RESTAURANTS • FOUND Table
As Vinyl Steakhouse owner Kevin Flannery poured me a glass of Inspiration 1818 Champagne, the powerful synth notes of Prince’s “1999” filled the room. “Since you ordered this Champagne, I put this record on,” Flannery said. “It’s the perfect accompaniment — they’re both nicely balanced with a bit of funk and have a nice long finish.”
That’s the novelty at Vinyl Steakhouse. As you graze on a dry-aged porterhouse, the staff plays one of the restaurant’s 2,000 records (often at the request of diners), occasionally paired with whatever you might have ordered.
In a city of steakhouses, Vinyl, which opened last spring in Flatiron, is relatively off the radar. Maybe it shouldn’t be. The steaks are serious, the burger is good, and there are a few standouts outside the typical steakhouse menu, like the excellent short rib potstickers. The service matches the rock-record-collection vibe.
After the first side of “1999” was over (they only play entire sides here), side three of Led Zeppelin's “Physical Graffiti” came on just as my sizzling porterhouse hit the table. Perfect music to eat steak by. –David Farley
→ Vinyl Steakhouse (Flatiron) • 35 W. 19th St. • Reserve.