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Categories: Steakhouses, Burgers
Neighborhood: GeorgetownMon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sun. 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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Two words.. TRUFFLE MAC! This is supposed to be a side for two but I wasn't hearing a word of that. My date and I each ordered one and we weren't sorry. Like Marion I didn't think I could finish everything, but pros play with pain. There is NO asking for doggie bags when the food is THAT GOOD. . .
Plus they have a team of servers ready to help out and take care of your every need. Well almost EVERY need. ;)
Don't forget to get your parking validated...
My friend Jen and I had an adventurous Thursday evening of happy hour and consuming very little food and bar hopping. We were running about all over DC and our final destination was the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. We ordered a couple of beers, and as we flipped through the bar menu, came to a cigars section. So what the heck, we ordered a cigar and took our beers outside and sat by the firepit (I don't know how else to describe it). First of all, the lounge is very beautiful with oak floors and marble bar top, but their courtyard is just fabulous! The service is marvelous and the chairs are nice and roomy -with a cigar, drinks, and my fave girl, it was a fantastic time. Unfortunately, I don't remember what cigar we chose, and we didn't eat, but we had such a great experience, I thought I'd write an entry about it. Think a cool evening with good friends, scotch and a cigar by the fire. AWESOME.
http://tastytastybites...
I went here for a fancy work dinner, so this is based solely on not having to pay. If I had to pay, this would be a three-star. Its real real real expensive... more than it needs to be.
Ok. The drinks were so expensive and with no reason to be. They were ok, but mixed drinks over 20 bucks! What the hell? I'd expect it to have Swarvoski crystals in them... or crystal meth is that's your kind of thing. But no, just gin and mixers.
The wine list is better, with a few good, well-priced options. So that's something.
The food... well... I think other reviews have said it well enough. The appetizer of fries was good. Not great, but definitely good.
The salad was awesome. I had the blue cheese wedge. I liked it a lot, but I think it was like a 20 dollar salad. 20 freakin bucks and its not even chopped? I think its funny how salad wedges are the rage at expensive places, when it requires even less work of these well-paid chefs.
The steak... don't buy in to anyone saying the best in the area. Its good, but it tastes like a good steak. Its better than the chain places (Ruth Chris, Mortons, etc)... and I like it that they have the steak work for itself (ribeye in my case)... there's no over the top sauces or bs like that. It reminds me of a baby step above a well prepared steak at the Palm, but for a lot more. Thing is, the Palm is not always as reliable.
The dessert was good, but forgettable, as I don't really remember... I think I had something with chocolate. Now thinking of how expensive everything must have been... I can't give this place four stars in good conscience... that's why its only three above.
Just to end this awkwardly and without finality, its beautifully designed, and a nice place to be. And good service. The problem is, for this money, and for this kind of food... this doesn't make sense. Its just not worth it. I'd love to eat there again, it would be nice, but I'll never be able to bring myself to do it because its just too expensive for what it is.
We decided to try Bourbon Steak because of positive Yelp reviews. Originally I came here for a business lunch and was quiet impressed with the experience, so we decided to try a little something different than our usual and very excellent Ruth's Chris, Fogo de Chao, or Morton's for dinner.
The experience at Bourbon Steak was beyound our expectations. I like to read efficient reviews and not a description of every dish so here it goes. This is not a traditional steakhouse and has a contamporary twist to it. Definitely a place full of life and definitely worth trying.
- Beautiful lounge with a long list of creative coktails and even an outside sitting by the fire
- Top notch service
- Great ambiance with dim lights, candles, nice music, and well dressed people
- Simply a stellar dining experience which begins with a complimentary fries trio and butter rolls
- Great variety of steak, seafood, poultry, and vegetarian items with super fresh and mostly local ingredients. Simply excellent steak preparation and fantastic seafood. I had out of this world Lobster Pot Pie. There was very little talking going on at the table when our dinner arrived.
- Could not help but to finish our desserts. All desserts are made light and are an excellent finale to an exceptional dinner. Personally I haven't had a better tiramisu before.
- It is also a short walk from the Foggy Bottom metro stop.
- Be prepared to spend ~$200 per couple, it is certainly pricier than the above, but it is worth trying at least once.
Service here is superb! From the seating to handing over the check. I started with the tuna tartar which had an amazing aroma as it was being mixed at the table with pine nuts and other subtle herbs that were great. Then I transitioned to the clams OmG!! The clams had a raspberry vinaigrette on the side that made them succulent. The fries were a nice addition too. What can I say about the bread, awesome! Now to the Main course, I had the 10oz fillet cooked medium rare and it was soooo tender, I asked for steak sauce but would have been a tragedy to put that stuff on it, it was magnificent. Then I had drinks outside by the fire. Overall I loved my experience at Bourbon Steak. Oh and yes I am a Foodie, lol!
Bourbon Steak has been heavily reviewed so I don't want to repeat everything already covered; I just want to touch on three points that I think are important.
1. The drinks are expensive, take forever and are not that great. I wouldn't bother.
2. The lobster pot pie is *NOT* worth $85. The lobster was tough and overcooked. UNACCEPTABLE for a dish that price. The sauce, crust and vegetables were heavenly...really, truly fantastic. But the lobster was such a disappointment. I should have sent it back but, you see, we had already sent back my husband's steak which was undercooked (he ordered rare, but it was raw), and I didn't want to send a second item back. In retrospect, what a silly attitude to have because the chef should be informed that the lobster was not up to snuff. oh well. If I can save you the $85 and disappointment then at least some good will come of it!
3. They have a corkage fee so we brought a special bottle from home. The sommelier decanted our wine, poured it,and was extremely gracious.
You'll note I gave it 4 stars *despite* an undercooked steak and an overcooked lobster. That is a tribute to how excellent everything else at this restaurant is! oh, and the service was fantastic.
Bourbon Steak was primarily...disappointing. Not that it was bad, per se. But you just expect so much more than what you get. Especially since we saw Aretha Franklin walking out of the place right before we got there. I expect her to have some high quality food tastes!
The Good:
Sweetbreads. That is HANDS DOWN the best appetizer I have had in DC. Amazing. Would Bourbon Steak let me walk in and order just that and a glass of water? Because I will do it. Amazing.
Service was excellent. Water glasses appropriately filled. No hovering. Good explanations, etc.
The Mediocre:
Everything else.
The Bad:
My sadness at the end of the dinner.
Phenomenal meal.
To be honest, I'm still astonished I could finish everything on my plate. The duck fat fries are a-mazing - not so much because of the duck fat part, but because of what comes with them.
Their sweet rolls are killer.
I highly recommend the tuna tartare, which they will mix with the spices, herbs, and raw egg right at your table. Divine.
I had the filet mignon with truffled mac & cheese, and my date had the aged ny strip with garlic & chive perogies. Everything was wonderful - the filet mignon was sweet, and the ny strip was smokey. The only thing I wasn't wicked enthused about was the mac & cheese; I think the taste was a little intense for me.
Don't come here if you're the sort who would actually order an $85 entree (lobster pot pie doesn't even sound good) and then be surprised that it doesn't taste like $85. Everything else on the menu, in my opinion, is worth the price.
Hubs dines here a lot
He says I will prize - true, word.
Five stars as Yelp rates
"Woohoo! As good as it gets!"
May this be our new 'date' spot?
Heart the dim lighting
Service is spectacular
Staff - flawless skilled group
Reservation is timely
Bliss - spoiled indulgence - don't stop
Mojito at lounge
Rejuvenating and sweet
Senses awaken
Offers comp assorted nuts
Scoping, chatting, relaxing
Escorts us to seats
Window view - hey, a surprise
Card and comp champagne
Warm words with lively bubbles
We're both grinning ear to ear
Appetizers? No.
French fries with rolls are enough
Filling for belly
Buttery rolls - lush carb 'crack'
Glistening batch - chewy treats
Too, French fries trio
Crispy-lickin' duck fat good
Addicting starches
Seasonings: herb, onion, cheese
With three great dips - all hand made?
His prime sixteen ounce
Rib eye - aged for forty days
Mine prime fourteen ounce
Dry-aged New York - holy cow!
Les K. would say, "So, sexy."
Two comforting sides
Salt-baked potato - subtle
Huge - compliments meats
Sauteed spinach - not soggy
Our preferred pair - harmony
Dessert time - his first
The Coconut Candy Bar
Artistic display
Most expensive Almond Joy
Elegant amusing spin
My dessert - dreamy
Passion Fruit Panna Cotta
Tart and refreshing
Titillates with fruity vim
Ethereal moment - wow.
Oh my, I can't move
Thanks be to stretchy denim
Glad they have valet
Another tanka for ya
Plenty of mug shots.... enjoy!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Cannot deny that the food is delicious! Pricey - yes... but also delicious. I live across the street from the Four Seasons and was super excited about the opening of a "great steak house" so close to home. The french fries are incredible... you have to experience it to believe it. I cannot remember what we ordered but I do remember the fries! I remember the staff being wonderful and the place being packed and the drinks very expensive. Great place for a business dinner or fancy night out.
I really cannot say anything about the food, because the cocktail list is so engrossing that I never really could think about eating...
Excellent cocktails, great list of traditionals, original creations, and twists on traditionals. Superb service, and just the best bar in town by furlongs. The best part? Speakeasy-quality cocktails without the hassle of reservations and secrecy...
*3.5*
I was rather looking forward to my reservation at Bourbon since I have been craving steak for a week or so. The space was absolutely beautiful and the hostesses were very accomodating. I requested a corner table and was seated in one despite running 15 minutes late (I, of course, did call to let them know - can't help raining day in DC).
The service was decent - not fabulous or mediocre. I thought the service was a bit slow, but I am not sure if they were trying to accomodate a business dinner by leaving us alone. I did, however, have to often flag down one of the servers for assistance.
The "sommelier" that evening did not seem very knowledgable in wines. I know it definitely wasn't the gentleman mentioned in previous reviews. When asked about some different wines, her response was, "that wine is very good". Ummmm... can you get a bit more descriptive than that? I am sure the wines were placed on the wine list becuase they were "good". So we first order a $260 bottle of Barolo (you will know why I am mentioning the price in a sec). It definitely needed to breathe a little but was served rather in haste.
We were served the famed duck fat fries. They were good but not mind blowing as I had anticipated. Perhaps I was salivating too much while reading the reviews. The rolls were, however, phenomenal. I think it can definitely be the new "crack". The rolls were so savory, buttery, and delicious.
After what appeared to be 30 minutes of sitting around, we ordered our appetizers and entrees. I ordered the fluke sashimi followed by the New York Strip, medium rare.
Fluke was light, refreshing, and tastefully done; the New York strip melted in my mouth. I did get a chance to get a bite of the sweetbreads appetizer - they were to die for!!! It was a cross between (the chef will definitely cringe at this) fried chicken and sweet breads. Yummi!!! Two of my favorite foods merged into one!!!
As we finished the bottle, they asked if we would like to continue with the same bottle. I responded no and proceeded to choose a $90 domestic syrah. Wow... that's when the level of service started dropping. A $90 is not the cheapest wine, especially in this economy, but there was a noticeable difference in service.
Had the MaCallan 18 Pot de Creme to finish which was unremarkable along with a glass of Tokaji wine.
Overall, it was a decent experience. I definitely do think that the most memorable part of the meal was the rolls, sweetbreads, and the New York Strip.
Mmmm, Michael Mina, you done done it again. The sleek and modern space makes you feel like a celeb (unlike Amanda C, I didn't get Oprah in my midst, but I'll settle for Wolf Blitzer) and the food is tremendous. The duck-fat fries seemed to go over big (remember, I'm an American freak and am not into this classic comfort food), but were outdone in my book by the tremendous truffle butter rolls that make you mentally apologize to BLT's popovers, because they've just been replaced as your fave steakhouse bread.
I actually think the sides outdo the mains here, which is only to say that they're off the charts and the entrees are excellent. A rundown of what my table o' four had:
Starters: 2 A+ red king crabs, an OK autumn vegetable salad to share (ratio of veggies to lettuce made me a little sad inside) and 2 outstanding tuna tartares.
Entrees: 2 fillet mignons made mouths happy, the tuna was excellent and turns out, I like tilefish. Love that their fish is simply grilled/prepared here, as opposed to crusted/stuffed/drowning in unnecessaryness.
Sides (again, the scene-stealers of the night): black truffle mac & cheese, wild rice with peas (we asked for our peas "unbuttered," good move, Mom), golden beets with orange slices (best beets I've ever had) and the "magical" mushrooms live up to their name. One side I'd side against: the Chinese broccoli. I don't know why we ordered it, but it remained hard to explain upon tasting it.
Dessert: banana split, which was a sweet twist on the classic dish. Deconstructed means more banana: LOVED it.
I was considering a 5 star review until our waiter approached us asking if we would like anything else just as we started tucking in to the bananas. Upon saying "no thank you," he placed our check (which was already in hand) on the table. I get that this place is stacked with reservations, but keep it classy, guys, we've barely been 90 minutes. Besides that odd ending, the service was fine and the food, as you've gathered, can't be denied.
Suckling pig!!!! damn doesn't get much better than this!
Fries and rolls are money....damn money.
The oxtail and marrow are awesome...stay away from the tartar and the tuna tartar better at any other place.
The entire butter poached method is something that he perfected in all of his other restaurants....great without a greasy feeling afterwards.
Wine list is great and the sommelier is very helpful and I know that the mangement staff is great....all in all I would go back anytime I am in the mood for a steak and fries.
This is a great addition to the Metro DC dining scene and anticipate that I will be taking friends, family and others to the this dining and watering hole.
The only minus is that they sell Cigars without any real place to smoke them and they need to invest in a better humidor!
enjoy you dining experience....cheers
Oh my Lord, how could I have forgotten to review Bourbon Steak?!
Michael Mina is probably my favorite restaurant in San Francisco. There have been a few slips, but Mina is generally on his game in a way most celebrity chefs are not. I moved to DC a month ago, I read Mina had just opened a restaurant at the Four Seasons, I made reservations immediately.
When you arrive you are greeted with a trio of duck-fat fries and dipping sauces, which is great because you can be in denial and be like, "I would have never ordered fries but since they're here I might as well eat them. I mean, there are starving children around the world and it would just be ungrateful to let them go to waste."
Second complementary surprise: truffle butter rolls that are like savory mini cinnabons on buttery-goodness overload. They just scream, "And you thought nothing could be worse for you than those fries you just wolfed down! hahahaha!"
Too bad, must eat them, starving children would want it that way.
The food itself (the stuff on the menu) is typical Mina excellence. The tuna tartare was slightly off from his normal pristine preparation; it tasted like it needed acid and maybe a little more heat. It's forgivable, however, since it is still the best tuna tartare in the country.
My boyfriend had a steak and baked potato, which was sensational. Sublime. But really, I am sick of talking about the food. I love Mina's food and all, but I am totally leaving out the best part....
OPRAH! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, there sitting approximately 15 feet away and facing me directly was Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, and a small entourage!
So I have a slight obsession with Oprah and the honest truth is that I really couldn't even talk at dinner. I may be lying about what I ate. I don't know. Can't remember. I'm in an Oprah-encounter induced daze brought on by her Jesus-like aura.
And no- she wasn't 700 lbs and scarfing down the tablecloth. She looked beautiful.
Bourbon Steak: 5 stars
Oprah: a zillion stars
I must admit that we had an overall very nice time at Bourbon Steak. But, I didn't feel that it was a dining "experience" per se. I would be up for a return visit; albeit sticking to certain dishes which I felt delivered better value.
First off, we had a 7:30 reservation and arrived around 7:48 on a weekday night. Most high-end DC restaurants will hold a table for 20 minutes on a Friday or Saturday without a problem in my experience, but the hostesses at Bourbon told us we would have to wait for 20 minutes. Minus one point for that.
After we were finally seated, we were presented with a welcome message in an envelope (since we were celebrating an anniversary) and a complimentary glass of champagne (or prosecco). Plus one for that.
The overall vibe of the place on a weekday night is more expense account than locals, but some couples started to trickle in towards the end of our meal. The surrounding decor is nice and the bar area is top notch. I was a little underwhelmed by the dining tables themselves, but it's suppose to be a steakhouse (I think) so whatever.
We place our order fairly smoothly and the first round of free appetizers arrives soon after (the much lauded trio of fries). They are well received by everyone at our table although they could have been hotter when they were first put on the table (temperature wise). The delicious rolls soon followed and were quickly digested. So far, so good.
Our ordered first courses came out about 10 minutes later (not too bad; but quicker service would have been better). I had the special pot de foie gras ($15) and my guests had the sweetbreads and garlic soup respectively. The sweetbreads were good but not fantastic like we were expecting and the garlic soup was tasty but, again, nothing amazing. I felt the pot de foie gras, however, was very good for $15 and highly recommend it.
About this time in our meal, I ran out of water and it took another 10 minutes before someone from my table manually hailed a waiter to get a refill. Not a good feeling at these prices. It probably took another 10 minutes before our entrees were ready. All in all, 20 minutes in between courses at a restaurant of this supposed caliber is disappointing. Even though a manager stopped by to apologize (I'm assuming the waiter told him we were growing impatient), we still felt the service could have been a lot better.
When our main courses finally did arrive, the lobster pot pie came first. Presentation on this dish is excellent (as it should be for $85!). They bring it out in a nice copper pot and carve it open for you and then dish the contents onto your plate. If the lobster inside the dish wasn't just a bit too tough, I would dare say this dish is worth its price. But given the consistency of the lobster meat, I'm on the fence if I would recommend this dish again given the high cost. If you're trying to impress a date though, go for it! Lol.
After the lobster pot pie had been dished out, our lamb and chicken entrees arrived. We found both dishes to be very tasty. However, as noted in earlier reviews, the lamb dish wasn't very big. At $28, the chicken dish was delicious and well portioned. I wholeheartedly recommend the chicken for those either on a budget or just looking for a good dinner at a reasonable price (comparatively).
We split a desert which was tasty, but small and not terribly memorable and one of my guests ordered a small pot of decaf. All I can say is that their idea of a small pot can fill three cups easily (so coffee lovers enjoy!).
Bottom line, most of the food at Bourbon Steak is pretty good. If you're there on your company's dime, go nuts. Similarly, the bar scene is pretty good with live music and a well-dressed crowd. And if you're just looking for a nice night out on the town -- money be damned -- type-of-place, you will love Bourbon Steak. But I would probably try another restaurant if you're looking for a culinary experience (e.g., French Laundry, Inn at Little Wash, etc.) or a good bang for your dining buck.
Immediately the best "modern" steakhouse in DC - tied w/ BLT Steak. Charlie Palmers should be closed, boarded up and sent on a boat to Baltimore before being shipped off to a 3rd world country because it has no place in the city/country/continent now that Bourbon Steak has arrived.
I purposely waited to write this review until I'd had a chance to eat dinner, lunch and hang for some "bar scene" time, and I've come away overly impressed with each experience. The redesign of the Four Seasons is great - very NYC feel.
For lunch, order the burger. Best one in town. It comes w/ the duck butter fries and pickle ketchup, so if you like "salt lick" more than horses like I do, you won't be disappointed. I didn't even feel full after eating this and going back to the office for work - which you can't say after eating a lot of $19 burgers in this town. Looking forward to checking out one of the special lunch salads on my next visit.
For dinner, I took my girlfriend here for her birthday on a Thursday night. 830 pm reservation a week after they'd opened. We had one of those great dinners that if you eat out as much as I do, you feel like you never get where everything goes right...over the top service from beginning to end, the place was packed but we got seated right away, incredible apps, super helpful sommelier (hat tip for recommending a spanish red (x2) that we wanted to pair w/ our steaks that was not overly expensive), perfectly done steaks and not enough room left for dessert.
Summary - if you want to spend $200+ on a dinner in D.C., Bourbon Steak is the best bet for my money.
Good food, but honestly I can't recall what I ordered! Overly attentive staff and just too many of them - someone to get the water, someone for the wine, someone for the napkin I just dropped. Let people be if they are happily chatting.
I went here for graduation with my parents. I'm not usually a fan of going to the most expensive restaurants in town, but they're definitely worth trying once to get an idea of what their cuisine is like.
Excellent Four Seasons service, dark and rich tables and menus with subtle lighting.
The three kinds of fries with three sauces as a complimentary appetizer were delicious.
Menu items were sumptuous...I would've enjoyed trying the wagyu or kobe but it's too expensive. I had the suckling pig, which was presented amazingly but which I felt might have been a little bland. My parents got New York strip which I would have enjoyed more.
Delicious meals, great combinations of flavors. Perfectly cooked dishes. I did have a problem with the portions being entirely too small for what you pay. But maybe that's because we were Texans at a steakhouse...expecting a lot.
At the end, we got a taffy/caramel closer treat. I thought it completely ruined the meal. Too sweet, sticks in your teeth...unpleasant.
Overall the food was worth the reputation, and I had a good experience, but I probably wouldn't go here again unless some company was paying for it. Doesn't feel like you're getting your money's worth.
Yes. Go to the bar at lunch. And have the fish and chips. Or the hamburger, the best in town, with the fries made in 1/2 duck fat 1/2 canola oil and the pickled ketchup and homemade pickle. And then the very subtle MACALLAN 18 BUTTERSCOTCH POT DE CRÈME pumpkin spice cake, pepitas, butterscotch caramel, even if that is not your thing. And then wash it down with a glass of the relatively inexpensive Paso a Paso Tempranillo.
Expensive and worth it.
The best part about my meal was the duck fat fries and the prime rib steak. Chef Mina, you need to teach me how to make this steak... I want to know exactly how many pounds of butter is used and how long its poached for before you throw it on the grill.
The oysters were delicious.
The ipswich clam was too bready... (I personally prefer the one from Kinkead's)
The 'table-side prepared steak tartare"..... I was disappointed...While the concept of preparing the steak tartare right there in front of you is nice, I came to enjoy Chef's meal, not some random guy/food runner explaining "from left to right we have lemon peel, capers, salt, etc... etc...." If I wanted to see a show or someone preparing a dish in front of me, I would have gone to a Hibachi restaurant. And because the Chef's effort/touch wasn't there, each bite wasn't consistent... some bites were too salty and some tasted too lemony. After 3 bites, I was really turned off. Had it been good, I wouldn't complain about having it prepared at the table.
The ribeye was absolutely delicious!!!!
Desserts -- was the second best dessert I have tried in DC (first is at Adour)
Oh!!!! The butter rolls...... UhhhhhMazing!
While the steak was magnificent, the rest of the appetizers didn't impress me at all -- minus one star. While our waitress was absolutely gorgeous and my friend couldn't keep his eyes away from her, why do you insist we order a bottle of wine 'RIGHT NOW' when we're still working on our glasses of champagne? If two tables are seated on each ends, why must you seat another party of 4 right in the middle? The restaurant is practically empty... spread out!!! The restaurant gets very loud. Thus minus 1 star.
Go try it!
I went with HIGH expectations. I went in hoping to have a big fat dinner. In our usual fashion, we order all the apps, then the mains then the dessert. Most restaurants rush you so this is a sure fire way to get your courses "coursed".
Well, we never got to the second course because the apps were so bad. Steak tartar, I am in constant search for the best, the better tartar. Bland - 18 bones for 3 oz of beef, I expect a bit of sea salt or something (steak tartar is better at Central, even Cafe du Parc). The oxtail was passable, the weird custard on it was too heavy for the already heavy meat (Lupa in NY way better). The worst of all, the foie. I LOVE FOIE GRAS, but these guys haven't a clue how to cook it. First of all, I asked the guy if the foie gras was a terrine or a sauteed piece. He had no flipping clue. Then guessing it was sauteed (unwilling to take the chance for it to be sauteed - not my fave preparation), I requested that I have the foie gras mousse off the bar menu. But he didn't get it. What is a mousse? What is a foie gras? I am going to the computer and line up the letters on the menu to the letters on the computer. I got the sauteed piece of foie, it needed about 15 seconds longer on each side. Instead of getting a rare piece that is semi-spreadable, I got a piece that was just cooked enough to release the copious amounts of fat. Mind you, yes I know foie is fatty, I've had it cooked /prepped in some 5-6 ways, sauteeing is a delicate venture, my hubby recognized it being undercooked the moment he saw it. Why can't these guys that work at this fancy schmancy place? I will not be coming back. So glad we tried it tonight instead of the birthday dinner we were planning, I am just really disappointed after dropping a bill but I would've been pissed to drop three hundos. I ain't going back. But if you want a gorgeous terrine de foie gras, go to Bistrot Lepic, Chef Simone does wonders.
Oh and I laughed when I saw Oyster Bay on the wine list. Dude, it's less than 10 bucks at the grocery store, but the bottle is 60 here.
My hubby, 3yo daughter and I were in DC for our annual family vacation. For my birthday dinner, we decided to look at Yelp for a venue and decided to spend it here. We had an absolutely fabulous dinner - the food: delicious! service was impeccable, ambiance was kind of formal but not too pretenious. For our dinner, we were hoping to get some bone-in steaks that evening and were absolutely devastated they didn't offer any. HOWEVER, the steak was perfect! It is the best we have had in a looong while. I will definitely be visiting some MM restaurants here in the Bay Area to try to recreate my birthday dinner - if that is even possible :)
Here's a different perspective for those of you on vacay - With our 3 year old daughter in tow, we usually don't expect much from these types of places as far as accomodating her. However, I was quite impressed with how friendly everyone was towards us (definitely no *you brought your kid, how could you!??!?!* dagger-looks) and especially towards her! Not that she's awful, we're fortunate that our daughter is well-behaved for the most part, so we usually do just fine. She scarfed down the cheesy duck fat fries in no-time (not hard to do since portions are tiny, even for her), and when she proclaimed that she wanted more, I asked our server if he can get her some more of just the cheesy fries. I asked this expecting to pay for it and even told him he can charge us for another trio if he has to, but he came back with the same portion of these wonderful cheesy fries for my little one, compliments of the chef! That just made my day...as in, Wow, customer service, imagine that! But please, try not refer to this review just to get free fries, okie dokie? :)))
I didn't realize the restaurant was located inside the Four Seasons so my review may a bit biased since I loved this particular iteration. After subjecting myself to Georgetown traffic induced angst, the stress instantly evaporated upon crossing those revolving doors greeting me with the scent of fresh floral arrangements and the feel of plush carpets at my feet. I felt transported to a different space literally and metaphorically from the brilliant modern décor accented with wonderful artwork. But of course, this was just the Four Seasons itself, and I hadn't even walked to the restaurant yet. The bar and patio setup reminded me of Dean Fearing's restaurant at the Ritz Carlton in Dallas.
Let's start with the bar. Here waiting for a table may be as delightful having dinner itself. I tried the "Vesper" out of curiosity and was instantly smitten by the blend of gin, vodka, and lillet accented by the lemon rind. I guess Ian Flemming could do more than just write.
When it comes to the steak itself, the atmosphere, plating, and service propel the high rating, but if I were to be frank, I'd have a hard time picking Bourbon over the other elite steakhouses around the country.
The quality of meat in their 16 oz rib eye is without a doubt top notch. Similar to Chops in Atlanta, I feel the irony of such high quality rib eye is the loss of the marbling which previously provided the delicious flavor. The positive trade off is a more textured filet caliber feel which falls prey to a filet's mortal enemy of flavor deprivation.
The first bite gives way to a rush of flavor but that quickly fades to blandness on each subsequent bite which is where I think Bourbon falls a short compared to say Nick and Sam's in Dallas. The flavor for Bourbon was an interesting blend of spices and sauces held together by their butter poached base. I felt the cracked pepper was a bit overpowering at times, but the thyme gave the steak another pleasant dimension--so my main nitpicking really is just how quickly the flavor dissipated. It was almost impossible for me to taste the butter, but that may be because I've gotten used to being overwhelmed by the butter flavor of III Forks or Ruth Chris so I couldn't pick up the subtle flavor easily, except in feeling the heaviness of all that butter after finishing my meal.
The steak also had a bit of red sauce that to me tasted a bit smoky and Tabasco like with a twang of sweetness that provided an interesting contrast to the visible salt flakes seasoning the crust.
Other quick side notes: Truffle butter rolls were fantastic and unique. The truffle butter permeated throughout the light and fluffy texture. Simply divine. The Trio of duck fat fries were interesting and while the dipping sauces were well made, simply not my preferred palate combinations, but still good. Finally the Hudson Valley foie gras moose was well made and recommended if you're into cold foie gras dishes.
Overall, great for dates, great for client meetings, great for drinks, and in a pinch, even great for steak, but for the truly great steak, I'm still going to have to fly out of DC.
My husband loves anything "Michael Mina" so his 40th birthday could be no where else but Bourbon Steak. On 9/28, we were treated to the most amazing food, service and wine. From Luciano, who was our server, to Britt, king of sommeliers, we were treated to the best the restaurant has to offer. A hand written note acknowledging my husband's birthday was at our table and Luciano was aware of the special occasion as well. The wine braised oxtail appetizer and the ahi tuna tartare are incredible, the presentations superb. The generous and always anticipated hand cut fries with the trio of dipping sauces lasted...maybe 5 minutes- such a unique offering given to every table. The truffle mac n cheese - seriously, the best we've ever had. A special Barolo sealed the deal. Is there anything better than Michael Mina and his incredible Bourbon Steak? It certainly elevates Washington DC - truly a treat for anyone.
First visit to a Mina restaurant.
Ups: The restaurant decor is quite nice and "fresh"; an excellent addition to the style of the four seasons. The sommelier was attentive and on point with suggestions - among the better sommelier, certainly in DC. Wine list is terrific. Rib eye was perfectly prepared and flavorful. Black truffle mac n cheese was terrific.
Downs: Despite all the staff rave reviews on yelp, the wife and I were disappointed (exception sommelier see above). Our waiter did not know the preparation differences of foie gras and was hesitant to clarify if both were Hudson V. The foie gras was missing an accompaniment (satsuma tangerine) and was under cooked. Our entrees were served before we finished the apps. The hosts were a bit pretentious (perhaps an anomaly based on other reviews I've seen). Waiter was pleasant but too inexperienced.
Generally: Think we'll give it another go in a few months.
it's interesting to read the reviews here, ppl complain and then give it 4 stars? hey, when you're throwing down the kinds of prices that they charge here, your review standards MUST go up. On my most recent visit, the tab was over $500 for 4.
Let's be honest here. People go because of the celebrity factor. This and Milano are the closest DC is going to get to Hollywood. So if that's your thing, go for it. Be prepared to pay the price.
Oh yes, the steak - it's decent, not great. I've had the ribeye and the filet. No complaints.
Best steak I've ever had. Strangely, however, I'm not completely blown away. It wasn't anything I haven't had before; it was just better. Not a ton, but enough to notice and in every possible way. Probably the best service in DC, but the hallmark of excellent service is how unnoticeable it is: Unobtrusive yet never left wanting. Very pretty restaurant - may be the best, but its not a no-brainer. Its a steak place, but its not uninventive like most. For example, I had lobster corn dogs. Unlike Central, however, this use of lobster was not gratuitous and wasteful. All told, this place is truly great - but what's perhaps more stunning is how understated its greatness is.
I went here last night. I've eaten at Aqua (now Michael Mina Las Vegas). I was hoping that this would be the steakhouse version.
Although the space wasnt big, our reservation was met on time which is always nice. It is a lively clublike atmostphere and the bar appeared to be very lively. The space where the restaurant is within the four seasons is the same place that the hotel's lounge use to be. They did an excellent job with the build out.
It was obvious from the first minute that our waiter was very inexperienced. He tripped over explanations of a few dishes and didn't seem to have a grasp of what "dry aged" means or even the process for which the steak is prepared.
The duck fat fries was served first and is complimentary. Very good although it didnt provide me with the same orgasmic experiences that some other yelpers had when eating them. To each his own.
The next thing to come were the rolls. Those were good as well although a bit salty.
I had the Bib wedge salad. It was good. The portion is extremely small but the dressing was very good and it was quite fresh. At this point, I would have given the restaurant four star. But it goes downhill...s l o w l y.
20 minutes later and our main course had still not arrived. No one came by to ask us if we wanted drinks and it took 15 minutes for them to clear our plates from the appetizer. The manager came over unrequested to tell us our food was almost out. I wasnt going to complain and I just politely nodded and waited.
Another 5 minutes and the food arrives. The steak, which is a la carte, arrived first. Mine was room temperature and would have required a ginsu for a clean cut it was so tough. A quarter of the way through eating the steak, our sides came. We ordered the black truffle mac and cheese, mushrooms and long bean casserole. They were Okay, but not memorable at all. The mushrooms were the best part.
We finally get through the meal and our plates just sat there...and sat there...and sat there...and our glasses stayed empty for another 15 minutes.
The manager came over again to check on us which was one more time than the waiter had come in the course of the hour. At that point, I had to tell him what i thought of the service we received. Looking down at the leftover food on my plate and empty glass that had sat there for 15 minutes I merely said "whats wrong with this picture?"
Alas, the manager offered to comp the meal which would have been a nice gesture had he not had such an attitude about it. I would have much rather had a good meal than a free meal any day.
All in all, if the food was out of this world, I might have forgiven the service. If the service was good, I might have enjoyed the food more. I ate nothing here that makes me fiend to come back and have and the service was such that even if i did, i would probably ask for them to do it carry out.
Save your time and go to BLT.
Boyfriend: "Sooo where does the birthday girl want to eat dinner tonight?"
Me: "2 Amy's definitely. I am CRAAAAVING some pizza."
Boyfriend to Hart text message:
"I will be home around 7:15.
Put on the blue dress and be ready."
now, why would one need a blue dress to go to 2 Amys? clearly, I could go to 2 Amy's in my jeans!
Arrive outside of the Four Seasons-
Me: "I don't think this is 2 Amys...."
So, my birthday is my ABSOLUTE favorite day of the year...scratch that month. I think February is just awesome all around. I would have been happy with some pizza and peroni. Instead I'm in my snazzy blue dress and high heels walking into this swank restaurant confused.
We walk to our table and on it, big present box and flowers...boyfriend NEVER buys me flowers.
Clearly, he's trying to impress me.
We start off with cocktails... I wish I could remember, I just know they were strong and satisfying.
Then a cold course, of oysters and lobster with a lemon-butter (yum).
THE DUCK FAT FRIES ARE HEAVEN ON EARTH! Three types of fries, one sprinkled in white cheddar with their barbeque sauce, one sprinkled with herbs and a sour cream sauce (think they were aiming for sour cream and onion? either way delish!), and I cannot remember the third but it came with pickled ketchup. I swear my meal could have ended there..... but it didn't.
Out come the buttery rolls with black truffle sprinkled on them (orgasmic).
We also got compliments of the chef, geoduck with poached shrimp...first geoduck experience...it was pretty tasty!
I ordered for my entree the filet mignon, while boyfriend ordered the duck...both really great. I also ordered what seemed to be a deep fried bake potato. It was so buttery and delicious already, that I lost my patience for the added toppings included.
The meal was great, the duck was fabulous and the steak was incredibly juicy!
Now, a birthday isn't complete without a dessert!
I ordered the pot-de-creme with pumpin cake and pepitas drizzled with Macallan 18 butterscoth. No words could describe my love of this dessert. I couldn't stop eating.
From start to finish the service was great and not overbearing. Boyfriend was fabulous for surprising me! I'd definitely give this place 4.5 stars, but because of the occasion and the staff, I'd have to give it a 5!
p.s. I am salivating at the thought of those duck fat fries. mmmmmmmmmm
I had the best steak in recent memory. I ordered the ribeye and it was a whole level above the other steak places in town. My wife ordered the short ribs which, also, were delicious. While the fries were not as good as expected, everything else about the evening, including the attentive and accomodating staff, was excellent!
The burger is a fine piece when it comes to the All-American farmboy wanting an All-American meal of the "cheeseburger and french fries". So, it only makes sense that I have become a connaisseur of the burger at various DC steakhouses and eateries. I have enjoyed the burger at Capitol Grille, Post, BLT, and many other restaurants around town. Without a doubt, the burger at Bourbon Steak tops the list! Without qualification, it's in a class by itself. It has every taste, texture and touch that a gourmet burger should have -- the perfect amount of juicy, salty pepper & spice, grilled onions, shredded lettuce, and more. Words can not describe. Go there now!
Went for drinks the Monday of Inauguration (saw Denzel) and for dinner on a Friday. The bar scene is hot. Full of DC hot girls trying to work their way up the social food chain. The bartenders were not. Took 20 minutes to get a drink. It was just ridic. There were like 6 people behind the bar, but they could not get their shit together, which was really surprising. They seemed to spend more time polishing glasses than making drinks.
The dining room is well designed, although the tables are long and you have to scream across them.
The food was pretty great. The menu was intriguing, lots of options in addition to basic steaks and fish. I got the pork trio (loin, cheek, and belly) The belly was so amazing, but thank god they only give you a 1 inch cube because I could feel it coating my arteries.
The service was very meh, hence the rating. Our server was often absent and was very obviously trying to get out of there. When I was in the bathroom and he dropped the dessert menus, he asked my friend if he could order for me. Tre tre tacky.
Oh, check out the specialty drink list. Lots and lots of interesting options. Some of the flavor combos reminded us of Gibson.
I went to Bourbon Steak on New Years Day with my best friend to ring in the New Year in style and I was not disappointed in anyway. When I first arrived at the Four Season's Hotel I was greated and shown to the restaurant where my coat was taken and checked for me. I was slightly early for the reservation so I took a seat in the bar and waited for my friend to arrive. The bar alone is a sight to be seen and comes complete with comfy lounge seating and the perfect amount of light. The cocktail list was very impressive and spanned over 15 pages. They offer almost every type of liquor imaginable and the bartender is a master at mixing and muddling. My first drink was a "Vesper" those of you who are James Bond fans will know what this is (The drink Bond creates in Casino Royale and names it after his female partner). It is the perfect mix of Stoli 100, Bombay Sapphire, and Lillet Blanc. The drink was amazing and it was the first bar I had been to who offered it. They easily transfered the bar tab to our table as we were seated.
The dining room is done in elaborate style and the decor screams classy steak house. I was very impressed with the attention to detail that is sometimes overlooked in steakhouses. Upon receiving the menu I was shocked at the amount of entrees they had that did not involve steak. I would say this is the perfect place to go if somebody in your group does not eat steak. Despite these options I clearly went for the Boneless Rib Eye (throwing calorie count to the wind) and an amazing tuna tartar for an appetizer.
The appetizers arrived and they made my tartar at the table getting my input about how much of each ingredient I wanted included in the mix. It turned out to be absolutely perfect. They then brought us complimentary fries with 3 different types of sauces, all the types of fries were hand made and delicious. The main courses arrived in perfect union being placed on the table at the same time and the side all accompanying them. We got the Truffle Mac and Cheese and creamed spinach, both were done perfectly and served in individual mini-pots right off the stove top. I also got a second drink with dinner, a Manhattan made with Noah's Mill small batch bourbon. I had never had Noah's Mill before but it was of course on their list and I gave it a try and was not disappointed. It was one of the best Manhattan's I had ever had.
Finally came dessert and I had the Macallan 18 pot, and it was the perfect way to end such a decadent meal. I enjoyed even min of this amazing meal and I would happily go back in the future. I put this right with BLT as the best steak house in DC, but it is so much more than just a steak house. I would give this place 6 stars if possible.
It was my birthday and as a surprise my husband brought me here. I've been to Michael Mina's Seablue in Atlantic City several times and love the food and environment. This was no different in quality and exceeded my expectations for a celebratory birthday dinner.
The restaurant is located in the Four Seasons and its interior is as "rich" as one would expect. It has a graceful modern wood design with a light smell of wood (smoke or cedar?) hinting of Mina's grilled meats and fish. The service from start to finish was attentive and friendly while respectful and helpful, and never overbearing. Light nearly inaudible music played in the background; a mix -Pink Floyd, Roxy Music, an odd but pleasant variety actually- that worked.
Mina has total concept restaurants. As such, his drink menu is presented as important as the wine and food menus. (It begins with "...our beverage program parallels the philosophy of the menu - a modern twist on the classic american steakhouse.") This clues you in to the fact that you're not just having a meal here.
For cocktails we ordered saltwater martinis. They were exceptional Chopin vodka martinis with a slight salty taste, served with two olives: one green and the other dark.
While we were waiting for our drinks, the server brought a trio of fries and dipping sauces which were really very good, followed by four warm enjoined truffle rolls which were truly amazing. They were slightly sticky and buttery. Mmmmm.
For our meals: I tended toward the seafood side of Michael Mina's personality which is well represented on the menu. My husband leaned more toward the steakhouse side. I ordered Jonah Crab Beignets followed by grilled Big Eyed Tuna along with a side to share of Leaks Vinaigrette. Dan ordered Kobe Beef Tartare, a 14 oz New York Strip (dry aged) along with grilled Fois Grais as an accompaniment. We each shared with the other so we had a taste of all.
The food was exceptionally prepared and flavorful. The beignets were tender light dough puffs around light crab served with a slightly sweet sour aioli that was a perfect complement. The steak tartar was seasoned exactly right not to overpower the fresh taste of the raw beef. My tuna was precisely prepared with a gentle taste of lemon which accented the subtle taste of truly fresh tuna which has been grilled over a wood fire. Dan's steak burst with a smoky, meaty flavor and his Foie Gras was sweet and rare and simply melted in the mouth. The Leeks Vinaigrette was a highlight - a bright, lemony taste of subtle leaks with breadcrumbs - something I'll try to imitate in the kitchen one day. For all of this, Dan picked an Olivier Leflame Meursault from Burgundy, a white wine with a complex and rich enough flavor to accompany the meat which is subtle and light enough (with a very nice fruity finish) to accent the seafood. A perfect choice.
While stuffed, I had room enough for a bit of dessert. It was hard to choose among so many really interesting sounding flavors. I settled on, and we shared, the Passion Fruit Panna Cotta which drew "an excellent choice" when I ordered it. It truly was. Fruity, lemony, fresh and light. It rested easily on my stomach full of food and I was still able to walk out of the room afterward.
Unless you're wealthy or have generous friends this isn't an everyday or even once in a while place. It is, however, a very special occasion restaurant or one to come to when you have some money to burn on a really exceptional meal. (In my case it made getting a year older worth it.) Michael Mina is the latest of the "celebrity chefs" to come to DC and he is, in my mind, among those at the top of the list in knowing how to do exceptional, interesting (not weird) things with food and drink to create a truly enjoyable and memorable experience.
My first Yelp review. Yay for me!
I took my husband here for his birthday last week...love love love!! I canceled reservations at Black Salt and chose here instead and boy oh boy am I glad I did.
First of all, the service was excellent. The entire staff (hosts, valets, busers, servers) was warm and totally unpretentious. What a relief. Once we were seated, we noticed an envelope addressed to my husband laying on a plate in the middle of the table. It was a note from the manager thanking him for choosing Bourbon Steak to celebrate his birthday. Such a thoughtful and nice touch.
The menu was all recognizable and the food, while basic, was all prepared exceptionally well.
The run down: We decided against an appetizer after filling up on the duck fat fries, (saving room for dessert!) and ordered two sides to share-the brusell sprouts with green apples and bacon and the black truffle macaroni and cheese. Both extremely yummy! I actually surprised myself by enjoying the brussel sprouts just a tad bit more. Hubby had the filet for his meal and I had the NY strip...mine was prepared perfectly and although he ordered his medium rare as well, his came out medium. But he enjoyed it just the same. Both steaks well seasoned and I agree with the "melt in your mouth" assessment. Delicious.
We each ordered a drink with our meal. I chose a red wine blend which I really enjoyed and his favorite drink is a mojito..and, although it was January, that's what the birthday boy wanted. He said it was good, but not the best he's ever had.
Immediately after we ordered came the black truffle buttered rolls in a cast iron skillet. OHMYGOD! They were perfectly seasoned and the best rolls I have ever eaten. I'm so glad they didn't bring more though; otherwise I wouldn't have been able to eat my meal!
We had the Bitter Chocolate Cake for dessert...good, not excellent. But the presentation was what made it the highlight of the evening. The plate was decorated to look a like a mossy garden with the cake in the center and "Happy Birthday (hubby's name)" written out in chocolate. Such a beautiful piece of work, I felt a little bad about eating it. ;)
All in all, a great way to spend two and a half hours. Lovely meal, great atmosphere, exceptional service. A memorable experience...I will be talking about those rolls for years! Hopefully I get back there before then...all you yelpers should jump at the chance to go!
Bourbon steak is a good restaurant, and runs a close second to BLT for me (the popovers keep me going back to BLT). I love the dim lighting, amber glow of candles, and the clubby and intimate atmosphere (yet energetic, too) of Bourbon steak. The service is impeccable, and definitely beats BLT on that front. My steak was perfectly cooked, my crab beignet appetizer was awesome, and my butterscotch pot de creme was yummy. I guess the only 2 reasons this place is not my #1 are a) the popovers at BLT, and 2) the lack of accompanying sauces to the steaks. But, it's a great night out-just go!
Service for type of restaurant: C-
Food: on scale of 1 to 10 (10 being best)
Duck Fat french fries: They are very good fries but not magnificent. 8
Truffle Butter rolls: Not good for a roll but not bad : 5
Lobster Appetizer : Best thing we had that night and in general set the meal over the top for us. 10
Braised oxtail: A bit on the greasy side. Good if you enjoy wine braised flavor: 6
Porterhouse (we split this): Great. Cooked perfectly, good flavor, however not magnificent for the price. 8
Desserts: Dissapointed. Banana Split - 4 (good but too expensive for deconstructed banana bread with some ganache ice cream)
Mcallan 18 Butterscotch - This is NOT GOOD. It is bitter and tastes weird. I found this unplesant and totally not what i expected. Maybe this is a great dessert for the lover of savory foods. M'eh - 2
Coffee- Very good.
Ambience - Super (saw CNN People having coffee there too. Wolf Blitzer and some other dude)
Service: Ordered a second Long Island Ice Tea (never came). Ordered Bone Marrow as a side with the Steak- never arrived. Waited 10 min for server after we finished food. Had to ask bus boy for check, for dessert menu, for drink refill.
Basically if this was a cheaper restaraunt i would rate it higher but paying what i paid and going to the Four Seasons and etc i have a certain expectation of service and food from this class of restaurant that this place did not deliver.
In a word, amazing.
Bourbon Steak offered one of the finest dining experiences ever. It all begins with the assortment of duck fat fries with an assortment of dipping sauces which are simply delectable. Following the fries are the truffle butter rolls which are even better than the fries, which leads into the appetizer (if ordered) or main course. The root vegetable soup was excellent, I normally don't like cooked carrots but in this case I had to make an exception. I followed with the roasted duck served perfectly medium. The duck was exceptional as well as the seared foie gras side. My date had the chicken which was unbelievably tender. All courses added up equal a relatively heavy meal but save room for dessert and coffee... The date ordered the banana split which is very tasty; I should say so since I actually cannot stand bananas. I had the Michael Mina organic blend coffee served in a French press. Nothing really special in the coffee but a good way to bookend the meal. If you arrive early for your reservation do not hesitate to visit the bar. I'm not sure where these folks learned to make drinks but I can guarantee that whatever you order will be the best you've ever tasted. I only have two drinks, a perfect Manhattan and scotch neat. The Manhattan was superb and they serve Johnnie Walker Blue so it goes without saying that the scotch was great as well. The wine and spirit list is fairly extensive so you will find something to please the palate.
Bourbon Steak is worth the price and the time spent from aperitifs to dessert. The waitstaff is very helpful, not overbearing, and very attentive.
2 weeks in a row, brought the folks this time for the holiday and I have to say that the second week was even better than the first... Once again the service was impeccable (Josh is a true pro, trust every word) and the venue does nothing less than wow the guest. I branched out this week and ordered the special, a 10 ounce rib cape steak, generally what I would refer to as a butchers cut, this is by far one of the beefiest cut of the steak, melt in your mouth marbilization that creates such a beefy tender peice of meat that it is a brush with heaven. Once again the service is 5 star, make that 6 star, they anticipate every move and are there to provide not only what you'd like but perfect recommendations that you would have never thought to order. My fellow diners had the lobster pot pie, a wonderful meal, served table side, and prepared so well you would have thought it was prepped in a kitchen's sole purpose was to make this dish look spectacular... The somolier (Max who has a gift) once again wowed us with a fantastic recommendation and this item was such a fantastic value that we had to order a few bottles. Bourbon has once again exceeded my expectations and surpassed any experience I have had at a DC venue. 5 stars, time after time, I can't wait, I hear third time is a charm.
I'm in heaven, after having been to various other Mina establishments I was absolutely thrilled to… Read more »
Washington, DC
Category: Steakhouses
Washington, DC
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: West End
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Georgetown
Category: Steakhouses
Neighborhood: West End
Category: American (New)
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