I would call and ask, all they can say is no.

It's probably quite doubtful that you are the first person to make that request, betting they do it for you.

Technically, it's probably illegal for a steakhouse to cook a product brought in by a patron. They will probably do it for you anyways but I believe it violates the health code. You can also try calling a week or so in advance and asking if they will provide halal meat for your meal. My guess is that a high-end steak house will have a way to get a high quality halal product from their purveyors and probably do it occasionally. Let us know how it goes!

I suspect they would accommodate you. Just call and politely ask.

There is a nice seafood restaurant nearby that will prepare the fish you just caught and bring in to them... So my guess is they will work with you.

Don't forget to mention it's for your birthday ^

I think this is a great suggestion, in an ironic way.

Although there is no indication that sadiqhassan's chosen restaurant s a high-end steakhouse, I really like this idea of asking them if they can provide a halal steak. If they can't, it could be the intro to asking them if you could provide your own.

If the restaurant is a high-end steakhouse, then I wouldn't bother with bringing your own if they can't provide it. It is the source of the meat that makes a steakhouse high-end. As others have suggested, the skill of running a high-end steakhouse is in the selection and treatment of the meat before cooking, not in the cooking.

TH suggested that the steakhouses supplier may actually carry Halal meat already.

I hope it works for you!

It's more than the meat. Don't they ruin it if they use alcohol? You need to be careful about them using brandy or some other form of alcohol as a base. Unfortunately, you are probably better dining at home

I grew up in restaurants and most I have worked in would do this for free just to make you happy, and some would probably balk at the idea due to ignorance or lack or knowledge, or just lack of caring/interpersonal skills.

I think maybe if you explain your needs and the reasoning behind it (a quick lesson in halal) and regarding the no exceptions for meat, etc. that would help them be more agreeable to your request. I am thinking some may be insulted you may not think their meat is good enough, but if they know that is not the case, they will not be offended.

I hope it works out for you.

As for the person who stated they thought it may be illegal, I have never heard of a law that would prevent anything like this.....

Going to fine restaurants around the world is a hobby of mine, but I don't understand why people like to go out to eat steaks. There is no culinary art to it. It's just a hunk of meat and I don't think it tastes very good.

Have you asked yet?

There actually is a culinary art to a great steak: it's called "dry-aging"!

A good steakhouse will A.) have access to way better prime beef than any (most) retailers sell, and B.) continue the dry-aging process for up to 28 more days prior to serving, a process that you just can't do at home. Most beef you'll cook at home is "wet-aged."

For folks who like a great cut of beef with their red wine, that's why they go out for steak!

You apparently know very little about steak.

Or fine restaurants!

As with everything in NYC - stuff like this you do over the phone.

First find a halal butcher and ask if they deliver - next call the restaurant - epxlain your predicamenet and indicate that there's a halal butcher in New York that will deliver the steak directly to the restaurant. Doubt they could refuse and I could see no reason why this would be in violation fo the health code.

Lastly, I wouldn't be surprised if they tell you its a common request - e.g. many lunch carts serving meat in the city have halal written all over them with big letters. And I would guess that there are a bunch of halal restaurants all over the city (Persian/Afghani kebab places, etc.)

Thanks for all the replies. A halal butcher delivering is no problem at all, so I might pursue that option.

I called the restaurant and there was good news and bad news. The good news is that they are able to get halal meat supplied (a big ^ to everyone who suggested asking about this, I had never even considered that it would be possible) but the bad news is they said I would need to give at least 3 weeks advance notice. Doh!

Thanks again for all the suggestions!

Cheers,