Nick & Sam's

Prospective diners could learn everything they need to know about Nick and Sam's by walking through the parking lot. Valets squeeze in freshly detailed luxury cars and limousines of various shapes and sizes park out front. Inside the meat den, dark wood floors and dark wood ceilings framed dark painted walls in between. Waitresses hold massive trays of raw meat out to lions in suits and gingerly spoon sides of creamed spinach and roast mushrooms. Steaks are cooked with precision, but sides could be better. That steak sauce, however, is anything but the expected: dark, finished with lemon and honey and served in tiny gravy boats for dipping. Don't douse your steak or you'll never taste the beef--or the rest of your meal for that matter. It's powerful and viscous and requires restraint.