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New York City is certainly not short of reputable steakhouses. I love me a good piece of red meat, but I admit I always have trouble finding a good Manhattan steakhouse without feeling like an old man… And then came 4 Charles Prime Rib, direct from Chicago to my favorite Manhattan neighborhood, with a stellar menu and the coolest vibe that made me feel like a woman again!
Semi-hidden entrance on Charles St.
4 Charles Prime Rib was opened in December 2016 by Brendan Sodikoff, the man behind Chicago’s infamous Au Cheval burger. I’ve had that burger on my to-do list for years, so I could not wait to try out 4 Charles Prime Rib. Little did I know that getting a table would be as tedious as planning a freakin’ trip to Chicago! The restaurant has a tiny space with limited seating and a crazy hype, so scoring a reservation that’s not after 11pm requires a lot of anticipated ground work. That being said, 4 Charles is the perfect late-night den.
www.nycprimerib.com
4 Charles describes itself as an intimate supper club, which is exactly how it feels. The most notable part about this speakeasy-style restaurant is its incredibly charming atmosphere. The restaurant is located in the lower level of a historical West Village building. Its semi-hidden entrance on Charles Street (the name says it all!) leads to an underground, dark pint-sized room behind a velvet curtain that makes you think you’ve traveled back in time. The old-school, retro-clubby decor is downright sensuous and elegant, with upholstery leather seating, vintage light fixtures, and wood-paneled walls spotted with framed prints and mirrors (and an awesome jazz soundtrack playing in the background of course). You’ll feel like a member of an old Roaring 20s prohibition cigar bar!
Try tracking same-day cancellations to score a decent reservation slot
Dining room at 1am!
Tokyo Old Fashioned from their extensive Spirit Cocktail list
After ordering one of their many Old Fashioneds from the extensive brown spirit and cocktail list, you’ll want to get right to the meat of the matter (see what I just did there?) 😆 . 4 Charles is namely renowned for its prime rib of course, but if Au Cheval came all the way from Chicago to NYC, you’re also getting the burger! And you’re adding the extra egg and bacon to the double-pattied bad boy, because that’s the way to have it. His Majesty The Burger is finished table-side with white glove service. This is the kind of burger you want to be alone with…
Before pic: American Cheeseburger ($18) with farm egg ($2.50) & bacon ($3.95) extras
After pic: need I say more #yolkporn
Incredible Chicaco Cut Prime Rib with Horseradish Sauce ($69)
Dry Aged Bone-In Ribeye Steak – 22 oz, béarnaise sauce, steak salt ($69.50)
Chicago Cut 16oz Prime Rib – rare
Other must-orders include their 12-hour slow-roasted prime rib (go with the $69 Chicago cut) and make sure you put an early request for their French dip (they only make 15 a night and each of take 50 hours to make!). You can’t go wrong with any of their bone-in steaks, but 4 Charles’ menu also offers meatless options like a raw bar and seafood dishes (delicious Baked Crab Cake $25), or a $23.95 Cacio Pepe Carbonara Pasta (genius! 💡 ). All the food is on point, although the side dishes leave room for improvement.
Put in a request for a French Dip when you make your reservation!
Baked Crab Cake, blue crab, preserved lemon, remoulade ($25)
Double Cut Lamb Chop, roasted garlic, rosemary, olives ($42.95) – delicious & perfectly cooked but salty!
Side dish: Creamed Spinach, blue cheese, sweet onions ($12.95) – tasty & decadent but have had better
Side dish – Charred Brussels Sprouts ($12.95), bacon, dijon, parmesan on the side (very accomodating and was made gluten & dairy-free)
Tiny bar area at entrance
Drinks wise, the wine list is – unconventional. There’s something for everyone, but the Scotch & Bourbon is definitely where the beverage menu shines.
Dinner only
As for the service, it’s arguably some of the best New York hospitality I’ve ever had. The service is objectively perfect – the dapperly dressed wait staff is accommodating and personal, incredibly professional but fun and enthusiastic. They go above and beyond to make your dining experience as satisfying as possible, will accommodate to any dietary restriction, and don’t be shy about sending your steak back if it’s not peeerfectly cooked to your liking (Frenchies don’t mess with rare-to-medium-rare)!
Chocolate Cream Pie ($12) – Valrhona dark chocolate with an Oreo crust, topped with Chantilly
The Sundae Royale ($18) was the cherry on the top!
Huge Lemon Meringue Pie
4 Charles Prime Rib is great for its exceptional ambiance, incredible prime beef, and glorious burger. To me it’s more of a cozy winter spot, but I’ll take the welcoming, sensual atmosphere any time of the year. If you’re lucky enough to get a table, come for a romantic date, an intimate family outing, a cool corporate dinner, or a late-night steak.
Open for dinner daily from 5pm-12am
