ALMOST better than the food, was the decor- specifically the pipes lining the ceiling.
I know it's fashionable to hate Manhattan - and to be fair, many of the locals have earned the hate. However, it IS a cool place, and there is a small but solid underbelly of tradition and conservatism that hadn't been snuffed when I was there last (2020). In a few years, we will see if it's time to put a fork in it.
I've been to Sparks and Smith & Wollensky way more often because those are near where I work. Sparks did seem to be going downhill last couple times I went. But I haven't been there in about three years.
Across the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn is the Peter Luger Steakhouse which is also highly recommended and a bucket list destination for any steak lover.
There are others. I'm not sure if it's still there but the Palm II on 2nd Ave was also pretty good and walking distance from my office.
I ate at Keens about ten years ago. We were there for the Westminster Kennel Club show at the Garden. We were staying at the Hotel Penn right around the corner across from the Garden on 7th ave.
Yes....the pipes are such a wonderful part of Keen’s history.
We’ve sat at the first table, against the left wall.
We did NOT have the mutton chop :-)
The servings are huge!