Sunday, December 12th, 2010—Bar 336
Day 336—Saturday, December 11th, 2010
Donohue's Steak House
Live from New York, it’s Cheeseburger Saturday Night, starring Donohue’s Steak House! Featuring the ready for prime beef player, Marty Wombacher. And special guest stars, direct from Grade “A” Fancy, Karen McBurnie and Jon Hammer. And now, ladies and gentlemen...Donohue’s Steak House!
Through the magic of the internet you're spared a subway ride that included screaming teenagers, a lone panhandler and a bald man that kind of looked like a semi-retarded Telly Savalas, longing for a lollipop. Who loves ya, baby?
And zoom...here we are, Donohue's Steak House.
Some people have just left and only the empties remain, pleading the fifth.
Bartender Gerry, clad in your standard bartender-wear consisting of, white shirt, tie and rolled up sleeves serves up the first beer.
Cheers and beers and Norman Lears.
A full shot of the no-frills, old school bar.
I love the vintage cash register.
Bill and Jean were in the city from Queens. We had a nice conversation ranging from The Beatles to bars in New York City to my hometown of Peoria, Illinois. Bill asked if I turned out the lights when I left and I confessed I forgot to. That bill must be huge by now!
Sturdy wooden fans spin overhead and keep the air moving.
A shot towards the front of the bar with a window that overlooks Lexington Avenue.
Which is exactly where Deborah and Rita were seated, enjoying a drink.
A long shot from the other end of the bar.
Sneezin's greetings!
Ed and Claire were in town from Jersey and stopped by to have dinner before their trip home. Ed donated to the 365 cause by buying me a beer. Thanks Ed!
I was meeting Karen McBurnie and Jon Hammer who create the fine online publication, Grade "A" Fancy among other things. It was their decision to meet at Donohue's and I thank them for turning me on to this great old school place.
And poof! Here they are. We got a booth and toasted to the hollerday season.
Before dinner, these two elves descended upon us. I prayed that their names were Dancer and Prancer and that they were armed with gifts, but sadly they confessed that their names are Maureen and Brittany and they were empty-handed. What a gyp!
Cheeseburger!
And one last look out the window and we were gone like a cool breeze. Goodnight, everybody!
Review
Donohue’s Steak House is one of those places. A dark wooden joint, that time hasn’t flicked its sometimes ugly and boney-knuckled finger at and if you’re under 60 years-old, you’ll feel young in here. Do you know what I mean? If not, then don’t bother going. If you do, then bring a story to tell at the bar. It’s a social place. it’s one of those places. If you know what I mean.
Further reading: Jon Hammer, EV Grieve, NY Eater.
Donohue's Steak House
845 Lexington Ave (Between 64th and 65th St.)
212-744-0938
--------------------------------
Bonus Holiday Art by "Boris."
2 References
Reader Comments (26)
MARTY! (All caps so you can hear me) What a great time we had last night. Donohue's never fails, easily in my top five hamburgers in NYC. And what about those pork chops? Gi-normous! As always it was a privilege for Karen and I to do a guest bit at the 365. You're really in the home stretch now — less than a month. Go, man go!
They certainly didn't skimp on the cheese, did they? That's one cheeseburger that just muscles up to the bar and says; "Howdy".
Donohue's... a perfect place to "Phil" up.
The home stretch is underway Daddio!
What a ride it has been.
Thanks for taking us along!
This type of old school bars is what I love about this crawl. Gerry, the real deal,,,dressed as a bartender should. @365: When you hit places that are to me,,,perfect,,,like this, makes my day because it shows the NY of old,, the wood paneling, the intimate bar with dim lights,,,the way people dress up,,,,you never get tired of these places. Deborah and Rita and Ed and Claire sitting at the bar enjoying a cocktail in such a wonderful place. Great stop. @Jaws: You noticed the cheese on the burger also,,,,looks damn good.
@Ned Sparks: Great hanging out with you and Karen! And thanks for suggesting we meet at Donohue's, you two know the best joints in this town!
@"Boris:" Happy to bring you along and thanks for the holiday art and everything else.
@Jaws and Al: The cheeseburger was one of the best! The bun was really fresh which always takes it over the top.
Donohue's is one of my all-time favorites. Long live Donohue's!
@EV Grieve: Loved your post on Donohue's! And I'm still wondering who the fuck Rex Ryan is and I refuse to Google him.
I love that last photo looking out the window, just screams: Christmas in New York City! And that's a great painting by Jon. One of your best Cheeseburger Saturday Nights ever! Oh and the Telly, link? Classic! LOL!
P.S. Love the Boris holiday art! LOL!
that vintage register KICKS ASS!
@Karen and John: Great to see you guys on the crawl again and looking fantastic as usual.
@Boris: All class, my friend. Great pun on a brilliant song by a brilliant Aussie band....The Divinals!
@365: I'm so hungover right now and that burger wouldn't stand a chance. I'll have to gnaw on the laptop instead...Gimmie greasy food now!!!
29 TO GO!!!!
Freakin' stoked to part of it and made some new friends along the way! PARTY!!
TO: The HOME STRETCH!!!!
@GENE: BLIZZARD MATCH!! Pats v Bears. Bears losing :(
Jean looks like she is trying to lean out of your mirror shot. Steak fries are my favorite, and the burger does look delicious. Like @Al mentioned, I noticed how everyone looked so nice in there. Makes you feel like its a special place.
@Clacky: I forgot the Divinyls were from Australia! TO: The HOME STRETCH!
@kari: It is a special place and I thank Jon and Karen for suggesting it!
another interesting stop on the crawl...hey lets go to a steak house and get a cheeseburger...a little humor...don't get so excited...good to see the grade a fancy folks back on the crawl...cheers...a toast to ed for the 365 contribution...and one to boris (who not only set up the 365 store but designed all the great goods...gift giving time and all...hint hint) nice art...hey is that santa eyeballing those knees and conjuring up thoughts alla 99?...KOC
rr
oh by the way...what is "earth-endingly"?...KOC
rr
@raginrr: If I knew what "earth-endingly" meant maybe I'd finally understand myself. Sadly, that's not going to happen anytime soon.
I know it's 'cheeseburger' saturday night- but it almost seems like blasphemy to me to order a cheeseburger at a steak house. Just saying...
@SuzRocks: While Donohue's is called a steak house, it's really just more of an Irish pub and they're known for their cheeseburger. It's one of their specialties.
love the art Boris!
Marty - those elves must have been Santacon drop outs.
cheeseburger shots.... they never get old!
@Shannon: You might be right about the elves and you're definitely right about the cheeseburger shots!
You spelled Zoom wrong , it's Zioum !!!
@JHwang: I thought it was only spelled Zioum if used plurally.