First off, the bread was incredible. They come out warm, they're unlimited, and honestly it's hard not to fill up on them. Our server was fantastic and gave us some great recommendations throughout the meal. We started with a half dozen East Coast and West Coast oysters, which were fresh and delicious. The bone marrow was rich and flavorful, the Caesar salad was well done, and the truffle mac and cheese was excellent. The mashed potatoes had some of the softest, creamiest texture I've ever had, absolutely worth ordering. The creamed spinach was good, though I've had better elsewhere.
For mains, the filet of sole was perfectly cooked, but the star of the night was definitely the Omi striploin, absolute chef's kiss.
The only awkward moment of the evening had nothing to do with the restaurant. A couple seated next to us asked to be moved because they felt we were dressed too casually. Despite that, the staff remained professional and treated us with the same level of respect and hospitality as everyone else, which we really appreciated. Great food, great service, and an overall excellent dining experience. We'll definitely be back.
Probably the best overall experience I've had at a steak house. It's the first steak house I've been to that gives you a selection of knives to choose from. We each ordered a different cut and they offered to slice and put them on a cutting board to allow us to share and try eat cut. Service was very attentive and impeccable. We will be going back again since my daughter is going to school in Philadelphia, but if you are ever in Philadelphia and haven't been to Barclay Prime, you have to go at least once.
Barclay Prime definitely sets the bar high when it comes to ambiance and service. The vibe is sophisticated and romantic, and the staff—like our server, who’d been there for over a decade—made the evening feel personal. The beef tartare, topped with caviar and quail egg, was absolutely sublime—probably one of the best I’ve had. On the flip side, the famed luxury cheesesteak didn’t live up to the hype for me, and some dishes—like the sea bass—lacked flavor. Still, the presentation, texture, and overall elegance of the experience were undeniable. While some dishes didn’t match my personal taste, the impeccable service and atmosphere made it a memorable evening. I’d give it four stars—worth it for the vibe and the service!
One of the best steaks I’ve had in my life and I’ve been to many good steakhouses around NY.
The steak was the star of the show. It was evenly cooked, even on the ends, had a perfect char, and we ordered medium rare and blood didn’t spew out - so they let it rest properly. Also, the presentation is great - the waiter gave us a choice of 5 different steak knives to choose from and he explained each one with detail.
The tater tots are not traditional with a crispy outside. They were more of a mashed tot and we were pleasantly surprised. Mushrooms were great as well - good variety and well seasoned. We ended with the pavlova for dessert.
We also loved the popover service. Fluffy and crispy with a nice sprinkling of cheese on top.
Also, service was amazing. Our waiter was friendly, energetic, and very knowledgeable, which made the experience great.
The one piece of feedback I have would be to up their cocktail game. My bf had an old fashioned and it was p weak (as in not much alcohol) and they used the smaller ice cubes (which prob made it taste weak). I liked my drink though (smoke gets in your rye) but it’s not for everyone’s it’s pretty alcohol forward. Feel like most steakhouses have a cocktail they do really well and I just didn’t see that distinctiveness here.
Fantastic meal and overall experience. Our server recommended a few cocktails that were spot on and a great way to start the evening. The Wagyu cheesesteak was the only miss—the plating felt underwhelming and the dish was overly rich without enough balance. That said, this is a great spot for an intimate meal and a place we’d gladly return to
