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Aretsky's Patroon
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Aretsky's Patroon
8.6
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Rooftop Views Revelry
Two blocks from Grand Central, Aretsky’s Patroon is a multi-level Midtown townhouse where serious American steakhouse cooking meets a heated, year-round rooftop. Since the late 1990s under restaurateur Ken Aretsky, it has become a corporate-card favorite for crab cakes, dry-aged steaks and polished, old-school service capped with rooftop cocktails and cigars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, 40-Day Dry Aged Ribeye, Crab Cake Sliders
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 9
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Classic Midtown townhouse steakhouse with a heated, all-weather rooftop bar.
Who should go: Power diners wanting steaks plus a refined rooftop.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners or golden-hour rooftop cocktails.
What to order: Jumbo lump crab cakes, dry aged ribeye, crab cake sliders.
Insider tip: Request rooftop seating in mild weather and follow with a dining-room steak course.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; nearby paid garages on E 46th–E 47th Street. Street parking is scarce until after 7pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—blazers, polished tops, dark denim acceptable; avoid overly casual athleisure.
Noise level: Moderate in the main dining room; rooftop varies from moderate to lively during peak post-work hours.
Weekend wait: Typically no wait with a reservation; walk-ins may face 30–45 minutes, especially for rooftop seating.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait with a booking; walk-ins seated quickly except during peak corporate lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but solid options—seasonal salads, vegetable sides, and occasional pasta or risotto specials.
Vegan options: Very limited; the kitchen can modify some salads and sides, but mains are scarce.
Gluten-free options: Good accommodation; steaks, seafood, salads, and several sides can be made gluten-free on request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a sophisticated, classic Midtown feel. The dining room is refined and conversation-friendly, though the atmosphere leans more polished-professional than intimate-romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often possible at lunch or early dinner, but rooftop tables fill first. For prime dinner hours, reservations are strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited for adults; older teens fit comfortably, but there are no children’s menus or kid-focused amenities.
Best For
Better for: Corporate dinners, classic steaks, polished service, and a rare year-round heated rooftop in Midtown East.
Skip if: You want a trendy, youthful scene, extensive vegan options, or a casual, budget-friendly night out.
Aretsky's Patroon
8.4
Run by legendary restaurateur Ken Aretsky since the late 1990s, Aretsky’s Patroon is a Midtown townhouse where polished steakhouse cooking meets a warren of private rooms and a rooftop used for events. Regulars prize its jumbo crab cakes, 35–40-day dry-aged steaks and old-school service, using its floor of clubby spaces for board dinners, wine-soaked celebrations and cigar-friendly evenings upstairs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jumbo lump crab cakes, 35-day dry-aged ribeye, Hand-cut steak tartare
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Townhouse steakhouse with multiple character-filled private rooms and a rooftop terrace.
Who should go: Corporate hosts and classic steakhouse loyalists.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners when private rooms buzz but aren’t rowdy.
What to order: Jumbo crab cakes, dry-aged ribeye, tableside sides.
Insider tip: Ask the events team about the wine cellar or rooftop for more atmospheric private dinners.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited metered street parking in the East 40s. Most guests use nearby garages on 39th or 41st Street.
Dress code: Business casual leaning polished—blazers common, dark denim acceptable but not typical.
Noise level: Moderate; private rooms are controlled and conversation-friendly, main dining room can get lively during peak corporate dinners.
Weekend wait: Minimal weekend crowds, but private rooms are often pre-booked—walk-ins may face a 20–30 minute wait.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait with a reservation; walk-ins seated quickly unless there’s a private event block.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate coverage—salads, vegetable starters and a few pasta or fish options can be adapted.
Vegan options: Limited—kitchen can prepare off-menu vegetable plates with notice.
Gluten-free options: Good accommodation—many steaks and seafood dishes are naturally gluten-free; staff is familiar with restrictions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a sophisticated, quiet-leaning date—private rooms and booths provide intimacy, though the tone skews classic and formal rather than playful.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially early weeknights or weekends, but reservations are strongly recommended if you need a private room or peak-period seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially—service is formal and rooms skew adult. Older teens comfortable with steakhouse dining will fare better than younger children.
Best For
Better for: Highly polished private rooms, old-school service, and consistent steakhouse execution make it stronger than nearby competitors for corporate hosting and milestone celebrations.
Skip if: If you want creative tasting menus, modern décor or a livelier, trend-forward scene, other Midtown spots may fit better.