W Hotel Set to Open, including yet another big name steakhouse

The W Hotel will re-open in what was formerly the Hotel Washington on 15th Street on July 8. From the looks of the old Hotel Washington, it was badly in need of a two-year gutting, which is what it received in it's conversion to the W brand (one of the Starwood Group properties).

Many Washingtonians probably never got beyond the rooftop terrace at the Hotel Washington - best happy hour views in the city. Too bad the food and service were abysmal. It does appear that the W will have a rooftop terrace as well, though access and price point are still TBD.

Here's the rub if you plan on staying here... the rooms START at $319 for a "cozy" (aka small) room with one queen bed on a weekend evening. This puts it significantly more expensive than either the Ritz on M St. or the Willard around the corner, and just slightly below the 4 Seasons in Georgetown for the same evening. In other words, this place had better be damn night for that price.

The best part of the opening may be the first outpost by New York restauranteur, the French-born Jean-Georges Vongerichten. One of the most famous and lauded chefs in the country, J&G Steakhouse should be a serious contender in the DC steak scene.

But really? Another celebrity steakhouse? We have Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak at the 4 Seasons. And BLT Steak on I St. Not to mention the Palm, Mortons, Ruth's Chris, Ray's the Steak, Mortons, Sam and Harry's, and need I go on. I wish they would have thought of a more inventive concept than another steak place - we'll see if JGV can deliver.