The Prime Rib

Description:

• The 33-year-old Prime Rib has plenty of competition in D.C., but it makes no difference. Beef lovers still consider this The Place. Male beef lovers, anyway: The Prime Rib has a definite men's club feel about it, with brass-trimmed black walls, leopard-skin carpeting, and comfortable black-leather chairs and banquettes. Waiters are in black tie, and a pianist at the baby grand plays show tunes and Irving Berlin classics at lunch; at dinner, a bass player joins the pianist.

  The meat is from the best grain-fed steers and has been aged for 4 to 5 weeks. Steaks and cuts of roast beef are thick, tender, and juicy. In case you had any doubt, the Prime Rib's prime rib is the best item on the menu -- juicy, thick, top-quality meat. For less carnivorous diners, there are about a dozen seafood entrees, including an excellent crab imperial. Mashed potatoes are done right, as are the fried potato skins; but I recommend the hot cottage fries.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2009