Monterey Midtown – Birthday Prix Fixe Adventures

This week’s adventure takes us to Monterey in Midtown, a modern American spot that surprised me in the best way. I think I’m going to start a whole series on birthday prix fixe meals—because honestly, everyone’s sick of the group dinner chaos. You know the drill: half the table wants one thing, the other half complains about prices, and suddenly, the birthday isn’t fun anymore. Prix fixe menus may not be my favorite, but when they’re done right, they save a lot of headaches.

The Prix Fixe

Monterey’s deal? $75 for three courses. Starters were a choice between Caesar salad or salmon belly. Mains included prime rib, and desserts came down to a rich chocolate cake or a lighter French-style “cloud” cake (which looked great and tasted even better).

Now here’s the kicker: they ran out of prime rib. On a Friday. In Midtown. At a place known for prime rib. Brutal. But credit where it’s due—they handled it gracefully and swapped in three porterhouses for the table. Solid steaks, quality dry-aged and cooked perfectly. Still, I was dreaming of prime rib with horseradish, breaking through that fat, and yeah… I felt a little robbed.
That said, the overall value was substantial. With apps, mains, dessert, and decent service, $75 felt like a steal. Final bill landed around $166 per head, but keep in mind that’s where cocktails really rack up the cost. (Smart money says: if you’re going heavy on drinks, you’ll see the difference quickly.)

Would I go back?

Absolutely. Not the flawless experience I was hoping for, but good enough that it’s staying on my Midtown rotation. My next stop will probably be Smith & Wollensky—$95 for three courses and unlimited wine is tough to beat, and it usually comes out a little cheaper in the end.

Banana Juice Theory

Prix fixe menus are like banana juice—you don’t always want them, but when the situation calls for it, they’re exactly what keeps the group happy. Monterey might not have delivered the prime rib I was craving, but the structure of the menu made sure everyone at the table got fed without arguments. Sometimes, it’s less about the perfect dish and more about a smooth, no-fuss night out.

Look, I’m just a Fat Guy from Brooklyn giving you my two cents. If you want more Top 10s—steakhouses, burgers, restaurants, you name it—click the words and keep going.