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Category: Steakhouses
2020 K St NWEnjoy delightful al fresco dining at our sidewalk cafe. Come dressed as you please and observe the passing parade on K Street.
Farragut West (Blue, Orange)
Farragut North (Red)
Mon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mon-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Fri. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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i.love.prime.rib.
the salty/peppery/delicioussssly herby crust.
the horseradish.
the creamed spinach.
the jus that pools all over the plate.
i don't care what anyone says, i do not mind eating a prime rib in a suit jacket. it can be handled without stains, as the meat is tender and will not slop around creating waves of juicy flyers. besides, suits is sexy.
I was at this restaurant awhile ago. This place is just as good or even better than my ultimate favorite steak house in San Francisco. The prime rib was nice and thick with juicy juice.
THe service is excellent. The night I was there, there was live jazz going on. The live music really accompanied the bold decoration of the place.
I definitely would go back here anytime I'm in DC.
I'd actually rate this 3.5 if there were such a thing. A full table of us sat down and enjoyed several fabulous bottles of wine and an assortment of appetizers...
- Potato skins: someone had mentioned that they were so grand but I didn't see it. Mediocre
- Oysters: had better
- Crab cakes: pretty tasty
- Maryland crab soup: really good
As for my hefty bone-in prime rib and sides... all were delicious. That knife cuts right through that prime rib. I think it was ~41oz or so and I had to take most of it home in a doggy bag. They literally put it in a clear plastic bag rather than a Styrofoam box like other restaurants. I'd go back but will try a rib-eye next time.
I really like the decor of this place.. when you walk in here, you know you're bound to run into a DC celebrity!
At 9 pm on a Saturday night, this place was still in full swing. A piano and a bass in the middle of the dining room floor.. it really set the stage.
The host took about 5 minutes to get to us.. not because there were people. He just was missing from the front of the restaurant. We had a nice table.. but the food was less than amazing. Clams were on par... but the steak was just okay. Expected a little more.. on the standard of Morton's or Ruth Chris. The one thing I did think was amazing was the creamed spinach.. amazing. Creme brulee was not the real kind.. just the instant type with sugar glazed on top.
We came for our anniversary and asked if we could get something special... was not accomodated as well.
But I did really love the piano and bass!
I love to be surrounded by men tucked away in the finest suits! I'm sooo missing this when I'm in Miami. It's like a breathe of fresh air *inhaling* it reminds you of Ol school upscale dining. Live mellow music and tremendous dishes..
How can The Prime Rib fail to please! With elegant service, energetic music and two inch thick tender hunks of beef, our party of six left satisfied.
This is a restaurant that we come to every couple of months, and the consistency of the beef quality is the one things we've come to rely on. The crispy potato skins with horseradish sauce are our all time favorites, and next time we will skip most of the other veggies.
Dissapointing at best, the asparagus (in season!) came as a stingy portion that allowed each of us only two spears. Green beans while fresh were awash in a drab tomato sauce, again a small portion. Scalloped potatoes while tasty were gummy and overly sauced and mushrooms were so so - very average.
Next time, meat & potatoes!!!
Excellent steaks; excellent service; elegant decor; old-school charm. The Prime Rib is a great steak house.
I went in May '09 and enjoyed the experience. Booked via opentable, and had no problems. The steaks are about $30 or $40, and expect to pay at least $40 for a bottle of wine. Complimentary valet service. The steaks were tender and juicy and were cooked perfectly. Jazz piano was playing, and most of the patrons were over 60 years old.
Note: jacket and tie are required for men. Ladies need to dress appropriately, too (dressy, business-casual, or business attire). No jeans.
I recommend.
Let me start by saying I'm not the kind of guy that likes to wear a coat and tie. Things have been getting serious with the gf so I really wanted to make a good impression and take her to the Prime Rib.
The place is elegant, well appointed and comfortable. Since the restaurant is called the Prime Rib I just had to order Prime Rib! It was by far the best steak I can remember. The waiters are the ultimate in professional wait staff. If you are looking for that special occasion restaurant and want to make it a classy affair, the Prime Rib is the way to go.
The food here was top-notch, from the salad to the sides to the steak. They serve Allen Brothers steaks, which are dry-aged and delicious enough to make those fence-sitting vegetarians sprout fangs.
I am still kicking myself for not ordering the prime rib (I tasted my mom's and my dad's both), instead I opted for the steak au poivre. The sauce was decadent, although a little too thick, and the peppercorns were present en masse. The mushrooms were forgettable. The sauteed onions were really mind-blowing, which is surprising. They were one of the more memorable components.
I have to say this place makes one of the best dirty Belvederes to have ever passed my lips. Two of them and I was housed. At $18 a pop, they were worth it.
I'm detracting a star for service and set up. I know it's a Saturday and it's bound to be busy, but we were there for the first sitting at 5 p.m. along with about 10 other parties, all of us whom were crowded into one serving section. It made for semi-awkward dining, particularly if, like my family, you have south Jersey roots and are boozing it up. EVERY SINGLE TIME I got up, whether to use the ladies' room, smoke, etc. I nearly had a head-on collision with a server. Ridiculous.
Our server in particular was very old-school and I liked it. He only spoke when spoken to, save for a few dry jokes, and we were never wanting for anything.
The decor was sweet--very boys' club with a Rat Pack vibe. Black, lots of mirrors, black and white photos and peacock-hued accents.
Definitely will be going back!
The BEST prime rib I have ever had!
The food is magnificent and the service is equally impressive. Yes, you must wear a coat and tie and the atmosphere is on the pretentious side. It's a bit of a "Who's Who" environment. Women in minks(winter time of course) chatting about and blowing shoulder to shoulder kisses. If you are in to that hob knob type of atmosphere with a bunch of people who love to see and be seen, then this is definitely the place for you. I love it just based on the prime rib alone and I would return time and time again. I'm not sure there is another restaurant out there that can top what Prime Rib is serving.
Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a juicy prime rib dinner. You won't be disappointed.
I went here for DC Restaurant Week with a group of 8. It was FABULOUS!
Food: I had the signature prime rib, which came with creamed spinach and and mashed potatoes. This was the BEST prime rib I've ever had at any restaurant. Cooked just right, how it should be. The sides were okay. Creamed spinach stayed true to the spinach and less creamy. Mashed potatos were ok, nothing special. Dessert was creme brulee, garnished with a strawberry. Delicious!
Decor: 50's supper club style. Didn't pay attention to it much as it wasn't too important to me. However, plush carpets, armed lounge chairs in the corners and the dim lighting suggest that it's more of an environment for politicos and execs rather than a 20's crowd. The decor also suggests that you can't get away with jeans in this place. I suppose you could but you'd stick out!
Service: Had 1 waiter for our group of 8. Very attentative with details, removing bits of trash, keeping up with your water. Great overall but towards the end of the night, slacked a bit. It took forever to get out bill!
I would return for the prime rib alone.
Prime Rib is NOT a place to go in in jeans - unless you want the 3rd degree stare down from the time you walk in till the time you leave! Er yes! I found out the hard way! I know I know I dont really have an excuse save that I was running late and my ride was at the door and I did not have time to change! Ah well - the power of the economic downturn is that no restaurant can afford to turn away a paying guest!
Well, you'd definitely feel more comfortable if you adhere to their dress code stated plainly on their main door - tie(?) and jacket required. It is a fancier kind of place afterall - they have a proper coat check before the second entrance door leading into the dining room. They even have their dress code stated on their website: Business Casual for lunch. Am just wondering if my business were "casual" and I work in jeans - wont that be business casual by my definition? And wont my $200 pair of jeans beat a $40 off the rack pair of trousers?! Just a thought but I digress.
As soon as you walk in you realise that this is one of those business lunch places cos everyone's in a suit. You are shown to your table by a humorless looking waiter who stares at you as if you owe him money (er - ok perhaps because I was in jeans....)
The economic downturn has done wonders.....not always bad if you like to dine out .....cos Prime Rib now offers a $25 lunch deal. You get a soup or salad, your choice of a main course (prime rib / steak / sandwich) with a side vegetable and dessert. I had the prime rib (luncheon cut) and there was more than I could eat!
The deal is even better for Restaurant Week (16 Feb - 21 Feb) -http://www.theprimerib... - where you pay only $20.09 instead of $25!
At $25, it is well-worth going for lunch (it is not Peter Luger's good.....). I would definitely recommend it if you have to go to work in a suit anyway!
We decided to cheat on our beloved Ruth's Chris and came here for Restaurant Week. I ordered the tomato soup, the prime rib, and the creme brulee. The soup and the dessert were the highlights of the meal. The prime rib was a huge portion and they didn't upcharge me. Their menus posted outside and online said it was an additional charge but the menus our waiter gave us didn't list the charge, so not sure which is actually right. I enjoyed my mashed potatoes but threw away most my creamed spinach (I really prefer my spinach au natural).
So if we ended right there the evening was okay. However, my poor dining companion, Gwen B. is 99% certain she got food poisoning from her dinner. I told her she should call the restaurant since I think it's important for a restaurant to know if they have a possible food contamination problem. What did the Prime Rib say when she called? They asked if she had been drinking! I wish my friend had responded with "why, yes 12 shots at the bar before dinner and then downed 6 bottles of wine with my meal, do you think that could have caused my problem?" I would have given them three stars but this iffy incident and then their ridiculous response really ticked me off.
A friend and I went for Restaurant Week last night. The other reviews were spot-on. We walked in and immediately heard and saw the pianist. The lighting is dim and the decor looks like it's from a 1940s movie set with highback leather seats.
We had a rather late reservation and the restaurant was at the tail-end of dinner service. The waiter was attentive, but did not hover. Our water glasses were constantly refilled and he only interrupted conversation to present our food.
I had the tomato soup and my friend had the caeser salad. The soup was smooth and rich, though nothing spectacular. My friend was a little disappointed with the salad. It looked like a handful of chopped romaine from a bag were put on a plate. The dressing was decent, very heavy on the garlic and anchovy.
The entrees came. We ordered london broil and the prime rib, both medium rare, and each had a glass of red wine. The meat was just as everyone said. The london broil was sliced thin and 5 pieces took up an entire serving platter. The prime rib was just as large and you could tell it was going to be juicy and tender by the rich fat of the meat. The creamed spinach and potatoes were great complements.
Both dishes were amazing, and I would highly recommend either one. I loved the london broil. It was tender and melted in my mouth. My dining partner said the prime rib tasted like butter and meat, it was so rich and the fat added additional flavor to the meat.
We were both so stuffed by the time dessert came. We both ordered the creme brulee (seriously, who orders key lime pie outside of Florida). It was good, but again, the standout here was the meat.
Prime Rib is a Washington DC classic. Born of a time when polyester suits and platform shoes were in vogue, the Prime Rib has remained a DC classic. Me, the girlfriend, and her parents just attended for Restaurant Week and were not disappointed.
Gentlemen, bring your coat and tie after 5PM or see the coat check girl for a loaner. But, if you are visiting Prime Rib and looking for a taste of formal dining, do the right thing and bring your own coat and tie.
Food was as expected. Three prime ribs and one crab imperial later, we were very pleased, and full. The sides were average, but the service, intimacy, and lovely piano playing more than made up for the traditional mashed potatoes and average creamed spinach. Any lingering concerns we had about the sides were quickly dispelled by the arrival of our key lime pies and Crème Brûlée. Both were perfectly executed and finished off the meal with style.
The old-fashion service, coupled with the gentleman's club atmosphere and delicious classics that adorn the menu make a trip to Prime Rib (especially during rest. week) well worth it.
2.5 stars...
Wow, I was SO disappointed with Prime Rib! I think steak places are like cupcake places...everyone has their opinion. But, honestly and objectively, what we were served was unacceptable. Ok, I'll back up and tell the tale.
We ordered carry out from them on Friday night (12/12). Yes, they do carry out! [Side note: I love getting carry out from fancy places. Maybe that sounds odd, but I like that I can eat in comfortable clothes and drink my own wine, which for steak places means a far superior wine than what you'd have there for the same price. Weird?]. We ordered a salad, potato skins, a small filet, a large NY strip and sauteed mushrooms.
The fella who answered the phone was very helpful and friendly. The restaurant is SO CUTE. Love the leopard print carpet, but I admit to being partial to that pattern. When I went in to pick up our meal, they were ready and waiting with our meal, and everything just smacked of slick professionalism and excellent customer service. I thought, 'I am in for a treat!!' and that this place might blow my beloved Ruth's Chris out of the water. NUH UH.
The salad was fine - nothing special but nothing wrong with it either. Shit, its a salad - what can you say about it, really? The potato skins were waaaaay overcooked. They were fried within an inch of their life. The horseradish sauce that comes with was good though!
Now, the steaks. My filet was great! Cooked perfectly, flavorful (though, I maintain, not as flavorful as Ruth's Chris). The NY strip was another story. It had an unpleasant smell and a very, very off, almost tangy taste. Its not that I think it was rancid, but there was definitely something not fresh, not tasty and certainly NOT steak house quality about it. It was inedible.
When we called about the steak they said that they were getting that particular cut from a new vendor and said something along the lines of "it happens sometimes", referring to the fact that the meat was off. I guess I get that - I mean, dry aged steak must sometimes get a little funky. But it ruined our meal. They refunded us for the NY strip and that was that. No big apologies, no "hey, let us get that salad for you!", nothing really that would indicate to me that they're big on customer service. That's fine - its not like I want a free meal for the sake of it, but if you serve a $40 rank steak, you ought to offer something more than a flippant "that happens" and "hey, let us pick up the cost of your rank, nasty tasting steak?" IMO.
Would I go there again? Well, are you paying? :) If so, maybe. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't seek it out again. I'll stick with the other num yummy steak houses in DC.
Ok, I don't eat a lot of meat. So why the hell would I go to a place called Prime Rib?? Because a friend came to visit who wanted to check it out, and I always appreciate good cuisine, so I thought, why not.
The place is bizarre. First, coat and tie are required. Alright, I am the bumpkin from CA, but still... who does that anymore. And with that kind of requirements, I thought the place would be really classy and upscale. The prices certainly indicated that, but the decor was out of something like an old gentleman's club. Maybe that is the look they were looking for. They put us along the wall, and it was pretty crowded and actually quite noisy, which is not what I would expect in a classy restaurant. Then again, I wouldn't expect a classy restaurant to be called Prime Rib. Because it was so crowded, despite of them trying to be upscale and putting the carbonated water in an ice bucket next to our table, they kept on knocking it over! Uh, not so much.
The food was fine. Nothing to write home about.
My boyfriend and I decided to celebrate Valentines Day early by going to Prime Rib on Friday. We read all the reviews and were excited to try a new steak house.
When we first walked in, either the usher or the man who walked in front of him, smelled horrible. Think bad BO inside a restaurant with the HEAT on. Cringe.
We proceed to get seated in the backroom which looks like a cabaret lounge. Very dark, black walls, paintings with nude women. I actually liked it but my boyfriend thought it looked too dated.
On to the food, I order a Filet Mignon well done. Now I know well done is the worst way to get a steak but I don't like the meat mooing on the plate in front of me. I get my steak and it's very dry. Typically at most steakhouses, it will come in some sort of sauce whether it just be butter or worcester. Mine came with nothing so it was extremely dry to eat. I'll take partial blame for this but still I wasn't very satisfied. My boyfriend got the prime rib and it a beast in size. He had a hard time finishing it and let me tell you...my boyfriend never has a hard time finishing his plate. So the prime rib got an A+ in his book. We got the steak fries and the squash as sides and they were just okay too.
The service was good. Our waiter was attentive but the place wasn't busy either for a Friday night at 8:30 pm. There was also live piano music playing in the background.
Overall, besides my long island being extra stiff, this steakhouse was just okay. I feel like Charlie Palmer's is exponentially better for the same price. I probably won't return but my boyfriend recommends the prime rib.
Wow, I went to the Prime Rib for restaurant week last summer and it was amazing. Food, service, atmosphere, everything was on point! I would definitely go back. I would write more but I suggest just going there and try it for yourself.
More intimate setting (dim lights, quite) Go with a date, personally no groups. I do not like to go to a $$$$ restaurant and have a bunch of rowdy people next table, if that ever happen again -- but it did not at Prime Rib -- I would say sheesh! be considerate, next time go to cheesecake factory or something
I love the experience at the Prime Rib. OK, you have to wear a coat and tie, big deal it won't kill you. It is nice to be in a room of well dressed people anyway. The decor is nice with the comfortable chairs, and leapord carpets. Also the jazzy paino music is a nice touch.
The food excellent. Just a classic menu, but everything is well prepared and tastes great. The service is professional and quiet, no "Hi, my name is Billy and I am your waiter tonight " stuff.
The Prime Rib may not be for everyone with their dress code, but that is OK as they are striving for an atmosphere of quiet elegance. If you are in your 20s it may be a place for an important date, or to take your parents when they come to town to celebrate your pormotion. If you are past 30 it is more of a place to celebrate anniverseries, birthdays your company going public, and your promotion to partner or retirement.
Companion(s): 7 friends
Occasion: Restaurant Week
I am a fan of black and white decor. I am a fan of ostentatious opulence (they try, and I appreciate ... although the swan-shaped faucets in the bathrooms are a bit over-the-top). I am a fan of victorian style leather sofas. I am a fan of making boys dress up ;)
Food is ok. Decent, but not astonishing.
* Roasted Tomato Soup -- a bit over-sour, but not bad
* Prime Rib -- a bit soggy, a bit cold, but meat is good quality
* Creme Brule -- almost like creamy ice-cream beneath a sugar crust .. I liked it, but it's definitely not typical cb consistency or texture
* Key Lime Pie -- nothing special
However, I do recommend it for special occasions.The atmosphere, the faintly tinkling jazz music, the bustling black-tie waiters...
food: 3
atmosphere: 4
service: 5
My favorite restaurant in DC thus far. I've been to Prime Rib twice; once to celebrate an anniversary and the other for restaurant week.
This place is a gem. PR is a place where on any given night you can see a Senator, Congressman, or other DC big Whigs. The first time I went I saw Fmr. Gov. George Pataki from NY. The place is a classic. Both times I went, I had reservations so seating was near any issue, nor did I see anyone waiting.
The menu is pretty much what you would expect to see at a steakhouse, no surprises there. The wine list is very extensive, also not surprising. I'm not a big wine drinker, but I did get and enjoy a glass of Pinot Nior. For food I ordered, obviously, the prime rib (medium) with Au gratin potatoes and creamed spinach. The cut of prime rib was HUGE, but I wasn't complaining. It also comes in a split cut. It was VERY juicy and cut like butter. One of the best pieces of meat I have ever tasted. It was served with a house sauce called "Tiger sauce". It's like a horse radish mustard. Everything was very tasty.
The Prime Rib is one of my favorite restaurants. Would return at anytime, pending monetary funds....
I'm glad that DC held another Restaurant Week event because of the economy or else I won't had been able to try out this GREAT place until next year.
Myself, my other half, my sister, and a friend of ours attended this place on Wednesday and let me tell you, it was FABULOUS! For $35 per person, it more than what I expected.
I had their prime rib, roasted tomato soup, and their creme brulee. From beginning to end, every dish was lovely (however, their creme brulee wasn't at the same level of quality as their other dishes). By the time the creme brulee came out, I was so stuffed I couldn't finish everything. The prime rib was cooked to perfection (I ordered it medium rare), it was tender, juicy, it just melted in my mouth like butter.
My other half had their brisket, it was good, it was done according to prime rib's standard, and something I totally did not expect. If you like brisket, this is something worth trying.
Our friend and my sister had their salad as the first course and according to them, "it was a house salad trying so hard to be a Caesar salad but lacking in so many area". It was not fresh! I felt like the veggies were left sitting out over night and it just got dried up. So poor in taste and quality!
The decor does take you back in time. It was very classic and elegant.
The only reason why I didn't give this place a five stars is because of the level of service. I'm not sure if it was because we ordered off of the "special" menu, therefore we got the "special" treatment, but either way, we're paying patrons so irregardless of our lower tab, it should not affect how we're treated.
I would definitely come back here for their prime rib again! It was such a great experience even with the semi-par service.
The Prime Rib is good, but the Filet Mignon encrusted with Peppercorns and served with their creamy sauce, mushrooms and scalloped potatoes takes the cake. By far the best steak I've ever had in the area.
The real treat, however, is knowing that the three musicians include two from the President's Own (The Marine Corps Band). Former Commandants eat here in addition to the other political figures that so many other people have mentioned. It's a great place to mingle and the bar seems like quite the hot spot to meet someone new. You'll need a reservation to take care of business here in a timely manner.
I highly recommend sharing the sides. Not having dessert here should be a crime.
Oh, and order the Rip Van Winkle after dinner. If you don't know what it is, just be patient as the bartender laughs at you from a distance. They even include the mandatory lemon rind with the espresso.
Yes, this is dining at its best.
Simply stated, "the best prime rib in all of D.C." bar none else. Great food and impeccable service. I've attended there for many years, and
the quality has always been sustained. They used to have live
jazz there many years ago too.
Just go, and order the "prime rib."
The Prime Rib is a very fancy and formal restaurant in DC. If you want to experience it without breaking the bank (because it is very pricey) go during DC Restaurant Week for lunch. My husband and I go every restaurant week and you get a lot of great food for a very reasonable price. The food is awesome and the ambiance is amazing.
The Prime Rib offers a unique and enjoyable dining experience, and has been one of my favorites for special occasions for a long time. Just walking into the place is a great experience, with friendly hosts, the welcoming sounds of a jazz band, and an eyeful of the timeless American elegance and opulence that adorns the restaurant. From the leather armchairs to the attentive service and live music that entertains without distracting, it is a very comfortable dining experience. The steaks and chops are all excellent, with a lot of care going into the selection and preparation of the meat. I also recommend the crab cakes, and will say that the vegetable sides are always worth ordering. Overall, The Prime Rib is all the things a steakhouse should be, coupled with a very impressive setting. Don't forget your jacket and tie!
Ahhhh The Prime Rib. Like your own private gentlemen's club, minus the cigars and long-winded douchebags (okay, maybe there are a few of those).
Enter the heavy double doors and whooosh, you're in dark paneled bliss. The carpet and clear baby grand are straight out of Rat Pack Vegas and you'd swear the bartenders are too. The tuxedos are so hot. Marble everywhere in classic 80's best. This place defines old-school.
I sat at the bar and had the Restaurant Week dinner, a real bargain considering the prime rib alone is like $40. Had tomato soup to start, rich and hearty with a touch of cream. I made pals with the bartender and got hooked up with a definitely non-Restaurant Week sized slab of perfectly pink prime rib, ohhhhhhhh yeeeeeah. Remember folks, always respect the bartender. Sides were whipped mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, old standbys but solid. Dessert was creme brulee but I could barely eat it after all that beef. Immediate food coma.
The Prime Rib are my boys!! Holla!!!
this spot is what i imagined people in the early 1900s went to smoke cigars, drink brandy, and eat an elegant American meal. Like rose and jack- titanic style
the maitre'd was very polite and welcoming (not snooty at all).
tie and jacket required, very fancy. wonderful ambiance. there's two musicians, one on the piano, the other on the bass. we went late so there was prime seating in front of all music.
everything was perfect.
of course i went during rest-week so the prices were unheard of. i don't know if i could afford this place otherwise but I'd definitely want to go back.
prime rib was amazingly tender and i like the unique touch of fresh horseradish on the plate.
starter and dessert was great too which really wrapped up the entire meal.
this is a place that pays attention to every aspect of a great dining experience. from bread to wine, soup to salad. it was really a perfect evening.
bottom line- pricey but you're paying for quality and it's worth it.
I go here a couple times a year. I love the dress code because it keeps the bleeping tourists out. There is nothing that annoys me more than when I am paying $70 bucks a head for dinner (like at Ruth Cris) and I have to look at some douche in shorts, socks and sandals and baseball cap .
Mean and unfair on my part maybe but at least I am honest...
OK The Steak here is the best...the best...the best. I dream of it along with floating visions of potato skins w/ tiger sauce, and spinach souffle...
The ONLY reason I give them 4 stars instead of 5 is their lack of female staff!
Where to begin with this one?
I know people will question my one star--and perhaps I went on a bad day, but my story warrants one star (if that).
My friend and i went here for Restaurant Week and at first I was quite impressed with how fancy the place actually was (coat valet, bread crumber)...The roasted tomato soup was delightful.
As my main entree, I ordered the London broil and for dessert I got the creme brulee with a cup of coffee. My total (with tip) came to around $50, with the coffee a whopping $3.50 for a tiny espresso sized glass! For the taste of the London broil, I did not think the meal was worth $50...and that's where my troubles began.
About 2 hours after leaving the restaurant, I came down with horrible stomach pain that kept me in the bathroom for a good 4-5 hours until there was literally nothing left in my stomach. I NEVER vomit and because of a lack of symptoms before and after this episode, I attributed this to food poisoning. The only thing out of the ordinary I had that day was at The Prime Rib and the only thing different that I got from my friend was the London Broil.
To say I was peeved about paying $50 for food poisoning would be an understatement, but since I couldn't directly attribute it to the meal, I called the restaurant to give them a heads-up and ask if anyone else had reported similar symptoms.
The woman that I spoke with had the nerve to ask me if I had been drinking that night...like I was trying to blame getting drunk and sick on them, when I was not even asking for compensation. (And for those wondering, I did not have one sip of alcohol that entire day or week for that matter). She then said the manager would return my call...it's been over a week and surprise, surprise--no call!
I will NEVER be going back to this place!
As crazy as it may sound, I decided to give up beef for the second half of the Bush administration. I then decided to fete Obama's inauguration by breaking my beef fast at The Prime Rib (on my parent's dime).
I'm incredibly glad I did. The food was undeniably wonderful, but if you're paying this much, you know it will be. The restaurant is quite formal, it requires a coat and tie for men after 5pm (and they have spare ties for you if you forget).
The dining room is elegant (although the decorations seem to have the theme of greyhounds and ballet which is kind of offputting). We went for a 7:30 reservation on a Friday and the room was actually pretty quiet (restaurant week had just finished). It was easy to hear each other and it was quite relaxing.
Recommended, but only when someone else is paying....
I dined here on 8/22/2009. Overall, a superb dining experience. I have been going to the Prime Rib for many years now. It still serves the best prime rib I have ever tasted--it is the center of the show! Service was very good; attentive but not intruding. Some minor weak points: There was a significant delay in clearing our tables between courses. The decor of the restaurant area and (especially) the bathrooms need refreshing. The wait staff did not realize what the current day's special was and told us about a previous day's special which was not available (much to my dining partner's disappointment). Diners next to us had their special orders botched. I would not normally bring things of this nature up, but at this price point, the Prime Rib has got to deliver 100%.
After borrowing a failed reservation from a friend, some friends and I dropped in for a Restaurant Week dinner. Luckily I looked up with restaurant and found out that there is a dress code. Yeah. Jackets. Business attire. Stuffy type... but it's a fun reason to get randomly dressed up.
Once we got there, the amazing decor of the restaurant immediately induced ooohs and aaahhs. Black walls, thin gold moldings, big puffy black chairs, live jazz trio (including a piano and cello!) and a black and white picture of Clark Gable. After being seated, we noticed that most of the clientele consisted of white-haired men with white shirts and ties (albeit, due to Restaurant Week, there were a couple of younger patrons scattered throughout).
We all ordered the prime rib as our main entree and creme brulee as dessert. I started out with a roasted tomato soup, which was creamy and savory-sweet. So good... and comforting after a walk in some frigid temperatures. The prime rib was sizable and quite yummy. I opted for some fresh ground pepper on top, which enhanced the flavors substantially. Tender, juicy, and pink. Gosh, it was good. The accompanying sides, which consisted of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach were also pretty darn good. The potatoes had a hint of blue cheese, which I loved. The creamed spinach was notably fresh and the spinach flavor was surprisingly left intact. Unfortunately, the creme brulee was a bit hit or miss. Two of us ended up getting badly curdled creme brulee while my other two friends received a creamy and consistent dessert. Curdled creme brulee sucks... to say the least.
Nice service. The waiters were attentive and friendly. Drinks were frequently refilled, although not in an intrusive manner.
I'll save this place for a special occasion. Hopefully the dessert is cooked more thoughtfully next time.... honestly. Just because it's Restaurant Week doesn't mean the dessert chef should be passing the Restaurant Week dessert to the cook who doesn't know how to temper eggs properly.
"Moo..."
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Anniversary #3 found the BF and I back at a fancy schmancy steak house. This year's venue? The Prime Rib. Better than last year's anniversary dinner? (See: Abe & Louie's review) It's a close call, but I'm going to say yes.
Ambiance -- Wealth, wealth, everywhere. Mandatory "jacket and tie" policy. The patrons were mostly older, clearly well-heeled gentlemen and their posh wives. Even in our finery, the BF and I definitely felt like a pair of fishes out of water. All the furniture was black/gold/silver, and instead in some instances, there were fat, cushy, leather armchairs instead of chairs. The lights were perfectly dimmed to set a comfortable, romantic mood, and pretty red flowers rested in rectangular vases, adding a nice splash of color to the picture.
Service -- Not super great. As with most nice restaurants, the servers seemed to be just a little bit superior, and were efficient if not exactly friendly. However, I will say that the maitre d' was very nice. He seemed to know that only a very special occasion could have brought a pair of clearly not rich students out to a ritzy steak house, so he seated us at a cushy corner booth with just a tad more privacy (or was he hiding us?!), and enough room for us to sit side by side and cuddle. Aww, thanks, man.
Food -- A.W.E.S.O.M.E. For our appetizer the BF and I tried to order the Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail, but in his nervousness at being in a glitzy restaurant, the BF accidentally ordered the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ($16.95). Alas. Still, very very good. The four ginormous shrimps were meaty, and sweet, and tender. I love shrimp. For our entrees, the BF stuck with his usual 16oz NY strip ($44.95), and I branched away from the filet mignon to order a bone-in prime rib ($43.95), medium rare. We also got sides of steak fries ($6.95) and creamed spinach ($6.95). The steaks came to the table still sizzling, and smelled incredible. One bite of my prime rib and I was in love. It seemed to be divided into three sections of yumminess. The inch of meat on the far left was a beautiful mix of extra flavorful lean meat and fat. The center inch was mostly rich, delicious, melt-in-my-mouth fat (too rich to eat alone). The remaining 3.5 inches of the steak was all red-in-the-center, lean, beefy goodness. Wow! Not even my Abe & Louie's steak was this tender or this flavorful. And my prime rib definitely outshone the BF's NY strip -- the bite I stole was good, but seemed drier and more flavorless after eating the prime rib. His response after eating a bite of my steak? "Wow. WOW. That is good steak. Can I have more?" Our sides were equally amazing. The creamed spinach might not have been quite as tasty as the spinach served at Ray's the Steaks, but was still very very good. And I wish there had been more steak fries. The fat, golden wedges were perfectly seasoned, crispy on the outside, and not too powdery on the inside. AMAZING. No dessert this time around -- we were too goddamn full. As it was, I couldn't eat more than half my prime rib.
Total bill? Two glasses of wine + 2 steaks + 2 sides + no dessert = $150 before tip. Yikes! Will we be back? Probably! When we're rich...
Happy 3 years, honey ;p
Just about everything here is just like a slice of iconic Manhattan, produced consistently, and with a great jazz duo to boot. (Disclaimer: I used to be the pianist here for three years back in the 1990s.)
Food: Excellent and generally very bad for you, health-wise, so this is something to really revel in, wallow in, absorb into your very cells -- because your body won't be able to tolerate it frequently (not to mention your wallet). My favorites are the prime rib (natch) and the blackened swordfish. The caesar salad is not super-classic, but it is fantastic anyway because of the garlic and pepper in the dressing. Just wonderful tasting. The romaine is always carefully picked over and just a little cool.
Wine list: Fantastic. Just come to sit at the bar for wines by the glass. They were among the first places in DC to push Joseph Phelps (which you can get easily at Scheiders on Capitol Hill). The bartenders are knowledgeable, real wine lovers themselves.
The crowd: Fancy/swanky set with occasional delusions of political power. A watering hole for Republicans (especially at lunch), it becomes distinctly bi-partisan at dinner. I've seen lots of celebrities there. But the cool thing: the regulars. There are people who come here once or twice a week, and have been doing so for a decade or longer. (Some people can handle this kind of living more frequently than I can, I guess ... ). This gives the place a really friendly, clubby feel. Lots of love in the room.
Speaking of love: If you want to swank some evening, call way ahead and ask for table 42. That's the deuce by the piano. (Double-check this with the maitre d', as they may possibly have changed the table numbers, but I don't think they'll do such a nutty thing.)
I'm not much of a prime rib type of guy, especially because it looks so bloody and raw. At least with filet mignon or rib eye you have seared sides to hide the bloody mess. But, I have to admit this 4-5 week aged prime rib was tasty.
This is a real stuffy place. I believe many politicians and dignitaries frequent this jacket and tie establishment. I don't know how it is now, but when I went all the servers were male. If you're a prime rib connoisseur, I believe this is worth trying.
As strange as this sounds, as a vegetarian, the Prime Rib is my favorite steakhouse. I order the extraordinary house salad and I'm actually full after eating it! Its way different from most steak joints where you get a teeny side salad if you want greenage only. They also have a lot of sides to choose from and their bread pudding is the best I've had in DC.
I would also agree with the other Yelpers that the wine list is exceptional and this is not the place to go if you want to stick to your diet. It is dressy; men must wear jackets and the decor is swanky if a bit dated. The gentleman that plays piano is great entertainment at lunch and dinner. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that doesn't mind getting a little dressed up and dropping a little extra cash.
My company took us here for our holiday dinner. I have very mixed feelings about the whole experience. Overall I didn't think the food was that amazing, but I was hypnotized by the ambiance and the traditional decor.
The wine selection was great, and while I didn't order a cocktail everyone was raving about theirs. Seeing that I was in an old school joint I decided to go with an old school appetizer. I can't say I've been to too many restaurants that offer Clams Casino so I decided to give it a try. It was good nothing to write home about.
One of the things I didn't like was how our waiter pushed food on us. You order your main course and the side dishes are separate. I ordered lamb chops and green beans with tomatoes. The next thing I knew one of my co-workers had 2 additional sides he did not order and I somehow managed to have mashed potatoes in front of me. When I told the waiter I didn't order that he said he must have written it down wrong and the asked if I wanted to keep it. I was more than happy to keep it due to the amount of wine I consumed.
I do think however that it might be a practice of theirs because the next day after speaking to several people they said they ended up with more dishes than they requested as well. I'm sure they charged us for it and I'm sure the server got his tip based on how much the entire bill was.
I found that tactic to be a bit sleazy and crass.
I'd go there again, but only if someone else was paying.
I went to Prime Rib for a business dinner and had a fairly good dinner there. I say "fairly good" because, while I loved the decor and general ambiance there were some definite missteps that I was surprised to see here.
Pros: Fabulous jazz duo playing during dinner and I love the traditional "clubby" steakhouse feel. Also, the service was knowledgeable and (for the most part) unobtrusive. For example, my dining companion and I spent a good hour at hour table over scotch prior to our meal where the waiter just left us alone to chat and sip. That was quite nice.
Cons: First, though I made my reservations with the indication that this was a business meal, I think the waiter had the impression that the dinner was for something else. My dining companion was significantly older than myself and while I understand that the "May-December" thing may be common in DC, I was put off by the waiter trying to get me to share my meal and drinks with my client. Trust me, it was awkward.
Second, I ordered my NY Strip rare, but it came out about medium to medium rare, at best (barely light pink throughout with a weird texture to it--like it had been sitting under a heat lamp too long). When I asked that it be taken back, the waiter basically argued with me, asking me to cut it at a different point than I had and then saying that the meat was rare, just not "extra rare." Extra rare? I wasn't asking "blue rare" or some cold nasty barely cooked steak or anything. Rare means rare--seared on the outside, blood red, slightly warm and velvety on the inside--and I expect a steakhouse to know that. It was strange.
When I finally received my replacement steak (cooked "extra rare") it was absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked. Grilled asparagus with hollandaise sauce and mashed potatoes on the side (both quite yummy) made the dinner complete.
Washington, DC
Category: Steakhouses
Washington, DC
Category: Steakhouses
Neighborhood: Penn Quarter
Category: American (Traditional)
Washington, DC
Category: Steakhouses
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle
Category: Steakhouses
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