Carver Steak NYC Review (Round Two): Back With the Crew and Zero Regrets

Well… I ended up back at CarverSteak.

This time it was with the old food crew. The OGs. The guys I started this whole “eat everything in sight” journey with. Haven’t seen them in a minute, so we needed somewhere solid, fun, and guaranteed to deliver. No experiments. No gambles.

Everyone agreed on CarverSteak. Reservations locked. Let’s go.

Pro Tip: Start Upstairs at Starchild

If you get there early, go upstairs to Starchild.

Same building, easy move, zero stress. Grab a drink, enjoy the view, catch a breeze, pretend you have your life together for a minute. Drinks are fairly priced, vibe is chill, and you can usually sneak in at the bar even without a reservation.

It is the perfect pregame before doing real damage downstairs.

The Meal: Family-Style Chaos (The Best Kind)

We went family style because we are adults… who do not believe in portion control.

Baby Gem Caesar

Had to start here. It is basically mandatory at this point. Big parm crisps, legit anchovies that you can actually move out of the way if you are not about that life, and a clean, solid dressing. Everyone was happy. No complaints.

CarverSteak Wagyu Burger (Top 10 Candidate)

Half-pound American wagyu, grilled onions, milk bread, pickles… you already know.

This thing was ridiculous in the best way. Juicy to the point where it is dripping down your hands, but still holds together just enough so it does not completely fall apart. Soft, rich, messy, and exactly what you want from a steakhouse burger.

Easily one of the better burgers I have had all year. Yeah, I said it. It is going into the top 10. I will argue with myself later about placement.

Wagyu Cheesesteak Bites (Highly Recommended)

This one snuck up on me. Gooey, cheesy, packed with flavor, and just straight-up satisfying.

It is one of those dishes where halfway through you stop talking, look down at it, and realize you are fully committed. The kind of bite that stretches cheese, drips a little, and makes you forget you ordered anything else.

Highly recommend ordering this. No debate.

Ribeye & Salmon (Crowd Reviews)

I did what I do best and stole bites.

The ribeye got strong approval from the table. Cooked right, good flavor, no drama.
The salmon was also a win. My friend cleaned the plate and already said she is coming back for it, which is usually the highest form of endorsement.

Sides & Extras

We had mac and cheese in the mix because of course, we did. No regrets there.

Drinks & Service

Drinks were solid across the board, though I will say it was not quite the same without Brandy (with an “I”). If you know, you know.

They also moved the whiskey cart from tableside service to a corner setup. I get it, the space is tight, but I did like the old presentation better. It felt a little more steakhouse theater.

That said, hospitality is still on point. Staff is friendly, attentive, and keeps things moving without hovering. Exactly how it should be.

Dessert: Still Can’t Pronounce It, Still Eating It

We got the profiteroles… perfidilios… whatever I am calling them this week.

And the Noir Chocolate Cake

The Noir Chocolate Cake was the sleeper hit. They pour chocolate over it tableside and yeah… it works. It is rich, a little dramatic, and exactly the kind of ending you want after a heavy meal.

Final Verdict

Round two at CarverSteak delivered. Again.

Between the burger, the wagyu cheesesteak, and a strong supporting cast, this place is proving it is not a one-hit wonder.

For a Midtown steakhouse, the price point is actually reasonable. We clocked in around $150 a person with food, drinks, and sides. In NYC terms, that is basically a “good deal” now, which is insane but also reality.

Great food, great vibe, consistent service, and a spot that works just as well for a group as it does for a solo bar sit.

Would I Go Back?

Already planning it.

“This wasn’t my first time here either…
If you want the full breakdown from my first visit, check out my original Carver Steak NYC review”

As always, what do I know? I’m just a fat guy from Brooklyn trying to survive the week, one martini at a time. If you want more Top 10s steakhouses, burgers, restaurants, you name it, click the words and keep going.