FRANKIE & JOHNNIES STEAKHOUSE NYC OPENS NEWEST LOCATION IN JOHN DREW BARRYMORES FORMER TOWNHOUSE

Friday, January 31, 2003 – Frankie & Johnnies Steakhouse, a New York Classic, celebrated the grand opening of its newest location – 32 West 37th Street, New York City – this month.

Friday, January 31, 2003 – Frankie & Johnnies Steakhouse celebrated the grand opening of its newest location – 32 West 37th Street, New York City – this month.

With more diners turning to the comfort of traditional juicy steaks during these troubling times – Frankie & Johnnies expansion will help them to serve New York more than ever and the historical significance of the building – John Drew Barrymores former townhouse – makes it the perfect fit for this New York classic.

The main dining room, located on the second floor, was Mr. Barrymores study, complete with his original fireplace, dark wood walls and stained glass ceiling panels. Modern upgrades include a brand new state of the art kitchen and a wine cellar in the heart of the main dining room. The first floor offers the same warmth as upstairs but with casual dining booths and a dark wood bar three quarters the length of the room.

We wanted to take the feel of Mr. Barrymores study and bring it throughout the entire restaurant," explains Gus Chimos, Frankie & Johnnies Executive Vice President of Marketing. We matched the original study walls and filled them in throughout both floors."

In traditional Frankie & Johnnies style, the menu includes USDA Prime dry-aged cuts - Sirloin, Rib Eye, T-Bone and Porterhouse as well as a variety of grilled fish, lamb chops, and creamed spinach, among other things. A large selection of wines to compliment any meal is available.

The original and flagship Frankie & Johnnies, at 269 West 45th Street, in the heart of the Theater District, has been a celebrated New York fixture for over 75 years, having opened in 1926 as a speakeasy. Legend has it, to gain access to the original speakeasy, patrons knocked on the unmarked door and used the password FRANKIE" when a small peephole was opened. If it was business as usual, a confirmation reply of JOHNNIE" was heard and admittance was gained. Hence, the Frankie & Johnnie moniker, which became synonymous with good food and drink in a convivial, unpretentious setting. Since its inception, the steakhouse became a favorite haunt of the stars of stage and screen whose pictures bearing autographed odes to the restaurant are its principal decoration. The original Frankie & Johnnies serves as a prototype for its three offspring - Hoboken, NJ, Rye, NY and now West 37th.

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