New Reserve Cut Park Avenue Brings Upscale Kosher Dining to Midtown
Reserve Cut, the iconic kosher steakhouse known for its exquisite French-Asian fusion cuisine, has expanded its culinary footprint with a new Reserve Cut Park Avenue location in Midtown Manhattan. This exciting development marks a significant milestone for the renowned establishment, which has been a staple in the Financial District since its inception.
The original Reserve Cut, nestled in the heart of the Financial District by Broad Street, has long been celebrated as one of the best fine-dining steakhouses in Manhattan. Owned and operated by Albert Allaham, the restaurant has built a reputation for its exceptional menu featuring sushi and premium Wagyu beef. Allaham’s expertise in fine meats is deeply rooted in his family history, tracing back to Damascus, Syria, where his family ran one of the most respected butcher shops in the city. There are also other stalwarts of kosher fine dining involved in the Reserve Cut operation, such as the Culinary Director Isaac Bernstein.
This rich heritage in the meat industry is evident in Allaham’s other venture, The Prime Cut, a high-end butcher shop located in the Sephardic neighborhood of Gravesend, Brooklyn. The synergy between his butcher shop and restaurant has undoubtedly contributed to Reserve Cut’s success and reputation for quality and is included in our ranking of the top 10 kosher restaurants in Manhattan.
The restaurant’s growth has been remarkable, as evidenced by its recent $18 million purchase of part of the building they occupy at 40 Broad Street. This investment demonstrates not only the restaurant’s financial success but also its commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the Financial District.
Now, Reserve Cut brings its culinary excellence to Midtown Manhattan with the opening of Reserve Cut Park Avenue at 109 E 56th St. This new location, which just opened in September 2024, promises to be a magnificent 250-seat restaurant, offering the same high-quality dining experience that has made the original location a favorite among kosher food enthusiasts.
The menu boasts a variety of sushi, such as the “Bluefin Truffle Toro Roll,” appetizers, such as the “Crispy Lattice Short Rib Gyoza,” and the (domestic) wagyu “42 Oz Allaham Tomahawk” steak. There is also a non-domestic wagyu offering described as “umami olive fed wagyu… 100% full blood wagyu, the only kosher full blood in the world…Tajima cattle.”
The expansion to Midtown is a strategic move that will allow Reserve Cut to cater to a broader audience, including the bustling business crowd and tourists in the area. The new location is expected to maintain the restaurant’s signature blend of French-Asian fusion cuisine while potentially introducing new menu items tailored to the Midtown clientele.
As Reserve Cut expands its presence in Manhattan, one can’t help but wonder if the restaurant might consider venturing into other kosher foodie hotspots. Lakewood, New Jersey, for instance, has emerged as a significant market for kosher dining, as evidenced by our coverage of the top 10 best kosher restaurants in Lakewood. However, the question remains: Is Reserve Cut too quintessentially Manhattan to open up in a town in Ocean County?
While a Lakewood location could potentially be a “big win” from a financial perspective, given the area’s growing kosher-observant population, Reserve Cut’s identity is deeply intertwined with the sophistication and energy of Manhattan. The restaurant’s ambiance, clientele, and overall dining experience are very much a product of its New York City setting.
That said, the kosher dining landscape is evolving rapidly, and successful New York establishments have been making the jump, including the latest, The Loft of Boro Park, which opened a satellite in Lakewood. If Reserve Cut were to consider a Lakewood location, it would undoubtedly need to adapt its concept to suit the local market while maintaining the high standards that have made it a Manhattan favorite.
For now, kosher food enthusiasts can look forward to experiencing Reserve Cut’s renowned cuisine at its new Midtown location, which puts a totally new spin on interior design and differs in great respect from its founding location.
As Reserve Cut continues to grow, it remains a shining example of how kosher dining can compete at the highest levels of the culinary world, offering an experience that appeals to both kosher and non-kosher diners alike.
Visit Reserve Cut Park Avenue:
109 E 56th St
New York, NY 10022
