West Side Steakhouse

Manhattan – 3/10
The order was followed by two questions: whether I had a preference of alcohol, and whether I wanted it up or on the rocks. On the alcohol, I'd rather the bar make both of that call - a guest with a preference will offer it; a guest without one can have an awkward moment when the requisite knowledge of the various whisky / bourbon / rye options is not on hand. On the question of up or on the rocks, that should never be a question for a Manhattan - it's up. It arrived in a martini glass (I prefer a coupe glass), with a regular Maraschino cherry (should've been a Luxardo) already sunk to the bottom (should've been skewered a on a cocktail pick laid across the rim). The color was "a bit light" and the whole thing tasted "diluted."

Shrimp cocktail – 3/10
Three small shrimp "haphazardly hooked" around a gravy boat of cocktail sauce, more incidental than composed. There was no snap to them. Not mealy exactly, but that "borderline mushy" softness you get from a grocery store without much of a seafood counter. No horseradish on the side to adjust the sauce.

Filet mignon – 8/30
For the most part, cooked to the medium rare I ordered, which is the part that went right. The cut was relatively flat and wide rather than tall, and there was essentially "no crust". Fat ran through several pieces and "stringed out" a few times when cut, and one end was more fat than meat. I've had steak on an airplane that would be in the same league.

Creamed spinach – 9/10
The best thing on the table. "Saucy, but not too saucy," and light enough that it never turned heavy over the course of the meal.

New York cheesecake – 1/5
The texture came close to "mealy" and there wasn't much flavor to speak of. The crust was dense and soft, nearer to "hardened gelatin" than to graham. No berries. The whipped cream was, literally, "wet."

Room – 4/10
Felt closer to a "casual neighborhood Italian place" than a steakhouse. I wouldn't be surprised if the room was a diner before it was a steakhouse. Not much character. The bussing station is open and close enough to the tables to become part of the meal. The acoustics are the real virtue: I could hold a conversation without straining, which is more than a lot of rooms in this category manage.

Service – 5/10
Just "ok." It was about ten minutes before the primary server came by. The water server's accent was thick enough that I couldn't make out what he was asking. I ordered a side of horseradish with the steak and it never came, and the plates sat for a while after we'd finished.

Extras – 2/5
The rolls were good and warm. Less good was the basket they came in, with foil-wrapped butter pats "scattered" among them. The steak knives were small, narrow-handled, and dull.

Value – 5/10
The filet was $55, the Manhattan $17, the creamed spinach $10, the shrimp cocktail $17, the cheesecake $12. That is $111 before tax for the full order - not horrible, but, all things considered, not worth it.

VISIT 1 · JUL 2026 · HELL's KITCHEN

West Side Steakhouse

Score

40/100

Ranked

#1 of 1

The Order

Manhattan

Scorecard

Manhattan

3/10

Shrimp Cocktail

3/10

Filet

8/30

Creamed Spinach

9/10

New York Cheesecake

1/5

Room

4/10

Service

5/10

Extras

2/5

Value

5/10

Total

40/100

On The Map

New York City