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Mon-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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I went here for the first time as a result of a recommendation from my brother who is an elite yelper. I must say, the little brother got this one right! We took my folks out for a birthday dinner celebration; trying to please 6 people can at times be trying- but we succeeded this time.
We were early for our reservation, which was great, but they would not seat us until our 6th person arrived- just a word of caution if you have someone in your party who is always running late...
On to the food- which was wonderful. There are 3 DELICIOUS dishes that are not to be missed.
Special notes on what we had (not all food is listed here):
1. Crab bisque- DELICIOUS- you have got to try it. The other reviews stating it is the best really are true.
2. House salad- the vinaigrette was good on top of the mixed greens. A healthy choice certainly, but it's not very unique.
3. Blue Devil - Top Sirloin sliced and served with a spicy blue cheese dressing. DELICIOUS- someone at your table has to get it. It is rich though so you'll fill fast.
4. Top Sirloin steak- a good cut of meat- especially for the price. If you want something unique though, skip this and go for one of their signature dishes at the top of the menu
5. Creamed spinach- just eh. I've had better. It's free though...
6. Mashed potatoes- if I could swim in a vat of these I would. Very good- and you can tell they are 50% butter... yum
7. Key lime pie- very good- does not taste like it is from a box.
8. coconut pie- I'm not a fan of coconut, but even I liked this dessert
9. chocolate mousse- ok, this one was DELICIOUS. Though it was more like a ganache than a mousse. Served with real whipped cream and strawberries, I did not want to share this one.
We also had several other dishes and a total of 4 bottles of wine. We were able to walk out of there, with a 20% tip for $60 per person. Beat that Flemmings, Mortons, or Ruth's Chris.
Overall, I can't wait to go back!
Ray's is definitely the best value for a high quality steak in the DC Area. The price of the steak alone is a good value when compared with Ruth Chris & Morton's, however the included mashed potatoes and creamed spinach with every entree make this a great value (albiet the word "value" changes when considering an average of $30 per person/plate).
I took the advise of some other reviewers and tried the crab bisque. I reaffirm with all my being that this is a bisque not to be "misqued" (contrived, i know, but I couldn't help myself)
Do try this place for yourself. My Chateaubriand was excellent - tender & cooked perfectly. My wife's Ribeye was also nice and tender, and the differences in the meat could be tasted when sampled next to one another (and both were mouthwatering)
Waitstaff was very friendly and joked with our table, and as someone else mentioned, this is not a stuffy atmosphere. Give it a go!
Ray's was exactly what I had heard and what I was hoping for. As far as steakhouses go it is pretty reasonably priced (four of us ate for less than $200 including dessert, appetizers, and tip), and the new location feels more upscale than the old location. It still has the laid back feel though, which is nice since most nice steakhouses feel so stuffy and pompous.
As far as the food goes, the bacon-wrapped scallops were very good, and the applewood smoked bacon appetizer was exactly what the menu described, extra thick, very lean slices of bacon with sauerkraut and mustard. The ribeye that I ordered was very tender and perfectly cooked, but in hindsight I would have gone with the hanger steak that everyone else at the table ordered. The hanger steak is chewier, like a flank steak, but it has a much stronger steak flavor. Since I'm a fan of gamier meat (moose, deer, etc), the hanger steak is what I'll stick to next time. That said, if you're more a filet mignon fan, then the hanger wouldn't be a good choice.
The sides were delicious as well, the garlic mashed potatoes were made with roasted, sliced garlic cloves, and were amazing. We finished off with slices of the key lime pie which proved to be up to the task of finishing the meal on a high note.
At this point I don't think I will bother going to any other steakhouse in the area.
Ate there last night, first time in the new space, and had an absolutely perfect onglet (hangar) steak. No need for sauce on this one. Also the crab bisque was even better (richer) than I remembered. I like the burger place (Ray's Hell Burger) okay, but you can't beat Ray's the Steaks! Yum!
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!
I've been twice and both times was very very happy!
The steak is delicious and the sides of garlic mashed potatoes and creamed spinach (i didn't even know i liked creamed spinach) are wonderful! Also, you have to eat the crab bisque. We ended up ordering one extra cup because it's so good.
This past time we went we had a huge group and they really accommodated us nicely.
My only complaint -- I wish it was a bit fancier (and yes, the lack of fancy is how they keep the prices low). Being a student I don't get out much, and when I do I love to do it up. So I do, and I generally don't care that I'm the only one dressed up in the room. But if I'm in a cute little dress I kind of want the guy at the next table not to be wearing a t-shirt tucked into his pleated khakis (well, i don't really want anyone to wear pleated khakis...but that is for another day)
I finally got to the new location. MUCH bigger, but still a pirate flag in the kitchen. You can't go wrong with meat and a pirate flag.
So good, focus on the meat which I love. So unassuming in the strip-mall. You do need to be there… Read more »
Good steaks, great price. This place seems to be the current rave of Arlington dining. It's always packed for dinner, and reservations need to be made several weeks in advance if you want to get a good time slot for a decent sized party. I had heard quite a bit about this place, so I must admit that I was a little bit let down when I finally went there. Don't get me wrong, it's a good restaurant I just don't think it lives up to all the hype it gets.
They don't offer dry aging for the tougher cuts, so unless you order a ribeye or a filet the meat may not be very tender. There are several good points to make about Ray's: (1) The price is unbeatable. (2) They offer a large variety of steaks, including some rare cuts such as the hanger steak and a bone-in cowboy ribeye at 32 Oz. (3) There are quite a few ways to customize the seasoning on your steak. (4) I liked the spicey mixed nuts they bring as an appetizer.
All in all it's a good restaurant, but I'm not sure it's worth the wait. If you get lucky and happen to grab a good timeslot on a Friday evening then more power to you, but I wouldn't modify my schedule to make a 5:15 slot at Ray's The Steaks.
Ray's the Steaks is like Alaska... Cold temperatures. White decor. Meat on the menu. Potatoes are the main vegetable. Mostly men (and you know the saying... the odds are good, but the goods are odd -- but I digress).
What can I add to the hundreds of reviews? I was surprised that this place wasn't more expensive (apps in the $8-18 range; main courses in the $25-55 range and up) BUT, I didn't pay for dinner. The bacon app was just so so (but don't get me started on bacon!) and the creamed spinach, Caesar salad etc. etc. were all fine. The desserts were fine. I liked the coconut pie. I also liked the chocolate mousse. And whatever else I ate was also fine, although at that point most of us were in food coma.
We made a reservation and the service was fine. There seemed to be a preponderance of "purty wymen" servers... which makes sense since it's mostly male clientele (like Alaska -- 9 to 1). I concentrated on the red meat on my plate and the Bearnaise sauce on the meat...
Roar!
First time Ray's the Steaks'er. Overall experience = pretty damn good.
Purchased:
Cowboy cut
New York strip
Bacon and blue cheese salad
Crab bisque
Bottle of wine
Pros:
-- Spiced nuts
-- crab bisque
-- Steaks pretty good size at decent price
-- Free sides!!!
Cons:
-- free bread they give you is ehh
--Noisy
-- No frills and pretty casual. Even the waiters wear jeans. Wait, is this really a con?!
Only downside for the evening was that my wife's medium steak was a very medium-rare. They even filled us up on sides in the doggy bag boxes. Well done. Will definitely return.
I dined at Ray's the Steaks after reading the yelp comments on the krappy wait staff and it lived up to and beyond expectations! Even though we managed to make a reservation, we *still* had to wait 45 minutes and were then seated in the noisy room. This was on a Wednesday night. Not only were the wait staff rude, our young thang waitress actually rolled her eyes at us. Which became an inside joke amongst me and my friends throughout the evening. She had a very condescending tone and attitude - annoying.
Food was very good. I had the pre-fixe menu - reasonably priced and delicious. They did treat our friend to a free birthday dessert, which was very appreciated and delicious. I'd go back here again despite the waitstaff's 'tude.
I have been going to Ray's since shortly after it opened in the original location. I have watched them try and cope in various ways with the throves of people that beat on their door wanting in. I remember the 'only call between 2-4PM exactly 4 weeks before when you want to go for reservations" period and the "daily 4PM sign-up list" era and even the no reservations whatsoever time (that was rough.)
I don't bring this up to pat myself on the back for being the best Ray's fanboy out there, but so that I can have some slight aura of authority when i say this: Ray's has never been better.
The move to the new location finally gave them enough tables that they can finally have a fairly normal reservations policy (good luck getting in on Friday or Saturday if you don't call at least several days to a week in advance, though.) Service has noticeably improved since the move and the push for diners to vacate their tables as quickly as possible after their meal lessened a good deal.
There has also been a noticeable improvement in the holes (and there were a few) in the menu. The steaks have always been top notch, of course, but the variety available has almost doubled. The bread that came before the meal used to be consistently stale - now it is a delight almost every single time. Desserts have improved DRAMATICALLY. The key lime pie is really, really good now.
Perhaps the biggest change, though, is the coup Mr. Landrum pulled off when he somehow lured Mark Slater, sommelier at Citronelle and possibly the foremost wine guru in the DC area, away from his high-styling gig into a more budget minded restaurant. The change in the wine list has been astonishing. The selection has exploded and the average cost/bottle has actually gone DOWN - he is a staunch advocate of ending the exorbitant wine markups in restaurants. (He will also sell anything on the wine list for a good 30% off the wine list price to go and will offer case discounts on top of that)
Anyone who eats here and doesn't have him over to their table to ask for wine recommendations is missing out on one of the absolute best parts of the Ray's. I have encountered a lot of wine guys that talk a good game but don't show very many wines that are unusual or memorable, but Mark is the real deal and VERY down to earth.
Still the best place to get a steak anywhere near here. Skip Morton's or Ruth's Chris or any of the silly capital hill lobbyist steakhouses and do yourself a favor and go to Ray's - you will get a better steak at less than half the price. My single favorite restaurant in the Beltway region and one of my favorites anywhere.
Let me preface this review with a warning:
I LOVE STEAK!
I'm also a little picky about how my steak is prepared, and while the cut and flavor of the meat was great, Ray's really fell short in the preparation. But I'm getting ahead of myself, lets start with my appetizer.
I had the bisque, it was delicious, creamy and flavorful. I could have eaten an entire pot of this stuff. Don't miss out on this!
For the main course, I ordered the cowboy cut...its a 28oz orgy of meat. Very big cut, lots of flavor, and guaranteed to satisfy even the biggest carnivore. But this time, it was lacking in a few regards.
First of all, I ordered my steak rare, not medium rare; it was borderline medium. Additionally, it seemed that whoever was cooking my steak forgot about it on the grill. The one side was cooked much longer than the other, giving it very dark char, almost medium well cooking.
Even after all this, the steak still tasted good, because an improperly cooked steak is still better than no steak at all. Also, Rays is lucky, if they served chicken and messed up the preparation this badly, it would be 1 starred in a heart beat.
I left full and happy. But will I return? probably not.
What more could you ask for?
Amazing steaks? Check.
Amazing crab bisque? Check.
Amazing wine list with world class wine director to help you? Check.
Oh yeah, how about just about the best value for any steakhouse in the metro area. Kick ass $18 wine to go with my superb hanger steak - bonus!
This place is excellent if you are up for trying a very good steak with lots of options. I would not recommend this place if you are looking for "elite" quality steak, but if you are looking for something that is in the top class, without breaking the bank, this place is nice.
They also have a nice diversity of wines, which aren't horridly expensive if bought by the glass. The starters are also delicious, but pricey, although the bacon wrapped scallops are exquisite!
I highly recommend trying this place once. The price is relatively fair. Get a reservation in advance though. Also, don't be afraid to ask for recommendations on the steaks once you get there. That can help you get what you are looking for. And lastly, don't be afraid to dress up your steak. Like I said earlier, this is not a place to go to get an "elite" steak (the kind of melt-in-your-mouth, no toppings needed, perfect essence of cow) but it is a place to go to get a wonderful steak. So I highly recommend throwing some peppercorn on there, or any of the braises or additions they have to spice that baby up. You wont be disappointed.
Rays deserves 5 stars for a number of reasons:
1) An abundance of gratis:
Spicy, awesomely delicious cashews. Soft, warm focaccia bread. Damn fine mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. And peanut butter chocolate fudge. All included in the price of your meal.
2) Low prices:
Delicious caesar salad for $5.99. Wedge salad $5.99. And most steaks under $30.
3) Awesome food:
I ordered the filet with the "house special" preparation, which is basically for the person who wants it all and can't decide. The steak was crusted in pepper, on top of a mushroom sauce, and finished with blue cheese crumbles. I thought it would be overkill (the waiter recommended it), but surprisingly it was balanced and delicious. My boyfriend loved his NY steak and got it with a simple bearnaise. Neither steak was "the best we'd ever had," but we were both very impressed.
4) Value:
After dropping hundreds of dollars for comparable meals at BLT Steak, the Prime Rib, and Bourbon Steak, Ray's was a refreshing experience. Our bill was $80!! I nearly fell off my chair considering that's the cost of a good steak at some fancy steakhouses. Nothing felt cheapened, except the bill.
5) Atmosphere:
Sometimes it's nice to get all dressed up and have a fancy dinner. But sometimes you want a great steak and don't want all the pomp and circumstance. This is what makes Ray's pretty special. It's about the food, not the lighting, dress code, or environment. So whether you're in your Sunday best or Tuesday worst, you'll still be welcome at this steakhouse.
6) Efficiency:
The Pirate flag hung prominently in the kitchen should have been a telling sign, but our food came out in lightening speed. In fact, my only gripe may be that our steaks showed up at the table before I was done with my salad.
Speaking of criticisms...
I was flirting with 4 stars for one main reason: Boylan soda. Ray's serves it and it's just gross. I know we all like to "stick it to the man," but Coke -and in particular Diet Coke- is vastly superior.
HOLY MOTHER OF HEARINGS AIDS, IS THIS PLACE LOUD!!!
Sorry to yell, but now you know what it's like to dine at Ray's. Those sound-absorbing panels on the walls aren't working.
You won't be able to hold a conversation, so you might as well tuck into the food and talk later. The crab bisque is sublime -- dive down with your spoon and pull up large chunks of tendersweet crabmeat.
Their menu does a fantastic job of explaining each cut of meat. I was thrilled to see flat iron steak on the menu and I applaud them for recognizing this underrated and overlooked yet inexpensive cut of meat. It was juicy, tender and a surprise for those at my table who'd never heard of it. And yet...I've made it better myself. Their sauce was meh. Their sides were meh too.
What really brings me from 3 to 2 stars is our server, who was was another bummer. Mr. Landrum, a great sommelier only brings wine to the menu. Please pay more attention to who is bringing it to the table. Among other mistakes, our server brought a glass of white when we ordered cabernet sauvignon...then had the audacity to suggest that's what was ordered. Although there's a really good chance she couldn't hear us.
Got there for an early reservation and we were seated directly next to another couple, despite the place being nearly empty. Like driving into a parking lot with one other car in it and parking right next to it. The place was not at all intimate (unless you count being able to hear every word of how our dining neighbor's day at work went)(really, who talks about how they go about choosing fonts at dinner?).
Service was mediocre. If I ask about something on the menu, I don't expect to hear "I don't really know." I also don't like that the place puts limits on what they'll serve; i.e., "we don't serve that steak well done." What happened to "the customer is always right?" The missus is incubating another little mouth to feed, so demands her steaks well done. She ended up ordering something they said they would cook to a crisp, but it came out medium. She sent it back and it came back medium-well, which she caved in and ate. No apologies from the server or a manager.
As far as the food itself, I'll agree that the crab bisque was excellent. The steak was meh. I do a lot better with supermarket meat on my own grill (and I cook it correctly the first time). The sides are okay; if you're not a fan of spinach though, I suppose you'll just have to shell out for a side that isn't "complimentary." Skipped desert, so I can't comment on that.
All in all, a bit of a disappointment.
Ray's the Steaks is awesome. Perhaps my new favorite restaurant. I'm a steak lover and Ray's is intensely focused on steaks. If you're not a steak person, you may not love this place like I do, but if you have an even passing fancy for delicious beef, this is the place for you.
They don't really mess around too much with their decor, but the place is nice non the less. It can be crowded, so I'd recommend making a reservation.
I'm not a wine connoisseur, but the Pino Nior we had was very good. All steaks come with complimentary family style mashed potatoes and creamed spinach and they are both terrific.
I've gotten both their House Special 28 ounce Rib Eye and the Fillet Minion with Mushroom Brandy sauce and each was delicious. The Rib Eye was massive and probably way more than I should have eaten. The fillet was extremely tender. Both had great flavor.
Prices are reasonable for the quality of the food and a bit cheaper than other steakhouses I've been too.
All else I can say is that if you haven't been to Ray's, make a reservation right now and get over there.
Ray's was a very nice place to eat. Again our weekly crew visited on Wednesday night and had a great time. The waiter made a very nice recommendation from the wine list (and its nice when they don't push you to the really overpriced stuff). I did not have the famous hanger steak, though several in our party did and raved about it. I had the steak salad and enjoyed it immensely. It was flavorful and not just a "hint" of steak, but a significant amount of meat covering my salad. I will definitely be going back.
I have been to Ray's countless times. I won't comment too much on the food as what most say here is true. Generous sides, delicious crab bisque, huge superior quality steaks at a budget price. Friendly efficient service and now there is an excellent sommelier/wine director who has taken the wine list on par to the highest priced restaurants in the area, without burning a hole in your pocket!
The food is cooked the way you ask consistently, the kitchen is efficient. What else can you ask for? This is absolutely the best steak place in the Washington DC area and possibly the entire east coast!
If you are searching for a steak place run, don't walk here! Seriously!
Keep short/choppy
Spicy cashews
Hot and peppery
Flavored in-house?
Boylan
Bottle
Root beer
4 cubes of bread
Olive-oily
I wanna say it has rosemary - me thinks
Fresh crispy caesar salad
Superhero-garlicky-yummy
Not drenched/tossed evenly
Creamed spinach not creamy - awesome
Minced spinach full of flavor
Garlicky-good
Smooth mashed potatoes
Milky not chunky
Basic and very comforting
One of my fave cuts - hanger
Medium rare (gorgeously bloody center)
Juicy red bites
Key lime pie - huge slice w/some cuts of strawberries
Tangy and shiny - balanced well w/the bland side cream
Rich dark graham crust
White chocolate mousse
Grainy texture
Milky-sweet crack topped with strawberries
Putting my head down
If you want to enjoy steak anywhere outside of Ray's, please do not eat here. Ray's will set the bar so high, no steak will ever compare to the sheer awesomeness that is Ray's the Steaks.
This place is AMAZING. From the service (prompt and courteous), to the decor (no random license plates, cowboy hats, sleds or other crap hanging from the walls), and especially the food are all A+ across the board.
The wine selection here is terrific, and very reasonably priced. But reasonably priced does not begin to describe the value you get at Ray's. My intent was to spend $100 on a meal, and I was able to succeed only after leaving a generous tip.
The shrimp scampi appetizer is fantastic, but the crab bisque is ambrosial: rich, creamy, and simply delicious. As good as the appetizer and soup were, Ray's is all about the meat.
I ordered a cajun ribeye and got mushrooms and bone marrow on top, and my wife got the Guinness braised short ribs...WOW. Honestly, my steak was SO good, its like I was biting into a ribeye for the first time: absolute perfection. The ribeye had all my focus, but the mushrooms, and complimentary creamed spinach and mashed potatoes were also superb.
My intent was to finish my steak and it took everything I had an then some to finish it in one sitting. I would suggest leaving room for dessert, but I didn't make it that far.
If steak were a religion, Ray's would be its Mecca.
GO...NOW.
Last night, we went in a group of 6 for my best friend's birthday. The busboys and food runners were extremely nice, but our server had an attitude and seemed to have something up her ass. The food was alright, but I've had better at Ruth's Chris. The food also took a long time. But overall, I thought it was okay.
This place is one of the few great deals around. You can find better steaks in D.C., but for the price, you won't find a better steak at these prices at this quality.
Service is mediocre, and the ambiance is just so-so. The wait can be a pain on a Thursday or Friday night.
The crab bisque was wonderful, with about a small crabcake's worth of meat in it. I ordered the Flatiron Steak Diablo style, medium rare. It was quite good, although it showed up rare. The other three steaks were ordered medium and medium well (gasp) and all came out about one level under-done. I noticed the same at Hellburger so maybe it's policy to keep meat from being sent back over-done. Never-the-less, the steaks were quite good and the mash potatoes and cream of spinach were excellent. Plenty of wine and beer selection, but for some reason bottled Boylans soda was offered instead of a good old-fashioned Coke. Does somebody hate evil corporate big-soda?
The service was attentive, the decor was unremarkable, and reservations made seating inconsequential, although the place was at capacity at 9:00pm on a Thursday night. Yeah, it's hyped, but the steaks do deliver.
The steaks are the obvious reason to come here, and they are superb. I made a reservation two days before Friday night without a problem. My filet mignon (medium rare) was melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicious with blue cheese sauce. The included sides of mashed potatoes and spinach were perfectly delicious.
Free stuff!
Spicy cashews and bread to snack on before the meal.
It was my birthday, so even though I was too full for dessert, the waitress brought out champagne on the house along with the homemade peanut butter fudge that comes at the end of the meal.
A gal can't really ask for more than that!
Come here for a perfectly cooked piece of meat at a reasonable price. (Especially considering that so much is included)
Two words: crab bisque! We love the simplicity of this restaurant. Not only are the steaks a sure thing -- only order rare or medium rare please!!! We ordered steaks cooked to medium and thought it was too dry. So don't make the same mistake as us. you need to appreciate the quality of the beef and the natural flavors. We were totally suprised by the amazing crab bisque. We should have gotten the bowl, not the cup!!! Good red wine selection. Absolutely worth every dollar. Very impressive first date and even special occasion place that is not a budget buster! Expect to spend $100 for two people w/ 2 glasses of wine, crab bisque and steaks!!!
Ray's is amazing. The crab bisque is wonderful. They have some great wines to choose from and always offer great recommendations if you need it. The steak is delicious as are all the sides. Weekdays they usually have a fixed price menu which will give you appetizer, steak, sides and dessert all at a great price. With their new location, it is much easier to get a reservation which will seat you on the quieter side. If you don't have a reservation you usually are sat on the loud side which is just a tad less comfortable. Regardless, they have the idea right. Great food and no need for fancy decor.
We were pleasantly surprised by all the free goodies they gave us. I did the 3-course special, and it was so worth it! The caesar salad was incredibly tasty- as weird as it is to say, one of the best I've had. I also loved the hangar steak (onglet), and we couldn't finish one of our two desserts- we were too full and happy! I think the key lime pie was the better dessert choice, but the chocolate mousse was rich and delicious, too!
We'll definitely return. This is a far more economical option than the bigger chains, and the steak was just as good (if not better) than the pricier steak joints in Arlington.
- Service was very good
- Dinner (steak w/ sauteed garlic) was delicious!
We did not have reservations, so we had to wait a little bit to get seated, but it was so worth it, dinner was delicious.
As the other yelpers recommended reservation is a must any time of the week since the place is always packed. Parking is a challenge. Had to go around a couple of times before I found an empty slot 3 blocks away from the restaurant.
We were sat immediately menu given by hostess. server arrived 10 minutes later to get our drinks then came back after 5 minutes to serve the drinks. He then proceeded to get our orders , recommended the crab bisque soup which accdg to him is the single most popular item in the menu.
we ordered the steak with foie gras and steak "bertucci" with marrow.
The orders arrived after 40mins. the steak was tasty and cooked accordingly.marrow was a heartstopper.Those with heart conditions are not encouraged to order this dish!
The bertucci was kinda dry but overall its ok.
complimentary spinach and mashed potatoes were a hit.
total bill came up to $87.00
nice ambiance! minimalist interior.
Recession-friendly! At Ray's, the bistro special includes:
*a salad or soup (please eat the salad with bacon and bleu cheese OR the crab bisque)
*a steak or scallops (eat the steak, duh)
*a side of creamed spinach & mashed potatoes (eat the spinach, not the mashed potatoes b/c at this point you have limited stomach room)
*AND dessert (no preference here)
ALL for the great price of...wait for it...yeah...get ready...$24! Insert confetti throwing and champagne popping!
I REALLY recommend the $29, 2006 Avalon Cab from Napa with your meal. Delicious vanilla and cloves overlay a hearty and smoky wine. Good for sipping and good for your steak - it lets the steak take the spotlight.
The service at Ray's is super knowledgeable with opinions if you're not sure what to order. They are also FAST. Keep an eye on your plate if you're not finished yet...they'll snatch it up if you blink
This is more like 2.5 than 3.0 stars..
Much hype about Ray's the Steaks so decided to check it out. Actually was able to make reservations and glad I did as the place was packed. Was seated on time and in what started out to be a quite table for three. The room, however, quickly filled with multiple tables of boisterous men and the noise level quickly rose to "shout" level. Spiced nuts were good but they didn't put out many so my group and I each got, maybe, 3 cashews each.. The bread is weird; rather sweet and fluffy.. Not steakhouse fair.. Appetizers of seared scallops.. Not bad but a little under cooked form my liking and Deviled Eggs.. Interesting as they were filled with steak tartar and not the yoke. Better than the scallops.. Companion had a fillet which, although order medium, was very rare. That tells me the kitchen is in a hurry. I had a NY strip.. Nice cut of meat but it was tough and didn't taste like much except the searing from the grill and the oil use to keep the meat from sticking.. Either that or the grill needed to be cleaned a bit more.!! Sides of mashed potatoes tasted like they were instant with a few potato chunks thrown it; skipped the creamed spinach and went with mushrooms.. Deserts didn't blow the socks off either and we could tell they weren't "house made." Wine list is long and the prices are reasonable. Waitstaff gets a great deal of criticism but ours was very nice. She took the time to chat while juggling multiple tables of men devouring beef and, of course, talking too loudly.. Prices are high end steakhouse "standard" for DC so you're looking at $100 a person with wine. I will say that this beats Charlie Palmer's in DC hands down but isn't close to BLT or even Ruth Chris'.. Would I go again? Maybe if I ever found myself on Wilson Boulevard and needed red meat.!!
Sad as it sounds, I just came to realization that the name of this restaurant is a pun. Im a bit on the slow side, fitting considering that for months, I have been in agony, every-time I log into yelp, I see this unfinished review that I have been stuck on, and for months on end I have been staring at this screen, racking my brain, trying to find the words that will eloquently express the dinning experience that myself, my g/f and some very good local friends, who introduced us to this place and be able to share the experience of a fantastic night out.
I was very impressed by the quality of the steaks and types of the cuts that were available, first thing I noticed when I cracked the menu open was I was shocked to see how reasonable the prices on the steaks and seafood were, it wasn't until the dishes came to the table that I got to see the quality of the meats and vegetables. It was at this point, I realized how special this experience was, rarely do you ever get to enjoy a fantastic meal, with amazing freshness, plated simply, but cooked exceptionally well, and considering how reasonable the menu is, you'll be hard pressed to find a steakhouse that is able to hit on all of these points.
I loved the warm spicy cashews that came at the start of the meal and hot fluffy pieces of focaccia bread, my friends had to keep remind me to cool it, and save room for the meal that I had coming. We started the dinner with two soups... We tried the crab bisque, it was nice with generous chunks of crab with a small splash of sherry for a smoky, heavier mouthfeel, which I liked, but compared to the chowder they had that day, I must say we all enjoyed the chowder more. The salad was decent, loaded with crispy warm bits of bacon and a rich, flavorful blue cheese. Soon after, the sides came to the table, and the cream of spinach and garlic mashed potatoes at bottomless, just ask the server and they will get you more! The cream of spinach was insanely tasty, rich creamy, but not overcooked and had a luscious vibrant color. My stomach is churring in hunger as I type and try to relive this meal in my head.
My friends had the Blackened Scallops which was exceptional, the scallops, which were perfectly cooked and well seasoned. They also had the hanger steak, and while im not the biggest fan of that cut, I snuck a taste and I was in love, if hanger steak at any of the steak houses in my area was like this I would order it much more often. My g/f had the New York Strip au Poivre with aged bleu cheese sauce, once again this item was perfectly cooked, and the tangy bleu cheese tastes created a great contrast of texture and flavor against the meat. I had the Ribeye but ordered with with bone marrow, once again the cut was great, the fat was spotted throughout the meat giving it wonderful flavor, I requested mine cooked to a medium rare which they were able to execute. I love bone marrow, and I loved spreading it on the focaccia, my only tiny desire was that I wished I was the one that could dig it out of the bones and spread it on my bread rather then have it done for me and put right on top of my steak. Regardless the meal itself was absolutely delicious no matter how the bone marrow was plated. Moving on to desert, we each shared and sampled an assortment of desserts, the dark chocolate mousse was great, I love dark chocolate, but for the most part, the group felt it was a little to rich, the coconut creme pie was rich, creamy, the toasted coconut gave additional depth to the dessert. The white chocolate mousse, was a table favorite, everyone liked the lighter creamy flavor of this mousse against the white chocolate, I still contend that I prefer the dark chocolate, and that white chocolate is not real chocolate. But that is another argument. Still the most popular dessert of the night was the key lime pie, I think it was because we were having so many really sweet dishes that we kept coming back to this one, to act as a pallet cleanser. The soft custard, the crumbly crust and the smell of citrus zest and the acidity really made a great way to end the meal.
This place can get crowded and considering how good the food tastes I can see why, reservations is highly recommended. Now that I finally managed to express some of the feelings and excitement that we had from that fantastic evening with great food and wonderful friends, I am facing a brand new type of torture, my stomach is churning, craving for another delectable bite for those damn good steaks. To bad I am currently residing on the opposite site of the United States, not nearly as convenient as my friend's who happen live right down the street from here...
I just had the good fortune of visiting Ray's for the first time last night. We had reservations, so seating wasn't an issue. We were in the more quiet and formal left side of the restaurant, for which I am grateful. The right side seemed rather loud and it would have been hard to carry on a conversation in such a packed room.
Our server was extremely knowleagable and helpful. He knew his stuff, and was excellent at anticipating our needs. He suggested the crab bisque, and I wish that i had listened to him.
I ordered the petite filet, and I received an extremely flavorful and tender steak that was a wee bit bigger than my fist. The mixed green salad starter was good, but nothing to write home about. The creamed spinach and garlic mashed potatoes were wonderful, as were the key lime pie and cheese cake we all had for dessert. I can't wait to go back!
for whatever reason, ray's the steaks has continually escaped me as a dining option. i've been planning to go for so long, but didn't act upon the urge until this past friday. after a year or so of anticipation, i can boldly declare that it was definitely worth the wait.
i never saw the inside of the old ray's until i strolled in the "new" hellburger, but the new ray's is fairly swanky despite its reputation. upon seating, we were handed a bowl of cashews and some strong olive oil bread. the cashews were good and lightly spiced.
after browsing through the many options of beef, i decided upon the crab bisque and the behemoth cowboy cut. the crab bisque was great. it had a large mound of crab in it and it was wonderfully rich. this is a definite get whenever i return. the steaks came with family size portions of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach which were both tasty on their own.
the cowboy cut, like previously stated, is a mammoth piece of meat. it covered nearly the entire area of the plate and it was thick. after i understood the task that was set before me (28 oz. of beef), i took my knife and cut a sliver. it was cooked perfectly with a nice, but not overpowering char and perfectly medium rare center. it was a wonderous piece of beef that didn't need butter or sauce or even salt. each bite was better and better as i closed in on the bone region. it's almost like a job eating the cowboy cut, but you'll feel like a better person after consuming it all. i mean better as in stuffed and most likely sick.
final verdict: the cowboy cut has to be HANDS DOWN the best steak i have ever eaten in my life. i have yet to try to famed peter luger's porterhouse, but after experiencing the blt prime version, i'm just not sure it could beat the cowboy cut. other than that, the rest of the food and sides were great. it's a great experience all around and i didn't experience any of the weird service issues as other yelpers.
Went to the new location of Rays again last night in courthouse. Amazing as always! Last night I ordered the Bistro Special which is a salad, entree, and dessert for $24. Great deal if you ask me since I was planning to order salad and entree anyway. I ended up getting the Mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette, seared scallops for my entree (very large scallops! So tasty), and key lime pie for dessert. It was awesome. Will upload some pics later!
You can never go wrong at Ray's!
Rays the Steaks is always excellent.
This restaurant use be right across the street from me, but it…
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Excellent meal! So delicious and though it appears fancy, the servers made us feel quite at home! Only downfall - my husband ordered the crab entree and felt it would have made a better appetizer... didn't fill him up. But, that was the only dislike.
Loved the potatoes and creamed spinach too!
Last minute we decided to switch from Rays Burgers to finally try Rays Steaks. Unsure of the dress code we walked by and noticed a patron wearing a Skins Cap. In this case we're overdressed. In my opinion he was way under dressed,well unless it was a Yankees cap, but I digress...
against the ebb and flow I'll say this: MEH
Service - excellent, and attentive, able to answer all questions and recommend favorites.
Steak - This is my fault, I ordered medium which I found to be overcooked. But overall the Rib Eye was lacking taste. Meat was very tender, and the garlic topping was good, but the steak was bland. I'm all about the marinade, still contend the Drunken Ribeye at Sweetwater #1
My friend apparently rides the wave: "I had the petite filet.
A very melt-in-your-mouth, tender piece of filet cooked to perfect...
perfection" (btw she ordered hers medium well - bleh)
Salad was good. Sides - creamy spinach and mashed potato - fine, nothing special.
Scallops - really tasty, and good size, but I'm not a fan of blackened so will change that next time. Also by blackened they mean spicy!
Wait - zero. Our party of two was seated in minutes, this was 7pm on a Thursday.
note: Apparently Rays Hell Burger moved into the old location of Rays The Steaks and Rays Catch(fish) is still coming...
Finally got here after living nearby for over a year. We called ahead that day and were seated right away. They sat us in this side room that looked like it had just opened. There's the casual bar area, a nice dining room, and then this other room with huge blank beige walls and almost no windows- it was strange. Probably the least atmosphere of any place I've dined. Food was good though- the crab soup was the best! And the steaks were tasty. Mine was a little undercooked- I asked for Medium and it was still purple in the center, but they took it back and re-fired it and it came back perfect. Key lime pie was really good too- sour, so prepare yourself. Overall, we had a nice dinner. It wasn't the best place I've been but certainly far from the worst.
Arlington, VA
Category: French
Washington, DC
Category: Steakhouses
Arlington, VA
Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Penn Quarter
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle
Category: Steakhouses
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