The Great New York Steakout: How Many Smith & Wollenskys Can One City Stomach?
Ah, New York City. The Big Apple. A concrete jungle where dreams are made of...and apparently, a surprising number of steaks are devoured. But amongst the countless restaurants vying for your tastebuds, there's one question that's been plaguing curious carnivores for years: just how many Smith & Wollenskys are there in this glorious meat-lovers' paradise?
Intrigue at the Intersection of 49th & 3rd: The Birth of a Steakhouse Empire
The story begins, as all epic sagas do, with a single location. In 1977, a legendary (and slightly mischievous) restaurateur named Alan Stillman (the mastermind behind T.G.I. Friday's, no less) decided to transform a historic building on 49th and 3rd Avenue into a monument to perfectly aged beef. This, my friends, was the genesis of the New York Smith & Wollensky, a place so iconic it practically purrs.
So, One Steakhouse to Rule Them All? Not Quite...
Now, you might think that one Smith & Wollensky would be enough to satiate the city's hunger for juicy cuts. But clearly, New Yorkers have a bottomless pit for prime rib. Because as fate (and perhaps a strategic business plan) would have it, this lone steakhouse spawned a mini-empire. Fast forward to today, and there's a grand total of one, yes, ONE, Smith & Wollensky in New York City.
Wait, What? But the Conspiracy Theories...
Hold on there, conspiracy theorists. We hear you muttering about phantom steakhouses and a Manhattan rife with hallucinated Wagyu. Fear not, fellow beef aficionados! While there may be only one official Smith & Wollensky in NYC, the legend lives on in its eight other locations scattered across the US (and even one in London, for our fancy British friends).
The Moral of the Meaty Tale
So, the next time you find yourself craving a steak in the city that never sleeps, head over to the original Smith & Wollensky and experience a piece of culinary history. Just remember, reservations are recommended – those New Yorkers sure do love their prime cuts!
