11 Postcards
Nestled near Central Park, this hip steakhouse dazzles diners with top-notch cuts and a stylish atmosphere, making it perfect for a lively evening out.
"Quality Eats isn’t like other steakhouses. It feels modern and relatively casual, and the menu is full of things like monkey bread and grilled bacon with peanut butter and jalapeño jelly. Also, all of the steaks cost less than $50, and they come with either a salad or a side of curly fries. Bring a date or a couple of friends, and get a birthday cake sundae for dessert. You should be able to get a table as soon as you decide you deserve a steak for answering two emails that day. " - team infatuation
"Quality Eats put a lot of effort into their stylish, baby blue semi-outdoor seating set up with tables separated by walls and curtains that make the structure look like a row of private pool bungalows. If you want to eat your steak and roasted beet tabbouleh completely in the open air, they also have bistro tables for two on the sidewalk patio. " - matt tervooren, neha talreja
"A loyal reader recently reached out to us with a very good point: we need a Damn Good Steaks tag. Damn right we do. Thanks, Valerie. So it shall be. There aren't all that many steakhouses that meet our Infatuation standards for high quality and low quantity of business class ass hats. Quality Meats is one of those places, and is precisely why we needed this new tag.Even though it's in Midtown, this multi-level meat market serves up one of our favorite steaks in town, and it's not what you might expect from a steakhouse in the area. Though they aren't nearly on the same level, Quality Meats has a downtown aesthetic in the vein of Gramercy's BLT Prime, just a little louder and heavier on the testosterone. This definitely isn't a quiet dinner over a steak. This is where you kick off your bachelor party. You're going to Provacateur after this, aren't you? She's a lucky girl. Food Rundown Oysters As good an oyster selection as you'll find at any steak house. Last time through we had some great Fisher Islands. Steak Tartare We love this presentation. The chopped meat arrives at your table surrounded by additional toppings and fixins so that you can prepare it yourself. Go ahead an mix up a meat cocktail truely your own. So what if you're ordering steak for dinner? The QM Crabcake I love eating crab cakes before a steak dinner. Large, easy to share and very well executed, this $21 monster was actually worth the price. Especially if someone else is paying. Seared Diver Scallops Definitely not the reason to come here, but at $18, this appetizer is a good value. There are like seven scallops on the plate. That's a lot of scallops for the price, and it's an excellent dish to share. Filet Mignon/Bone-In Sirloin The 12oz filet is really big, as you would expect for $43. Served on a plate by its lonesome, it looks a lot better when surrounded by a couple of sides. Especially the corn crème brûlée. If deciding between the filet and bone-in sirloin, we'd go sirloin every time. There's something about the rich flavor of a bone-in steak, especially this one at Quality Meats, that sets it apart. Double Rib Steak 64oz (for two) While the bone-in sirloin and filet are both solid, this monster is the main attraction. An enormous cut of meat that gets prepared table side, this beautifully charred masterpiece is as good as it gets. So big you'll swear it's not cow, but rather a nice cut of rhinoceros. Corn Crème Brûlée If there existed an all-star team for side dishes, this would be in the starting lineup, voted in by the fans. A nice play on creamed corn that's tasty and unique. This is a must order. Gnocchi and Cheese Another recommended side, this is a fun take on mac 'n cheese that's worth ordering if for no other reason than to talk about it. It's tasty, though it could use a little more seasoning. Yorkshire Creamed Spinach Pretty standard for steakhouse creamed spinach, but also very good. Pan Roasted Crispy Potatoes Our favorite of the potato offerings." - Andrew Steinthal
"Quality Eats is a steakhouse that’s pretending not to be a steakhouse. Their playlist is great, there’s hamachi crudo on the menu, there’s an excellent cocktail list, and the overall vibe is one that could get you laid - but not in an over-the-top way. On the people-pleasing spectrum, this restaurant covers everyone from your client who calls himself a “meat and potatoes guy” to a third date who you’re actually kind of serious about to a 16-year-old who only cares about the photo she’s going to take for her Instagram (definitely the ice cream with the birthday cake croutons)." - katherine lewin
"If you’re coming from a show at Radio City, particularly around the holidays, there’s a good chance you’re with an out-of-towner (i.e. your dad) that “wants a good steak.” As long as your dad doesn’t mind a slightly rowdy vibe, you should bring him to Quality Meats. Actually, he’ll probably appreciate the bachelor-party vibe." - katherine lewin