Wollensky’s Grill captures everything you want in a New York steakhouse experience but with a more relaxed vibe than its famous sibling upstairs. Tucked at 201 East 49th Street, this insider’s secret delivers Smith & Wollensky quality without the formality or the wait times.

The menu is a carnivore’s dream featuring perfectly aged USDA Prime beef with that distinctive mineral-rich flavor that comes from proper dry-aging. Their burger might be the best-kept secret in Midtown – a glorious blend of trimmings from their premium steaks, giving it a depth of flavor that puts ordinary burgers to shame. The steak sandwich is equally spectacular, featuring tender slices of ribeye on crusty bread that somehow manages to hold up to all those magnificent juices.

The barroom atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between upscale and comfortable, with polished wood, white-jacketed bartenders who remember your drink, and a clientele of locals and in-the-know business types who value substance over scene. Their classic cocktails are expertly prepared, and the wine list offers excellent by-the-glass options.

What makes Wollensky’s Grill special is how it delivers a genuine steakhouse experience without the stuffiness or the astronomical check. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why steakhouses became institutions in the first place.