Meat Expert Johnny Prime's Guide To New York City

Food blogger Johnny Prime is basically a professional carnivore in New York City, scouring the steakhouse scene to find the finest slabs of meat around and reviewing them on his hilariously honest blog, Johnny Prime Steaks.

It's an understatement to say that the man knows his prime rib from his porterhouse, but Prime also happens to be an expert on the city, having lived here for 18 years. While he certainly enjoys the vast number of incredible eateries in New York, his favorite thing about living in NYC is its people. "We are tough, resilient, mean as hell yet friendly at the same time and always open to new experiences," he says.

In addition to reviewing world-renowned restaurants and writing about the many facets of beef, Prime also enjoys sipping a smoked old fashioned at Tanner Smith's and visiting the goats at The Central Park Children's Zoo with his wife. But let's skip to the part we're all waiting for — where does he go for the best steak in town?

Luckily, the carnivore connoisseur let us in on all his top steakhouse recommendations, as well as some of his other must-visit spots around the Big Apple:

What neighborhood do you live in? Like many NYC renters, I’ve lived all over, but I currently live in Columbus Circle/Central Park South.

Describe NYC in three words: High voltage living

What’s your favorite overall NYC restaurant? Generally, I’m in the mood for steak, and my current favorite place for a steak (prime rib, to be precise) is The Grill on 52nd at Park. There’s nothing like it that even comes close. For good cheap eats, the classic American roadside-style burgers at Hard Times Sundaes and Genuine Roadside are my favorite in the city.

Best sushi: I just had the best sushi experience of my life at Mifune. They bring out a slab of tuna ribs with the meat still connected. You scrape the meat off the bones with seashells and make your own hand rolls. Barbarian food at its finest.

Best Italian food: Quality Italian. It’s mainly a steakhouse, but I love all their Italian dishes as well. Especially the saffron pappardelle with braised veal osso buco. For a more dedicated Italian restaurant, I would have to go with Osteria Morini in Soho. It has outstanding pasta.

Best dessert: My all time favorite desserts are actually at steakhouses: The butter cake at Del Frisco’s, the baked Alaska at Delmonico’s, the coconut cream pie at The Capital Grille, the 10-layer carrot cake at Ocean Prime and the sweet potato casserole at Ruth’s Chris (but you need to order that with a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream on top).

Best pizza: I love Totonno’s in Coney Island, but if I can’t hoof it out that far, I go with Saluggi’s in Tribeca or John’s of Bleecker Street.

Best spot for a quick lunch: Get the French onion soup burger at Le Rivage. Chef Paul has won awards like crazy for this burger. It is totally unique, and the restaurant is a great place for lunch in the neighborhood. If a burger is too heavy for lunch, try his croque or his quiche.

Best spot for a romantic date: Greenwich Steakhouse in the village has two fireplaces with beautiful seating beside them. It's the perfect spot for a romantic dinner, and Benny, the manager, will treat you like royalty.

Best glass of wine: Nai Tapas Bar in the East Village has some amazing wines and small plates. They also do three different types of sangria and have a great happy hour.

Best Sunday brunch: I’m generally not a brunch guy, but Brasserie 8 1/2 on 57th street has a great brunch buffet with really good food, and it won’t break the bank.

Best spot for a business meeting: Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in midtown. The dining room is incredibly impressive.

Best steak: It all depends on the cut. For prime rib, go to The Grill, Keens Steakhouse or 4 Charles Prime Rib. For a rib eye, go to Bowery Meat Company, Delmonico’s or try the cajun rib eye at Greenwich Steakhouse. For a porterhouse, try Angus Club Steakhouse, Benjamin Prime or Ben & Jack's Steakhouse. For a strip, try Strip House. For a filet, go to Quality Meats.

Best craft cocktail: I love Tanner Smith's smoked old fashioned. They do a lot of nice fancy cocktails in there, but theirs is my favorite old fashioned in the city. If you want to really get a blow-out experience in the craft cocktails field, you need to try either The Office or The Aviary in the Mandarin Oriental near Columbus Circle. The drinks there are legendary.

What hotel would you recommend for your out-of-town guests? I love The Andaz and The Beekman downtown, as well as The Roosevelt Hotel in midtown.

Favorite boutique: There’s a store called The Evolution Store that sells the most amazing, quirky items for home decor, like saber-toothed tiger skulls, mounted moose heads, etc. Another place I like is Barclay Rex Pipe Shop for tobacco. I occasionally smoke a tobacco pipe, and that place is fun for shopping, sipping booze and relaxing. Same goes for Nat Sherman Townhouse.

Favorite clothing store: With so much commerce online these days, there’s not much left on the streets other than big chains when it comes to men’s fashion, except for maybe Goorin Brothers (I love that place).

Best barber: I go to a guy at Sharps Barber and Shop at Le Parker Meridien when my beard needs trimming and sculpting. They have sports on the TVs, good music on the speakers, and cold beer in the fridge.

Best gym or fitness studio: Central Park. I run the loop daily and that’s all I need aside from the ground for push-ups and sit-ups. I’m old-school.

Favorite charity event or organization: I love the Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund. They raise money for wounded veterans and the families of deceased soldiers, build handicap accessible homes and customized vehicles for the wounded and act as a financial safety blanket for the family members of those who have sacrificed everything for us.

Favorite cultural event: The New York City Marathon. I’ve run it twice, and the energy behind the entire city coming together to cheer on complete strangers from all over the world is magnificent and invigorating.

Favorite cultural institution: The Central Park Children’s Zoo. My wife and I try to visit the goats as often as we can.

Best museum in New York City: I’ve always loved the American Museum of Natural History. There’s just something about walking through those dimly lit, cavernous rooms and taking in all of the staged scenes. I love it.

Best historic or iconic New York City landmark to see or explore: The flatiron building is one of my favorites. But check out the sky bridges that are still scattered around NYC too. My favorite one is in Tribeca on Staple Street.

What’s your all-time favorite spot in New York City? The neighborhood called “Two Bridges.” To me, it feels like the only spot in NYC that hasn’t been touched by renovations, massive new building projects or the onslaught of hipsters. It has an electricity to it that is like nothing else in town.

Image Credit: Johnny Prime