Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse
101 Ward Street
Paterson, NJ 07505
(973) 345-8444
We've seen ads for this steakhouse for about a couple of months in the local paper and I admit it was an intriguing concept: a high-end steakhouse in one of the more commercially challenging cities here in northern Jersey. We took the plunge on Father's Day because really, what else would dads love most of all on their special day that a big slab of Meat???
Hamilton & Ward is one of the main tenants of the brand spanking new Center CIty Mall here in downtown Paterson. It's right across from the Passaic County Courthouse. Parking was a breeze, thanks to the mall's underground partking lot (you get validated if you go to the restaurant).
Initially, we were thinking of having their $20 Sunday buffet, which was not available that day. Missing the Sunday buffet was actually serendipitous, because we had a chance to sample a few things from their a la carte menu.
And the space was really quite nice, very expansive, with handsome details and discreet lighting. The downstairs dining area had the tables and banquettes near enough so you can see what everyone else is getting, but far enough that you can't eavesdrop on conversations too well. (So this is what a fancypants steakhouse is like!)
The wine list was pretty exhaustive and price-wise, there's something for everyone. DJKung and his pops got some Blue Moon and I went for a glass of red vin.
Bread basket with a very chewy sourdough baguette, nutbread and sliced peasant bread.
The menu we got was the dinner menu (the lunch menu perhaps only applies on weekdays?) and it was a bit of a sticker shock to see the prices. But overall, it was worth it.
Oysters on the half shell. The oysters were not too impressive to look at (the one on the foreground was the biggest and plumpest from the twelve oysters we ordered), but was superfresh and a delight to gulp down.
Clams oreganata. The garlic-lemon topping went perfectly with the clams.
I got the Caesar salad with these large homemade croutons. Yum. Not pictured was their Maryland crab cakes app that I got for my main entree. The crab cakes were tiny, two-bite affairs and were pretty good. They came with a creamy lobster bisque-style sauce.
So of course the highlight of Hamilton & Ward is the steak. The draw here is their USDA prime beef that they dry-age in their premises. DJKung decided on the 48-ounce porterhouse for two. Honestly, it was a massively massive slab o' meat (maybe four to five inches thick!!!) and enough to feed four hungry diners.
So what is the deal with dry-aging? This allows the meat's flavors to concentrate and results in tastier, more tender steak. DJKung ordered their steak medium and he remarked at how perfectly it was prepared --- still pink on the inside and nicely browned on the outside. One end of the serving plate was angled a bit on an overturned saucer, which allowed the sauce to collect on the other end of the plate.
DJKung reports that this was the best steak he's ever had. Period.
Sides are extra. We ordered garlic mashers and sauteed onions.
Afterwards, we also got a tour of their banquet area and wine cellar. The wine cellar is behind glass and wraps around a private dining room. We were told that with reserving this room, you get two butlers too! Definitely for those occasions calling for a lot of swank and glamour. We're saving the cigar room tour for next time.
We even got complimentary Father's Day cheesecakes in our doggie bags! The leftover steak lasted a good couple of meals, and Chibby and Babams enjoyed it too! We cannot wait to go back, to perhaps try their happy hour specials and the Sunday brunch. 