The Eighty Six

Tucked into the historic Chumley’s space on Bedford Street, The Eighty Six is the kind of restaurant where getting a table is half the experience. This Art Deco steakhouse from the team behind The Corner Store cranks up the glamour with a roughly twelve-table room that feels like stepping into a 1920s speakeasy reimagined for the Instagram age. Servers in double-breasted suits glide between tables, crystal decanters hold the tap water, and vintage French steak knives add a touch of old-world elegance.

The menu swings for the fences with creative takes on steakhouse classics. The Waldorf salad gets a complete makeover with endives, blue cheese, and dates that actually improve on the original. The creamed corn pot pie wrapped in croissant dough is an indulgent crowd-pleaser. For mains, the dry-aged Delmonico delivers solid steakhouse satisfaction, while the lobster spaghetti offers a surprisingly good value with its punchy fresno chili sauce.

The Eighty Six is purpose-built for those who want dinner to feel like an event. Complimentary pickles arrive at the start, a grasshopper cocktail paired with lemon sorbet closes things out, and an Andes mint caps off the evening. It’s the sort of place where you might catch yourself glancing around to see who else is in the room—and that’s entirely by design.

If you’re after a straightforward steakhouse meal, there are simpler options around town. But if you want impeccable service, theatrical touches, and a chance to feel like you’ve snuck into somewhere special, The Eighty Six delivers an experience that matches its hard-to-get reservation.