THE accolades that the "institution" called Peter Luger Steakhouse has amassed over the years are clearly a glowing testament to their undying popularity. Let’s just try to digest some of the superlatives that have been heaped onto the already massive reputation of the Luger Steakhouse before we dare to venture our own humble opinion on the experience.

Luger’s, which was established way back in 1887, has been commonly referred to as "Cow Heaven" and their 15th consecutive rating as New York City’s best steakhouse is one of those accolades that seems to come naturally to this world famous institution.

Universally though, there is a recurring accolade that is unerringly applied to Peter Luger’s steakhouse – that theirs is without doubt the finest steak to be found in the land of America, and thus the world. I haven’t yet heard anyone argue against this tall claim, and after experiencing the delights of the steakhouse I have to say it took me only one mouthful to reach the same conclusion. Quite simply, a better steak has yet to be made.

We may never really know the secrets of their success or their steak sauce as that is kept strictly under cover. Similarly, the Forman family (Luger was the family that they bought the building from way back in the 19th century) keep their methods of treating and aging the meat as well as what constitutes their amazing sauce tightly kept under family wraps. The other edge that they have over the rest of the game is that the family has been passed down "old grandma’s" gift for selecting a prime piece of meat! Every single day, the Luger team scours the meat district for the very best of cuts – all short rib, which will eventually turn into a porterhouse steak fit for the gods.

Onto the steak experience itself. A word of caution though – book well in advance. We were in new York for a week and just managed to get a booking and that also at 10:30pm! The wait was well worth it.

As you enter the steakhouse after a brief hop across the Williamsburg bridge to Brooklyn (assuming you are travelling from Manhattan) you can sample the tangible charm and atmosphere of an old world steakhouse – all Spartan décor and genial, elderly waiters. Moving on from the bar you are shown your monastery like slabs of wooden furniture – totally unpretentious, the steakhouse is littered with reminders of the critical acclaim that it has amassed over time.

There is little point even looking at the menu – a better idea is to just hand yourself over to the precise instructions of the waiter who clearly knows best. The legend at Luger’s is the Porterhouse steak for two with lashings of the patented steak sauce – and that is exactly what our order was composed of, though multiplied suitably to feed five drooling carnivores. The steaks are traditionally served rare but of you are one of those who feels faint at the sight of a reddish piece of meat you can ask for a medium. Don’t push your luck and ask for well done though. That’s not the way steaks are meant to be here at Peter Lugers.

The atmosphere at the restaurant was relaxed, simple and unassuming. People were smartly dressed but not dramatically so. It was barely a few minutes before the steak arrived, already sliced into strips and with an aroma that set the mouth salivating in anticipation. As an accompaniement, creamed spinach and hash brown potatoes were ordered. The very first bite of steak proceeded to send the taste buds into a delirium, stimulating parts of the palette that had never previously been reached. The meat was as succulent as can possibly be, yet tender, literally melting in one’s mouth – the taste buds achieving a rare state of complete satiation and fulfillment.

All cliché’s aside, each one of us concluded without the slightest reservations that this steak was at least several classes superior to any other we had had anywhere is the world. Worth coming a long, long way for devoted steak fan – you absolutely cannot die a fulfilled person unless you have allowed yourself this devilishly amazing indulgence.

One of the best highs ever, and its completely legal! We are already planning a return visit despite living over 10,000 miles away from Luger’s at the other side of the planet. Some things just cannot be resisted, at least by some of us. An absolute must for steak lovers the world over.