Entering through The Prime Rib’s corner location at 17th and Locust in the heart of Center City and only two blocks from Rittenhouse Square, I was immediately overtaken by a hall of glimmering white — marble on the floor, glistening chandelier above. The hallway is a bit of a trick actually, as the restaurant proper (”supper club” to the flapper crowd) is stowed away in a spacious wing of the Warwick Hotel’s main floor. Like Smith & Wollensky, Butcher & Singer and Barclay Prime, The Prime Rib has modeled itself as not only a steakhouse but a nighttime spot for those seeking the finer things in life: a piano & bass duo nightly, high walled leather chairs and massive cuts of roast prime rib cooked to order.

Luckily for the college/young entrepreneur crowd in Philly, The Prime Rib is offering a “prix fixe” during the month of January where you can choose from a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts for the significantly affordable price of $35.

Worried you’ll get the short end of the stick? Don’t be. They’re offering up the full schtick (you see what I did there?) of options, including two different cuts of beef (yes, the eponymous prime rib is among them), the requisite chicken option and a variety of other fare, though vegetarians may be left out in the cold a bit — but then again, they’re in a steakhouse. Between the delicious soup or salad you start with — prepared in traditional steakhouse fashion — and the assortment of dripping-in-calories desserts you’ll top it all off with, The Prime Rib is a top-notch steakhouse from beginning to end.

One word of warning though: Regardless of the dinner you’re going for, wear a sport coat. Lesson learned.

The Prime Rib
1701 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215)772-1701
www.theprimerib.com