03.04.09
Review of Sparks, lunch Wednesday February 2009
210 E.46th St. & 3rd/2nd Aves., 212-687-4855
Great for: steak of course, expense accounts, sharing dishes
It was my birthday, and it started out really well with lunch at the steak temple known as Sparks. I’ve been there a couple times over the years and it’s always been the prelude to a crazy time. This was just lunch, and I didn’t do anything big later because my birthday party was the next day, but it was fun as always nevertheless.
First up, the warm crab and scallops appetizer, which they very kindly plated separately for us. It was fresh, juicy and succulent. We didn’t get anything else to save room for our large filet mignons. They might have been 12 ounces – I nearly finished mine. It was quite charred, maybe a bit dry but not after I slathered butter on it. Our shared side of hash browns was lovely with lots of burnt bits.
After so much meat I only had room for coffee. I liked the generous glasses of Côte du Val too. The waiter was extremely courteous and the place looks the same as when I started coming. It might have fallen off a bit, but it’s not always fair to judge based on lunch, and I like that it feels as though it hasn’t changed in thirty years.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Our cost: $210 (1 app, 2 glasses of wine, 2 coffees)
Noise level: mostly absorbed by the heavy carpets
Chance of walking in: probably better now than ever before with the tanking economy.
