Your brother wants steak

September 18, 2008 4:01 PM

I need your recommendations for steakhouses in the D.C./Northern Virginia area.

Is Fleming's as wonderful as I've heard it is, or are there better steakhouses that are perhaps not chains? I'm the best man in my brother's wedding, and I'm trying to organize a night out for the groom and his groomsmen.

We will have transportation to and from, so parking is not an issue. A private room would be a nice touch, but not absolutely necessary.

posted by emelenjr to food & drink (15 answers total)

People's steak preferences differ. Morton's steakhouse is expensive, but it's a real steakhouse experience- there's barely a vegetable on the menu.
posted by acrasis at 4:38 PM on September 18, 2008

Are you willing to go to Annapolis?? Because Lewnes's is amazing.
posted by chickaboo at 4:53 PM on September 18, 2008

Ted Turner's chain- Montana Grille, I think it's called- is surprisingly good. There's one in Alexandria. They don't use a barbeque grill. Everything is cooked on a flat steel griddle-type grille. They have bison or regular steak. He's a nut about quality control and it is glaringly apparent when you taste the food.
posted by Zambrano at 4:55 PM on September 18, 2008

Ray's. The. Steaks.

Quirky place though, as mentioned in the review. May not be appropriate for your group; if it's more than just a few people. But maybe you're quirky, too.
posted by speedo at 5:29 PM on September 18, 2008

Ray's the Steaks is AWESOME.
posted by matty at 5:30 PM on September 18, 2008

You can also hit Ray's the Classics if you don't want to risk the randomness of Ray's. bobby van's is also a classic, but I think it's really stodgy.
posted by beezy at 5:48 PM on September 18, 2008

When I was working at PEPCO we ate at Smith & Wollensky once a week. It is very good.
posted by charlesv at 6:00 PM on September 18, 2008

Is Leesburg too far for you? My husband used to work at Tuscarora Mill, they have an excellent beer selection and very good food. It's not just a steakhouse, but beef is a big part of the menu. You can also do a private dinner in the wine cellar.
posted by saffry at 6:02 PM on September 18, 2008

Charlie Palmer Steak House - www.charliepalmer.com - [phone]

Totally awesome
posted by poppo at 6:20 PM on September 18, 2008

I second Ray's the Steaks! The steaks are SO GOOD there and the service and sides are impeccable. In addition to the restaurant they have in VA, they have an even better place in Silver Spring right across from AFI theater called Ray's the Classics that I really recommend.
posted by parmanparman at 7:24 PM on September 18, 2008

There's also Les Halles in DC.
posted by princelyfox at 7:47 PM on September 18, 2008

Try the Capital Grille for some nice, dry aged steaks. It's pretty pricey, however.
posted by kjars at 8:25 PM on September 18, 2008

Wow, so many great suggestions to look into. Saffry, we actually have an activity scheduled for earlier in the day in Leesburg, so Tuscarora Mill would be pretty convenient.

Keep them coming...
posted by emelenjr at 4:39 AM on September 19, 2008

Another vote for Ray's The Steaks.
And another vote for "Quirky place though, as mentioned in the review. May not be appropriate for your group; if it's more than just a few people. But maybe you're quirky, too." Notably, no reservations.
posted by inigo2 at 6:52 AM on September 19, 2008

Thanks, everyone. We ended up at the Capital Grille last Saturday night for an amazing dinner. We were treated like royalty I'm still thinking about my porcini-rubbed Delmonico with 12-year aged balsamic vinegar. And the truffle fries, and the lobster macaroni and cheese... and the $800 tab for my brother and nine of his ten groomsmen.
posted by emelenjr at 11:58 PM on November 15, 2008