashed potato, asparagus, and mushrooms with each bottle of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, and finished the dinner with whiskey and conac. The steak was just PERFECT; perfect medium rare with reddish pink on the core and char on the crust. I had to splash the grease and the meat scrap juice on the steak plate to give the extra ummmmms and it was PERFECT. The staff were GREAT too! They sang me a song with a cake for my bday and prepared for the individual plates afterwards. Plus, when we ordered a bacon each for a couple, they sliced it in half and brought a plate for each. How thoughtful!!! They knew what they had to do. ;) The experience was wonderful and the steak was on par. We all walked out full on the belly and light on the wallet. Next stop for me will be Peter Lugar's!!! :)

    (5)

  • Ray V.

    The food was good, highly recommend the mashed pots. The steak was prepared properly (medium rare, anything higher and you ruin the flavor) and had a nice sear. Our server was awesome. Go there and ask for Rick, he took good care of us and posed for great pic with our daughter. The only reason I give 4 stars is the noise level. Much louder than I would like in a higher end place. I would go back when back in NYC.

    (4)

  • Preeti M.

    Not bad! When it comes to NYC and steakhouses and someone tells you "it's the best steakhouse in the city"...you have to be weary. In all fairness, I don't eat meat so I can't really be a good judge HOWEVER I do judge a good steakhouse by their seafood, ambiance and service. That being said, Benjamin's did not disappoint. I was here on a Saturday night for a large party business dinner and we sat upstairs in the balcony area. Although the "balcony" sounds cool - because we were such a large party, we were squished together and the set up did not allow for much conversation. All things said, I had a decent time. Salmon was my entree. Their desserts were served family style and so yum: especially the NY cheesecake...heavenly!

    (4)

  • Thomas H.

    Look, it's really good. But it's not great. They've copied the Peter Luger menu and presentation, so if you don't want to travel to Brooklyn and have to pay in cash for the Luger experience, this is a good alternative. First thing we noticed upon arrival is that they keep the restaurant at about 68 degrees. It was freezing in there. Steak is excellent. Appetizers are excellent, dare I say even Luger-quality. Get the bacon!! Desserts are top notch. Side dishes are meh, same for service. We started out night at the bar, and found the service to be very professional there. You're not going to regret that you went here. But you may wish you'd gone to Sparks or S&W.

    (4)

  • Jeff C.

    Four of us split the steak for four. It arrived perfectly cooked and also a great portion size for each of us. Each couple split the Benjamin salad, which was delicious, and the table had sides of Benjamin Potatoes and Creamed Spinach, both of which were excellent. The couple dining with us had been to Benjamin a few times before and knew some of the staff. We were very well treated and service was attentive without being overbearing. The portion sizes were great and none of us felt too full after dinner so we also split the Carrot Cake and Cheesecake. I preferred the cheesecake with its very creamy texture. My only disappointment was that I didn't care for the wine that was rather enthusiastically recommended, although everyone else did. The wine list is extensive so bringing along an easy app to search reviews might be helpful.

    (5)

  • Greatest E.

    Amazing steak, good service. Very pricy.

    (5)

  • V Y.

    One of the great steakhouses in New York City and the world. Great food, excellent ambience, varied seating options, super service, helpful staff, and more. This is my current favorite location for client dinners in NYC when steak is the plan. The owner and entire staff understand customer service better than any restaurant I've been to in years - and it's paid off in my loyalty. One word - Go!

    (5)

  • Jacquelene J.

    Loved this place seems like a great place too have a biz lunch or dinner ! Service was impeccable as soon as you walk in you have staffs full attention ! I had oysters which were so good,steak for two was just as good as Lugers , n cocktails were on the money just stiff enough , overall great experience !!! I'll be back!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Taeler H.

    I don't anything bad to say about this place, minus the fact that they had AC up too high, and I drank tea the whole evening to keep warm. I know some people like it cold... But seriously it was a nice box in there. Anyway, I came in wanting to just order a salad. But the food smelled so good I couldn't resist. I ordered the filet mignon, and for the table, we shares the bacon, yes bacon, crab cakes, Benjamin fries, and broccoli. Everything was good! No, really, everything! My steak was cooked to perfection, the potatoes, the veggies, the appetizers... Everything was perfect. You can tell that this a restaurant that prides themselves upon serving high quality meals and giving you nothing but the best. I'd recommend this place for a date night, a family dinner, or special occasion. Trust me, whomever you're trying to impress will be knocked out of their socks.

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    Another well-executed steak night had by all! Our party of 5 had ressies for 9p with a week's notice. The restaurant's reception area is no meant for sitting around as it's a pretty tight space. Instead, we arrived on time and in full to be seated immediately upstairs. Walking up the stairs, it was nice to get the full view of the beautiful restaurant, but we were seated upstairs and there was a huge temp difference when we sat. The seating upstairs is very, very warm - I'm hoping it was an off night, but I couldn't tell. Our waiter, Chris, was excellent and had our drinks orders as well as our meal orders perfectly correct. I appreciated the speedy service when within 15 minutes, we were served our drinks, steaks and sides. We had the Porterhouse for 5 with the Benjamin potatoes, asparagus, and creamed spinach. The steak was delicious and so were the sides. Our party was very pleased with the creamed spinach and gigantic sautéed asparagus. For me, the potatoes were on the boring side. In the end, this was a solid steak night experience and it was topped off perfectly when Chris brought us out another round of drinks on the house. (He must have heard us complaining about the warm temps.)

    (4)

  • Jenn W.

    Amazing!! I was hanging out this weekend from DC. I'm not a huge fan of steak but this place activated my taste buds!! Very good! The wedge salad was fresh and the Steak for Two was great! A sexy place and I recommend it for a date night!

    (5)

  • Jenna H.

    BEST STEAK HOUSE IN US! I'm from California and my boyfriend and I were in NY a year ago and came across this place. Everyone in NY always talks about Peter Luger or whatever but we decided to try Benjamin's and it was so delicious that we returned this year and always will when we're in NY. We have been to Mastro's, Flemings and other nice steakhouses but this is place beats them by far so you can only imagine how fantastic it is. The steak just melts in your mouth ans has the perfect amount of seasoning and is always cooked to perfection. I don't even know how to describe a steak this good and do it justice. They put it on a hot plate so that it never gets cold and cooks a little still. There's no other way to order a steak but medium rare so that you can taste all the flavors. We also got a side of broccoli which you would think would be broccoli and nothing crazy but it was literally the best broccoli i have ever had. It wasn't over seasoned and cooked so that there was a little crunch but still soft. The service was fantastic as it was last year and the staff is very friendly. Bottom line: If you want a steak that blows your taste buds and is well worth your money, come here. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

    (5)

  • Rosena C.

    Very glad that Manhattan finally got a taste of Brooklyn's Luger! The steak here is really delicious. Cooked perfectly and very juicy. Bacon is always a crowd favorite btu Benjamins does it even better. The seafood tower tastes like it was freshly caught. The creamed spinach and battered onion rings make the best side dishes. Sooo good

    (4)

  • Becky W.

    took my bf here for his bday. steaks is PERFECT! (but pricey)all worth it for this special occasion. the waiters are very tentative.

    (5)

  • Terry C.

    Although the service was good, the food and the noise negated it. The salad dressing was very salty and the steaks were only fair. We had the porterhouse for two and there was enough for two people but the quality of the meat was only fair. The dessert were good and the wine list was also good. The room is nice and warm but he noise level was bothersome. Terry C

    (3)

  • Basia B.

    Went for Valentine's Day with my sweetheart and it was amazing! The food was so good and the restaurants is beautiful! Service was great! My boyfriend and I also went to Peter Luger's last year and were not impressed at all but with Benjamin's we were very much impressed! So yummy!

    (5)

  • Jess S.

    I love dining here at Benjamin's Steakhouse! The seafood platter is always my starter. The filet mignon is by far the best I've ever had. I also get the fries which are amazing too. The service is excellent, the servers are always attentive but not too overbearing. I would recommend this steakhouse to anyone that is visiting New York City or locals that just want some good steak. Try it for yourself.

    (5)

  • Charlie N.

    Biz crowd. Very loud. Drunken louts relieving their tension with booze and red meat. The atmosphere is neither bad nor great. It's kind of old fashioned...but not quite enough if that makes sense. The service was not terrible. The food was neither great nor bad. Steaks were ok. Sides a little average or less. Price tag is too high for a place that is perfectly average.

    (3)

  • Tim B.

    I'm not sure why other people have complained about Benjamins. We had an absolutely first rate dinner for 12 there on Saturday night the 24th and everything went as well as it could. The rib steak and veal chops received excellent reviews. I love bone-in rib steaks - this was one of the top 3 in my 51 years on the planet -- excellent marble, color, flavor. The creamed spinach was more spinach and less cream, so it was healthier. Dessert came on a platter for the table, with a great selection. The service for 12 was outstanding, friendly, prompt and helpful. The overall atmosphere was classic steakhouse, not too loud, tasteful and positive. I like a small location better than the larger chains like Ruth's Chris, and this is one of the best.

    (5)

  • Erik d.

    Great steakhouse, price wise. Good service and good food. Very nice "true steakhouse" atmosphere.

    (4)

  • C L.

    A fairly open and large dinning space. The place have been almost full every time I have been there and the noise level is higher than average. The Benjamin Steakhouse isn't the most cosy steakhouse in NY and the interior is nothing fancy. But that is being compensated by theamazing steaks. I have tried the 12oz filet, porterhouse and NY cut which all were very good. My favorite was the porterhouse, highly recommendable. The creme spinach and fries are a must. I wouldn't recommend going to the bar before the dinner as the bar area is too crowded and nothing special.

    (4)

  • Jimmy V.

    As a person that's big into steaks, my girlfriend and I decided to venture to a new steakhouse to try, as there are plenty of steakhouses in Manhattan. When we arrived, service was quite fast as the waiter greeted us with bread and butter as soon as we arrived. For the meal, we ordered a dozen oysters, steak for two, and a side of creamed spinach. The oysters were quite delicious, particularly the cocktail sauce, which had a particularly zing to it. However, things started to go downhill after the appetizers. When the steak arrived, it came out quite undercooked and was very rare, although we ordered a medium-rare steak. The creamed spinach wasn't bad but nothing to rave about, either. Once finished, we decided to order dessert but our waiter was nowhere to be found. After about 20 minutes of waiting around, the waiter came over and asked if we'd like the dessert menu. 15 minutes later, the dessert menu was in our hands and after perusing the menu, decided on creme brulee. The creme brulee had a particularly strong taste of egg in it, which is not what we were expecting when we ordered. As we weren't a fan, we left about half of it on the table. After 20 minutes of idling, the waiter came back and we received our check. Overall, I'd say there are better places to find a delectable steak than Benjamin's as the food was sub-par for a fine dining restaurant and the service was quite slow towards the end but I will reserve judgement as there could be a number of factors that night that resulted in poor service.

    (2)

  • Joel Z.

    Has very friendly, attentive wait staff. For starters I ordered the lobster bisque, it was creamy and tasted great. For my main course I ordered the sea bass, that was also cooked to perfection and tasted great. With the sea bass came mashed potatoes and green beans. Again as with the rest of my meal, the sides were so tasty. The mash potatoes were creamy and delicious. Overall I had a great experience dining here and would come here again if I was in the area.

    (4)

  • bruce s.

    Benjamin Steakhouse is a sold good.....not very good and certainly not great....steakhouse. The room has the right vibe that imparts authenticity of a wall street genre guys steak restaurant. Good vibe, busy bar scene and such. We sat upper level which is not a bad way to go if you want to talk and relax. Service was friendly but not flawless.....ie; waiter brought our table the wrong order. My ribeye was nice and very enjoyable but failed to rise to the legendary level of Lugar or Sparks - more on parr with The Palm, S&W or Morton's.

    (3)

  • Shae W.

    Delish!! Crab cake appetizer was really good, and my fillet mignon was very tasty... though if I could go back and order again I would have either gotten it rare. Our sides were all good but the mushrooms really stood out. Cote du Rhone was a fantastic wine choice and I finished with the cheesecake and the Benjamin coffee (a tasty spin on an Irish coffee). Add AMAZING service to that and you have got yourself a meal that will be hard to surpass! RECOMMEND RECOMMEND RECOMMEND!!!

    (5)

  • Lucy Y.

    First time I came here, I had the jumbo shrimp cocktail and filet, both of which were okay but not memorable. The second time around, I was pleasantly surprised by our porterhouse. Both cuts of the steak were perfect. I shared it with a colleague who wanted hers medium, while I preferred medium rare. The waiters served us both the perfect pieces and we were both very content. My oyster appetizer was very fresh, and cheesecake dessert was delicious. My colleague's lobster cocktail was fantastic - you get a pretty decent size lobster for an app so it would be a good shared dish. Service was great towards the beginning but once they got busy around 7, we were somewhat neglected. My water glass sat empty for a good 15 minutes at some point. As it's out of my budget, this will have to just be for special occasions. Or whenever I can find an excuse to take a client. Overall, pretty standard fare but done nicely in a classy setting - perfect for business lunches or dinners.

    (4)

  • Catherine S.

    Mmm... porterhouse! If you want a roaring fireplace and a perfect porterhouse, this is the place! Great setting with balconied area for dining (less noisy upstairs). The place is nice but not at all stuffy. But, the reason you're reading is to find out about the meat... and it's fantastic. Perfectly done medium porterhouse for two is what we ordered. It was pink but didn't bleed at all when you cut into it. Seasoned nicely and not overly buttery (you have control over how much au jus to put over your portion). The steak sauce they provided is a little too sweet for my taste, but for a sweet steak sauce, it was good. I didn't need it anyways. Wine list is a little overpriced in my opinion, the cheapest bottle is $40. But the selection was quite large. As a side we got potatos and a Benjamin's Salad. The crab/apple on the salad were both very fresh but I found the dressing a little too tart. I'd try the Caesar next time.

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    I got to say I'm spoiled by the Palm. Benjamin's can best be described as: loud, slow service, not as premium as the price indicates.

    (3)

  • Daryl R.

    What's up with this restaurant! Steakhouse disaster. People, when management apologizes for a terrible meal, you know it must be bad. Our medium rare steak was delivered virtually raw. The waiter returned the steak to the grill and it was redelivered as a crispy critter. Rejected. The next new steak was also rare and rejected. The waiter told that our use of nomenclature was incorrect. Rather than calling it "medium rare", he advised that Sebastian's suggests a new phrase when ordering steak. "Medium Rare Plus". Outrageous. Whether You call it poorly done, or just done poorly. It was just plain bad. The other guest ordered salmon and specifically requested that it be thoroughly cooked. It too was delivered raw. The potatoes were over cooked and tasted like they were sitting in a cafeteria roasting pan. The peas and onion vegetable were soaked in oil. Pretty lousy.

    (1)

  • Ben O.

    I went here with a friend and my mind was blown. Steak for two is legit. The waiter cut our steak with a spoon. A SPOON! We were inhaling the extra steak drippings like it was the fountain of youth.

    (5)

  • Jay F.

    The food itself was 4+ stars. The value (price for the taste/quantity) on everything but the steak was so bad it brought this to three stars. Salads: Well done, nice portions overall. Caesar was a bit generic for such a nice place at for being $10 Steak: Outstanding and worth every penny. Strip was cooked perfectly, put on a pre-heated plate to keep it hot, and was intensely flavorful. Sides: We only ordered Broccoli and while the taste was fine, I was really disappointed at the small amount for $10. I get that sides will be $10 in steakhouses and that's fine, but I expect more than $.80 worth of broccoli for $10. Dessert: Again, incredibly small portions for $10. We had the carrot cake and it wasn't even enough to share. I felt cheated. For $4.95 I would have been ok (still overpriced but I wouldn't have expected a shareable portion.) Overall the steak made it worth it but to go again I'd just have to accept that I'm going to feel robbed on everything but the steak. And because I'm not into feeling robbed, I'll probably end up elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Gary O.

    The Benjamin Steakhouse has a great atmosphere and the service has been spot on every time I have been here. The restauarant has high ceilings and it can get a little loud at times but other than that I find The Benjamin to rival the top steakhouses in NYC. My steaks have always been cooked as requested and the meat is top notch along with your typical steakhouse sides. Good overall experience. Highly recommend Benjamin.

    (4)

  • Sera A.

    Love this place. It is very close in quality to Wolfgang's, which I am addicted to. The porter house for 2 is great and the creamy spinach is probably my favorite dish here. Will come back again and again for sure. Friendly staff and service.

    (5)

  • Robert S.

    Steak was huge and overdone but not as overdone as the service. Too mUch that added up to too little. Very overpriced. No atmosphere and as we are both world travelers and have eaten at some very fine steak places this was a 1 out of 5. Never go there again.

    (1)

  • sheila B.

    Went to Benjamins last Friday night. First we sat at the small bar which was very quaint and then we were led to our table by a very personable host. We sat near a fireplace which was not on. The first thing that I noticed was the noise, really loud chatter. Why could they not put in soundproofing I thought. My husband has a hard time hearing in a loud room while this was terrible for us. I ordered a filet medium well. The waiter who was very attentive asked if I wanted it buter flied. i said no.The filet came out rare, I sent it back and it came back tough. So oh well. My husband enjoyed his filet and his cesar salad was great. All in all it was a nice restaurant but EXTREMELY NOISY. I HAVE BEEN TO BETTER. I WOULD PASS ON THIS RESTAURANT.

    (2)

  • Raider J.

    We came here tonight to check out this restaurant.....I have been hearing from many of my business colleagues that Benjamin's is a popular hangout for many business meetings. Upon arriving at 6:00, I began to see the sea of suits at the bar and at the tables. The decor of the restaurant is gorgeous.....high ceilings, warm, dark woods, leather chairs and a huge fireplace in the main dining area easily makes this place one of the most beautiful steakhouses in NY. We began the meal by ordering the lobster bisque and the thick bacon. The bacon is the best that I have had...........maybe even better than Peter Luger's. The bisque was excellent...very creamy and full of flavor. The porterhouse steaks for four of us was excellent....as good as Wolfgang's or Peter Luger's. The sides of german potatos and creamed spinach were perfect sides. For desert, we had the apple streudel with whipped cream.....an awesome desert,.. Bottom line......another Peter Luger/Wolfgangs meal......but with an awesome looking restaurant. Suits, Steaks, Whiskey and Cigars is the dominant dress here.............my type of place. Val the Manager and Bennie our waiter were wonderful hosts.

    (5)

  • Leslie W.

    I can't say enough about the impeccable service, including Benjamin himself. They made our special birthday dinner so memorable. *Benjamin is also a fave for our client dinners. Make sure you order the side of bacon...a carnivore's dream!!

    (5)

  • David B.

    4 stars. Started with slab of bacon which was awesome and a MUST try. For an entree ordered the Rib Eye steak which was charred on the outside, but cooked medium rare as requested on the inside and was OK. Ordered broccoli and mashed potatoes as sides which were good and the deserts were very good too. Went for my birthday and got great service.

    (4)

  • Andre P.

    This is a steakhouse, so you eat steak and that is what I did. I had a rib eye sandwich during lunch and it was excellent. I had a spirits based drink and a red wine and both were very good. The ambiance is nice for work day lunches or post-work drinks & dinner. Wait staff was very good too.

    (5)

  • Kristopher Y.

    Hands Down the BEST STEAKHOUSE. I love steak and tried many steak places but this place is my favorite. I always get the Ribeye or steak for 2 and never fails. also the staff is very friendly and attentive. lil pricy but worth every penny for a steak lover.

    (5)

  • Gaby F.

    Classic fare served in a loud space. I had the salmon, which was good but expensive. The steaks were good but now 'Lugers or Prime' according to my fellow diners. Service was the usual, acceptable mix of formal with friendly maitre d's .. This is an after-work, heavily male, crowd paying pretty top $ for drinks. There were some Japanese businessmen looked perplexed in the corner... The atmosphere was fine if that's what you look for. I won't return unless it was someone else's choice. The Midtown business scene is so uniform.

    (2)

  • Andy G.

    This was a very good meal. We really enjoyed the open feel of the space, as we sat upstairs looking over the first floor seating. They also did a great job of getting rid of a table that was on the verge of causing a problem (kudos). While the food was very good, when visiting New York again this is not a must have. There was nothing wrong but the food did not differentiate itself from other good steakhouses.

    (4)

  • Michael J.

    This is one of the best steaks i have EVER had ... traveling the World is cool and one of my favorite things to do is to eat :-) steak is one of my favorite things to eat. so coming from me "one of the best steaks i ever had" should be valuable opinion for most people. Absolutely amazing, no doubt, 5 stars

    (5)

  • chris R.

    The steak literally melts in your mouth. It was amazing. The mashed potatoes were tasteless and tasted like instant potatoes. The service was so so with our waiter rarely checking in on us. We would have gotten another bottle of wine if he had been on top of his game. The cheesecake was by far the best cheesecake I have ever had. I would come here just for that

    (3)

  • Shana S.

    I came here with two male companions, and it's a good thing; Benjamin Steakhouse isn't exactly a girls' night out locale. The interior is manly, with deep colors and dark wood. As a recently fallen off-the-wagon vegetarian, I let the dudes do the ordering. We decided on two apps (the antipasti and the lump crab cakes) and the steak for two (even though there were three of us, the steak was puh-lent-iful). The lump crab cake appetizer did wonderful things to my mouth, as did the sauce. Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside! Let's talk about the steak, shall we? We ordered medium rare, and that's what we got. Cooked but still juicy. Oh meat, you were so delicious! The wine and the charming service were the only things that kept me from walking out of there as a full-on guy.

    (5)

  • Renzo B.

    Best steak i have ever had. Better than Lugers. Takes all the negative things about lugers and makes them GREAT! Service is A++. Prices are also relatively cheaper than other steakhouses of this calibar. Ambiance is remarkable. I recommend Porterhouse for 2 and bacon as an app.

    (5)

  • Evon T.

    How does Benjamin compare to Luger? Battle Wine List: Benjamin wins for more offerings. Battle Thick Cut Bacon: Benjamin wins for better execution. Battle German Potatoes + Creamed Spinach: Benjamin, by a slight margin. Battle Service: Tie. Long waits, disappearing waiters, aloof staff at both establishments. Battle Decor: Benjamin, for a less dated look. Bonus round: Benjamin, for the entertainment of watching the nearby suits flex their corporate cards and puff up their egos. And the most important battle, BATTLE PORTERHOUSE: I'm still collecting empirical data (read: stuffing my face silly), but preliminary results (read: my last few visits to both) point to Benjamin's porterhouse being more flavorful and better executed but ever so slightly less tender and less evenly marbleized than the Luger offering. So if you enjoy the Luger offering, there's a good chance you will love Benjamin.

    (5)

  • Diane P.

    I came to Benjamin's (by recommendation) with my boyfriend and his mom and we all had a great experience. This place is definitely in the same league as Peter Luger's and I woudl go so far as to say that they serve the best porterhouse on the island of Manhattan. Food: 5 Ambiance: 4 Service: 4.5 I rounded up and gave them 5 starts because the reservation process was very easy, we were promptly seated upon arrival (not having to stand around and wait additionally like at PL's), and it is a lot more accessible (location and reservation wise) than PL's but with comparable quality. Food: OH THE FOOD! We started off the night with some sparkling water and super fresh raw oysters and little neck clams on the half shell. They were perfectly chilled and prepared us for the onslaught of deliciousness that lay ahead. We then had the organic mescaline salad along with their signature sizzling canadian bacon. The bacon was crispy on the outside, succulent and flavorful on the inside, and overall, foodgasmic! The salad balanced out the saltiness of the meat and so they went really well together. His mother had the filet mignon while the bf and i shared the porterhouse steak for 2. These portions are HUGE and we had plenty to take home with us afterwards (no need to have a fading memory of greatness when your next meal will have more of that goodness coming). Keep in mind, we did have a few appetizers before the main entree, but even so, I think 3 people could have easily and plentifully shared the porterhouse for 2. We paired the meat with some cabernet sauvignon and the wine brought out even more flavors in the beef. We ordered the creamed spinach as a side and it was a good texture, complementing the medium-rare amazingness of the steak. I think compared to Peter Luger, the steak is a bit more flavorful (more salt), but the quantity and quality of the beef and the way in which it is cooked are absolutely comparable and indistinguishable to me (but then again, I am not a self-proclaimed steak expert by any means). I would love to have tried dessert, but I was simply too stuffed! The steak was still pretty good the next day too. Obviously, it wasn't the same, but I took one piece of the leftover steak, cut it into a few slices and definitely had a steak sandwich for lunch! Service: The waiters are friendly and polite. Also, they struck a good balance by providing top quality service without being too overbearing. They were very attentive and were always ready to refill our plates/cups whenever they neared empty. Ambiance: The decor/interior is much nicer than Peter Luger's, its often compared to counterpart. It is upscale without being too pretentious and not that it matters, but the servers at Benjamin's are also much more attractive than at Peter Luger's. :) The lighting is great and sets a good atmosphere - light enough to see your fellow diners' faces but dark enough to feel like you're at a classy steakhouse. Whether you're a businessman, visiting tourist, or an avid steak-lover, I think Benjamin's is one of NYC's finest and a must-try steakhouse.

    (5)

  • Vito L.

    Great service, great food and the atmosphere was elegant and exciting. Ordered the New York strip steak and it was cooked to perfection! I already recommended Benjamin Steakhouse to several people. Great experience and am definitely going back again and again!

    (5)

  • Jessica G.

    I have been using yelp for years and have never made an account until today just because I would like to warn others about my suspicions regarding the sanitation in this place. I had their cheesesteak sandwich for lunch the other day. First off, it was horribly prepared. The slices of AMERICAN cheese on top were barely melted (yuck) and the sandwich was off kilter - whoever cut it in half did so very carelessly - one half had basically no bottom bun and the other half seemed to get all of the bread from the bottom of the roll - so basically, I couldn't pick up the sandwich without covering my hand in grease because it was all uneven. The fries were dry and overcooked and much darker brown than fries should be. (It also was not technically a cheesesteak - it was a steak sandwich with 2 slices of american cheese on a ciabatta roll) I didn't finish the sandwich (which was $20), and in fact wasn't too full after, but I wasn't hungry for dinner that night. I couldn't eat breakfast the next day and by lunchtime I had zero appetite and felt nauseous and a little bit dizzy. I feel fairly certain I had some mild form of food poisoning, and that sandwich was the last thing I ate before my stomach and body were completely out of whack,. Based on the sloppiness of the plate I had and the plates I saw around me, I really wouldn't be surprised if their kitchen lacks proper sanitation, because very little care seemed to be put into the preparation of their food. Also, another Yelper (Donna, I believe) has pointed this out: "Additionally the department of health grade was "pending"... which means that it had a C or lower and is being given at leaset 6 months to correct it." So I can't prove anything....but I'm pretty sure there was something toxic in my food. Benjamins, please keep your kitchen sanitary, especially since you specialize in serving red meat. Don't poison the people who are buying your overpriced food so that you can pay your overpriced midtown rent...

    (1)

  • Heather M.

    Brought the parents here because my Dad asked for a steak. We were sat once all our party arrived. Very elegant. Multiple service people servicing us, coordinated in an almost dance. Dining room is quite noisy, not a subdued elegance, more a frenzied NYC elegance. Salads to Start - Caesar was light and nice. Sea Bass - utter perfection Creamed Spinach - a must! secret recipe they wouldn't reveal but it involves olive oil and no cream/dairy Apple Streusel with Schlag - interesting and not overly sweet All in all a great night. I'm not really a fan of steakhouses as I don't eat meat, but this was an enjoyable, pleasing meal that fit everyone's tastes.

    (4)

  • Samantha K.

    Oh how I do love it here. Go every year for my birthday with my father who is friends with a lotof the staff. The steaks are so delicious, cuts like butter...juicy and crisp all in the right places. A wonderful atmosphere. Love the sides, creamed spinach is top notch and the mashed potatos are equally delilcious. One of my favorite things of my year is knowing I will be going here.

    (5)

  • Kelly T.

    I haven't eaten here (other than my room service, reviewed below) but I've been to the bar for drinks. The service was wierd and underwhelming. One minute you're one of two people sitting at the bar, getting NO service but getting smiles from the 2 bartenders (at a approx 12-15 person max bar), the next minute you're totally overwhelmed with waitstaff. I got the same impression of the dining room--so many people milling about. It's a bar in a hotel. It's a bar in a hotel where I was staying. The bar had booze. Booze is good. I like. I also met some funny interesting people--kinda place a single gal can knock back a (couple) of happy hour priced wines by her self while waiting for friends. My room service burger was excellent. mmmmm. yum.

    (3)

  • Lori O.

    We had a wonderful experience! Food was excellent and service was over the top.

    (5)

  • Cheryl K.

    After hosting the corporate dinner from hell at Megu the night before, I was praying for no slip-ups at Benjamin's the next evening. And I must say, THANK YOU BENJAMIN'S FOR A TRULY HEAVENLY EXPERIENCE! Excellent service, excellent set-up and space, excellent food, perfect ambience, and all-around just a wonderful time! The place is much bigger and much grander than I had previously remembered. My guests were high-level executives at foreign companies and they were very impressed by the interior. I didn't get to enjoy the food much because I was too busy taking care of our guests, but everyone seemed to enjoy the meal and each minute of dinner passed flawlessly (I wouldn't have been able to tell a good steak from a bad steak anyway so again, a little bit of a bias in this review!). To top it all off, Benjamin himself was standing by our table making sure we were satisfied and happy with our dining experience. Bravo Benjamin! My only two qualms: Bathroom is tucked far far away in a corner in the basement and is much too small. Also, we had a huge beam going through the area we were sitting so it was difficult for one half of the guests to engage in conversation with the other half without having the beam get in the way :( Other than that, I couldn't have asked for more. Benjamin's is truly impressive!

    (5)

  • Coyote B.

    On the recommendation of the concierge at my hotel, I ended up at Benjamin Steakhouse for lunch Saturday afternoon. I was really surprised by the paucity of customers, but nevertheless, had a really delightful tasty meal. Apparently, one of the owners of this restaurant was a chef at Peter Luger Steakhouse for 20 years. The waiter, from Albania, was extremely polite and obsequious. The cook prepared perfectly steamed asparagus, which was not overly cooked (soft) nor raw. The medium raw rib-eye steak was prepared just the way I like it. I did not have to add anything to the steak, which had that perfect buttery crust. The portion of home fries was so large that even I could not eat it all. The tab was not cheap at $75 for lunch.

    (5)

  • Kate F.

    A California girl visiting for my 40th with a couple friends, we ended up at Benjamin's as a last minute plan. They were able to accommodate us with a pretty good table. The food was wonderful. The filet only comes in a 12 oz which was way too big for me, but was prepared well. Mojito was a little on the dry side, but pretty good and service was great. Totally would come back after saving my pennies for a while.

    (4)

  • Alison C.

    Benjamin's Steakhouse is probably one of the best steakhouses that you have never heard of. The huge dining room is situated inside a midtown hotel and screams old-fashioned steakhouse. The soaring ceilings make it a welcome relief to many of New York's tiny eateries. The service is extremely friendly, helpful, and attentive. The lunch prices are also very affordable and offer a great option for all the midtown workers. I went to Benjamin's for a corporate lunch and was thrilled with the food and wine selection. The shrimp cocktail appetizer offered succulent, crisp and fresh shrimp. The Porterhouse Steak (for two) melted in my mouth. The sauteed mushrooms and French fries were also great. My only complaint was the creamed spinach, which was pretty bland. Otherwise, Benjamin's makes a fantastic addition to the NYC steakhouse phenomena. Spread the word! Or...rather...don't!

    (4)

  • Jurgen J.

    For those who crave Luger's steak but not willing to go through the reservation process, i think this is best option that you can get. Benjamin (also ben and jack, wolfgang) are all owned/created by Luger alumni. I've never tried the other two, but Benjamin doesn't disappoint. The porterhouse steak is exactly the same as Luger's. If somebody give me both of them side by side, i couldn't tell which one is which. Both are the best piece of meat you can have! It's extremely crispy on the outside, and both juicy and tender on the inside. The fillet mignon side is more tender, but the sirloin side is a lot juicier. I like both. Everything else is also great. The potatoes are delicious, the vegetables are perfectly done. This is one of the better classic steakhouses in New York. For those who can't get a reservation in Peter Luger, this is definitely a great option. I went in at a Friday night, the restaurant is not as packed as others.

    (4)

  • Brian G.

    i don't get all the great reviews here. yes; the steak was good but not great by any means very crowded place so be prepared to wait even if you have a reservation. drinks are incredibly over priced as most steak houses are. i found the best thing about this steak house was the service. our server; Ricky i believe his name was really went out of his way to give us the best service that he could. thanks Ricky your service was great. i will try this place again only because of you.

    (3)

  • Paige T.

    OMGOSH. THIS PLACE IS THE. BEST. STEAKHOUSE. IN. NORTH. AMERICA. This place is everything you want in a steakhouse: dimly lit, cozy, amazing food, amazing wine, great service, great location...Trust me, you want to go here. My husband and I got the bacon as the appetizer, the Steak For Two and two sides as the main course, a bottle of wine and cheesecake for dessert. All of it: to DIE for. The waitstaff is great, they fulfilled our request to be seated away from people, in a corner, quite and with a view (I'm picky). Every aspect-- from the staff, to the food to the ambiance-- was amazing. Go here. Get the steak. Love the buttery, tender goodness.

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    We were a party of 4...Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable...he recommended we get the Porterhouse for three, and the bone in Rib Eye so we get 3 different cuts of delicious dry aged steak! Paired with mashed potates , and brocolli...our dinner was excellent...very delicious steak...best I've had in Manhattan...

    (4)

  • Wes A.

    The service fantastic. We had ribeye a and sea bass and it was arguably the best steak I have had in a long time. The wait was long but worth it. The manager bought us after dinner drinks due to our wait. Cannot wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Kyma A.

    This place did not meet my expectations. The steak was dry even though I order it medium well. The mashed potatoes taste like they came out if a box. The lobster bisque was delicious and so was the Benjamin salad. The service was great which is why u gave this place three stars. Ricky is the server TI ask for when you come. He's really a gud server. Oh and unless u like burnt steak don't order ur meat medium well. LoL they have the terminology medium plus!

    (3)

  • Matthew W.

    Food was exceptional as always - service tonight was acceptable. My FAVORITE waiter (Artie) had the night off so I guess I have a bit of compassion....but I had to walk to our waiter, tap him on the arm, hand him my credit card and ask for the bill. Met some a few customers in the bar where they have AWESOME CHIPS on the bar for a few drinks - 1 Becks $8.00 1 Stella Draft 8.00 1 Captain Lawrence Pale 8.00 Total - 26.13 We were seated at a booth in the dining room that was alive with people and conversations - for a Monday night the place was rocking from 6:30 pm until we left around 9:30. Such a great atmosphere and so much fun! You don't need a menu when you have dinner here - order the bacon, and steak for 3 (we had 3 in our party), then have the cheese cake (dry tonight) and a few Jamos.......Bacon is a thick slice that is PERFECT, steak for 3 is 2 porterhouses, and well the cheese cake and Jamo need no explanation. Great service until trying to get the check in the end......come in and ask for ARTIE!!! 3 Becks 24.00 1 Bud Draft 8.00 4 Stella Draft 32.00 (Jason!) 2 Captain Pale 16.00 6 Jameson 71.70 3 Sizzling Bacon Slice 9.00 (SUCH A BARGIN) 1 Steak for 3 128.85 1 Home Fries 11.95 1 Creamed Spinach 8.95 (EXCELLENT) 1 Cheesecake 9.95 Total - $348.84

    (5)

  • Simon S.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the city, and certainly a top steakhouse. Service is warm and impeccable, management is fantastic...One of the best!

    (5)

  • Karen H.

    I vacillated between 3 and 4 stars. First for the good - rocking steaks, well cooked and presented, really fantastic. Liked the sides, had the mashed potatoes and the aspargus. Nice wine list, pretty extensive without feeling overwhelming. The decor was right on, less clubby that a typical steakhouse, but sophisticated enough to match the menu. But alas, not all was perfect. We ordered the lobster appitizer, and it was a sad, slightly overcooked half with ketchupy cocktail sauce. I found mine almost impossible to get into, and I would have expected the claws to be cracked open already (I cracked mine and got sprayed). The other issue I had was that the waiter, who was friendly to the point of being a bit overbearing, kept touching me. My date got pretty uncomfortable about it by the end of the evening. It was just a little too familiar of an act for an upscale restaurant. The last point was that at the end of the meal, I had a couple of slices of sirloin left on the plate, but was stuffed, and the waiter came by almost forcing them on me and my date, scooping them onto our plates, even though we insisted that we were done. Enough already!

    (3)

  • Phillip B.

    A review almost 1 year in the making! How did I forget to review this place? Maybe I wasn't Yelping yet... The wifey and I checked this place out after seeing The Phantom of the Opera for our first anniversary. I don't remember making reservations, but I think I did... I probably didn't need it for that late of a dinner on a night other than Friday or Saturday. I read some reviews that said this place was a nice place, but I had no idea what I was in for... This is a very elegant restaurant. The service was very good, and you would hope so for the cash you will drop for a meal here. Wifey and I shared a bottle of wine, and not wanting to look like the total cheapskates we can be, we ordered something that was not quite the cheapest bottle of wine on the list. Of course, they came back and said, they were out of it. "May we suggest the blah blah blah?" No, he didn't really say "blah blah blah," but we went with his suggestion and I forget what it was. We just hoped it wasn't one of the most expensive selections. It wasn't... The blah blah blah went well with the steak for two we devoured. Oh my, this was absolutely the best steak I have ever had in my life... Came out sizzling and perfectly done. Every bite was savored like it was the best bite of cow I've ever tasted. Well, because it was! I'm literally drooling right now! I've been making plans in my head to go back to New York just to eat there again. Soon, Benjamin, soon... The bill was large, but I expected that and, in my mind, well worth it. I'm afraid to try other steakhouses because I'm afraid I'll be let down. 5 stars for the experience! 4.8 stars only because I can't afford to eat there once a month!

    (5)

  • Patricia P.

    We went here as a celebration dinner while on vacation in NYC. The food was just OK. The steak portions are huge, there was 3 in our party and we still had quite a bit if steak left over. The service was good, but I have had better food at other steak restaurants.

    (3)

  • Dyl H.

    Really great steak, one of the better ones i have had for a while. They fast cook it, which results in a a tasty steak. The sides an such seemed typical, there was some bacon appetizer that was ok, but seemed more like a gimmick to me.

    (5)

  • Jon C.

    Service wasn't the best but the food was amazing. It's a must have.

    (5)

  • Jerrica J.

    I dont eat beef anymore, but they have a lot of options for vegetarians and other items besides beef. I had the sea bass which was good. The service is a little unorganized and the side dishes are overpriced. The restaurant ran out of martini glasses for my mom and friend. How is that possible?

    (3)

  • Lisa P.

    Friends took us here for dinner while we were visiting New York for the first time. Reservations were at 9pm. The place was packed!! We had the Jumbo Shrimp, Sliced Tomato and Onion with Benjamin's Sauce, Sizzling Canadian Bacon, Steak for Four, the Ribeye Steak, Mashed Potato and Creamed Spinach. Flavor, portion size, quality...it was all great-- but the best part was the presentation and service. The only thing i would do differently is pass on the steak juices. For dessert, Limoncello, and the best cheesecake I've ever had!!

    (5)

  • Jackie P.

    we (as meat lovers and enthusiasts!) were really craving some awesome A+ steak. my family and i were in the middle of making a decision to either dine at benjamin steakhouse or peter luger steakhouse. but because benjamin was closer, we went. we ended up ordering benjamin's salad & sliced tomatoes and onions (since the steaks come WITHOUT side dishes). salad was decent but sliced tomatoes and onions was a BIT waste. it seemed like one of those dishes you can make yourself at home. and besides, there were TOO MANY ONIONS rather than the tomatoes, i thought. we also ordered creamed spinach which i loved but something my brother said was just "too much to pair with steak." didn't know what he meant. and as for the meattttttttttttttt, i shared a steak for two with my mother and ordered a medium rare. steak came out as beautiful as ever, sizzling, smoking on the hot plate. it was perfectly cooked and literally melted in my mouth like a tablespoon of butter. my mother, who's not a meat lover, was fully converted and recognized the tastiness of meat after feasting on meat, we ordered teas, coffees, and desserts. when my brother ordered tea, the waiter came with a cool box of teas that lighted up in lights - almost like neon lights, as i recall. anyways, we ended up getting key lime pie & creme brulee. creme brulee was ok but the pie was niceeee as far as service is concerned, the host - whom i think was the manager - was a bit rude and ill-mannered. he didnt give us a seat until we reminded him twice and he talked back saying "well, ididnt know and blah blah blah" if it wasn't for the food, i would never go. because the steak itself gets an A, i forgive the grade C service.

    (3)

  • Josh F.

    Get the thick slice of bacon. Excellent. Good steak prepared as ordered. Very good service. All around great midtown lunch spot.

    (4)

  • Trisha W.

    Steak, 2 pound lobsters, cream of spinach, baked potatoes, french fries, onion rings, anything you order here will be prime. It is a classic New York spot from the food to the overall atmosphere. Every detail in this place is a hit. Visually breath taking with architectural accents that make the place special and grand. Cooking techniques that are mastered and own-able to Benjamin. It's an anomaly, usually you just get one or the other good food and good service but lacking in vibes, this place has it all and pulls it together seamlessly. Waiters and bus boys engage and understand what you need or want and get it to you right away top service. They communicate and are punctual as the food is uniquely mastered to perfection. The steak alone is amazing, but I saw so many different dishes going past to other tables and they were all so stunning. There was not one dish that passed by that wasn't mouth watering. It's great for families, dates, friends, birthdays, graduations, big groups and they have tons of seating. A huge plus is how flexible they are with the reservations on such short notice too. Very professional and elegant, the place you wish every place could be like in consistency and quality you know those very far and few.

    (5)

  • Gu Q.

    Birthday dinner with my wife! Excellent recommendation by hotel, atmosphere, food and service top shelf. Steaks were just as we ordered and taste was worth the price.

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    I came here for a birthday dinner. I had never heard of Benjamin Steakhouse before. I thought that maybe the invite meant to say Ben & Jacks which happens to be my favorite steakhouse. There's always a debate about which is the best, but I'd like to think that I've heard of them all, and been to most of them personally. Here are my top 3: Ben & Jacks, Del Frisco's and then Red Eye Grill. Strip House, Gotham Grill, Quality Meats and the old Craftsteak are all honorable mentions, but that is my top 3 and I'm sticking to it for the foreseeable future. I now understand why I've never heard about this place. Save yourself the trouble and pass on this joint. Also, it's located in a hotel so I'm pretty sure at least 50% of the crowd are tourists who don't know any better and the tables are spaced way too close together. I hate feeling cramped, especially when I'm chowing down on a meal like this!

    (2)

  • Johan B.

    We just arrived in New York and went on the hunt for a steak. We used Yelp! to guide us and Benjamin was just around the corner. We didn't know what it was and almost didn't go in when we saw the tiny, scruffy entrance, but man am I glad we did! Proper New York style steakhouse. Interior was fantastic. Two levels with a iron cast balcony and a "bridge" across the entire room. Staff was beyond friendly and recommendations were great. We couldn't have asked for a better steak and ambiance. We have been to several others since, and while Smith & Wollensky has a lot of cool going on, I think I actually prefer Benjamin over all the rest of them.

    (5)

  • Albert C.

    Had the steak for two, along with canadian bacon which was incredible. Steak is definitely perfectly cook, medium rare. Service was good, however it did take a while for the steak to finally come out. Dress code is definitely more on the formal side but overall it was a great experience. Only down side would be the bathroom which is currently part of a construction site...and not directly part of the restaurant. Not something you would expect from such an expensive restaurant.

    (4)

  • Patrick B.

    I've been here four or five times and it has always been very good. Last night was no exception. We had a large party -9- and it was an important client dinner. They gave us an upstairs table that was quieter than the rest of the restaurant so we could have decent conversations. The seafood platter appetizer was amazing. Porterhouse steak was cooked just right. Overall an excellent experience

    (4)

  • Keith S.

    Best steak house in NYC. I've been going here for over 3 years. Very consistent. Always love it.

    (5)

  • Joshua P.

    The atmosphere at Benjamin's was nice, and the food was decent. Our waitress was very attentive and kept refilling our water glasses and asking if we needed anything. What made it a five star experience was this--two of my friends ordered their steaks medium rare and when they came out they looked like they were well done. We told the waitress, and she took the steaks back and brought us some bread to eat while we were waiting. The manager came out and apologized, and told us that the entrees would be comped. Free food AND good service? Definitely five stars Famous Prime Rib sammy & a Bloody. Do it.

    (5)

  • Bonnie H.

    I had dinner with a friend last night at this steakhouse. We had the steak for two It was the most fantastic steak, I've ever been served, and I always order steak, so I've ordered it around the world. We also had a Benjamin's salad for two, lovely fresh, and garnished very generously with lump crab meat. But you know what was better than the outstanding food, the SERVICE. Yes you read me right. The young man who waited on us couldn't have been nicer or more attentive. He went back to the kitchen twice to relay our special requests to the chef. Even helped me get the steak without added salt. His servers were equally friendly, respectful, and helpful. The manager came by to make sure our meal had been up to our standards. Oh before I forget , Ann on the line for reservations, was kind and professional, I called to say we'd be late, she gave me alternatives as though she really wanted us to come. Id go back in a hurry, and so should you, gentle reader.

    (5)

  • Heidi S.

    Great dinner! Highly recommend sea bass (fish for those who dont like fish, cream spinach, and of course the steak was perfect!

    (4)

  • Tiffany L.

    I went to Benjamin's last Christmas Day, so my review may be a little out-dated, but it seems as if the menu didn't change much. Firstly, I think everyone here was very friendly, from the hostess, to the manager, to the coat-check to our server. The service was great, our waiter was friendly and attentive with a good sense of humor. I also love the decor and am not sure why others don't, I think it fits a steakhouse nicely. It's roomy and warm, with dark hues, fireplaces, comfortable seating. They offered a $70 prix fixe menu and I started with the lobster bisque. The bisque was delicious and very rich. It was velvety smooth, perfectly seasoned and topped with lobster meat. Very memorable first course. Next I had the lamb, which was perfectly cooked and seasoned and so tender. It was accompanied by equally delicious sides. They also offered eggnog, really, really good eggnog. Very memorable meal.

    (4)

  • Adrienne V.

    Filet mignon was the biggest cut I've ever had. The food was great and the service was excellent. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Greg R.

    Was in town of a business trip with large party. Wasn't too impressed. Nothing was wrong with the food, but nothing was great either. Just a pretentious steak restaurant. I was stunned when I requested sea salt and they didn't have any. Wouldn't go back.

    (2)

  • Marko S.

    Excelent juicy steak for two and very nice wine Zinfandel from Napa recomemded by very kind waiter Jack.

    (5)

  • Sam M.

    Steak and sides were very good. 5 stars for that. But in a place like NYC filled with awesome steakhouses, I'll give this place 3 stars over all. Im from NYC and am used to obnoxious staff, but our waiter here wins the prize. I was there with a couple out of town friends, and the waiter asked if we had any questions about the menu. My friend asked something about a menu item, and the waiter acted like we we from outer space. He told us to look it up on our blackberry, and when we looked at him oddly he said we could use his phone. When we asked if he was serious, he finally said he had no idea what the answer was. All he had to do was say he didnt know and he would find out, and skip the belittling treatment and this place would have been great. I would go back if someone else made the plans, but I wouldnt recommend it first.

    (3)

  • Blue L.

    I'm sorry, but the steaks here do not live up to the hype. My steak (a fillet mignon) was tasteless and juice-less, and the sides were unremarkable. I had the creamed spinach, fries, onion rings, and the hash, and nothing stood out as above average. For the appetizer, I had their famed lobster bisque, which tasted like a pool of melted butter. There were just two TINEY bits of lobster in the soup and the rest was heavy yellow liquid. Totally disappointing. Went here with a big group, and everyone agreed that the food was subpar. The only redeeming quality is that the service was quite good. The wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and the interior decor is good for business meals.

    (2)

  • Eva V.

    We've been in NYC for several days now but we hadn't yet dined at a steakhouse. The concierge recommended Benjamin's so we decided to give it a try ... our last meal in the big apple. We had reservations for 7 and were seated right away. The dining room was warm & comfortable. As we've eaten so much in the past few days we opted to get the steak for two and a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing (which we shared). No apps .. no drinks .. no dessert. I know I've never eaten such a large steak before ... and I was pleasantly surprised when our server dished up our plates for us. He even came back & offered to serve us a second and third time. He was so friendly and I didn't sense an 'air' about him as I have with some of the other servers we've had. He was very friendly and down to earth ... impeccable service!!! His name is Richard and I believe I overheard him tell another table that he was from Armania. The food was delicious too but I was most impressed with Richard. Kudos!

    (5)

  • Annie L.

    Went here on Christmas day and it wasn't super busy since we went a little before the dinner rush. At first our waiter seemed a bit standoff-ish and didn't seem to want to be there and therefore showed while waiting on us. He handed us a pre-fix menu (a special they had for the holiday season) but we wanted to order from the menu since we wanted to get the porterhouse (which was not listed on the pre-fix menu). The waiter said that the only available options were on the pre-fix menu and we could not order from the original menu. We thought we might ask another waiter and he told us we were allowed to order from the original menu and the pre-fix menu was just another option. Aside from that little incident the food itself was pretty good. The steak was delicious (crispy on the outside and rare and moist in the inside). The sides weren't the best (we got the sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes) but they were still pretty good.

    (3)

  • Gregory F.

    I was not impressed with the service or the food. The hotel concierge recommended this restaurant as the #1 steakhouse in NYC, and I reserved a table to celebrate my 10 year anniversary. We arrived about 45 minutes early and waited at the bar until the table was ready. After being seated at the table, the waiter promptly brought us bread, and took our drink/dinner order. We had to flag him down for water refills and for additional bread as we waited. The wait staff come across as being arrogant and trying to outdo one another instead of paying attention to the customers and ensuring that their experience is the best. Our main entree was delivered after about 40 minutes and my steak was room temperature, like it had been sitting in the back for about 20 minutes. The waiter spilled the au jus sauce on the table cloth, as he was attempting to rest the plate at an angle, and then just left it there. My wife commented that the mashed potatoes tasted like they were instant potatoes, and were pretty bland. In retrospect, I wished I would have chosen another restaurant, and will not go back or recommend this to my friends. Pass on this restaurant and find another steak house. They have some work to do.

    (1)

  • Rodrigo S.

    I got to say I came to this place with low expectations as I had read the reviews of my fellow Yelpers and that may have influenced my overall impression of the service and food. The service has definitely improved - or at least we got served by good waiting staff. They were fast, attentive and friendly. The meat was good but nothing out of the ordinary. Our meat was slightly overcooked and had a lot of fat that couldn't be eaten. Their thick bacon was the highlight of the night. It was juicy, tender and very tasty. Most probably I won't go back to this place.

    (3)

  • Pedro S.

    This may be the best $32 steak available in Manhattan. I just wish the service were more refined (ie server actually facing you, not walking away while they are speaking with you, or you with them, more conscientious of asking about condiments, etc.). Also the bread basket is the same one you get at Staghorn and all the other mediocre-minus steakhouses in Manhattan. Bread didn't seem that fresh. But the onion rings are made in-house (but kind of pricey at $10 for a normal-sized order). I'd go again.

    (4)

  • Christopher T.

    Let me preface this as i am not big on steak. I think it has something to do when i was younger my father couldn't cook and made me eat every last scrap of the raw juicy carcass. The hostess knows what she is doing; wearing that lil mini and suit jacket. Give it to the steakhouse for the woman to give the men what the want..agressive/strong woman with legs. I asked for the steak medium and it was just about cooked all the way through medium. Parts of it were rare but that is alright. The german potatoes and asparagus were great! This is a definite recommend for steak lovers!

    (4)

  • Les A.

    "Where is the beef" asked the old woman in the Wendy's commercial. The answer is that it is at Benjamin's. I always do my best to be fair in my comments, including the great, the average and the negative, however, I cannot find any for the last category for this place. The service was excellent with a waiter and at least 2 assistants around at the perfect times. My wife and I enjoyed the baked clam appertizer as well as a HUGE fresh crabmeat cocktail served with a deliciously spicy cocktail sauce. We moved on to the steak for 2; a house specialty, and I can see why. Before we ordered we knew there would be an issue as I prefer my steak on the medium rare side and she on the medium well. Do not ask me how, but the one steak was split into the 2 separate preferences. Very impressed. It was tasty, tender and more than enough for 2 along with our sides of asparagus and the onion rings and cottage fries combination. The wine list is impressive and we found a lovely Malbec for a fairly reasonable price. Dinner ended with superb coffee and their pecan pie. As one would expect for a top quality NY steakhouse, make sure you have a decent amount of cash with you or enough room left on your credit card but for us, it was priced as expected and exceeded our expectations in all other ways. Lest I forget, they were happy to pack the steak bone to go and our Golden Retreiver had the gourmet treat of his life when we arrived home!

    (5)

  • Clement K.

    Both the food and service are very good. I've been here for both lunch and dinner and the service is great. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner I arrived with a group of 8 and the host gave us our desert shots on the house and offered to buy us another round of drinks at the bar. The food is very good and served by multiple waiters.

    (4)

  • JC J.

    A stalwart of NYC's 'steak' scene, Benjamin Steakhouse offers a delicious and satisfying culinary experience. The steak was top quality and the service was great overall. I highly recommend this restaurant for big groups for a few reasons: 1) they have large square tables rather than long narrow tables, which makes it easier for people in big groups to talk to each other, 2) the menu is simple and you can order for groups, 3) even though the place was packed when I went, it wasn't too noisy.

    (5)

  • Elbert K.

    This is the real deal. If you love steak, then this is apex predator to all other weakling steaks (in a Governator voice). My buddies had decided to stay in the city over thanksgiving, and since none of us wanted to/can make a turkey we decided to go to a steakhouse. Ordered a porterhouse and the domination of my tastebuds began. I liked that I could cut it myself (as opposed to Peter Luger's, and I've heard this restauraunt has ties to Peter Luger's somehow). It's almost like a piece of artwork in a slab of meat. There is no need to talk about sides because this puppy just sings to you. This will be my only 5 star steakhouse until I come upon a new steakhouse to replace benjamin's. The venue is very nice to and is found in a convinient location in the city.

    (5)

  • Renee K.

    This is the typical New York steakhouse with dark oak detailing, hot hostesses, men in suits, and sparkling white aprons serving you. I expected a lot from the steak, and got just that: delicious, melt-in-your-mouth-so-no-chewing-is-required filet mignon. They meant serious business by serving the porterhouse and filet on sizzling plates so that you can just touch your piece of steak to it to modify the temperature and level of rare. At my picking up the serving spoon, the waiter rushed to dish me more tender deliciousness. Pros: great service, perfect for corporate dinners, amazing cuts of boeuf Cons: must go armed with corporate credit card, somewhat snooty hosts and hostesses (you only work there, losers)

    (4)

  • spencer s.

    I am not a person that eats steak all that often, but when I attended Benjamin's, it raised the bar for me. I really enjoyed the service, the atmosphere is wonderful and above all, the steak was to die for. I had the Sirloin and ate to my hearts content. An excellent place to go with your friends and family. Order medium rare ... they will cut the meat with a spoon.

    (5)

  • Kristen S.

    Pros: 1. Large portions. Well, that could be a con in some books. 2. Friendly staff, good service. Cons: Just one - who did the interior of this place? A steakhouse should LOOK and FEEL like a steakhouse, not a school cafeteria with dim lighting.

    (3)

  • Taka A.

    Great steaks. Good Service. I like to sit in the red booths because it just seems classic New York. Try to come for lunch because the dinner prices are a bit much. Junior New York Strip is still a good 8-10oz of tender juicy meat which fills me up plenty. ($30) I gave it 4 stars because nothing about this place differentiates this place from other higher end steakhouses. None the less, once I've hit up the other fine steak houses in the area, I wouldn't be opposed to going again

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    Wow, this place is impressive. There is no other way to put it, Benjamin's is a class establishment; their food, service, and style rivals any restaurant in the city. So first things first, the food. Grilled Canadian bacon (yes, you read that right) is a must try, trust me. If you're looking for something lighter, go for the fresh crab salad if it's on the menu. As for the steak, well that's a matter of taste, but I'd suggest the Cajun dry rub if you're going for anything other than a Fillet. The service, and resulting atmosphere here, is so good it's silly. The GM is always right down by the host stand, greeting the regulars with a handshake and conversation. The waiters are completely on top of it at any and all moments. Even the owner has been on the floor the few times I've been here. All this results in a familial feel, and while that is of course part of the show, it's a very welcome, and I'd say authentic show. Of course it's not cheap, but really, it's not unduly expensive for a top-notch steak house. I've eaten my fair share of meat (and by that I mean steak) over the years. Steak wise this place beats out every establishment but Pappas Brothers, but to go there you'd have to travel to Houston, and lets be honest, no one wants to do that.

    (5)

  • Barry S.

    There really isn't much to say on the plus side about this restaurant except to praise the capable and friendly wait staff. The only good thing about the sirloin steak was the bone to bring home to Fido. The meat was under cooked and very fatty. The carrot cake was awesome. The drinks were well made and of a nice size. Sorry to say, this place doesn't deserve a return visit.

    (2)

  • Michelle L.

    Benjamin is the usual pick for work-related meals because of its location and food quality, however today had been a disappointment. A coworker who's a vegetarian didn't have much of a selection, which is understandable given its a steakhouse, but my steak didn't turn out well - I had ordered it to be medium rare and emphasized on my preference for my steak to lean towards the rare side, but it came out completely cooked, not even a trace of pink in the middle. Because my group was pressed on time, I stuck with it but I had higher expectations for a steakhouse, especially given my previous experiences at Benjamin. Hopefully this was a one-off incident.

    (2)

  • Rich V.

    OK, this doesn't quite get a full five stars. I'm rounding up, but I'm rounding up because it was the best steak I've ever had. The wine list is great and reasonably priced for this kind of place...overpriced yes, but not egregiously. We went with a large format bottle of Stag's Leap, which was cool to have, and they decanted without being asked, which I always appreciate. We had tried to order their large format Shafer but they were sold out which was disappointing. The steaks are listed as being dry aged, but you have to ask about which ones. The Filets are not dry aged. I went with a sirloin Pittsburgh rare, and it came out a touch overdone. I think the sirloin is thin enough that they should just char it and put it on a plate without using the broiler at all. (The inside was warm, not cool.) The dry aging was wonderful. They didn't say exactly how many days, but the juices from my steak had a strong truffle overtone that was just rocking. I wish the Shafer had been available because it would have paired better with the dry aging than the Stag's Leap did (the Stag's Leap was a 2010, rather than the 2008 mentioned in the menu, so it was a put forward and tight.) The asparagus we ridiculously good. I think they must season with crack! OMG, delicious. Also, you must get the canadian bacon on your wedge (or just as a side.) Again, I'm sure crack is mixed in with the magic salt they put on this stuff. It is that good. I'm not sure if it warrants four dollar signs, but the guides suggested so. Three of us ran just over $600 with tip, but we were comped port for the table. That said, we didn't do cocktails, except three glasses of Ch Montelena while we waited for the magnum to breathe. For a steakhouse in NYC, this seemed like a decent deal.

    (5)

  • Seiko F.

    It was the great dinner experienced! My husband & I went this restaurant as our very first time. I got a gift certificate from my work and we decided to try this restaurant on Monday night after work. we made a reservation through the open table at 5pm. I guess it sounds too early to eat a steak on Monday but actually we both were glad we came in early time. The restaurant itself are really spacious, many tables and nice bar area. The maitre d brought us to the closest table from the fireplace when we arrived and it was so nice to me cuz that day was so cold out there and also it was the very memorable service. seems to me as I notice were after work business mens or with wife, people who already set the table before us. Well.. I could imagine this place's location as a very close by the station. but almost half tables were available at the early evening and it was really best for us. (and of course it course maybe it was Monday night thought.) The food we had was.. 1, Caesar salad 2, Onion soup 3, Steak for two 4, Creme spinach 5, Cottage fries & Onion rings All the food we had was great!!! and I came in here very hungry so we finished all we ordered! haha... Onion soup was very good, steak was cooked just right, spinach was creamy. yam! Even without the gift certificate, we'd love to come back to this place. I may bring my Mom, sister and niece they'll come and visit me from Japan in next week!

    (5)

  • Christine G.

    5 stars is not enough. This was one of the best dining experiences of my life. We had reservations which the concierge had made for us.....they immediately wished us a happy anniversary we were seated and immediately gave us bread and butter. This was the only complaint I had....some of the bread was hard.....I wanted it to be soft and warm...... French onion soup was first. To say it is delicious is an understatement.......it was absolutely amazing. I am ruined I can't have it anywhere else.....now onto the steak. First they plate it for you. They keep it on a large plate that they tilt so it doesn't sit in the oil and also so you can use the oil for gravy....steak is so good. Melts in your mouth like butter.......dessert was amazing as well. We had the carrot cake. This restaurant will be a staple in our family. Prices are very high. A steak for 2 is $99.50 and it comes with no sides. Everything is ala carte. Don't order the Benjamin fries. Not a fan.

    (5)

  • Vin S.

    Very cozy steakhouse. Impeccable service, if you are lucky to dine by the fireplace in the winter, it is a treat. It is a New Yorker's steakhouse. Not a lot of tourists. They are very conscious of a "business lunch." They have a skill of not making you feel rushed, but pace the lunch where you are not there forever, and are generally out in an hour.

    (5)

  • Steve O.

    I almost gave this steakhouse three stars. But I can't. My last lunch did it for me. Because this steakhouse is in midtown, near my work, I come here occasionally. The porterhouse is what I usually have. But, no, this is no real competition for the Brooklyn house of steak. It's a decent porterhouse served NYC steakhouse style; not better than anyone else and worse than the few best. But most recently I came alone, sat at the bar, and ate the ribeye sandwich. Nice bartender: terrible service. She forgot everything and took fifteen minutes after I gave her my order to get it in. When the sandwich came, I had to get her attention to get a beer and pepper. The steak sandwich, though, is why this restaurant is getting one star fewer than otherwise. More bread than steak, sliced very thin, the ribeye was unrecognizable for the kind of juicy, thick steak that makes it good as a stand-alone steak. This sandwich paled in comparison; it was an anemic steak sandwich! I may still go here occasionally. But I'm a bit turned off.

    (2)

  • Richard L.

    If you like a great atmosphere, fabulous surroundings, overpriced, gigantic, tough ribeye, go for it. The waiters were very attentive and gave me a new knife when I couldn't cut the grissle. Then a second steak wasn't much better. A $50 steak?

    (2)

  • Dimitri A.

    Went on sat 10/11/14. The hostess was rude and slow in getting us seated on time for our reservation. Then, when they took us to the 3rd level, they had us seat on a table where the 5th person would have to face a pillar -I told the guy that that is unacceptable and he dismissively seated us elsewhere. The manager was nice. The salad apps were very tasteless for their price and the ratings of this restaurant. The deserts were poor; the tiramisu, as well as everything we got were mediocre. The steaks were appropriately cooked though. The servers were overall nice and attentive; they were not careful though with pouring wine or water. Having dined many times in Chicago, Gibsons and Chicago Cuts far exceed this place...

    (2)

  • Mark S.

    Now THAT is what I call a steak.

    (5)

  • Nick L.

    We dined at Benjamin's July 9 2015. This was the second time we have been there. It was fabulous, just as good as it was our first time there, almost 7 years ago. I had the NY and my wife the Ribeye, unbelievable. Ricky, was a very honest and knowledge able waiter and fantastic to deal with. The dessert he recommend ed, pecan pie.....mmmm Johnny even arranged for a town car to pick us up as it was raining...a class act!! Both food and staff Nick CALGARY, Canada

    (5)

  • Elisha M.

    After googling and researching the best houses in NYC, I decided to reserve a table at Benjamin's. They absolutely have one of the best steak's I've ever had (ordered the 3 person steak cooked Medium), however, the rest of the menu was just okay. I've been to the likes of Morton's, MJ's steakhouse, Jacobs in Toronto, Ruth Chris ... and Benjamin's definitely had one of the best steaks! I think my favorite part was the fact it was charred on the outside but a nice Medium on the inside! To accompany the massive steak, we ordered the mashed potatoes, oysters, Caesar salad, tiramisu, and carrot cake. In general, they were all good but I expected a lot better! These items were simply underwhelming considering the price! The service was only okay..the waiters were a unprofessional (goofing around like they were beating each other up at times) and rushed us with the bill at the end-clearly they wanted to go home. There were also a few off the staff eating at the restaurant in their uniforms where the rest of the patrons were eating???? I don't see this at chain-restaurants so I don't expect to see it at high-end restaurants. When I'm paying these prices, I expect a lot better service than we did. For the price, I'd probably save the money and head to Ruth Chris' to be honest! The only thing that was amazing was the steak and everything else was mediocre at best. I'll definitely try a different steakhouse next time I'm in NYC.

    (2)

  • Jeff M.

    A great night out with the family. Make sure and ask for Ricky who will guide you through the Benjamin menu. Service was excellent, and they made a great cheeseburger for one 13 year old who will not eat steak! The meal was fantastic! Ricky and Nick Bezhi made our eveing out a very special event.

    (5)

  • Joe P.

    The service is actually very good there but the main reason you pay top dollar for a place like this is for food and I wasn't impressed. The steak was medium/raw when I asked for medium and when they took it back they brought it back as medium well and slightly burnt. Everything else tasted just okay and I'm not sure I understand the hype. They have tons of celebrity pictures but this rating is primarily based on the quality of food for the price.

    (2)

  • Me Put That Meat Inside C.

    oh what up Benjamin's Steakhouse? After reading all the reviews, Ive decided to give you a shot. Nice dimlit ambiance and new york decor inside.... only we were seated upstairs, past a catwalk and in a corner which felt like a different restaurant. I mean you have a flat screen tv bolted on one side of the wall (it aint even turned on), and ikea mirrors tacked on the other looking like a basic hoes college dorm. Directly above our table was a rusted exposed grate, and cluster of wet peeling plaster just hanging off its edge on the ceiling. It looked like the YMCA up in here...seriously yo. Peeking down, it kinda feels like youre working as a stagehand in a play or something.... like the show is downstairs and we're up here in the rafters. It wasn't even that busy, Benji..... I don't understand why it was necessary to show us your house and seat us in the storage attic. You know that long shot in Goodfellas when Henry Hill goes through the ratty basement, then the dumpy storage, the busy kitchen and beats the line to get a front seat at the dinner club? Yea it was like that only backwards. The steaks were a disappointing and inconsistent medium rare.... a step above the temperature and certain sections were just gristle... like pot roast gristle. The crust was too thick on the strip side and was too hard and too dry, think a MUMMY's DICK. We had a couple of waiters come by and make usual small talk and i ain't a sensitive guy but the waiter made a couple comments about the tip while pouring the wine and made another tipping joke a bit later....I thought this was supposed to be a classy place!?? I felt like i had to slip him a dollar right then and there. The creamed spinach was good, and the wine list was well thought out, but NYC has a lot of steakhouses that are worth the money, for me, this wasn't it.

    (1)

  • Marvin S.

    An overall disappointing experience. At a $$$$ steakhouse I expect a certain level of service, decor, and overall value. When my check exceeds $300 I like to say it was worth it. First, the waiter although extremely nice was clearly over whelmed and lacked experience and knowledge of the menu items. I should not ask something as simple as what is in a particular salad and have him run to another waiter to ask. The waiter should not pour my wife's and my wine and drip on the table. It should not take 10 minutes to be greeted. The food was good but not life altering. The steak for two was oily for our taste. My wife and I agree that we will try another steakhouse the next time we are in New York.

    (3)

  • J W.

    My husband and I have tried all the big name steakhouses and a few not so known and this is, hands down, our favorite. The steak is outstanding, the Canadian bacon is beyond words and the wedge salad, creamed spinach and home fries are also the best we've tried. But more than all that is the service. It's nice to have the food served on a hot plate and everything dished out for us.

    (5)

  • Christopher K.

    Every winter for almost two decades, I meet up with my army of off-the-boat Irish brethren and descend on a NYC steakhouse for a night of total gluttony and excess. When we started this tradition in the mid-90s, we were all young and poor, and the original Frank's steakhouse, where it all started, served as an anchor to an otherwise scary and decrepit part of town, aptly called "the Meatpacking district." Alas, times have changed since then. Me and the Paddy's are now all older and greyer, Frank's is long gone, and the Meatpacking district now caters only to the douchiest of the rich and elite. But at least now when the bill comes, we don't fall hundreds of dollars short throwing into the kitty. While none of us have quite reached that Daddy Warbucks status yet, we can at least scrounge up two or three Benjamins each to keep our long and storied tradition going strong. This year we mixed things up by choosing Benjamin Steakhouse as our meeting place. Tucked around the block from Grand Central Station, it's easy to miss because you don't see all that much from the outside. But once you step inside and down the long hallway, you enter a cavernous, two-story bar and dining room that makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time. It's a gorgeous, dark, and sexy space, and despite it having no actual windows to the outside, they've created faux ones that will have you feeling like you've stepped into a giant townhouse mansion. We were seated in the private room, which sits on a second story mezzanine of sorts, looking over the main dining room. This is nice because you get all the privacy of dining alone with friends, but you are not tucked away in some kind of walled off closet like some other steakhouses offer. Charlie was our main server, and he was five star all the way. Presiding over a small army of waiters, Charlie couldn't have been more on top of his game. Whatever we needed, whenever we needed it, Charlie was there making sure we were taken care of like kings. The food was aplenty, almost too much so. I can't eat in the quantities I once could when this tradition was in its first decade. The first course was a choice between lobster bisque and Caesar salad. I opted for the latter and it was very good. With the first course, Charlie brought out the requisite pile of charred, thick-slab bacon, identical to what you get at a place like Peter Luger. Because we were a large group eating mostly family-style, the bacon didn't have the heat and the sizzle that I typically like, but it was still delicious. Cut that baby up into pieces and toss them into your Caesar for a real treat. Next came two or three giant seafood towers. This was over the top. I don't even eat shellfish and there had to be at least two or three whole lobsters on this thing, in addition to shrimp, oysters, crab, and god knows what else. How any of my friends were able to eat steak after this is beyond me. The steaks were porterhouses cooked medium rare, with each platter serving two people. Each was sliced in nice one-inch chunks, next to the bone, soaking in a ridiculous pool of melted butter on the plate. This is not my favorite preparation for a steak. I still prefer an individual filet or New York Strip, cooked simply with a little salt and pepper -- no need for the butter bath. Still, the steaks were excellent quality and were all a perfect medium rare. The sides were your standard spinach and potatoes, though I wouldn't say any were all that memorable. Our $240 per person included all the beer and wine you could drink, and we most certainly got our money's worth there. Age has not slowed the Irishmen down from getting their drink on, and we would soon be departing for Molly's downtown to finish off the night. After wrapping up the meatfest, Charlie brought out multiple plates piled with one of every dessert they sell -- again, over the top and completely unnecessary. But somehow, we managed to eat them all. It was a classic, textbook boy's night out to be sure. And Benjamin's did an excellent job of taking good care of us. I found the cost (which included gratuity) to be much higher than what we typically spend each year, but this was without a doubt the most food and booze we have ever consumed since the tradition started. And given that it's only once a year, and typically the only time I see these boys all year, it's money well spent. So here's to the Irish, and to traditions and keeping them alive forever. If you're looking for me this week, I'll be juicing away, trying to combat all the damage I just did to my body.

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    My wife's favorite Resturant. Easy to remember, it's a common white American name.... Benjamin's. The Chilean sea bass is off the hook, literally. The filet....hey, what don't say. The food is really good and worth every bit of it. The ambience is excellent !!!!

    (5)

  • Lenny K.

    I had a most outstanding steak. It was a rib-eye Pittsburgh style which was a new term for me since I asked for it to be medium rare but with a char on the outside. Some call this black and blue. Whatever it is called, it was excellent. The rest of the party shared the porterhouse and loved it although when I tasted it (research purposes only) I thought it had too much butter on it. It was the last piece and perhaps it was sitting in the sauce for a long time since no one else thought the steak tasted too buttery. Their wedge salad was great especially with the small chunks of chopped up bacon. My wife enjoyed her Benjamin Salad that she shared with my niece. My nephew and his son dug right into the thick slice of bacon. Most of the sides were really good except the asparagus was only 8 pieces and for 6 people that sure was not enough. The other sides; French fries, cottage fries, creamed spinach, were all large enough to be shared. The service was terrific. Very attentive and our waiter took great caution to ensure that gluten free items were just that. They have the typical steak house desserts and all were well received. Their version of "schlag" was tasty by itself and even better with dessert. I am glad the meal turned out well because I started to get a bad vibe from the stale roll I bit into at the beginning. While the breadbasket looked good, it could and should have been fresher. I was not in love with the atmosphere. Yes, it had that clubby steakhouse look but because the brown walls were very high and the room was very dimly lit, I felt like I was eating below ground. Oh yeah, it is expensive and naturally everything is a la carte. Just like all the other steak houses. 4.5 for the food and appetizers but a deduction for the stingy portion of asparagus, and the state roll, and a gloomy atmosphere give this place a high 3.

    (3)

  • Betty S.

    What a disappointment! After reading the reviews I was anticipating a wonderful steak dinner. I can not say one good thing about any of the food. My martini tasted as if a cheaper gin was used, the bread basket was ordinary, the blue cheese dressing tasted as though it came from a cheap bottle, the tomatoes were not ripe, the hash browns were greasy, the asparagus undercooked, and worst of all the steak had no flavor & was tough. We are big steak eaters and will happily pay for a prime meal. We feel as though we just wasted almost $300!! They even have the nerve to put a $2.00 surcharge on the bill for the "extra" gin that was in the martini. Bottom line: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!

    (1)

  • James S.

    When reviewing this place, it's easy to get blindsided by the impressive interior with high ceilings and 19th century-inspired architecture queues everywhere. It is, without a doubt, classy and beautiful inside. Lots of business men in suits and people come to see and been seen; the dining experience is overall great. However, most people come to streak houses for the food, and that is the primary criteria I will use in this review. Don't ask me why, but I came here on a Sunday night for takeout, so my review is partial until I come back for the full dining experience which includes steak. I was hungry and not much else was open. I ordered the sea bass and it did not disappoint, and it shouldn't have disappointed, for $35 a plate. The portion was large and the fish was very fresh and tasty. All the boxes are checked here, no complaints. The other item they included was bread that looked more like pizza hut bread sticks. I'm not a huge bread fan to begin with, but it tasted like yesterday's making. Why am I bringing this up? A 4 star place like this demands that everything on the menu be exquisite, but not a big deal. Service, overall, is professional, although the 2 hostesses were a bit snooty for my tastes. While i was waiting, I sat at the bar and the bartender was really nice. I will come back here again and dine in. Looking forward to next experience.

    (4)

  • Rose A.

    I went here on Christmas day 2011 - by far the BEST steak I have ever had in my life!!! I had a bone in cut and it was fabulous! This is the only restaurant who knows how to cook a medium well steak. I can still remember every bite. I only had a Caesar salad so I wouldn't get full with their sides. They are truly a cut above the rest. Will DEFINITELY go back here when I visit NYC!

    (5)

  • Erik W.

    Had a great birthday dinner for my visiting mom at this place on a friday night. We had the (porter house) steak for four which was served 3/4 parts medium rare and 1/4 as we requested. Juicy, succulent, soft and crispy in the right places is the way. Our German potatoe was a little on the dry side but the baked potatoes, aspargus and mushroom all complimented the steak well. The creamed spinach was especially delicious. The wine selection list was also VERY impressive in particular. Service was a little pushy. I don't have a problem with this but I can imagine that a less assertive customer would feel a little intimidated. Our waitor was somewhat chatty, personally I prefer more formal service but my mom & dad likes this so it was a plus THIS TIME. The bill came out at exactly $500 for 4 very stuffed customers ($70 gratuity included) but we could have easily have gotten away cheaper if we wanted to and still have had a great experience. Personally I would have knocked off about $15 from the tip but my dad (the one with the $$$) was very pleased so he let it fly.

    (4)

  • ClosetDork ..

    After being disappointed by lack of research prior to booking the swanky Jean-Georges and failing to identify the formal dress code (jacket required for gentlemen, no jeans allowed), we had to painfully cancel the much-anticipated dinner reservation 15 minutes prior to the dinner. Thankfully, a fellow Aussie friend who has called Manhattan home for the last two years suggested Benjamin, so off we went. The name is not to be mistaken with the face that graces the USD100 bills. It is the name of the chef / founder of restaurant and, just like its name, everything about the service is personalized. First off, the host greeted the friend as if they were old pals (The friend obviously is a regular of the place). We were ushered to a choice table, drink order was taken. Within minutes we found out that the friend has always taken out-of-town visitors to this restaurant and had a ritual of set dishes to be ordered. First, it gets as scientific as ordering "steak for n - 1", n being the number of people in the party. So given that there were three of us, we ordered steak for 2. An appetizer to share is a must, so he suggested two strips of bacon (in the spirit of n - 1), as well as a couple of sides (being cottage fries, onion strings - we did toy around with the idea of ordering creamed spinach just so that we feel a bit better about having at least one healthy vegetable dish, knowing that the dish is anything but). I love the simplicity of the menu. No fancy schmancy ingredients described in the menu. The appetizer really was a thick slab of grilled bacon served with a side of what appeared to be worcestershire sauce. The entree really was a huge New York cut, cut in little slices and served in a big platter that is tilted, so as to allow the au jus to accumulate on one end of the platter for ease of serving. Now the sides - the cottage fries resemble potato chips (the high quality version), and the onion strings were nice and crunchy. The dessert was a simple key lime pie with whipped cream. And of course we got three dessert wines, on the house. The nice finishing touch was the man himself, Benjamin, who came out and chatted with my friend, the regular. Sometimes, all we want is a simple dish of meat and potatoes.

    (5)

  • C L.

    I was visiting NYC for the first time and a staff member at our hotel recommended this place. We walked to Benjamin's steakhouse from Times Square. I ordered the rib eye and my friend and I shared two sides. The restaurant has a really good vibe, very classy and so NYC. The service was great, our waiter was so pleasant and helpful. Here is why I did not absolutely love the place. Although the food was pretty good, there was really no WOW factor. It was a steak...similar to what I'd find at a Morton's or Flemming's. The sides were good too, but it didn't have that UMPH. I would actually give this place a 3.5 if I could. FYI - the table next to us had complaints about their bill. They were unaware of the extra charge for the waiter cutting up their steak for them. Weird, I know - but beware.

    (4)

  • Adam C.

    Benjamin Steakhouse is the hidden gem in the Grand Central area. Quitely located on 41st you can walk by it if not paying attention. However, once you get inside you are well on your way for a true steak experience! With so many steakhouses to choose from in NYC I highly recommend trying this one out! Once you do it will become an instant favorite because the food speaks for itself! The staff is pleasant from the moment you arrive straight through your entire meal. I always like to see owners of restaurants greeting their guests, it tells me that they are on top of their operation. At Benjamin's you will most likely always see Ben walking around the floor making sure his guests are enjoying themselves. Great place as well to host an event, business meeting, or any celebration!

    (4)

  • Chris B.

    ABSOLUTELY THE BEST STEAK I HAVE EVER EATEN! The service was great too! Everything was perfect and I would consider myself a unofficial steak connoisseur. I have eaten at some of the most established Steakhouses locally(CA) and now even "unlocally" (New York) and this place is hands down the best of the best! I had Peter Lugers after this place and was left disappointed... maybe because I expected more from reading all the reviews at Peters... but it surely was not a steak to compete against Banjamins! This place also has some kick ass german potatoes! Benjamin Steakhouse is worth every penny and has left me wanting to buy another round of plane tickets just to get a second taste of their beautifully prepared COW! I would write more and give more details about how perfect this place is... but I dont think anything I write can explain to you how excellent this place is. I might edit my post and add more... and maybe I wont... but all you need to know is that if you love steak! Eat here and you will know exactly what I mean.

    (5)

  • Lina K.

    Now that I am a fellow "yelper" I have to write a review for this place! A dear friend of mine brought me here for my birthday. As soon as we walked in we were greeted and seated immediately. (We had reservations and they were expecting us!) The service I will say was fantastic! The waiters there were so nice and attentive I couldn't ask for better service. When we got our food they were constantly around to make sure our plates were never empty! I loved it! We ordered the steak for two and it was AWESOME! Very juicy, full of flavor and went great with the mashed potatoes and sauteed asparagus. Presentation was excellent. I give this place five stars for a great birthday dinner followed by my delicious creme brulee with a candle in it! One of my favorite steakhouses in New York.

    (5)

  • Tiffany R.

    Not sure why it took me so long to try this place when I work around the corner but the ambiance is great for romance or business, the service was great, and the food was even better! We ordered the porterhouse MR because it is their signature dish. It was tender and juicy with just the right amount of crisp on the outside as it is served Pittsburgh-style. The best steakhouse I have been to in Manhattan, and a definite must try!

    (5)

  • Michelle W.

    Absolutely wonderful food and the service was outstanding! Highly recommend! I enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner. Truly memorable.

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    Ok, it's official. Benjamin is my favorite steak house in NYC!! I like it better than Peter Luger....there, I said it. I went back to Benjamin yesterday with my wife and her parents. From the very first rolls (with charred onion toppings) all the way to desert, I really enjoyed the entire experience. We had the fat shrimp cocktails to start, which is always fresh and delicious. Then we had the porterhouse steak for three. Hmmm...heavenly. The meat was juicy and super tender. We ordered the steak medium, and it came medium which is sadly a rare treat in NY! For sides we had the awesome baked potatoes and onion rings. The onion rings were crispy yet not greasy. For desert we had the carrot cake, key lime pie, and sundae. All were impeccable and immensely enjoyable. Can't wait to go back soon!!

    (5)

  • Pete M.

    Classic steak house...well done inside...food is very good...made reservations for lunch straight from yelp...love that feature . Worth the stop..ate lunch here..

    (4)

  • Jen L.

    Someone told me that single women should hang out at steakhouses, both for the men, and the comped drinks. I don't know about the men, but the bartenders here were definitely nice to us. Great food to boot! Something about having trained under Peter Luger, the steak is pretty darn good; flavourful. Also, try the crispy bacon, tomato, and onion salad; really refreshing. The potato hash done extra well with sour cream; yum. Sliders were just ok; do the little steak bites instead, much better. Crabcake sliders were interesting, but I'd skip it for the next time. Berries and cream; perfect way to cap off a meal, or to order alone, alot 'o whipped cream never hurt anyone ;) Also, Benjamin - yes, he's often there - is a great friendly guy.

    (4)

  • Evan W.

    Good food. Service was very good when it came to delivering food. But a few mistakes with no check-ins on the dessert to make sure everything was okay was a little disappointing.

    (3)

  • C.J. F.

    Took my family here for my parents 40th anniversary and everyone enjoyed themselves and the food was amazing! The steak was very juicy and very tasty! The rack of lamb also was just as delicious! My mother after seating immediately said to me "Just so you know I wont be doing any dishes" I guess that would explain the ambience of Benjamin's Lol. Definitely one of my new favorites! Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Renae V.

    I would have to say the entire evening was pretty incredible. From the ambience of true NY steakhouse to the staff and food, everything was top notch. I had the filet with creamed spinach. The manager comped our table a bottle of $250 wine. Mario is A+ in my book. This is definitely the steal house to eat at. Melt in your mouth!

    (5)

  • David E.

    I love this place. I have been to both locations and they are equally amazing. The food is incredible and the staff is wonderful! Do yourself a favor and have a meal here!

    (5)

  • Rob P.

    We ate here back in July. We ended up ordering the porterhouse for two. It was a good cut of meat, but I think it could have been seasoned a little better. For starters we had a large piece of bacon which was very good. Also had some large shrimp. Also very good. I thought the bacon was the best part of the meal actually. The service was very good and probably better than the food. I would probably go to another place before I came back here just b/c I think there are better steaks in the city.

    (4)

  • Ann L.

    I've been here before twice and had pretty good experiences both times where the food was on point and the service was decent, all things considered. But as I waited to be seated 30 minutes past my reservation time last night, I saw others who had arrived after my party get ushered in and seated after being pan handled by Benjamin and other dark suited glad handlers. The hostesses gave off a clear power trip vibe upon being asked, and I started to read into all the reasons why my party wasn't getting seated. We finally got seated, were brusquely greeted by our server, whose face visibly fell upon learning we wouldn't be ordering alcohol. The steak for two was under-cooked, over-charred. A real disappointment because I've had their steak when the two times before when it and we were looked after attentively and it was excellent. The husband could also tell that the large party to the right of us had a much better quality meat, so again, you wonder why the level of service is inconsistent. The bass was not nearly as good as my last experience either. I realize that the servers there generally provide service unflinching, no frills New York type of service, but I saw the service they provided other tables, and then how stupid they made us feel when we asked questions about the menu items. Again, I wondered. Generally, I left this visit feeling like this place discriminates based on how strongly you smell and look of money. Yes, much of the world and New York restaurants function like that, but I've been to several places that have the grace and class to not make that discrimination so ridiculously blatant. Benjamin's lack of attention to our party was obvious the entire night - in how they treated our reservation, their touch-and-go rude service and the poor quality of the food served to us. If you are planning on going and mind you, don't look like you ooze hundreds of thousands of dollars from your pores, be warned. I imagine you're in for a big disappointment.

    (2)

  • Dee R.

    After having heard bad things on Peter Luger (surely except concerning the quality of meat) from most of our friends, we tried Benjamins and were completely convinced. A perfect Porterhouse (... there is no need for anything sidewise) and a cold beer (... we did not ask for the winelist at lunchtime). Nearly everyone around us had the lunch-special which looked great as well and comes quite cheapy ;-) A must when You are in Manhattan. No need go "luging" Brooklyn-wise... Enjoy as well....

    (5)

  • Russell J.

    As NYC has an abundance of overrated steakhouses, it was a pleasure to return to Ben's to remind me what a top shelf NYC Steakhouse should be. In just my humble opinion, the only thing to order when you find yourself in a real steakhouse is the following: Seafood platter - assorted, fresh and delicious - in case you didn't know, steakhouses have some of the best seafood around. Slab beacon - no comment necessary - just order it Creamed spinach - perfect balance Porterhouse - perfect medium rare House Cabernet or Malbec Ambiance - old world, slightly brighter, hustle and bustle of NYC business pulsing through the atmosphere..... Service - professional and on point.

    (5)

  • Brian R.

    I have been meaning to go to this steakhouse for a while now after high praise from a friend claiming it was the best steakhouse in the city. He even mentioned that they had an affordable wine list with a great selection, of particular note was this sub $50 Chilean wine that was "great bang for the buck." I finally had the chance to take some friends with me to this steakhouse tucked away in the Dylan Hotel. You enter into a long narrow passageway that opens up into a fairly large dining hall, with vaulted ceilings. I realized that to get proper ventilation at these "sizzling" steakhouse places you really need high ceilings to disperse some of the smoke and steak vapors that comes with sizzling hot plates of porterhouse steak (one of the main reasons I do not go to the Wolfgang's on Park Ave anymore). We had an early dinner reservation at 6:15pm, but the place was still packed. I was thinking it had to do with the happy hour they have in place everyday, but there were a surprising number of folks at dinner tables chowing down as well. The crowd was a mixture of your typical Wall St. Dbags, trust fund babies and Asian folk and tourists. I think Asian people really like their steak as I have seen a tremendous uptick in that demographic as of late. We were given a very sub-optimal table location at the corer end of the bar that witnessed a lot of foot traffic due to the POS system being close by and because it was the main intersection of the bar pathway to the upper level and the tables in the back. I would imagine if we were more frequent guests we would have been given a better table. Needless to say, the decibel levels of chatter was extremely loud and I could barely hear the person sitting across from me without yelling. But enough of the convo, I was hear to enjoy a good steak meal. I was happy to see the wine list was extensive and it did provide a choice of budget options. We ordered the Etude Pinot Noir and happily sipped away until our apps of thick cut bacon and mozzarella and tomatoes were delivered. The bacon was super thick, although a bit too overcooked for me. If it was not for the steaksauce, the bacon would have been a bit too dry for what I am normally used to. After apps, out came some crispy bits of German potatoes that were not as greasy as others I have had. The creamed spinach was solid, although not as creamy as I would have preferred, aka more cream/butter. The porterhouse steak was very good. The quality of the meat was on par with Wolfgang's and Luger's, although the steak seemed to be cooked at different temps across the steak. We asked for medium rare, but a couple of few slices were bordering on "mooing..." Despite this I still enjoyed the steak as it still had the right level of flavor and saltiness that I would expect, I did not have to reach for the salt shaker throughout the entire dinner. Fully stuffed, we still ordered dessert. One of my friends ordered the sundae which did not look like the giant monstrosity topped with excessive amounts of schlag that you normally get at other places, but still quite good. The tiramisu was fair, though nothing spectacular (clearly not Viniero's quality)...I was happy to see a Japanese Suntory whiskey on tap which I promptly swizzled down as any good dram should be. Overall, the service was excellent...Plating of every dish, refilling of water before the glasses were half empty, delivery of dishes promptly and removal of dishes when it was apparent we were finished. Although a slight notch below my usual steakhouse, Wolfgang's in TriBeCa...This would be a go to spot for a change of scenery.

    (3)

  • Amanda J.

    Came here for work dinner. The steak was perfect at medium rare and the service was impeccable.

    (4)

  • Rowena C.

    I am typically a consumer of reviews but feel compelled to provide one for this restaurant. Last week, I went to meet colleagues for dinner. I happened to be late. When I arrived at the restaurant, I said I was meeting a group and gave the name. The hostess then proceeded to take me to a large table of Asian patrons.... A bit astounded & confused, I blurted out, "who are these people?", but she had turned and gone. Ok, while I am Asian American, it is incredibly presumptuous to assume that was my party! Oh and btw, the name I gave was nowhere near Asian! Abandoned in the middle of the restaurant, facing "my people", I scanned the room to see my actual party - non-Asian colleagues, who are South African, French, Moroccan & British. Unfortunately, first impressions are lasting ones, and the racial profiling was more memorable than the steak!

    (1)

  • Jim G.

    Back here again ! Decided not to sit at the bar for a change It's cold outside ( like 24 degrees) Fire place sounds flash (:

    (5)

  • Karen R.

    I had the rack of lamb for lunch and it was amazing!!! Also I recommend the onion rings. Great atmosphere and very attentive wait staff. Definitely a place to eat at-you will not be disappointed!

    (4)

  • Jere W.

    Food was very good. Had the steak for 2, asparagus and mushrooms. All went well until after dinner. Left alone for over 45 minutes and basically forgotten. Never saw a dessert menu or offered one nor any coffee. Finally so mad just asked for the bill. With so many good steakhouses in NYC, doubt I will ever return to Benjamin's .

    (3)

  • George M.

    Great experience. The staff is amazing. Food is often great. On very busy servings and on rare occasion the fish may come out overcooked but otherwise its a very good steakhouse and it is better that anything in the immediate area. Try the bacon with a tiny bit of steak sauce its to die for (except if you have an ample supply of Lipitor).

    (4)

  • Tom F.

    Benjamin steakhouse is ok. The style they make their steak is similar to Wolfgang and Lugers. The food is still a notch under both of them tho. The steak wasn't as tasty. It could be due the aging process or their seller. Ordered bacon, salad, and mozzarella and tomatoes, shrimp cocktail, 4 person steak, creamed spinach mushroom and onion rings and fries combo. It was a lot of food. Nothing was memorable. The service feels rushed or they want your plate full . When the food comes a bunch of guys came over and started putting everything on your plate. Had them to ask them to put the sides down when they came to pass out the steak. Nice decor service is ok food is ok but for price you can definitely go to other steakhouses.

    (3)

  • Robin J.

    Amazing! The staff here runs like a well oiled machine while still being totally personable and accommodating to the customers every want! Nick, the manager chatted with us and made sure that our experience was top notch! The food was superb...the Lobster Bisque was like velvet and the filet was prepared and aged perfectly!! Definitely a recommendation to anyone looking for a fabulous experience in a NYC!!

    (5)

  • Julie F.

    Ok. Lets get this out of the way. Food is great. Extremely nice staff. BUT (big one)... Delivery in my particular case left much to be desired. Ordered midday on Seamless for 7 pm delivery. Added on a 20%+ tip. Called at 7:26 to find out where my food was. After listening to the "hold" ads for a (long) while was told it was on its way. Thankfully, it was not - food arrived fresh and hot. So clearly they sent it out after I called. Which is better than getting cold steak and fries. Delicious. Though both came well-done (though one was irdered medium-well). And 45 minutes later than ordered for (well in advance). No "I'm sorry" free offerings, just very sweet "I'm sorry" from lovely hostess and charming delivery guy. A passing "It's busy..." Um. I don't care. Is why I ordered WELL IN ADVANCE for a 7 pm delivery. No other compensation. 20%+ tip gobbled up, no problem - no apparent qualms about taking it, though delivery was severely botched. 45 minutes for an advance order is a big deal. Throw in a cheesecake, or a potato? A coupon, even? That'll teach me - next time, delivery will be the default cheap rate. Sure, I'll order from them again. Just tip VERY conservatively. Food was fab, though. But still feel taken advantage of. On second thought - nah, will order elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Jen M.

    My steak was well undercooked...so disappointed. Expensive...$50 for filet but for NYC standards, consistent pricing. But how could a steak place undercook my steak? Noise level is LOUD upstairs. Wow. Service was clumsy...we had 3 or 4 waiters tending to our tables at any given time. Too, forever to get our cocktails.

    (3)

  • Anna R.

    I'm actually not much a steak person, so I ordered the chicken sandwich and lobster bisque. Maybe this is just the kind of steak place where you literally need to order just the steaks to get a decent meal because I was pretty disappointed. I thought the portion of the soup was kind of small. It was creamy, but not enough lobster chunks, and the ones they had were smaller than a pencil eraser. Also, any time I find myself downing half the glass when I reach for the water, I know they put in too much salt. The chicken sandwich was good, and if I had paid $10 for it at my local greasy spoon, I probably would have given it 5 stars, but for the price I expected more.

    (3)

  • lil m.

    I had to come to Benjamin's Steakhouse as I am trying to eat my way through steakhouses in NYC. It was fantastic. First, the wait staff was very attentive. We started with the bacon which was cooked perfectly. It was a little thicker than I expected but so amazing. Nice and crispy on the edges. This was joined by the shrimp app. The presentation was great, as every shrimp was individually placed onto our plates by the service. Next, onto the porterhouse. We had requested it to be medium, it seemed in some areas a little more rare than that but it didn't matter. It was delicious. And the next day, the leftovers were amazing as well. We had the mashed potatoes and the home fries as sides. My only complaint is that the size of the sides were a bit small. To finish, all I could stomach was some ice cream. I wanted to get a larger dessert but I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to walk. I would definitely put this steakhouse in the top of the city. It is right up there with Lugers, MarkJoseph, Ben and Jacks. Not to be missed!

    (5)

  • Patrina M.

    This is a place where you go with a group of friends for a steak (or any dish) to have a good chat over some serious drinks.The ambiance of this place is great - upscale steak house is written in every aspect of this place. The drink menu is bigger than the dinner menu. But it is a steak house so I guess everyone is here for one thing - except me.... The portions are HUGE! I had the salmon and could have easily shared it with someone. I had to be rolled out of there. Cons: your sides has to be order in addition to your meat. It has very loud and busy but the staff is very nice and makes you feel that you are priority.

    (4)

  • Jenny K.

    Review is a bit long....Threw a surprise birthday dinner here and the event staff was very accommodating and helpful in setting it up. I reserved the upstairs wine "room" for a party of 17. I had even requested the coordinator inform the hostess that it was a surprise dinner. I asked that when we arrived, if the hostess wouldn't say something like "Oh, everyone is upstairs, let me lead you to your table". They kept the secret and said "Party of 2?" when we checked in. Much appreciated. Surprise not ruined. Birthday boy definitely surprised. Started with the crab cake and canadian bacon. I've had better crab cakes elsewhere, but it was still good. Definitely get the bacon. Your arteries may hate you for it, but it was absolutely delicious. Sides: Cottage fries are essentially potato chips. Our server kept describing them as skinny fries vs steak fries which are fat. Oh, how wrong he was. The asparagus was as expected, creamed spinach was great, and mushrooms were tasty. Steak was juicy and well received. Didn't eat it with the Benjamin's sauce. I like my steak as is. What kinda bummed me out about the whole experience was the waiter. Friendly as can be, but a bit clueless. One person in our group asked what cut the meat was from and he got really confused. So we dropped the question. We asked what the difference between cottage fries and steak fries was...and he assured us that cottage fries were skinny fries. No, they're thick cut potato chips. When I asked for a drink menu, he said the bar could make any drink I wanted. So I ordered a Mule, he then needed me to spell out the drink name because he had never heard of it before. I understand a group of 17 people ordering a la carte can be a daunting task, but I had expected a more knowledgeable waiter.

    (4)

  • Hilary B.

    Great food, service and ambiance! Delicious steak especially the filet. Will be back!

    (5)

  • JR H.

    Perfect place!

    (5)

  • Linda W.

    Fabulous steak house. Very charming, food is terrific. We went last night, no reservations, and were seated very quickly. Just note that slab of bacon is huge, so one order for two is enough. We got steak for two, and asked for half rare and half medium rare. Steak was cooked beautifully. Plates are piping hot. They tilt the plate the meat comes out on, so you can dip your steak back in the juices if you want, but it's not sitting in it. Also, get the creamed spinach - it was more spinach than cream, which was a nice surprise.

    (4)

  • Andria N.

    generous portions! my filet mignon was cooked to perfection! i cant wait to come back and visit NYC and eat here again! this joint is at the top of my list!

    (5)

  • Wuhoo S.

    great service, very old school. amazing porter house. amazing pork belly bacon -- get it with onions and tomato on the side with luger sauce! yum yum :)

    (5)

  • Admiral A.

    Yeah, we know Benjamin was started by former members of the Peter Luger family, and you can say it's a carbon copy. Beef seems to be sourced from the same place, menu is very similar. Two big differences: the space is much more elegant, spacious, refined with the service to match. If you're going to be spending this kind of money why not have a pleasant experience? Rib eye: menu doesn't say but it is bone-in (yay). Great flavor, maybe a tad under-seasoned. Nice sear on my medium-rare; was cooked a hair too long, but acceptable. A very good slab of meat. The famous bacon app is here also. I made the mistake of ordering 2 "slices" for myself. Way too much, as they're about an inch thick. Some decadent pork belly, not at all greasy. Spinach side is the best I've ever had. It's not your basic overly creamed version but something in between that and the sauteed variety. Silky smooth, great color, and more tasty than spinach has a right to be. Service is excellent, striking the right balance. Everybody is very professional. If you're looking for a Peter Luger meal in Manhattan without the "classic" decor and New York style service, head to Benjamin... And they accept credit cards.

    (4)

  • Hendrix B.

    Brilliant....food, service, ambiance......a tough combo......except maybe in New York, my boyhood home. As usual for my steakhouse down the rabbit hole, I had the bone-in rib eye - being the neanderthal meateater still scraping the occasional knuckle. Creamed spinach - being the little boy infatuated with finding a way to actually eat a vegetable....and like it! Steak fries - because in some parts of the world, ketchup is a vegetable. Olga. The perfect bartender (when alone, I like to eat at the bar). Not too flirty, never obsequious, always on time with wine, water, a clean napkin. G - from Kosovo. Who ever had a bartender from Kosovo? Again, brilliant in every way. I dine out a lot, whether at home in Chicago or when I'm traveling for business, and I cannot remember the last time a bartender or waiter offered me a complimentary glass of port. 24 year old tawny. Never happens, right? Whether you;re a tourist or a local - bona fide or pretender - definitely give Benjamin a try. If the service don't get you, the apple strudel will. PS - four enthusiastic stars and all my thumbs way up. I reserve five stars for when I explode like Mr. Creosote.

    (4)

  • T T.

    A great place to to wine and dine after work. I prefer to sit at the bar... the bartenders are excellent and the food is just what you would expect... excellent!

    (4)

  • Jennifer T.

    Wish we were able to hit up Peter Luger's but due to time constraints; this popped up as a more convenient pick. They similarly cut up the steak for you and serve on a hot plate of sizzling butter; yum! One of the more interesting dining experiences we had as we definitely weren't expecting them to serve the food onto our plates as well. Was a nice touch but unnecessary for us.

    (3)

  • Dennis U.

    This is a favorite steak house. They know steaks. The general service is a Porterhouse for however many you want to feed. Done superbly. The atmosphere is a bit lacking and it can get a bit noisy but while the food costs an arm and a leg .... its great.

    (4)

  • Iva N.

    i was here again a few weeks ago. This time .. with my x-boss. He suggested other place to go to.. but i told him that this is my favorite place. As always, the steak is FANTASTIC! My x-boss, who has lived in the city forever, told me it's the best steak he's ever had and thank me for picking this place instead of the other one he suggested! enough said!

    (5)

  • Jeremy W.

    Excellent midtown steakhouse, yet another by a Luger's alumni. The facade is very unassuming and if it were not for a business lunch recommendation, I probably would never think to go. I left stuffed and very, very satisfied. I read the reviews about service and steak temperature control in the kitchen, but I found them to be way off. Servers/runners/manager/host were all very attentive and polite but never overbearing; water was always full and they made sure everyone had steak/sides/seafood from the sampler on their plate at all times, an interesting form of "leftover control." Seafood sampler was delicious, porterhouse for 2 was a perfect m/r, an the creamed spinach was uniquely deliciuos in that it was not overly creamy. Our hosts had a strip medium and a ribeye medium well and both of those were done to their preference (although I find it unforgiveable they would do that to two prime cuts of beef). Definiltey recommended (if someone else is paying).

    (5)

  • Bill K.

    Two stars is a stretch. Business lunch on a Saturday with out of town guests. The restaurant looked like last century chic. Wood, high ceilings, white table cloths all looking like they needed to be dusted off and spruced up to be used in the remake of Citizen Kane. The service went from perfunctory to poor as the meal progressed. We were reviewing samples when the main course arrived and the waiter was oblivious to the fact. He just kept trying to put the plates down. We asked him to wait and he couldn't seem to figure out what that meant. Not mean just insistent on putting plates on tables. We had to stand up and tell him to leave them on the tray for a minute. Once the meal was served the staff was totally inattentive. Not once during the meal, while paying the bill or heading out the door were we asked, "How is everything?" or "Can I get you anything?" Apparently they already knew that everything was excellent and that we couldn't possibly want anything else. But what counts is the food, and the quality and presentation were mixed, at best. My colleague ordered a hamburger she wouldn't eat...and she eats most anything! I had lobster bisque - edible but too strong, too harsh - and a crab cake. Our guests had a filet, which was gray on the outside and undercooked on the inside and sea bass, which was fine. But this isn't Mickie D's! This is supposed to be one of the best steak houses in NYC - and they command prices that allow you to expect a very good meal. It wasn't. Not even close. My take? This is NYC. You've got options - thousands of them. Find one.

    (2)

  • Nick L.

    We dined at Benjamin's July 9 2015. This was the second time we have been there. It was fabulous, just as good as it was our first time there, almost 7 years ago. I had the NY and my wife the Ribeye, unbelievable. Ricky, was a very honest and knowledge able waiter and fantastic to deal with. The dessert he recommend ed, pecan pie.....mmmm Johnny even arranged for a town car to pick us up as it was raining...a class act!! Both food and staff Nick CALGARY, Canada

    (5)

  • Biru S.

    If it's not a porterhouse, you ordered the wrong thing. This place has an amazing ambiance and the service is outstanding. We got to the restaurant a bit early so we sat at the bar which had a very nice selection of whiskeys. My wife and I enjoyed about half of the cocktails on their menu and an order of their bacon before we finally got seated. Their bacon + their steak sauce = heaven. We ordered a steak for two with a side of mashed potatos and mac n cheese. The steak was served on a classic hot plate so you could alter the amount of "pink" you see on the steak if you felt it was necessary. The steak was buttery and melted in your mouth. The sommelier came around and suggested a beautiful bottle of red wine for us to complement our meal. All said and done, this is a great steakhouse but I can't say it's my favorite. Will I be back? Only if someone invites me to a get together, not on my own. This place lacked the originality that competitors have. It felt pretty generic overall honestly speaking. In summary, this palce had great food, pricing is where it should be for a place of this caliber and the drinks were great.

    (4)

  • Josie J.

    Stellar service, shockingly bad food. I took a colleague here for his birthday lunch and felt I needed to apologize at the end of the meal, I was so embarassed by the bad food. The crab cake and lobster bisque appetizers were a shade below mediocre. But the steaks were the thinnest, worst tasting pieces of meat I've ever had. They were rib eyes! Not much you need to do to make them delicious except salt and pepper them before you put them on the grill! They were prepared exactly to temperature, so mine came out a perfect medium rare, but it was soooooo bad. Tried to improve it with their house steak sauce and that made it infinitely worse. The only positive of the meal was our server, who was attentive and brought our dishes, however lackluster, out quickly and efficiently. I'm guessing the only draw of this place is its proximity to Grand Central. Once you've eaten here once, you won't go back.

    (1)

  • Michael F.

    My buddy and I were looking to have a great steak dinner, and our search led us to Benjamins. We stopped in early in the afternoon as we wanted to sit at the bar, and be able to see the NCAA hoop game while we ate. The Manager, Johnny, couldn't have been more accommodating, and told us to be back at 5:30 and he'd take care of us. We arrived to the seats we wanted, already laid out with napkins and silverware. We were promptly seated, and treated to a fantastic evening. Emma and GiGi were exceptional behind the bar. We got the steak for two and it was cooked perfectly. We were not rushed, and had pleasant conversation with members of the Team the entire evening. Even with the Restaurant getting very busy, we felt we were being individually catered to. It was a wonderful meal, with great people, and we will definitely be back in the future. Well done!!

    (5)

  • Stephanie G.

    great atmosphere! loved my crimson punch drink and there are no words to describe the steak! Ricky is the best server, huge thanks to him!

    (5)

  • Alison L.

    Perhaps it was because the meal was on our generous Partner (there's no way I would be able to afford it on my own), but this place was amazing. We got the mozzarella appetizer, steak for four, garlic mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The steak was super juicy and perfectly medium rare. I think the creamed spinach was good, but a bit over rated (and warning, it gets stuck in your teeth....). I was so stuffed by the end. I am reviewing it the day afterwards and I haven't had breakfast yet because I am still full from last night.

    (4)

  • Christopher Q.

    The food was everything I expected. The steak was wonderful and the lobster bisque was exactly what a lobster bisque should be. A full lobster flavor with the right anoint of cream. We ordered steak for 3 and they gave us two smaller porterhouse steaks. The other thing I like about this place was the tables were not jammed like sardines . The staff were really accommodating even with my four year old. The prices were really reasonable for what you get. Would definitely come again!

    (4)

  • Monty M.

    Update: after returning every few months since my last review, I can say that the Benjamin Steakhouse is reliably excellent. Their managers are extremely attentive and gracious. The waitstaff is impeccably trained, coordinating their service with precision, efficiency and some appropriate humor. The experience of dining here is simply "nicer" than the other platinum steakhouses in the City (I have visited most and my comments on 4 of them appear in Zagat, so I'm basing my opinion on these competitors). I visit The Benjamin every few months, usually alone but sometimes with family, a friend or my agent. I can share that they offer the quality of food expected in a premium steakhouse, but in a more comfortable setting and a lot more refined atmosphere. Ladies (and some men) may notice that the waiters are very fit and handsome, yet they are never cocky or "pushy" as you may see in other steakhouses. By that I mean that they do not nudge you to order more than you want, and they are never dismissive, gruff or distracted when you need them, even when the restaurant is full. They truly seem better trained than most steakhouse waiters, more eager to ensure that you enjoy yourself. The service, overall, is more focused on the guests, more patient and helpful than other steakhouses, even the "great" ones. That's actually very important if you're on a date or celebrating a birthday or anniversary. The Benjamin Steakhouse feels roomier, friendlier, better thought-out and a better value than its competors. It feels slick and sophisticated for power players, but also warm and inviting for date night or catching up with a close friend. They treat you well, so it's worth visiting. Their team is impressive in that way.

    (5)

  • Shaw D.

    There is no better experience, service, food, or restaurant. Ask for Christian. Benjamin steakhouse is the absolute best restaurant I've ever been too. The meat, (friend had filet, I had New York strip) was cooked to perfection. Id give this place 7 stars if I could. The manager Nick was incredible. Christian was our waiter and he was perfection as well. Unobtrusive and attentive. Unafraid to give a recco but not forceful. No better place to go.

    (5)

  • Takiya J.

    I am a lover of steakhouses. Let's just put that out there. Benjamin's is by far my favorite steakhouse! The service is outstanding. The atmosphere is a bit professional yet relaxed. This is a perfect place for an important business dinner or a classy night out with your date. Now the food. Their NY strip is done to PERFECTION! Perfect juiciness, tenderness, and taste. The creamed spinach was amazing!!! Probably the best I've had. It was my boyfriend's birthday, so they sang to him and brought him the cheesecake we ordered, which was actually very good (I should have purchased some to go separately). This steakhouse is definitely a 5 star!

    (5)

  • Betty C.

    "Words cannot describe how amazing the food is here." reli?? sry i've finally realized i'm not a fan of the meat, or say... top-notch restaurants.

    (3)

  • Rob D.

    Peter Luger's sister - it smells like Luger's, it taste like Luger's, and the waiters must have been raised by the same parents. Better wine list and they are located in midtown - definitely worth it!

    (4)

  • Jason T.

    A bit over the top for a steak house. Limited menu with no display of the beef and limited cuts. Prawn cocktail tasted like thawed prawns from Vietnam, and the accompanying sauce was bland. No real atmosphere. Benjamin steak sauce was like a regular supermarket bbq sauce. All in all, won't come back and would not recommend.

    (3)

  • Meghan G.

    Had to run here for a FAST lunch with a group of 4 - no reservations and had to get to Jersey City right after. Lunch time is crowded but we were seated right away and service was extremely fast to accommodate us. They have a great lunch menu - heavier/larger entrees like steaks and sandwiches but also entree salads - I went with the seared tuna salad .... perfectly cooked and light on the dressing. No wine this time ... BUT I'll be back .... Also great spot to run into for a lunch/ drink (afternoon wine!) at the bar.

    (4)

  • Jessica D.

    Such a lovely restaurant! The waitstaff is highly attentive and super friendly. Without reservations we were wisked upstairs to a great table at the balcony. Not since Shelly's Steakhouse have I had a porterhouse so yummy! The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars was because ours was ever so slightly overdone. Aside from that, everything was perfection!

    (4)

  • Ezra S.

    Food was 4 stars, but closeness of tables and lack of privacy was annoying. It is hard to hear yourself think. They have a good rep, and good food, but lacks so much more. Getting to the restroom is going through an obstacle course , and the bathrooms ( unisex) leave much to be desired. On one occasion recently, I was seated in a booth, in the inside area , and the waiter couldn't get my food to me because of a lack of space to fit in. They are taking in a fortune, but how long can it last My recommendation , there are so many top steakhouses in NYC, try a different one.

    (2)

  • Sunny S.

    A vegetarian at a steakhouse...I know, but I came to dinner here last night with a colleague who was visiting from out of town. The service here is impeccable. I haven't been to many steakhouses, so I don't know if this is the norm or not, but everyone was friendly and made sure were taken care of. All of the hostesses, like 5 of them, were courteous, and when we were finally seated, even the manager came over to say hello. Our waiter, Ricky, is one of the best waiters I've ever had. He was super attentive, extremely nice, and gave us great recommendations. My colleague has a broken wrist with a cast on it, so Ricky even came over and cut up his steak for him into smaller pieces. I told him I was vegetarian and asked about the pasta dish, but instead, he told me to go with the vegetable plate because it's more filling and the veggies are awesome. He was absolutely right! I ended up getting an asparagus-mushroom-broccoli veggie plate and it was delicious. Definitely some of the best sauteed mushrooms I've ever had. My colleague got the rib-eye and we split a pair of sides: the creamed spinach and the home fries. The creamed spinach was amazing...especially when you mix it with the home fries. My colleague also said his steak was cooked perfectly. For those that want a good steak and great service, go check out Benjamin.

    (4)

  • Gibran H.

    So I want to preface this review by saying that perhaps I have been tainted by the incredible service and quality and steakhouses in Houston. With that being said, let the honesty begin. Service- I've only been in New York for a few days, but I've managed to get out to multiple bars and restaurants. The quality of service in general is not very high, so when comparing Benjamin to other New York eateries, I'd have to say that it is not bad. The hostess is nice enough, the coat check ladies managed a smile, and the waiters waited. Nothing special, but certainly not bad. All in all, 4 of 5 stars for service. Due to the geographic differences, I chose to rate service on it's own so that I could compare apples to apples, New York to New York. Let me be real clear that if I compared this to Texas hospitality, it would fall in the low 2, and perhaps even 1 star category. Unfortunate for this establishment however, is that service and hospitality is where the geographic differences stop mattering. Food is food, and it is either very good, or very bad. Benjamin is a roller coaster, and I'd like to take you on my ride. Liquor Menu - For starters, the beer, spirits, and wine menu, are all three a major disappointment for a restaurant of this quality. Many of this wines on the list are your favorite CVS selections with a 4x markup. To even get close to a decent wine you will be spending well over $150. The Scotch list is almost comical, as are the prices. Lastly, I would at minimum expect a handful of specialty craft or Belgian beers on the menu. Instead I was greeted with Corona and Budweiser. Good for a hot day, not so good for a premier steakhouse where all of the famous dine. 1 of 5 stars. Appetizers - Sadly, I cannot speak much on behalf of these, other than they sounded very good. I can say I am a fan of warm bread, and the bread that hit the table was ice cold. Perhaps it was warm and they walked it outside before bringing it to me. Enough about bread. I did have a slice of the thick cut bacon, which has forever ruined bacon for me. Not because it was bad, but because it was so unexpectedly good. If I didn't have a massive hunk of rib eye on its way, I could have easily downed another 4 slices of bacon. I will give the other appetizers the benefit of the doubt, and even if they are terrible, all you really need is the bacon. 5 of 5 Side Dishes - I began by ordering two classic steakhouse sides, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. I figured, how could anyone possibly ruin those two sides. Sadly, Benjamin found a way to. They may very well be better off visiting their local grocery store, and purchasing the Country Crock pre-cooked sides and reheating them. As a matter of fact, I'm not so sure they didn't, but opted for the store brand instead. I'm not one to send food back, but I had no choice but to with these two atrocities in front of me. The waiter asked if I'd like something else, and I kindly said no, in fear of what other "just add 2 quarts of water and mix" side I would be served. The general manager however felt it necessary, and delivered to the table asparagus and some pile of brown -yes, brown as a noun - that resembled hash browns from waffle house at 4 a.m. Fortunately, appearances are not everything, and this concoction actually tasted good. It was a relief that the executive chef and his team have not completely forgotten how to make a decent side dish. For you steak purist out there, I understand that a steakhouse is about the steak. But you must admit, a great steak is always better with great sides. 2 of 5 stars STEAK - Ok Benjamin, now is your chance to impress me, because thus far, I have been far from impressed. I will save you the extra three lines I intended to write of build up and anticipation, and just let you know that the steak here is world class. I am not a major porterhouse fan, so I instead opted for the bone in rib eye steak. I appreciate a steakhouse with in house dry aged beef, and the flavor of the meat here did not disappoint. It had a nice subtle nuttiness to it, while retaining a perfect level of moisture and butter like quality that melts in your mouth. I wouldn't go as far as to say that it is the best steak I ever had, or even in my top 5, but given all of the disappointments throughout the night, it was wonderful to know that this steakhouse can certainly cook up a good steak. 5 of 5 stars For a place that derived from a Michelin 1 star restaurant, and whom received a 27 from Zagat on food, I'm having a hard time figuring out what I missed. Perhaps they forgot to sprinkle the magic dust on me before dining, but I just was not impressed. If I recommended to a friend, I would have to say, "Eat bacon, have steak, head home." I will thank the manager for the complimentary port wine for all of my troubles. Unfortunately, that small glass was not enough to inebriate me to a 4 star review. Benjamin final - 3 of 5

    (3)

  • Robbie O.

    Been to Benajmins three times. Third time I brought my good friend. Great service we wanted to come in late on a Friday night and so we called .. they where amazing let us order late and sit at bar. Love this place amazing cuts great customer service

    (5)

  • Ivan T.

    I have tried many of the surrounding steak houses. Benjamin's is the only one that I believe serves prime dry aged beef. Many times at other places I suspect choice beef is being served but at prime prices. Benjamin's cooks it perfect and seasoned so well. The service is great also. Don't waste your time and money at the other surrounding steak houses!!!

    (5)

  • Eliza R.

    Amazing food! The Oysters and the steak were among the best I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Sylvia A.

    Delicious and Always spot on! My go to place for steak! I have been here way too many times since Peter Luger's being in brooklyn is not worth the wait and distance. My guests from Asia can't get over how good this place is compared to the legendary Peter Luger's. They said they are definitely coming back whenever they are in nyc for business. We ordered the steak for two - it melts in our mouths. I also always recommend the lamb chop - super juicy and tender! Wine selection pretty extensive.

    (5)

  • Brenda W.

    Lets just start with, I love benjamins! I come here fairly frequently as my coworkers like to have our corporate lunches here. The service is perfect, they don't rush you out but when you come for lunch youre also not committing to being there for 3+ hours like some restaurants in the area. I've never had a complaint about what I ordered and everything is delicious.

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    Very disappointed in this place . This is my second time coming here and today we went for Christmas dinner. Our reservations were at 5 PM and after waiting an hour and asking the hostess 2 times about how much longer it'll be , I find that she was annoyed and actually CHANGED our reservations to 6 PM !!!! Didn't even know they could do that or why they would . What a power trip . She was so rude and obnoxious we were so close to walking out . I complained to the manager and he apologized and I showed him my reservation time and but there really was no coming back from having their own hostess change our time simple due to the fact that we asked twice after waiting one whole hour . We had a price fixed course and it was reasonably priced . The lobster bisque was way too salty . The steak was decent but nothing to rave about . But like I said before , the experience with the hostess ruined it all. Who the heck does that ?! Don't come here. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TRY PETER LUGERS OR WOLFGANG!

    (1)

  • John D.

    We were looking for a top notch steak house, and we were not disappointed. A memorable night, great service...really great service! The Rib Eye was fantastic, my wife's lamb chop was worth talking about to the folks at home. Great martini's. Couldn't ask for more! Oh and the tiramisu to share(it's huge) top off the night!

    (5)

  • Suki L.

    all of foods are so salty

    (1)

  • Brett P.

    Hands down, Benjamin's is one of the best steak houses in NYC and one of the best steaks I've ever had in my life. The sirloin was soo good you could punch your mother in the face!!!There wait staff and management were exceptional, there was not one time where I was waiting for a new drink or had a question about the menu that either the wait staff or Nick the manager were not attentive. From the starters to entrees and even dessert, everything was great. Literally my mouth was singing with every bite!!! Everyone in the tri-state area should experience Benjamin's, the ambiance, food, and staff combo will definitely satisfy you. You will truly feel nostalgic leaving this wonderful eatery.

    (5)

  • Lindsey S.

    Pros: actual fire place, great steak Cons: nothing! XD My plan is to tackle down one steak house a birthday and this is crossed off my list on my bday! :) It was party of 8 and was seated at a very spacious table next to the fire place. YES! FIREPLACE with actual wood burning! :D Loved the seating. We had steak for 8, bacons, creamed spinach, mashed potato, asparagus, and mushrooms with each bottle of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, and finished the dinner with whiskey and conac. The steak was just PERFECT; perfect medium rare with reddish pink on the core and char on the crust. I had to splash the grease and the meat scrap juice on the steak plate to give the extra ummmmms and it was PERFECT. The staff were GREAT too! They sang me a song with a cake for my bday and prepared for the individual plates afterwards. Plus, when we ordered a bacon each for a couple, they sliced it in half and brought a plate for each. How thoughtful!!! They knew what they had to do. ;) The experience was wonderful and the steak was on par. We all walked out full on the belly and light on the wallet. Next stop for me will be Peter Lugar's!!! :)

    (5)

  • Yani R.

    This place is amazing. The food is great. The service was awesome. Best steak in town.

    (5)

  • Carly W.

    Will cost you a few hundred bucks for 2 people but the best steak I've had - amazing

    (5)

  • Sasha W.

    Food was terrific! Filet was awesome and the baked clams were well prepared! Food was top notch, just expect a loud atmosphere and slightly disorganized service.

    (5)

  • J F.

    BenjaminSteak absolutely fantastic dinner!! Christian was a great host and server. Management went over and above. Highly recommend it! Fantastic wine list; steak was perfectly cooked and the atmosphere was great. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Ray V.

    The food was good, highly recommend the mashed pots. The steak was prepared properly (medium rare, anything higher and you ruin the flavor) and had a nice sear. Our server was awesome. Go there and ask for Rick, he took good care of us and posed for great pic with our daughter. The only reason I give 4 stars is the noise level. Much louder than I would like in a higher end place. I would go back when back in NYC.

    (4)

  • Preeti M.

    Not bad! When it comes to NYC and steakhouses and someone tells you "it's the best steakhouse in the city"...you have to be weary. In all fairness, I don't eat meat so I can't really be a good judge HOWEVER I do judge a good steakhouse by their seafood, ambiance and service. That being said, Benjamin's did not disappoint. I was here on a Saturday night for a large party business dinner and we sat upstairs in the balcony area. Although the "balcony" sounds cool - because we were such a large party, we were squished together and the set up did not allow for much conversation. All things said, I had a decent time. Salmon was my entree. Their desserts were served family style and so yum: especially the NY cheesecake...heavenly!

    (4)

  • Thomas H.

    Look, it's really good. But it's not great. They've copied the Peter Luger menu and presentation, so if you don't want to travel to Brooklyn and have to pay in cash for the Luger experience, this is a good alternative. First thing we noticed upon arrival is that they keep the restaurant at about 68 degrees. It was freezing in there. Steak is excellent. Appetizers are excellent, dare I say even Luger-quality. Get the bacon!! Desserts are top notch. Side dishes are meh, same for service. We started out night at the bar, and found the service to be very professional there. You're not going to regret that you went here. But you may wish you'd gone to Sparks or S&W.

    (4)

  • Jeff C.

    Four of us split the steak for four. It arrived perfectly cooked and also a great portion size for each of us. Each couple split the Benjamin salad, which was delicious, and the table had sides of Benjamin Potatoes and Creamed Spinach, both of which were excellent. The couple dining with us had been to Benjamin a few times before and knew some of the staff. We were very well treated and service was attentive without being overbearing. The portion sizes were great and none of us felt too full after dinner so we also split the Carrot Cake and Cheesecake. I preferred the cheesecake with its very creamy texture. My only disappointment was that I didn't care for the wine that was rather enthusiastically recommended, although everyone else did. The wine list is extensive so bringing along an easy app to search reviews might be helpful.

    (5)

  • Greatest E.

    Amazing steak, good service. Very pricy.

    (5)

  • V Y.

    One of the great steakhouses in New York City and the world. Great food, excellent ambience, varied seating options, super service, helpful staff, and more. This is my current favorite location for client dinners in NYC when steak is the plan. The owner and entire staff understand customer service better than any restaurant I've been to in years - and it's paid off in my loyalty. One word - Go!

    (5)

  • Jacquelene J.

    Loved this place seems like a great place too have a biz lunch or dinner ! Service was impeccable as soon as you walk in you have staffs full attention ! I had oysters which were so good,steak for two was just as good as Lugers , n cocktails were on the money just stiff enough , overall great experience !!! I'll be back!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Taeler H.

    I don't anything bad to say about this place, minus the fact that they had AC up too high, and I drank tea the whole evening to keep warm. I know some people like it cold... But seriously it was a nice box in there. Anyway, I came in wanting to just order a salad. But the food smelled so good I couldn't resist. I ordered the filet mignon, and for the table, we shares the bacon, yes bacon, crab cakes, Benjamin fries, and broccoli. Everything was good! No, really, everything! My steak was cooked to perfection, the potatoes, the veggies, the appetizers... Everything was perfect. You can tell that this a restaurant that prides themselves upon serving high quality meals and giving you nothing but the best. I'd recommend this place for a date night, a family dinner, or special occasion. Trust me, whomever you're trying to impress will be knocked out of their socks.

    (5)

  • David S.

    Great food, fun atmosphere. We were late (stuck walking from our hotel in Times Square and its a madhouse - almost New Years). Hostesses were C U next Tuesday's but whatever we hit up the bar and Emma & Gigi made us feel right at home. We ate at the bar and enjoyed our evening. The manager tries to seat us multiple times and we denied said its more fun here at the bar. He apologized for the hostesses and bought us a round of drinks. We will return for another meal and probably hit up the bar. We are Floridians and very laid back.

    (4)

  • Marios D.

    Just enjoyed another fabulous meal here. It was as epic as every other experience. I love coming back.

    (5)

  • Aleksandra R.

    This place is cool. I liked the dining hall and the second floor makes it very spacious. I had to sit at the bar because I had no reservations. The bar as full service so it was fine. Nice selection of drinks and the servers are pretty knowledgeable. I had a Cosmo followed by a White Russian. Had lobster soup which was delicious, and for my main course I had the NY strip medium cooked. I forget what I had for dessert but it was delicious as well. The bartenders where nice and one of the managers bought me and my friend who I was with, two drinks which was nice of him. The experience was nice and upscale. For the price I was very satisfied with the service and food. The only thing I would say about this place was that even with a lobby to prevent the cold to come in the restaurant, it was pretty bad when someone opened the door up front. The cold draft would come right into the bar area making it very uncomfortable. But having said that, I would certainly go back.

    (4)

  • Kay I.

    Our server was the perfect professional throughout our dinner and gave suggestions on how our steaks should be cooked. I had the New York steak strip and my fiancé had the rib eye. Both steaks were the best we have ever had. I can't begin to explain how delicious they were. The service was superb from the moment we arrived to the moment we stepped out of the restaurant, from the hostess to the gentleman who refilled our waters. You are always tended to with smiling, polite, knowledgable staff. A real treat in a world where customer service is not always provided. The drinks are delicious as well. We were seated behind the bar and could hear the bartender, which we didn't mind at all because he was hilarious! The only thing that I would've liked was more space between tables. The restaurants overall atmosphere encourages an intimate meal but you can hear every word coming from the couple seated a foot from you. However, this is to be expected in a NYC restaurant. Oh! Last but definitely not least - the dessert capped off the phenomenal dinner perfectly! The cost is a direct reflection of the quality experience you'll receive, the food, the service and everything in between. We will be sure to return to Benjamin's during our next visit into the city.

    (4)

  • A M.

    After eating here several times I'm continually amazed at the consistency and quality of service. They have a fantastic system down at this place and it shows. The only comment I have is to make sure you (the customer) space out your orders if you would like to take your time as the food can sometimes arrive quickly. These guys are good at turning tables, in NYC I can't fault them for that. The Matre'd Mario is amongst the best I've seen. The guy has a memory for his patrons that is uncanny. Steak for two was perfect, so were the oysters we started with. Cocktails are spendy but always expertly made. Nice job, keep it up.

    (5)

  • Benny Q.

    No doubt. Best steakhouse in the city. Best porterhouse,best ribeye steak. Great staff and service.

    (5)

  • Narissa H.

    Very nice service and atmosphere. I have had better lamb, but I was pleased with everything else #vday

    (4)

  • Ji J.

    Highly Recommended. Excellent seafood, Benjamin salad (w apple & crab meats), bacon, steak for 2, 3, 4 were all excellent! I personally like Benjamin better than other steakhouses in the city. Master's might be slightly better than Benjamin because of the decor and service. I see why Zagat picked Benjamin as number 1 steakhouse in the city. #2 in my book but still very good. Definitely top 3 steakhouses in Manhattan. I will come back. I like Dino & Harrys Steakhouse in Hoboken NJ, Mastro's in 50's NYC and Benjamin.

    (5)

  • John K.

    We went here last night table for 2, The decor was beautiful and the food was great we got steak for 2 great cut overall very good. Pricey though even for a nyc steakhouse one of the more expensive ones. Similiar to wolfgangs.

    (5)

  • Jimmy C.

    One of my favorite steakhouses so far. The steaks were perfectly aged and marbled. Each bite was amazing. Service was also fantastic.

    (5)

  • Karen R.

    I had the rack of lamb for lunch and it was amazing!!! Also I recommend the onion rings. Great atmosphere and very attentive wait staff. Definitely a place to eat at-you will not be disappointed!

    (4)

  • Jere W.

    Food was very good. Had the steak for 2, asparagus and mushrooms. All went well until after dinner. Left alone for over 45 minutes and basically forgotten. Never saw a dessert menu or offered one nor any coffee. Finally so mad just asked for the bill. With so many good steakhouses in NYC, doubt I will ever return to Benjamin's .

    (3)

  • George M.

    Great experience. The staff is amazing. Food is often great. On very busy servings and on rare occasion the fish may come out overcooked but otherwise its a very good steakhouse and it is better that anything in the immediate area. Try the bacon with a tiny bit of steak sauce its to die for (except if you have an ample supply of Lipitor).

    (4)

  • Tom F.

    Benjamin steakhouse is ok. The style they make their steak is similar to Wolfgang and Lugers. The food is still a notch under both of them tho. The steak wasn't as tasty. It could be due the aging process or their seller. Ordered bacon, salad, and mozzarella and tomatoes, shrimp cocktail, 4 person steak, creamed spinach mushroom and onion rings and fries combo. It was a lot of food. Nothing was memorable. The service feels rushed or they want your plate full . When the food comes a bunch of guys came over and started putting everything on your plate. Had them to ask them to put the sides down when they came to pass out the steak. Nice decor service is ok food is ok but for price you can definitely go to other steakhouses.

    (3)

  • Robin J.

    Amazing! The staff here runs like a well oiled machine while still being totally personable and accommodating to the customers every want! Nick, the manager chatted with us and made sure that our experience was top notch! The food was superb...the Lobster Bisque was like velvet and the filet was prepared and aged perfectly!! Definitely a recommendation to anyone looking for a fabulous experience in a NYC!!

    (5)

  • Julie F.

    Ok. Lets get this out of the way. Food is great. Extremely nice staff. BUT (big one)... Delivery in my particular case left much to be desired. Ordered midday on Seamless for 7 pm delivery. Added on a 20%+ tip. Called at 7:26 to find out where my food was. After listening to the "hold" ads for a (long) while was told it was on its way. Thankfully, it was not - food arrived fresh and hot. So clearly they sent it out after I called. Which is better than getting cold steak and fries. Delicious. Though both came well-done (though one was irdered medium-well). And 45 minutes later than ordered for (well in advance). No "I'm sorry" free offerings, just very sweet "I'm sorry" from lovely hostess and charming delivery guy. A passing "It's busy..." Um. I don't care. Is why I ordered WELL IN ADVANCE for a 7 pm delivery. No other compensation. 20%+ tip gobbled up, no problem - no apparent qualms about taking it, though delivery was severely botched. 45 minutes for an advance order is a big deal. Throw in a cheesecake, or a potato? A coupon, even? That'll teach me - next time, delivery will be the default cheap rate. Sure, I'll order from them again. Just tip VERY conservatively. Food was fab, though. But still feel taken advantage of. On second thought - nah, will order elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Jen M.

    My steak was well undercooked...so disappointed. Expensive...$50 for filet but for NYC standards, consistent pricing. But how could a steak place undercook my steak? Noise level is LOUD upstairs. Wow. Service was clumsy...we had 3 or 4 waiters tending to our tables at any given time. Too, forever to get our cocktails.

    (3)

  • Andrea P.

    I've been here on three occasions, all work related, once for breakfast and twice for lunch. The atmosphere is very classy and gives off the aura of a upscale establishment for sure. The solid wood paneling as well as the artwork really add a nice touch. The food is standard for a NYC steakhouse and to be honest I cannot attest to the steak itself as I've always ordered the seafood. With that being said the lobster bisque and the sea bass are delicious! There is nothing fancy about preparation or sauces, however the quality of the food itself is apparent. The service is top notch, complete with multiple servers and appropriate cutlery. You definitely pay for the experience but that is a given. Overall high quality steakhouse will never disappoint in that category.

    (3)

  • John B.

    food was great, just not as good as Peter Lugar. Bacon was a bit dry. Steak for 2 was cooked perfectly. Cream spinach was tasty, just a small portion for the price. Dessert was missing the big bowl of whipped cream that Lugar gives you. Service was SPOT ON. Restrooms not easily accessible. Worth a visit for a special occasion

    (4)

  • Paul P.

    Good soups and salads, subpar steak. We ate the porterhouse for two. The filet and strip of the porterhouse were chewy. The seared surface went too deep and ruined the whole steak. We won't be back. Del Fricos and Strip House so far are our favorites. They have both been consistent with excellent quality meats cooked to order.

    (2)

  • Krysia K.

    We dined here on Saturday night. Amazing time! Benjamin Steakhouse is absolutely phenomenal. I had one of the best Rack of lamb in my life here. My husband has Rib Eye steak. The Rib Eye, it was juicy, tender, extremely flavorful and perfectly cooked to order. The portion sizes are enormous, so you will definitely be taking home leftovers. It is quite expensive (appetizers about $20, entrees about $50 and above, side dishes about $15) so factor that in to your decision. Three glasses of wine, 2 entrees and 2 side dishes cost $180 without tip.The service is the best; they are friendly, attentive and professional. Everything was perfect. We will definitely be coming back here.

    (5)

  • Shel B.

    Came here on a Saturday night before a Broadway show. We booked for a 5:15 dinner, which is the only available slot for the night. We arrived partially on time, and decided to seat at the bar and order a few drinks. When our whole party arrived, we were seated in the middle of the dining room. It's a two floor restaurant in a hotel. It's not huge, it's not small. It has high ceilings, and the bathroom is in the basement. In just 15 minutes, the place is half full. There are four of us. We ordered the sizzling thick cut bacon, and I ordered crab cakes. For a $4 bacon each,I'd say its a must to order. I ordered the crab cakes, for $20, and I get two pieces, a bit pricey if you will think of it, but with every bite, the crabmeat is overflowing with its natural flavors. It's a great start, I am impressed!! For our main course: We ordered Two filet mignons, butterfly cut, and a Steak for two, which includes a porterhouse on one side, and a filet Mignon on the other side. We also ordered steak frites, mashed potato, and creamed spinach. The steak for two costs $100. It's served In an oven safe sizzling plate, sliced, with TBone as part of the presentation, and steak jus. I'd say, I enjoyed the experience more than the steaks itself. As our food arrives, three to four servers surrounded our table and started plating our foods. I felt so special. I got nothing else to do but to chew on my steaks. Plus the portion may be enough for three people if they got appetizers like us. For dessert, creme brûlée is very good. Our bill is $400 and for four of us, it's a bit pricey but would definitely be back. I love this place and would recommend for special occasions. Service is outstanding, 5 stars. Food is 3.5 stars as well as the decor. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Sean S.

    A friend of mine brought me here when I was in the city for a visit and while it was very good, I was expecting a little more fora restaurant founded by a former Peter Luger's chef. The wait staff was very friendly and took care of requests quickly, sides were good as well, but I came here expecting to have an incredible steak and I left after having a very good one.

    (3)

  • Skip T.

    Overpriced for the quality of food. Very noisy and crowded. Service was mediocre. Didn't enjoy the experience. Won't repeat.

    (3)

  • Neil F.

    Honestly, I am perplexed by the high Zagat rating which is where this place likely derives so much of its business. The place is VERY busy, but also appears to be way smaller than most of the top steakhouses and has a very small narrow entrance and bar area, which makes it appear busier than it is as well as makes it very uncomfortable To begin, please note that I am comparing Benjamin relative to the Top 10 NYC Steakhouses, since it is certainly priced that way and if you are going there, you are missing out on Delfrisco or Mortons or Lugers, etc etc. From the time we got there the service was beyond unacceptable. Since one of the people in our party was running late, for a 5:30 reservation, they told us we could only have the table if we ordered appetizers right away, without the 3rd person being there yet. It was clear from the beginnng that they are in a rush to get you in and out, as I ordered soup and baked clams as appetizers, and they were bought out together, and several times the waiter tried taking them away before each was finished. The French Onion Soup was unflavorful ..the clams were fine, but i have never had bad clams oreganato As for the steaks, we ordered the ribeye, filet, and porterhouse and the 3 of us were unimpressed. The ribeye was extremely fatty - even for ribeye and was unflavorful which is the reason you order it. The cut on the filet was mediocre at best and the porterhouse was also fatty. There is simply no comparison with the steaks you get at other top steakhouses, this was easily the worst As mediocre as the food was, the service was far and away the worst for any steakhouse. After forcing us to order early, the food came out very quickly, but we had to ask 3 or 4 times for drinks, and had to wait over 30 minutes for them to come to the table. They made several attempts to clear our food away early and the manager came over at the end of the meal to ask how everything was, we told him it was only fair, and he seemed to offer us complimentary dessert and coffee,which of course they ended up charging us for. And finally, after all that, before we were even done with the dessert, he came back to the table to ask if he could buy us a drink downstairs, since he needed the table, so I replied back, "just like you bought us the dessert and coffee, no thanks". He was completely unapologetic,after we told him we were glad to leave. Hard to imagine a management staff who is as clueless as this one, but its probably some sort of language barrier, since half the employees seem to be some sort of Eastern European derivation, one that is certainly not schooled in the finer points of customer service Do yourself a favor and if you are looking for a nice evening out, go to DelFrisco if you have the money, Mortons if you want consistency, Lugers if you want an adventure into Brooklyn to see the Original or STK if you want to go hipster. Benjamin's offers none of these, and the only metric it can compare is price, as in charging you MORE than most any steakhouse in NYC

    (1)

  • Lytc L.

    Me, my girlfriend and our baby went to this steak house on father's day. Staff was very friendly and the steak was cooked really nicely^^ it was a little salty but the flavors of the steak was great! They also have gravy with mashed potato:) Enjoy your visit if u are thinking of coming to this great place

    (4)

  • Steven P.

    Food very good, service attentive, but waiters not too friendly. Overpriced. Very busy for lunch.

    (4)

  • Raymond S.

    Really wanted to give Benjamin 5 stars, but there were a couple little things that were off the mark that didn't allow me to do it. Being a huge steak fan, I think Benjamin is the best steakhouse that I have been to in Manhattan so far. Other places I've tried out include Ben & Jacks, Wolfgang's, Club A, Capital Grille and Delmonico's. Benjamin is by far best in terms of the steak quality and consistency (I've been here 5+ times now and never disappointed!). Service also ranked very high. So where did it go wrong? Firstly, there is no cellphone service in parts of the restaurant -- eek. Secondly, the sides and desserts are pretty lacking. Would have loved it if they had corn of some sort. Thirdly, one of the tables I sat at had a HUGE chip the size of my hand! Having said that, Benjamin will be my go to place for a steak! Wine prices are pretty decent too.

    (4)

  • Thomas A.

    Good food but the service was pretty spotty. I felt like they were negligent to the customer needs. They took orders without a smile, and they just seemed very brusque. The food was excellent though. The bacon was thick but not as cooked as perfectly as Luger's. The jumbo shrimp cocktail was good but forgettable. I mean there was no wow factor. I wish the cocktail sauce had some horseradish or something. I actually preferred combining the shrimp with the Benjamin steak sauce. We also shared a wedge salad and ehhh that was wack. It was just a big slab of iceberg , blue cheese, and crumbled bacon. The porter house for 4..That's where it's at though. Perfectly cooked medium rare. The steaks had a nice crust of flavor, and the pieces were still juicy. The steaks weren't as juicy and moist as Luger's but they were still good. Overall the entree was great, the apps were ehh, and the service was blah.

    (3)

  • Donna V.

    This place rocks! I have been here twice and the steaks are legit. I have been to Peter Luger's, Wolfgang's... and they generally have similar preparations-- not sure who's biting who's style with how the steak is selected, cooked, and served at the table... wait, even the special sauce is similar... but because of the consistency of these steakhouses, you will not be disappointed with your steak here. The bread at the table came out warm and we devoured them with butter. The steaks are consistently good. Sizzling hot when they arrive... thick and cooked to the right temperature where its crunchy on the outside and soft and tender in the inside. Simply the best steak preparation around!!! And the cheesecake is phenomenal. The crust is graham cracker and the filling is thick velvety heaven. If possible, make a little room in the tummy for this delicious treat!

    (4)

  • Dan D.

    Not impressed. RC is much better. I ordered medium and it came medium well. Was pretty much flavorless. I almost wanted to put sauce on it. My typical response when asked if I want sauce is " I hope not " we had a 7p reservation. We were seated at 8:40!!! The bacon is AMAZING AMAZING! Steak not so much. Get the bacon appetizer then go to Ruth's Chris for the steak. By the way, this restaurant was highly recommended

    (3)

  • Antoinette M.

    We were lucky enough to get a table with out booking - it was very full the night we attended. The service was impeccable, the food just as good, and the wine list extensive.A very memorable night.And the cap I left behind was waiting for its owner to turn up the next day!

    (5)

  • Joseph P.

    It's OK. Nothing to really rant about, but also nothing to rave about. Pretty much standard New York City steak house fare. Personally, I don't like having my steak cut up for me, so any place that does loses points for that. The steak itself was good, not great but good. In fact I can say that about just about everything we had. The onion soup was good but not great, likewise the creamed spinach. Mashed potatoes were better than average but the asparagus was poor. The wedge salad was interesting. It's 1/4 head of lettuce cut out and left as it is. Does not compare with the top steak houses in New York. So far del Frisco's is still tops, followed by sparks and keen's. It was also rather noisy and cramped, but the service was excellent.

    (3)

  • Joanna M.

    Need to write a review for Benjamins! I've been here a a couple of times, often with my father whenever we are in the area. First time we came here was after a family outing to see Radio City's Christmas Spectacular. Dad is like me, loves steak KNOWS HIS MEAT and is a former NYC meat market/old fashioned guy from Mulberry St. so he is picky (knows this stuff) and hard to please. After trekking over to Gallagher's, Dad turned his nose up to the subpar and overpriced cuts of meat they were serving and disappointed they no longer served the porterhouse he craved and remembers eating there way back when like wayyyyyyyyy. Benjamin's was our backup but boy were we so glad. It was meant to be! Great for their porterhouse steak (Our favorite!) and typical steakhouse side dishes: creamed spinach, asparagus, potatos au gratin. Yummy! Owner is former Peter Luger's chef so if you can't make the trip to BK, go to Benjamins. Oh and they take cc!

    (5)

  • Greg N.

    Took my team out to dinner last night and based on my friend's recommendation, we tried out Benjamin's. We were definitely not disappointed. There were 5 of us and we got the "steak for 3" and a lamb chop for each of us. First off, it was the lamb chop I've ever had. Ever. The steak was also excellent, not sure if it was the best ever but definitely right up there, expertly cooked and seasoned to perfection. Great wine selection, very good service. We also each had a slice of bacon. Yes, a slice of bacon but we're talking one BIG THICK piece of bacon. Incredible. The only thing I can say that wasn't outstanding was the mashed potatoes. They weren't bad but nothing special; I would've expected something else but that's definitely being nit picky. Go and enjoy!

    (4)

  • Kelvin B.

    Holy shit snacks! The food here is fucking righteous and pricey as shit but well worth it. I went in for a solo dinner. First of all, if you don't make a reservation, you're either shit out of luck or eat at the bar. I got a seat at the bar cause I'm a lucky guy. I ordered the rib eye steak done medium rare (which everyone says is the best steak) and creamed spinach. The food is really good and filling. Topped it all down with a glass of wine for a total of about $78. Not bad at all.

    (5)

  • David O.

    Great food and one of the best services experiences The steak I had was perfect. The seasoning was outstanding. Everyone else loved their food to. The server was timely and very knowledgable about the dishes and wine. You can. It go wrong with this place

    (5)

  • Rebecca M.

    First thing's first the bacon appetizer's the realest. I was really not into the idea of eating just a fatty slice of bacon, but it's so good with their wedge salad. Get it (and then go to the gym... eventually, or whatever). The filet mignon was good, but there was really nothing extraordinary about any of the food or the experience. I am not a fan of the creamed spinach (strangely sweet) or their steak sauce (very reminiscent of cocktail sauce). We had a nice malbec with our meal and the service was good, but I won't be back. Go to the bathroom while you're there if you want to feel like you're lost inside a ship.

    (3)

  • Shaw I.

    The two of us were very disappointed at the quality of food and service. We arrived promptly for an 8.45pm reservation but had to wait for almost 1/2 an hour. Others who arrived later (same party size) were seated first, perhaps because they were society types. It made us feel not welcomed. We were constantly told to move to make space. Finally when we finally got our table, it was a noisy busy area and the waiter spilled some oils on my jacket. In addition, the medium rare rib eye I selected was overcooked, more medium than medium rare. A terrible sin for a $49 steak. I make better steak at home. Only thing that was good was the wine. Definitely not coming back. Bad food, unwelcoming front desk and too expensive for what you get.

    (1)

  • John L.

    The signature dish is the aged steak for 2-4 and it does not disappoint. We ordered it medium-rare, and it arrived with an tasty crisp char on the exterior and a tender, tasty interior. They do it well. The side dishes, salads, service, etc... are all on the mark. The only negative is that the big room can get a bit loud. One the best steak houses in Manhattan.

    (4)

  • Lazy S.

    Went here for dinner tonight, it was superb! Very upscale steak house that competes with the best of them. The steak for four was phenomenal, we actually split it between 6 of us (2 were children). The blue cheese bacon wedge salad was amazing! The bacon is very thick cuts, never had one quite like that before! We also had the onion rings and home fries, which were also wonderful. They took us In for a 7pm reservation last minute, which saved us seeing as how it was our last meal before hopping on the train back home. This was done on a recommendation from the concierge at the Hyatt right around the corner, so glad we asked.

    (5)

  • Shon R.

    Bottom line - great food and service. There is a reason so many compare this place to Luger's and its due to the great food here. My steak was top notch. Well prepared and perfectly seasoned. The staff was phenomenal. My cup was literally never empty and they were the perfect balance of attentive without being too intrusive. Overall, with so many steakhouses in New York, I have given up on ranking them. However, Benjamin Steakhouse is definitely among the best.

    (5)

  • Barry S.

    There really isn't much to say on the plus side about this restaurant except to praise the capable and friendly wait staff. The only good thing about the sirloin steak was the bone to bring home to Fido. The meat was under cooked and very fatty. The carrot cake was awesome. The drinks were well made and of a nice size. Sorry to say, this place doesn't deserve a return visit.

    (2)

  • Michelle L.

    Benjamin is the usual pick for work-related meals because of its location and food quality, however today had been a disappointment. A coworker who's a vegetarian didn't have much of a selection, which is understandable given its a steakhouse, but my steak didn't turn out well - I had ordered it to be medium rare and emphasized on my preference for my steak to lean towards the rare side, but it came out completely cooked, not even a trace of pink in the middle. Because my group was pressed on time, I stuck with it but I had higher expectations for a steakhouse, especially given my previous experiences at Benjamin. Hopefully this was a one-off incident.

    (2)

  • Kaixi L.

    It's the best steak I have ever eat. Remember just ask for "steak for two/3/4" don't order vegetables, so you can focus on the taste of the steak. It's amazing!

    (5)

  • Rich V.

    OK, this doesn't quite get a full five stars. I'm rounding up, but I'm rounding up because it was the best steak I've ever had. The wine list is great and reasonably priced for this kind of place...overpriced yes, but not egregiously. We went with a large format bottle of Stag's Leap, which was cool to have, and they decanted without being asked, which I always appreciate. We had tried to order their large format Shafer but they were sold out which was disappointing. The steaks are listed as being dry aged, but you have to ask about which ones. The Filets are not dry aged. I went with a sirloin Pittsburgh rare, and it came out a touch overdone. I think the sirloin is thin enough that they should just char it and put it on a plate without using the broiler at all. (The inside was warm, not cool.) The dry aging was wonderful. They didn't say exactly how many days, but the juices from my steak had a strong truffle overtone that was just rocking. I wish the Shafer had been available because it would have paired better with the dry aging than the Stag's Leap did (the Stag's Leap was a 2010, rather than the 2008 mentioned in the menu, so it was a put forward and tight.) The asparagus we ridiculously good. I think they must season with crack! OMG, delicious. Also, you must get the canadian bacon on your wedge (or just as a side.) Again, I'm sure crack is mixed in with the magic salt they put on this stuff. It is that good. I'm not sure if it warrants four dollar signs, but the guides suggested so. Three of us ran just over $600 with tip, but we were comped port for the table. That said, we didn't do cocktails, except three glasses of Ch Montelena while we waited for the magnum to breathe. For a steakhouse in NYC, this seemed like a decent deal.

    (5)

  • Ina T.

    Great steak. Long waiting line, crammed around the bar to reception area.

    (4)

  • Kehau S.

    My husband and I disagree as to which is better, Wolfgang's Steakhouse or Benjamin Steakhouse. It's one of more ridiculous arguments, because both are fantastic! And they're a lot alike, so it really doesn't much make a difference. They recently brought over the head chef from Peter Luger, so perhaps that makes a difference. Bottom line: it's fantastic from start to finish. Get some drinks. Get the porterhouse. Save room for dessert.

    (5)

  • Seiko F.

    It was the great dinner experienced! My husband & I went this restaurant as our very first time. I got a gift certificate from my work and we decided to try this restaurant on Monday night after work. we made a reservation through the open table at 5pm. I guess it sounds too early to eat a steak on Monday but actually we both were glad we came in early time. The restaurant itself are really spacious, many tables and nice bar area. The maitre d brought us to the closest table from the fireplace when we arrived and it was so nice to me cuz that day was so cold out there and also it was the very memorable service. seems to me as I notice were after work business mens or with wife, people who already set the table before us. Well.. I could imagine this place's location as a very close by the station. but almost half tables were available at the early evening and it was really best for us. (and of course it course maybe it was Monday night thought.) The food we had was.. 1, Caesar salad 2, Onion soup 3, Steak for two 4, Creme spinach 5, Cottage fries & Onion rings All the food we had was great!!! and I came in here very hungry so we finished all we ordered! haha... Onion soup was very good, steak was cooked just right, spinach was creamy. yam! Even without the gift certificate, we'd love to come back to this place. I may bring my Mom, sister and niece they'll come and visit me from Japan in next week!

    (5)

  • Christine G.

    5 stars is not enough. This was one of the best dining experiences of my life. We had reservations which the concierge had made for us.....they immediately wished us a happy anniversary we were seated and immediately gave us bread and butter. This was the only complaint I had....some of the bread was hard.....I wanted it to be soft and warm...... French onion soup was first. To say it is delicious is an understatement.......it was absolutely amazing. I am ruined I can't have it anywhere else.....now onto the steak. First they plate it for you. They keep it on a large plate that they tilt so it doesn't sit in the oil and also so you can use the oil for gravy....steak is so good. Melts in your mouth like butter.......dessert was amazing as well. We had the carrot cake. This restaurant will be a staple in our family. Prices are very high. A steak for 2 is $99.50 and it comes with no sides. Everything is ala carte. Don't order the Benjamin fries. Not a fan.

    (5)

  • Vin S.

    Very cozy steakhouse. Impeccable service, if you are lucky to dine by the fireplace in the winter, it is a treat. It is a New Yorker's steakhouse. Not a lot of tourists. They are very conscious of a "business lunch." They have a skill of not making you feel rushed, but pace the lunch where you are not there forever, and are generally out in an hour.

    (5)

  • Joseph H.

    Excellent steak and great service. Salad for two was delicious also. Had the chocolate mousse desert and it was wonderful. It was a bit loud but that was due to so many people there, a testament to the good food. Would definitely recommend.

    (4)

  • Gene W.

    Amazing experience. Perhaps the best service I've had at any restaurant. We were seated about 15 minutes later than our reservation, so the restaurant gave us a dessert plate and coffee on the house. I had the sea bass, which was cooked to perfection. My father had the filet, and my mother had tuna. Both were delicious. I'm already looking forward to my next trip to New York so I have an excuse to eat at Benjamin.

    (5)

  • Steve O.

    I almost gave this steakhouse three stars. But I can't. My last lunch did it for me. Because this steakhouse is in midtown, near my work, I come here occasionally. The porterhouse is what I usually have. But, no, this is no real competition for the Brooklyn house of steak. It's a decent porterhouse served NYC steakhouse style; not better than anyone else and worse than the few best. But most recently I came alone, sat at the bar, and ate the ribeye sandwich. Nice bartender: terrible service. She forgot everything and took fifteen minutes after I gave her my order to get it in. When the sandwich came, I had to get her attention to get a beer and pepper. The steak sandwich, though, is why this restaurant is getting one star fewer than otherwise. More bread than steak, sliced very thin, the ribeye was unrecognizable for the kind of juicy, thick steak that makes it good as a stand-alone steak. This sandwich paled in comparison; it was an anemic steak sandwich! I may still go here occasionally. But I'm a bit turned off.

    (2)

  • Richard L.

    If you like a great atmosphere, fabulous surroundings, overpriced, gigantic, tough ribeye, go for it. The waiters were very attentive and gave me a new knife when I couldn't cut the grissle. Then a second steak wasn't much better. A $50 steak?

    (2)

  • Dimitri A.

    Went on sat 10/11/14. The hostess was rude and slow in getting us seated on time for our reservation. Then, when they took us to the 3rd level, they had us seat on a table where the 5th person would have to face a pillar -I told the guy that that is unacceptable and he dismissively seated us elsewhere. The manager was nice. The salad apps were very tasteless for their price and the ratings of this restaurant. The deserts were poor; the tiramisu, as well as everything we got were mediocre. The steaks were appropriately cooked though. The servers were overall nice and attentive; they were not careful though with pouring wine or water. Having dined many times in Chicago, Gibsons and Chicago Cuts far exceed this place...

    (2)

  • Angel M.

    We went to Benjamin's it was recommended by the concierge at the Hilton I thought he over sold the place but after going there he undersold the restaurant. Home run !! Fabulous steaks and sides. The wine list was extensive and wonderful as well. Nice place also to Star gaze we saw Bradley Cooper & Stockard Channing.

    (4)

  • Tedgrrr P.

    I've been here twice in the past few weeks. The first time I would have given it five stars. The food was delicious and the service was great. The second time the steak was a bit off and I had to gesture five or six times to get my drink refilled. I'll probably be back because I'm nearby, but hopefully they can improve their consistency.

    (3)

  • brette m.

    My boyfriend, his sister and I ate here last night. They had eaten here once before and had a bad experience (long wait times, not great service), but this time we had none of that. We were seated promptly and received drinks right away. We each ordered a slice of the thick cut bacon for an appetizer, which was good, but not as good as Peter Luger. Our steaks were cooked perfectly, and the sides (hash browns and creamed spinach) were delicious. No complaints, other than that this was a pretty expensive meal.

    (4)

  • Ann Marie D.

    Choosing a great Steakhouse is part of our annual trip to NYC. We decided to dine at Benjamin's this year. The space is tight, and the atmosphere was bustling. There was a large after work crowd at the bar. I will note before I go any farther that we had incredible service. The servers were friendly and knowledgeable, the owner was making the rounds, stopping to chat with us and other tables. For appetizers we had of course, the bacon. Delicious! We also had the shrimp cocktail. Everyone really enjoyed the appetizers. For the main course we had the Steak for 6. The steak was cooked perfectly, and cut, then brought to the table, and the "juice" drizzled on the top. I have to say, the "juice" aka "fat" ruined it for me. I understand that fat adds flavor, but I did not like the extra fat flavor on my meat. I would have been happier if that had been left off. I just felt like that great steak flavor was not there. It tasted like fat. Comparing the steak to Peter Luger's I have to say I preferred Peter Luger's. Our side dishes were the creamed spinach, onion rings and cottage fries, and mashed potatoes. Everyone really enjoyed the creamed spinach and cottage fries. The cottage fries were essentially homemade potato chips. The mashed potatoes were fine- nothing super special. For dessert we had the apple strudel, pretty good. The carrot cake, very good, though a little shy on the frosting. The chocolate mousse cake, very rich! Pecan pie and key lime pie, all with the homemade schlag (cream). The desserts were good and they make several of them in house. I appreciate a restaurant that takes the time to make their desserts and not buy them. Overall the food was good, but not great. We are glad to have tried Benjamin's, but won't be back.

    (3)

  • Irene K.

    I would give the steak and the food dishes a 5 but the services a 3 star, so that averages the rating out to 4. My date and I really enjoy the dishes there, I ordered a fillet mignon and he ordered a rack of lamb. The meat was cooked to how we would like it and the side dish of sauteed mushroom was done just right. However, in terms of services, I expected more for a restaurant like this. Our table set was not complete when we sat down. We had to ask for bread plate and utensils and continuously asking for water refill throughout the night. I would recommend the restaurant if you are a steak fan and meat eater, just don't expect too much from the service.

    (4)

  • C.J. F.

    Took my family here for my parents 40th anniversary and everyone enjoyed themselves and the food was amazing! The steak was very juicy and very tasty! The rack of lamb also was just as delicious! My mother after seating immediately said to me "Just so you know I wont be doing any dishes" I guess that would explain the ambience of Benjamin's Lol. Definitely one of my new favorites! Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Renae V.

    I would have to say the entire evening was pretty incredible. From the ambience of true NY steakhouse to the staff and food, everything was top notch. I had the filet with creamed spinach. The manager comped our table a bottle of $250 wine. Mario is A+ in my book. This is definitely the steal house to eat at. Melt in your mouth!

    (5)

  • David E.

    I love this place. I have been to both locations and they are equally amazing. The food is incredible and the staff is wonderful! Do yourself a favor and have a meal here!

    (5)

  • Ann L.

    I've been here before twice and had pretty good experiences both times where the food was on point and the service was decent, all things considered. But as I waited to be seated 30 minutes past my reservation time last night, I saw others who had arrived after my party get ushered in and seated after being pan handled by Benjamin and other dark suited glad handlers. The hostesses gave off a clear power trip vibe upon being asked, and I started to read into all the reasons why my party wasn't getting seated. We finally got seated, were brusquely greeted by our server, whose face visibly fell upon learning we wouldn't be ordering alcohol. The steak for two was under-cooked, over-charred. A real disappointment because I've had their steak when the two times before when it and we were looked after attentively and it was excellent. The husband could also tell that the large party to the right of us had a much better quality meat, so again, you wonder why the level of service is inconsistent. The bass was not nearly as good as my last experience either. I realize that the servers there generally provide service unflinching, no frills New York type of service, but I saw the service they provided other tables, and then how stupid they made us feel when we asked questions about the menu items. Again, I wondered. Generally, I left this visit feeling like this place discriminates based on how strongly you smell and look of money. Yes, much of the world and New York restaurants function like that, but I've been to several places that have the grace and class to not make that discrimination so ridiculously blatant. Benjamin's lack of attention to our party was obvious the entire night - in how they treated our reservation, their touch-and-go rude service and the poor quality of the food served to us. If you are planning on going and mind you, don't look like you ooze hundreds of thousands of dollars from your pores, be warned. I imagine you're in for a big disappointment.

    (2)

  • Dee R.

    After having heard bad things on Peter Luger (surely except concerning the quality of meat) from most of our friends, we tried Benjamins and were completely convinced. A perfect Porterhouse (... there is no need for anything sidewise) and a cold beer (... we did not ask for the winelist at lunchtime). Nearly everyone around us had the lunch-special which looked great as well and comes quite cheapy ;-) A must when You are in Manhattan. No need go "luging" Brooklyn-wise... Enjoy as well....

    (5)

  • Russell J.

    As NYC has an abundance of overrated steakhouses, it was a pleasure to return to Ben's to remind me what a top shelf NYC Steakhouse should be. In just my humble opinion, the only thing to order when you find yourself in a real steakhouse is the following: Seafood platter - assorted, fresh and delicious - in case you didn't know, steakhouses have some of the best seafood around. Slab beacon - no comment necessary - just order it Creamed spinach - perfect balance Porterhouse - perfect medium rare House Cabernet or Malbec Ambiance - old world, slightly brighter, hustle and bustle of NYC business pulsing through the atmosphere..... Service - professional and on point.

    (5)

  • Brian R.

    I have been meaning to go to this steakhouse for a while now after high praise from a friend claiming it was the best steakhouse in the city. He even mentioned that they had an affordable wine list with a great selection, of particular note was this sub $50 Chilean wine that was "great bang for the buck." I finally had the chance to take some friends with me to this steakhouse tucked away in the Dylan Hotel. You enter into a long narrow passageway that opens up into a fairly large dining hall, with vaulted ceilings. I realized that to get proper ventilation at these "sizzling" steakhouse places you really need high ceilings to disperse some of the smoke and steak vapors that comes with sizzling hot plates of porterhouse steak (one of the main reasons I do not go to the Wolfgang's on Park Ave anymore). We had an early dinner reservation at 6:15pm, but the place was still packed. I was thinking it had to do with the happy hour they have in place everyday, but there were a surprising number of folks at dinner tables chowing down as well. The crowd was a mixture of your typical Wall St. Dbags, trust fund babies and Asian folk and tourists. I think Asian people really like their steak as I have seen a tremendous uptick in that demographic as of late. We were given a very sub-optimal table location at the corer end of the bar that witnessed a lot of foot traffic due to the POS system being close by and because it was the main intersection of the bar pathway to the upper level and the tables in the back. I would imagine if we were more frequent guests we would have been given a better table. Needless to say, the decibel levels of chatter was extremely loud and I could barely hear the person sitting across from me without yelling. But enough of the convo, I was hear to enjoy a good steak meal. I was happy to see the wine list was extensive and it did provide a choice of budget options. We ordered the Etude Pinot Noir and happily sipped away until our apps of thick cut bacon and mozzarella and tomatoes were delivered. The bacon was super thick, although a bit too overcooked for me. If it was not for the steaksauce, the bacon would have been a bit too dry for what I am normally used to. After apps, out came some crispy bits of German potatoes that were not as greasy as others I have had. The creamed spinach was solid, although not as creamy as I would have preferred, aka more cream/butter. The porterhouse steak was very good. The quality of the meat was on par with Wolfgang's and Luger's, although the steak seemed to be cooked at different temps across the steak. We asked for medium rare, but a couple of few slices were bordering on "mooing..." Despite this I still enjoyed the steak as it still had the right level of flavor and saltiness that I would expect, I did not have to reach for the salt shaker throughout the entire dinner. Fully stuffed, we still ordered dessert. One of my friends ordered the sundae which did not look like the giant monstrosity topped with excessive amounts of schlag that you normally get at other places, but still quite good. The tiramisu was fair, though nothing spectacular (clearly not Viniero's quality)...I was happy to see a Japanese Suntory whiskey on tap which I promptly swizzled down as any good dram should be. Overall, the service was excellent...Plating of every dish, refilling of water before the glasses were half empty, delivery of dishes promptly and removal of dishes when it was apparent we were finished. Although a slight notch below my usual steakhouse, Wolfgang's in TriBeCa...This would be a go to spot for a change of scenery.

    (3)

  • Amanda J.

    Came here for work dinner. The steak was perfect at medium rare and the service was impeccable.

    (4)

  • Rowena C.

    I am typically a consumer of reviews but feel compelled to provide one for this restaurant. Last week, I went to meet colleagues for dinner. I happened to be late. When I arrived at the restaurant, I said I was meeting a group and gave the name. The hostess then proceeded to take me to a large table of Asian patrons.... A bit astounded & confused, I blurted out, "who are these people?", but she had turned and gone. Ok, while I am Asian American, it is incredibly presumptuous to assume that was my party! Oh and btw, the name I gave was nowhere near Asian! Abandoned in the middle of the restaurant, facing "my people", I scanned the room to see my actual party - non-Asian colleagues, who are South African, French, Moroccan & British. Unfortunately, first impressions are lasting ones, and the racial profiling was more memorable than the steak!

    (1)

  • Jim G.

    Back here again ! Decided not to sit at the bar for a change It's cold outside ( like 24 degrees) Fire place sounds flash (:

    (5)

  • Chad M.

    Meh..it was ok. If you're visiting NYC on a budget, then look the other way. The food is way to pricey, sides are "a la carte". I ordered my steak medium..it was extremely crispy upon arrival, had zero flavor and the presentation and atmosphere left something to be desired.

    (3)

  • Vagelina K.

    Very good atmosphere, the food was perfect and the service was very friendly and accomodating. Surely woth a visit.

    (4)

  • Gill O.

    Came here on Saturday night with my cousin and had a lovely time. Although it was busy (prob at full capacity) it was quiet enough to be able to have a normal conversation (without shouting). I got the filet mignion and my cousin got the strip steak. Both were huge portions! True NY steak. Cooked to perfection. My mouth is watering as I think back on it :) We shared the creamed spinach and the home fries. I found the sides to be average enough. They were nice but nothing special. It's the steak that's the winner. We had a few cocktails, my favourite was the Bellini. NY is overrun with shoddy places offering 'bellini's. Come here if you want a proper one. We ended the meal by sharing their hot fudge sundae. We only got it as we saw everybody else getting one and we had food envy. Delighted we did though, as it was amazing! Really loved this place and def want to go back. Docking 1 star as the sides were just fine and our server was a wee bit pretentious.

    (4)

  • Jimmy N.

    I'm from Kansas City, so I know steak very well. Benjamin Steakhouse is a masterpiece, a gem, and an experience every steak lover should experience. I recommend going to this place with a group of 10+, and reserve the Mezzanine level. You'll get a private long table, overlooking the restaurant floor. You'll get your own wait staff and bus crew. As for ordering, just turn in a few appetizers (everything is good so you can't go wrong) then ask for the Chef's choice dinner. The Chef will fix up incredible boned in T-Bones to share family style (they're thick) and all the appropriate side dishes to fill you up. The wine list is next to none and the Old Fashioned here is done right, as it should. Five star it is, so Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    There was no part of our dining experience that wasn't exquisite. The ambiance of the venue was great - attractive space that was tastefully decorated and tables distributed for max utilization, but without feeling crowded. The service was nothing short of top notch. A team of cross trained staff saw to our every need, including 3 visits from Nick (the consummate charming manager), verifying that all was to our liking. As for the food, words may fall short, so I'll use them carefully : simply the best steak I have ever had. Shrimp cocktail and baked clams were delicious, and the creamed spinach was amazing. One of the most extensive wine lists I have encountered. Not inexpensive by any stretch, but worth it to commemorate a special occasion. Make the investment on a meal you will remember for years.

    (5)

  • M W.

    So we had a redo at this restaurant when our first visit didn't hit the mark. From the moment we arrived when the team acknowledged our names, our thoughtful seating, we knew this was a differentiating dining experience and one that was signature to what I would expect of a restaurant of this caliber. The staff were attentive to our dining needs, made terrific food and wine recommendations and made us feel welcome and inviting. They stepped up and I truly appreciated their efforts to win us back. They succeeded and I highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)

  • SuZanne R.

    I went here yesterday based on the yelp reviews. We were supposed to be a table of 5 but 2 of our guests could not make it. We were told by the manager that this was an issue because they were so full. Not sure why it was an issue, we were at the smallest size table they have in the room. He just wanted to let us know. The caesar salad was NOT special. I ordered the cheese steak because I had a mind blowing cheesesteak at S&W and thought this restaurant was on the same caliber. Definitely not. I ended up deconstructing it and eating the steak. You could do so without anything looking like it was attached to the other. The bread had no traces of the cheese or steak.. My guess is it's not ordered often. Maybe my mistake. The 2 others with me had the ribeye. That looked good but no comments either way across the table. I think the best part about the Benjamin Steakouse are the guests. The crowd was lively and happy. We were asked to leave during our coffee because they were waiting for our table. We were seated for a little over 60 min.

    (2)

  • Imran R.

    It was fine. There are a lot of comments on the service. While the servers were not rude, they certainly made you feel rushed. The food was fine. I think you can match the quality of the food at any of the top places. Anyway, overall it was a 3, just ok for the price. Will try another place next time as they def did not wow me enough to go back.

    (3)

  • Joel C.

    Great in every respect. Our Dinner: Fresh Oysters, Filet for my wife, Porterhouse for me, Tiramisu for my wife, Bourbon Pecan Pie for me. Great wine. Great martinis. Nice whiskey selection. We thoroughly enjoyed each course. My porterhouse was a perfect medium rare with just the right amount of seasoning and the quality was so high that occasionally I couldn't tell the difference between the filet and the strip side. We were warmly greeted by Jonny at the front and then well taken care of by our server, Nick. Sitting upstairs was very nice and probably a little quieter than downstairs.

    (5)

  • Elisha M.

    After googling and researching the best houses in NYC, I decided to reserve a table at Benjamin's. They absolutely have one of the best steak's I've ever had (ordered the 3 person steak cooked Medium), however, the rest of the menu was just okay. I've been to the likes of Morton's, MJ's steakhouse, Jacobs in Toronto, Ruth Chris ... and Benjamin's definitely had one of the best steaks! I think my favorite part was the fact it was charred on the outside but a nice Medium on the inside! To accompany the massive steak, we ordered the mashed potatoes, oysters, Caesar salad, tiramisu, and carrot cake. In general, they were all good but I expected a lot better! These items were simply underwhelming considering the price! The service was only okay..the waiters were a unprofessional (goofing around like they were beating each other up at times) and rushed us with the bill at the end-clearly they wanted to go home. There were also a few off the staff eating at the restaurant in their uniforms where the rest of the patrons were eating???? I don't see this at chain-restaurants so I don't expect to see it at high-end restaurants. When I'm paying these prices, I expect a lot better service than we did. For the price, I'd probably save the money and head to Ruth Chris' to be honest! The only thing that was amazing was the steak and everything else was mediocre at best. I'll definitely try a different steakhouse next time I'm in NYC.

    (2)

  • J W.

    My husband and I have tried all the big name steakhouses and a few not so known and this is, hands down, our favorite. The steak is outstanding, the Canadian bacon is beyond words and the wedge salad, creamed spinach and home fries are also the best we've tried. But more than all that is the service. It's nice to have the food served on a hot plate and everything dished out for us.

    (5)

  • Christopher K.

    Every winter for almost two decades, I meet up with my army of off-the-boat Irish brethren and descend on a NYC steakhouse for a night of total gluttony and excess. When we started this tradition in the mid-90s, we were all young and poor, and the original Frank's steakhouse, where it all started, served as an anchor to an otherwise scary and decrepit part of town, aptly called "the Meatpacking district." Alas, times have changed since then. Me and the Paddy's are now all older and greyer, Frank's is long gone, and the Meatpacking district now caters only to the douchiest of the rich and elite. But at least now when the bill comes, we don't fall hundreds of dollars short throwing into the kitty. While none of us have quite reached that Daddy Warbucks status yet, we can at least scrounge up two or three Benjamins each to keep our long and storied tradition going strong. This year we mixed things up by choosing Benjamin Steakhouse as our meeting place. Tucked around the block from Grand Central Station, it's easy to miss because you don't see all that much from the outside. But once you step inside and down the long hallway, you enter a cavernous, two-story bar and dining room that makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time. It's a gorgeous, dark, and sexy space, and despite it having no actual windows to the outside, they've created faux ones that will have you feeling like you've stepped into a giant townhouse mansion. We were seated in the private room, which sits on a second story mezzanine of sorts, looking over the main dining room. This is nice because you get all the privacy of dining alone with friends, but you are not tucked away in some kind of walled off closet like some other steakhouses offer. Charlie was our main server, and he was five star all the way. Presiding over a small army of waiters, Charlie couldn't have been more on top of his game. Whatever we needed, whenever we needed it, Charlie was there making sure we were taken care of like kings. The food was aplenty, almost too much so. I can't eat in the quantities I once could when this tradition was in its first decade. The first course was a choice between lobster bisque and Caesar salad. I opted for the latter and it was very good. With the first course, Charlie brought out the requisite pile of charred, thick-slab bacon, identical to what you get at a place like Peter Luger. Because we were a large group eating mostly family-style, the bacon didn't have the heat and the sizzle that I typically like, but it was still delicious. Cut that baby up into pieces and toss them into your Caesar for a real treat. Next came two or three giant seafood towers. This was over the top. I don't even eat shellfish and there had to be at least two or three whole lobsters on this thing, in addition to shrimp, oysters, crab, and god knows what else. How any of my friends were able to eat steak after this is beyond me. The steaks were porterhouses cooked medium rare, with each platter serving two people. Each was sliced in nice one-inch chunks, next to the bone, soaking in a ridiculous pool of melted butter on the plate. This is not my favorite preparation for a steak. I still prefer an individual filet or New York Strip, cooked simply with a little salt and pepper -- no need for the butter bath. Still, the steaks were excellent quality and were all a perfect medium rare. The sides were your standard spinach and potatoes, though I wouldn't say any were all that memorable. Our $240 per person included all the beer and wine you could drink, and we most certainly got our money's worth there. Age has not slowed the Irishmen down from getting their drink on, and we would soon be departing for Molly's downtown to finish off the night. After wrapping up the meatfest, Charlie brought out multiple plates piled with one of every dessert they sell -- again, over the top and completely unnecessary. But somehow, we managed to eat them all. It was a classic, textbook boy's night out to be sure. And Benjamin's did an excellent job of taking good care of us. I found the cost (which included gratuity) to be much higher than what we typically spend each year, but this was without a doubt the most food and booze we have ever consumed since the tradition started. And given that it's only once a year, and typically the only time I see these boys all year, it's money well spent. So here's to the Irish, and to traditions and keeping them alive forever. If you're looking for me this week, I'll be juicing away, trying to combat all the damage I just did to my body.

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    My wife's favorite Resturant. Easy to remember, it's a common white American name.... Benjamin's. The Chilean sea bass is off the hook, literally. The filet....hey, what don't say. The food is really good and worth every bit of it. The ambience is excellent !!!!

    (5)

  • Me Put That Meat Inside C.

    oh what up Benjamin's Steakhouse? After reading all the reviews, Ive decided to give you a shot. Nice dimlit ambiance and new york decor inside.... only we were seated upstairs, past a catwalk and in a corner which felt like a different restaurant. I mean you have a flat screen tv bolted on one side of the wall (it aint even turned on), and ikea mirrors tacked on the other looking like a basic hoes college dorm. Directly above our table was a rusted exposed grate, and cluster of wet peeling plaster just hanging off its edge on the ceiling. It looked like the YMCA up in here...seriously yo. Peeking down, it kinda feels like youre working as a stagehand in a play or something.... like the show is downstairs and we're up here in the rafters. It wasn't even that busy, Benji..... I don't understand why it was necessary to show us your house and seat us in the storage attic. You know that long shot in Goodfellas when Henry Hill goes through the ratty basement, then the dumpy storage, the busy kitchen and beats the line to get a front seat at the dinner club? Yea it was like that only backwards. The steaks were a disappointing and inconsistent medium rare.... a step above the temperature and certain sections were just gristle... like pot roast gristle. The crust was too thick on the strip side and was too hard and too dry, think a MUMMY's DICK. We had a couple of waiters come by and make usual small talk and i ain't a sensitive guy but the waiter made a couple comments about the tip while pouring the wine and made another tipping joke a bit later....I thought this was supposed to be a classy place!?? I felt like i had to slip him a dollar right then and there. The creamed spinach was good, and the wine list was well thought out, but NYC has a lot of steakhouses that are worth the money, for me, this wasn't it.

    (1)

  • Marvin S.

    An overall disappointing experience. At a $$$$ steakhouse I expect a certain level of service, decor, and overall value. When my check exceeds $300 I like to say it was worth it. First, the waiter although extremely nice was clearly over whelmed and lacked experience and knowledge of the menu items. I should not ask something as simple as what is in a particular salad and have him run to another waiter to ask. The waiter should not pour my wife's and my wine and drip on the table. It should not take 10 minutes to be greeted. The food was good but not life altering. The steak for two was oily for our taste. My wife and I agree that we will try another steakhouse the next time we are in New York.

    (3)

  • Jeff M.

    A great night out with the family. Make sure and ask for Ricky who will guide you through the Benjamin menu. Service was excellent, and they made a great cheeseburger for one 13 year old who will not eat steak! The meal was fantastic! Ricky and Nick Bezhi made our eveing out a very special event.

    (5)

  • Joe P.

    The service is actually very good there but the main reason you pay top dollar for a place like this is for food and I wasn't impressed. The steak was medium/raw when I asked for medium and when they took it back they brought it back as medium well and slightly burnt. Everything else tasted just okay and I'm not sure I understand the hype. They have tons of celebrity pictures but this rating is primarily based on the quality of food for the price.

    (2)

  • Mark S.

    Now THAT is what I call a steak.

    (5)

  • Lenny K.

    I had a most outstanding steak. It was a rib-eye Pittsburgh style which was a new term for me since I asked for it to be medium rare but with a char on the outside. Some call this black and blue. Whatever it is called, it was excellent. The rest of the party shared the porterhouse and loved it although when I tasted it (research purposes only) I thought it had too much butter on it. It was the last piece and perhaps it was sitting in the sauce for a long time since no one else thought the steak tasted too buttery. Their wedge salad was great especially with the small chunks of chopped up bacon. My wife enjoyed her Benjamin Salad that she shared with my niece. My nephew and his son dug right into the thick slice of bacon. Most of the sides were really good except the asparagus was only 8 pieces and for 6 people that sure was not enough. The other sides; French fries, cottage fries, creamed spinach, were all large enough to be shared. The service was terrific. Very attentive and our waiter took great caution to ensure that gluten free items were just that. They have the typical steak house desserts and all were well received. Their version of "schlag" was tasty by itself and even better with dessert. I am glad the meal turned out well because I started to get a bad vibe from the stale roll I bit into at the beginning. While the breadbasket looked good, it could and should have been fresher. I was not in love with the atmosphere. Yes, it had that clubby steakhouse look but because the brown walls were very high and the room was very dimly lit, I felt like I was eating below ground. Oh yeah, it is expensive and naturally everything is a la carte. Just like all the other steak houses. 4.5 for the food and appetizers but a deduction for the stingy portion of asparagus, and the state roll, and a gloomy atmosphere give this place a high 3.

    (3)

  • Jimmy G.

    Working as a Concierge in New York City had its perks(this is one of the perks). This place is phenomenal. You must get the bacon appetizer! Its a huge steak like slab of bacon you need to cut with a knife and fork. The porterhouse is very flavorful and I highly recommend it! But the real winner here is the above and beyond service. I've dined here many times and I am always impressed by the excellence of this place.

    (5)

  • Sammy H.

    Omg, after reading all the reviews about this place it made me go there asap... Honestly nothing crazy .. The steak was just great. Please do not get you're hopes up, and also please make sure to bring credit cards and cash just incase the bill maxes out your credit card

    (3)

  • Inna A.

    Ordered a NY strip with lobster tail. Steak and lobster were juicy and cooked just right. The cream spinach was ok. I think Morton's cream spinach is way better. Even thou we showed up 20 minutes late, the manager was extremely polite and sat us down right away! The coat girls were friendly and waiters were super professional. Having been that we showed up late, we were able to eat and get to our show on time. Thank you to the great staff at Benjamin's.

    (4)

  • Josh W.

    Pros: -Best porterhouse I've had in my life. Seasoning was perfect, cook was just right, and the sear on the steak was to die for Cons: -Creamed spinach very salty -Friends had over salted steaks -oysters on a half shell were fishy, old, and over priced

    (4)

  • Ali S.

    Always get the filet mignon. Rare. Never too bloody because they age the meat. Creamed spinach not too creamy at all, which is great because tastes better that way. Vodka martini with their blue cheese stuffed olives made by their king of the bar "G"- perfection. Service always efficient and friendly funny staff. I just wish it was less of a dark cave. Zero windows. Well, faux ones. Looking out at nothing. And i don't really like their steak sauce, but meat is great, so doesn't really need the sauce anyway. But food and drinks make it completely worth it.

    (4)

  • Irene L.

    The interior was lovely, the service was okay, and the steak was pretty good. The reason why I'm giving Benjamin a 3 star review instead of a 4 star one is because of the sides. I found them basically inedible! I'd recommend asking the hostess for a table in the corner of the first floor as it is tucked away nicely. If you're lucky, you might even get one of the two giant booths! The oysters tasted pretty good, but nothing special. The caesar salad was not bad, but pretty mediocre for the price. The steak (my boyfriend and I got the steak for two, which I think is a T-bone or porterhouse) was tasty. They weren't stingy with the butter! I think I would have preferred a fattier cut though. My real complaint lies with the sides. We ordered the mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and grilled onions. Both the mashed potatoes and creamed spinach were wayyyy too salty. I was reaching for my water after every two bites. A bit disappointing since the sides are extra. I loved the interior. The restaurant used to be a subway station or something, so it's got high ceilings and beautiful molding. The lighting is dim, so it's not great for taking pictures of your food, but you should probably be savoring your expensive meat anyway lol. I think I'd be willing to come back and maybe choose different sides.

    (3)

  • Lacey G.

    I found this place really underwhelming. The steaks lacked flavor and didn't compare to ones from places like Morton's, Ruth Chris, or the Palm. Also, the service was really lacking: our waiter was quite brusque and we really had to work to flag people down when we needed something. It definitely wasn't the authentic New York steakhouse experience I was looking for.

    (3)

  • Christopher W.

    The service here was exceptional. They let me sit down early before my reservation and were courteous to wait on me as I waited for the rest of my party. It worried me early in the night that the place was empty. But towards the end of my meal, the place was fully packed. The owner even helped take some pictures for my party along with photobombing a few of my photos =) The food was cooked the way I ordered it. However, I feel that the quality of the food could have been better for the price. Overall, great place. Would not necessarily come back here, but would not disregard the suggestion. There are just too many other places to eat at in NYC.

    (4)

  • S P.

    My husband and I used to frequent this steakhouse. We liked the food and service was always great. First, let me clarify that service isn't usually a deal breaker for me if the food makes up for it, but last night was a different story. When I took my out-of-towner guests here last night, we could NOT have been more disappointed. (I should have noted the recent negative ratings on this joint) It was clear from the beginning our waiter wasn't properly trained and he didn't want to be there. He was very condescending and when I needed to get something clarified on the menu, he SMIRKED. Yes I'm serious. He left out a small laugh and looked at me like I was a dumb@ss (if you are curious, i was getting clarification on steak for 2/3/4 ppl being porterhouse cut and the portions) I will let other smaller things slide besides the smirk, like 1) greeting us in Japanese at first, because we are Asian (Asian profiling much?) There are other Asian languages, dude. 2) keeping our wine glasses on the table after we said we won't be ordering wine, 2) lack of attention given to table throughout the night 3) his jittery composure 4) the rude way he was taking my husband's cocktail orders ("What do you want?" [It was Moscow Mule, btw] "What is it?" What? [ he didn't know what it was and kept asking like we were not saying it right!!!] "I don't think we have it at the bar, let me check", "Hey, how do you make it?") and 5) making comments on our foreign friends who were taking photos of the food.... !!!!!!! The worst of it all was when I was ordering Benjamin salad. It didn't have ingredients listed and I couldn't remember. Since one of our guests have several food allergies, I asked what was in it and he said "greens, crab meat, red onion." and he said "why are you asking?".... @#$#$%^ Is he serious? I took a deep breath and told him the reason. Then I double checked with him on the ingredients. When the salad came, guess what was in it? APPLES. Our allergic guest CAN'T EAT APPLES. She was being nice about and said it will be okay because it was just on top of salad (Not chopped up finely and mixed in everywhere) but I was EXTREMELY unhappy after how the waiter has been the whole night. PLUS, it wasn't a complicated salad: it had 5 ingredients total. If he didnt know, he should have checked with manager or other waiters. There are other wonderful steakhouses in the city. We will NOT return. ****oh, a little random, but worth mentioning: the side order of asparagus had 8 pieces total..... We got 2 pieces each/person and the empty dish was taken away.

    (1)

  • Wing C.

    "Who gets fish from a steakhouse?" I judged many many times prior of those who did. But on the day I stopped in, I was just in no mood for a big piece of juicy steak. Instead I went with their blackened salmon salad (yep a salad too, why come to a steakhouse?). I was pleasantly surprised at how well my salmon was made - perfectly seasoned and grilled. My generously sized filet was flakey and moist. The dressing was your standard vinaigrette but I didn't need any since a squeeze of lemon along with the freshness of the fish itself were more than satisfying to my palate. Overall, although I'm not dying to return any time soon by this meal itself, Benjamin definitely exceeded my expectation as a steakhouse!

    (4)

  • Arthur A.

    The service was great -- timely, friendly. After we had been sitting for about 5 minutes, our waiter comes by and predicts our order, and came pretty darn close! I'm guessing that's his regular shtick, but it was a good icebreaker. Food was solid. Sides were a little on the smaller side, particularly the potatoes. Steak was prepared well.

    (4)

  • Sarah V.

    One of my personal favorite steakhouses. Very good cuts of meat, with very generous sides. It is a fair price for the prime beef you are getting. I have been here multiple times and go out of my way to come here whenever I'm in the city. It is a more upscale place which is great when you're looking for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. I would definitely recommend it.

    (5)

  • Maya S.

    I thought for the price point this would be a more upscale restaurant. You had to go down smelly, dingy stairs to get to the bathroom; while the bathroom was nice, they had cheap, rough public bathroom napkins to wipe your hands. The upstairs is very romantic but the tables were close together and a little awkward for a date. Food: The prime rib was very tasty. Not the best I've had but definitely a good choice. The sea bass was burned with no flavor so I sent it back for a less burned one that was actually pretty tasty. The mashed potatoes were very good but for the price, quite a small portion. Dessert: Again, for the price, the presentation was comparable to an Applebees and the Chocolate Mousse was just OK. I would go back because the steak was good but it wouldn't be my first option.

    (4)

  • Eduardo W.

    Excellent steak Was not to full for a Saturday pm Service was friendly Oysters were not the best Crab cake and mushroom were great Expensive but not above same type of restaurant

    (4)

  • Samuel M.

    It is like a movie set, the decor is dark medieval. I drank the pinot noir by the glass, good. I ordered the classic jumbo shrimp cocktail, very good. And the lobster, it was crunchy, had its own style, but didn't kill me. I was expecting something yummier. It wasn't good at all. Lots of fame here but the reality is another. As you enter you feel in a Haunted House. There is an army of waiters, the space is strange, the food mediocre. We cannot understand how this business are so successful offering this unflavored and boring food. If you want quality go to Peter Luger.

    (1)

  • Kris C.

    Meal was incredible! This was the best lobster bisque I've ever had. Creamed spinach melted in your mouth. I received a larger cut of filet mignon than I've been accustomed to at other restaurants. In addition, the ribeye was huge! Definitely got our money's worth in both quality and quantity. It was a packed house, but the service didn't waver. Will definitely return.

    (5)

  • Meg W.

    Oh Benjamin's, I cannot praise this place enough. My husband and I have been to a few steakhouses in the city over the years and this is by far our favorite. We have an annual tradition of coming here during Christmas time and it is ALWAYS absolutely delicious. I cannot say anything bad about this place. I've never had a difficult time making reservations (although I am very proactive and plan atleast a month ahead), and the food is absolutely superb. I highly recommend if you're hankering for a nice, meaty, perfectly cooked steak.

    (5)

  • Jerry Z.

    TL;DR - Incredible food, I mean it's really top notch, and sub par service. Based solely on the food Benjamin's is to me, the second best in town, with a very slight edge going to Keen's. It's definitely on par with Peter Luger's. Came here with four friends for a friday night guy's night out. We had a reservation for seven but two dropped out at the last second. We were also running about 15-20 minutes late. I called ahead, but thought it was very nice of them to be able to accommodate us, especially on a busy friday dinner rush. For an appetizer I ordered one slice of bacon. And boy, when they say thick cut, they mean THICK CUT. On a normal day I think a couple of slices would count as a meal by themselves. The bacon slice came out beautifully done, perfectly crisped on the outside, but not burned. I would very highly recommend it should you end up here, and will definitely order it myself next time. Tried a bit of creamed spinach, and while adequate, and while it was fine, it really was nothing special, just adequate. For the main entree, since I've been on a strict diet regimen, I decided to go all out, and got the steak for two for myself, medium rare. It... was... perfect... One of the hardest things to do with a thick steak is to cook it to perfection, and it was done beautifully. Perfectly seared, perfectly seasoned, and just perfect inside. Not medium, not rare, not, god forbid well done, but a perfect medium rare, beautiful balance of an almost bloody center, but not quite rare. As steak goes this is definitely one of the two best I've ever had. The filet mignon side cut with barely any pressure, and the other side was almost as tender. It was presented on a hot plate, angled down to let the oil drip off somewhat, and precut. One of my big personal pet peeves, is I want to get the steak when it's still hot, just after it's been rested. Here once again Benjamin's delivered perfectly. For the side I opted for the Cottage Fries and Onion Rings combination. Both were ok, but really nothing special. I thought the onion rings could have been better done. Where the steak was the highlight of the meal, the service was definitely the low point. Our waiter though very courteous was very often nowhere to be found, and seemed to disappear for 20 minutes when we wanted to place our order, and when we wanted to pay. We were there to relax, and had no schedule to keep to for the night, but still it was rather annoying. Don't get me wrong, I'd not expecting the waiter to hover over the table, but it would have been nice for him to have done a proper introduction of himself as our waiter, and to have stopped by more than 3 times in two hours. Taking a star off for this. In a Friday's I wouldn't, but in an upscale restaurant I expect more. Overall it was an excellent dining experience that I think cost me at least a couple of days at the gym, but still worth it, and I will definitely end up going back.

    (4)

  • Kelly L.

    Solid steak and sides. Romantic white tablecloth type traditional restaurant.

    (4)

  • Mitchell M.

    A solid 4 stars goes to this restaurant and for now my favorite NYC steakhouse recognizing that I have not been to Keans, Delmonicos, Sparks and Gallaghers. Brought clients here and most of us started with good various type salads, followed by a bone in rib eye (strong 4 stars) very flavorful with their home fries potatoes (great) and multiple type vegetables. We ordered a very good Chapellet to accompany the meal. Highly recommend this place for those of you willing to spend a few dollars and for me better than Peter Lugers and various others (other than Sammy's Roumanian Steak House my favorite).

    (4)

  • Nicolas N.

    Four stars for the superb service, elegant and warm ambiance, and the delicious filet. I also had the oysters, which is not something I will order again since they were bland and tasteless. You don't go to a steakhouse for seafood. High recommendations for the steak, spirits, and wine. * Steak and Sides My taste buds gave the filet a standing ovation!!! I went a modified Pittsburgh style this time for that nice crust. The filet was seared to perfection without the need for any condiments. We also had the creamed spinach - which I liked that it was bright green, with a perfect balance of buttery flavor, and tasted like spinach. If you have a meal at any great steak house across America, one thing you can always expect to see on the menu is creamed spinach. I am not sure when creamed spinach came to be a steakhouse staple, but I am sure are glad it is. Because there's nothing like a saucy plate of greens to cut the rich umami flavors of a medium-rare steak. * Location and Ambiance Great location, away from the herds of grazing tourists. With the air of an exclusive club, this is one of NYC's finest steak houses (to me). This place makes Wolfgang feels like a fast food joint. * Service Excellent, attentive and quick service. * Value Steaks are priced similarly to other steakhouses. They also have a lunch menu with reasonable prices and smaller portions. Great value for the excellent service, steak, and experience. I am definitely coming back to try other cuts.

    (4)

  • Rida M.

    This place is good, I would say it is one of my favorite steak houses in the City after Peter Lugar and Wolfgang, you have to make a reservation, it is a classy place you will see a lot of people in business suits specially if you go during lunch. You get top service, to the point I thought I just need to open my mouth for them to feed it to me. The steak is great but the place is very formal and I did not like their deserts.

    (4)

  • Heather E.

    We made reservations at this restaurant and the hostess said she wrote it down and put our name to the side. We were told we would be sat in a "couple minutes" and after waiting a half an hour, watching 2 tables of walk-in people say before us, and no effort to take care of seating us, we left. Extremely disappointed.

    (1)

  • Michelle L.

    OH YUMMMMM!!! I made a reservation here for my brother and my dad's joint birthday dinners, and I'm so glad I did! The service was so attentive, and the food was absolute perfection! My brother even said that the steak we got (steak for three) was better than what he's had at Peter Luger's. It was so rich and so flavourful and so juicy!!! The sides were also pretty good, as was the Chilean Sea Bass. But OMG the steak!! Droolingggggggggggg

    (5)

  • Arben H.

    Great experience and pleasure having dinner at Benjamin's steakhouse. The food is excellent as well as ambiance and decor. We head steak for two and seared tuna which was out of this world. I will highly recommend this place! Thanks Ben Q for great service!

    (5)

  • Ed B.

    Very good steakhouse in mid town. Ambience and service is very good. I liked the NY steak I ordered. Recommend it.

    (4)

  • Gabriel G.

    The fabled Benjamins! I finally had the chance to eat here! I could tell it was going to be good right when we walked in. We were greeted and, after checking our coats, led to the table where the rest of our party had been seated. The decor is very minimalist with the extremely high ceilings and sparse, but tasteful, art/ornaments on the walls. The tables are spaced well apart so you aren't being crowded by other guests, they have a second floor so room isn't an issue. However, you should still make a reservation given the restaurant's popularity. Its definitely a somewhat more casual setting than some of the other high end steak houses in NYC which is nice. (e.g. you aren't going to feel out of place for not having a jacket and tie on, but enough about that though, lets talk about the food!) As an appetizer we had the lump crab cake which was great, 1% cake, 99% crab, as it should be. For entrees we ordered the steak for 4 which turns out was 2 massive porterhouse steaks that hadn't been cut apart, leaving the whole filet right in the middle between two huge pieces of strip steak. Cooked medium rare to perfection and thick cut, it was certainly a magnificent steak worthy of the reputation that preceded it. They have a house steak sauce which is quite good. I'd describe it as sweet and tangy. Now normally I don't put anything on my steak, but after eating SO much meat, I had to change up the flavor for the last few pieces I ate. The service was excellent, our water glasses were refreshed often without anyone having to mention anything, and they came over with a large dish of mashed potatoes which they scooped onto our plates. When the food came out the waiters encourage everyone to take pictures of the enormous steak. Would love to come here again. 5 star review well earned

    (5)

  • V B.

    My husband made VDay dinner reservations here during our trip to New York. He also bought tickets to a Broadway play so we didn't have too much time to linger. The staff seated us right away as they knew we had to go to the theatre afterwards. They had a prix fixe menu for VDay which offered a great sampling of their dishes. We started with the jumbo lump crab cakes which were yummy. We both ordered the rib-eye with broccoli and creamed spinach. We were starving so we had the complimentary bread, which we found to be dry and not worth the carbs. The champagne was great with the crab cakes. Our ribeyes were so delish!! We have been to many steakhouses and the meat here is on par with the best steaks. There is a reason why this steakhouse is still around, being the first steakhouse established in NYC. We will return here every time we are in the Big Apple!

    (5)

  • Diana W.

    My friend's law office is nearby - he suggested Benjamin over a year ago "G- is the greatest bar tender in town." Like most things he tells me he was exactly right about that too. In the last year Benjamin and the family here has provided me with comfort, perfect service and a place that makes me feel at home. The food is incredible and some of my favorite dinners over the last year have taken place here, including NYE's dinner. G is amazing and his service is unlike anything in NYC, I am at home here - it's 100% worth the visit, you will find yourself staying a long while.

    (5)

  • Frank F.

    Wow, truly bad. Just...wow. Slow with a capital S. My medium rare ribeye (and who can screw up a ribeye?) came out medium-well, overcooked into shoe leather. But it took SO LONG for the dinner to arrive, here was no way in hell I was sending it back and making the rest of our business dinner wait for me. I noticed one person tried his beef soup then barely touched it again. I am his customer so he would never have complained about it, out of courtesy. But he obviously didn't like it. The service was ridiculously unattentive. The house Cabernet was very nice. The sides of creamed spinach and home fried potatoes also were very good. Skip it. There are too many other excellent steakhouses in New York to waste money on this one.

    (1)

  • Nima B.

    I came here for lunch & ate at the bar. Very attentive and friendly bar staff. Pretty good rib eye. Best Blue Point oysters I've ever had...!

    (4)

  • Calvin S.

    This was tough to give. In a way, what was good about this restaurant was very good. What was bad, was very bad. In terms of coming back, I will say I'll definitely give this place a second chance, perhaps in a less "crazy" day than Christmas Eve. I reserved a table for 3 at 8:30pm. We arrived about 15 minutes early, and were told our table would be in a few minutes. The few minutes actually took half an hour, and we were seated at around 8:45pm. Okay, no problem. This is Christmas Eve in NYC after all. It took 5 minutes for a server to come serve us, which wasn't bad considering it was beyond busy. We ordered lobster bisque, baked clams, sirloin steak, rib eye, filet mignon, sauteed mushrooms, and onion rings. The lobster bisque came first, and it was quite salty for my liking. In fact, it seemed like it came from a can...? I don't know, but it had that feel for some reason. The baked clams were decent, each of us had 2 pieces as there were 6 in total. The sirloin steak was easily the highlight of our meal, as it was perfectly medium cooked (as requested), with herbs and spices that really brought out the juicy flavour. The rib eye was almost as good, but wasn't as juicy. The filet mignon was a disappointment as it was neither juicy or medium cooked, and was quite tough. The sauteed mushrooms should've probably been changed to "salty" mushrooms, and the onion rings were decent, about what I expected. We also ordered a cheesecake and chocolate mousse cake, which were both absolutely delicious. First time having a New York-styled cheesecake too! Total came to $250ish, which was about what we expected for a Christmas Eve meal in a steakhouse in NYC. Again, I will give this place a second chance, but will definitely stick to the things they are known for (New York sirloin steak, clams, rib eye, desserts).

    (3)

  • James B.

    The steaks would have sunk the titanic. Big boys. Very nice. That's about it. No real atmosphere inside the place, a big grand room felt a little tacky. Had to wait 20 minutes at the bar prior to being seated despite making a reservation. My mum got very drunk and spilled her Bacardi that was a highlight. There's better places

    (3)

  • Charles T.

    Ranked # 1 in NYC that should say enough! Food was excellent and service was great! We ordered slice of bacon, steak for 2 with mash potatoes and cream of spinach! For dessert we ordered pecan pie which was amazing! Can't wait to come back here again!

    (5)

  • Clark G.

    I was in town for a night and was looking for a classic NYC Steakhouse. Benjamin's was recommended by a friend. I was a party of one which usually means I sit at the bar. That can yield mixed results, but tonight it was perfect. The bar was very busy, but Gene took great care of me. Once he found out I was going to eat at the bar he found me a seat pronto. From there, he made me feel at home. I ordered Onion soup, a New York Sirloin and asparagus. It was all timed out perfectly. The food was wonderful. Just what I expected. The Onion soup was good not great. The steak was outstanding. It was cooked a perfect medium rare. The asparagus was just right. Here's where Benjamin's sets itself apart. The service. Gene and the other bartenders made me feel like a regular even though I live a thousand miles away. A great bartender is hard to find. I hope Benjamin's realizes they have a great one.

    (5)

  • Christina D.

    Fantastic steak! Petite filet is amazing. Shrimp is tasty as well as the sides mushrooms, carrots, broccoli :) 3x in one week- I'm addicted!

    (5)

  • Beau F.

    I don't consider myself to be a steak connoisseur, but I know enough to know that Benjamins sells a quality cut of meat and cooks it well. I ordered a filet, medium rare, which was cooked perfectly red and had lots of flavor. The service was where a star was lost-my wife and I were seated for nearly 10 minutes before we were greeted, and then it was only to drop off bread and crackers. It took several more minutes to get water, and several more to deliver drinks. Our food arrived quickly and I never felt rushed to leave, despite the fact that the restaurant was packed. For the money in NYC, there are better steaks, but not many. I'd recommend Benjamins as a good second choice if all of the top steakhouses are full.

    (4)

  • Daniyar T.

    I went there with my classmate from Moscow who asked to dine in this place because someone recommended it to him. When we came however, he said he had eaten 3 hours before so he wasn't very hungry. We ordered a stake for one and shrimp cocktail with 4 shrimps. That was more than enough for two young males. We actually didn't finish either the steak not the shrimps. The shrimps were the size of a lobster - gigantic! We had mashed potatoes on the side and a bottle of beer each. We paid $75 each incl tax and tip. The quality of the meat was very good. It was cooked perfectly. I did have better steaks in my life but this one was quite impressive too. Oh one more thing, I was gonna show up in my sweats... Don't! It's quite swanky.

    (4)

  • Jaime F.

    Fantastic service. My cranberry and titos was amazing, all three of them! I had the filet, mashed potatoes, and Apple strudel, all of which were amazing. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Cyndi N.

    We came for an early lunch before catching a plane home. I felt like the wait staff were very attentive. We ordered appetizers and the Benjamin salad to share and loved that they served you the shared dishes. My petite filet was good not amazing as was the creamed spinach. Ended with the creme brûlée. It was good not amazing. Overall a great experience. As a visitor to New York I probably would not go back the next time I'm in the city but would recommend it.

    (4)

  • Matt G.

    We had reservations somewhere else but relived that they were only a 3 star restaurant. We were referred to Benjamin's by our hotel, Eventi. This steakhouse was exactly what we were looking for! The food was outstanding!! I'm a "steak aficionado" so I ordered the surf n turf; lobster tail with a filet. The lobster was wonderful, but the filet was one of the best steaks I've ever had! It was tender and prepared perfectly! Not only is the food outstanding, the portions were incredible!! So much so that each of us has to take a doggy bag home. The service was also outstanding. The manager came to visit our table to say hello. He also asked if my son and daughter were famous which we thought was funny and cool all in one. I will recommend this steakhouse to everyone I know that visits or lives in NYC! I will also be back each time I visit! Thank you, Benjamin's Steakhouse! That night would have been my parents 45th anniversary if not for my dad's passing the day after Thanksgiving. Not only did you all make our night wonderful, but you made my mom's night wonderful, which means the world to me! Thank you so much!!! We'll definitely be seeing you all again!

    (5)

  • Natalie B.

    We visited "Benjamin" today and were not disappointed. The menu is very similar to the "Peter Luger" steakhouse. We ordered the dish which our servant recommended as one of the best - "Steak for two". We tried the same at "Peter Luger" but "Benjamin" won. I am into steaks, very picky about them, and here I did like it (we ordered medium rare, and it was just perfect). Our side order was creamed spinach, asparagus, and mashed potato. Wine: Cabernet //Hess Allomi. Everything was good and delicious. The servants were attentive, friendly, polite. At the end we were treated by a shot of portwein. Nice gesture. The price point: the restaurant is expensive. But this is always the case with steakhouses. So nothing unexpected. Our bill (with a bottle of wine, plus one glass of wine, plus tips) was slightly below $300. The steak for two costs $99. Ambience: traditional, conservative atmosphere, quite dark, no windows. So pretty much "medievalish" style :-) I would not mind more air and light, but we, New Yorkers, are used to narrow and dark places with the lack of fresh air and natural light. Overall: I recommend this place. If you're in Midtown and crave a good piece of meat, "Benjamin" is a safe choice.

    (5)

  • Terri K.

    Great vibe and great steaks at this little gem on East 41st Street. You could walk by the Benjamin and then when you enter you realize others have discovered this fabulous hideaway. It doesn't stop with the food - the service is truly equal. Our waiter, Rito was superb and Nick, one of the managers, made certain our evening was complete. This quality of service is not often seen today. Don't miss out. FYI if ordering the Steak for 2, it is a wonderful Porterhouse. If you prefer equally fabulous Sirloin, order the single steak.

    (5)

  • Nora F.

    My husband and I made a reservation on a Saturday evening at 6:30 pm. Due to the traffic we had to call the restaurant and let them know we're running late. The host was nice enough to push the reservation to 7 pm, which was terrific! We got there at exactly 7 and asked to wait a little bit and was told the next table is ours. The Manager and Sommerliar came up to ensure that our table is almost ready, which is great. We didn't wait that long and finally we were seated at a corner table (table for 4) which is amazing! The whole process alone was fantastic. Wait till you hear about our dinner... Our waiter named Kenny (the tallest man in the restaurant) served us for the night. As always we both enjoy great service. We ordered appetizers and then steak for two. We enjoyed our dinner although we couldn't finish the whole plate. It was meant to take home anyway so we could enjoy again the next day (also because we're trying to slim down!) *:))) I came to Benjamin quite often a few years ago. I love the ambience and approved of it LOL *=) The food was great then and still is now. My husband said we'd go back again so that he can try the lamb chop. So OK, you got my vote! Thanks for serving us a great dinner.

    (5)

  • Diane C.

    Good steak and decent sides but the service was mind bogglingly poor. Asked the waiter what the difference between steak and cottage fries were... the waiter said cottage fries are "skinny fries", but when we got them, they were potato chips! I also ordered a diet coke which never made it to the table. Still, the pork belly, shrimp cocktail and iceberg wedge salad were pretty tasty appetizers. The steak was also excellent, although the steak sauce was definitely too sweet for me. Came here for a party in the upstairs room and the seating was pretty awkward because there was a big column on one side of the table which made the last 2 people sitting on 1 side completely hidden from the rest of the room. Made for strange seating. In the end, the restaurant looks pretty good, like an old school steakhouse and the steak was solid - just wish the service was better.

    (3)

  • John W.

    Visiting NYC with the family and our meal could not have been better. Val (our server) was gracious and friendly with the kids and grandparents alike. Ribeye, creamed spinach, apple strudel and hot fudge Sundays are a must. This is a traditional NYC steakhouse that is sure to be revisited on future business trips. I recommend this place highly because of the quality of the food and the SERVICE.

    (5)

  • Jil K.

    Yum Yum! Similar to Ben & Jack's and Wolfgang's and every other high-end steak joint in NYC. I always get the Porterhouse at these places and honestly, I think if you blindfolded me and fed me a bite from each restaurant, I would not be able to tell them apart. If you have some sort of crazy carnivorous dinosaur appetite, challenge yourself to getting the bacon appetizer as well. YAY, MEAT.

    (5)

  • Joel P.

    I recently ate here and the food and service were fantastic. We were taken care of by Johnny Martinaj and he made the experience even better. I am definitely eating here on my next trip to New York.

    (4)

  • SomeOne S.

    This is a baby version of Peter Lugar's with the two main chefs being alumni of PL, but inferior to it. It might be sacrilegious to say this in New York, but I'm not a fan of PL and I think there are much better steaks elsewhere. In light of that, I'm even less of a fan of Benjamin Steakhouse. We ordered a steak for two which is a generous portion of porterhouse, but in all honesty I cannot say that it was prepared to perfection. Parts of it were dry, parts of it fairly tasty and parts not so much. It just wasn't a great steak. I should also note that we ordered it medium rare and came out medium, something that is unacceptable to me in a steakhouse that respects itself. The wedge salad had a dressing that tasted commercial (the same dish at Keen's is far superior), although the bacon is good. The spinach side was fine. We didn't get to check their wine selection because the waiter did not even offer us a wine menu. The onion bread and butter are very good, and I would recommend not to fill up on it and leave room for the steak. The atmosphere and decor is fine but not intimate or romantic. Overall I would give this restaurant 3 1/2 stars, and while the meal was okay, I won't be rushing to return there anytime soon. PS. The following morning both me and my wife had an upset stomach. Since we were fine before we ate at Benjamin Steakhouse, and the only thing we both eat that day was the meal at this establishment, I can only conclude that the dinner there was the cause of our tummy problems. The meat did taste a bit off, and it's quite possible it wasn't particularly fresh or wasn't handled safely.

    (3)

  • Richard W.

    Great dinner! Loved everything from the shrimps to the salads and on to the steak. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Minh H.

    Good steak house with nice wine. Detected a heavy hand with salt. Thought the makeshift coat room (& $1 charge) was a bad move that detected from the potential elegance of the place.

    (4)

  • Laith A.

    Great place with great service and great food. Try the steaks and I dare you to be disappointed! ;)

    (5)

  • jessica f.

    Went here last night for a business dinner with an out of town client. Dinner was early - 6:30 but the place was beyond packed, others were complaining about waiting, it is way too small. Right away I was disappointed when we were seated. The tables are so close together it felt like we were seated with the tables to the right and left of us. Our first bottle of wine we chose they did not have, our second choice the waiter gave the I don't know if we do attitude. Then the apps were just ok. The baked clams were tiny but good. The tomato and mozz was not good at all. Tomato was gross actually. The fresh mozz tasted like grocery store fresh mozz. It was not "fresh". The steaks were over cooked completely. Very disappointing. Then after dessert we were rushed out. I went for a sip of my wine and realized they cleared it. I wasn't done. Overall, I regret going there.

    (3)

  • Rachel M.

    I will give it 5 stars for food, but 2 stars for service. that's why avg = 3stars The reason why I picked this place because the owner was from Peter Lurger (which my#1 steakhouse), I give it a try. We arrived 15mins earlier than our reservation, we got seat at the bar and wait for one of our friend. We were carrying 5 big bag, after shopping from Time Sq. i realized it wasn't comfortable to sit with all the shopping bags, so I went to ask the host who at the front desk to check my bags. She told me give her 1 mins, then she just talked to other customer, and totally ignored my request. OK fine, then i had book table for 3, and they keep asking me if we are 2 people, I had answered more than 3 times, then finally we seated before my other friend arrive, and the waiter took us to a small table which only have 2 seats. We got settled on a a bigger table, and my frd put all the belonging next to him, and we need to tell and request the waiter move the silverware, plate and glass to the empty seat, isn't it a waiter job to notice which spot will be seated by the customer? and can they be sure the silverware is clean enough to put onto the table? If you are Peter lurger i can accept this kind if service, because they are more like family style steakhouse, but Benjamin was presented as more upscale restaurant from the location to the decoration. I hope they can improve the way how they treat their customer. Again, steak is awesome as good as PL, but service definitely need to improve. FYI my phone was showed as "No Service" - AT&T inside the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Wafa A.

    I hate writing bad reviews but I didn't have a good experience in this place- They will try to squeeze you in a table of 2 even if you are a party of 3-4, I thought the food trays would be falling on our heads.. The place is loud very loud even for New York loud standard, the main menu food was OK nothing special about. On the positive side the staff are nice/attentive and the dessert was good.

    (2)

  • Regina H.

    The food here is superb! According to foursquare, the chef used to work at Peter Luger and I would totally believe it. I came here for an early lunch/late breakfast and ordered the Eggs Benjamin. I was under the impression that the dish was Eggs Benedict with steak, but it came with what seemed more like the huge delicious slabs of bacon at Peter Luger. Maybe they screwed up my order - I still have no idea but the food was amazing. The restaurant is located in the Dylan Hotel. The dining room is spacious with high ceilings and the slightly pretentious air of a classic steakhouse. Service was fine, we were one of maybe four parties and the food came out quickly. One note: you can either order a la carte or choose the breakfast buffet for around $16.

    (4)

  • Debra L.

    I visited this restaurant on Christmas Day while visiting my son in NYC. The restaurant atmosphere was miserable; too crowded and loud. My son was seated in an aisle. The food was also overpriced for what was served. Truly disappointed on all levels.

    (3)

  • Harry K.

    Came here for lunch as an engagement celebration with my East Coast family. They stop serving breakfast at 11am, however they were kind enough to bring out bagels and lox for the 5 neurotic Jewish New York women in our party. My dad and I each got the steak sandwich. It was AWESOME. I loved it. I also got the french soup which was so so delicious. My favorite part of the meal was the desert. They have this home made "shlag" -- for you stoners, no it isn't a type of weed. It is like a home made whip cream. They brought out a whole bowl of it for our pecan pie, and I was seriously eating spoon fulls of it. Actually, Tasia had to move the bowl from me because i put about half of it down and she was getting disgusted with me. I liked the decor of the restaurant. their were cool German Steins above the fireplace, and the seats were large and comfy. I would need to come back for dinner in order to asses the 5'th star, but I really enjoyed myself

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    The steak was delicious here, but the overall experience was mediocre, waiters were not overly friendly and we were shocked to find out side dishes cost extra and were not included with the meal. I probably would not return to this establishment.

    (3)

  • Mark T.

    My girlfriend took me here for a celebratory dinner, and she hit the nail on the head! We got the porterhouse for two with the Benjamin Potatoes and creamed spinach (a perfect combination with steak) and it was fantastic! It is the best steak restaurant in NYC, in my opinion. The great food, wonderful environment, and attentive staff make this a great go-to steakhouse!!!

    (5)

  • Scott N.

    An absolute gem! I love steakhouses, every city I travel to, I go out for steak and this is one of the very best. It is busy, a little loud and the room is filed with excitement. We were there on a Saturday night right before Christmas and it was bumping. The crowd was generally well dressed, but not overly formal. My wife and I had tomato and onions, steak for two, home fries and pecan pie. End to end, the service was spot on, attentive and friendly without hovering, ask for Ricky if you get the chance. You could have cut the steak with a spoon and the sides were elegant and classic. Overall, more character than Morton's, Ruth's Chris or Flemings and better execution than Wolfgang's or Peter Luger's. This is the definition of classic New York steakhouse.

    (5)

  • Laurel S.

    I have to start this review by saying I did not eat steak. Our dinner started after 9 and I just didn't want to eat such a heavy meal so late. That being said..... The ambiance of this place is great. It screams upscale steak house. We started with each of us getting a piece of bacon. This is not your average piece of bacon (and 1/2 a piece or a 1/3 would have been plenty for me). It is tasty but I feel like I can hear my arteries closing as I eat it. Its a neat novelty. I had the iceberg wedge salad. Unfortunately it wasn't great. The blue cheese dressing was the culprit, it was just very bland. Same problem with my onion soup. It came out looking amazing but it was greatly under-seasoned. My dining companions who ate steak seemed to very much enjoy it. I tried a french fry, it wasn't good. They said the broccoli was great but the asparagus was huge and a little tough.

    (3)

  • Candida S.

    Came with my husband for a belated Valentine's dinner & we were NOT disappointed. I've worked in NYC on/off for over 16 years & this was, hands down, the best steak dinner I've ever had! The service was beyond impeccable. They were always nearby for your every whim, and their recommendations were on-point and delicious. They were genuine and treated us like 5-star guests...not like we were just another tip. The lobster bisque was well-seasoned and was full of large chunks of lobster. The steak for two was divine & cooked to perfection. I kid you not...it was the best steak we've ever had the pleasure of eating. The sides we selected (sautéed onions & creamed spinach) were huge and a perfect complement to the Rib Eye. The pecan pie with homemade 'schlag' was the icing on the cake that was this dinner. Add to all of this the beautiful, elegant setting capped by a classic vaulted ceiling making the space feel un-crowded and airy as well as a HUGE gorgeously appointed fireplace & you have a pointedly perfect evening. We loved every minute of this dinner & cannot wait to return.

    (5)

  • Scott K.

    We went for our anniversary and had high expectations. And I must admit those expeditions were not meet. Our food was great.but our service was something you would expect from McDonald's. Not a steak house where you will drop $ 300.00 foot dinner.

    (3)

  • Nadia A.

    Wine delicious Thick cut bacon delicious Mashed potatoes delicious T-bone for 2, perfect

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    Great steakhouse with an old school vibe and solid service. The steak has the perfect char and is really flavorful. Get the steak for # - that's the way to go. All the sides are good. Can't go wrong here.

    (5)

  • Abdul M.

    Went here with a big group and ordered the bone in ribeye. Very flavorful and cooked perfectly. The onion rings and the house potatoes were excellent.

    (4)

  • Vince V.

    First the atmosphere is classic, very woody, very New York and some interesting people who are impressed with themselves. You get passed that and the food is outstanding. I am from Chicago and we know are meats and this place does met good :) Enjoy the atmosphere, people watch and expect in impeccable service and enjoy the evening it's worth it.

    (4)

  • R K.

    First time visit and what a wonderful surprise. Very comfortable spacious dining area - we were seated at a nice quiet table for four. We decided to share the "sliced tomato & onions", "jumbo shrimp" and "little neck claims" appetizers. The little necks were a bit too fishy for me. The shrimp - while not as large as other steakhouses - did not disappoint. The waiter suggested two Porterhouses for 2 which we went with. Fantastic - the steaks were medium cooked to perfection and the sides (asparagus / creamed spinach / home fries) perfectly complemented the steak. The service couldn't have been more alert and courteous as they catered to our every need. In short - a wonderful steak dinner - we couldn't have asked for anything more.

    (5)

  • Jerry M.

    Gotta say after reading all the stellar reviews, my expectations were very high. I was a bit underwhelmed honestly. I was expecting more of a Gibson's or Morton's experience and it wasn't quite that. The space is attractive. The service was OK, nothing to write home about. The noise level was fine, although we were there after 10:00 PM so most people were finishing up. First steakhouse I have been to where the waiter didn't come back to ask about how the steak was cooked...and mine was a bit overdone. Wine list is fairly extensive. I am not going to complain about the price point as it is competitive with the marketplace. And the portions are ample which will definitely be a hit with the quantity crowd. The bread was a poor effort. Maybe because it was late, it seemed dry. Wedge salad was good but was one step away from being outstanding...it was dressed with ample dressing, however the dressing was missing actual bleu cheese...there was some in there, but they could have upped it by presenting with some Stilton (or some similar sort of fine bleu) crumbles. The bacon I must say was epic...much like little cubes of pork belly rather than bacon. The sides were kind of a disappointment. Creamed spinach wasn't very creamy nor flavorful. White pepper and a little garlic go a long way. We ordered a 50/50 of onion rings and potato crisps...the potato crisps were way overcooked...but it was late and we weren't going to complain.

    (3)

  • Cole O.

    As we closed down the six-day celebration that was the birthday of Mark S. - myself and four others met at Benjamin for a man's dinner (Bourbon, Bacon, Beef). We settled into our 5-top in the main dining area and took in the atmosphere. This place was a loud and bustling NYC steakhouse with the menu and clientele to match. Following our drink orders - - Bacon was the next thing on our mind. Now this just isn't any bacon, seriously when I say this - the single strip was the size of a baby's arm. Bacon down. Steak time. We ordered the "Steak for 3" and "Steak for 2" those keeping score at home will put that together as 5 of us. The steak flooded our table. It looked almost as good as it tasted. On the suggestion of one of our esteemed colleagues - these steaks were ordered rare. Good choice. Along with a couple pounds of the finest steak - we also got the creamed spinach, Benjamin home fries, and the mushrooms. Needless to say this place hit the spot as it left all 5 of us slumped in our chairs with our stomachs poking out. Not doing to lie - my pants felt a little tight around the waist. If you're looking for an amazing steakhouse (OR have an expense account) then you should tag the Benjamin because it will not disappoint. Boom.

    (5)

  • Alan H.

    Came here with some friends for a random dinner gathering and had the best steak dinner of my life. A good start to the dinner was the thick cut bacon which had the right amount of salt and not as oily if that makes sense. We did order both the porterhouse and ribeye (on the bone) and it was phenomenally better than my experience at Luger's. this was perfectly complemented by a side of cream spinach and mushrooms. Easily 5 stars for a much more elegant decor and great table side service. We had a complimentary round on the house as well!! Best of all they take credit cards and I also don't have to travel into Brooklyn for a great steak.

    (5)

  • gerald b.

    Porterhouse steak was Peter Luger quality. Side dishes very good. Atmosphere was typical steakhouse, very masculine, but nice.

    (4)

  • Jessica J.

    Ordered the filet ( medium rare ) and the salmon ( well done )... absolutely outstanding. Crab cakes were perfect.

    (5)

  • Steve R.

    Typical NYC steakhouse. Very similar to Morton's or sparks. The steaks are perfectly cooked and taste magnificent. The appetizers are the same way. Baked clams are great, a bit small but great. And the Caesar salad with shrimp was also very tasty. Any steak you order will be great tasting and filling, the portions are nothing to complain about. Service is also very good. Friendly and high class. Awesome atmosphere and a great experience. A must go!

    (4)

  • Kevin G.

    I've been to all of the well known steakhouses in manhattan, Peter Luger, blt, keens, wolfgangs, etc..so I know what a good steak is,. And I have to say, without a doubt, this is THE WORST steakhouse I have ever eaten at in manhattan. I'm going to jump right to "meat" of my review (no pun intended) and talk about the quality of the food. My girlfriend and I both ordered a medium rib eye steak. Mine was undercooked and brought to me medium rare. Her's was overcooked and served medium well. Aside from the wrong temperatures, what really bothered us was a subtle rancid smell emanating from our steaks. I know steaks are aged, but they are not supposed to smell rancid and have a fish taste. Mine was the worst of the two. My girlfriend's didnt smell as bad, but had a texture similar to liver when chewing on it. We only ate a few bites and I had the waiter take them away. In addition to the steaks, we had also ordered oysters as appetizers. They were so bad I had to spit one out of my mouth. It was so decayed that it had the same texture as mash potatoes. It was like eating some kind of goo. Thank God I didn't eat it, otherwise Id probably be writing this from a hospital now. Aside from the food, the furniture is in disrepair. My chair was completely ripped on the upper back part of it which is something ridiculous to see at an upscale restaurant. All in all, $200+ down the toilet. I'm very upset with the whole diner. It is completely unacceptable and wrong to serve food that bad which can make people sick especially when you have customers paying top dollar. Shame on them. It's not only the money you waste there, but your night and in our case, our special occasion was ruined with the disgusting food they served us. I will most definitely NEVER be going back there and i will spread the word to my friends as well.

    (1)

  • Hassa L.

    Too corporate/ business lunch for my taste. The lamb was well salted, I actually enjoyed it more the next day. The caesar salad was disappointing Everything else was ok. I probably won't go back since there are so many other steakhouses to try.

    (3)

  • Katie M.

    Hubby and I went here on a recommendation from the concierge at our hotel as we were given some money for our wedding. We wanted a New York steak experience but we had better meals when we were on holiday. I ordered a steak and creamed spinach (on a recommendation) and was left pretty disappointed. I ordered medium rare but it was more medium with no pink parts - very disappointing. The restaurant itself was quiet nice looking but we were very close to our neighbours and it was extremely noisy. Quite disappointed that this was our 'special' meal when we were in New York - I've had better steak in Perth, Australia.

    (3)

  • Angel W.

    oh new york steakhouses. there are so many, but only a few that will stand out. benjamin's steaks were delicious and well cooked. We ordered 2 rib eyes and 1 rack of lamb, all of which were seared well, with tender meat inside. the benjamin's sauce on the tables is the shining star for me, very reminiscent of Peter Luger's with a sweet tang. appetizers are totally optional-- we ordered the house salad and the canadian bacon, and I would have been okay without them. total for 4 person dinner, including a bottle of $40 wine, was $300/tip-- pretty decent for a nice dining experience with hearty portions and high quality meat!

    (4)

  • Nai W.

    Came here first time for valentine dinner. $99 per a person. Ordered bacon for appetizer, crab cake, porterhouse for two for entree, chocolate and cheese cake for dessert. Good service, standard average atmosphere, not very fashion trendy crowd. Saw few girls weary cheesy prom looking dresses for valentine omg fashion nightmare. The famous bacon was okay. Kinda expected taste with dark chocolate sauce. It was way fat and sweet for me. I wasn't expecting this huge portion for appetizer, with bread it could be my whole meal. Crab cake was actually very good, not too starchy, I could actually taste the big crab chunks. But a bit on the salty side, and needs nicer veggie garnish to balance the oily crab cake. After the heavy bacon taste for appetizer. Porterhouse was too much meat for entree. Side with cream Spinach and mashed potato. (Great creams spinach) To be fair, it was very good. Crust outside and medium rare juicy inside. Best part of the dinner. Was it the best steak I had? Compare to Wolfgang, Peter Luger ? It's about the same... Value wise not so much.. it was more expensive on Valentine's day. My date are and I had no space for the dessert that night.

    (3)

  • melissa T.

    We LOVED the place! the food was amazing, the atmosphere was upbeat, and energetic, and had such a great NYC feel to it. Exactly what we wanted. I would give this 5 stars except our waiter was not friendly, barely spoke to us, and seemed annoyed to be waiting on us. They have an excellent wine selection. The steaks were large portions, and cooked exactly the way we liked them. He ordered the New York steak, I had the Filet. Would visit again for sure. Wish they had one on the west coast.

    (4)

  • L H.

    Update 8/17/14: After receiving a card from the restaurant I decided to come back for another visit. I must say I was extremely impressed this time around. As I mentioned before, the food was great. We had no issues with our order and the steak was cooked perfectly. As for the service, I have to say it was a definite improvement. It was definitely less busy than the last time we came for dinner. Our table was ready when we arrived and the waiters were extremely attentive. Overall, a great dinner.

    (4)

  • Teddy C.

    I've been to some of the best steakhouse's in NYC and I have to say Benjamin's is right up there. It was our first time there and I was not disappointed with the food and service. We ordered a steak for two and I would say outside of peter Lugers steak for two it's as good as any other steakhouse, tasty and cooked. to perfection.i recommend to anyone, nice atmosphere and attentive staff.

    (4)

  • Davina D.

    Peace out Luger's. Former chef of Lugers now is kickin' ass in his own kitchen @ the Dylan Hotel. For serious steak connoisseurs, you must at least check this off your list amongst other new yawk great steak-outs. On par service, dope wine selection, our waiter accidentally rewarded us a bottle of $165 bottle, when we originally ordered a $75 bottle of malbec. our service was so fantastic, we covered the difference of the bottle and tipped accordingly,. Fantastic classiness too, doesn't put me to sleep like Lugers. Ha. Lobster Bisque is yum. RIB EYE Medium Rare and you're set for the night. and they're pretty quick. i didn't have to down a whole bottle as a result of hunger and impatience like some other restaurants will do to you....my only beef here is that with parties of 2, they sit you pretty close to other tables, possibly like 8 inches apart. we were hearing everybody's conversations and they was hearing ours. we must've been salivating at every bite cuz the table to my left, arrived after we ordered. and saw everything that came perfect from the kitchen (that's a fancy ass kitchen door), they copied cat us. they were cute too. asked for steak and chips. our waiter said to the couple "steak and chips. you want steak and mash"...we nodded furiously so they agreed. it was my man's bday so we had to get a dessert which i normally have no room to stomach. the waiter flashed the dessert menu at us and pointed only at the pecan pie. that's a slice of jingle bells on a xmas night. wow as we waddled away........

    (5)

  • Scott J.

    Went for Christmas Eve dinner. Two of us decided against the prix fixe menu, and ordered off the regular menu. Service started out well enough. One in our party got the Sea Bass, another a Ribeye, yet another the steak off the prix fixe, and myself: the lamb from the prix fixe. I ordered my lamb rare and it came out medium. No biggie- I'm impressed by steakhouses who can get it right every time- so it's not a huge deal to me when my lamb is only off-pink. What bothered me was the amount of salt they put on it. I could barely taste the meat. It was like a pickled street pretzel. The amount of salt in this meat was absurd; I can only guess that it was brined and seasoned, and then further salted by a chef who smokes a pack a day. The vegetable sides were well made but the quality of the meat ruined it for me. I was disappointed by the quality of the entree, which is worth two stars, to me. The atmosphere was warm, the door staff was courteous, and coat check was free. The last star deducted comes from the waitstaff. Trying to get a decaf coffee in this place was a nightmare. First they bring out two cups and announce "double espresso". We send them back, and they bring out two cups of what I'm happy to say was actual decaf coffee. Then another one comes to our table with two cups of double espresso, and gets upset when he sees we have coffee already. It turns out the double-shots were for the table next to us- but the lack of professionalism in handling two cups of coffee was pretty representative in the rest of the wait service. Small mistakes, emotional reactions, having to micromanage the waitstaff serving your table: all indicative of poor training. We went because it was one of the only steakhouses open on Christmas Eve. If under the same pressure, I'd avoid it. I've been to cheaper chain steakhouses who don't over-season.

    (2)

  • Katrina C.

    I went here for dinner on a Friday night with my mom and aunt at the recommendation of our hotel concierge. Unfortunately, we had an absolutely horrible experience. We arrived right on time for our 8 o'clock reservation. We were told by the hostesses (yes, it takes three people to manage reservations and seat people), that it would be a couple of minutes before our table was ready. They told us that we could go and hang out by the bar, but there was absolutely no where to move in the bar area. We took a seat in the adjoining hotel. After about 20 minutes, my aunt went back to the stand to check when our table would be ready. "You're next on the list," they told us. "Your table will be ready momentarily." So we waited another 10 minutes. Yes, yes, your table is next. Fine. Back to the hotel lobby we went. Meanwhile, there were at least three other parties in the same situation - reservation at 8 p.m., still not seated and complaining to hostesses. At 8:45, we went back up to the hostess stand. When we asked what was taking so long, the younger hostess said, "Well, this is NYC..." as if we were from the stix or something! I'm not a native New Yorker, but my family has been many times, and we've never had to wait 45 minutes past our reservation. Another hostess offered to buy us drinks to shut us up, but all we want to do is eat. Finally, about 5 minutes later they got a table for us in what I would like to call "the angry customers corner". It was in the furthest back corner of the restaurant, and we were surrounded by other customers who had an 8 p.m. reservation and were just getting seated. About 10 minutes after seating, the waiter comes to take our order. We order steaks, and sides of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The order comes in a decent amount of time. The steak is okay. Not excellent, not bad, just okay. Not worth the price, for certain. The mashed potatoes are cold. When I requested for them to be re-heated, I was brought back new, equally lukewarm potatoes. By that point, I gave up on having hot mashed potatoes. In addition, as we were eating, a waiter came and took all of our purses off the remaining chair at our four-top table, put them on the floor, and took the chair. Seriously, who does that? You never touch a women's purses without asking, ever. We complained to management the next day. They were nice enough, and they wanted to treat us the next day to dinner, but we were leaving that afternoon. They were going to send us a gift certificate for our next visit, but as of a week and a half later, they haven't even contacted us to get the address to send it to. TLDR version - Slow, poor, service. Mediocre food and high prices. Don't plan on sitting down at your scheduled reservation time - this is New York, after all.

    (2)

  • Katya L.

    Recommended by a friend, we decided to check out "the best steakhouse in NYC". To say it was the best steak would be a stretch , however it was pretty good. Prices are nowhere to be found in the website , so I'll spill the beans Steak for two ( that's what we had) was nearly $100. Steak for 3 was around $140. Salads ranging from $12-16 Potatoes ($10-13), baked potato $6 Side dishes $7-10 Our steak for two, as I mentioned was pretty good, and actually enough for 3. It comes on a plate, cut up, accompanied with a bone. The servers will place the meat on your plate, and will watch if you need more, ready to assist at any time. Steak fries were just ok, look much better on the picture on their site. Mozzarella and tomato salad offered 4 pieces for each, pretty good, but how can one mess up caprese salad? Overall, definitely worth the visit!

    (4)

  • Lysander R.

    The best steak ever!! Won a football bet during the NFL season and finally my big winnings was a steak dinner at Benjamin Steakhouse. The service was top notch from the hostess assigning us to our table and getting greeted by the manager to ask us how our experience and food was. The dinner was great and the service was even better will be sure recommend Benjamin Steakhouse to friends.

    (5)

  • Adam M.

    Luger's/Benjamin's/[insert next NYC establishment] are all the same. I prefer a more classic steakhouse, if there is such a thing. The porterhouse is just okay, but I feel like it's a vehicle for the sauce. That said, it's something everyone should experience in NYC. Even vegetarians.

    (3)

  • Tom T.

    Quality is not as good as before. The porterhouse quality was not that good, and it was not seared well. We ordered the cottage fries (thick cut potato chips), and it tasted like they used stale oil, and it was oily and not crispy. The onion rings were oily too.

    (3)

  • Jim P.

    I made a mini tradition of stopping in here for lunch once in a while, and sitting on their deep cushioned leather bar chairs and having a glass of red and their steak sandwich. I had a chance to resurrect that tradition yesterday with a friend, and the quality of the food and level of service has remained consistent. They have 2 variations of the sandwich. The Philly cheesesteak made with sirloin. (18.95) onions, diced tomatoes on a nice ciabatta roll. (no cheese for me) Excellent! Only one small piece of meat was a little tough, but overall, with a small side salad, in place of fries, and this is worth every penny. Their other version is a rib-eye version, which I haven't had recently enough to review. (19.95) The bartender here is super friendly and it's pretty much a "suit" crowd at the bar, or guests staying at the adjoining hotel. Overall, a "business" feel to the place. I've also had lunch and dinner here in the large ceiling restaurant several times, and the level of service and food has always been spot on.

    (4)

  • Lynda R.

    Benjamin's was fabulous! We were celebrating a special birthday and an anniversary and I highly recommend Benjamin's to have a special occasion! The steaks were huge and cooked to perfection! I found this place while on the airplane, Delta's Sky Magazine Ad. Fabulous!

    (5)

  • Anna T.

    Seated promptly for our reservation. Wine list was extensive and great prices. we ordered Seafood platter for two and it was goid..not great..But I went with my husbands palate and He thought it was great. We ordered Porterhouse for two , house homefrieshashbrownspotatoes and creamed spinach and a bottle of Ruffino Reserva. Steak was cooked perfect and the sides were delish. No room for dessert but some came out and looked so yummy. Service was excellent! Great food and great service.

    (4)

  • Mike X.

    Won't be going back to Benjamin's anymore...Had a lousy experience. Been going there for a number of years...You think they treat there steady customers better.Guess you have to be a movie star..

    (3)

  • Paul W.

    OK. I get it. If I spend $1 million on dinner, it can't be bad. Here, you spend close and it's always great. Pretty close to worth it too. Staff is friendly and will let you linger over coffee even where they have a line at the door. Everything I have eaten here is great, from the iceberg wedges to the steak for 2 and the asparagus. Good coffee and the chocolate cake is kick ass. If you can stand the sticker shock, then I recommend Ben's. Just get behind me, please.

    (5)

  • Frank G.

    Best steak I've ever had, hands down BEN WAS the best waiter, The creamed spinach was excellent. Their bacon appetizer included the thickest slice of bacon I've ever seen, but it was worth the price. Give the Benjamin sauce a chance--it's one of the few sauces I'll put on meat. The dining area feels like an old school brew house from Germany high ceilings it's a nice contrast. Onion rolls were awesome. The first taste of the sauce was underwhelming, like cocktail sauce. But like all the food here, as I started to understand why certain things were paired together my appetite really woke up. Steak for 3 - OMG. At first I couldn't really taste the nuance of the beef, but as I got closer to the bone and fat I could start to see what differentiates a good steak from an outstanding steak. The changes in the texture, from the crispy outside to the pink center - omg. omg. omg. We could have eaten the steak for 3 and had enough. But it's Benjamin stake House, so walking out bursting is ok. We ordered Med Rare. I would not bother coming here if you want it well done. We ordered one creamed spinach and one hash browns potatoes. The potatoes were pretty good, but I didn't find them to be over the top or anything. The spinach was awesome. The two sides were enough for all 4 of us, considering we had so much steak to focus on top I had tuna :) Mr Benjamin the owner was very hospitable and sat us down and kept checking personally weather everything was fine. It was a great overall experience and I can't wait to relive it.

    (5)

  • Sabin C.

    Went there last night with my steak "wing" man and it's still just as good, if not a touch better. The food was excellent and I was not disappointed. Everything stands from the previous review except it wasn't hot this time! If you haven't been there please go, and go with a smile, it help!

    (5)

  • Alexandra C.

    I took the bf here for dinner for a special occasion. It was hard to enjoy the evening because it was LOUD in there (Friday night). We tried the creamed spinach, but it was not very flavorful. The bacon was fantastic (but... how can you do bacon wrong?). We ordered the porterhouse medium rare, and it came out close to medium. Some parts were thoroughly cooked which was extremely disappointing. The service was decent, but it will never erase the disappointment of overcooked meat out of my mind.

    (2)

  • Meredith D.

    Let me start off by saying that I NEVER write reviews but I absolutely felt I must give props to Benjamin's for amazing service and food. My husband and I were in NYC for a few days with our almost 2 year old daughter. My brother works right near Benjamin Steakhouse and highly recommended it to us and said it'd be fine to take our daughter to if we go early. We went around 5 pm on Monday night. From the start my nutcase child wanted to do nothing but throw everything she saw. The staff there were very good with her (and us). Once our meal was served my husband tried giving her some of his steak. She took her fork and threw it right at me ninja style and somehow slicing my wine glass in half and soaking the table, my food, myself and everything near us with red wine. The servers came over like a Nascar team of tire/care repairs (whatever they do really quick) and cleaned the table completely, replaced my wine and my food. I hate giving into insane two year old behavior but we didn't want to cause any more disturbances there so my husband and I just let her carb load on all the bread/crackers they gave us and that immediately quieted her down. Again, They were amazing there and I apologize if anyone had to experience the demon that possessed my normally sweet girl while we happened to be in a beautiful restaurant. The only reason I would say it's not kid friendly is because it's not fair to the staff.. but they do allow us to bring our spawns with us.

    (5)

  • Ferdinand H.

    Having now relocated to the midwest, reviewing steakhouses has changed greatly. There was once a time that colossal, towering hunks of bloody red meat seemed impressive, avant-garde, perhaps... a return to primeval sensibilities. But, steakhouses of the western world, and particularly of the Anglo-Saxon lineage have to be true to the sense of the hunting lodge and old boy's club. Benjamin aims for this niche, which is no surprise given the founder's relationship with Peter Luger's. I sat at the bar working on a writing project, while waiting for my friend. A Sidecar, my classic test-cocktail was served straight, which served as a delightful past-time, as I typed away. My Albanian bar-tender was quick, precise, and friendly. When the party was complete, we went to the tables, and had large chunks of medium-rare steak. Cool center, seared exterior, it was a solid effort. Creamed spinach on the side, and some shared desserts which were really, just an afterthought. As a disclaimer, I have yet been to Luger's. Benjamin, however is a solid experience with high-quality meat and service. While the ambiance is a trifle loud for my tastes, it was reasonable. As much as I liked the steak, I suspect most of my steaks will either be 1) cooked by me, or 2) back in the midwest where steaks are a way of life.

    (4)

  • Frank B.

    it's OK

    (3)

  • Jackie T.

    My boyfriend took me to this lovely steakhouse a few days ago. We ordered "Steak for Two" and we couldn't finish it. I loved every bite. I felt bad because he thought I didn't like my dinner. Actually, I didn't feel good because I was feeling sick and I didn't tell him. Every thing was superb: Wait staff made very nice recommendations Great wine selections Portions of side dishes were perfect. I would definitely return when I'm feeling better!

    (4)

  • Lee G.

    Well it isn't Quality Meats. It's a hotel steak house full of lost looking tourists. Decor is fake 30 s granduer. Service is v Eastern European. Food was decent. Rib eye looked better than the fillet. Nicely crisp on the outsid ena medium rare on the inside. Fillet was slightly overlooked for a medium. As was the soggy veg. Rather naughtily the lunch special menu was on the board outside but we only received it after asking. Don't like bait and switch.

    (3)

  • Wine M.

    It's like the place could be near great, but fights itself. New York has great steakhouses and while this place may decent it's not one of them. I know it tries to be Lugers but comes off more like a copy of Bobby Vans. Some of the furniture is damaged and the place needs a face lift. Wine by the glass was way too cold (and I like my wine chilled) and food temperatures off. Staff is incredibly friendly but they're here to serve and sometimes they just can't get it straight. So the real question is why with all the great steakhouses you would bother coming here

    (2)

  • Jane H.

    Food is ok. Not as good as I imagine. Service was OK as well.

    (3)

  • Liz S.

    I chose Benjamin based on location (friends were staying nearby) and the reviews and I was not disappointed. The steaks, we had rib eye, sirloin and filet between us, were outstanding and the sides were excellent as well. In truth, I would have given a 4.5 star rating as I did not think the service was quite up to the quality of the food, or the price point. Also, they seated us on the second floor which was fine until we had to use the facilities which necessitated a two story walk down and up. But that was a minor detail in what was otherwise an excellent meal. Special kudos to our waiter for asking if we wanted tap water first and not trying to upsell us to bottle.

    (5)

  • Nellie W.

    the porterhouse was good, and so was the bacon! It's not your regular bacon, it's like a thick piece of pork and it's very good!

    (4)

  • Sumit B.

    Great steakhouse. I got the shrimp cocktail appetizer.. Delicious, large and fresh. (believe it or not, bobby vans shrimp cocktail was horrible) I had the filet mignon... Rare. Cooked exactly as ordered. The steak itself isn't drenched in butter (like at Ruth's Chris) and I prefer it this way. The steaks are really good here, as expected. For desert, I had the fudge sundae... It was ok. Nothing to write home about. Overall, the meal was delicious and I would highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Page S.

    The Manager treated us like we were regulars and sat us immediately. Ran into the cast of SNL here. We both had Great filet's.

    (5)

  • Pasquale R.

    *4.5 Stars* This is how a real steakhouse should run. Upon entering my gf and I were greeted by the friendly hostess. The maitre d then came over and spoiled us with a great table. I admit I went here because a big wig I know put in a request for us. But that's not important. =) So once we were seated we noticed the architecture. It has the look of an old school bank especially because of the high ceilings and engraved walls. This is not like you normal steakhouse though. You can go with the boring usual or just say "steak for...1,2,3...and so on". Before you order the steak I suggest you order 2 apps that we loved. 1. Bacon slab...even the fat on the bacon was flavorful 2. Crab cocktail with the horseradish they provide. 2 ridiculous items that go perfectly together. They also bring out bread prior to everything which was enjoyable especially the onion one. Wine list was extensive and reasonably priced considering it was an upscale SH. The main course was of course steak for 2. It comes out on a sizzling plate and already sliced up for your masticating pleasure. No fuss. The plate is tilted enough that the juices are at the edge. You have the option to dip it in it's own juice. What I was impressed with is it came out exactly like we wanted it. Medium rare...and not too much seasoning, just like a steak should be done. Throughout everything the service was impeccable. Our wine glasses/water were never empty. We were always checked on. The sides were the only thing we would improve. We had the peas and onions which we didn't know what to make of it. The peas seemed hearty like an apple but the onions were cooked perfectly. We also had the asparagus which were good but missing something. I knew we should have gone with a starch! Well after getting to a point of stomach explosion, we forced ourselves to stop eating the steak (left about 1/3 of it). Not because we couldn't fit anymore but because we needed dessert as well. On recommendation of the server, we went with the apple strudel....and berry's with ice cream...yeah we are glutenous! They were very good and seriously put us over the edge. Believe it or not I liked the berry's better...maybe I was going crazy or something. Recap: Decor -- 4 stars - fancy, welcoming and comfortable. Food -- 4.5 stars Fantastic for the most part. Sides could use a little work but still overall great. Service -- 5 Stars - Zero complaints and they really were awesome. Prices -- 4 Stars - Steakhouse in NYC, what do you expect. Definitely one of the better ones I have been to. Top 2 in NYC. ENJOY!

    (4)

  • Chuck N.

    Outstanding cuts of meat. I had the NY Sirloin, prepared medium-rare perfectly, my wife the Filet, well done perfectly. But, the rest of the meal was not up to the entrée' standard. The sautéed asparagus, so so. Baked potato, I suppose it is what it is. But the biggest disappointment was the beefsteak tomato and mozzarella platter. Three words, "hot house tomatoes!" Served cold, under-ripe and flavorless. If better ingredient's are not available because of seasonal considerations, why bother having them on the menu? For the prices Benjamin's charges, i would expect top tier cuisine across the board. Having said that, I must also complement ti wait staff who each were attentive and accommodating. The staff was top notch, if not the food overall.

    (3)

  • 1 2.

    I find it amazing that somehow my review does not turn up. Nevertheless, this place is terrible. There are too many other options.

    (1)

  • Diane Z.

    The bacon was perfect. The steak was really charred, too black for my taste. Sides and dessert were ok, nothing to write about. The service was spotty. A waiter came by and started giving my friend a side we didn't order, and when he offered it to me, I told him that we didn't order it and he just said, "you didn't??" and ran off. We also packed up some food and we ended up with two leftover porterhouses when we only had one. They gave us someone else's leftovers!! And the waiter just said which do you think is yours? and took the other one away! (WTF!) The bacon was the saving grace.

    (3)

  • Dee L.

    Great food and service. My porterhouse steak was cooked very well, just as I ordered it- medium. The server were so attentive. Customer service is 5 star without a doubt. I also ordered a side of fresh spinach which was very tasty. This place is a carnivorous delight. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Lu H.

    Really not that great. Came here several months ago for a large work dinner, and the steak-lovers of the group found the steaks just okay. Sides were not memorable. The dessert sampling was pretty good, it was nice to get a variety of desserts. The worst part about the experience was they tried to seat our party at a table that had a huge column on one end, cutting off the last seat from the rest of the party. They expected somebody to sit there behind the column and talk around it? After some negotiating and hasty assembling, they moved us to a different table, but I found it pretty unbelievable that they tried to seat us with that column in our table. Service was fine, but with all the steakhouses in the city with great food, I will not be returning here.

    (3)

  • Irm M.

    The ambiance in here makes you want to close on some big business deal. Lots of suits, which makes sense since it's located around the corner from Grand Central. I came here on a date though, so there were no negotiations going down. (Or were there?...) Let me preface this by saying I'm not a red meat girl. So, yes I was that person that came to a steakhouse and ordered fish. The waiter insisted I get the Chilean Sea Bass. I was first struck by its size. They sure aren't skimpy on portions here! It was very good, doused in butter then cooked up nice and crispy while remaining tender on the inside. My date got the rib eye I believe, served piping hot in barbaric portions. Of course I had to try a piece. It was great. I wasn't tearing the meat off the fork and laboriously chewing at it like I usually feel with steak. Meat melted in my mouth and it was very juicy! For sides we ordered the steak fries and creamed spinach. I enjoyed it all and only wish I had more room in my stomach to fit it all! The service was really top notch. Our waiter was knowledgable and even quirky, joking around with us as we ordered. Gruff service is one thing about the "Peter Luger" experience I don't mind being absent. When our food came out, about five different guys hovered over us laying down plate after plate of a meal fit for a king. They really know how to make you feel special here.

    (4)

  • Ashley B.

    Great atmosphere and very responsive staff. The manager on duty (Mario) went out of his way to make our first experience excellent. If you are looking for an excellent steak and a great experience, I recommend Benjamin's.

    (5)

  • Jessica B.

    My steak came out almost raw, not how I ordered it. I have an auto-immune problem that makes eating undercooked beef very dangerous. Since the server never checked on us, I was forced to inform the busser that the steak was not what I had ordered. I watched him go over and show our server who was able to clearly see how the steak was cooked, but later when discussing it, acted as if he was unsure how the steak looked. We were offered free drinks but, I had already had one drink which is all I'm permitted due to my medical issues. Even if that were not the case, it's hardly appropriate to offer someone more liquor on an OBVIOUSLY empty stomach. While I never pressed the issue, the steak was never comped so I was forced to pay $50 for something I couldn't eat. My partners steak wasn't spectacular and quite greasy and cooked well past the medium that he ordered.

    (1)

  • Cindy R.

    My family and I went to Benjamin Steakhouse for my grandmother's birthday last weekend and it was amazing!! I shared the steak for 2 with my brother and it was legit the best steak I've ever eaten! It was also HUGE!!! We got a bunch of salads and appetizers to start.... You MUST order the bacon when you go. I also recommend ordering anything that says Benjamin on it!! The Benjamin potatoes and Benjamin salads are both unreal! Also the waitstaff was soo nice! They brought out a dessert for my grandmas birthday and everyone was so friendly!! Already DYING to go back here!!!

    (5)

  • Angie G.

    Visited recently w my bf. Im a huge steak fan so he thought I would enjoy the visit. NOT! Steak was okay but a little over cooked (I like mine rare, cold center) def didn't live up to the expectations. But the real problem was the service...all the waiters are men (europeans fyi) and when asked why no women waited tables our waiter was outraged!! Anyway, whenever our waiter wanted to check in, he would address my bf not once did he look my way (as if i was painted on the wall). I must say, he had no problem checking out my a** when i walked away. As a professional woman I found that sick macho attitude to be outdated and insulting. On a brighter note, dessert was AMAZING. We had the chocolate cake and I will definitely be returning for more (to go!).

    (2)

  • Cindy M.

    The atmosphere at the Midtown location is nothing to speak of. My filet mignon was good, my dining companion's rib eye was good also. But for a NYC steak house you expect excellence. The apps and sides were average at best, with the exception of the mushrooms which were great. The seating in this restaurant is probably the most comfortable of all the restaurants I've been to recently. The wait staff is average,not overly attentive. We had to wait quite a while to get the check. I would say the seating is the highlight in this establishment. With all the excellent steak houses in NYC, there is no particular reason to dine here.

    (2)

  • Joseph H.

    Headed here for a guys night out and have heard nothing but good things going in. The funny part about this review is I want to give the food 5 stars and the service 3 so I ended up with a 4. We ordered and the waiter didn't write anything down. Impressive in theory This became a problem later. Apps. for 5 of us Dozen baked clams - Amazing Oysters - Typical Bacon - Absurdly amazing (Wanted it same time as the steaks,but was the first thing they brought out) Motz and Tomato - Okay nothing amazing here Wedge Salad (Waiter Forgot) Dinner Steak for 5 Amazing....Cooked perfect tender Filet side that melts in your mouth like butter and flavorful Sirloin side. 5 stars. Side Creamed Spinach - Amazing Onion rings and cottage fries - Very good Mashed Potatos - Nothing special When they brought me my left overs the young busboy says to me " the steak bone didn't fit in the container...." I ask okay where is it....? He said he threw it away..........Anyone who loves steak knows this is a mortal sin. I can't hold the place responsible for a dumb-kid but Benjamins get the doggie bags like all the othe real steakhouses not the metal and plastic containers! So to recap : food 5 service 3 Dont miss the bacon

    (4)

  • Darya S.

    Benjamin's is the epitome of the upscale classy steakhouse. I saw lots of professionals when I went, perhaps on business meals. Service was impeccable and impressive, and the decor is super classy. Had the wedge salad and new york steak. salad was wonderful- now I don't ever eat bacon, but the salad comes with bacon and it was ridiculously delicious. i couldn't help loving it! and the steak, which i got medium rare, was definitely one of the best i've had. cooked perfectly, juicy, and filling.

    (4)

  • Anna R.

    I'm actually not much a steak person, so I ordered the chicken sandwich and lobster bisque. Maybe this is just the kind of steak place where you literally need to order just the steaks to get a decent meal because I was pretty disappointed. I thought the portion of the soup was kind of small. It was creamy, but not enough lobster chunks, and the ones they had were smaller than a pencil eraser. Also, any time I find myself downing half the glass when I reach for the water, I know they put in too much salt. The chicken sandwich was good, and if I had paid $10 for it at my local greasy spoon, I probably would have given it 5 stars, but for the price I expected more.

    (3)

  • lil m.

    I had to come to Benjamin's Steakhouse as I am trying to eat my way through steakhouses in NYC. It was fantastic. First, the wait staff was very attentive. We started with the bacon which was cooked perfectly. It was a little thicker than I expected but so amazing. Nice and crispy on the edges. This was joined by the shrimp app. The presentation was great, as every shrimp was individually placed onto our plates by the service. Next, onto the porterhouse. We had requested it to be medium, it seemed in some areas a little more rare than that but it didn't matter. It was delicious. And the next day, the leftovers were amazing as well. We had the mashed potatoes and the home fries as sides. My only complaint is that the size of the sides were a bit small. To finish, all I could stomach was some ice cream. I wanted to get a larger dessert but I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to walk. I would definitely put this steakhouse in the top of the city. It is right up there with Lugers, MarkJoseph, Ben and Jacks. Not to be missed!

    (5)

  • Rob P.

    We ate here back in July. We ended up ordering the porterhouse for two. It was a good cut of meat, but I think it could have been seasoned a little better. For starters we had a large piece of bacon which was very good. Also had some large shrimp. Also very good. I thought the bacon was the best part of the meal actually. The service was very good and probably better than the food. I would probably go to another place before I came back here just b/c I think there are better steaks in the city.

    (4)

  • Patrina M.

    This is a place where you go with a group of friends for a steak (or any dish) to have a good chat over some serious drinks.The ambiance of this place is great - upscale steak house is written in every aspect of this place. The drink menu is bigger than the dinner menu. But it is a steak house so I guess everyone is here for one thing - except me.... The portions are HUGE! I had the salmon and could have easily shared it with someone. I had to be rolled out of there. Cons: your sides has to be order in addition to your meat. It has very loud and busy but the staff is very nice and makes you feel that you are priority.

    (4)

  • Jenny K.

    Review is a bit long....Threw a surprise birthday dinner here and the event staff was very accommodating and helpful in setting it up. I reserved the upstairs wine "room" for a party of 17. I had even requested the coordinator inform the hostess that it was a surprise dinner. I asked that when we arrived, if the hostess wouldn't say something like "Oh, everyone is upstairs, let me lead you to your table". They kept the secret and said "Party of 2?" when we checked in. Much appreciated. Surprise not ruined. Birthday boy definitely surprised. Started with the crab cake and canadian bacon. I've had better crab cakes elsewhere, but it was still good. Definitely get the bacon. Your arteries may hate you for it, but it was absolutely delicious. Sides: Cottage fries are essentially potato chips. Our server kept describing them as skinny fries vs steak fries which are fat. Oh, how wrong he was. The asparagus was as expected, creamed spinach was great, and mushrooms were tasty. Steak was juicy and well received. Didn't eat it with the Benjamin's sauce. I like my steak as is. What kinda bummed me out about the whole experience was the waiter. Friendly as can be, but a bit clueless. One person in our group asked what cut the meat was from and he got really confused. So we dropped the question. We asked what the difference between cottage fries and steak fries was...and he assured us that cottage fries were skinny fries. No, they're thick cut potato chips. When I asked for a drink menu, he said the bar could make any drink I wanted. So I ordered a Mule, he then needed me to spell out the drink name because he had never heard of it before. I understand a group of 17 people ordering a la carte can be a daunting task, but I had expected a more knowledgeable waiter.

    (4)

  • Hilary B.

    Great food, service and ambiance! Delicious steak especially the filet. Will be back!

    (5)

  • JR H.

    Perfect place!

    (5)

  • Linda W.

    Fabulous steak house. Very charming, food is terrific. We went last night, no reservations, and were seated very quickly. Just note that slab of bacon is huge, so one order for two is enough. We got steak for two, and asked for half rare and half medium rare. Steak was cooked beautifully. Plates are piping hot. They tilt the plate the meat comes out on, so you can dip your steak back in the juices if you want, but it's not sitting in it. Also, get the creamed spinach - it was more spinach than cream, which was a nice surprise.

    (4)

  • Andria N.

    generous portions! my filet mignon was cooked to perfection! i cant wait to come back and visit NYC and eat here again! this joint is at the top of my list!

    (5)

  • Wuhoo S.

    great service, very old school. amazing porter house. amazing pork belly bacon -- get it with onions and tomato on the side with luger sauce! yum yum :)

    (5)

  • Admiral A.

    Yeah, we know Benjamin was started by former members of the Peter Luger family, and you can say it's a carbon copy. Beef seems to be sourced from the same place, menu is very similar. Two big differences: the space is much more elegant, spacious, refined with the service to match. If you're going to be spending this kind of money why not have a pleasant experience? Rib eye: menu doesn't say but it is bone-in (yay). Great flavor, maybe a tad under-seasoned. Nice sear on my medium-rare; was cooked a hair too long, but acceptable. A very good slab of meat. The famous bacon app is here also. I made the mistake of ordering 2 "slices" for myself. Way too much, as they're about an inch thick. Some decadent pork belly, not at all greasy. Spinach side is the best I've ever had. It's not your basic overly creamed version but something in between that and the sauteed variety. Silky smooth, great color, and more tasty than spinach has a right to be. Service is excellent, striking the right balance. Everybody is very professional. If you're looking for a Peter Luger meal in Manhattan without the "classic" decor and New York style service, head to Benjamin... And they accept credit cards.

    (4)

  • Hendrix B.

    Brilliant....food, service, ambiance......a tough combo......except maybe in New York, my boyhood home. As usual for my steakhouse down the rabbit hole, I had the bone-in rib eye - being the neanderthal meateater still scraping the occasional knuckle. Creamed spinach - being the little boy infatuated with finding a way to actually eat a vegetable....and like it! Steak fries - because in some parts of the world, ketchup is a vegetable. Olga. The perfect bartender (when alone, I like to eat at the bar). Not too flirty, never obsequious, always on time with wine, water, a clean napkin. G - from Kosovo. Who ever had a bartender from Kosovo? Again, brilliant in every way. I dine out a lot, whether at home in Chicago or when I'm traveling for business, and I cannot remember the last time a bartender or waiter offered me a complimentary glass of port. 24 year old tawny. Never happens, right? Whether you;re a tourist or a local - bona fide or pretender - definitely give Benjamin a try. If the service don't get you, the apple strudel will. PS - four enthusiastic stars and all my thumbs way up. I reserve five stars for when I explode like Mr. Creosote.

    (4)

  • T T.

    A great place to to wine and dine after work. I prefer to sit at the bar... the bartenders are excellent and the food is just what you would expect... excellent!

    (4)

  • Jennifer T.

    Wish we were able to hit up Peter Luger's but due to time constraints; this popped up as a more convenient pick. They similarly cut up the steak for you and serve on a hot plate of sizzling butter; yum! One of the more interesting dining experiences we had as we definitely weren't expecting them to serve the food onto our plates as well. Was a nice touch but unnecessary for us.

    (3)

  • Dennis U.

    This is a favorite steak house. They know steaks. The general service is a Porterhouse for however many you want to feed. Done superbly. The atmosphere is a bit lacking and it can get a bit noisy but while the food costs an arm and a leg .... its great.

    (4)

  • Iva N.

    i was here again a few weeks ago. This time .. with my x-boss. He suggested other place to go to.. but i told him that this is my favorite place. As always, the steak is FANTASTIC! My x-boss, who has lived in the city forever, told me it's the best steak he's ever had and thank me for picking this place instead of the other one he suggested! enough said!

    (5)

  • Jeremy W.

    Excellent midtown steakhouse, yet another by a Luger's alumni. The facade is very unassuming and if it were not for a business lunch recommendation, I probably would never think to go. I left stuffed and very, very satisfied. I read the reviews about service and steak temperature control in the kitchen, but I found them to be way off. Servers/runners/manager/host were all very attentive and polite but never overbearing; water was always full and they made sure everyone had steak/sides/seafood from the sampler on their plate at all times, an interesting form of "leftover control." Seafood sampler was delicious, porterhouse for 2 was a perfect m/r, an the creamed spinach was uniquely deliciuos in that it was not overly creamy. Our hosts had a strip medium and a ribeye medium well and both of those were done to their preference (although I find it unforgiveable they would do that to two prime cuts of beef). Definiltey recommended (if someone else is paying).

    (5)

  • Charlie N.

    Biz crowd. Very loud. Drunken louts relieving their tension with booze and red meat. The atmosphere is neither bad nor great. It's kind of old fashioned...but not quite enough if that makes sense. The service was not terrible. The food was neither great nor bad. Steaks were ok. Sides a little average or less. Price tag is too high for a place that is perfectly average.

    (3)

  • Bill K.

    Two stars is a stretch. Business lunch on a Saturday with out of town guests. The restaurant looked like last century chic. Wood, high ceilings, white table cloths all looking like they needed to be dusted off and spruced up to be used in the remake of Citizen Kane. The service went from perfunctory to poor as the meal progressed. We were reviewing samples when the main course arrived and the waiter was oblivious to the fact. He just kept trying to put the plates down. We asked him to wait and he couldn't seem to figure out what that meant. Not mean just insistent on putting plates on tables. We had to stand up and tell him to leave them on the tray for a minute. Once the meal was served the staff was totally inattentive. Not once during the meal, while paying the bill or heading out the door were we asked, "How is everything?" or "Can I get you anything?" Apparently they already knew that everything was excellent and that we couldn't possibly want anything else. But what counts is the food, and the quality and presentation were mixed, at best. My colleague ordered a hamburger she wouldn't eat...and she eats most anything! I had lobster bisque - edible but too strong, too harsh - and a crab cake. Our guests had a filet, which was gray on the outside and undercooked on the inside and sea bass, which was fine. But this isn't Mickie D's! This is supposed to be one of the best steak houses in NYC - and they command prices that allow you to expect a very good meal. It wasn't. Not even close. My take? This is NYC. You've got options - thousands of them. Find one.

    (2)

  • Lisa R.

    Another well-executed steak night had by all! Our party of 5 had ressies for 9p with a week's notice. The restaurant's reception area is no meant for sitting around as it's a pretty tight space. Instead, we arrived on time and in full to be seated immediately upstairs. Walking up the stairs, it was nice to get the full view of the beautiful restaurant, but we were seated upstairs and there was a huge temp difference when we sat. The seating upstairs is very, very warm - I'm hoping it was an off night, but I couldn't tell. Our waiter, Chris, was excellent and had our drinks orders as well as our meal orders perfectly correct. I appreciated the speedy service when within 15 minutes, we were served our drinks, steaks and sides. We had the Porterhouse for 5 with the Benjamin potatoes, asparagus, and creamed spinach. The steak was delicious and so were the sides. Our party was very pleased with the creamed spinach and gigantic sautéed asparagus. For me, the potatoes were on the boring side. In the end, this was a solid steak night experience and it was topped off perfectly when Chris brought us out another round of drinks on the house. (He must have heard us complaining about the warm temps.)

    (4)

  • Jenn W.

    Amazing!! I was hanging out this weekend from DC. I'm not a huge fan of steak but this place activated my taste buds!! Very good! The wedge salad was fresh and the Steak for Two was great! A sexy place and I recommend it for a date night!

    (5)

  • Jenna H.

    BEST STEAK HOUSE IN US! I'm from California and my boyfriend and I were in NY a year ago and came across this place. Everyone in NY always talks about Peter Luger or whatever but we decided to try Benjamin's and it was so delicious that we returned this year and always will when we're in NY. We have been to Mastro's, Flemings and other nice steakhouses but this is place beats them by far so you can only imagine how fantastic it is. The steak just melts in your mouth ans has the perfect amount of seasoning and is always cooked to perfection. I don't even know how to describe a steak this good and do it justice. They put it on a hot plate so that it never gets cold and cooks a little still. There's no other way to order a steak but medium rare so that you can taste all the flavors. We also got a side of broccoli which you would think would be broccoli and nothing crazy but it was literally the best broccoli i have ever had. It wasn't over seasoned and cooked so that there was a little crunch but still soft. The service was fantastic as it was last year and the staff is very friendly. Bottom line: If you want a steak that blows your taste buds and is well worth your money, come here. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

    (5)

  • Rosena C.

    Very glad that Manhattan finally got a taste of Brooklyn's Luger! The steak here is really delicious. Cooked perfectly and very juicy. Bacon is always a crowd favorite btu Benjamins does it even better. The seafood tower tastes like it was freshly caught. The creamed spinach and battered onion rings make the best side dishes. Sooo good

    (4)

  • Becky W.

    took my bf here for his bday. steaks is PERFECT! (but pricey)all worth it for this special occasion. the waiters are very tentative.

    (5)

  • Terry C.

    Although the service was good, the food and the noise negated it. The salad dressing was very salty and the steaks were only fair. We had the porterhouse for two and there was enough for two people but the quality of the meat was only fair. The dessert were good and the wine list was also good. The room is nice and warm but he noise level was bothersome. Terry C

    (3)

  • Basia B.

    Went for Valentine's Day with my sweetheart and it was amazing! The food was so good and the restaurants is beautiful! Service was great! My boyfriend and I also went to Peter Luger's last year and were not impressed at all but with Benjamin's we were very much impressed! So yummy!

    (5)

  • Jess S.

    I love dining here at Benjamin's Steakhouse! The seafood platter is always my starter. The filet mignon is by far the best I've ever had. I also get the fries which are amazing too. The service is excellent, the servers are always attentive but not too overbearing. I would recommend this steakhouse to anyone that is visiting New York City or locals that just want some good steak. Try it for yourself.

    (5)

  • Tim B.

    I'm not sure why other people have complained about Benjamins. We had an absolutely first rate dinner for 12 there on Saturday night the 24th and everything went as well as it could. The rib steak and veal chops received excellent reviews. I love bone-in rib steaks - this was one of the top 3 in my 51 years on the planet -- excellent marble, color, flavor. The creamed spinach was more spinach and less cream, so it was healthier. Dessert came on a platter for the table, with a great selection. The service for 12 was outstanding, friendly, prompt and helpful. The overall atmosphere was classic steakhouse, not too loud, tasteful and positive. I like a small location better than the larger chains like Ruth's Chris, and this is one of the best.

    (5)

  • Erik d.

    Great steakhouse, price wise. Good service and good food. Very nice "true steakhouse" atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Jimmy V.

    As a person that's big into steaks, my girlfriend and I decided to venture to a new steakhouse to try, as there are plenty of steakhouses in Manhattan. When we arrived, service was quite fast as the waiter greeted us with bread and butter as soon as we arrived. For the meal, we ordered a dozen oysters, steak for two, and a side of creamed spinach. The oysters were quite delicious, particularly the cocktail sauce, which had a particularly zing to it. However, things started to go downhill after the appetizers. When the steak arrived, it came out quite undercooked and was very rare, although we ordered a medium-rare steak. The creamed spinach wasn't bad but nothing to rave about, either. Once finished, we decided to order dessert but our waiter was nowhere to be found. After about 20 minutes of waiting around, the waiter came over and asked if we'd like the dessert menu. 15 minutes later, the dessert menu was in our hands and after perusing the menu, decided on creme brulee. The creme brulee had a particularly strong taste of egg in it, which is not what we were expecting when we ordered. As we weren't a fan, we left about half of it on the table. After 20 minutes of idling, the waiter came back and we received our check. Overall, I'd say there are better places to find a delectable steak than Benjamin's as the food was sub-par for a fine dining restaurant and the service was quite slow towards the end but I will reserve judgement as there could be a number of factors that night that resulted in poor service.

    (2)

  • Joel Z.

    Has very friendly, attentive wait staff. For starters I ordered the lobster bisque, it was creamy and tasted great. For my main course I ordered the sea bass, that was also cooked to perfection and tasted great. With the sea bass came mashed potatoes and green beans. Again as with the rest of my meal, the sides were so tasty. The mash potatoes were creamy and delicious. Overall I had a great experience dining here and would come here again if I was in the area.

    (4)

  • bruce s.

    Benjamin Steakhouse is a sold good.....not very good and certainly not great....steakhouse. The room has the right vibe that imparts authenticity of a wall street genre guys steak restaurant. Good vibe, busy bar scene and such. We sat upper level which is not a bad way to go if you want to talk and relax. Service was friendly but not flawless.....ie; waiter brought our table the wrong order. My ribeye was nice and very enjoyable but failed to rise to the legendary level of Lugar or Sparks - more on parr with The Palm, S&W or Morton's.

    (3)

  • Shae W.

    Delish!! Crab cake appetizer was really good, and my fillet mignon was very tasty... though if I could go back and order again I would have either gotten it rare. Our sides were all good but the mushrooms really stood out. Cote du Rhone was a fantastic wine choice and I finished with the cheesecake and the Benjamin coffee (a tasty spin on an Irish coffee). Add AMAZING service to that and you have got yourself a meal that will be hard to surpass! RECOMMEND RECOMMEND RECOMMEND!!!

    (5)

  • Lucy Y.

    First time I came here, I had the jumbo shrimp cocktail and filet, both of which were okay but not memorable. The second time around, I was pleasantly surprised by our porterhouse. Both cuts of the steak were perfect. I shared it with a colleague who wanted hers medium, while I preferred medium rare. The waiters served us both the perfect pieces and we were both very content. My oyster appetizer was very fresh, and cheesecake dessert was delicious. My colleague's lobster cocktail was fantastic - you get a pretty decent size lobster for an app so it would be a good shared dish. Service was great towards the beginning but once they got busy around 7, we were somewhat neglected. My water glass sat empty for a good 15 minutes at some point. As it's out of my budget, this will have to just be for special occasions. Or whenever I can find an excuse to take a client. Overall, pretty standard fare but done nicely in a classy setting - perfect for business lunches or dinners.

    (4)

  • Catherine S.

    Mmm... porterhouse! If you want a roaring fireplace and a perfect porterhouse, this is the place! Great setting with balconied area for dining (less noisy upstairs). The place is nice but not at all stuffy. But, the reason you're reading is to find out about the meat... and it's fantastic. Perfectly done medium porterhouse for two is what we ordered. It was pink but didn't bleed at all when you cut into it. Seasoned nicely and not overly buttery (you have control over how much au jus to put over your portion). The steak sauce they provided is a little too sweet for my taste, but for a sweet steak sauce, it was good. I didn't need it anyways. Wine list is a little overpriced in my opinion, the cheapest bottle is $40. But the selection was quite large. As a side we got potatos and a Benjamin's Salad. The crab/apple on the salad were both very fresh but I found the dressing a little too tart. I'd try the Caesar next time.

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    I got to say I'm spoiled by the Palm. Benjamin's can best be described as: loud, slow service, not as premium as the price indicates.

    (3)

  • chris R.

    The steak literally melts in your mouth. It was amazing. The mashed potatoes were tasteless and tasted like instant potatoes. The service was so so with our waiter rarely checking in on us. We would have gotten another bottle of wine if he had been on top of his game. The cheesecake was by far the best cheesecake I have ever had. I would come here just for that

    (3)

  • Daryl R.

    What's up with this restaurant! Steakhouse disaster. People, when management apologizes for a terrible meal, you know it must be bad. Our medium rare steak was delivered virtually raw. The waiter returned the steak to the grill and it was redelivered as a crispy critter. Rejected. The next new steak was also rare and rejected. The waiter told that our use of nomenclature was incorrect. Rather than calling it "medium rare", he advised that Sebastian's suggests a new phrase when ordering steak. "Medium Rare Plus". Outrageous. Whether You call it poorly done, or just done poorly. It was just plain bad. The other guest ordered salmon and specifically requested that it be thoroughly cooked. It too was delivered raw. The potatoes were over cooked and tasted like they were sitting in a cafeteria roasting pan. The peas and onion vegetable were soaked in oil. Pretty lousy.

    (1)

  • C L.

    A fairly open and large dinning space. The place have been almost full every time I have been there and the noise level is higher than average. The Benjamin Steakhouse isn't the most cosy steakhouse in NY and the interior is nothing fancy. But that is being compensated by theamazing steaks. I have tried the 12oz filet, porterhouse and NY cut which all were very good. My favorite was the porterhouse, highly recommendable. The creme spinach and fries are a must. I wouldn't recommend going to the bar before the dinner as the bar area is too crowded and nothing special.

    (4)

  • Ben O.

    I went here with a friend and my mind was blown. Steak for two is legit. The waiter cut our steak with a spoon. A SPOON! We were inhaling the extra steak drippings like it was the fountain of youth.

    (5)

  • Jay F.

    The food itself was 4+ stars. The value (price for the taste/quantity) on everything but the steak was so bad it brought this to three stars. Salads: Well done, nice portions overall. Caesar was a bit generic for such a nice place at for being $10 Steak: Outstanding and worth every penny. Strip was cooked perfectly, put on a pre-heated plate to keep it hot, and was intensely flavorful. Sides: We only ordered Broccoli and while the taste was fine, I was really disappointed at the small amount for $10. I get that sides will be $10 in steakhouses and that's fine, but I expect more than $.80 worth of broccoli for $10. Dessert: Again, incredibly small portions for $10. We had the carrot cake and it wasn't even enough to share. I felt cheated. For $4.95 I would have been ok (still overpriced but I wouldn't have expected a shareable portion.) Overall the steak made it worth it but to go again I'd just have to accept that I'm going to feel robbed on everything but the steak. And because I'm not into feeling robbed, I'll probably end up elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Chui L.

    O M G Black and blue. This is the only way to have your steak. I would have to agree... I think it's even better than Peter Luger's... And I'm a little embarrassed to use that comparison but I think you get what I mean when I put it that way. Yeah I can't get over it. Still swooooning over that steak!

    (5)

  • Andrea L.

    Celebrated a big birthday and 1st date post-baby w/ my husband here. The service was great - from the phone calls to remembering to bring surprise chocolate mousse cake with a candle (comped, too!). The rib eye steak and rack of lamb (came with spinach) were done well and we liked the side of chips and onion rings, as well as the starter Benjamin Salad For 2 - apples, raw onions, and crabmeat over mixed greens. When I called back the next day to find out what wine I had, I got some great tips from the sommelier. We also liked that, in addition to our waiter, management came around to see how we were doing. Truly a great experience overall, and to top it off, Benjamin happens to be my son's name.

    (4)

  • Rita L.

    Pretty decent, super empty for lunch. I got the rib eye from their lunch menu and the steak came out to be pretty big, my friend ordered the junior sirloin and hers was only half of my size but a bit thicker. The only thing I hate about the experience was that there were flies around us the whole time we were eating, it was really gross and we had to constantly wave around so they wouldn't be near our food. Overall the quality's decent for the steak but the price is def too high for an ordinary lunch. Plus the flies ruined our experience. We mentioned it to the waiter and he only smiled at us and didn't do anything. They also provided us with some bread and crackers, they tasted stale and I bet they've just been sitting around outside all day. I think going there for dinner might be a better choice, it'd probably be more expensive but at least you won't have flies bothering you while you eat.

    (3)

  • Thalia M.

    I admit it. I am spoiled. We came here on a whim with no reservations. You would never guess that both my man and I work in non-profit. Priorities. Good food, especially steak = Priority #1. A classic NY steakhouse opened by another renegade Peter Luger veteran. They've taken the Peter Luger steak concept and kicked it up a notch with the classy dining room and classy service. If I could, I'd give them a 4.5 just to show that I appreciate the extra effort. This is the kind of place serious business people can (and do) take their clients to wine, dine, and impress. We were a party of 4 and we ordered steak for three and a few sides and appetizers. We still had room afterwards for dessert. If I had to do it all over again, I would have insisted on the steak for four because steak for three split four ways just left me craving more. Now that I've had it the classic way, I hope I'll get a chance to go back and try the black & blue. I didn't even know that steakhouses of this caliber experimented with variations like that on their steaks, it certainly wasn't on the menu (thanks for the tip Chui L.!).

    (4)

  • Sergio N.

    Was recommended by the hotel concierge and I'm glad I went. The lobster bisque was light and plentiful at the same time. Ending with the rib eye that was cooked to right temp and the Benjamin fries, I will definitely make another stop next time I'm in New York.

    (4)

  • Abby S.

    This was a delightful experience. The food was excellent, the decor was elegant, and the service was great. Mostly importantly, the steak! Perfect crisp on the outside with a tender, juicy center. The filet was my favorite, as it had so much flavor. The creamed spinach was also very nice. The service was spot on. Friendly and professional. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • A R.

    Came here for a weekday lunch. Nothing too fancy here, its a white tablecloth steakhouse in a two-tiered dining room with a "clubby" feel. Their wine list isn't very extensive but they do offer several options by the glass of both white and red. Menu is standard steakhouse fare and is well-prepared in the typical fashion. Everything we ordered, we liked but nothing blew us away. This place fell short of the mark in the service department. It took way too long to a) get us menus b) take our order c) check on us to see if we had what we needed d)bring a second glass of wine to the table e) bring dessert after it was ordered. The delays in service alone added about 30 minutes to the meal. This was all exceptionally noticeable because the place was half-empty when we were there so there is no reason for these delays beyond inattentiveness. For the money, the next time I'm looking for steak on the east side of midtown, I'm going to Smith and Wollensky, the Capital Grill, the Palm/Palm Too, Bobby Van's, Wolfgang's etc....that's the point with this place. Its ok, but with so much competition in the area, ok isn't going to cut it.

    (3)

  • Daniel Y.

    I came here a few years ago for my birthday in a large group. Mario was warm and hospitable, but they steakhouse just seemed to have trouble with a large group. The order took quite long and some steaks were cold by the time they came out. As much as I wanted to like and support it, it is not up to the standards of Wolfgang's or even Ben & Jack's for porterhouse.

    (2)

  • Richard C.

    Benjamin Steakhouse has earned five stars from me. Start with a great variety of wines with some excellent mid-priced options from which to choose. I had the rib-eye - simply delicious. Good veg on the side as well, not too heavily seasoned, creamy or garlicky. The dining room was full but it did not feel like a noisy environment. The service was courteous and attentive but not intrusive. Benjamin deserves its kudos as one of the top steakhouses in the country.

    (5)

  • Kristina P.

    The place is fancy and romantic so it's a good date spot. The hostess was really pretty and the service was superb. I also love the high ceiling of this place. I am a big steak lover so I go to many different steakhouses and benjamin is one of my favorites! Their steak is so juicy and tender and come in large portions. Their wine selection is good too. However, I feel like their side dishes are a hit or miss. Definitely go check Benjamin out if you're craving some good steak!

    (5)

  • Andy G.

    This was a very good meal. We really enjoyed the open feel of the space, as we sat upstairs looking over the first floor seating. They also did a great job of getting rid of a table that was on the verge of causing a problem (kudos). While the food was very good, when visiting New York again this is not a must have. There was nothing wrong but the food did not differentiate itself from other good steakhouses.

    (4)

  • Michael J.

    This is one of the best steaks i have EVER had ... traveling the World is cool and one of my favorite things to do is to eat :-) steak is one of my favorite things to eat. so coming from me "one of the best steaks i ever had" should be valuable opinion for most people. Absolutely amazing, no doubt, 5 stars

    (5)

  • Diane P.

    I came to Benjamin's (by recommendation) with my boyfriend and his mom and we all had a great experience. This place is definitely in the same league as Peter Luger's and I woudl go so far as to say that they serve the best porterhouse on the island of Manhattan. Food: 5 Ambiance: 4 Service: 4.5 I rounded up and gave them 5 starts because the reservation process was very easy, we were promptly seated upon arrival (not having to stand around and wait additionally like at PL's), and it is a lot more accessible (location and reservation wise) than PL's but with comparable quality. Food: OH THE FOOD! We started off the night with some sparkling water and super fresh raw oysters and little neck clams on the half shell. They were perfectly chilled and prepared us for the onslaught of deliciousness that lay ahead. We then had the organic mescaline salad along with their signature sizzling canadian bacon. The bacon was crispy on the outside, succulent and flavorful on the inside, and overall, foodgasmic! The salad balanced out the saltiness of the meat and so they went really well together. His mother had the filet mignon while the bf and i shared the porterhouse steak for 2. These portions are HUGE and we had plenty to take home with us afterwards (no need to have a fading memory of greatness when your next meal will have more of that goodness coming). Keep in mind, we did have a few appetizers before the main entree, but even so, I think 3 people could have easily and plentifully shared the porterhouse for 2. We paired the meat with some cabernet sauvignon and the wine brought out even more flavors in the beef. We ordered the creamed spinach as a side and it was a good texture, complementing the medium-rare amazingness of the steak. I think compared to Peter Luger, the steak is a bit more flavorful (more salt), but the quantity and quality of the beef and the way in which it is cooked are absolutely comparable and indistinguishable to me (but then again, I am not a self-proclaimed steak expert by any means). I would love to have tried dessert, but I was simply too stuffed! The steak was still pretty good the next day too. Obviously, it wasn't the same, but I took one piece of the leftover steak, cut it into a few slices and definitely had a steak sandwich for lunch! Service: The waiters are friendly and polite. Also, they struck a good balance by providing top quality service without being too overbearing. They were very attentive and were always ready to refill our plates/cups whenever they neared empty. Ambiance: The decor/interior is much nicer than Peter Luger's, its often compared to counterpart. It is upscale without being too pretentious and not that it matters, but the servers at Benjamin's are also much more attractive than at Peter Luger's. :) The lighting is great and sets a good atmosphere - light enough to see your fellow diners' faces but dark enough to feel like you're at a classy steakhouse. Whether you're a businessman, visiting tourist, or an avid steak-lover, I think Benjamin's is one of NYC's finest and a must-try steakhouse.

    (5)

  • Vito L.

    Great service, great food and the atmosphere was elegant and exciting. Ordered the New York strip steak and it was cooked to perfection! I already recommended Benjamin Steakhouse to several people. Great experience and am definitely going back again and again!

    (5)

  • Shana S.

    I came here with two male companions, and it's a good thing; Benjamin Steakhouse isn't exactly a girls' night out locale. The interior is manly, with deep colors and dark wood. As a recently fallen off-the-wagon vegetarian, I let the dudes do the ordering. We decided on two apps (the antipasti and the lump crab cakes) and the steak for two (even though there were three of us, the steak was puh-lent-iful). The lump crab cake appetizer did wonderful things to my mouth, as did the sauce. Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside! Let's talk about the steak, shall we? We ordered medium rare, and that's what we got. Cooked but still juicy. Oh meat, you were so delicious! The wine and the charming service were the only things that kept me from walking out of there as a full-on guy.

    (5)

  • Renzo B.

    Best steak i have ever had. Better than Lugers. Takes all the negative things about lugers and makes them GREAT! Service is A++. Prices are also relatively cheaper than other steakhouses of this calibar. Ambiance is remarkable. I recommend Porterhouse for 2 and bacon as an app.

    (5)

  • Evon T.

    How does Benjamin compare to Luger? Battle Wine List: Benjamin wins for more offerings. Battle Thick Cut Bacon: Benjamin wins for better execution. Battle German Potatoes + Creamed Spinach: Benjamin, by a slight margin. Battle Service: Tie. Long waits, disappearing waiters, aloof staff at both establishments. Battle Decor: Benjamin, for a less dated look. Bonus round: Benjamin, for the entertainment of watching the nearby suits flex their corporate cards and puff up their egos. And the most important battle, BATTLE PORTERHOUSE: I'm still collecting empirical data (read: stuffing my face silly), but preliminary results (read: my last few visits to both) point to Benjamin's porterhouse being more flavorful and better executed but ever so slightly less tender and less evenly marbleized than the Luger offering. So if you enjoy the Luger offering, there's a good chance you will love Benjamin.

    (5)

  • Wes A.

    The service fantastic. We had ribeye a and sea bass and it was arguably the best steak I have had in a long time. The wait was long but worth it. The manager bought us after dinner drinks due to our wait. Cannot wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Kyma A.

    This place did not meet my expectations. The steak was dry even though I order it medium well. The mashed potatoes taste like they came out if a box. The lobster bisque was delicious and so was the Benjamin salad. The service was great which is why u gave this place three stars. Ricky is the server TI ask for when you come. He's really a gud server. Oh and unless u like burnt steak don't order ur meat medium well. LoL they have the terminology medium plus!

    (3)

  • Jessica G.

    I have been using yelp for years and have never made an account until today just because I would like to warn others about my suspicions regarding the sanitation in this place. I had their cheesesteak sandwich for lunch the other day. First off, it was horribly prepared. The slices of AMERICAN cheese on top were barely melted (yuck) and the sandwich was off kilter - whoever cut it in half did so very carelessly - one half had basically no bottom bun and the other half seemed to get all of the bread from the bottom of the roll - so basically, I couldn't pick up the sandwich without covering my hand in grease because it was all uneven. The fries were dry and overcooked and much darker brown than fries should be. (It also was not technically a cheesesteak - it was a steak sandwich with 2 slices of american cheese on a ciabatta roll) I didn't finish the sandwich (which was $20), and in fact wasn't too full after, but I wasn't hungry for dinner that night. I couldn't eat breakfast the next day and by lunchtime I had zero appetite and felt nauseous and a little bit dizzy. I feel fairly certain I had some mild form of food poisoning, and that sandwich was the last thing I ate before my stomach and body were completely out of whack,. Based on the sloppiness of the plate I had and the plates I saw around me, I really wouldn't be surprised if their kitchen lacks proper sanitation, because very little care seemed to be put into the preparation of their food. Also, another Yelper (Donna, I believe) has pointed this out: "Additionally the department of health grade was "pending"... which means that it had a C or lower and is being given at leaset 6 months to correct it." So I can't prove anything....but I'm pretty sure there was something toxic in my food. Benjamins, please keep your kitchen sanitary, especially since you specialize in serving red meat. Don't poison the people who are buying your overpriced food so that you can pay your overpriced midtown rent...

    (1)

  • Heather M.

    Brought the parents here because my Dad asked for a steak. We were sat once all our party arrived. Very elegant. Multiple service people servicing us, coordinated in an almost dance. Dining room is quite noisy, not a subdued elegance, more a frenzied NYC elegance. Salads to Start - Caesar was light and nice. Sea Bass - utter perfection Creamed Spinach - a must! secret recipe they wouldn't reveal but it involves olive oil and no cream/dairy Apple Streusel with Schlag - interesting and not overly sweet All in all a great night. I'm not really a fan of steakhouses as I don't eat meat, but this was an enjoyable, pleasing meal that fit everyone's tastes.

    (4)

  • Samantha K.

    Oh how I do love it here. Go every year for my birthday with my father who is friends with a lotof the staff. The steaks are so delicious, cuts like butter...juicy and crisp all in the right places. A wonderful atmosphere. Love the sides, creamed spinach is top notch and the mashed potatos are equally delilcious. One of my favorite things of my year is knowing I will be going here.

    (5)

  • Kelly T.

    I haven't eaten here (other than my room service, reviewed below) but I've been to the bar for drinks. The service was wierd and underwhelming. One minute you're one of two people sitting at the bar, getting NO service but getting smiles from the 2 bartenders (at a approx 12-15 person max bar), the next minute you're totally overwhelmed with waitstaff. I got the same impression of the dining room--so many people milling about. It's a bar in a hotel. It's a bar in a hotel where I was staying. The bar had booze. Booze is good. I like. I also met some funny interesting people--kinda place a single gal can knock back a (couple) of happy hour priced wines by her self while waiting for friends. My room service burger was excellent. mmmmm. yum.

    (3)

  • Lori O.

    We had a wonderful experience! Food was excellent and service was over the top.

    (5)

  • Cheryl K.

    After hosting the corporate dinner from hell at Megu the night before, I was praying for no slip-ups at Benjamin's the next evening. And I must say, THANK YOU BENJAMIN'S FOR A TRULY HEAVENLY EXPERIENCE! Excellent service, excellent set-up and space, excellent food, perfect ambience, and all-around just a wonderful time! The place is much bigger and much grander than I had previously remembered. My guests were high-level executives at foreign companies and they were very impressed by the interior. I didn't get to enjoy the food much because I was too busy taking care of our guests, but everyone seemed to enjoy the meal and each minute of dinner passed flawlessly (I wouldn't have been able to tell a good steak from a bad steak anyway so again, a little bit of a bias in this review!). To top it all off, Benjamin himself was standing by our table making sure we were satisfied and happy with our dining experience. Bravo Benjamin! My only two qualms: Bathroom is tucked far far away in a corner in the basement and is much too small. Also, we had a huge beam going through the area we were sitting so it was difficult for one half of the guests to engage in conversation with the other half without having the beam get in the way :( Other than that, I couldn't have asked for more. Benjamin's is truly impressive!

    (5)

  • Coyote B.

    On the recommendation of the concierge at my hotel, I ended up at Benjamin Steakhouse for lunch Saturday afternoon. I was really surprised by the paucity of customers, but nevertheless, had a really delightful tasty meal. Apparently, one of the owners of this restaurant was a chef at Peter Luger Steakhouse for 20 years. The waiter, from Albania, was extremely polite and obsequious. The cook prepared perfectly steamed asparagus, which was not overly cooked (soft) nor raw. The medium raw rib-eye steak was prepared just the way I like it. I did not have to add anything to the steak, which had that perfect buttery crust. The portion of home fries was so large that even I could not eat it all. The tab was not cheap at $75 for lunch.

    (5)

  • Kate F.

    A California girl visiting for my 40th with a couple friends, we ended up at Benjamin's as a last minute plan. They were able to accommodate us with a pretty good table. The food was wonderful. The filet only comes in a 12 oz which was way too big for me, but was prepared well. Mojito was a little on the dry side, but pretty good and service was great. Totally would come back after saving my pennies for a while.

    (4)

  • Alison C.

    Benjamin's Steakhouse is probably one of the best steakhouses that you have never heard of. The huge dining room is situated inside a midtown hotel and screams old-fashioned steakhouse. The soaring ceilings make it a welcome relief to many of New York's tiny eateries. The service is extremely friendly, helpful, and attentive. The lunch prices are also very affordable and offer a great option for all the midtown workers. I went to Benjamin's for a corporate lunch and was thrilled with the food and wine selection. The shrimp cocktail appetizer offered succulent, crisp and fresh shrimp. The Porterhouse Steak (for two) melted in my mouth. The sauteed mushrooms and French fries were also great. My only complaint was the creamed spinach, which was pretty bland. Otherwise, Benjamin's makes a fantastic addition to the NYC steakhouse phenomena. Spread the word! Or...rather...don't!

    (4)

  • Jurgen J.

    For those who crave Luger's steak but not willing to go through the reservation process, i think this is best option that you can get. Benjamin (also ben and jack, wolfgang) are all owned/created by Luger alumni. I've never tried the other two, but Benjamin doesn't disappoint. The porterhouse steak is exactly the same as Luger's. If somebody give me both of them side by side, i couldn't tell which one is which. Both are the best piece of meat you can have! It's extremely crispy on the outside, and both juicy and tender on the inside. The fillet mignon side is more tender, but the sirloin side is a lot juicier. I like both. Everything else is also great. The potatoes are delicious, the vegetables are perfectly done. This is one of the better classic steakhouses in New York. For those who can't get a reservation in Peter Luger, this is definitely a great option. I went in at a Friday night, the restaurant is not as packed as others.

    (4)

  • Brian G.

    i don't get all the great reviews here. yes; the steak was good but not great by any means very crowded place so be prepared to wait even if you have a reservation. drinks are incredibly over priced as most steak houses are. i found the best thing about this steak house was the service. our server; Ricky i believe his name was really went out of his way to give us the best service that he could. thanks Ricky your service was great. i will try this place again only because of you.

    (3)

  • Paige T.

    OMGOSH. THIS PLACE IS THE. BEST. STEAKHOUSE. IN. NORTH. AMERICA. This place is everything you want in a steakhouse: dimly lit, cozy, amazing food, amazing wine, great service, great location...Trust me, you want to go here. My husband and I got the bacon as the appetizer, the Steak For Two and two sides as the main course, a bottle of wine and cheesecake for dessert. All of it: to DIE for. The waitstaff is great, they fulfilled our request to be seated away from people, in a corner, quite and with a view (I'm picky). Every aspect-- from the staff, to the food to the ambiance-- was amazing. Go here. Get the steak. Love the buttery, tender goodness.

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    We were a party of 4...Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable...he recommended we get the Porterhouse for three, and the bone in Rib Eye so we get 3 different cuts of delicious dry aged steak! Paired with mashed potates , and brocolli...our dinner was excellent...very delicious steak...best I've had in Manhattan...

    (4)

  • Matthew W.

    Food was exceptional as always - service tonight was acceptable. My FAVORITE waiter (Artie) had the night off so I guess I have a bit of compassion....but I had to walk to our waiter, tap him on the arm, hand him my credit card and ask for the bill. Met some a few customers in the bar where they have AWESOME CHIPS on the bar for a few drinks - 1 Becks $8.00 1 Stella Draft 8.00 1 Captain Lawrence Pale 8.00 Total - 26.13 We were seated at a booth in the dining room that was alive with people and conversations - for a Monday night the place was rocking from 6:30 pm until we left around 9:30. Such a great atmosphere and so much fun! You don't need a menu when you have dinner here - order the bacon, and steak for 3 (we had 3 in our party), then have the cheese cake (dry tonight) and a few Jamos.......Bacon is a thick slice that is PERFECT, steak for 3 is 2 porterhouses, and well the cheese cake and Jamo need no explanation. Great service until trying to get the check in the end......come in and ask for ARTIE!!! 3 Becks 24.00 1 Bud Draft 8.00 4 Stella Draft 32.00 (Jason!) 2 Captain Pale 16.00 6 Jameson 71.70 3 Sizzling Bacon Slice 9.00 (SUCH A BARGIN) 1 Steak for 3 128.85 1 Home Fries 11.95 1 Creamed Spinach 8.95 (EXCELLENT) 1 Cheesecake 9.95 Total - $348.84

    (5)

  • Simon S.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the city, and certainly a top steakhouse. Service is warm and impeccable, management is fantastic...One of the best!

    (5)

  • Karen H.

    I vacillated between 3 and 4 stars. First for the good - rocking steaks, well cooked and presented, really fantastic. Liked the sides, had the mashed potatoes and the aspargus. Nice wine list, pretty extensive without feeling overwhelming. The decor was right on, less clubby that a typical steakhouse, but sophisticated enough to match the menu. But alas, not all was perfect. We ordered the lobster appitizer, and it was a sad, slightly overcooked half with ketchupy cocktail sauce. I found mine almost impossible to get into, and I would have expected the claws to be cracked open already (I cracked mine and got sprayed). The other issue I had was that the waiter, who was friendly to the point of being a bit overbearing, kept touching me. My date got pretty uncomfortable about it by the end of the evening. It was just a little too familiar of an act for an upscale restaurant. The last point was that at the end of the meal, I had a couple of slices of sirloin left on the plate, but was stuffed, and the waiter came by almost forcing them on me and my date, scooping them onto our plates, even though we insisted that we were done. Enough already!

    (3)

  • Sera A.

    Love this place. It is very close in quality to Wolfgang's, which I am addicted to. The porter house for 2 is great and the creamy spinach is probably my favorite dish here. Will come back again and again for sure. Friendly staff and service.

    (5)

  • Robert S.

    Steak was huge and overdone but not as overdone as the service. Too mUch that added up to too little. Very overpriced. No atmosphere and as we are both world travelers and have eaten at some very fine steak places this was a 1 out of 5. Never go there again.

    (1)

  • Phillip B.

    A review almost 1 year in the making! How did I forget to review this place? Maybe I wasn't Yelping yet... The wifey and I checked this place out after seeing The Phantom of the Opera for our first anniversary. I don't remember making reservations, but I think I did... I probably didn't need it for that late of a dinner on a night other than Friday or Saturday. I read some reviews that said this place was a nice place, but I had no idea what I was in for... This is a very elegant restaurant. The service was very good, and you would hope so for the cash you will drop for a meal here. Wifey and I shared a bottle of wine, and not wanting to look like the total cheapskates we can be, we ordered something that was not quite the cheapest bottle of wine on the list. Of course, they came back and said, they were out of it. "May we suggest the blah blah blah?" No, he didn't really say "blah blah blah," but we went with his suggestion and I forget what it was. We just hoped it wasn't one of the most expensive selections. It wasn't... The blah blah blah went well with the steak for two we devoured. Oh my, this was absolutely the best steak I have ever had in my life... Came out sizzling and perfectly done. Every bite was savored like it was the best bite of cow I've ever tasted. Well, because it was! I'm literally drooling right now! I've been making plans in my head to go back to New York just to eat there again. Soon, Benjamin, soon... The bill was large, but I expected that and, in my mind, well worth it. I'm afraid to try other steakhouses because I'm afraid I'll be let down. 5 stars for the experience! 4.8 stars only because I can't afford to eat there once a month!

    (5)

  • Patricia P.

    We went here as a celebration dinner while on vacation in NYC. The food was just OK. The steak portions are huge, there was 3 in our party and we still had quite a bit if steak left over. The service was good, but I have had better food at other steak restaurants.

    (3)

  • Dyl H.

    Really great steak, one of the better ones i have had for a while. They fast cook it, which results in a a tasty steak. The sides an such seemed typical, there was some bacon appetizer that was ok, but seemed more like a gimmick to me.

    (5)

  • Jon C.

    Service wasn't the best but the food was amazing. It's a must have.

    (5)

  • Jerrica J.

    I dont eat beef anymore, but they have a lot of options for vegetarians and other items besides beef. I had the sea bass which was good. The service is a little unorganized and the side dishes are overpriced. The restaurant ran out of martini glasses for my mom and friend. How is that possible?

    (3)

  • Lisa P.

    Friends took us here for dinner while we were visiting New York for the first time. Reservations were at 9pm. The place was packed!! We had the Jumbo Shrimp, Sliced Tomato and Onion with Benjamin's Sauce, Sizzling Canadian Bacon, Steak for Four, the Ribeye Steak, Mashed Potato and Creamed Spinach. Flavor, portion size, quality...it was all great-- but the best part was the presentation and service. The only thing i would do differently is pass on the steak juices. For dessert, Limoncello, and the best cheesecake I've ever had!!

    (5)

  • Jackie P.

    we (as meat lovers and enthusiasts!) were really craving some awesome A+ steak. my family and i were in the middle of making a decision to either dine at benjamin steakhouse or peter luger steakhouse. but because benjamin was closer, we went. we ended up ordering benjamin's salad & sliced tomatoes and onions (since the steaks come WITHOUT side dishes). salad was decent but sliced tomatoes and onions was a BIT waste. it seemed like one of those dishes you can make yourself at home. and besides, there were TOO MANY ONIONS rather than the tomatoes, i thought. we also ordered creamed spinach which i loved but something my brother said was just "too much to pair with steak." didn't know what he meant. and as for the meattttttttttttttt, i shared a steak for two with my mother and ordered a medium rare. steak came out as beautiful as ever, sizzling, smoking on the hot plate. it was perfectly cooked and literally melted in my mouth like a tablespoon of butter. my mother, who's not a meat lover, was fully converted and recognized the tastiness of meat after feasting on meat, we ordered teas, coffees, and desserts. when my brother ordered tea, the waiter came with a cool box of teas that lighted up in lights - almost like neon lights, as i recall. anyways, we ended up getting key lime pie & creme brulee. creme brulee was ok but the pie was niceeee as far as service is concerned, the host - whom i think was the manager - was a bit rude and ill-mannered. he didnt give us a seat until we reminded him twice and he talked back saying "well, ididnt know and blah blah blah" if it wasn't for the food, i would never go. because the steak itself gets an A, i forgive the grade C service.

    (3)

  • Josh F.

    Get the thick slice of bacon. Excellent. Good steak prepared as ordered. Very good service. All around great midtown lunch spot.

    (4)

  • Trisha W.

    Steak, 2 pound lobsters, cream of spinach, baked potatoes, french fries, onion rings, anything you order here will be prime. It is a classic New York spot from the food to the overall atmosphere. Every detail in this place is a hit. Visually breath taking with architectural accents that make the place special and grand. Cooking techniques that are mastered and own-able to Benjamin. It's an anomaly, usually you just get one or the other good food and good service but lacking in vibes, this place has it all and pulls it together seamlessly. Waiters and bus boys engage and understand what you need or want and get it to you right away top service. They communicate and are punctual as the food is uniquely mastered to perfection. The steak alone is amazing, but I saw so many different dishes going past to other tables and they were all so stunning. There was not one dish that passed by that wasn't mouth watering. It's great for families, dates, friends, birthdays, graduations, big groups and they have tons of seating. A huge plus is how flexible they are with the reservations on such short notice too. Very professional and elegant, the place you wish every place could be like in consistency and quality you know those very far and few.

    (5)

  • Gu Q.

    Birthday dinner with my wife! Excellent recommendation by hotel, atmosphere, food and service top shelf. Steaks were just as we ordered and taste was worth the price.

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    I came here for a birthday dinner. I had never heard of Benjamin Steakhouse before. I thought that maybe the invite meant to say Ben & Jacks which happens to be my favorite steakhouse. There's always a debate about which is the best, but I'd like to think that I've heard of them all, and been to most of them personally. Here are my top 3: Ben & Jacks, Del Frisco's and then Red Eye Grill. Strip House, Gotham Grill, Quality Meats and the old Craftsteak are all honorable mentions, but that is my top 3 and I'm sticking to it for the foreseeable future. I now understand why I've never heard about this place. Save yourself the trouble and pass on this joint. Also, it's located in a hotel so I'm pretty sure at least 50% of the crowd are tourists who don't know any better and the tables are spaced way too close together. I hate feeling cramped, especially when I'm chowing down on a meal like this!

    (2)

  • Johan B.

    We just arrived in New York and went on the hunt for a steak. We used Yelp! to guide us and Benjamin was just around the corner. We didn't know what it was and almost didn't go in when we saw the tiny, scruffy entrance, but man am I glad we did! Proper New York style steakhouse. Interior was fantastic. Two levels with a iron cast balcony and a "bridge" across the entire room. Staff was beyond friendly and recommendations were great. We couldn't have asked for a better steak and ambiance. We have been to several others since, and while Smith & Wollensky has a lot of cool going on, I think I actually prefer Benjamin over all the rest of them.

    (5)

  • Albert C.

    Had the steak for two, along with canadian bacon which was incredible. Steak is definitely perfectly cook, medium rare. Service was good, however it did take a while for the steak to finally come out. Dress code is definitely more on the formal side but overall it was a great experience. Only down side would be the bathroom which is currently part of a construction site...and not directly part of the restaurant. Not something you would expect from such an expensive restaurant.

    (4)

  • Patrick B.

    I've been here four or five times and it has always been very good. Last night was no exception. We had a large party -9- and it was an important client dinner. They gave us an upstairs table that was quieter than the rest of the restaurant so we could have decent conversations. The seafood platter appetizer was amazing. Porterhouse steak was cooked just right. Overall an excellent experience

    (4)

  • Keith S.

    Best steak house in NYC. I've been going here for over 3 years. Very consistent. Always love it.

    (5)

  • Gaby F.

    Classic fare served in a loud space. I had the salmon, which was good but expensive. The steaks were good but now 'Lugers or Prime' according to my fellow diners. Service was the usual, acceptable mix of formal with friendly maitre d's .. This is an after-work, heavily male, crowd paying pretty top $ for drinks. There were some Japanese businessmen looked perplexed in the corner... The atmosphere was fine if that's what you look for. I won't return unless it was someone else's choice. The Midtown business scene is so uniform.

    (2)

  • Bonnie H.

    I had dinner with a friend last night at this steakhouse. We had the steak for two It was the most fantastic steak, I've ever been served, and I always order steak, so I've ordered it around the world. We also had a Benjamin's salad for two, lovely fresh, and garnished very generously with lump crab meat. But you know what was better than the outstanding food, the SERVICE. Yes you read me right. The young man who waited on us couldn't have been nicer or more attentive. He went back to the kitchen twice to relay our special requests to the chef. Even helped me get the steak without added salt. His servers were equally friendly, respectful, and helpful. The manager came by to make sure our meal had been up to our standards. Oh before I forget , Ann on the line for reservations, was kind and professional, I called to say we'd be late, she gave me alternatives as though she really wanted us to come. Id go back in a hurry, and so should you, gentle reader.

    (5)

  • Heidi S.

    Great dinner! Highly recommend sea bass (fish for those who dont like fish, cream spinach, and of course the steak was perfect!

    (4)

  • Tiffany L.

    I went to Benjamin's last Christmas Day, so my review may be a little out-dated, but it seems as if the menu didn't change much. Firstly, I think everyone here was very friendly, from the hostess, to the manager, to the coat-check to our server. The service was great, our waiter was friendly and attentive with a good sense of humor. I also love the decor and am not sure why others don't, I think it fits a steakhouse nicely. It's roomy and warm, with dark hues, fireplaces, comfortable seating. They offered a $70 prix fixe menu and I started with the lobster bisque. The bisque was delicious and very rich. It was velvety smooth, perfectly seasoned and topped with lobster meat. Very memorable first course. Next I had the lamb, which was perfectly cooked and seasoned and so tender. It was accompanied by equally delicious sides. They also offered eggnog, really, really good eggnog. Very memorable meal.

    (4)

  • Adrienne V.

    Filet mignon was the biggest cut I've ever had. The food was great and the service was excellent. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Greg R.

    Was in town of a business trip with large party. Wasn't too impressed. Nothing was wrong with the food, but nothing was great either. Just a pretentious steak restaurant. I was stunned when I requested sea salt and they didn't have any. Wouldn't go back.

    (2)

  • Marko S.

    Excelent juicy steak for two and very nice wine Zinfandel from Napa recomemded by very kind waiter Jack.

    (5)

  • Gary O.

    The Benjamin Steakhouse has a great atmosphere and the service has been spot on every time I have been here. The restauarant has high ceilings and it can get a little loud at times but other than that I find The Benjamin to rival the top steakhouses in NYC. My steaks have always been cooked as requested and the meat is top notch along with your typical steakhouse sides. Good overall experience. Highly recommend Benjamin.

    (4)

  • sheila B.

    Went to Benjamins last Friday night. First we sat at the small bar which was very quaint and then we were led to our table by a very personable host. We sat near a fireplace which was not on. The first thing that I noticed was the noise, really loud chatter. Why could they not put in soundproofing I thought. My husband has a hard time hearing in a loud room while this was terrible for us. I ordered a filet medium well. The waiter who was very attentive asked if I wanted it buter flied. i said no.The filet came out rare, I sent it back and it came back tough. So oh well. My husband enjoyed his filet and his cesar salad was great. All in all it was a nice restaurant but EXTREMELY NOISY. I HAVE BEEN TO BETTER. I WOULD PASS ON THIS RESTAURANT.

    (2)

  • Raider J.

    We came here tonight to check out this restaurant.....I have been hearing from many of my business colleagues that Benjamin's is a popular hangout for many business meetings. Upon arriving at 6:00, I began to see the sea of suits at the bar and at the tables. The decor of the restaurant is gorgeous.....high ceilings, warm, dark woods, leather chairs and a huge fireplace in the main dining area easily makes this place one of the most beautiful steakhouses in NY. We began the meal by ordering the lobster bisque and the thick bacon. The bacon is the best that I have had...........maybe even better than Peter Luger's. The bisque was excellent...very creamy and full of flavor. The porterhouse steaks for four of us was excellent....as good as Wolfgang's or Peter Luger's. The sides of german potatos and creamed spinach were perfect sides. For desert, we had the apple streudel with whipped cream.....an awesome desert,.. Bottom line......another Peter Luger/Wolfgangs meal......but with an awesome looking restaurant. Suits, Steaks, Whiskey and Cigars is the dominant dress here.............my type of place. Val the Manager and Bennie our waiter were wonderful hosts.

    (5)

  • Leslie W.

    I can't say enough about the impeccable service, including Benjamin himself. They made our special birthday dinner so memorable. *Benjamin is also a fave for our client dinners. Make sure you order the side of bacon...a carnivore's dream!!

    (5)

  • David B.

    4 stars. Started with slab of bacon which was awesome and a MUST try. For an entree ordered the Rib Eye steak which was charred on the outside, but cooked medium rare as requested on the inside and was OK. Ordered broccoli and mashed potatoes as sides which were good and the deserts were very good too. Went for my birthday and got great service.

    (4)

  • Andre P.

    This is a steakhouse, so you eat steak and that is what I did. I had a rib eye sandwich during lunch and it was excellent. I had a spirits based drink and a red wine and both were very good. The ambiance is nice for work day lunches or post-work drinks & dinner. Wait staff was very good too.

    (5)

  • Kristopher Y.

    Hands Down the BEST STEAKHOUSE. I love steak and tried many steak places but this place is my favorite. I always get the Ribeye or steak for 2 and never fails. also the staff is very friendly and attentive. lil pricy but worth every penny for a steak lover.

    (5)

  • Sam M.

    Steak and sides were very good. 5 stars for that. But in a place like NYC filled with awesome steakhouses, I'll give this place 3 stars over all. Im from NYC and am used to obnoxious staff, but our waiter here wins the prize. I was there with a couple out of town friends, and the waiter asked if we had any questions about the menu. My friend asked something about a menu item, and the waiter acted like we we from outer space. He told us to look it up on our blackberry, and when we looked at him oddly he said we could use his phone. When we asked if he was serious, he finally said he had no idea what the answer was. All he had to do was say he didnt know and he would find out, and skip the belittling treatment and this place would have been great. I would go back if someone else made the plans, but I wouldnt recommend it first.

    (3)

  • Blue L.

    I'm sorry, but the steaks here do not live up to the hype. My steak (a fillet mignon) was tasteless and juice-less, and the sides were unremarkable. I had the creamed spinach, fries, onion rings, and the hash, and nothing stood out as above average. For the appetizer, I had their famed lobster bisque, which tasted like a pool of melted butter. There were just two TINEY bits of lobster in the soup and the rest was heavy yellow liquid. Totally disappointing. Went here with a big group, and everyone agreed that the food was subpar. The only redeeming quality is that the service was quite good. The wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and the interior decor is good for business meals.

    (2)

  • Eva V.

    We've been in NYC for several days now but we hadn't yet dined at a steakhouse. The concierge recommended Benjamin's so we decided to give it a try ... our last meal in the big apple. We had reservations for 7 and were seated right away. The dining room was warm & comfortable. As we've eaten so much in the past few days we opted to get the steak for two and a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing (which we shared). No apps .. no drinks .. no dessert. I know I've never eaten such a large steak before ... and I was pleasantly surprised when our server dished up our plates for us. He even came back & offered to serve us a second and third time. He was so friendly and I didn't sense an 'air' about him as I have with some of the other servers we've had. He was very friendly and down to earth ... impeccable service!!! His name is Richard and I believe I overheard him tell another table that he was from Armania. The food was delicious too but I was most impressed with Richard. Kudos!

    (5)

  • Annie L.

    Went here on Christmas day and it wasn't super busy since we went a little before the dinner rush. At first our waiter seemed a bit standoff-ish and didn't seem to want to be there and therefore showed while waiting on us. He handed us a pre-fix menu (a special they had for the holiday season) but we wanted to order from the menu since we wanted to get the porterhouse (which was not listed on the pre-fix menu). The waiter said that the only available options were on the pre-fix menu and we could not order from the original menu. We thought we might ask another waiter and he told us we were allowed to order from the original menu and the pre-fix menu was just another option. Aside from that little incident the food itself was pretty good. The steak was delicious (crispy on the outside and rare and moist in the inside). The sides weren't the best (we got the sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes) but they were still pretty good.

    (3)

  • Joshua P.

    The atmosphere at Benjamin's was nice, and the food was decent. Our waitress was very attentive and kept refilling our water glasses and asking if we needed anything. What made it a five star experience was this--two of my friends ordered their steaks medium rare and when they came out they looked like they were well done. We told the waitress, and she took the steaks back and brought us some bread to eat while we were waiting. The manager came out and apologized, and told us that the entrees would be comped. Free food AND good service? Definitely five stars Famous Prime Rib sammy & a Bloody. Do it.

    (5)

  • Gregory F.

    I was not impressed with the service or the food. The hotel concierge recommended this restaurant as the #1 steakhouse in NYC, and I reserved a table to celebrate my 10 year anniversary. We arrived about 45 minutes early and waited at the bar until the table was ready. After being seated at the table, the waiter promptly brought us bread, and took our drink/dinner order. We had to flag him down for water refills and for additional bread as we waited. The wait staff come across as being arrogant and trying to outdo one another instead of paying attention to the customers and ensuring that their experience is the best. Our main entree was delivered after about 40 minutes and my steak was room temperature, like it had been sitting in the back for about 20 minutes. The waiter spilled the au jus sauce on the table cloth, as he was attempting to rest the plate at an angle, and then just left it there. My wife commented that the mashed potatoes tasted like they were instant potatoes, and were pretty bland. In retrospect, I wished I would have chosen another restaurant, and will not go back or recommend this to my friends. Pass on this restaurant and find another steak house. They have some work to do.

    (1)

  • Rodrigo S.

    I got to say I came to this place with low expectations as I had read the reviews of my fellow Yelpers and that may have influenced my overall impression of the service and food. The service has definitely improved - or at least we got served by good waiting staff. They were fast, attentive and friendly. The meat was good but nothing out of the ordinary. Our meat was slightly overcooked and had a lot of fat that couldn't be eaten. Their thick bacon was the highlight of the night. It was juicy, tender and very tasty. Most probably I won't go back to this place.

    (3)

  • Pedro S.

    This may be the best $32 steak available in Manhattan. I just wish the service were more refined (ie server actually facing you, not walking away while they are speaking with you, or you with them, more conscientious of asking about condiments, etc.). Also the bread basket is the same one you get at Staghorn and all the other mediocre-minus steakhouses in Manhattan. Bread didn't seem that fresh. But the onion rings are made in-house (but kind of pricey at $10 for a normal-sized order). I'd go again.

    (4)

  • Christopher T.

    Let me preface this as i am not big on steak. I think it has something to do when i was younger my father couldn't cook and made me eat every last scrap of the raw juicy carcass. The hostess knows what she is doing; wearing that lil mini and suit jacket. Give it to the steakhouse for the woman to give the men what the want..agressive/strong woman with legs. I asked for the steak medium and it was just about cooked all the way through medium. Parts of it were rare but that is alright. The german potatoes and asparagus were great! This is a definite recommend for steak lovers!

    (4)

  • Les A.

    "Where is the beef" asked the old woman in the Wendy's commercial. The answer is that it is at Benjamin's. I always do my best to be fair in my comments, including the great, the average and the negative, however, I cannot find any for the last category for this place. The service was excellent with a waiter and at least 2 assistants around at the perfect times. My wife and I enjoyed the baked clam appertizer as well as a HUGE fresh crabmeat cocktail served with a deliciously spicy cocktail sauce. We moved on to the steak for 2; a house specialty, and I can see why. Before we ordered we knew there would be an issue as I prefer my steak on the medium rare side and she on the medium well. Do not ask me how, but the one steak was split into the 2 separate preferences. Very impressed. It was tasty, tender and more than enough for 2 along with our sides of asparagus and the onion rings and cottage fries combination. The wine list is impressive and we found a lovely Malbec for a fairly reasonable price. Dinner ended with superb coffee and their pecan pie. As one would expect for a top quality NY steakhouse, make sure you have a decent amount of cash with you or enough room left on your credit card but for us, it was priced as expected and exceeded our expectations in all other ways. Lest I forget, they were happy to pack the steak bone to go and our Golden Retreiver had the gourmet treat of his life when we arrived home!

    (5)

  • Clement K.

    Both the food and service are very good. I've been here for both lunch and dinner and the service is great. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner I arrived with a group of 8 and the host gave us our desert shots on the house and offered to buy us another round of drinks at the bar. The food is very good and served by multiple waiters.

    (4)

  • JC J.

    A stalwart of NYC's 'steak' scene, Benjamin Steakhouse offers a delicious and satisfying culinary experience. The steak was top quality and the service was great overall. I highly recommend this restaurant for big groups for a few reasons: 1) they have large square tables rather than long narrow tables, which makes it easier for people in big groups to talk to each other, 2) the menu is simple and you can order for groups, 3) even though the place was packed when I went, it wasn't too noisy.

    (5)

  • Elbert K.

    This is the real deal. If you love steak, then this is apex predator to all other weakling steaks (in a Governator voice). My buddies had decided to stay in the city over thanksgiving, and since none of us wanted to/can make a turkey we decided to go to a steakhouse. Ordered a porterhouse and the domination of my tastebuds began. I liked that I could cut it myself (as opposed to Peter Luger's, and I've heard this restauraunt has ties to Peter Luger's somehow). It's almost like a piece of artwork in a slab of meat. There is no need to talk about sides because this puppy just sings to you. This will be my only 5 star steakhouse until I come upon a new steakhouse to replace benjamin's. The venue is very nice to and is found in a convinient location in the city.

    (5)

  • Renee K.

    This is the typical New York steakhouse with dark oak detailing, hot hostesses, men in suits, and sparkling white aprons serving you. I expected a lot from the steak, and got just that: delicious, melt-in-your-mouth-so-no-chewing-is-required filet mignon. They meant serious business by serving the porterhouse and filet on sizzling plates so that you can just touch your piece of steak to it to modify the temperature and level of rare. At my picking up the serving spoon, the waiter rushed to dish me more tender deliciousness. Pros: great service, perfect for corporate dinners, amazing cuts of boeuf Cons: must go armed with corporate credit card, somewhat snooty hosts and hostesses (you only work there, losers)

    (4)

  • spencer s.

    I am not a person that eats steak all that often, but when I attended Benjamin's, it raised the bar for me. I really enjoyed the service, the atmosphere is wonderful and above all, the steak was to die for. I had the Sirloin and ate to my hearts content. An excellent place to go with your friends and family. Order medium rare ... they will cut the meat with a spoon.

    (5)

  • Kristen S.

    Pros: 1. Large portions. Well, that could be a con in some books. 2. Friendly staff, good service. Cons: Just one - who did the interior of this place? A steakhouse should LOOK and FEEL like a steakhouse, not a school cafeteria with dim lighting.

    (3)

  • Taka A.

    Great steaks. Good Service. I like to sit in the red booths because it just seems classic New York. Try to come for lunch because the dinner prices are a bit much. Junior New York Strip is still a good 8-10oz of tender juicy meat which fills me up plenty. ($30) I gave it 4 stars because nothing about this place differentiates this place from other higher end steakhouses. None the less, once I've hit up the other fine steak houses in the area, I wouldn't be opposed to going again

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    Wow, this place is impressive. There is no other way to put it, Benjamin's is a class establishment; their food, service, and style rivals any restaurant in the city. So first things first, the food. Grilled Canadian bacon (yes, you read that right) is a must try, trust me. If you're looking for something lighter, go for the fresh crab salad if it's on the menu. As for the steak, well that's a matter of taste, but I'd suggest the Cajun dry rub if you're going for anything other than a Fillet. The service, and resulting atmosphere here, is so good it's silly. The GM is always right down by the host stand, greeting the regulars with a handshake and conversation. The waiters are completely on top of it at any and all moments. Even the owner has been on the floor the few times I've been here. All this results in a familial feel, and while that is of course part of the show, it's a very welcome, and I'd say authentic show. Of course it's not cheap, but really, it's not unduly expensive for a top-notch steak house. I've eaten my fair share of meat (and by that I mean steak) over the years. Steak wise this place beats out every establishment but Pappas Brothers, but to go there you'd have to travel to Houston, and lets be honest, no one wants to do that.

    (5)

  • Betty S.

    What a disappointment! After reading the reviews I was anticipating a wonderful steak dinner. I can not say one good thing about any of the food. My martini tasted as if a cheaper gin was used, the bread basket was ordinary, the blue cheese dressing tasted as though it came from a cheap bottle, the tomatoes were not ripe, the hash browns were greasy, the asparagus undercooked, and worst of all the steak had no flavor & was tough. We are big steak eaters and will happily pay for a prime meal. We feel as though we just wasted almost $300!! They even have the nerve to put a $2.00 surcharge on the bill for the "extra" gin that was in the martini. Bottom line: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!

    (1)

  • James S.

    When reviewing this place, it's easy to get blindsided by the impressive interior with high ceilings and 19th century-inspired architecture queues everywhere. It is, without a doubt, classy and beautiful inside. Lots of business men in suits and people come to see and been seen; the dining experience is overall great. However, most people come to streak houses for the food, and that is the primary criteria I will use in this review. Don't ask me why, but I came here on a Sunday night for takeout, so my review is partial until I come back for the full dining experience which includes steak. I was hungry and not much else was open. I ordered the sea bass and it did not disappoint, and it shouldn't have disappointed, for $35 a plate. The portion was large and the fish was very fresh and tasty. All the boxes are checked here, no complaints. The other item they included was bread that looked more like pizza hut bread sticks. I'm not a huge bread fan to begin with, but it tasted like yesterday's making. Why am I bringing this up? A 4 star place like this demands that everything on the menu be exquisite, but not a big deal. Service, overall, is professional, although the 2 hostesses were a bit snooty for my tastes. While i was waiting, I sat at the bar and the bartender was really nice. I will come back here again and dine in. Looking forward to next experience.

    (4)

  • Rose A.

    I went here on Christmas day 2011 - by far the BEST steak I have ever had in my life!!! I had a bone in cut and it was fabulous! This is the only restaurant who knows how to cook a medium well steak. I can still remember every bite. I only had a Caesar salad so I wouldn't get full with their sides. They are truly a cut above the rest. Will DEFINITELY go back here when I visit NYC!

    (5)

  • Erik W.

    Had a great birthday dinner for my visiting mom at this place on a friday night. We had the (porter house) steak for four which was served 3/4 parts medium rare and 1/4 as we requested. Juicy, succulent, soft and crispy in the right places is the way. Our German potatoe was a little on the dry side but the baked potatoes, aspargus and mushroom all complimented the steak well. The creamed spinach was especially delicious. The wine selection list was also VERY impressive in particular. Service was a little pushy. I don't have a problem with this but I can imagine that a less assertive customer would feel a little intimidated. Our waitor was somewhat chatty, personally I prefer more formal service but my mom & dad likes this so it was a plus THIS TIME. The bill came out at exactly $500 for 4 very stuffed customers ($70 gratuity included) but we could have easily have gotten away cheaper if we wanted to and still have had a great experience. Personally I would have knocked off about $15 from the tip but my dad (the one with the $$$) was very pleased so he let it fly.

    (4)

  • Adam C.

    Benjamin Steakhouse is the hidden gem in the Grand Central area. Quitely located on 41st you can walk by it if not paying attention. However, once you get inside you are well on your way for a true steak experience! With so many steakhouses to choose from in NYC I highly recommend trying this one out! Once you do it will become an instant favorite because the food speaks for itself! The staff is pleasant from the moment you arrive straight through your entire meal. I always like to see owners of restaurants greeting their guests, it tells me that they are on top of their operation. At Benjamin's you will most likely always see Ben walking around the floor making sure his guests are enjoying themselves. Great place as well to host an event, business meeting, or any celebration!

    (4)

  • Chris B.

    ABSOLUTELY THE BEST STEAK I HAVE EVER EATEN! The service was great too! Everything was perfect and I would consider myself a unofficial steak connoisseur. I have eaten at some of the most established Steakhouses locally(CA) and now even "unlocally" (New York) and this place is hands down the best of the best! I had Peter Lugers after this place and was left disappointed... maybe because I expected more from reading all the reviews at Peters... but it surely was not a steak to compete against Banjamins! This place also has some kick ass german potatoes! Benjamin Steakhouse is worth every penny and has left me wanting to buy another round of plane tickets just to get a second taste of their beautifully prepared COW! I would write more and give more details about how perfect this place is... but I dont think anything I write can explain to you how excellent this place is. I might edit my post and add more... and maybe I wont... but all you need to know is that if you love steak! Eat here and you will know exactly what I mean.

    (5)

  • ClosetDork ..

    After being disappointed by lack of research prior to booking the swanky Jean-Georges and failing to identify the formal dress code (jacket required for gentlemen, no jeans allowed), we had to painfully cancel the much-anticipated dinner reservation 15 minutes prior to the dinner. Thankfully, a fellow Aussie friend who has called Manhattan home for the last two years suggested Benjamin, so off we went. The name is not to be mistaken with the face that graces the USD100 bills. It is the name of the chef / founder of restaurant and, just like its name, everything about the service is personalized. First off, the host greeted the friend as if they were old pals (The friend obviously is a regular of the place). We were ushered to a choice table, drink order was taken. Within minutes we found out that the friend has always taken out-of-town visitors to this restaurant and had a ritual of set dishes to be ordered. First, it gets as scientific as ordering "steak for n - 1", n being the number of people in the party. So given that there were three of us, we ordered steak for 2. An appetizer to share is a must, so he suggested two strips of bacon (in the spirit of n - 1), as well as a couple of sides (being cottage fries, onion strings - we did toy around with the idea of ordering creamed spinach just so that we feel a bit better about having at least one healthy vegetable dish, knowing that the dish is anything but). I love the simplicity of the menu. No fancy schmancy ingredients described in the menu. The appetizer really was a thick slab of grilled bacon served with a side of what appeared to be worcestershire sauce. The entree really was a huge New York cut, cut in little slices and served in a big platter that is tilted, so as to allow the au jus to accumulate on one end of the platter for ease of serving. Now the sides - the cottage fries resemble potato chips (the high quality version), and the onion strings were nice and crunchy. The dessert was a simple key lime pie with whipped cream. And of course we got three dessert wines, on the house. The nice finishing touch was the man himself, Benjamin, who came out and chatted with my friend, the regular. Sometimes, all we want is a simple dish of meat and potatoes.

    (5)

  • C L.

    I was visiting NYC for the first time and a staff member at our hotel recommended this place. We walked to Benjamin's steakhouse from Times Square. I ordered the rib eye and my friend and I shared two sides. The restaurant has a really good vibe, very classy and so NYC. The service was great, our waiter was so pleasant and helpful. Here is why I did not absolutely love the place. Although the food was pretty good, there was really no WOW factor. It was a steak...similar to what I'd find at a Morton's or Flemming's. The sides were good too, but it didn't have that UMPH. I would actually give this place a 3.5 if I could. FYI - the table next to us had complaints about their bill. They were unaware of the extra charge for the waiter cutting up their steak for them. Weird, I know - but beware.

    (4)

  • Lina K.

    Now that I am a fellow "yelper" I have to write a review for this place! A dear friend of mine brought me here for my birthday. As soon as we walked in we were greeted and seated immediately. (We had reservations and they were expecting us!) The service I will say was fantastic! The waiters there were so nice and attentive I couldn't ask for better service. When we got our food they were constantly around to make sure our plates were never empty! I loved it! We ordered the steak for two and it was AWESOME! Very juicy, full of flavor and went great with the mashed potatoes and sauteed asparagus. Presentation was excellent. I give this place five stars for a great birthday dinner followed by my delicious creme brulee with a candle in it! One of my favorite steakhouses in New York.

    (5)

  • Tiffany R.

    Not sure why it took me so long to try this place when I work around the corner but the ambiance is great for romance or business, the service was great, and the food was even better! We ordered the porterhouse MR because it is their signature dish. It was tender and juicy with just the right amount of crisp on the outside as it is served Pittsburgh-style. The best steakhouse I have been to in Manhattan, and a definite must try!

    (5)

  • Michelle W.

    Absolutely wonderful food and the service was outstanding! Highly recommend! I enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner. Truly memorable.

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    Ok, it's official. Benjamin is my favorite steak house in NYC!! I like it better than Peter Luger....there, I said it. I went back to Benjamin yesterday with my wife and her parents. From the very first rolls (with charred onion toppings) all the way to desert, I really enjoyed the entire experience. We had the fat shrimp cocktails to start, which is always fresh and delicious. Then we had the porterhouse steak for three. Hmmm...heavenly. The meat was juicy and super tender. We ordered the steak medium, and it came medium which is sadly a rare treat in NY! For sides we had the awesome baked potatoes and onion rings. The onion rings were crispy yet not greasy. For desert we had the carrot cake, key lime pie, and sundae. All were impeccable and immensely enjoyable. Can't wait to go back soon!!

    (5)

  • Pete M.

    Classic steak house...well done inside...food is very good...made reservations for lunch straight from yelp...love that feature . Worth the stop..ate lunch here..

    (4)

  • Jen L.

    Someone told me that single women should hang out at steakhouses, both for the men, and the comped drinks. I don't know about the men, but the bartenders here were definitely nice to us. Great food to boot! Something about having trained under Peter Luger, the steak is pretty darn good; flavourful. Also, try the crispy bacon, tomato, and onion salad; really refreshing. The potato hash done extra well with sour cream; yum. Sliders were just ok; do the little steak bites instead, much better. Crabcake sliders were interesting, but I'd skip it for the next time. Berries and cream; perfect way to cap off a meal, or to order alone, alot 'o whipped cream never hurt anyone ;) Also, Benjamin - yes, he's often there - is a great friendly guy.

    (4)

  • Evan W.

    Good food. Service was very good when it came to delivering food. But a few mistakes with no check-ins on the dessert to make sure everything was okay was a little disappointing.

    (3)

  • Gene C.

    I visited this place with one of my best friends and her boyfriend in the spirit of looking for some quality steak. The ambiance of the restaurant is that of classic refinement, high ceilings and dark overtones with candlelight table-side, which was somewhat of a sharp contrast since this place doesn't have a tight dress code and I managed to roll in wearing jeans and flip-flops. The menu is very basic, sticking to what people are really here for: quality meat. You can order steak for 2, 3, or 4, which is their classic New York cut (either a sirloin or porterhouse, not sure). We ordered 2 filet mignon and one prime rib, along with 3 strips of the Canadian bacon that people had been raving about, a side of cottage fries with onion rings, a side of sauteed mushrooms, and the creamed spinach. The Canadian bacon was literally a long, thick strip of meat with 2 long strips of fat running through it. It is served unadulterated without any garnishes or sauces, appearing to have been cooked with just salt and a dash of pepper. While it was tasty and I can see why meat lovers would be all over this, the only memory I will retain is its appearance, a single strip of meat occupying a very large plate. The filets were a good size and quite tender, sitting somewhere between very good and delicious. The creamed spinach did not disappoint with its smooth texture and rich flavor, and the sauteed mushrooms were also quite good. The cottage fries were basically extra-large just-fried potato chips, served with picante sauce, and the onion rings were more like fried onion strings, both of which I felt we could've done without. Service was solid, with an attentive wait staff who kept our dining experience relatively clean and tried to answer the few questions that we had, although not particularly well. This place does pretty well with desserts, as we tried the creme brulee, the pecan pie and the NY cheesecake. The pie was fresh and decadent, the cheesecake light and airy, and the creme brulee was standard fare but done nicely. We were also give a complimentary bowl of whipped cream to go with the whipped cream already plated with each dessert. Overall, a good experience, but I would probably recommend skipping the Canadian bacon unless you're a total carnivore, ordering their standard New York sirloin over the filet and to hold off on the cottage fries/onion rings (too greasy) and opt for the mashed or baked potato. Quality place for a date who digs beef.

    (4)

  • Angelica d.

    so I came back. This time with kids in tow and it is still as good as the first time! The steaks are still the best I've (we've) ever had. Loved the sides, I recommend the lobster bisque, and the desserts are lick-the-plate-clean good. and of course..will come here again next time I'm in town..

    (5)

  • Jenine F.

    We ate here last night, after visiting the Morgan Library. They seated us in the upstairs section, away from the noise of the bar. The menu prices made me whince, initially, but after following our waiter's recommendation to order the house Malbec and the ribeye (we usually lean towards the filet mignon), we were VERY happy. Sure, it was more than I had planned on spending on dinner but we enjoyed a wonderful meal with attentive service. GO!

    (4)

  • Stephen P.

    Happened to be near Grand Central Station and Yelped it to find this restaurant. What a pleasant surprise! Steaks were so good and service was excellent!

    (4)

  • PHAN D.

    I went to Benjamin Steakhouse with a friend on the recommendation of the concierge at my hotel. Our waiter was visibly annoyed that we didn't order wine and actually walked away while we were asking about the menu (to speak to a table near us). We ordered a wedge salad and what came out was just lettuce and dressing. When I asked about bacon, tomatoes, and onions, I was told that they only do that by request, and I had not requested it (this wasn't explained as we ordered). We both ordered ribeye steaks, the mashed potatoes and asparagus. The steak was the same steak I've had at any steakhouse and the sides were very bland. For $150, I expect a level of service and food quality, but was disappointed on both. While I dine in NYC every month, I will not be coming back to Bejamin Steakhouse any time in the future.

    (1)

  • Miles H.

    Great Steak, Great Food, Fantastic Service, Great Atomsphere, I loved the balcony. What did I enjoy: - Fantastic Steak, we ordered a Ribeye & a steak for 2 shared for 4 and we were ALL stuffed. We basically shared all the cuts possible. - The SAUCE was amazing who dips bread in Steaksauce...WE DO WE DO - Great Dirty Martini, very well made (Not easy to find) - Fantastic wine collection, some were quite reasonably priced - Good sides - But not spectacular - Very nice salads as well - Ohhh & The host was kind enough to provide complimentary digestives at the end. Great Dinner, Great Experience, one of the better NYC Steak houses for sure.

    (5)

  • Greg O.

    Excellent Filet Mignon, and exceptional service. I tried the bacon appetizer, it was a thick piece of bacon, two people could share. The filet was cooked a little more than I expected, but was still an excellent piece of beef. The cheesecake was perfect.

    (5)

  • Noel B.

    The service is very good and the steak was great. Usually I order a steak medium well the waiter recommended I go medium and I trusted him and the he was right it came out just like how I like it pink but no blood.

    (5)

  • Bill H.

    I enjoyed my dinner. My friends steak was too well done. Manager offered to get whatever. Very good service not charged for over done steak. Would go back !!!!

    (4)

  • Lori W.

    The Benjamin Steakhouse did a great job of taking care of us. The food was amazing. One of the best steaks ever. Dessert was fantastic. The bar area was also nice for pre- and post-dinner drinks.

    (5)

  • Dana M.

    This is just a follow up from my last visit. The service and atmosphere was much better this time around. I opted to try the fish this time. I ordered the sea bass. I found it to be a bit bland. I had to add salt and lemon. Tasted a bit better then. My wife ordered the filet mignon. It was very delicious. The sides were great - mash potatoes and asparagus. Next time, I will get the filet mignon.

    (4)

  • Alexis M.

    I can hardly believe I forgot to post my review of Benjamin's steakhouse! My father during his trip in the US wanted to go to a good steakhouse. These, usually being over my price range (+ I cook a mean Rib Eye myself), I didn't know where to go. Peter Lueger was a definite no after most of my friends had bad experiences there so I went with the Yelp reviews and a friend's advice to Benjamin's steakhouse. First I was worried because I am a nobody and the maitre d' seemed to know most people entering the place. No worries, he wasn't very buddy buddy with me but very polite and directed me to the bar while I was waiting for the rest of my party (btw their draft beer is really cheap for the neighborhood). The rest of my party arrived and we were seated. We skipped the appetizers and went straight for the main course: Steak for Three (so big it deserves its own paragraph) It arrived on the table and the 3 of us who ordered it started wondering how many days of leftovers would there be in the end. Well there was none... Not 1 bite left on this half cow. It was tender, it was juicy, it was flavorful and perfectly seasoned. It was most likely, one of the best steaks I've ever had (the other one was the Filet Mignon at Delmonico in Vegas). We had onion rings as side and there were delicious as well. One of us, not eating red meat, had the Chilean sea bass and loved it as well. We actually had a little room for dessert. Tiramisu and Chocolate mouse cake. They were accompanied with some rich thick whipped cream that could have been it's own dish. The service was exceptional. And the surprise came with the bill that was much lower than expected. I'm looking forward to find an excuse to go back as soon as possible!

    (5)

  • monique c.

    Now this is my favorite steak house. I love absolutely everything. I send all my guests(hotel guests ) there! It is so nice to sit down by the fireplace or the round table (sort of secluded) in the back with some friends. I have tried almost everything on the menu. Appetizer: Lump Crab Cake $19.95 Soup: Lobster Bisque $13.95 Steak: I usually have the steak for 2 (deff enough for 2 people) $82.95 Fish: Chilean Sea Bass: 32.95 or Grilled Norwegian Salmon $32.95 Sides:Creamed Spinach $8.95 or Asparagus $11.95 These are just few options...all good and big portions to share. The steak melts in your mouth ....i love it! Crazy for a girl who is trying so hard not to eat meat . The Lobster soup is so creamy and tasty. Oh and endless bread (my enemy). Try the the creme Spinach it's my favorite compared to other steak house restaurants. Your typical dark steak house decor but with a modern twist. Ben( manager) is awesome ! He is always friendly and makes sure you have a great meal and a great time.

    (5)

  • Pete B.

    Having been to Wolfgang's, Keene's, Old Homestead, and Capital Grille I can honestly say this place is my favorite overall from food to service. Steak for two has been flavorful, tender and cooked perfectly each time. The right amount of char(which i love), the right amount of juice. Bacon, well, its bacon, enough said! Onion rings, cottage fries are both wonderful. The service is always spot on, enough attention without feeling they are all over you. I have not been to Luger's yet so I can't say its the best but I can say it is the best I have had so far. I love this place and will continue to visit. Thank you Benjamin!

    (5)

  • karen t.

    after my last review benjamin sent me a $100 gift certificate.6 of us went back this time, same good ol service with much better food. we had so much fun we were there from 6-10pm. grapa n wine not a good mix..

    (4)

  • Kenneth H.

    Excellent food and a great environment. The wine was a bit pricey and the bar was pretty small (jammed). Overall, I hosted a great dinner for 3 for about 400 bucks.

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Took our sons to Benjamins a year ago for the oldest's sweet 16. Wanted him to experience a NY Steakhouse dinner. We were NOT disappointed. My son and I split the steak for two and my wife had a filet. They were both fabulous as was the creamed spinach. To start, we had the seafood tower for two and again, it was first rate. With the bottle of wine and a couple desserts we were well over $400 so, not for the faint of wallet but, its right about what you should expect for a high-end dinner in NYC. Service was first rate as well. Had a young Russian waiter who was just so playful and kind with our two kids. Best part of writing this review is knowing we're going back to NY later this month and already have our reservations...

    (5)

  • Jim P.

    Good service (albeit pushy), good food, nice place. We ate very early so can't comment fairly on atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Chris H.

    We were sent to this place by the concierge of our hotel as we were to lazy to find our own place and we didn't have the net so I couldn't Yelp myself a decent place (a mistake I learnt from after this). Enjoy my new bullet point review system. Setting - low lighting and very cramped feeling when busy. Service - Weird and not in a good way. One guy even slapped my friend on the back of the head at one point. Food - For me it was over priced and of average quality (steak was good but the lobster was not) as well as having missleading description. But my two freinds enjoyed their food but this isn't their review. Overall - I would not go here again.

    (3)

  • Michael H.

    Benjamin is a solid steakhouse. In a city full of remarkable steakhouses, I don't know if "solid" is enough to support the life of this place. In under 5 years, ownership has changed three times (one owner was Brittney Spears!!), so I imagine that there is a lot of turmoil here. Regardless, the food is solid. If you're a fan of Luger's, this place can save you the trip to Williamsburg. (I believe the current owner was affiliated with them for quite a while so the presentation and menu are nearly identical). One surprise --better steak sauce than the original! Overall, I'd put them one step above Gallagher's and one step below Bobby Vans/Craftsteak/Keens. Pros the dining room is beautiful as opposed to Luger's. Cons - At an entry level price of $42.00 for just a steak ,$10+ sides and $15.00 martinins, I don't see myself returning anytime soon...at least when I'm paying!!

    (3)

  • Colleen L.

    The steak was awesome. Really really really delish. And the service and presentation were pretty fantastic too. My qualm bringing this from four to three stars is the monstrous portions. I went with two men who did not see this as a problem in the slightest, but I was a bit overwhelmed with the food that kept being put in front of me. We ordered soups - the onion soup got the best reviews, my lobster bisque was a bit too rich and made my stomach hurt a little - then the steak for the whole table. I might have been happier if we had all shared the 'steak for two' portion since we also got sides. The mashed potatoes were pretty great, the creamed spinach... well, I just don't really like my spinach creamed. It was, however, the best creamed spinach I've had. I fully recognize that I made the decision to order the creamy soup, but I was pretty creamed-out by the time they were spooning the spinach onto my plate. The desserts were just a delish as the steak, and really the service was great. I just found the whole meal overall to be a bit on the heavy side. But, the guys I was there with didn't seem to mind this at all and would have at least given 4 stars.

    (3)

  • Gil S.

    The best steak house in the city. we came back after 3 years and the place is just great as we remembered.

    (5)

  • Donna L.

    I took my boyfriend for a nice romantic dinner for his birthday to Benjamin's and was extremely disappointed. I've really had better steak. We had the porterhouse for 2 medium rare for some strange reason I don't believe they could not get it right. The steak was extremely greasy and was not hot at all. It could well be because we sat upstairs and it might have cooled off when they brought it upstairs from the kitchen... oh by the way don't sit upstairs. I felt like I was eating standing on a balcony. The survice was just ok. For the money it should have been a lot better. The one bright spot of the nice were the clams and creamed spinach which was excellent. We had a better time at Rothmans Steakhouse for his birthday last year than at Benjamin's. Ok when in doubt we can always go back to good ole faithful... Angelo Maxies. Additionally the department of health grade was "pending"... which means that it had a C or lower and is being given at leaset 6 months to correct it.

    (2)

  • Paul R.

    One of the best porterhouses I have ever eaten. The lobster bisque is incredible, especially when drizzled over the steak. They also serve thick home cured bacon that is probably one of the most amazing things I have eaten. The ambience is classy and the prices match. A great spot for a night out and only a block from Grand Central Station. By far one of the top 5 steaks I have ever eaten.

    (4)

  • dale d.

    We had a great dinner here, both of us had the Filet Mignon. Items are al a carte (like other steak houses) and pricey but delicious. The service was fabulous. They went out of their way to accommodate the two vegetarians who came with us with a pasta and vegetables plate. Go to this place hungry, the servings are huge.

    (4)

  • Sheila D.

    If you are looking for an upscale restaurant with GREAT food and EXCELLENT service regardless of the price, this is the place to be. It was our last day visiting in NYC (my bf and I). We wanted to have a really nice dinner and we found this place. I'm sure glad we did because this was absolutely the best steakhouse I've ever been! Their steaks are dry aged in their own aging box. Great way to end an Anniversary celebration/Vacation! We got there, and was well greeted. The place was huge and very well decorated. It was warm (had a fireplace) and was seated comfortably. It was romantic and very relaxing. Just what we were looking for especially after walking around a lot the last 5 days we were there. We had 3 waiters taking care of us. Not that we needed all but, I liked the special treatment. They were very attentive and I thought that was really nice. We started off with the Lobster Bisque (creamy) and the Onion soup. Then had their mouthwatering Porterhouse which was AMAZING! The steak melts in your mouth. It was so tender and juicy! We also got mashed potatoes and mushrooms on the side. And then we had Creme Brulee for dessert. We spent a little over $200 BUT, everything we had was great! Overall a stellar experience and was worth every penny. Great way to end and Anniversary celebration/Vacation!

    (5)

  • Jolie W.

    I don't understand the hype. First, the service was lackluster. Our server was less than subtle in his attempts to turn the table, coming back every 2 minutes to get our order, beginning in the first 5 minutes of our seating. He was also a tremendous upseller - very unappealing. That said, I can deal with poor service if the food is good enough. The wedge salad was sad, not even including anything but a chunk of discolored iceberg and dressing (we were charged extra for bacon and tomato, standards on a wedge salad). I think the porterhouse (the house specialty) could have been pretty good if it had arrived hot. Similarly, the sides would have been very good if they got to the table while hot. As for pluses: the wine list was good; the ambiance was decent. Mixed review for the hovering waitstaff who were very attentive and wanted to continue to serve us throughout the meal. I found it to be a bit overkill.

    (2)

  • Mark N.

    Food was good, steak in particular was very good, but the service was very slow. The waiter did not seem very interested in being there and doing his job. It is really too bad because otherwise it would have been a good experience all around.

    (2)

  • Chris B.

    Company-paid dinners are the best :) Steak - very good. It had a nice crust that reminded me of crispy bacon, yet perfectly cooked in the middle. Everyone who I was with say, get the Porterhouse and share it. Creme brulee dessert - eh, average. Bacon appetizer (you'll know what I mean) - was the best piece of pork fat I've ever had. Can you just give me a plate of that next time? All in all, very solid. Great place for a big group - we had 22 people in our party and service was excellent. They even comped us some 10-year Tawny port after dinner... mmmmmmm.

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    My wife and I were celebrating our anniversary, and wanted to find a top-flight steakhouse for our dinner. We were able to get late-night seating after attending a Broadway show, and in spite of not getting there until 10:30 PM, we did not feel rushed in any way at all. The serving crew was uber-attentive, and the actual placing of our Benjamin salads on our plates was a special touch. Our treatment felt the same as though we were VIPs, and the food was a perfect "10" by every account. Our 'steak for 2' was quite possibly the best steak I've ever had, and the wine selction was a who's who of the Napa Valley superstars.

    (5)

  • Karen T.

    Needless to say the steak was exceptional but the 5-star is for the Sea Bass we also ordered. I'm a huge fan of Sea Bass and often order it but the Sea Bass here was by far the best I've ever had. Prepared and presented like steak, the Sea Bass was just cooked to perfection.

    (5)

  • John C.

    As a Texan I consider myself an expert on steak and have to admit that the chefs at Benjamin know how to cook a steak! My wife and I had the Benjamin salad (OK but no memorable), the lobster bisque (which was absolutely delicious), the crab cakes (tasty but small), and the Porterhouse for two with creamed spinach and potatoes (which was memorably scrumptious). I have been to Ruth's Chris, Mortons, and Capital Grille in different cities (Dallas, New Orleans, Scottsdale) and would have to rank Benjamin right up there at the top of the list. I would have given it 5 stars except that it was very loud and the tables were crammed together (if the table next to ours was not empty we wouldn't have had the room for our dishes and drinks).

    (4)

  • MR C.

    I made reservations for me and my wife to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary. When we arrived at 6:45pm the place was packed. Molly who was the hostess greeted us like we were her family. She sat us in a very nice table on the second floor overlooking the first floor dining area and a view of the fireplace. If you make plans to eat here and have Molly as your hostess you can not loose she is wonderful and a true professional. Next was our waiter, Christian he was on top of his game. Anytime we needed something all we had to do was look in his direction, as a matter of fact , if we did not need anything and he thought we were looking over at him he would come by. I apologize for not knowing all the other staff members names involved but it is a team effort here. And they all were FANTASTIC. The food was out of this world. My wife had the French Onion Soup and I had the Lobster Bisque, both outstanding. The salad, bread, vegies and wine were all Great. The highlight of the evening was the special of the house the Porterhouse Steak for 2, OMG, huge portion and the flavor was sooo good. As I read in another review I had them test the cutting with a spoon and sure enough the steak was so tender, you can cut it with a spoon. Overall, I would highly recommend this Steak House, I travel all over the world and have visited many restaurants, and I have to put this one in the top 2. The icing on the cake was they brought us a nice piece of cake for our anniversary and 2 glasses of Champagne. Top Notch. Thank you Benjamin's for helping us celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary. Your entire staff is Outstanding!!!!

    (5)

  • Martina B.

    I am surprised this place is rated a 5 star! This has to be one of the best steak houses I have ever been too! The customer service was great, and the food was fantastic! You can dress however you want. We were casual and fit right in. The owner was there working, and he was the one that got us in even though we didn't have reservations and it was packed! When we return to NYC for vacation this summer this will be one of the places we will be visiting again!

    (5)

  • Eli B.

    If Applebee's was a smidge fancier and housed in an opulent dark wood restaurant with a gaping fireplace, you'd have Benjamin's. I'll preface my next comments with the fact that this a not a review of the steaks. We stayed at the Dylan, so this was our home court for 4 days. I had the crab salad, which turned out to be some crab, some romaine lettuce, some green apple slivers and some red onion slices. I'm just not impressed. I don't know if it's because it shows a lack of thought ("Let's come up with a passable salad with the least amount of ingredients and prep time."), but I expect more from a $15 salad. Let's just say I found the $7 Delta salad I was forced to purchase during my cross-continental flight more enjoyable. The German potato soup which turns out to be more like a beef stew was canned tasting, perhaps it was the quantity of salt. I think the atmosphere is great - perfect for a steakhouse, but I expect the prices to be reflective of the amount of thought/quality put into the food.

    (2)

  • Avril D.

    Been taking my clients here for a while but finally was able to take my family there last Sunday evening. Made a special request for the hostess ahead of time to only drop the wine menu and she graciously obliged and executed. Waiter was great and the team gave us tremendous service. We started with the Seafood Platter for 6 and went for the Porterhouse for 6 with German Potatoes, Creamed Spinach and Sauteed Asparagus for the main course. Got a couple bottles of White and Red and we were extremely satisfied. Steak was delicious and the service was top notch. As always, Victor came over and made sure we were taken care of. Probably the best of the Old School steakhouses in NYC. Will be back.

    (5)

  • Ashli S.

    I took my boyfriend to Benjamin Steakhouse on Saturday for his birthday. Everything - from the wine, the food, the service, and the ambiance - was fabulous. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Noteables: Very nice dinner with attentive service, but not overwhelmingly so. The ceasar dressing was different - and excellent. We asked for garlic in the mashed potatoes and they were delicious and we loved the creamed spinach (if you eat it with your steak it's unbelievable). Oh - and quite possibly the best steak we've had. They even brought him cheesecake complete with a candle. So thrilled we found Benjamin, we look forward to making it a staple when we visit New York.

    (5)

  • Heather R.

    Love the food & bar here. They have the best happy hour prices on wine.

    (4)

  • Mog C.

    A friend of mine suggested this place for a group dinner and for a steakhouse we'd never heard of, it was quite good. The setup of this place is slightly strange, with a long hallway finally leading to the hostess and the main dining room. Our reservation for 8 worked out for the best as we were led upstairs to the balcony. We were slightly concerned we wouldn't be able to get the attention of our waiter but despite our location, we were well taken cared of all evening, without having to deal with how loud the main dining room gets. Service was consistent all through the evening with bread, water and wine replenished all through the course of the evening. Per my friend Obed's suggestion, the eight of us shared the steak for 4 (and as Obed rightly surmised, it definitely was big enough to feed at least 6 hungry people), the rib eye and the sirloin steak. We also ordered two orders of cottage fries (a cousin of the shoe string fries) and onion rings platter, as well as a couple of sides of creamed spinach, mushrooms and the obligatory mashed potatoes. The steaks came out as ordered, medium rare on the inside and nicely grilled on the outside. The steak for four is basically a 2 inch thick slab of meat the size of a rectangular serving tray, with bone in. By the time, you get closer to the middle of the steak, the meat is rare and juicy and just perfect. The filet mignon was tender but nothing spectacular (though I prefer on the bone and more marbled cuts so I'm a bit biased). The rib eye was good but in my book, the steak for 4 was definitely the highlight of the evening. This place is sort of hidden, a couple of blocks away from Grand Central and there are plenty of steakhouses around here. But the details, from the very good bread to the extensive but not overwhelming wine list makes Benjamin's steakhouse definitely worth a visit. Great for group dinners.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth B.

    I came during a slow slump in the day, and I was waited on by three people. The service here was great, but at times too attentive. I felt like I couldn't relax because waitstaff was literally staring at me. I guess it looked kind of weird that I came here alone for lunch (my weekend alone in NYC - before I went back with the BF), but the Library Hotel recommended Benjamin's and I am glad that I came, but there were moments I felt like I was an attraction at a zoo. I sat at the bar and the bartender tried his best to make me at home. The food is certainly in the fine food tier, and is the best in the immediate area. Do NOT go to Madison & Vine next door! (see review) If I were to stay at the Library Hotel again, I would come back to Benjamin's.

    (4)

  • Kristopher W.

    My favorite steak house yet. The atmosphere her is wonderful. I loved all the wood work inside. The dinning room is also very unique. We were lucky enough to sit right next to the giant fireplace. The food was simply amazing. My fiancee got the Chilean Sea Bass and it melted in your mouth. I got the aged steak for one and it was the best steak I ever had. My mouth is watering right now writing about it. I can not wait to come back here again.

    (5)

  • wendy c.

    Great food, service and atmosphere. Creamed spinach and NY steak outstanding! Had a very manly man feel. Don Draper would dine here!

    (5)

  • John L.

    I've been to Peter Luger's and I've been to MarkJoseph. Benjamin's beats them both. This is a more formal place, and the service -- while excellent -- is a bit pretentious. But it's the steak that makes this a 5-star place and worth the price. I went with 2 friends, one of them a female who is not used to gorging herself with red meat. I made what I thought was a mistake at the time and ordered the porterhouse for 3. The meat came out perfectly cooked (medium rare), incredibly soft, and amazing flavor. We were all full after knocking back half of it, but my other (guy) friend and I decided that to waste a steak like this would be a disgrace to ourselves and our families. It took us another 45 minutes but we finished it. I will definitely be back there soon.

    (5)

  • Julie G.

    This was a recommendation from the Marriott Courtyard Hotel. My hubby and I were on our honeymoon and wanted to dine at a nice steakhouse. We arrived at around 3, and upon entry, we were greeted by a very friendly hostess who took our coats and seated us. At first i wasn't sure what to expect since we were the only guests seated in the entire dining area...but then again, it was a really late lunch. The server was very attentive and nice. My husband ordered the lobster bisque and rib-eye steak and was in LOVE with it. I had a delicious caesar salad and rib-eye sandwich. Everything was very tasty. As we were eating, I couldn't help but notice the wait staff carefully examining every glassware set on the table. They were going to each table steam cleaning them one-by-one. Wow! Price wise, it was not too bad. Definitely on the higher end, but you get what you pay for. We would definitely come back to Benjamin's when we visit NYC again.

    (5)

  • Trish G.

    My husband and I go to steakhouses in every city that we travel to. BENJAMIN STEAKHOUSE is #1 in my book, We visited New York in December and I often dream about the most delicious steak EVER! Can't wait to go back in October. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

    (5)

  • Reginald M.

    I have to say , The service was exceptional! The General Manager himself came to show us to our table, Thank you Victor! The waiter was amazing, very attentive and helpful with the menu. The waiter suggested we have the Porterhouse, which was 19 ounces of deliciousness medium rare cut into 7 pieces. WOW! accompanied by 2, 10 ounce Lobster Tails, OMG! Sides included buttery mashed potatoes, with an amazing gravy, Steamed Vegetables(Brocoli, Asparagus and spinach) Sauteed with Thin sliced garlic. HOLY! No wine, but I had the Stella Artois, Service is still amazing, straight thru the end. For dessert we shared a Tiramisu with tea and a cappuccino. I would recommend Benjamin Steakhouse to Everyone who is a Meat and Seafood Connoisseur.

    (5)

  • Jason H.

    Had an 8:30 reservation. Didn't get seated until 9:15. Fish and ribeye were good - nothing special. The veggies were cold and dry. The two filets came out bone dry and tough as old boots. Cancelled one, returned the other for a ribeye (medium). It came out rare. Sent it back to cook for a bit longer. Came back out finally cooked how we asked for it but very unspecial, flavourless steak. Would not come here again.

    (1)

  • Jill C.

    We decided to go to Benjamin last night for our long hankering steak fix before we went to the Met Opera to see Carmen. We mentioned to our wonderful server from the get go that we were celebrating a birthday and were in a hurry to catch the 8pm show. The service was impeccable, they served all our food from start to finish with a smile and classy white tuxedo. I mean really service couldn't get better than this. I read the reviews on the lackluster decor. These people must be overly spoiled. I loved the ambiance with the big bottles of wine on the mantlepiece, hugmongus fireplace, vaulted ceilings with crown molding, and old school art deco chandeliers. It's what you would expect out of a traditional NY steakhouse and much more. The feeling you get is clean, airy, warm, and inviting. The noise level was enough to feel comfortable and not overly loud like some other hip restaurants. Now, on to the real 'meat' of the review so to speak. From the outset, we received a basket of onion rolls and some sort of sesame cracker. We had a tomato chutney? OR it could be homemade ketchup brought to our table. We also had a basket of saltine crackers and horseradish. Let me start by saying that this is where the restaurant lost a star from me. At first I thought oohh Onion rolls! Which has always been my favorite at steakhouses. I took one bite and the onion roll was hard as a rock! Not to mention, cold as one too. I know that Benjamin is not known for their onion rolls now. But for such a classy establishment I would expect the rolls to be at least at room temperature. This shouldn't be a bother for you though. Just ask for the rolls to be heated. It hought I would move on to the sesame crackers. I must say that these were a pleasant surprise. Infinitely better than the onion rolls. I dipped them in the ketchup and it was wondeful. My dinner companion had a pack of saltine crackers. Once again was disappointed. The crackers were stale! So unanimously we have taken away a star for these minor offenses. Next we ordered the seafood platter and Benjamin salad. The seafood (2 oysters, 2 half lobsters, a lump of crab meat, 2 cocktail shrimp, and 3 clams served with lemon, drawn butter, cocktail sauce, and sherry vinegar on the side) was superbly fresh and absolutely delightful. The Benjamin salad (Romaine lettuce, red onions, gala apples, and crab meat w/vinaigrette) was light and delicious. Next, came the Porterhouse for two. I mean the reviews don't lie. The steak was served on a sizzling plate with the juice drippings. We ordered our steak medium. It came out oh so flavorfully melt in your mouth yummy. I can usually only have about 4 oz. of steak at one sitting. With this one, I just couldn't stop. Our side dish was the German potatoes (french fries fried with onions) which we topped amply with the ketchup. Our wine pairing was a half bottle of the Grigch Farms Biodynamic 2006 Zinfandel. The nose of the wine was very fruity and floral. It really paired with the steak beautifully. And at $49.00 it was a steal in the mid-price mid-value range. We concluded this lovely dinner with berries and fresh schlag (housemade whipped cream) and a cup of cappucino. Fresh berries in the middle of winter is a real treat to me. To be honest, I've had cappucino the world over and Benjamin does make a really fantastic cappucino. Oh, to top it all off our server was supremely kind and offered us some after dinner apertifs on the house. We chose some port. All in all we would definitely come here again. Really everything that mattered was exceptionally delicious except the lousy bread.

    (4)

  • Matthew D.

    A truly first-class steakhouse. The room is cheerful and packed, without a lot of elbow room, but thanks to high ceilings noise is at a reasonable level. We did this joint the right way -- party of four = seafood platter for four, followed by steak for four, medium rare. Great lobster and chilled crab meat and other accompaniments. Steak was prime porterhouse beyond reproach. The wine list had a lot of a reasonably priced bottles, along with a few splurge choices if you were of the mood. We did a red WELL under $100 in price and greatly enjoyed it. The service at the bar and at the table was fast, effective, and friendly. We were hardly big spenders (see wine price above) and we were still treated to a round of dessert wine on the house and cordial send off by the maitre d' on our way out. Other food notes: The Benjamin salad was simple, but reasonably priced, too. Same comment re mashed potatoes and asparagus. We were in no shape to savor desserts (who can be if they do the first two courses and sides right) but still did a bit of damage to a tasty slice of cheesecake. Arrive ahead of your reservation, or dining partners, if only to enjoy the house-made chips at the bar.

    (5)

  • Eros A.

    I used to be a huge fan of Steak Restaurants before I became Pesco-Vegetarian and lucky me, I got to try probably the best Steak Houses in New York. Recently went to Benjamin for dinner and besides that I got there 1/2 hour later; the staff was very accommodating at seating us right away even-though the dining room was completely full. Housed in the back of the Dylan Hotel; this place looks and feels like a Steak House; working fireplace gives the room warmth and a bit of classic old New York. The owner (Benjamin) himself sat us at our table and recommended the "Porter House for Two" which is their most popular dish (we didn't have it). Two minutes after we sat down; they have decided to give us a better, bigger table on the corner; I was happy for this because we could see the whole room from out table; and gave us some privacy. I felt the waiters were trying a bit too hard to be friendly; too many "enjoy" "cheers", just after pouring water... anyway, better that than nothing at all, I guess. Our food came; and we were starving at this point... I had the Chilean Sea Bass which I must say, it was the biggest Sea Bass I ever had in my life. I think those fishes were under some hormones treatment or something... Anyway, it was fantastic, when I saw the size, I thought this is going to be bland, but it wasn't. It was full of flavors and good texture. I had the Crab Cakes for appetizer and this was delicious as well. My friend had the Fillet Mignon (which I believed he liked); we also had some side dishes like Mushroom (I love mushrooms and these were just amazing!); the potatoes; and according to my friend, the asparagus were good as well. I think the best part of dinner came between main course and dessert; my friend gave me VERY pleasant surprise... We shared the Carrot Cake for dessert; I thought it could use some improvement; but at this point I was so full I didn't care so much for dessert.. Generally the whole experience was good; and would definitely come back for another of the over sized dishes!

    (4)

  • Y Z.

    3.5... Steak was delicious , Benjamin soup and lobster bisque were great, and the hosts and the manager were very nice and attentive. I came here with my boyfriend for his birthday and let them know ahead of time. They gave us some ice cream with a candle (we didn't order desert), sang a song, and everyone shook his hand and wished him a happy birthday on our way out. Very nice! Btw, the place was beautiful! High ceilings, fireplace, real nice old school feel, etc.. BUT, we waited 25 mins for our soup (neighboring table got their meat by then, and they sat down after us), the waiter forgot how we wanted our steaks prepared, and ended up bringing us a wrong side.. Normally I dont like to complain about the service, but when the tab is over $200, they should get my steak right..

    (3)

  • Steve P.

    Exceptional steaks. Service staff worked exceptionally well together.

    (4)

  • Marella M.

    Excellent Service, Amazing food!! You will NOT be disappointed. Of course - there was a group of 6 of us and we were a little annoyed at the wait. However, the food was definitely worth the wait. The crab cakes were deliciously full and meaty. Everyone was happy with their steak selections and we all ordered our meat (filets and NY strip) cooked at different temps and were all satisfied. The seasoning was so tasty, but did not take away from the meat. PROS: Appetizers, Steaks and Service were all GREAT. Pretty extensive wine list and quality bar. Waiters were all very friendly and professional. - SHOT OUT TO WALTER! Great guy! CONS (for the sake of having some): Bread that comes out initially isn't warm; bathrooms are out of the way down a steep stairway - but hey, it's New York!

    (4)

  • T B.

    I have to say - not the best food in the world. Great service - we always had the attention of at least two waiters and a manager walking around. Great wine and drink selection. Not too many options here for someone who does not eat red meat or seafood. Plus: +Beautiful decor & ambiance +Great attentive service +Good drinks Minus: -Food

    (3)

  • Michael R.

    Well it is about the nicest steakhouse I've been to in my life, and the food is just as good. I went with the new York sirloin medium rare, completely unreal. Then I must HIGHLY RECOMMEND the creamed spinach - way better (and greener:)) than Peter Lugers. The Verne brûlée desert was outrageous also. Yeah I could barely walk afterwards but it was SO GREAT.

    (5)

  • Leslie A.

    I went to Benjamin Steakhouse last night for the first time and I have to say that everything about this restaurant was top notch! Everything from the decor, the food and the service definitely surpassed what I was expecting. We started off with the baked clams which was a perfectly portioned appetizer for two, then went onto have our Steak for 2 with mashed potatoes and mushrooms. I've had good steak that melted in my mouth, but this was GREAT steak. It was perfectly paired with a great Cabernet wine and finally we topped the night off with an espresso. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone looking for a great steakhouse. The staff and management made us feel so welcome and at home. Needless to say, I will be back very soon.

    (5)

  • kb j.

    Benjamin is a classic steakhouse and a temple dedicated to serving massive portions of red meat cooked to perfection. The restaurant consists of a crowded first floor dining area surrounding a partially secluded bar and an upstairs, somewhat quieter dining area. The restaurant is well lit . We started in the too small bar area while waiting for a table. We waited about 20 minutes for a table. While there a few other steaks and menu options to choose from, highly recommended is ordering steak by the person. This is an excuse to provide prodigious amounts of tender steak to the table. Recommended sides include the creamed spinach and German potatoes. The wine list includes a couple of pages of California Cabernet Sauvignon at a variety of price points. Service was friendly and efficient.

    (4)

  • Winnie W.

    I don't understand why everyone said Benjamin steakhouse steak is better than Peter Luger ! My husband and me had been to so many different steakhouse in NYC . Benjamin steakhouse just v normal . Can't even compare with Luger 's steak .ok service , v normal steak . We won't go back to there again .

    (3)

  • John D.

    This is one of the best steakhouses in the city, everytime i go there this is what i eat: 1. Wine 2. Lobster tail (for app) 3. Porterhouse Steak (cooked medium) 4. Portwine in the end When you go there if you want your dinner to be funm ask to sit on Arty's section he knows more jokes then Jerry Seinfeld.

    (5)

  • Beth P.

    This restaurant is way over rated! We went on the recommendation of our hotel concierge. It was just ok, my husbands lamb chops were very good, my filet was not. It was grisly & so bad that I had to spit piece out. I know, I know I should of sent it back- but it was late & quite honestly, just wanted to get out of there. The crab cakes were excellent, the chopped tomato/onion/bacon salad blah-zay (no dressing- just chopped with a lot of strong white onion which over powered it) & the cream spinach we ordered had no taste. The service was great! The ambience not so hot, very high ceilings, therefore very loud. Would never go back. Spend your money elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Robert S.

    I am still very bitter over how HORRIBLE the steak was that I was served at Benjamin's as well as how Victor treated me when I complained. This happened back in September 2011. I recently returned to NYC and had a steak at the Palms and at Rothmann's Steakhouses. They both were wonderful. I wrote to Benjamin's and received no response. I called and only received lip service. The meal was truly disgusting. I posted pictures of the steak on other sites. The waiter was great but the manager and the food was worse than any place I can remember and I travel a lot.

    (1)

  • Dee T.

    Absolutely not the type of restaurant that I usually patronize when visiting the city, but my friends did not want to make the trek further downtown and wanted to keep it local (ah, I remember the days of thinking I could traipse around sightseeing in little strappy sandals...) to our hotel. I yelped a nearby location and found this place. The interior is wonderful. The menu is pretty classic steakhouse vibe, and fairly old-skool at that since I don't even think poultry was served, just seafood and steak. I don't think any of the patrons were actually city residents, either - the Benjamin obviously caters to the many visitors who stay close by. Food was fine. Service was pleasant. Prices are not eyebrow-raising given the locale and the zip code. Won't be back, ever, I don't think, but don't let that deter you. If you're visiting NYC and staying nearby, this is a solid dining option.

    (3)

  • Janice K.

    Menu: Steak for Two is a must! Yes, I shared this dish with my cousin who came up to visit me. Prior to our steak, we had their Benjamin Salad for Two. The light but somewhat filling salad increased our appetitie for our entree. As the sizzling steak came out, we were already drooling over the food. Cooked medium, the steak has somewhat pink ring in the middle and still cooks off the hot plate. As I cut into my steak, I knew that I would be enjoying the food; indeed I did. Crispy outside yet chewey and soft inside, the steak was perfect! I would definitely visit here again because the service is amazing. The ambience of the restaurant is fancy and very romantic -- definitely good for a date! Although we were having a friendly dinner, I still enjoyed the mood and the food! A++++!! Try it for yourself! The price of the steak is around $40 and the seafood ranges around there with a great fluctuation. But if you are looking for a fine-dining and good food, this is a place to be! =D

    (5)

  • Navid T.

    I ordered the cheese steak..it was pretty tasty.. fries are good too... i got delivery so i cant talk too much about the service but they did deliver pretty fast through seamless web. its a bit pricey but I guess you pay for quality. I would consider ordering again but Id likely try something new.

    (4)

  • J. G. B.

    Excellent steaks and Benjamin, the man, is quite charming for a foreigner. Scotch and streaks were extraordinary, salad was uncanny and the lobster bisque was better than relations with my wife. I still swatted the waiter with my umbrella, as is my custom; but I assure you these were swats of gratitude.

    (5)

  • Joey C.

    Couldn't get a seat at Peter Luger's so went here instead- the chef is a former apprentice of Luger and this is plainly obvious in the porterhouse and rib eye steaks. They're huge, juice and completely filling, if not more so. Benjamin is conveniently located in midtown, so if you have a sudden steak craving, this may be a great alternative than making the trek to Brooklyn.

    (4)

  • Will C.

    Celebrated my boss birthday over there. Very nice steak and nice environment. The waiters are very nice and efficient. However, the table of two is a bit small if you want to order more food. The steak of the house is in huge portion. 1 order for 2 is sufficient. Enjoy the meal

    (5)

  • Tricia K.

    Dined here with clients the other night. This is a generic midtown steakhouse in a multilevel, cavernous, windowless yet bright space. The crowd is after-work suits. I had the Filet, which was huge. I like my steak medium rare and this was property prepared, but not the best grade of beef I've had (they use USDA Prime) and it was seared with a thick black crust of seasoning that I did not care for (i prefer the softer top to a steak, a la Del Friscos). I tried most of the side dishes, asparagus, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, all fine, maybe a bit bland. I won't speak against the wine because our host chose and he was no sommelier. While our meal was pleasant, the service was a bit slow. What I had to downgrade Benjamins on was the fact that NOTHING stood out. This is traditional steak, traditional sides, that's it. I have come to appreciate and expect that when I go for a fine dining experience in New York, something should be unlike anything I've had before ( a particular dish, the drinks, decor, service, crowd, something). This is just not the place for me, and I feel that for the money, there are much better steakhouse experiences to be had. Sorry, Bens.

    (2)

  • Mitch S.

    beautiful restaurant with upstairs and downstairs service. difficult to get to during rush hour due to traffic signs, etc. bar is nicely crowded. but the food was just ok. not an a-1 steakhouse, like the homestead or wolfgangs. maybe a b-c listing in my opinion. side dishes were good, but my filet and lobster tail weren't at all great. just ok. not worth going back. too many other places with better food.

    (3)

  • Rich C.

    Definitely not the best steak I have eaten, especially in NYC! It was under cooked and very marbled and fatty. The taste of the meat was very good and the creamed spinach is the best anywhere! The best part about this place is the service. All male, European waiters who were spot on! You will simply not find better service anywhere (Ask for "Gem's" section). Finally, there needs to be a better dress code. I don't like going to a place that is trying to be high class and sitting next to people in jeans, t-shirts and flip flops! Overall, just average. Better places to go for high-end steak.

    (3)

  • Michael W.

    Went to this steakhouse to make a birthday special. in reality, we shoulda and coulda picked any other restaurant. we were seated next to the kitchen door (very bad location), and our food was acceptable, but not nearly what we paid for. neither I nor my family will be returning

    (1)

  • Jason C.

    I have been eating at Benjamin's for 6 years now and keep coming back for more. The food is unbelievable and the service is even better. You will meet Benjamin himself and he will make sure that you eat like a King. There is a private room for large parties and the Events team is one of the best in the city. I can't say enough good things about this restaurant, make sure you go and get the Rib eye!

    (5)

  • EJ K.

    Ate here with my new boss and colleague while on a business trip to NYC. Quite simply, it was everything I could have hoped for and more. You should expect everything that comes with fine dining... dress well, check your coat, and most important, know somebody who can get you a reservation. The filet was outstanding, aged to perfection, and cooked precisely the way I like it. The entire experience was perfection with a single-malt scotch as icing on the cake. Don't come here expecting a simple upper-end dining experience. This is a place meant to impress!

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    This is truly this best steakhouse I have ever eaten at. My mom and I got the porterhouse steak for two and creamed spinach and salads. The steak is so tender and juicy. The creamed spinach is out of this world. It is worth paying the money for this meal. The service is very nice and quick.The restaurant is beautiful inside. If you want a good steak, you have to go to Benjamin's .

    (5)

  • KeeperOfSecrets H.

    Appetizer: Seafood platter - I liked the one at Smith and Wollensky's better in terms of quantity and quality Entree: Filet Mignon is absolutely delicious...second Davidoff in that it melts in your mouth! Dessert: average cheesecake; wayyy too strong irish coffee Waitstaff: extremely friendly, but had to ask several times to have my soda refilled and they spilled stuff on some of the guests My $0.02: Great steakhouse...but still like Del Frisco's better :)

    (4)

  • Anna H.

    Am I going back to this restaurant again? Yes very soon. Me and my boyfriend came here on Saturday night but before that I made reservation just in case all the tables are taken. Service was excellent. The reason I said that was we both were seated at the corner on the second floor and it was still quiet on that floor but our waiter was there to be sure that we were being taken care for our needs. I hardly get that kind of treatment in a restaurant. We order the steak for 2 was so good. The steak wasn't burn on the bottom so you can enjoy the meat taste.

    (5)

  • Karen B.

    Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Benjamin Steakhouse. It is similar to other steakhouses - decor, service, etc. But food-wise I think Benjamin is just a bit better than others I've been to (Luger, Mortons). Service was excellent. Table was a bit tight, not much room to maneuver and the place got really crowded after 7 pm, as expected. Iceberg wedge was okay, but the canadian bacon put it over the top. Crabcakes were excellent. Steak was excellent, as were the sides of creamed spinach (not so creamy but delicious) and the onion rings/potato chip thingies, I forget what they were called. As expensive (maybe a tad more) as other steak places in the area, but worth it.

    (4)

  • Tom K.

    Well deserving of a four star rating. Food was very good and served by a friendly staff. This was highly recommended by other Yelpers and it was within walking distance of our hotel. Made for a pleasant experience in NYC.

    (4)

  • Drew D.

    Ok so my friends asked me would I ever give out a 5 star rating. Well I thought about it and finally decided to do a review on my hands down favorite steakhouse in New York, and maybe in the world. I have only been here twice once a really long time ago and again only a year ago but I can review the meal like I had it yesterday. I started out with the onion soup a personal favorite of mine, it was delicious. It was made with extra amounts of melted cheese and the broth was to die for, my mom had the lobster bisque and that wasn't at all a let down either. Then came the entree, we got the steak for 2 since we figured my mom wouldn't eat much, we were correct we were fine on steak but the steak, I couldn't say enough good things about it, it was tender and juicy, and we got sides of asparagus and broccoli both steamed and the waiters all around us placed food on our plate. Then they came back when we were getting close to finishing and put more vegetables and steak on our plates. I was in absolute heaven each bite was scrumptious. Then we got dessert, ever since I was little my favorite dessert has been berries. A long time ago I was on a cruise a cruise looking over all the vast amounts of desserts I finally just asked the waiter if he could just bring some assorted berries, henceforth assorted berries have been my favorite dessert. They always cleanse my pallet and leave me with a smile on my face leaving the restaurant. That is why Benjamin steakhouse is a five star establishment, and I can't wait to go their every time I'm in New York.

    (5)

  • Dot K.

    their steak is out of this world. words just can not describe the feeling you get when you see that sizzling perfectly grilled meat on that huge plate... it can possibly bring some tears to your eyes. i mean it. i almost did. we had the steak for 4 for 5 people. way enough food. we also had the mashed potato, creamed spinach and mushrooms - way good as well. i am not a big fan of using steak sauce, but their homemade sauce wasn't too bad either. the waitstaff were absolutely attentive and super nice (they brought a bucket of iced water for my flowers). heard this place used to be NYLA - brittany spears restaurant.

    (5)

  • Tony A.

    took my girlfriend for a long overdue nice meal. the food was terrific, the steak for two was prepared exactly as we asked, sides were terrific and she chose an excellent wine. waitstaff was great, especially sal. room was a bit loud, but otherwise awesome

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    Steak is still solid four stars, but felt obligated to give this review an update after a recent visit. Benjamin's has absolutely, positively, unimaginably, the best salad I've ever had. I am not a vegetarian. In fact, I can count on one hand the times I've had salad in the past five years. But I would convert for the Benjamin salad. Crisp apple slices, tender flavorful greens, and mouth watering fresh crab meat. It came amazingly close to overshadowing the steak (which was as good as I remember).

    (4)

  • Peter K.

    What can I say about Benjamin's? Well I can't say anything bad about it...that is for sure. I have been here several times and I always have had an excellent experience. From the service to the food, everything is fantastic. I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. I have been to many steakhouses in NYC and this one is by far THE BEST!!!!

    (5)

  • Chris D.

    Believe all these good reviews you are reading here. Benjamin Steakhouse is excellent, from the appetizer potato chips at the bar to the highly attentive service and superb steaks. The waiters might even be a little overzealous but you can't really fault that. One tip: they may push the Porterhouse. It was good but half of it was kind of fatty. Maybe I'm just too much of a Filet Mignon guy. My wife had the Filet and says it was the best ever. The room is cool too!

    (4)

  • Glyn T.

    A friendly and welcoming steakhouse which clearly has a lot of regulars. Great steak, pricing around normal for this kind of a place / this part of town. Have also had the tuna, without disappointment. Good warm potato chips at the bar, also the girls working behind the bar (as well as greeting/ reservations / coat check duty) are as delectable as the food; you don't need to head off to a proper table to eat if there's only a couple of you out for a more casual lunch.

    (4)

  • Undercova A.

    Medium steak is well done. Well done is shoe leather. Argh!! The cottage fries were potato chips (no potato taste). Oily onion rings, flabby bread. Awesome Awesome wine list, though. Will I ever go back? Nah. Had better steak elsewhere. And the price . . . ooh la la expensive. Steak for two: $84.

    (2)

  • Jen H.

    Came here for a birthday dinner for my boyfriend and my brother. No wait. I was late and they still seated my party before I came in. Steak was DELICIOUS. Atmosphere was casual and friendly. Room was well-lit, which I love after getting a food coma from ingesting so much steak and red wine. Best part was that they remembered my note on the reservation to bring the dessert out with a candle for the birthday boys. A group of staff sang happy birthday and gave us a super strong complimentary cocktail to top off the meal. I have already recommended the restaurant to other steak lovers. I will come back again and again and again.

    (5)

  • Will S.

    I went here with a bunch of coworkers back in the day when we could enjoy spending over $100 on a steak dinner. It's a very open space but not huge. It probably would not accomodate too many large parties. The food was excellent and so was the service. The Canadian bacon came out nice and sizzling. We ordered steaks for the table and they came out sizzling and cooked exactly as we liked.

    (5)

  • Lydia M.

    In Murray, the home made chips are still great. Crowd got quiet though at Happy Hour, I need to go more often, liven it up!

    (3)

  • T- R.

    not so much...was completely ripped off! the waiter was horrible...he did not help us in our decision. i think he was ignorant.

    (1)

  • D N.

    First off, why are there 2 pages to the same restaurant? I'll add to this one since it has the real "FIRST" review... When dining at a Peter Luger knockoff, one can't help but compare to the original. Benjamin's misses the mark. While we didn't have to wait very long for our table, our waiter was substandard. He seemed very confident, but that just maginified his missteps. He twice forgot to bring another wine glass to the table as well as a dinner plate for another in my party. We, of course, ordered the bacon, steak for 6 and the creamed spinach. The strip of bacon I got was a little burnt and well, that just ruined it. I didn't order the steak, but I'm pretty confident that my fellow patron didn't order the steak rare. I like my meat tender, but medium rare is plenty juicy for me... All in all, the food was good enough to satisfy a peter luger craving without having to cross any bridges or go through any tunnels, but maybe there really is only one peter luger (and by that, I mean the two locations)

    (3)

  • Diego g.

    Not Just the Food but the service was Great!!!! I've been to few stake houses and this one is far the Best!

    (5)

  • stephanie n.

    Since Michael Jordan's steakhouse was closed for a wedding reception, a waitstaff there was kind enough to recommend another steakhouse for us. So we decided to give Benjamin's a try. Upscale decor. Tables are pretty cramped. Busy place. Quick and attentive service. Had the fliet mignon for two-juicy, tender, perfectly grilled on the outside. Pretty large portions.

    (4)

  • Vishal D.

    Upscale Peter Luger clone. Great service. Huge seafood platter. But the steak just wasn't quite there where Luger's is.

    (4)

  • Lev K.

    Been there several times, excellent steaks, great service. Will definitely return.

    (5)

  • Bob b.

    This is a serious restaurant. Great food, fine drinks and excellent service. It is loud but as visitors from California, the energy seemed just right. Fantastic steaks and great sides. We will return. The only down side is the long dark hallway to get to the restaurant, but once you are there, you are fine.

    (4)

  • Heidi B.

    I love when I am the FIRST to write about a restaurant! Benjamin's is a wonderful steakhouse. I started off with the lobster cocktail and shared the filet mignon! The lobster was fresh, tasty and a nice change from your ordinary shrimp cocktail. They also have a nice seafood selection! The desserts look scrumptious but I could not fit anything else into my tiny body:) If you are looking for great food with a cool looking decor then check this place out! It is a little pricey so make sure whomever you take is worth it;)THE OWNER BENJAMIN PREVUKAJ IS OUTSTANDING. IT IS HIS PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE HAPPY!(He sat at our table:)

    (5)

  • Will S.

    Ate a business meal here. Old school atmosphere (lots of testerone, very few women). Food was solid but not great. Probably wouldn't come back here again

    (3)

  • Rick K.

    Not many restaurants in general could have handled a table for twelve as easily as this one did. This steakhouse was absolutely amazing. From the food to the service to the decor, you could not ask for more. I arranged a birthday party there and the wait staff was professional and able to properly guide us so we did not "over-order". Benjamin himself was there and was as pleasant and accommodating as could be. Thanks for making the birthday party so enjoyable and hassle free. I highly recommend for a large group. Check out their awesome website. Amazing schlag.

    (5)

  • Tony H.

    I tried to get a reservation at Peter Luger's about 3 weeks before coming to NY and they were already booked up. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers, I was able to research the next best steakhouse to Peter Luger's and it was Benjamin's. After hearing that it was the same concept and the Chef from Peter Luger's left, I decided to give it a try and I'm glad that I did. We ordered a rib-eye to share. Yes, only one rib-eye because when we arrived in NY, we were so hungry, we went to Carnegie Deli and ordered the Woody Allen! It was huge! We walked around trying to digest and get hungry again for dinner, but we were still stuffed and we could only order one slab of meat. We ordered it medium rare and it came out just perfect and still sizzling! We also accompanied our meal with a thick slab of Canadian bacon and a Benjamin Salad. I was in hog heaven after having a piece of bacon with my steak. It was so delicious, I had to convince my Fiance that it's not good to eat this kind of foods especially when you have to maintain your figure before we get married. Sure enough, she gave me the rest of the bacon. Now, that's what I call love and sacrifice! The only selfish reason that I didn't give this place 5 stars is because I didn't try other things that I wanted and didn't get a steak for two. I will definitely visit them again.

    (4)

  • Sasha C.

    I actually had a wonderful experience here. Of course it's on the pricey side but that's what you pay for when you get a great ambience and fabulous steaks. It's restaurant is beautiful and the service was very good. I'd definitely want to go back.

    (4)

  • Stella P.

    My experience here was ok at best. Walking in, the atmosphere seemed refined. However, when we spoke to the hostesses they seemed pretty rude and unprofessional. Waited half an hour for a table, with a res. We even came up to ask how long it would take, they looked at the computer and said we were the third res to be seated, even though our name was first on the list. At least, hide your computer if you're going to jip us. Anyway, we were finally seated, and the service was mediocare. The waiter barelly came over and half the time the host was helping us. This wouldn't bother me normally, but it really looked like the waiter had no time for us. Looking at past reviews, it's pretty evident this place overbooks and has no problem with it. The food was good and I did really like my steak, but I probably wouldn't come back because the service just wasn't there. There's plenty of other places to spend your money on in NYC!

    (3)

  • Kenny T.

    Amazing steak!!! Definitely great place for a date.

    (4)

  • Savita S.

    Lamb Chops were perfectly cooked. Mashed potatoes were yummy. Overall it was a great meal.

    (4)

  • Morgan G.

    The steak was great but the service was retarded. The woman who checked us in was so obnoxious. Didn't anyone tell her she works in the hospitality business? They messed up our reservation by 2 hours on Father's Day. The two girls behind the counter seemed to be about 17 (actually, just one of them did) and had NO IDEA what they were doing. Bad first impression. The older girl behind the desk didn't even greet us cordially. She had a tight lipped attitude, and condescendingly told us to wait 20 minutes at the bar for a table to open up because "other people who actually made reservations were waiting before us." LOL. We did actually have one, they just didn't input it right. Obviously. Who would eat at 930 on Father's Day anyways? She's probably just bitter she works at the Benjamin Steakhouse to begin with, AND is working on a Sunday night of Father's Day. We made the reservation/plans so late we really didn't have much choice as to where to eat- hence our choice to try this place out. I guess I can't blame her for being rude and just plain obnoxious. The restaurant just didn't have it together. The people were so poorly dressed who sat around us, I felt like I was in Omaha. Wouldn't go back. So many better steakhouses in New York (Sparks, The Palm, etc), why waste my money when I could be treated like a normal human being and actually pay for good service, sit amongst normal looking people and feel like my $300 meal was worth it? Sorry Benjamin, you lose!

    (1)

  • J G.

    This place was GREAT! The staff, the food, you totally get what you paid for! We were disappointed with our meal at the Tavern earlier that day, and this place totally made up for it and then some! I highly recommend this place to people who want good quality food and service

    (5)

  • SAM M.

    i was in nyc for the week and wound up at keens chophouse on friday and at benjamis steakhouse the following monday. ordered the filet and it was absolutely perfect! the one at keens was equally tender however the one at benjamins had better flavor. the sauteed brocolli was good and dessert was pecan pie with ice cream and it was ok, but i give this place 5 starts for the awesome steak.

    (5)

  • Elliot J.

    a tourist crammed imitation, but the steak was pretty good.

    (3)

  • Angela Y.

    Crabmeat salad appetizer is really good! Steak was good too. Everything about this place - food, decor, waiters, etc - made me feel like I was at Peter Luger. Reason for not giving it 5 stars - I've had better seabass dish.

    (4)

  • Ben L.

    Of the many steakhouses I've been to in NYC, this has to be one of my favorite. Why? Because the filet mignon melts on your tongue like none other. As I'm sure you've read, this steakhouse was opened by the former chef from Peter Luger's. Some may consider this blasphemy, but I think Chef Arturo McLeod has actually improved upon Luger's. Consider this place Luger's 2.0 upgraded, not only due to the comparable quality of beef, but due to convenience (located in Manhattan), impeccable service, and gorgeous decor. Make sure to order a slice of the canadian bacon, german potatoes, and creamed spinach with the porterhouse.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    Good...God...Almighty. Were I to believe in the above-said deity ( and the jury is still out on that ), I believe that this is EXACTLY the kind of restaurant he/she would insist upon in heaven. Seriously. It looks like a tiny hole in the wall on the outside...and once you get inside...it just turns into this vast, expanse of a restaurant...with an entire second-level ( that I must explore next time ). They were amazingly accommodating with changing my reservations not once but thrice ( I had an indecisive client at the end of the day )... And once we got there, they knew EXACTLY who we were... They seated us immediately, and we were treated to the most impeccable service this side of Peter Luger's...with good reason, as the chef / owners of this establishment are recent defectors from the Luger camp. The steaks were amazing...the sides enormous...the wine fantastic...the desserts divine... I won't bother with too much detail. I killed a good 3 hours or more here with my agent, and at about 100 bucks an hour, it was well worth it! I'll definitely go back...I hope I nail a couple more big gigs to give me an excuse to go back and "celebrate" some more. Rock on Benjamin Steakhouse...see you soon!

    (5)

  • Kazumi M.

    good service, good atomosphere,delicious steak!!!

    (5)

  • Sofia M.

    This place is nice ... Food: 3-4?/5 ... my boyfriend and I came here ... and he ordered the rib-eye and I ordered the chilean seabass ... i thought the steak was just ok ... but he liked the steak ... as for the seabass ... its so juicy! ... we also ordered the cottage fries and onion rings combo .... OMG i love their cottage fries ... they are sooo GOOD Service: 4/5 ... they are very attentive ... when we were done with our entree ... 3 ppl came to clean our table ... it was so funny to me because i felt like i was celebrity getting all my makeup done ... lol ... that's how it felt like ... lol ... o and they forgot about my cheesecake cuz they gave us the dessert menu ... cuz it was my bday and my boyfriend was so mad ... but we decided not to order any dessert cuz we were too full ... but he was still mad ... but right before he got back his credit card ... they brought me my cheesecake and sang ... so in the end they made it up ... and that was nice ^^ Decor: 4/5 ... I like how they use candles in their fireplace instead of a real fire ... o and the bathrooms are downstairs ... so you have to take an elevator downstairs Overall ... i couldn't decide if i should give it a 3 or a 4 .. because ... i've had better ... and i dont know if i would come back here ... so i gave it a 3 ... cuz i think its just an a-ok place

    (3)

  • Feygens S.

    This is Peter Luger's apprentice spin-off restaurant. A chef of 20 years, Arturo McLeod who left to open his own restaurant. I went with my whole family a while back and the steaks may be even better than Lugers! The sauce was so savory and the location was prime like a steak. Very expensive though but like all steak houses! You love this place!

    (4)

  • Peter G.

    In my opinion, the best steakhouse in Manhattan. I say this having treid most of them. Steak is perfection here. We had the steak for 4. It was sublime. Seafood is great too. I recently went with 3 close freinds and we had a great time. Loaded up on wine and protein and the wait stuff even enjoyed our boisterous style, We had a blast. Spinach is awesome but I did not like those potatoe homefries - stick with the mashed!

    (5)

  • Shand S.

    I was going to give this place three stars, but I bumped one up simply because of our waiter. The food was pretty average for a steakhouse. I honestly expected a little better (my steak was a tad over cooked), but it was still good with large portions. A friend and I wanted to split our meal and they went so far as to cut the filet in half and cook each half separately and served on separate plates (so I can't hate on them too much). Very nice. Our waiter was hilarious and very attentive. One of my secret (well not anymore) joys is being a waiters favorite table at a restaurant. My vastly inappropriate friends and I won hands down that evening. It's much bigger then I anticipated upon walking in. Very high ceilings and the upstairs looked cool (I didn't go up - wine + stairs = bad). Overall, good but not great food. Great service and drinks.

    (4)

  • Audrey J.

    As I am covertly Yelping from work *cues "Mission Impossible" music and darts furtive looks around the office*, I will keep this brief: The steak was excellent and buttery soft, but the sides were lackluster. I believe my friend was on target when he said "the mashed potatoes reminded me of airline food." However, it IS a steakhouse, so four generous stars for getting that on the money. *closes the browser and turns to sit with pen poised above the avalanche of papers*

    (4)

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Barclay Heights Diner

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