Review of Reserve Cut

by Frayda
sauce poured onto steak with red wine glass from Reserve Cut NYC

Reserve Cut is a high-quality Kosher steakhouse, located in the Financial District. The Kosher Cactus visited in June of 2021. This review was written in July of 2021. 

Where  is Reserve Cut located?

reserve cut entrance through decorated hallway with wine cellar
The iconic walk-through wine cellar entrance to Reserve Cut

Reserve Cut is located at 40 Broad St, in Manhattan. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the building, but a lobby attendant can escort you in the right direction if you are not sure where to go. 

Reserve Cut is just at the bottom tip of Manhattan, surrounded by Wall Street and the Financial District. There are train stations for almost every subway line, all within a 5-minute walking radius.

If you prefer to drive, you can park at the ICON parking garage, at 14-26 William Street, and have $21 worth of parking validated by the restaurant. There are also late-night parking spaces available on the surrounding streets. 

What time is Reserve Cut open?

The restaurant is open from 12PM to 11PM, Monday through Thursday, and 5PM to 11PM on Sundays. They are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Do I need to make a reservation?

sushi, red wine, teriyaki sauce
All the Sushi you can dream of…

Yes, you do need to make a reservation- for any time of the day. The steakhouse is very busy, and your chances of getting a table without calling ahead is unlikely. You can book online, or call the restaurant to reserve. 

What is the vibe at Reserve Cut?

Reserve Cut is an incredible steakhouse, and one of the fanciest Kosher restaurants in New York.

Entering the dining room takes you through a long glass hallway that doubles as a wine cellar. The dining space is beautiful and elegant, with marble flooring, comfortable leather chairs and gorgeous artwork on the walls. On the other side of the dining room, there are more private booths, and small rooms for parties and events.

The entire space has a calm, relaxing environment.

Despite the stress and busyness of running an enormous restaurant, the servers were all extremely helpful and attentive. Although our table had a designated waiter, every time any staff member passed our table, they always looked our way to see if we needed anything. 

What kind of food do they serve at Reserve Cut?

The restaurant is a steakhouse, so the feature of the menu is all kinds of steaks. They serve Wagyu steak, which is internationally renowned as the world’s best beef. There’s also standard American-grade steaks, like the Filet Mignon.

The restaurant serves sushi dishes, which are made of the freshest fish, served beautifully, and taste amazing. There are regular appetizers, like Baby Back Ribs, and more adventurous ones, like Steak Tartare.

Living up to its reputation, Reserve Cut plates every single dish with the utmost care- everything your order is a work of art. 

steak with cross-hatchet marks and sauce
How good does this look?

First of all, all the sushi is amazing. You have to realize, going in, that every single sushi dish is incredible. But- this is a steakhouse, and my opinion on the sushi is wasted. So I am not going to bother reviewing the sushi- just know that it is all amazing. That being said…

Here are a few of my favorite dishes at the Steakhouse:

Steamed Buns.

This dish is not an introduction to Korean cuisine- it was basically made in Korea. These are little dumplings, steamed to the perfect readiness and shaped like tiny tacos. Inside there is kimchi (spicy pickled cabbage), scallions and a teriyaki sauce, and a showstopper: slow roasted wagyu beef. The flavor is intensely Korean, and every bite is delicious. 

Short Rib Tacos.

Somehow the name of the dish is familiar, as if they serve it and every Kosher meat restaurant. I guarantee you, you have not had rib tacos like this. The tacos are served with a pineapple salsa that is simultaneously sweet and spicy, and tastes so, so  fresh. The ribs are smoked, fall-apart tender, and flavored with hickory. In my opinion, pineapple and hickory should get married. And they did. In this dish. You should eat it. 

steamed korean buns with wagyu beef and piedmonst salad at reserve cut
Steamed Buns and Piedmont Salad, and a drink

10oz Prime Reserve Cut, with garlic and herbs.

You can order this with a side of Stir Fried String Beans, and the entire dish meshes so, so well. I like a steak so rare, it is practically still mooing, and Reserve Cut delivered. Perfectly pink and piping hot all the way through; gently seared on the outside; delicious buttery garlic flavor… Perfection. The beans were also perfect- hot and flavorful, with just the slightest crunchiness. 

Colarado Rack of Lamb.

If it’s not done well, lamb can taste greasy and gamey. This was done well. This domestically curated lamb is seared, and then oven-roasted. It is served with a potato puree, roasted carrots, and spinach. The dish comes impeccably plated, and has the faintest taste of truffles. It is delicious. 

The Golden Age Burger.

A burger at a steakhouse? Sacrilege! Ok, I know, but hear me out: this is amazing. Close your eyes and imagine this. A toasted brioche bun, with white truffle butter spread inside. There’s a little bed of caramelized onions, fresh herbs and crispy porcini mushrooms inside. Atop it is a burger, made from the finest blend of prime chuck and short rib, seared to perfection on the outside and delightfully rare on the inside. There is a little dab of horseradish cream on top, and some shaved black truffle on top of that. And over the top of the entire thing- gold dust. It smells like heaven. Now open your eyes. You want it, don’t you?

Also, it comes with fried pickles. Now you really want it. 

What else is on the menu?

tuna tartar with avocado and microgreens
Tuna Tartar: an appetizer from the sea; a feast for the eyes.
  • Sushi
  • Soups and Salads
  • Appetizers ‘From the Sea’
  • Appetizers ‘From the Land’
  • Salads and Sandwiches
  • Mains
  • Steaks
  • Signature Wagyu
  • Umami Wagyu
  • Sides
  • Drinks
  • Desserts

What is the best dish at Reserve Cut?

The nice thing about the menu is that you don’t necessarily have to order a steak to appreciate the high-quality beef. A lot of the starter and side sih options have wagyu meat  incorporated into the dish.

Personally, I love the Gnocci Pomodoro. It is hand-crafted potato gnocchi, with a tomato based meat sauce made from Wagyu beef and veal. It is not a huge dish- its an appetizer, after all- but boy, does it pack in flavor. Somehow, you can taste each individual note of beef, veal and tomatoes.  

What Hashgacha are they under?

Reserve Cut is under the Kosher supervision of the OU. The meat is Glatt, and all wines are Mevushal.   

Does Reserve Cut serve drinks?

drink options at reserve cut- cocktails
You get a drink! And you get a drink! And you get a drink! Everybody gets a drink!

Yes, the restaurant serves drinks. As well as a specialty cocktail menu of house-created drinks, there are also the standards (Gin/Tonic, Mohito, etc.).

You can also get wine by the glass or a bottle for the table, and shots of your preferred drink, or a bottle for the table. The restaurant also has an in-house sommelier, who will help you make a selection to fit your meal. 

If you are looking for something interesting, I’d suggest the Blushing Basil cocktail. It has mint, watermelon, basil, lemon and pomegranate liquor, and it tastes fresh and clean, with just a hint of sweet. 

Is Reserve Cut kid-friendly?

dining room at rreserve cut with set tables facing bar
Just one part of the dining room. Altogether, Reserve Cut can host over 1000 people.

I would not recommend bringing children to the restaurant.

Firstly, there is not much (beside Fries, maybe) on the menu that a typical kid would enjoy. Secondly, most of the patrons of the restaurant are escaping from their children for the evening. Bringing along your child (and their potential tantrum?) exhibits a lack of consideration. 

If you are stuck on options, I would make some inquiries about the semi-private booths. Or go somewhere else.  But in general, Reserve Cut is not for children. 

Is Reserve Cut wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Reserve Cut is wheelchair friendly. There is an elevator to get up to the 2nd floor, where the restaurant is, and there is plenty of space to get into the dining room.

Navigating through the tables may be a little tight. I’d call ahead to ensure you are seated comfortably at the right table for you. 

Does Reserve Cut serve desserts?

four layer chocolate cake with chocolate candy and chocolate shavings on top
A Mirage of Chocolate

There are a few dessert options. 

When we visited, we had Bamboloni, and they did not disappoint. Gently fried dough, shaped like a delicious heavenly pillow, dusted with the finest powdered sugar, and two choices for dipping with each serving…. These are simply indescribable. 

Personally, I also love the look of the Chocolate Mirage. It’s a four-layer chocolate sponge cake with a chocolate coating and extra candied chocolate trimmings. The couple at the table next to us ordered one, and it looks gorgeous. 

Final Thoughts

Reserve Cut is very expensive, but well worth the money, especially for a date night.

If you are not the type to opt for something incredibly fancy, even as a one-off Reserve Cut is an experience not to be missed. The service is exceptional, the food is delicious and perfectly done, and the atmosphere is relaxing.

For our meal of drinks, apps, mains, and a dessert to share, we spent $344. 

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