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    Medium Rare

    3.7 (442 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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    MEDIUM RARE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Happy hour specials

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    Steak Frite Pre Fixed Meal
    Toni G.

    We ate here for dinner. Enjoyed our meal. Decent service and overall ambiance. Wish they had better wine options, but reasonably priced food and if you're like me, you'll have leftovers! Carrot cake was yummy too.

    Bread was warm and tasty
    Jess V.

    Possibly the best kept secret. We sat at the bar and service was excellent. The $32 prox fixe menu includes bread, salad, and TWO servings of steak frites per order. We thought the bartender was joking when he said they were coming around w. Round two. We'd eaten here many years ago but for brunch there is a different menu so it was such a pleasant surprise. We also threw in a piece of the fudgy chocolate cake (add a scoops of ice cream) and it was the best most affordable dinner we' e had in the DMV!

    Salad with dressing on the side
    Kimberly S.

    TLDR: Great concept and cute ambiance, but small portions, mediocre steak, and rushed service made the experience fall short. I really wanted to enjoy this place. It gives off the impression of high quality food with a bit of classic diner charm. I love the concept, but the execution could be better. Starting with the positives, the bread was nice and the salad was fresh. There are some great touches, like the cheesy French lesson in the bathroom and the paper table tops where the server writes your order. Brunch offering one dollar all you can drink is a deal (the menu says 25 cent per drink but it is actually $1 all you can drink). The ambiance is cute overall, though the seats are quite close together. Now for the downsides. The steak portion was very small, and I was still quite hungry even after the bread and salad. The steak itself was not crispy or very hot, and it did not taste like great quality. Maybe my expectations were too high, especially with such a small, focused menu, but I was hoping for a better steak. Service unfortunately made things worse. Our server seemed eager to rush us out. He brought me a drink we did not order, and by the time I finished my first drink to have the extra one, it was watered down. For our third round, we ordered after he had already dropped off the check and he no longer seemed interested in serving us. We had to ask multiple times and even flag down another employee. He did not check in on us, and I could not find him when I wanted ketchup for my fries during the meal. Not sure why we were not attended to since the restaurant was not that busy.

    Medium well Steak & Fries
    Nakia A.

    You really can't go wrong with steak and fries for $35. Drinks and dessert are additional fees but this place is truly a no frills, simple meal. You choose your steak temperature preference and everything else is provided from there on. Staff is always great and friendly which is a plus.

    6 Layer Carrot Cake
    Emma C.

    Came here with a friend the other night and we were both extraaa hungry so two rounds of steak sounded great. It was packed , but the servers were still attentive which was great. The appetizers were delicious. My problem was with the steak, it was extremely cold, and while they did replace it for me, the new steak was lukewarm. In addition, the steak was extremely chewy and (maybe tmi) but I had to spit out 5-10 pieces because I couldn't chew anymore.

    Sarah L.

    Tried this place for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't know what to expect but the salad was pretty good and the steak was already cut up but it was nice to know that after your first plate is eaten you can get a Second serving of steak and fries ! If it was one plate I think it would have thought it was too expensive but I guess with everything it's not a bad price and the steak was quite good. We were a big party so the waiter was a little ruder than I would have liked but overall it wasn't a bad experience. The one down side was that we brought a cake and the cake cutting price was more than how much I paid for dinner which I felt was a little ridiculous. I would recommend not cutting your cake here. But food and ambiance is very nice !

    Medium rare steak
    Art R.

    My first trip to Medium Rare in 7 years - well worth the wait. My wife and I had an early dinner on Friday after work. We were the first table seated, and by the time we finished 2/3 of all tables were occupied. If you haven't tried MR, it's prix fixe. You get awesome French French bread and butter, and a delicious salad. The main course is culotte steak and delicious fries with a tasty pepper sauce. An interesting thing they do is they serve your steak and fries in 2 servings, so when you finish your first plate they bring you another hot and fresh. The culottes steak is a cheaper cut, so don't expect a steakhouse style steak, but it is perfectly prepared and very tender. I barely had to use my knife; I cut most pieces with my fork. The service was fast and friendly. The meal is 31.95 per person, so dinner for 2 with tax was right at 70 bucks, and we had 1 serving of steak, 2 servings of fries, and 2 pieces of bread to take home. Great meal, great service, and a way better choice than fast casual or chain restaurants. I'm a fan!

    Kai M.

    This was the perfect surprise date on a beautiful summer day! First, there is a beautiful indoor and outdoor seating selection for you to choose from so book your reservations and select your pick-either provides great views. We decided to dine indoors. Staff were very friendly and our waiter was quick and attentive. I certainly appreciated him offering drink recommendations because his selections were perfect. Drinks: I ordered the Lavender 75 and my boyfriend ordered the Gold Rush. My drink was perfect for the summer and added a European vibes to my experience. My boyfriend's drink contained bourbon and it was so delicious and refreshing. Both drinks were our favorite. Food: The menu is prix fixe so guests start their experience by enjoying some crisp yet soft bread, followed by a wholesome salad, and end with steak frites. Everything paired together so well but the steak of course was the star of the show because it was bursting with flavor and topped with a delicious sauce. Ah, this was so delicious. Side dish: I wanted some more vegetables added to my plate so I ordered their side portobello-honey! I swore I was eating more steak because of the flavors seeping out of this dish. It was a beautiful compliment to a culinary fantasy ride. Dessert: I must say that the portions will fill you up pretty quickly so dessert was partially enjoyed and carried home. The carrot cake was soft and flavorful-things I look for when enjoying a wholesome dessert such as this. Overall, my dining experience was amazing here and I anticipate returning again.

    Their classic offering, the set menu of Artisan Bread, Mixed Green Salad and our Award Winning Culotte Steak & Hand-cut Fries
    John D.

    This place continues to be one of my favorites of all time. Everything is on point, from the food (it's one of those menus where they serve one thing, steak frites, and they do it well.) to the ambiance (indoor or outdoor choices) to the service. The drinks are also delicious and well made I come to the restaurant to celebrate things, and I come here for pickup orders just when I'm craving that steak and secret sauce.

    Mimosa
    Steven T.

    This is a popular chain restaurant that serves only one thing - Steak Frites. I thought the steak was alright, honestly not the best quality, but the sauce they served on top was heavenly. The sauce was super rich and creamy with a slight peppery tang. While the food was just mediocre, I would come back here just for the sauce! The service was nice and quick. But overall just an average chain restaurant serving steak frites. Apps: Mixed Green Salad Entrees: Steak Frites with Scrambled Eggs Drinks: Mimosa

    Isabella C.

    A fun restaurant with an interesting concept! Our waiter was super welcoming, and helped make the experience fun. Our bread, salad, and drinks all came out very fast. The steak was fine - the sauce is AMAZING. I took off a star because I asked for medium and they definitely cooked it medium rare (and my steak looked the same as everyone on my table despite the difference in order) which I usually wouldn't care too much about except their specialty is steak, so that was a little disappointing. The server also spilled some steak juice onto my pants as she was setting my plate down and didn't notice at all. You definitely get a good amount of food, and think it was a fun time.

    Fresh Bread.
    Zachary W.

    This is a fantastic fixed menu restaurant. You get fries, steak, bread and salad as your meal. The food is high quality and despite being packed, comes out quickly. The drinks and dessert are good as well. The only thing that you need to know besides the fixed menu is that the steak comes out as thinly shaved pieces and covered in a sauce. So don't go thinking you'll have a big hunk of meat to tear into. I really enjoyed my experience here and parking was easy. I'll definitely come back again.

    Outside
    Kwame S.

    Medium Rare is the epitome of KISS (keep it simple, ___), which worked wonderfully for me. The menu is pretty straight forward - steak with fries. You just tell your server how you want the steak cooked and leave the rest up to Medium Rare. As someone who can be a bit indecisive when it comes to menus, Medium Rare's system is perfect for me. From start to finish, I had a wonderful experience because everything was on point - the food, the service, the cocktails, and the ambiance. I thought it was quite considerate that the manager (I think) stopped by our table to make sure everything was going well. Also, I thought it was a nice touch that the bartender personality delivered our drinks to the table. I'm not sure if that's a normal thing, but I'll pretend as if it was. Like I mentioned earlier, you pretty much have one option - steak and fries. What surprised me was that diners receive TWO rounds of steak and fries. I was so shocked (in a good way) when the server returned with a second round. I kind of wished that I save some stomach real estate by not eating so many fries during my first round. *Oh well, live and learn.* I thought the steak quality was fine. While the secret sauce was very rich and tasty, I wish that I asked for it on the side. I'm kind of Team "a steak does not need any sauce if it's already seasoned". However, in my defense, I did not know about the secret sauce until the plate from the 1st round arrived to the table. Fortunately, the restaurant does not drown the steak it its secret sauce. Although you have one option for food, you will have quite a few options for cocktails. Normally, I like to try a few cocktails during a dinner. However, the Hibiscus Margarita was so delicious (and strong) that I stuck with that throughout the meal. One of the things that I liked about the margarita - it packed a punch, BUT it was not overly sweet. The energy of Medium Rare gave me relaxed vibes because I tend to find many steakhouses to be a bit stuffy. However, Medium Rare seems like a place where folks can come to relax and not take themselves too seriously - unless when it comes to steak and fries. I wonder if this had to do with the fact that the restaurant is pretty close to George Mason University. For instance, you'll receive pieces of Bazooka Joe bubble gum when it's time to pay your check. Overall, I could not ask for a better experience during my Arlington trip. While I probably will not make it to this location in the near future (since I do not live in or near Arlington), I definitely hope to visit the other locations in Bethesda, MD and/or Washington DC.

    Hot fudge sundae

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Always love this place for brunch. Great coffee. Great steak frites. Great service. Definitely a good atmosphere for brunch.

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    3 years ago

    The food was delicious, on time and the service was great! I love the whole concept and everyone was friendly.

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    4 years ago

    Came for brunch twice. Love the salad, steak &eggs, parfait, everything! Service is always great as well.

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    3 years ago

    One of the best steaks I have ever had! Very nice place and staff. Can't wait to go again

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    Page 6 of 12

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    Ask the Community - Medium Rare

    Does this location offer a vegetarian option? I know the other locations used to have a portabello mushroom.

    Yes. The porabellow mushroom option is available for those with a vegetarian or vegan option.

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    Ada's on the River

    Ada's on the River

    4.3
    (1k reviews)
    6.6 mi
    $$$
    Full bar
    Large group friendly

    The food was rather tasty/had the short rib ravioli. We ate outdoors and Amir was our server-he…read moredid a wonderful job staying on top of our needs and was verily amiable.

    Was such a beautiful sunny Saturday and my hunnie and I decided to go down to old town and spend…read morethe evening just like we used to do when we first started dating. Originally we were going to Barca however they were crazy packed so we decided to just come here and I'm glad we did. We placed our name one the list to sit outside however we found a perfect spot at the bar. We love finding seats at the bar unfortunately there were no TV's but it was all good. More us time. My hunnie opted for an old Fashioned smoked with his fav Angel's Envy Rye and I tried the Balanced Algorithm. My drink was a bit toooo sweet!! Reminded me of a holiday drink lol but it was good. The "East Side" one of the bar tenders made was refreshing and delicious too! I really enjoyed this cocktail. It was giving Green Juice from Cabo with a shot of Hendricks lol For dinner my husband ordered the lamb chops. The lamb chops were fatty...not so much meat on them...however he said the flavor was good from what he was able to cut around. I ordered the mushrooms lasagna and it was just OK...very bland...& lacked flavor... The noodles were also a bit over cooked. I wasn't expecting crispy noodles. The sides were very good. We went with Brussels sprouts minus the bacon and the roasted sweet potatoes. Was a perfect date night. Perfect restaurant for date night, girls/guys nights out... Check them out! I'm glad we did. Happy Yelping!

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    Ada's on the River
    Ada's on the River
    Ada's on the River

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    St. Anselm

    St. Anselm

    4.4
    (1.2k reviews)
    5.9 mi
    $$$

    Had a great dining experience and will definitely be back…read more From the complimentary deviled eggs to the salmon collar, glazed carrots, mushrooms, carrot cake, chocolate cake, root beer float, and buttermilk biscuits, the meal was full of standout dishes. The recommendation to pair the honey with the cheese on the biscuits was excellent and took an already great item to another level. The broccolini, coffee, and espresso shot were not our favorites of the evening, but honestly, the other dishes were so good that we quickly forgot about them. Every course seemed to have something memorable to offer. The bartender service was stellar throughout the night, attentive without being intrusive, and helped make the experience even more enjoyable. We left full, satisfied, and already talking about what we'd order on our next visit. Looking forward to coming back.

    Finally got to check out St. Anselm and it did not disappoint! It's a cool vibe for dinner with…read morefriends or even a date night. The staff are super attentive to everything going on. They made sure to keep our table clean and gave us new silverware and plates before or entrees arrived. Any food that we did not finish was boxed up and put into bags for us. The manager was actively walking around the restaurant, making sure that every guest were enjoying their dinner. The food was good all around but there are some dishes that outshine the rest. The ribeye and New York strip were very good. The butchers steak I got for my son and he didn't really like it, it was lacking flavor. If you do anything when you go, please make sure to get the biscuits. Hands down THE BEST BISCUITS I've ever had lol. They are the most flaky and buttery biscuits, you can count each layer that these have. Pro tip is to ask for butter and the house made jam. The pimento cheese is good with them but it becomes a little too decadent. Overall I'm happy we made the decision to come here, we will be back soon.

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    St. Anselm
    St. Anselm
    St. Anselm

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    Randy's Prime Seafood and Steaks

    Randy's Prime Seafood and Steaks

    4.4
    (395 reviews)
    6.8 mi
    $$$

    Recently, Eater DC published a list of what they considered the best steakhouses in the DMV…read more Randy's made the list. We were looking for a place to have our anniversary dinner. After seeing the list, we chose Randy's. Randy's is a Great American Restaurant, and I must say it's so good to go to a GAR with a menu different from the others. In the past, I've written about how one can go to Coastal Flats and get pretty much the same menu as, for example, Jackson's. We made a reservation for 5 p.m. on a Saturday. We arrived about a half hour early, so we asked if they could seat us right then and there. The people at the host stand said "yes". We were seated at a 4-top booth. Thus, there was plenty of room. The booths, which have mohair seat coverings, were a shade of green and quite attractive. The environment clearly says "upscale steakhouse." Our server was prompt in getting to us and asked if we wanted some water. We chose tap water. He gave us time to look over the menu. We decided to not have any appetizers as we didn't want to get too full. To drink, my husband got a glass of Catena Malbec while I got an Espresso Martini. Our server asked if we wanted some bread. We said "yes". The bread basket had 2 flaky, buttery croissants, plus a slice of white bread and a slice with raisins. For our main course, we both got the 7 oz. filet mignon cooked medium rare. We chose to try two sides. One side was "roasted asparagus" which consists of: "poached egg, parmesan (we asked for no cheese and our request was honored), truffled Bernaise aioli". The second side was "Honey roasted organic rainbow carrots," which were "dusted with candied walnuts". As for the food --- We both thought our steaks were properly cooked, However, my husband said his was on the dry side while mine was just right. We both really enjoyed the side dishes. The asparagus was unconventional, to be sure. Never did I have a poached egg with asparagus. I ate the egg, and it was properly cooked. Looking back, I should have thought to put some salt on it as there was none. The truffled sauce was creamy and added nice flavor. The carrots, to me anyway, were a pleasant surprise. The honey added a nice flavor along with the candied walnuts. They, too, were cooked perfectly. As for being "rainbow" carrots, most were orange, with some white and yellow ones. We had some room for dessert, so we decided to share "Tressa's crispy meringue filled with lemon curd and finished with passionfruit coulis". Since it was our anniversary dinner, a dollop of whipped cream was added to the plate. In that dollop was a lit candle, which was a nice touch. I found the coulis to be on the tart side. The lemon curd was mildly flavored. Service was excellent, though dessert took a while ,to arrive. All in all, a nice splurge and we're glad we came here. (Well...we didn't care for the traffic on Leesburg Pike, but the dinner made it worth the trip).

    Food: Great. Service: Great…read more Ambiance: Great. The lobster crab cake and duck fat fries were good.

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    Randy's Prime Seafood and Steaks
    Randy's Prime Seafood and Steaks
    Randy's Prime Seafood and Steaks

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    Carlyle

    Carlyle

    4.1
    (1.9k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$

    After getting off a plane from a week-long trip, I ordered takeout from Carlisle for my mom and me…read more I dropped her food off in D.C. and continued on to Catonsville, and somewhere between the drive, stopping at the store, and unpacking from my trip, I realized I hadn't even taken any pictures because I was too busy enjoying the food along the way and when i arrived home. I ordered the steak (sliced steak with mushrooms) , and it was excellent ....well-seasoned, flavorful, and cooked just right. The mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious. We also got the crab and corn chowder, which is always outstanding. Rich, comforting, and packed with flavor every time. Key lime pie .... on point .... oh and a salad. i got the chopped salad and added the ever so good goats cheese. Everything was EXCELLENT. What I appreciate most about Carlisle is the consistency. Whether I'm dining in or picking up takeout, the food is always good. Not just okay BUT actually flavorful, well-prepared, and satisfying. That's harder to find than it should be these days. I've been here many MANY times over the years and the experience is consistently excellent. The service is great when dining in, pickup is always smooth and efficient, and the food never disappoints. Carlyle continues to be one of those reliable places that simply gets it right. And whenever I pick up my to go order the bar is always crowded with folks looking like they are having a great time. That should tell you something. Highly recommended.

    Disappointed out if town guests. I bragged yo my friends from Italy that this was a great…read morerestaurant only to disappoint them, and me. I've frequented this restaurant many times and even shop their bakery regularly. BUT, the sit down restaurant let us down! Food wasn't cooked like we specified and Noone said anything because I wasn't going to eat, why? Because despite two waiters saying there was a delay, they had completely forgotten my order... The manager finally came and apologized offering me some French fries and to bag my dinner as it still needed to be made while everyone else was finished... very disappointed! We had made a Resy reservation and we had to wait like everyone else who was arriving.

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    Raw Oysters at Carlyle
    Raw Oysters at Carlyle
    Grilled Chicken at Carlyle
    Grilled Chicken at Carlyle
    Lobster Roll at Carlyle

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    Lobster Roll at Carlyle
    Copperwood Tavern

    Copperwood Tavern

    3.8
    (1.2k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    The service was overall great. The main server was attentive and the kitchen staff brings out food…read moreas soon as it is ready. We had a large group and took up a couple tables. We sat along the front window which was a great space mixed with bench and chair seating. I ordered the Winter Hash and the poached eggs were overcooked. As soon as I let them know, they brought out newly poached eggs right away. Great bar set up with large TVs. A fun table side treat is the popcorn that is on every table at the start. It is worth a visit and a great spot for brunch. I was not a fan of the automatic 22% tip charge for a group. I have seen 20% auto which is fine and normally what I tip. I was surprised by the 22%. Not sure if that is new or always been that way.

    Don't always believe the old adage that if a restaurant isn't crowded, the food must be…read moretrash--because that's definitely not the case here. We stopped in for lunch before taking some family to the airport, and Copperwood Tavern was perfectly on the way. From the start, things felt easy and relaxed. A few family members ordered the fried green tomatoes. Since they're Southern, they felt the tomatoes could've used a bit more batter--but that critique is very subjective. Flavor-wise, they still enjoyed them. Several of us had the onion soup. It leaned a little on the watery side, but it was still comforting and did its job warming us up on a cold day. My mom ordered the farmer's salad with squash, and that maple mustard vinaigrette? Chef's kiss. The flavors paired beautifully and made the dish shine. A few family members ordered the tavern burger, which was huge--easily enough for two meals. I went with the grilled rosemary chicken, which was flavorful, well-cooked, and very satisfying. We didn't even make it to dessert because everyone was full, which says a lot. The ambiance was very holiday-focused and cozy, service was efficient without being rushed, and parking is metered with a two-hour limit. Overall, a solid stop with comforting food, generous portions, and a warm atmosphere. Copperwood Tavern proves that sometimes the quieter spots are absolutely worth the visit.

    Photos
    $10 whiskey pours during happy hour! Monday through Friday 4-7pm. We are rotating the list at the start of every month!
    $10 whiskey pours during happy hour! Monday through Friday 4-7pm. We are rotating the list at the start of every month!
    Tavern Burger!
    Tavern Burger!
    Port City Downright Pilsner

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    Port City Downright Pilsner
    The Salt Line - Ballston

    The Salt Line - Ballston

    3.9
    (247 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Portuguese stew still amazing. Their ceviche is served impressively on a bed of ice and an elevated…read morerack. It comes with chips. Calamari is good (not just squid but also fried vegetables). The restaurant is super dog friendly. There is even a dog sitting tall at the bar. Our waitress gave our pup a treat and brought him a bowl of water with ice cubes. Extra points on such a hot day. Their patio is super comfortable with a cross breeze to dissipate the summer heat. We love coming here in summer.

    waited a while before writing this review because I wanted to make sure my opinion was fair…read more This was my second or third visit to Salt Line for dinner. Unfortunately, the experience was underwhelming. Our server seemed uninterested and disengaged throughout the meal. Communication was difficult, and when I asked for a virgin mojito, she wasn't even sure whether the bar could make one and had to check. The food arrived quickly, so speed wasn't an issue. However, the presentation and value were disappointing. I ordered the rockfish, which was about $36. The portion was quite small, with a large amount of pesto underneath and no carbohydrate or side option included. The fish itself was decent, but not memorable enough to justify the price. The atmosphere is lively, especially on a Friday evening. Even outside seating can be quite noisy due to the crowds and conversations around you. If you're looking for a place to have drinks, meet friends, or take a date for cocktails, Salt Line may be a good choice. As a seafood restaurant, however, I think there are many better options in Arlington and Northern Virginia. Based on my experience, I would rate the service 2 out of 5 stars and the food around 3 to 3.5 out of 5 stars. Would I return? Probably not. There are simply better seafood restaurants in the area that offer stronger food, better value, and more attentive service.

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    Place setting
    Place setting
    Parker House Rolls
    Parker House Rolls
    Cheeseburger and fries - a must get

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    Cheeseburger and fries - a must get

    Medium Rare - steak - Updated June 2026

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