Among new-ish restaurants here in NY, I have to nominate DBGB as over-rated. Service was excellent, food was OK but very overpriced.

Everyone I've ever known who ate at Tavern on the Green came away disappointed, and I've lived here 11 years.

Most over-rated steakhouse in NYC is Ben Benson's - poor service, mediocre food, Midtown-expense-account prices. Another over-rated Midtown place is Cite. My favourite Manhattan steakhouse is actually Craftsteak, although I prefer the Las Vegas location. Wolfgangs and Sparks are also good, although Sparks can be quite loud and I liked it better before Nanny Bloomberg killed off the cigar menu...best cigar I ever had was an Opus X downstairs at Sparks. Of course, it was on expense account so that helped!

The only Ruth's Chris I've ever been to is in Manhattan, so it's possible this location is run to a higher standard because of all the competition, but I've always been happy with it, both for the food and the service. Of course, I've only gone for lunch, and they frequently have (or had, I stopped working in Midtown a few years ago) some very nice lunch specials that are really good value for money. Stupid, annoying name, though.

As for JohnnySegal - you speak blasphemy, sir! Yes, there are better burgers, sure (Fatburger, for one), but not at those prices!

And as for the American-palate issue, I'll just say that I've never had a decent steak in Europe. I've had many great meals in Europe, particularly in Barcelona, but every time I've ordered steak I've come away disappointed.