Where to get a good steak?

filet steak closeup by flickr quinn.anyaCollins asks via Twitter:

Good Albany steak/filet recommendation? Other than Prime

The "other than Prime" part is a little like asking "What are some traditionally successful baseball teams -- other than the Yankees?" But it's good to get some suggestions beyond the places that get mentioned all the time.

And our quick take on steak: Considering steak is one of those things we don't order often, we tend to avoid filet. You know, if you're going to order a steak, order something with a lot of flavor -- a ribeye, hanger, something like that.

Got a suggestion? Please share.

Earlier on AOA: Ask AOA: The best burgers in the Capital Region? (2010)

photo: Flickr user quinn.anya (cc)

Comments

i assume you a looking for a restaurant. i'm not going to give you a restaurant because i am usually disappointed by steak at restaurants:

Sweet Tree Farm is at the Troy Farmers' Market every week and they have exceptional grass-fed beef.

http://www.sweettreefarmny.com/

save yourself the disappointment and buy a grass-fed steak and grill it yourself.

Yes, suggestions please! The Bears is pricy but terrific. Back in the day, the Barnsider used to be decent. Now it's just awful. And how can they bill themselves as a steakhouse and not serve ribeyes?

The Barnsider on Sand Creek Road is really good. A little bit outside of Albany, but worth the short trip.

I have had great steaks every time at Garden Bistro 24. Terrific deal. When something like steak is your main menu item, you'd better do a pretty great job at making sure it is a winner, which GB24 does reliably.

http://www.gardenbistro24.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/garden-bistro-24-colonie

I got an amazing steak at the Capital City Gastropub, and as far as I know, it was just a really good sirloin. Everyone raved about the food. However, check the menu often, because it changes constantly, and they have daily specials.

I don't know where people who say filets are flavorless get their filets, but this isn't the first time I've heard that. I love filets. Just cooked some up last Thursday. All they need is a sprinkle of French sea salt, and perfection. Don't cover good meat up with sauces.

I'm curious about peoples' answers. I don't order steak out because the price/value isn't there for me. I can buy and prep steaks better than most restaurants, for 1/2-1/3 the price.

But I did break my rule and get a filet at Daisy Baker last year right around this time (my fraternity Alumni executive board takes the graduating brothers out to dinner every year), and it was pretty darned good.

The Flat Iron (usually!) at the River Street Cafe

Good luck! The Barnsider was a disappointment to me (the steak was tough). Delmonico's is OK.

Kirkers Steakhouse - Latham

Mr. Pio Pio. Yeah, the name screams chicken, but their steak is amazing! Their chicken is quite juicy as well.

Anywhere but Delmonico's. Had to go there recently (reluctantly); my steak was well done, and cool. Harumph. Certainly not what I was expecting.

We're really big fans of The Bears in Duanseberg:

http://capitalregiondiningblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/31st-birthday-celebration.html

It's not cheap, but more affordable than Prime, excellent quality, and a really unique atmosphere.

From what I can tell, Kirker's has been closed for about 4 years?

I don't get steak out very often either because I can do it better at home for a lot less money. But, as for regional steaks, here are my best experiences:

If you want to drive, the *best* steak I've had in the region is the hanger steak at Bistro Tallulah in Glens Falls.

Jason Baker once made my husband a steak at Black Watch (now closed) that was amazing. I'd check out the new restaurant he's working in as soon as it opens.

Last Saturday we went to the Wine Bar on Lark and my husband had the hanger steak and it was really terrific. It was, by far,the best steak we've sampled at a restaurant in eons. Highly recommended.

Sorry to hear the Barnsider disappointed. It's been one of my go-to places for steak for many years. Was great last week, so give it another try and if you don't like what you get, discuss it with them.

Honestly, I only cook my own now. Get some good grass-fed beef from local farms. White Clover or the ADK hookup is awesome.

I like the Tuesday night steak special at Pizza Gram, but I am a cheap bastard!!!


http://www.pizzagramplus.com/specials.html

I second Garden Bistro 24 on Central. A talented, young chef...bizarre location, though.

I'm not a huge filet person...I usually grill them at home...Porterhouse so my husband gets the filet and I get the NY strip side...I love steaks with a bone..so if I can get bone in ribeye (aka cowboy steaks), I'm very happy. I would rather order something I don't make at home when I go out.

both Creo and Provance near styvasant plaza have good steak.
Barnsider is usually good too. The delmonico is hit or miss at its namesake.

NOT Barnsider. Relatives give us a gift card for the Barnsider every year. After several disappointing steak dinners over several years for both me and my husband, we only order burgers there now. The kitchen seems incapable of cooking a steak to tempreature.

I second (and third) the recommendations for River Street Cafe and The Bears.

DON'T GO TO THE BARNSIDER! I have had too many disappointing meals there. Cold food, not cooked right and not worth the money at all!

As a commenter above notes, I don't think of it as a steakhouse but Provence's steak au poivre might be the best steak deal in the region.

My fiancé and I went to Delmonico's a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it. He got the delmonico and I got the NY strip. Both were quite good and made to order the way we wanted them. It wasn't very busy when we went and the service was very good. We had gone on a Sunday evening.

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