Keens Steakhouse

Keens Steakhouse at 72 W 36th Street near Herald Square in Manhattan has operated since 1885 and is one of the oldest steakhouses in New York City. The building's rooms are known for their historic character, with dark wood panelling, framed memorabilia and a ceiling hung with thousands of clay pipes that once belonged to regular patrons. The cuisine is traditional American steakhouse cooking based on dry-aged beef. The mutton chop, a thick cut of aged mutton, is the emblematic dish and the item most associated with the restaurant, and the prime porterhouse and other dry-aged steaks are the other main choices. Classic starters and sides include shrimp cocktail, creamed spinach, potatoes and salads. The dining rooms are clubby and warm, with a mix of intimate rooms and larger spaces, and the atmosphere is traditional and relaxed rather than trendy, with moderate noise. Dress is smart-casual to business attire. The bar is known for its extensive single malt Scotch list, alongside cocktails and a large wine list suited to red meat. Reservations are recommended, particularly for dinner and for pre-theatre times, and visitors can book through the restaurant's website or by phone. Lunch and dinner are typically served daily, though hours should be confirmed. The restaurant also has a more casual pub room where visitors can eat without a formal booking. Prices are at the high end, with steaks and the mutton chop typically costing well over fifty dollars, and a full meal for two commonly reaches a couple of hundred dollars. The Herald Square location places it near Macy's, the Empire State Building and Penn Station, so it suits a traditional dinner within a day in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.