Frankie & Johnnie’s Steak House
“We also ordered sides for the table off menu.”
“We did however get to sample something else after dinner- their complimentary limo.”
“My partner and I had Valentines Day dinner sharing the Porterhouse for 2 with Au Gratin potatoes and Asparagus.”
Frankie & Johnnie’s Steak House
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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To preface, I am rating based on the Restaurant Week Lunch Menu. We were seated right away, but waited for a bit to be served. Once the staff came by, we ordered our appetizer and entree. I had the Frankie & Johnnie's salad and the Salmon, while my colleagues had the soup of the day and the filet medallions. The salad was good, though it was made with what tasted like anchovie paste and that was not indicated on the menu. The Salmon was very good and cooked to perfection. The sauce was slightly overpowering, but otherwise it was a great dish. My colleagues like their medallions as well, but they were not cooked the way they asked.
The restaurant itself has a cool feel. The tables are upstairs and are spread nicely throughout the wooden, dimly lit area. It's definitely a nice spot to have a business lunch, but don't go if you need to get in and out. Service was extremely slow, but our the wait staff is very nice.
Overall, we had a decent lunch experience. I'd be interested to try during dinner time, so I can better compare it to other steakhouses in the city.
Asked for a seat at the bar and the hostess pointed. Bar full and she made no effort to seat me elsewhere. Sat down and waited 15 mins while no one acknowledged me, basically had to trip up a busser to get things started. The food, not good. Chilean sea bass in a puddle of sweet creamy goo. Fried zucchini very greasy. Bad service, bad food, and pricey.
We were here last night for dinner with my sister in law and her boyfriend. I have been to this place several times before I became an active Yelper. This is an old time NYC steak house and they serve nice steaks for expensive, but not astronomical prices. They have a few side dishes like over cooked and scorched broccoli, tired mushrooms mixed with what look like stewed onions and several different styles of potatoes.
None of us took a chance on the oyster or clam appetizers. We did have a few tasteless salads.
For me, the problem with this place is it's tired and past. I just don't like the vibe there.
Why did I go? You ask? My sister in law is in love with the place. She visits from Florida and won't try anywhere else. I am going to put my foot down next time.
Anyway, back to the steaks. My wife had the rib eye and sister in law shared the T bone with her boyfriend. Both steaks were raved about by those who ate them. I had the poached salmon, my way to protest. It was just OK.
We are going out with them again this evening. I don't know what they have planned. I hope it's not another adventure in unadventurous eating.
My wife and I had a very fine meal at Frankie & Johnnie's on 37th. The service and food were very good, and while this restaurant is not cheap, it also isn't expensive compared to many other Manhattan steakhouses, which makes it recommendable for those seeking a quiet, delicious steak dinner in a classic old-school setting.
The first floor has a small bar and some booths. We found the bartender very professional and attentive, and he mixes a fine Manhattan.
The dining room is on the second floor. It perhaps errs on the side of being a little under-decorated, but it was clean and comfortable with an understated and traditional style.
I have seen some other reviews reference mediocre service, but we had a terrific server who was helpful and professional. We mentioned we were splitting some things, and it arrived on two separate plates, which I thought was a very nice (and sadly rare) service approach for a restaurant.
We really enjoyed two salads that were both fresh and delicious–the Crisp Frisee with crumbled Blue Cheese and Sliced Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella.
For dinner, my wife and I both ordered the small filet. The cut was terrific and very tender. The preparation was good, but much like the decor, felt a little understated. (Next time, I may ask if they offer any alternative preparations, such as maître d' butter, au poivre, Roquefort,etc.) Don't get me wrong–it was a great cut prepared well and very simply.
The only disappointment in the whole dinner was the baked potato, which seemed a bit dry and overcooked.
Two drinks, appetizer, two salads, two filets and a baked potato came to $160 (including tax but not tip), which seems reasonable for a nice, upscale spot in Manhattan. I will visit Frankie and Johnnie's again.
Over the course of several delicious cocktails at nearby Pennsylvania 6, my crew began to expand. What started as 2 gentlemen meeting at the bar for a drink turned into a slightly rowdy faction of friends sipping libations tenaciously. Story of my life I suppose. It's a gift and a curse.
We randomly decided we wanted steak. Our first choice was Keen's, but the Reservation Gods were not shining down upon us this particular evening. And so…..Frankie & Johnnie's it was.
No real ambiance or decor happening here. Very blah in that department. I probably would not recommend this place for a romantic meal.
Service, however, was excellent.
We shared quite a few options, ranging from a porterhouse for 2, a filet mignon with crab meat, and a ribeye. Steaks were all well cooked and delicious.
Relatively empty for a Saturday night, but we all left satisfied and happy.
So, I suppose the moral of the story is that Frankie & Johnnie's is THE place to go if you spontaneously decide to get wasted at Pennsylvania 6 and then suddenly acquire an entourage that requires steak in their bellies.
That time when I spent $300 on the company dime for lunch because my boss was leaving. Ooops. While it makes for a funny story in the office, due to a miscommunication the waitstaff had ordered two Hot and Cold Seafood platters after telling them I wanted one order to share for the table, (as we each ordered our own individual entrees). The food overall was very good in general and the only miss was the fries which was greasy and bland. The inside joke was if I asked for ketchup for the table, would they give us 8 bottles?
This was my second time here but the last time was a long time ago. I was staying in the Fairfield Inn right across the street so why not give it a shot. I read some other reviews here and many pointed out poor service and not that great of an experience.
So first off, I was not using my own money. I was on a corporate expense account so let's put that into the mix. So we had 2 ladies and myself here and we did the Porterhouse for 2 and a Lamb Loin cooked "Pittsburgh" style. Overall, both where outstanding and there was more than enough food for the 3 of us. Like I said 2 were ladies so if we'd had been 3 men maye we'd have wanted more.
The Porterhouse was frankly as good as Peter Luger's in my opinion and the lamb was outstanding. I don't hand out 5's very often and I wasn't expecting to this time, but you know I had a great experience. The place wasn't too busy and our waiter was great. Not too much attention but plenty of it.
For this I just cannot give them less than 5 stars.
My dad and his college buds were meeting here after work and decided to let me crash the party. I was late so I only made it for one of the latter rounds of drinks and wine and entrees. The service was friendly and welcoming and our entrees were good but unfortunately they weren't what we ordered. One of our party had to request his strip steak cooked more (he ordered medium and was served what looked slightly below med-rare) and the rest of us; ordered 22oz veal chops but were served T-bone steaks. No explanation was provided to us that they were out of veal chops or that the order was placed wrong in the kitchen. No one even apologized to us or helped us out on the check. When we asked the server and manager they both kind of just shrugged. The T-bones were good but again not what we ordered; if we wanted steaks we would've ordered ribeyes or filets….we wanted veal. For sides we had french fries, sauteed spinach, and mushrooms/onions; all prepared well. Not sure If I would return.