Steakhouses›Steakhouses in New York›Sparks Steak House
American chophouse · Midtown East · New York
Sparks Steak House
A butcher's sons bought an English pub in 1966, turned it into a steakhouse and moved it to East 46th Street in 1977.
OpenNot yet visited · facts from 8 sourcesNo paid rankings
By Hugo Ledger · Steakpedia editorial voice · Who writes
Why go
In 1966 Michael and Pasquale "Pat" Cetta, sons of a butcher from Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, bought Sparks Pub, a small English pub on East 18th Street, from Don Sparks and kept the name on a steakhouse. Two things made the house: a short menu built around prime beef, which Robert Parker in 2007 said was dry-aged in the restaurant's own cellar, and a wine list that won a Wine Spectator Grand Award in the program's first year, 1981. Today it fills 27,000 square feet with 684 seats and ten private rooms.
What to order
- Prime Sirloin Steak
- Steak Fromage
- Beef Scaloppini
Not published: fire, breed, price.
01What to order
- Prime Sirloin Steak"A boneless shell steak from premium steers," per the menu; Time Out described it in 2010 as a 16-ounce cut.
- Steak FromageFilet mignon topped with Roquefort.
- Beef ScaloppiniThick slices of filet mignon with peppers and mushrooms.
- Sliced Steak or Medallions of BeefBoth served with Bordelaise sauce and fresh mushrooms.
- Large live lobsterSold in three sizes: 3 to 3½, 4 to 4½ and 5 to 5½ lb.
- Extra-thick rib lamb chopsThree to the order, for the guest who wants something other than beef.
02The beef
Sparks says it is "recognized worldwide for aged beef," and Robert Parker wrote in 2007 that the prime beef is dry-aged in the restaurant's cellar. The menu calls its sirloin a shell steak "from premium steers." No current source gives the number of aging days, the USDA grade on the label or where the cattle come from, and the menu prints no prices; it says only that prices are subject to change.
03The fire
No source describes the broiler or the fuel. Time Out's 2010 listing noted a lightly charred exterior on the sirloin.
04The story
The family story begins in the early 1930s, when Rocco Cetta, his wife Maria and their son Michael emigrated from Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi; Michael and Pat later worked in their father's butcher business. The first Sparks stood at 123 East 18th Street; in 1977 it moved to 210 East 46th Street. On Dec. 16, 1985, at about 17:30, Gambino boss Paul Castellano and Thomas Bilotti were shot outside the entrance on the orders of John Gotti, an event the house does not mention. Pat Cetta, who built a cellar of more than 100,000 bottles, died on Jan. 24, 2000, aged 66. Wine Spectator placed the 1977 move on 48th Street, but the house and Wikipedia say 46th, and Steakpedia uses 46th.
05The practical
210 East 46th Street, between Second and Third Avenues; (212) 687-4855. Open Monday to Friday 12:00 to 22:00, Saturday 17:00 to 22:00 and Sunday 16:30 to 21:00, per the house. Ten private party rooms; delivery and nationwide shipping through Goldbelly. Robert Parker noted a separate reserve wine list that guests must ask for.
- Address
- 210 East 46th Street, Midtown East, New York, NY 10017
- Phone
- +1 212 687 4855
- Website
- sparkssteakhouse.com
- Directions
- Google Maps ↗
Who founded Sparks Steak House?
Brothers Michael and Pasquale (Pat) Cetta, in 1966, when they bought Sparks Pub on East 18th Street.
What happened at Sparks Steak House in 1985?
On Dec. 16, 1985, Paul Castellano and Thomas Bilotti were shot outside the entrance, on the orders of John Gotti.
What is the signature steak at Sparks?
The prime sirloin, a boneless shell steak; Time Out gave it as 16 ounces in 2010.
What are Sparks Steak House's hours?
Monday to Friday 12:00–22:00, Saturday 17:00–22:00, Sunday 16:30–21:00, per the house.
06In New York’s selections
07Sources
sparkssteakhouse.com · en.wikipedia.org · tastingtable.com · sparkssteakhouse.com · sparkssteakhouse.com · content.robertparker.com · winespectator.com · timeout.com
Last verified Oct. 29, 2026.
Is this your steakhouse?
Correct a detail · Add your website · Report a closure · Get the free seal