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“In America,” says Sinanaj, “there is a door for everybody.In New York City, there are two ways that you can find a job quickly. Regardless, he chose to immigrate to New York City, over other international cities like London or Paris. Who doesn’t have problems?” Sinanaj asks rhetorically, as he is not blind to the hardships that do exist in the U.S. “Once you see both sides,” underscores Prelvukaj, “you appreciate things so much.” Every time Prelvukaj visits his hometown, he sees one friend in particular who remains unemployed with no opportunities on the horizon. Prelvukaj believes immigrants are appreciative for what they have in the U.S., even if meager, because they’ve experienced living in a country with no economy or worse. “People say, ‘Oh, it doesn’t exist,’” Prelvukaj recounts, “it actually does, you just have to go for it.” But for many immigrants, the “American Dream” is real. Gratitude: Some American-born people who grew up in the 1970s or earlier, are cynical about the American Dream-technology is eliminating jobs that once supported families, the middle class is shrinking, costs of healthcare and education are high. The Benjamin Steakhouse dining room, once a club for chemists. They are allowed to inspect each piece on their weekly visits to the New Jersey location the meat is then aged for 30 days in their Westchester warehouse. The Meat: The Benjamins take their meats seriously, forging a special relationship with meat purveyor Pat LeFrieda. “Back home,” he explains, “if any guest comes over, we treat them like kings.” Carrying the tradition, he says, “That’s how we treat everybody and customers feel it.” Hospitality: Sinanaj knew nothing about running a restaurant when he first landed in the U.S., but did know about hospitality. “This one came up,” says Sinanaj, which involved buying out the previous tenant’s lease, using his saving and refinancing his house. Sinanaj wanted to open the steakhouse three, four years prior to the actual 2006 launch, but couldn’t find an affordable location with the ideal mix of business, residential and tourist foot traffic. “But if you knew everything that could happen, you might think twice about opening a business!” he laughs, “Because the risks are very high.” “Sometimes taking a risk in life is worth it,” says Prelvukaj of opening Benjamin Steakhouse, adding that 50% of daily events can be entirely new situations. For better or worse, launching a restaurant might not appear so daunting to those who have already taken that risk. Risk: Immigrants who choose to start new lives abroad-prompted by economic hardship, physical survival or even in pursuit of adventure-have already taken a risk.

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“The formula was great,” recalls Prelvukaj, noting the restaurant was always packed, “a very simple, well-oiled machine.” Prelvukaj points out the basics: “You buy the right product, the right equipment, age the meat properly, teach people how to do it.” They credit Peter Luger for teaching them nearly everything they know about running a steakhouse. The Peter Luger Steakhouse “Boot Camp”: Both the Benjamins worked at the legendary Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Sinanaj started in the mid-90s, working his way up to manager Prelvukaj started in the early 2000s. “She lives with me and my wife and kids,” says Prelvukaj, “I try to give back to her what she gave to us.” It was a struggle for his mother and siblings to live off the farm and his father’s small pension. He somberly adds that his father was killed in a bus accident the day he was born. “We were always working as small kids because things were tough, life was not easy,” he explains. Prelvukaj grew up on a farm and has been working since he was 10 years old. “I was not afraid to talk,” recalls Sinanaj, “even if I said something wrong.” He pauses and beams, “And I made you laugh while I said it!” Eager to learn English, he read the New York Times everyday and spoke English to strangers at the restaurant and on the street. Work Ethic: Soon upon arrival, Sinanaj got a job as a busboy at the erstwhile Manhattan Grille.

Sitting in a private dining room in the newer, sleeker Benjamin Steakhouse Prime, located one block south of the original, the two Benjamins highlight key factors to their success. The success of Benjamin Steakhouse, which replaced a string of failed restaurants including Nyla, owned by pop star Britney Spears in 2002, has spawned four additional restaurants, one of which is a steakhouse in Japan. The after work bar scene at Benjamin Steakhouse.