TLDR: Yes.
If you’ve ever tried to snag a reservation at 4 Charles Prime Rib, you probably aged a year in the process. This West Village supper club is notorious for being booked solid, but occasionally you can luck out with a 5 PM Tuesday table popping up on Resy. In my case, I used my connections to get in, and I’m not sorry about it. I didn’t spend almost 2 decades blogging and creating content for free for nothing. And no, my meal wasn’t comped, so trust me, these opinions are 100% my own.
You’re going to pay a pretty penny for this meal, but it will be worth it. So if you do manage to get in, I promise it’s not just steakhouse hype. It’s one of those rare places where the food and the vibe comes together perfectly and lives up to the expectations. There’s nothing supremely innovative or kitschy (see my post about The Corner Store for some examples of that), but perhaps that’s why it’s been a favorite among many for so long. It’s not “trendy” so much as it is “exclusive,” and there’s nothing NYC folks love more than exclusivity.
Here’s what I ordered and what I’d order again (and again) if I ever get back in:
Must-Try Dishes at 4 Charles Prime Rib
The Burger (w/ Egg + Thick Cut Bacon)
Yes, we got the burger as an appetizer. It’s not that crazy and in fact, a lot of people do this. If you’ve ever been to Au Cheval in Chicago (or the spinoff, Au Cheval Diner here in NYC), it’s basically the same burger. She’s thicc with two Snake River Farms wagyu patties, served medium-rare with melty American cheese, pickles, onions, and “marie rose sauce” (it’s good, whatever it is), and you have the option of adding a farm egg topped with chives and/or thick-cut bacon (I always add both); it’s also carved tableside like the meat royalty it is when you’re sharing as an app. Is it excessive for a starter? Absolutely. Do I care? Not even a little.
The Cacio e Pepe Carbonara Pasta
I don’t always order this one, but one of my friends in the group got it and I forgot how good it is. Blending two amazing pastas into one is not a bad way to go. This is another one that they stir up and serve tableside; it’s perfectly creamy without being cloying, rich, salty, and ideal for sharing as an appetizer as well.
The French Dip Sandwich
I’m going to say something controversial: this might beat out the Prime Rib itself. The meat is tender, the cheese is perfect, the bread is crusty-soft in the best way, and the au jus for dunking? I’d drink it from a wine glass. And it doesn’t do that thing where you bite into it and all the meat comes out. This is the real sleeper hit in my opinion.
The Prime Rib (4 Charles Cut, Dry Aged in Gorgonzola)
Don’t get me wrong, the Prime Rib is still the main event. Dry-aged and gorgonzola-crusted, it’s deeply savory, juicy, and comes with a little horseradish and au jus on the side. Basically, the perfect bite. You won’t need steak sauce. You won’t want steak sauce. Sadly, when we went this time, they were actually out of the 4 Charles Cut, so we got the Chicago cut instead. Still very good, but since I’ve had the 4 Charles Cut before, I had to put that down as the Prime Rib to get.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
My favorite thing about a steakhouse, honestly: the sides. Creamed spinach and mashed potatoes are my go-to’s, and these mashed potatoes are creamy, buttery, and absolutely loaded with roasted garlic. The creamed spinach is good too but if I had to choose, I’d pick the potatoes.
Truffle Mac and Cheese
I’m not a HUGE truffle fan, but this mac and cheese is so damn creamy and cheesy, it really doesn’t matter how I feel about truffles. It’s also made with cavatappi pasta, which is an excellent pasta shape for clinging onto all that cheesy goodness.
The Chocolate Cream Pie (Oreo Crust)
Even if you’re full (you will be), save room for this. Rich, silky Valrhona dark chocolate filling topped with a generous scoop of chantilly cream (whipped cream) all baked into a crunchy Oreo crust; this pie feels like a big hug after a long day. You’ll think about it in the middle of the night, guaranteed.
The Vibe
Low lighting, wood paneling, vintage paintings – it feels like an old-school steakhouse met a Wes Anderson film. It’s intimate (read: small), cozy, and always buzzing with people who somehow knew someone who knew someone to get in (raises hand). The service is always excellent too – aka they don’t come over and ask how things are JUST as you shoved a giant piece of steak into your mouth. #iykyk
Final Thoughts
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s hard to get in. But 4 Charles Prime Rib is one of the few NYC “hyped” restaurants that actually delivers on food, vibe, and that rare “wow” factor. Plus, I can’t lie, the place is just a really cool and unique spot. You feel cool just for being there.
Info & How to Book
4 Charles Prime Rib
4 Charles St, New York, NY 10014
Website | Resy Reservations
