The Palm is a classic American steakhouse legendary for its prime aged steaks, jumbo Novia Scotia lobsters, premium fish and heritage Italian entrees, prepared to perfection using only the highest quality ingredients and served in generous portions. What makes The Palm truly unique is the genuine old world hospitality and unique atmosphere.  At The Palm, the dining rooms are a panorama of the classic cartoons and caricatures of local regulars, businessmen, politicians, and celebrities, which make up its impressive guest base.   Each room is filled with the hearty handshakes and warms smiles from our gregarious staff and familiar guests, and always abuzz with a sea of conversation and laughter celebrating the best of everything.

 

From Italian Fare to Steak and Seafood

Map of Italy

Founded by Italian immigrants John Ganzi and Pio Bozzi, The Palm opened its first location on 837 Second Avenue in New York City in 1926. The northern Italian entrepreneurs who began The Palm tradition intended it to be a restaurant specializing in cuisine from their native Parma, Italy. The name "Palm" originated when the proprietors obtained a business license. They wanted to call it "Parma," but because of their Italian accents, it translated into "Palm."

Steaks and seafood were not part of the original concept of The Palm but began out of an effort to cater to its clientele of artists and writers. Every time a customer asked for a steak, John Ganzi ran up Second Avenue to a nearby butcher shop, bought a steak, and cooked to order. Today, The Palm runs its own meat wholesale company to ensure the quality of its steaks.

The Palm`s reputation for seafood started with third generation owners Wally Ganzi and Bruce Bozzi who introduced the gargantuan four-to-eight pound lobsters in the 1970s and disproved the theory that large lobsters are tough. Almost overnight The Palm went from selling 150 pounds of lobster per week to 25,000 pounds per week. Even with these signature additions, tradition at The Palm honors its roots.

Story Behind Our Walls

After opening the first Palm in 1926 and faced with limited funds for decorations, John and Pio landed on the novel idea of allowing artists to decorate the walls with cartoons and caricatures in exchange for dinner -  and a tradition was born. That’s why Mort Walker’s “Beetle Bailey”, Matt Weill’s “Popeye”, Bill Keane’s “Family Circus” and Chris Brown’s “Hagar the Horrible” adorn the walls of every Palm. Later, King features artist and early Palm regular, Jolly Bill Steinke, drew portraits of other customers while waiting for his dinner. These portraits were added to the walls as decoration. Before long every wall was transformed into a colorful living mural of the loyal regulars and celebrities who have dined at The Palm over the last 80 years.

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