The 2009 Philly Mag 50: Steakhouses

Barclay Prime
Rittenhouse Square | Steakhouse | Entrées: More than $30
Ranking: 17 • Last Year’s Ranking: 16
As more steakhouses set up camp around the city, it just becomes more obvious: Nobody tops Barclay when it comes to a splurgy, spectacular steak dinner. Sure, it’s a little over-the-top (a $120 strip; that $100 cheesesteak; an entirely too earnest tableside knife presentation), especially in frugal times like these. But frankly, that’s part of the appeal. More than anywhere else in the city, chic, beautiful Barclay provides us with a glittering escape, one where hunks of perfectly seasoned beef sizzle on our plates; where even potatoes feel like a delicious extravagance (try the truffle whipped version); where servers call us “sir” and “ma’am” as though they mean it; where we’re compelled to linger over good crème brûlée and even better port. Tomorrow, when we’re a couple pounds heavier and our wallets are a couple Benjamins lighter, we’ll pay our penance. But first, we feast. Order: The 24-ounce porterhouse, and potato skins. 237 South 18th Street, 215-732-7560. See User Reviews, Hours, & Other Details • Make a Reservation

Union Trust
Old City | New American | Entrées: $21-$30
Ranking: 29 • Last Year’s Ranking: New to the List
Union Trust—one of the city’s few non-chain steakhouses—bills itself as a place built for Philadelphia. But we appreciate the luxe restaurant’s unwavering pursuit of perfection and modern yet personality-filled vibe even more than the soft-pretzel rolls it serves in its bread basket. Service is top-notch: A battalion of waiters fusses over diners, swapping out white cloth napkins for black if you’re wearing dark clothing, crumbing the table obsessively between courses, and expertly recommending wine pairings. The straightforward steakhouse fare is just what you crave: a richly beefy rib eye, a juicy pork chop, perfectly cooked bacon-roasted Brussels sprouts, decadent German chocolate cake. Yes, like most steakhouses, a meal here is pricey. But at Union Trust, you can count on getting what you pay for. Order: Bone-in rib eye. 717 Chestnut Street, 215-925-6000. See User Reviews, Hours, & Other Details • Make a Reservation