Delmonico's steakhouse has been serving exquisite dining experiences in New York City since 1837. With its storied history and elegant ambiance, this iconic restaurant blends classic and contemporary cuisine. Whether you're savoring their famous Delmonico steak or indulging in decadent desserts, it's sure to be a treat. On a recent trip to the Big Apple, I stopped by Delmonico's in Lower Manhattan for lunch. Join me as I explore the history and flavors that make Delmonico's a must-visit for any restaurant enthusiast.
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Delmonico's History
Delmonico's story began in 1827 when Swiss brothers Giovanni and Pietro Delmonico invested $20,000 to open a small, six-table pastry shop and cafe at 23 Williams Street. The new venture was called Delmonico & Brother, with Giovanni (John) Delmonico, a former sea captain, working the front of the house and Pietro (Peter) serving as the pastry chef. Together, they sold chocolates, coffee, wine, liquor, and Havana cigars.
Their budding business was a success, and in 1830, they expanded to the building next door, opening Restaurant Francais, New York City's first restaurant. There, the brothers introduced a novel trend from Paris: a la carte dining, which allowed guests to choose from a menu of individually priced dishes. In 1831, Giovanni and Pietro's nephew, Lorenzo Delmonico, immigrated to America to help with the business.
Three years later, the family purchased a farm in present-day Brooklyn, where they grew some of the vegetables used in their dishes. Once again, their instincts proved a hit with New Yorkers, leading them to purchase the triangular plot across the street, where they built and opened the country's first fine dining restaurant in August 1937.
56 Beaver Street
The brother's commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients continued. The 1,000-bottle wine cellar was the largest of its day. They also offered private dining on the third floor for guests who preferred discretion. In 1850, the signature ribeye known as the Delmonico steak was developed. It was traditionally served with Delmonico potatoes, a baked dish made from mashed potatoes topped with grated cheese and breadcrumbs.
In 1862, French chef Charles Ranhofer was hired to lead the kitchen, which he did for nearly 40 years. During his tenure, Ranhofer is credited with creating lobster Newburg and chicken a la Keene. Baked Alaska and eggs Benedict are often mentioned in the same breath, though there remains an open debate about their origins.
Throughout the 19th century, Delmonico's success led the family to open additional restaurants throughout Manhattan. President Abraham Lincoln frequented the East 14th Street location during the Civil War, where his favorite dish was the potato gratin (via NY Post). Other famous guests of this era include Charles Dickens (1868), who attended a banquet at the 14th Street restaurant, and Mark Twain, who was photographed (below) celebrating his 70th birthday at Delmonico's (1905).
Embed from Getty ImagesProhibition Era and Beyond
Prohibition ended the original, family-owned business, with the last Delmonico's location on 5th Avenue and 44th Street closing on May 21, 1923. Three years later, Oscar Tucci purchased the 56 Beaver Street restaurant and ran a speakeasy in the basement until alcohol could be openly served again in 1926. Tucci ushered in a new era for Delmonico's, including the creation of many more private dining rooms on the upper floors of the building, which he wholly owned by the 1940s. Notable guests included Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, and John F. Kennedy.
Most recently, Delmonico's steakhouse closed in 2020 during the pandemic and reopened in September 2023 after some ownership wrangling and renovations. Oscar Tucci's grandson, Max Tucci, is a partner in the revitalized Delmonico's. Let's move on to my experience dining at Delmonico's in March 2024.
Lunch Service
Kel and I arrived at the entrance to Delmonico's after a 10-minute walk from Battery Park, where we'd disembarked the ferry after visiting the Statue of Liberty. Our time was short, no more than one hour, as Kel had a work event to get to uptown. Upon entering the restaurant at 12:15 p.m. on a Friday, I was pleasantly surprised to find it relatively peaceful, with plenty of seating available. We followed the hostess across the main dining room, wrapped in original cherry wood wainscoting, to pretty blue banquette seating. With my back against the wall, I could see the entire room. I couldn't have asked for a better table.
Menus
Delmonico's steakhouse offers diners two lunch options: a la carte or a Power Lunch Prix Fixe, which consists of two or three courses for a set price ($36 for two courses or $45 for three). As we were there to try the signature Delmonico steak, we went with the a la carte menu. Appetizers are heavy on seafood, with fresh oysters, chilled jumbo prawns, yellowtail crudo, and Maine crab cake. Caramelized bacon with Tonic 01 foie maple syrup is the exception.
A wedge salad with iceberg lettuce, heirloom tomato, Kikorangi triple cream blue cheese, and a yuzu honey vinaigrette is available. You can add chicken, shrimp, or the eye of Delmonico steak for an upcharge. The wedge salad was developed at Delmonico's during Oscar Tucci's ownership.
Sandwiches are served with a choice of salad or chips and include a Delmonico prime rib with shallot marmalade and black truffle au jus, a dry-aged Wagyu burger with bacon and brie remoulade, and cured duck breast. Under the entrees, you'll find another signature dish, chicken a la Keene (English peas, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, piquillo, creamy sherry sauce), attributed to chef Ranhofer in the 1880s. Pasta pomodoro, Faroe Island salmon, and wild mushroom risotto are available.
If you're here for the steaks like me, you're well-served at Delmonico's. First and foremost, there's the signature 18-ounce Delmonico steak from Brandt Family Farms, California. It's $79 but can easily feed three to four adults. Consider the 12-ounce eye of Delmonico steak from the same supplier if you prefer not to share. Smaller still is a 7-ounce filet mignon for $39. If you'd instead head in the other direction, there's a 36-ounce Wagyu Cote de Boeuf from Australia for $250 and a 40-ounce Porterhouse steak for two for $195.
Delmonico Steak
Kel and I knew we'd have our hands full with the standard 18-ounce Delmonico steak, so we skipped an appetizer. The service was incredibly prompt and professional, which we appreciated. Our steak was delivered about 15 minutes after we ordered it, cooked a perfect medium rare. The grilled asparagus was dressed with a hollandaise foam that imparted the same flavor and texture as the standard sauce, minus the heaviness.
Kel will attest that I'm not a huge steak eater at home. However, take me to a steakhouse like Delmonico's, and I'll savor any expertly cooked piece of beef. After we had our fill, we asked for the leftovers to be packaged and an order of Delmonico's original baked Alaska.
Baked Alaska
Delmonico's baked Alaska, initially called "Alaska Florida" in reference to the hot and cold elements of the desert, dates back to 1867 when the U.S. purchased the Alaskan territory. Today's version is much like chef Ranhofer's in the 19th century. Burnt merengue encases banana gelato on a base of walnut cake alongside apricot jam. The dish is flambeed at your table. Once the flames went out, our waiter sliced it in two, revealing the pastry's layers.
I'm on a baked Alaska kick after trying it for the first time at Bern's Steak House in Tampa, Florida, a few years ago. Surely the Delmonico brothers would've been impressed with Bern's wine collection, which numbers about 600,000 bottles. Delmonico's baked Alaska has set the bar high for any future versions of this dessert I may encounter. And it was an exciting way to conclude our quick lunch in the Financial District.
Related: Pastry as Edible Art at Lysee
The Bill
Our two-person lunch at Delmonico's steakhouse cost $164.56, including tax and a 20% tip. The signature $79 steak entree accounted for most of the bill. The side of asparagus was $17, and the baked Alaska was on par with Michelin-star dessert prices at $24.
For a more detailed history of Delmonico's, check out these stories on Steak Perfection and American Heritage.
Delmonico's
56 Beaver St, New York, NY
Website
Lunch: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday
Dinner: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
