Peter Luger Steak House

Peter Luger Steak House at 178 Broadway in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has operated since 1887 and is among the best-known steakhouses in New York City. The cuisine is classic American steakhouse cooking centred on dry-aged prime beef. The porterhouse for two, brought to the table sliced and served with its juices spooned over the meat, is the emblematic dish and the centrepiece of nearly every order. Thick-cut bacon, sometimes described as steak-house bacon, and creamed spinach are the standard companions, along with German-style fried potatoes and tomato-and-onion salad. The dining room reflects its long history: wood-panelled walls, beer-hall style tables, a plain and unfussy setup and brisk, direct service by experienced waiters. Noise levels are moderate to high when the room is full, and the atmosphere is more traditional and businesslike than romantic or trendy. Dress is smart-casual and no jacket is expected. The bar serves cocktails, beer and a large wine list, and diners often finish with the house schlag, a bowl of whipped cream. Peter Luger is famous for being difficult to book. Reservations are essential and are released by phone and online weeks ahead, so visitors planning a dinner should try to secure a table well in advance, especially for weekends. Lunch is typically easier to obtain than dinner. The restaurant has traditionally been cash-oriented, and the house credit-style payment arrangements should be confirmed when booking. Pricing is at the top of the range for the neighbourhood, with a porterhouse for two costing well over a hundred dollars and a full meal for a couple commonly reaching several hundred. The restaurant sits near the Williamsburg Bridge on the Brooklyn side of the East River, reachable by subway or by a short ride from Lower Manhattan, and is a natural anchor for a day exploring Brooklyn's Williamsburg district in New York State.