Ricardo Steak House (Review) in East Harlem

Ricardo Steak House doesn’t need help from a blog to bring them any business, but a reader of HarlemCondoLife asked us recently why we have never reviewed Ricardo’s?  Since then I’ve been trying to go back there to take some photos and see if it was as good as I had remembered.  Living in West Harlem I don’t get over to East Harlem as much as I’d like too. So this past weekend we headed over with another blogger from DestinationHarlemTV and had dinner on Saturday night.  It was as good as I had remembered if not even maybe a little better. This is not a place for your parents and your kids, this is a place for us.  The people are loud, the music is loud and the food is excellent!  The atmosphere on a weekend night you can expect people out in front waiting for a table to free up. It’s normally not too bad of a wait if you come early.  There is a nice bar area as you walk towards a large dinning area which spills out onto a great covered porch area with additional seating.  A really nice touch is that the porch is open all year long.  If you are not the type of person that likes a party, this is not the place for you.  If you are looking for a party with your steak, this is your place.  Music is pumping, the hostesses are very attractive and friendly, the servers are really efficient and the steaks in my opinion are one of the best in Harlem.  You feel well taken care of which is pretty spectacular considering all the chaos that the staff seem to manage with an experienced ease.  If you are coming up from downtown Manhattan it is worth the trip.  If you are coming over from West Harlem or down from Upper Harlem, you won’t be disappointed.  Wardrobe is a little of everything (it was a very hot summer night the night we were there) some were dressed casually in shorts (including one of my friends) but the majority of the crowd were dressed to impress.  Especially the Ladies.

To begin with you will start with a basket of Garlic Bread which they are somewhat famous for.  Toasted served warm and would be very easy to fill up on before your dinner. I’d recommend the Sauteed Garlic Shrimp with mixed greens appetizer, very refreshing in an herb white wine sauce.  They have a real nice variety and selection of appetizers to choose from (see MENU) but also listen to their specials of the day.  For dinner one of my friends had the Skirt Steak with Grilled Shrimp, Mashed Potatoes and String Beans which he liked a lot. Big cut of steak too. I also recommend the Filet Mignon which was cooked and seasoned perfectly and a large cut (8 oz) of steak. This comes with roasted Red Bliss Potatoes and Garlic Spinach.  The red potato side was one of the best I’d ever had.  I normally like mashed and was considering the plantains which I’d had once before  but I would definitely get the red bliss again when I go back.  My other friend had the Prime Rib with Mashed Potatoes and Juicy Basil Tomato Wedges.  I’d like to order this next time but might add a side of sweet plantains.  There are a lot of other options if you are not a steak lover from Fish N’ Chicks to Pastas.

The vibe is very much a neighborhood and regulars crowd who continue to come back for the good service and great food.  Reminded me of all the other places I like in East Harlem that we need to blog more about here at HarlemCondoLife.  If you haven’t yet experienced Ricardo Steak House I definitely would recommend it.  I can’t wait to go back.  I recommend for dinner to eat in the main dinning room or the porch area.  Be prepared to wait a little bit but it goes quickly.  Just order a sangria or mojito at the bar and enjoy people watching and the music by the DJ.  Or you can wait outside in front until your name is called.  We waited no longer than 15 minutes and sat in the main room.

Atmosphere: Fun, loud, festive
Food: Excellent steak, flavorful, reasonably priced
Music: Great, hiphop, classics, spanish, house
Crowd: Attractive, youngish, neighborhood, mixed
Location: On 2nd Ave between 110th & 111th Street

Ricardo Steak House in East Harlem, NY