Keens Steakhouse

My wife and I had a lovely time at Keens Steakhouse last weekend. We were very impressed with the history of the place and the ""piped"" environment. My wife ordered the lamb which she said was absolutely delicious. I went with a finely cut filet mignon piece which was just out of this world. I would recommend Keens to anyone who is looking to have a great dinner at a phenomenal steakhouse with a glowing atmosphere. more

ate there many many times over the last 25 years...love the mutton chop and the steaks but often it is just fair. Pros: great service Cons: just not that good more

We decided to go to a steakhouse at the last minute and couldn't get reservations at one of our favorites so we decided to try Keens. We called for reservations at about 3 in the afternoon on a Saturday and had no trouble getting reservations for that evening. When we walked through the restaurant to get to our table the restaurant seemed to be filled with tourists which to me is not a good sign. They had a special of lobster bisque which I generally don't have but I decided to try it. The first taste wasn't very good but it improved as I kept going and was able to finish it but I wouldn't recommend it. The shrimp cocktail was OK but definitely not top notch and the cocktail sauce was way too spicy. They had a special arugula salad with marinated tomatoes and pears and this was the best dish that we had in the meal. Not a great omen for a steakhouse. I ordered surf and turf because I'm not crazy about mutton and I didn't want to compare the porterhouse to PL because no one ever wins in that comparison. The lobster tails and claws were passable but not dressed up in any way. The filet mignon was pretty good if slightly fatty. I asked the waiter what potatoes he recommended and he said ""french fries or hash browns"". I got the hash browns I wanted to at least compare that to Peter Luger and the hash browns were positively embarrassing. For $8.50 you received a 3 inch square cut of mass produced pan of potatoes that looked like noodle pudding and tasted like potato pancakes. The waiter was mainly good but had a habit of bringing the wine by the glass that I ordered with each course long before the food came hoping I would finish it quickly and order more. I?m sure that this is the restaurant policy and not his. His one assist on a wine selection was not great, and the wines were not good in general. I had the hot fudge sundae for desert because by this time I knew ordering something like tiramisu would be a waste. The sundae wasn?t great either. Even though Keens has been around about as long as Peter Luger I?d barely heard of it and now I know why. In midtown Manhattan you can do way better. If I went there as a tourist or it was in another city or I had no expectations I probably wouldn?t have been as disappointed. Pros: Wide Selection for steakhouse Cons: Uneven food, small portions more

Last February I took my father to Keens. The first impression was great and different from the others steakhouses in NYC. So many pipes, I asked about the history. A man in tuxedo gave us a little lesson about Keens and offered us a tour after dinner. The host was very nice and said our table was ready. We had oysters as app., mutton chops as main course and couple glass of wine, it was great. The waiter was very nice and friendly. we had a great time. For long time we haven't have a dinner together. We were the last table to leave. The Manager took us for a tour. A lot more pipes hanging on the ceiling. Lincoln playbill, Bull Moose head, Tiger paint are just a few items from second floor. It was very nice get a tour about an American steakhouse with over 120 year from a Brazilian man. Everyone was very nice and friendly. We will be back. more

We went to Keen's while in NYC to celebrate our 1st anniversary. I chose it because it specialized in two things my husband loves, steak and Scotch. They have over 30 different Scotches, and he was like a kid in a candy store. The food was amazing. He had the Kansas City Sirloin, I had the mutton chop. Both were huge and some of the best meat we'd ever tasted. What a great romantic evening in New York! Money well spent! Pros: Outstanding food, servicde, atmosphere Cons: Price, but well worth it more

My brother and his wife came for a visit to New York and I took them to Keens for dinner. They were amazed at the size of the steaks that were served. We had Prime 'Rib which was so big they wanted to take pictures to send home. They were impressed by the history and so was I. After dinner the host gave us a tour of the rooms and the restaurant seemed to go on and on and each room was a little different. We ended our tour in the bar and finished our evening with a single malt scotch. They have a lot and the bartender was very helpfu. We had a great time. more

Many folks say Keen's is their favorite steakhouse in Manhattan, but that was not our experience. The food was good, but really nothing special. We ordered the porterhouse for 2, and it was a massive amount of steak... very good, but not the best we've had (we liked the Striphouse much better). Steakhouses are a dime a dozen in NYC, so it's the service that really differentiates... and that's where Keen's failed. The service was efficient, but completely indifferent and cold... our waiter acted as though he could care less about us (or his other tables for that matter). We ordered a nice bottle of red wine, and it was WARM, as though it had been stored above the stove in the kitchen...definitely not proper serving temperature. Of course our waiter didn't bother to ask if everything was okay, so we just toughed it out. We would definitely not return - will take our business and $$ to a business that cares more about their customers. Pros: Good steak Cons: Snooty service more

My husband and I went for dinner to celebrate our 10th Anniversary and had a wonderful time. A friend had recommended Keens and we were not disapointed. We shared a porterhouse for 2 and it may have been the best I've ever had. I picked the location for my husband because of its scotch selection and history but I was also impressed. The server was warm but did not hover, which I like. A great recommedation from friends and we will return. Pros: prompt seating, history more

Where do I begin? The steak could have been used as shoe leather? Or hum....The snootie wait staff....hum..or, the wine that was godawful. The food was tasteless at best. What was most sickening was the attitude of the servers that acted like it pained them to be of any service at all. My advice....go anywhere else, even McDonalds! Pros: it didn't make me t_____up? Cons: It almost made me t____ up me! more

We went out hoping to have a lovely dinner at this restaurant after reading all the reviews at this website. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. Our waiter was rude and condescending. My husband got a Filet mignon. He said his was dry and had no taste. I had sauteed shrimp. I've had better shrimp at Captain D's. We had one glass of wine each one side each and the bill was 157.00. The waited got his drawers in a knot when we didn't order dessert. I went back to our hotel and didn't think I would make it. I had to go to the bathroom so badly I nearly blew the lid off the toilet! Pros: Nothing, none,zero, zilch, nada! Cons: The meat is dry , the sides bland, the staff is rude. more

Well let me preface this review by saying that my friends and I have been trying a different ""top tier"" steak house approx every 2 months or so for the last 2 yrs. I would rate Keens near the top. more

My friend lives in the area and we went here for dessert. We weren't there long, but I highly reccomend the butterscotch sundae!! My friend had the cheesecake, I didn't try it but she said it was good. Our waiter was very friendly too. more

Went to Keen's for New Year's eve with a party of 5 and had an amazing experience. The ceilings are lined with Sherlock Holmes-style pipes on the main level and Confucius-style pipes on the second level. There are at least 3 bars accessible at any given time and the main bar is big enough to hang out at regardless if you are eating or not. The second level sports a full-size piano, although there was no piano player on when I was there. I don't think I've ever seen such a cool decor to a restaurant. We had the sliced/tomato and onion with buffalo bleu cheese as an appetizer - delicious. For the main course we decided to order 3 cuts of meat and have them sliced so we could pass them around family-style and the waiter and kitchen were more than happy to oblige. As far as meat goes, anyone who goes to Keen's and doesn't try the Mutton Chop is missing out. I had never had it. I didn't know what to expect, but when we had all tried everything everyone at the table agreed that it was the juiciest and best-tasting of the 3 cuts we ordered. That's not to say that the Porterhouse for two and the Kansas City Sirloin weren't superb; they were and I could go back for either of them. It's just that the Mutton provides a uniqueness that you just don't get with any other cut. We also ordered a Scallop and clams special. I usually don't bother with seafood when I am at a steakhouse, but I am not exaggerating when I say the scallops blew me away; they were unbelievably flavored and cooked to perfection. The creamed spinach we had as a side was weak and the mashed potatoes and asparagus were standard and nothing special, but the 3 cuts of meat ,scallops, Scotch list that sports just about every Scotch known to man combined with quality service at a reasonable price have me itching to go back already. Pros: Mutton, Porterhouse, KC Sirloin, Scallops, atmosphere, Scotch selection Cons: Sides left something to be desired more

I was looking for a great ""New York"" steakhouse, and this is it. This is no chain. This is the real deal. From the time we arrived I had a good feeling and could sense the history of the place. Old, dark wood floors, white tablecloths, friendly and attentive staff. We went about an hour before our reservation so we would have time to sit in the bar, and I'm glad we did. After 5 minutes we were able to get 2 seats at the bar and start a tab. The bartender gave us great service, even making the classic ""Sidecar"" drink that I had never heard of but soon grew to love (Brandy, Cointreau, Lemon). The atmosphere is upscale but very relaxed & comfortable. We sat at a table in the first of two small rooms on the second floor. We had excellent service. We never wanted for anything and the waiter made great suggestions. We shared a half-dozen oysters (East & West coast), great, and I had a NY strip (bone in) that was the best steak I have ever had. I am a ribeye eater, but Keen's doesn't have ribeye and the waiter suggested the strip. Also had the ""hash"" (the waiter insisted) which is really a pancake of mashed that is pan fried. FANTASTIC! We also had the carrots and they were also great. After dinner we shared bananas foster with coffee and a side of Bailey's. The perfect meal. Never rushed but still ended too soon. I can't wait to go back to NY, if only to go to Keen's again. !! : ) Pros: Old NY steakhouse; Excellent steaks and sides Cons: None; Slightly pricey more

if general bad attitude and slow service are your thing, this is the place for you. food isn't bad, it is just not good, below average at best and the service is bad. it's a crowded noisy dump with overpriced drinks, mediocre food and lousy service. work nearby and been there twice out of sheer location and i'm walking past or starving instead next time. more

We when to keens for diner on short notice. the host staff was great at taking a reservation and adjusting it with 2 days notice.We sat in 2nd floor and the server was excellent guiding through the menu and making helpfull suggestions. we asked for the drinks to come out with meal,and they did. service the best,food the best,decor is historical.The scotch selection was great. I will go back to keens because this is the best steakhouse in the city. my best meal i ever had was at keens. more

I had diner at keens couple of days a go with a friend of mine. Food is good, drinks to short , but not pricy for a steakhouse in manhatten. Drinks are taylored with your particular taste and the bar creates new offerings all the time.Talking about service..... to bad, shame on Keens. Our server kept talking all the time about how simple the life was in Ohio and how complicated NYc can be. Than hi invite us for a drink after work and this was the end. My friend diner mate told him hi was not here for a date and the tall server got serios asking why not? Later on another friend of mine say u may expect those things all the time in Keens. Food- you will not be dissapointed and bored and u will find yourself constantly go back for more.Service-i had to bad experince. more

Best steak, pricey, but definitely worth it. I've been to Keens Steakhouse at least a dozen times, and once my steak was over cooked. I learned that you should not worry about sending it back, they will take good care of you, they even took my sides back and gave me a fresh batch so my food would all be hot at the same time. Most of the people I go with tend to order the Rib Beef, I think cause it looks like a bigger piece, and it's less expensive, but personally I love the Filet mignon, it melts in your mouth, it's so buttery and tender, worth the extra bucks!! more

The service, and the food are just incredible. The atmosphere is nice and relaxing... The steaks are so tender and just melt in your mouth. The staff is also very friendly and accomodating, Both delicious, well cooked steaks. The salads were rather amazing, as well. The dessert was pure sugar for me and I loved it.I would recommend to anyone. Pros: staff.ambiance more

It can be argues that Keen?s hosted the official first meeting of the Steak Club 7 ever. On our prior visit, Keen?s rated high in every category but the steak. It?s possible that the excitement of steak club created too high an expectation. Regardless, the call was made to return and it was one hell of a call! Pros: Great atmosphere, good food, nice central location Cons: price more