ruth’s chris -- what could go wrong?. just as predictable, exquisite and expensive as any ruth’s chris you’ve come to know. use the $5 valet parking, stroll to the elevator, up to the 11th floor, into a relatively intimate venue.
there’s a small u-shaped bar if you’re planning a martini-only outing. wall-to-ceiling glass on two sides of the room yields a nice-enough nighttime view of dca reagan national, but mostly of the traffic control tower and the immense parking deck. two very interesting tables here, both of them a valentine red velvet, high-backed round banquette. they felt as though straight out of a midcentury vegas showroom. one is placed by the window, the other on the opposite wall, under a painting. the latter would be preferred as it offers a more powerful view of the venue. cozy and classy; palm the maître d' and snag one.
what else is there to tell, given this is a ruth’s chris? perfect caesar salad, ribeye and mushrooms. upon delivery of the ribeye, mywaitersaid “this looks excellent. be careful, it’s very very hot.” i asked him if he was referring to my date. smart-aleck remarks aside, no where else is a plate served as sizzling as it is at ruth’s chris, and it adds to the flavor. so did the eavesdropping upon the conversations of dc lobbyists and pentagon peddlers.
i’ve come to prefer ruth’s chris over morton’s -- since the latter was bought out by landry’s, home to all sorts of mediocre dining concepts. but there is a morton’s a few blocks up the street, if you insist.
as you would expect, with tip, before drinks or dessert, you’ll not leave the premises for less than $100 a person. but that does include the view.
happy motoring !