I’ve often passed Rothman’s 54th Street location, as it is around the corner from the St. Regis where I stay when in NYC, and it is down the block from Davidoff on Madison Avenue. Ergo, there can be no doubt it has an excellent location!

The restaurant, the second of the same name, began in 1907 in East Norwich, New York – a small town on Long Island, as an inn and tavern. The NYC location followed…albeit, some eighty years later.

At the end of a busy day in New York, my friend Eddie Ortega of EO Brands, makers of 601 cigars, Nestor Miranda of Miami Cigar & Company and Mitchell Kogan, manufacturer’s rep extraordinaire, repaired to Rothman’s for dinner, and hopefully, a good cigar, if we could be seated outside.

Unfortunately, the outdoor tables were chockablock with people, but Pat Felitti, the genial General Manager, was quick to seat us inside.

The restaurant is a classically warm, inviting steakhouse decorated in browns, beiges and tans with plenty of exquisite woodwork.

After ordering our drinks and wine, an excellent Antinori, reasonably priced at $40.00, we hefted the substantial menus to select our dinners.

I ordered their Colossal Lump Crab Meat Cocktail as an appetizer while Nestor and Mitch chose oysters. The crab meat was solid, tasty and excellent with a rich, traditional cocktail sauce. I did taste one of Nestor’s oysters…a Blue Point which was meaty and tangy.

As best as I can recall, all four of us ordered the bone-in Rib Eye, the only variation being the way we chose to have them cooked. For side dishes a baked potato, mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and some sautéed spinach were ordered.

I ordered sliced tomatoes and onions, served with a Gorgonzola dressing, to accompany my steak. They were disappointing. The tomatoes were pale in color and slightly mealy, but, I soldiered on, enjoying the onions and the rich Gorgonzola, all with a slight taste of tomato!

The waiter was attentive, with a sense of humor and presented our meal efficiently and in a well timed manner. I chose not to make any comment about the tomatoes.

The steaks were excellent; tender, well marbled with appropriate texture. It has taken me many years, no, make that decades, to eat something other than a New York Strip or a Filet Mignon; there is no denying, however; that the Rib Eye, Cajun or otherwise, is the most flavorful of steaks. We all were eminently satisfied with our dinners. And, the wine, while not beef, was almost chewable, with a rich, full body.

When we came to desert, we decided to ‘mix ‘n match,’ so we ordered Pecan Pie, Tiramisu and Key Lime pie which we all shared. Accompanied by excellent espressos, we all expected that we would have to be wheeled out of the restaurant. But, after a short rest period, we were able to get to our feet and head out under our own steam.

Rothman’s was an excellent choice, even if we couldn’t get a ‘smoking table’ outside!

Rothman’s Steakhouse & Grill
3 East 54th Street
New York City, NY 10022
Telephone: 212.319.5500
Facsimile: 212.319.5540
www.rothmannssteakhouse.com/newyorkcity