Quality Meets and Eats in New York City

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Q: My colleagues and I will be traveling to New York for a conference and want to be dining out where the boys are. Which are some of the best steakhouses in the city for a group of fun and professional single women?

Before I give you the roundup, be advised the steakhouse is just one place where men in Manhattan convene – there are loads of them at Irish pubs, beer halls, hitting golf balls or playing ice hockey at Chelsea Piers and watching basketball, football or baseball at any of the city's many sports bars. Many also dine out alone after work during the week so those traveling alone might want to consider dining out solo. The city is filled with eligible single men but they don’t hang out where we do, which is why many women complain of missing them. Now, without further ado, below is my list of sizzling steakhouses in this city.

1.    BLT Steak: If you have not tried their scrumptious popovers, BLT Steak on East 57th is worth the visit. So are the businessmen that hover around the bar during happy hour. It’s a more sophisticated type of man you will see and perfect for dinner with one or two gal pals. Just be sure to grab a seat at the bar before being seated in the main dining room for dinner.

2.    Del Frisco's: If you are looking for guy candy Del Frisco’s is like a trip to a chocolate factory. Men of all ages, professions and different parts of the city flock to Del Frisco's in droves. Be prepared to handle a lot of noise, most are groups entertaining clients and the scene can get rowdy and….sometimes sloppy.

3.    BLT Prime: It does not look like a steakhouse, or feel like one, but the regulars at BLT Prime restaurant will tell you the place is a meat market. If you want a seat with a view, the bar seating in the front of the restaurant is primo real estate. Go light on the dirty martinis, they are potent!

4.    Sparks: Once the scene of a mob shooting, Sparks is a go-to-spot for power dinners among bankers, dealers and entrepreneurs. Your best bet for meeting someone will be while waiting in the crowded entrance for a table. Or, if you’re really lucky you might get seated next to a handsome table full of strangers.

5.    Capital Grille: There are three outposts from this chain sprinkled throughout the city but my personal favorite is the one on East 42nd street in the Chrysler Center. The bar area is big and tends to be bustling on Thursday nights. If you travel a lot for business, Capital Grille is a safe haven throughout the country for solo diners.

6.    Strip House: Enter the Strip House and one cannot help but feel as though you have just walked into an upscale bordello. Dark lighting, banquet style seating and old-style décor do wonders for the mood, especially for groups of 4 or 5 girlfriends. A hearty, convivial crowd, this place always provides provide comfort in the cold winter months or post break up.

7.    Angelo and Maxies: It may be an oldie but this standard still draws in crowds who are visiting from out of town. If you are looking for long distance romance, be sure to be there Monday through Thursday, before the guys head back to their hometowns. Just be wary, the portions are enormous.

Other Notable Mentions: Abe and Arthurs, Quality Meats, Del Monico's, Dylan Prime, Keens and Les Halles East.