DC Steakhouses

Disc Jockey

Landed in DC today. My daughter has been at Kirov for an intensive ballet instruction program for the last few weeks and has her performance on Saturday. She has requested a big steak dinner following the production and we are not adverse to a big hunk of grilled meat so steak it is. Anybody have any suggestions on a local steak house? I know there's a Ruth Chris here and I am fine with going there if need be but I'd rather hit up someplace local like a Peter Luger's (New York) or Gean and Georgetti (Chicago).

Suggestions for other restaurants are welcome as well. I'm staying in Mclean, VA and lucked in to a great little Italian restaurant tonight by the name of Capri in Tyson Corner. Awesome rock fish, calamari, and zuppa di pesce. Excellent service too.

We've got a fairly full schedule but are flexible so if anyone has some "must sees", feel free to toss them out there. I'm a little surprised at how many places require pre-screening and approval these days. I knew the White House would be that way but there were several others as well. Good thing we checked in advance.

Took a drive downtown this evening- Dupont circle, Penn Ave, etc on our way to Kirov. I'm surprised how much has changed since I was last here. Then again, the last time I was here people were holding up signs that said "Honk if you want to impeach Nixon"

dee1949

...here is the Washington Post selections.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/best-bets/steak-restaurants,64339.html

TNRabbit

dee1949 wrote: »

...here is the Washington Post selections.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/best-bets/steak-restaurants,64339.html

I ate at Fogo de Chao a couple of months ago; it was phenomenal! $50 flat rate each plus drinks, but I easily ate that much (Brazilian buffet) & they bring fresh steaks/meats by every couple of minutes...all you can eat!:biggrin:

Jstas

Fogo de Chao is a chain. We have one in Philly too. It's a fun experience but I've never been that impressed with them. Same deal with Ruth's Chris. It's good but I've had better. That's not necessarily a knock against either place. I just get where Disc Jockey is coming from. If I'm in a new/unfamiliar place and looking to be adventurous, I don't want to go to someplace that I can get the exact same meal as I would at home. I want something that I can't find elsewhere.

Disc Jockey, I'd love to help you but D.C. has so many restaurants, bars and steakhouses that it's hard to make any kind of recommendation.

However, The Prime Rib is a D.C. institution. They have locations in Baltimore and Philly now too but they aren't a super chain or anything like that. The Philly location is different enough from the DC location that they could be two different places. But I've been to the DC and the Philly one. Not a cheap meal but you will not be disappointed.

Also, that J&G Steakhouse is owned by Jean-Georges Vongerichten who is a rather accomplished and world famous chef. I've not been to the J&G Steakhouse in DC but I was at "The Mark" on East 77th in NYC. Food wasn't outrageously expensive but easily one of the best steakhouses I've been to. J&G in DC gets better ratings for food so I'd imagine that's a stellar place as well.

AsSiMiLaTeD

If that J&G is the one I'm thinking, at the W Hotel, then it's an incredible steakhouse.

Disc Jockey

Thanks for the suggestions. It looks like J&G is on the short list. Not outrageously expensive is a good attribute too

You're right Jstas. When I travel, I'd much rather not go someplace I can go to at home, or have already benn to, even if I know it's good.

The other one we're looking at is Smith & Wollensky. Know anything about it?

Jstas

Disc Jockey wrote: »

The other one we're looking at is Smith & Wollensky. Know anything about it?

Heard good things but I've never been there. There's one in Philly, in Rittenhouse Square. All I really know about them is that the guy who first founded it was also the brain behind T.G.I.Friday's. Dunno if that will sway your opinion or not.

Looks pretty swanky though and all the pro-sports stars in Philly seem to frequent the place. Prices don't look too bad but I always wonder about chains that aren't associated with like a celeb chef or something that feel they can charge big prices.

Still, if I had known sooner, I'd have stopped there for lunch at the Philly one and given you a heads up.

Smith and Wollensky have a Wikipedia page!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wollensky

Disc Jockey

Huh, T.G.I. Fridays. It shouldn't sway my opinion but it sort of does a little bit. That Wiki page was kind of funny. It does look good though, 28 day dry aging and seems like some decent seafood as well.

At this point, due to our poor planning, it may come down to whatever place can accommodate a party of 14 at 9:00 at late notice.

swb502

I ate at Smith & Wollensky in Vegas. It was a good steak, just know its a pretty pricey place, with sides I think it was ~$80 a head, plus drinks. I had the bone-in-rib eye. Its one of my favorites.

I like your mindset of finding a truly local place. I don't know about DC myself.

Disc Jockey

Good to know, thanks. I'm also looking at Bourbon's. Cooked over a wood fired grill, yum! We're expecting this to be a pretty pricey evening so no worries there.

nwohlford

How about Rays the Steaks in Arlington if you want a local place.

Jstas

There's a Ray's in DC proper IIRC but I honestly can't remember where it is. I want to say Georgetown but I may be thinking of something else. I know Ray's has a persnickety rep for reservations though so if you're gonna be doing it on the fly with as many as a baker's dozen of people, they may not be accommodating.

codyc1ark

Hmmm... Theres an old hotel across from the ESPN Sports Zone that I love to go to, great food and good drinks. If your around Tysons Corner and like wings, Chic's and Wings is great, I don't know if its a chain or not, but has some good flavors! Enjoy!