CRAVING THE ULTIMATE STEAKHOUSE EXPERIENCE? AMERICAN EXPRESS TASTEMAKERS DISH ON THEIR TOP NEW YORK STEAKHOUSES

Dish reveals the restaurants that Manhattan Tastemakers frequent for great steak

NEW YORK, February 26, 2008 -- For many Americans, the seemingly endless winter induces a serious need for comfort food, and what better to satisfy that craving than a night out at a great New York steakhouse. New York City has a diverse range of steakhouses -- from the traditional to the inventive "hot spot" offering an update on the authentic steakhouse experience. Today, American Express issued its Tastemaker Index, in which Tastemakers dish on some of the top New York restaurants where diners can get the best steak in the city. The Tastemaker Index is a monthly alert which provides an insider's look at some of the hottest restaurants recently dined at and talked about on American Express Dish(SM). Dish is a community web site dedicated to connecting people who love to dine out.

The Tastemaker Index reveals the Top 5 New York Steakhouses. These rankings are based on the number of charges made by Tastemakers at restaurants. While they don't account for a restaurant's size or hours of operation, they do reflect the dining trends of an exclusive group of food-loving Cardmembers.

New York City: Top 5 New York Steakhouses

RANK RESTAURANT
1. Bobby Van's Steakhouse
2. Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak house
3. STK
4. Wollensky's Grill
5. Sparks Steakhouse

Source: American Express Dish Tastemakers, February 2008

Tastemaker Picks

  1. Bobby Van's Steakhouse
    230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, (212) 867-5490

    • Bobby Van's "extremely tender" steak and "excellent" sirloin consistently earn raves from steak lovers, while the conventionally lavish setting ensures a "solid steakhouse" experience.
     

  2. Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House
    1221 Sixth Ave., New York, NY 10020, (212) 997-9335

    • Tastemakers frequent Del Frisco's for "delectable steakhouse classics," "great martinis" and "decadent desserts" that help distinguish the restaurant from the "run-of-the-mill steakhouse."
     

  3. STK
    26 Little West 12th St., New York, NY 10014, (646) 624-2444

    • STK's trendy Meatpacking District address means this isn't your father's steakhouse – the modishly smart décor and "unexpectedly fantastic" cuisine contribute to an atypical scene that primes diners for a night on the town.
     

  4. Wollensky's Grill
    205 E. 49th St., New York, NY 10017, (212) 753-0444

    • A less formal revision of the long-established Smith & Wollensky's, Wollensky's Grill consistently serves up "juicy and delicious" steak and "wonderful" lobster.
     

  5. Sparks Steakhouse
    210 E. 46th St., New York, NY 10017, (212) 687-4855

    • Sparks prides itself on its "old world service" and "top quality" steak and lobster, while Tastemakers deem it "one of the best" steakhouses in New York City.

More on Dish
What Dish provides that is unlike any other dining resource is a robust combination of dining offers, information and insights, including peer restaurant ratings, expert picks and instant reservations among other features. Available in New York and San Francisco, Dish is an ongoing platform, allowing diners to tap into the insights of a diverse group of passionate Cardmembers and celebrity foodies, better known as the Dish Tastemaker community.

"American Express Dish offers a mix of savings and insights to entice Cardmembers with the insider scoop on the trendiest New York City restaurants," said Rebecca Fogg, vice president, Network and Merchant Marketing for American Express. "In addition to accessing fellow Tastemakers' rankings and opinions on some of the best restaurants in the city, they have firsthand access to exclusive offers available only to American Express Cardmembers."

American Express Dish is currently available in New York City and San Francisco. To become a Tastemaker and start dishing, go to www.amexnetwork.com/thedish. Tastemaker participation is open to all U.S. consumers with American Express-branded cards.

About American Express
Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards. American Express Company is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850.



Contacts:
Sarah Meron
212.640.5503
Sarah.B.Meron@aexp.com