Houston's

Against all odds, Manhattanites love this Americana grill-themed chain, where the waits can get long, the post-work suits are often in play, but damn, do they turn out a quality product every time. Dark leather booths, brass fixtures, steaks, burgers...essentially: upscale bar food, with a menu warning customers against cellphone use (just try and see that one enforced). Good thing they didn't take the spinach dip off the menu, or heads would roll. It's a dumb order, but ask your waiter if they still do the chicken strips with honey mustard—they're cheap, well worth it, and better than anything else on the menu.