Ruth's Chris, Morton's to hit NYC

Nation's Restaurant News, August 30, 1993

NEW YORK -- New York, a city renowned for its independent steak houses, is about to be invaded by operators from the nation's only two upscale steak-house chains.

Ruth's Chris, the 39-unit steak-house chain based in New Orleans, and Morton's, the 25-unit restaurant division of the diversified dinner-house specialist, Quantum Restaurant Group, both plan to open units in Midtown as early as this fall.

The presence of such landmarks as Smith & Wollensky, Peter Luger, the Palm, the Old Homestead and the Post House -- a few of New York's more venerable steak-house operators -- was no impediment to the operators behind Ruth's Chris or Morton's.

"We're excited about introducing ourselves to the country's most demanding diners," Ruth Fertel, founder of Ruth's Chris, said in a statement. "Let's face it. New Yorkers are performance-oriented, and I think our presenting gives us top billing."

The company's first unit will open on West 58th near Broadway.

Morton's will raise its first flag in Manhattan at 45th Street and Fifth Avenue, a 150-seat restaurant formerly occupied by the Cattleman restaurant.