DC Steak Houses

It seems like you can't go a block these days in DC without running into a steakhouse. Which are worth you dollars? Depends on what you're looking for...

The Palm - This is the steak place everyone knows but few seem to have been to. Recently The Palm underwent renovations - gone is the clubby and dark feeling, its now bright and very open with a lot of windows and a "modern" feel. It just doesn't really work for me, though. This is a K street staple, and it seems like it should play more towards its audience, not try to be young and hip for the dupont crowd. I've heard a fair number of people say the food is tired and the steak isn't that great - none of the steak regulars I know visit The Palm anymore.

Smith and Wollensky - Across the street from the Palm, this old standby has a more rustic feeling interior. I like S/W for lunch - they have a decent burger and some good salads, but I don't see myself here at dinner. While I appreciate that they haven't remodeled for the ultra-modern set like The Palm, the interior looks a little tired and dingy - but the prices are reflective of something more.

Mortons - this national chain seems to be the most popular of the DC area steakhouses, with locations near K St, Crystal City, and Bethesda. Yes, Mortons is a chain, but doesn't always feel like one. They have great bread before dinner, a respectable wine list, and a usually experienced staff. This is a classic, safe steakhouse where you know you'll get a good meal and a good experience, though you probably won't be blown away by anything in particular.

Capitol Grille - I want to like this place, I really do. The interior is, in my opinion, what a good steakhouse should be. A little dark, rich, warm. But they have some serious consistency problems with the food and service. Yes, I'm under 40 and don't drive a Bentley, but my money is as good as the guy's across the room, and I know how to tip. The tartare is very good, and they have the best tomato and vidalia onion salad I've had around here. The entrees can be iffy, I've had some wonderful steaks before and some that weren't so great, and a tuna steak that was cooked to the point of being rubbery by the time it hit the table (ordered medium rare). This is a chain and I've only hit the Capitol Hill location, the others may be better (or worse).

Charlie Palmer Steak - This plays pulls off the modern steakhouse that The Palm tries and fails to, and they do it really well. The ambience is bright and open without being jarringly so, and the menu is similar. The tuna tartare is excellent as a starter, and all of the beef and seafood entrees I've had have been top notch. Dessert is also a hit, too - get the Chocolate Pave if it's on the menu when you are there. Fair warning, the markup on the wine list is excessive. Service goes from being professional to detached. During lunch, they do offer a $25 3-course special from a small list of pre-defined choices.

Ruth's Chris - this is a ubiquitous chain steakhouse, and it feels like it. A side of a Caramelized beefsteak tomato is good in theory - but not if its February with a hot house tomato. Steaks are ok, but at this price point I'd hit Mortons instead. If you gotta go, the Dupont location seems to be the area's best.

Prime Rib - I actually just ate at Prime Rib last night, so its still fresh. Walking into Prime Rib is a bit like stepping into 1940. Jackets and ties are required for men in the dining room for dinner, there is leopard skins carpet, black leather booths, etc. The tomato and onion salad was ok, and the sides were a bit on the small side and a bit weak. But the beef... three of us had the filet that was perfectly cooked to medium rare and had a great, buttery flavor. The prime rib was HUGE and well-marbled. And you HAVE to get the bread pudding here if you go - it was the best I've ever had by far.

Ray's the Steaks - I debated about putting this on the list because it isn't really a DC steakhouse per se - its in Clarendon and is definately a different breed. There is no decor, they take no reservations - but the beef is good and its incredibly reasonably priced.