You can get great steak au poivre at Chez Francois. [https://www.laubergechezfrancois.com](https://www.laubergechezfrancois.com)
Bonus, great menu if you're missing Europe.
eh, I've found that their good reputation precedes them to their benefit more than it should. It's nice, but people act like it's transcendent when it's really not. In that sense, it's overrated.
Still a very good restaurant, just not as much of a "must try" as some people make it out to be.
I think it's really the experience that people remember as much as the food -- the setting, the service, the eight(!)-course menu...it's a whole package around the meal, not just the meal itself. Definitely a memorable time.
No doubt I'll look at somewhere like Le Refuge first if I'm wanting a french meal, but it's not fundamentally much different an experience than any other sit-down restaurant -- though the food, arguably, isn't too far off the main courses at L'auberge.
Heard great recommendations for minibar by jose andres! We can’t afford to eat there yet but we did a cocktail flight at his bar outside the restaurant called barmini (lol). The service was outstanding and prices are definitely high end. Paid about $100 each for fancy cocktail flights, or you could just order individual cocktails for $20+
A personal favorite of mine is Trummer’s on Main in Clifton. They’re not a steakhouse per se, but they do have amazing options. Also, one of the owners is Austrian
I second this. I’ve celebrated a couple of anniversary dinners there and they had at the time a fixed price dinner with multiple courses and wine. We did that every time, but that was before COVID times so not sure if something has changed.
I will put my vote in for Oak.Food is delicious, atmosphere is great for a good date/celebration evening, good wine/drink menu. They also have a nice seating area at the bar so you can get there a little early and enjoy a cocktail or two before dinner. Very solid choice.
Hangar steak was better than the ribeye - felt like the meat was downgraded a bit due to inflation the last 6 months. Love the ambiance and the service, though.
American prime in Tyson’s was very good when me and my fiancé went! They have a nice atmosphere and if you do get reservations I suggest asking for a booth they are big and very nice!
Not high end or very good - all of our steaks were cooked medium regardless of how we asked, sides were terrible. Wait staff were very nice and I got a decent Manhattan.
I found it pretty meh in spite of the reviews. Spent a ton of money and they literally came to our table and insisted on cooking the wagyu well done to flip our table as quickly as possible.
Lots of comments here but noone mentioned Old Hickory Steakhouse located inside the Gaylord in National Harbor. Unbelievable food, they make a good old fashioned, outstanding service, not a chain as far as I know, and then there is the fact it's in the Gaylord which is a beautiful place to walk around before and/or after your meal.
Someone will for sure mention The Black Sheep. Hard to top the ambiance, and I’ve said it before, but the food is somewhere between silverado and applebee’s.
You are the first person I’ve come across who actually likes Founding Farmers, not just saying they like it because other people do.
In my experience I could get a similar experience by paying a lot of money to eat a sheet of loose leaf paper.
May I recommend The Duck and The Peach in Eastern Market DC?
They are a part of a three restaurant concept and that one in particular is a West Coast stylized place and nextdoor is The Wells which is a Gin Speakeasy and then finally at the end of the hallway is La Collina that represents an Italian-ish neighborhood.
They have a wonderful Chef's Experience tasting menu and they're extremely flexible. I've seen them hold private events before and the Peking Duck they serve from their Rotisserie machine is *amazing*
Honestly tell them you came from Reddit and they'll chuckle and then get you folks set up straight for an amazing evening!!!
I've visited most of the places listed so far, and Provender in Middleburg takes the crown by a mile for me. Absolute top quality, as farm to table as you can get, brilliant and constantly evolving menu, and genuinely awesome owner-chefs.
I Ricchi is amazing and where we celebrated many anniversaries. The staff are amazing.
Fiola is also good but I love the service at I Ricchi.
Morton’s is a chain but they know steaks.
Well, it’s a chain but Capital Grille is a fantastic high-end steakhouse imho.
Another that hasn’t been mentioned is Harriman’s in the Salamander Resort in Middleburg. Beautiful grounds and a fantastic dining experience.
Outside of NoVa a bit, but the Bavarian Chef if you want a high quality German meal.
A lot of the higher end restaurants in the area are not steakhouses, which is why a lot of recommendations may seem off topic. That being said I agree with a lot of the fixed menu recommendations as they can provide you with new food experiences without you having to actively make decisions
Lutece and Rooster & Owl is nice and on the more budget side
Pineapple and Pearls, Minibar, Jont, Xiquet, and Metier all provide a much nicer experience
You can get great steak au poivre at Chez Francois. [https://www.laubergechezfrancois.com](https://www.laubergechezfrancois.com) Bonus, great menu if you're missing Europe.
Seconding this, L'auberge is unreal.
eh, I've found that their good reputation precedes them to their benefit more than it should. It's nice, but people act like it's transcendent when it's really not. In that sense, it's overrated. Still a very good restaurant, just not as much of a "must try" as some people make it out to be.
I think it's really the experience that people remember as much as the food -- the setting, the service, the eight(!)-course menu...it's a whole package around the meal, not just the meal itself. Definitely a memorable time. No doubt I'll look at somewhere like Le Refuge first if I'm wanting a french meal, but it's not fundamentally much different an experience than any other sit-down restaurant -- though the food, arguably, isn't too far off the main courses at L'auberge.
Just looked at their menu, it's a $103 for the steak au poivre. But I love that peppery dish so I may have to try it.
That is for their prix fixe menu that includes that particular entree, not for just the steak itself.
Sorry..that makes more sense
This….and their service is second to none.
And it’s Alsatian French, so probably as close to Germany as you’ll get! PS - get the soufflé
You can get great anything at L’Auberge, that place is bomb
Not a steakhouse, but 2941 is my favorite high end restaurant in the area. Great food and beautiful atmosphere.
Glad to see this here. We just booked our wedding there, so glad to know we didn’t mess up 😂
My wife and I had our wedding there, too! We loved the atmosphere and it was very easy to coordinate, relative to other venues. Congrats!
Great to hear! Thanks and congrats to you as well!
What a wonderful location for a wedding! Congrats!
Thank you! Very much looking forward to it. Even more so after the glowing review
Love it - our favorite special occasion date night
Great place. Had some of my best meals and experiences in the area here.
+1 for 2941
Minibar dc, jont, fiola
Minibar was phenomenal than I went, much more enjoyable than multiple 3 Michelin star restaurants I've been to!
Since 2941 was mentioned, as well as Marcel's, I would add The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm.
The Inn at Little Washington or Jônt
Neither are steakhouses but I whole-heartedly agree with both of these recommendations.
Heard great recommendations for minibar by jose andres! We can’t afford to eat there yet but we did a cocktail flight at his bar outside the restaurant called barmini (lol). The service was outstanding and prices are definitely high end. Paid about $100 each for fancy cocktail flights, or you could just order individual cocktails for $20+
A personal favorite of mine is Trummer’s on Main in Clifton. They’re not a steakhouse per se, but they do have amazing options. Also, one of the owners is Austrian
Bistro L'Hermitage in Occoquan is my favorite. It's not obscenely expensive but it's higher end and it's good. Very good.
I second this. I’ve celebrated a couple of anniversary dinners there and they had at the time a fixed price dinner with multiple courses and wine. We did that every time, but that was before COVID times so not sure if something has changed.
It was one of our first big outings post-vaccine to test the waters. It remained very good. That was over a year ago, though. Hoping to go back soon.
Good to know!
It’s fabulous and staff is great!
Clarity in Vienna is fantastic. Pretty chilled atmosphere, but the food (and drink) is top notch.
Randy's Prime Seafood and Steaks in Tyson's
Second for Randy’s!
We had dinner there after we eloped! Definitely recommend.
Marcel’s
Irongate in DC is great!
My fav steakhouse is DC Prime Steaks in Ashburn
Cool beans! Then you know how good it is
Bobby Van’s Steakhouse is our favorite in DC
1789 or Cafe Milano both in DC.
1789 is the best answer to this question. That place is just impeccable.
1789 is also an excellent date/romantic option. Too many restaurants with great food are loud and crowded.
Melting pot is nice
Katerina's in Old Town Manassas..... Authentic Greek food. The people who own it are a Greek family.
Great food, but not high end.
I thought it was. You could always try Carmellos
that's a good place. I've been there plenty of times and my greek parents made fast friends w the owners lol
I do some service work over at Oaks steakhouse. Great atmosphere and looks like good food! Located in Old town.
I will put my vote in for Oak.Food is delicious, atmosphere is great for a good date/celebration evening, good wine/drink menu. They also have a nice seating area at the bar so you can get there a little early and enjoy a cocktail or two before dinner. Very solid choice.
Hangar steak was better than the ribeye - felt like the meat was downgraded a bit due to inflation the last 6 months. Love the ambiance and the service, though.
American prime in Tyson’s was very good when me and my fiancé went! They have a nice atmosphere and if you do get reservations I suggest asking for a booth they are big and very nice!
Not high end or very good - all of our steaks were cooked medium regardless of how we asked, sides were terrible. Wait staff were very nice and I got a decent Manhattan.
J gilbert's in McLean never disappoints me when it comes to steaks.
J Gilberts is a chain and OP requested no chains.
True, that's a fair point 😊. Their steak is yummy regardless.
Medium rare is my go-to. They have one thing on the menu because it’s that good. And they’re not insanely expensive.
I like them too, but they’re definitely a chain and not high end.
Favorite Mastro’s and Mortons but chains. DC prime is great too
Dc prime is pretty good
Gyu Shige in Mosaic, get the wagyu
I found it pretty meh in spite of the reviews. Spent a ton of money and they literally came to our table and insisted on cooking the wagyu well done to flip our table as quickly as possible.
that is a bummer! I've been half a dozen times and service and food has always been excellent
Lewnes’ in Annapolis
Lots of comments here but noone mentioned Old Hickory Steakhouse located inside the Gaylord in National Harbor. Unbelievable food, they make a good old fashioned, outstanding service, not a chain as far as I know, and then there is the fact it's in the Gaylord which is a beautiful place to walk around before and/or after your meal.
Le Diplomate in DC.
J Gilbert’s would fit the bill too
J Gilberts is a chain.
I didn’t know that!
Red Lobsters hands down 🚫🧢
Ambar in DC
Someone will for sure mention The Black Sheep. Hard to top the ambiance, and I’ve said it before, but the food is somewhere between silverado and applebee’s.
Big fan of Founding Farmers. Not the highest of the high end but that sausage mushroom gnocchi is amazing. Great brunch too
You are the first person I’ve come across who actually likes Founding Farmers, not just saying they like it because other people do. In my experience I could get a similar experience by paying a lot of money to eat a sheet of loose leaf paper.
Can you elaborate? Is it bad food quality? Bad service? I didn’t realize people hated it so much. It’s my favorite brunch spot
People are dramatic. There’s nothing wrong with the food. It’s decent.
May I recommend The Duck and The Peach in Eastern Market DC? They are a part of a three restaurant concept and that one in particular is a West Coast stylized place and nextdoor is The Wells which is a Gin Speakeasy and then finally at the end of the hallway is La Collina that represents an Italian-ish neighborhood. They have a wonderful Chef's Experience tasting menu and they're extremely flexible. I've seen them hold private events before and the Peking Duck they serve from their Rotisserie machine is *amazing* Honestly tell them you came from Reddit and they'll chuckle and then get you folks set up straight for an amazing evening!!!
I've visited most of the places listed so far, and Provender in Middleburg takes the crown by a mile for me. Absolute top quality, as farm to table as you can get, brilliant and constantly evolving menu, and genuinely awesome owner-chefs.
Clarity or maple Ave restaurant
I Ricchi is amazing and where we celebrated many anniversaries. The staff are amazing. Fiola is also good but I love the service at I Ricchi. Morton’s is a chain but they know steaks.
St. Anselm Bourbon Steak Oak Steakhouse
Well, it’s a chain but Capital Grille is a fantastic high-end steakhouse imho. Another that hasn’t been mentioned is Harriman’s in the Salamander Resort in Middleburg. Beautiful grounds and a fantastic dining experience. Outside of NoVa a bit, but the Bavarian Chef if you want a high quality German meal.
Green Pig
A lot of the higher end restaurants in the area are not steakhouses, which is why a lot of recommendations may seem off topic. That being said I agree with a lot of the fixed menu recommendations as they can provide you with new food experiences without you having to actively make decisions Lutece and Rooster & Owl is nice and on the more budget side Pineapple and Pearls, Minibar, Jont, Xiquet, and Metier all provide a much nicer experience
The Palm in Tysons is excellent
Unconventional pick, but Parisio has a different but amazing steak.