With New York City’s ever changing presence in so many different facets, it is good that there is still a bunch of classic type locations that people can go to and really get the sense that they are in the heart of this city. One of these locations happens to be Bull & Bear Prime Steakhouse, which is located inside the iconic Waldorf Astoria on Lexington Avenue between 49th and 50th street. With its sleek and classic design, out of this world food and beverages, and overall feel, this is a classic place in a modern world that you should stop by the next time you are getting out of Grand Central Station.
Steakhouses in general should always have a particular vibe when you walk in, at least from my perspective. What I mean by that is that the place should generally have darker colors adorned throughout, and a relaxed and sumptuous feel to it throughout the entire location. Bull & Bear gets that vibe and elevates it to such an incredible level, whether you are sitting at the bar, the main part of the restaurant, or in the lounge type area that surrounds the bar. I felt like I was walking into a 1950’s type of location with how everything was presented, especially with the music of Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble being played throughout the night. Bull & Bear’s location is spacious in size, which is should be as visually there is so much to take in.
The food really speaks for itself in terms of preparation, ingredients, taste and so many other factors. Here is what we think you should try the next time you are at Bull & Bear. For starters, a delicious salad is a good way to begin your meal. I recommend what is pictured above, The Waldorf Salad, which comes with Candied Walnuts, Sweet & Sour Apples, Celeriac and Truffle. Light and fresh, it is a great way to start off your evening. Another great starter is their Burrata Mozzarella Cheese, which comes with Tomatoes, Basil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The Burrata had great depths of flavor to it, and the tomatoes, basil and EVOO really was a great supporting cast to the cheese. I’m a sucker for anything shrimp, so a classic like their Gulf Shrimp Cocktail is a great way to start the meal off as well.
Now, onto their mains. Something that i really enjoyed about Bull & Bear is that their menu isn’t page after page after page with a zillion dishes. It is two pages, and they are full of incredibly prepared plates that show that quality always prevails over quantity. Case and point- their Prime Rib Chop pictured above, with the bone in. This item is so popular that they only have a certain amount per night, so try to get their early to experience just how good this really is. Paired with a Au Jus sauce to put all over it, this is an incredibly tasty piece of meat that is cooked perfectly and really exemplifies what a steakhouse should really be about. If you are looking for more of something on the sea level, we recommend whatever their catch of the day is (Last night it was their unbelievably tasty Red Snapper).
For the Steak, Snapper, or any of the main dishes, it is always good to have a tasty side to enjoy them with. Classics like their Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus, and Parmesan Truffle Fries are good side choices to indulge in with your land or sea option. If you are still in the mood for something sweet and decadent in the end, we recommend their delicious staple- Bread Pudding with Maple Ice Cream. Heavenly and a great way to end the meal. Overall, and I rarely give this, a 10/10 in my book.
For more information on Bull & Bear, check out their official site. Happy eating everyone!