RSVP New York: The Kosher Steakhouse That Surprised Us in All the Right Ways

The Beautiful Bar At The Center of the Main Dining Room

First Impressions

RSVP New York is a steakhouse in Airmont, New York. The exterior has a bold, upscale feel that hints at something private or exclusive inside… But you really can’t tell what it is from the outside. Is it a meeting or ball room? A high-end spa? Some members-only place with a secret knock? You can not be sure.

Before going, I went full detective mode; digging through reviews, trying to figure out if it was really as good as people said or if it was just one of those pricey places where you feel like you have to love the food because, well, you paid that much. You know what I mean, right? 😅

I did my usual deep-dive internet research which, unfortunately, didn’t yield much. Some reviews made me raise an eyebrow: slow service? Biased treatment? Meh. But Sonny and I love trying new cuisines and cultures, and we’re still new in the area, so we went ahead and booked. And honestly? We’re really glad we did.

Choosing the Cabana Life

We were a little unsure about the table setup from photos, so we reserved one of their “cabanas” - small private rooms tucked inside the restaurant. Once we got there, we were so glad we did. It felt perfect for couples, deep convos, or even casual meetings. You can adjust the music, the lights, and - wait for it - hit a “Do Not Disturb” button if you want to disappear from the world for a while.

We didn’t close the curtains because we liked seeing outside and chatting with our hilarious waiter, but it’s a lovely option to have. Plus, you can freely pose for photos without worrying about people watching you, lol. That’s a freedom we appreciated.

Cabanas come with a $500 minimum spend, but if you don’t hit that number, they’ll give you the rest as a gift card, which felt fair. If you’re ordering full meals, drinks, and maybe a nice bottle of wine, it’s not hard to reach. Also good to know: a 19% tip is added automatically to every bill, cabana or not.

Friendly Faces & Great Energy

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by a young, friendly host who guided us to our cabana. Our waiter? Honestly, a whole experience himself. I think he’s the one all over their social media; smiley, funny, totally added to the night. He gave clear explanations, solid recommendations, and a good laugh or two.

He warned us that the RSVP steak might be “too big” for one person. But hey, if you’re hungry and not ordering a bunch of sides, you can totally handle it. Don't let the charming server scare you off. 😉

What We Ate (And Ate… and Ate)

We got carried away. But in our defense, everything sounded amazing, and our waiter made such convincing recommendations that we couldn’t help ourselves.

The meal started strong. They brought out a plate of warm bread with olive oil (on the house), and it was already better than what some restaurants charge for. Just that alone gave us high hopes.

When we asked about the soup of the day he offered us to bring some for tasting. I usually don't go for pureed soups. the mushroom soup and… okay, fine, I was wrong. It was full of flavor, not overly creamy, and super comforting. Sonny ordered Duck Leg as a hot appetizer, and I barely got a bite. That tells you everything.

Then came the real stars: the RSVP Steak (20oz) and 12oz Prime Fillet. When we were ordering, the waiter raised an eyebrow and warned us the RSVP steak might be too much for one person. And while it is a generous cut, if you’re hungry and not stacking your table with side dishes, it’s totally doable. I managed just fine and I don’t exactly compete in eating contests.

Both steaks were beautifully cooked and came with fries. For sides, we added balsamic glazed mushrooms (which I actually liked, even though some reviews called them boring and “just baby bella mushrooms”) and roasted vegetables. The RSVP salad we ordered totally surprised us. The dressing was incredible. Like, “we’re still talking about it the next day” incredible. The Watercress Salad was fresh and crisp but couldn’t steal the spotlight from that RSVP dressing magic.

And yes… we made room for dessert. We ordered two: one with peanut chocolate dessert, the other a double chocolate strawberry cake. Both came with ice cream, both were rich and satisfying, and neither made us regret the calories.

Let’s Talk Drinks (a little too much, maybe…)

We didn’t actually order anything from the cocktail menu. All three drinks we tried were custom-made by the bartender. We basically said, “Surprise us,” and let them do their thing. Just a heads-up: when you go off-menu like that, the prices are higher than the listed cocktails. We learned that the delicious way.

Out of the three, “Indigo Sour” completely stole the show. I’ll admit, it was a very girly drink. Small (physically), cute, dreamy pink… like something a magical fairy would drink before brunch. But we both absolutely loved it. It was the kind of cocktail that made me feel fancy without even trying.

Sonny’s drink - also a custom creation - came in a much larger glass. Like, “you’re getting your money’s worth, sir” kind of large. That one ended up being my second favorite.

So, were they a bit pricier? Yep. Were they good enough to justify it? Honestly, yes. We were both smiling like we’d been personally shaken and stirred.

And then came the coffee experience.

We were curious about their old-school coffee brewing system, which we’d seen on their social media videos. Normally, they might not show this to every guest (I am not sure), but since we asked, our server was amazing (as always) and happily brought out the dramatic little copper setup. Watching it brew felt more like watching a tiny theatrical performance than ordering a cup of coffee. It was entertaining, elegant, and very, very photogenic.

But the taste? I mean… it was coffee. Good coffee, sure. But it didn’t taste like it came with a mini firework show or anything. Would I pay the $25 again just for the taste? Probably not. But for the experience and the photos? I think it was worth it.

Bathroom Chronicles

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the restrooms. Clean, chic, and stylish. But here’s a funny bit: I thought the faucet was automatic. So, there I was, waving my hands under it like I was doing interpretive dance… until a lady came over and casually turned a hidden lever underneath. That was embarrassing. 😅

Location Vibes

It’s in a super convenient location with plenty of parking, which already gave it bonus points before we even walked in. The general ambiance was super elegant and classy. We dressed up a bit more than usual that day, but honestly, you can come straight from work in casual clothes and still feel right.

Final Thoughts

It was a truly memorable night out. We laughed, we ate (too much), and we felt genuinely cared for. Was it expensive? Yes. But considering we didn’t even feel hungry the next day; we’d say worth it.

Before our meal, they lit scented oil on the table, and after finishing, they brought these cute little individual packed toothpicks, wet wipes and mints. I loved those small details.

Next time we go - and yes, there will be a next time - we might skip the cabana and try a regular table. They’re well-spaced, not packed together like some places. And we’re confident the service will be just as stellar.

If you live in Rockland County or nearby parts of New Jersey and have been hesitant to try RSVP - especially after reading some reviews - we’d say: go for it. Put your biases aside, book a table, and enjoy the experience.