Location: 219 East 44th Street New York, NY
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Best Dish: We love their steak it is always tender juicy and well prepared. The bacon is an extremely close second.
Cost: $$$
Overall: A carnivore haven with a decadent assortment of meats in a sophisticated atmosphere.
Back in 2005, the Sinanaj family opened up their first New York City Steakhouse, in midtown Manhattan. Located just a few blocks from Grand Central station Ben and Jack’s Steakhouse has enjoyed unparalleled success providing premium steaks and chops to carnivorous New Yorkers. We visited their 5th Avenue location back in 2015, read about that here. Since our initial review, the Flatiron location has closed and the 44th Street location reopened after 5 years of renovations. The newly renovated space was given an upscale look with classic oak wood furnishings and a casual atmosphere.
Executive Chef Admir Alibasic started at Ben & Jack’s as a prep cook at age 17. He worked every position in the kitchen over the years, learning invaluable techniques and trade secrets from the owners and chef at the time, who was a Peter Luger veteran. While exploring and excelling in the kitchen, Alibasic went on to pursue a higher education and received a Bachelor’s of Science degree with a major in food science. His background gives him unique insight into the dry aging process and a deeper understanding of flavor profiles, resulting in steakhouse dishes that are a cut above. He is also a regular competitor and participant in top tier food competitions and events across the nation.
For this review, we had the unique opportunity to revisit some of our favorite dishes and explore a few new ones.
Bacon
Their house-cured bacon is a must for any bacon lover. The flavor is smoky and intense with just a little of that salty sweetness we expect.
Baked Clams
Buttery baked clams are a winner every time. The clams are fresh and tender with a lightly breaded crust. We always add a twist of lemon juice for a little extra flavor.
Sesame Crusted Yellowfin Tuna
Tuna is a new addition to the menu and provides a fresh start to a rich meal. The best bite of this dish incorporates all of the elements on the plate. Though, the sauce, greens, and tuna are delicious separately, combined they are an explosion of taste and textures.
Steak for Two
This enormous steak is a large piece of beef that is usually carved into different cuts. The cuts include filet mignon, tenderloin, and T-bone. This beefy masterpiece arrives on a sizzling platter, and the servers take the time to plate a few pieces for the table. After appetizers and adding a few sides, the steak for two can easily feed three or four
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Brussel sprouts are an underrated veggie. These bit sized cabbage look-alikes are delicious when roasted, especially when bacon is added to the dish. The charred flavor from the sprouts and the smokiness from the bacon are a fantastic combination.
Mac and Cheese
Whether you love the crusty corner of baked mac and cheese of the creamy center this side has you covered. Within the cheesy depths of this mug shaped ramekin is the best of both worlds.
Cocktails & Dessert
The steakhouse has a full bar and wine list with a wide assortment of spirits and vineyards. We enjoyed a delicious French Martini and the bartender was nice enough to prepare a one of a kind “Diva-Tini” just for the night.
The restaurant also boasts a full dessert menu with familiar favorites like apple strudel, key lime pie, and housemade crème brûlée, to name a few, are available with housemade schlag (thick whipped cream).
The story of the Sinanaj family started out at busboys and servers before becoming successful restaurateurs. With Ben and Jack’s, they are building a business that celebrates the traditional steakhouse. From the well-dressed wait staff to the tableside serving Ben and Jack’s Steakhouse provides a classic dining experience.
Ben and Jack’s is open Mon-Fri 11:30am-11pm; Sat 4pm-11pm; Sun 4pm-10:30pm.