Peter Luger Steaks

[Andy M.]

I watched a show on the Travel Channel about steaks this afternoon. In it, they showed Peter Luger's in Brooklyn as the perennial top steak house in NYC.

They showed steaks being cooked in the kitchen where they did something that raised a question in my mind.

Here is the process I saw:

Steak is cooking in the broiler.
Cook takes the steak out of the broiler and immediately slices it up.
He then puts it back into the broiler for a minute or two.
The steak is plated and served.

So, my question is this: You are ALWAYS being told you MUST rest the meat for 5-10 minutes tented with foil before ever cutting into it. How do you explain this process at the best steak house in the biggest food city in the country?

 

[msmofet]

I watched a show on the Travel Channel about steaks this afternoon. In it, they showed Peter Luger's in Brooklyn as the perennial top steak house in NYC.

They showed steaks being cooked in the kitchen where they did something that raised a question in my mind.

Here is the process I saw:

Steak is cooking in the broiler.
Cook takes the steak out of the broiler and immediately slices it up.
He then puts it back into the broiler for a minute or two.
The steak is plated and served.

So, my question is this: You are ALWAYS being told you MUST rest the meat for 5-10 minutes tented with foil before ever cutting into it. How do you explain this process at the best steak house in the biggest food city in the country?

i rarely wait to cut into a steak, i like dipping the steak into the juices that drip out!! i do rest a roast or bird though.

 

[CasperImproved]

Andy - If a prime steak was in front of me with all it's glorious juice still on the plate, I would just love it but using that juice as the sauce for sopping the steak in.

I am understanding what you say, but exceptions to the tent and rest rule would be relaxed "as long as" the juice was on my plate. Dip the steak in, than sop with a bit of crusty bread... can I open my eyes now?

Otherwise I would complain

Bob

 

[GB]

I am curious to hear the answer as well.
Maybe they had a new chef in the kitchen that day

For small pieces of meat, like a steak, I always rest at least a couple of minutes, but I rarely tent.

 

[msmofet]

I am curious to hear the answer as well.
Maybe they had a new chef in the kitchen that day

For small pieces of meat, like a steak, I always rest at least a couple of minutes, but I rarely tent.

i only wait as long as it takes to put the sides on the table and serve.

 

[GB]

I basically do the same msmofet. I take the steaks off the heat and plate them. Then I set the table and get the sides and call everyone to the table. By the time they get to the table the steaks have rested plenty of time.

 

[msmofet]

I basically do the same msmofet. I take the steaks off the heat and plate them. Then I set the table and get the sides and call everyone to the table. By the time they get to the table the steaks have rested plenty of time.

now i NEED to have a steak!!

 

[Uncle Bob]

My question was/is....When did slicing someone's steak prior to service become "fashionable"?? ---- I'll slice/cut my own steak...Thank you very much!! Ruth's Chris serves a very hot steak...but as others have mentioned...by the time it's plated, expedited, served, and you're ready to start...it's probably "rested" long enough.

 

[Andy M.]

They didn't pre-slice all the steaks, just the porterhouse (that I saw).

For the other steaks, they put a puddle of butter on the plate, plated the steak and more melted butter on top. Their rule is that a steak must be delivered to the customer within two minutes of coming out of the broiler. They said they wanted the steak to be sizzling when it's delivered.

Maybe the resting thing is less of an issue with dry aged meats. They do dry age all their steaks.

 

[Uncle Bob]

I didn't see any of it...just passed through two or three times while channel surfing.
I wouldn't think the aging process would affect the redistribution of fluids post cooking. Can't say for sure. The pre-slicing of... or the wait staff offering to slice it for you at the table is "different" ....to me anyway. I don't know what Ruth's Chris grill to table time policy is, but it comes out sizzling hot, and it seems to include butter.

 

[ChefJune]

I'm curious why they put butter on the plate and also on the steak. I cannot imagine wanting butter on my steak.

 

[msmofet]

I'm curious why they put butter on the plate and also on the steak. I cannot imagine wanting butter on my steak.

it gives a nice flavor and helps the sizzling effect when steak is served on those super HOT silver platters. i add a pat of butter to my flank steaks when they come off the grill before i slice them sometimes. adds a lovely flavor imo.

 

[Andy M.]

I'm curious why they put butter on the plate and also on the steak. I cannot imagine wanting butter on my steak.

You answer my question and I'll answer yours.

 

[katybar22]

I don't know why they put butter on the steaks, I don't do it at home. But I will say Ruth's Chris (I agree w/UB) has a fine steak and the butter makes it really fine!!!

 

[jennyema]

I can't stand that Peter Lugar cuts up your steak. It annoys me.

Butter is a common addition in most upscale steakhouses. I hate that too.

 

[Andy M.]

I can't stand that Peter Lugar cuts up your steak. It annoys me.

Butter is a common addition in most upscale steakhouses. I hate that too.

But why do they rather than resting them?

 

[Uncle Bob]

Butter is a common addition in most upscale steakhouses. I hate that too.

I do too! --- I try to tell them, if they want my continued patronage, to please refrain from dong so.

 

[GB]

Andy, my guess (and it is just a shot in the dark) is that they do not rest them because it takes more time and they would rather get the meals out quicker. I do not think that makes much sense at a high end restaurant so I am probably wrong, but that is what came to mind.

 

[jennyema]

But why do they rather than resting them?

I always assumed they did rest them. The practice is affected if you ask me.

Not resting them makes no sense, I agree.

 

[katybar22]

I can't stand that Peter Lugar cuts up your steak. It annoys me.

Butter is a common addition in most upscale steakhouses. I hate that too.

HUH? Butter and steak juices!! What better sauce!! But, I will qualify by saying, I haven't had it in a long time, I don't do it at home and I'm a butter lover from way back. So, MOO!