Stopped in for brunch on a Sunday. Surprisingly not too busy. I know what to expect coming to Medium Rare as the focus is on steak and fries. I've been to one other establishment in DC pre Covid and it was a good experience there as well. My only complaint would be my salad wasn't very green or colorful. Looked and tasted like it had been sitting a bit, which was confirmed a few moments later when the table next to us got their salads which were bright green with nice bright red tomatoes. Our fries were fried hard as if they were double fried and our steak wasn't served hot or even warm. Lukewarm at best. Our server was nice enough, but we felt a bit rushed towards the end, and weren't asked if we wanted anything else before the check was brought to the table. Restaurant is fairly new and very welcoming. Good background music and everyone spoke and was pleasant. These are important to me as a customer and very much appreciated. read more

This is my first time here and I am in love! Thank you medium rare for coming to Columbia! I always pass your locations in dc but there's no parking there and now it's in my neighborhood! My bartender who served me water, since I don't drink, was so friendly! Her name is Kimberly so come see her on Thursdays ! The salad is soooooo good and I'm not sure what dressing they put on it but I was obsessed. The bread is delicious too, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Ooooo the steak is perfectly seasoned and the sauce that comes with it is finger licking good. I got my steak medium which is the only way to eat a steak. The fries are nice and thin like I like and I dipped them in the sexy brown sauce. They come with a pan to give you additional steak and fries, it's endless! Oooooo I will be back!!!! read more

See all

I avoided this restaurant because I thought the food was all medium rare. My guests wanted to go, therefore, I obliged. OMG!!! What a surprise! It was delicious. The serving was double what I expected and the cost was much less than the surrounding restaurant. I will be patronizing this restaurant more often. read more

Delicious! Who would have thought they serve seconds? The rest of your steak and fresh hot fries. Real fries. Yummy

This was our very first time and i must say Everyone was amazing! James and Brian waited on us at the bar...very attentive and so welcoming!! Loved their energy and vibe. The place itself was packed due to Valentines Day, but it was a great first experience! I will definitely be back! Thank you!! read more

I've been waiting with eager anticipation for Medium Rare to open in Columbia, MD. Their simple prix fixe menu of bread, salad, steak and fries was right up my alley. I would describe the atmosphere as clean, modern, casual and inviting...a perfect spot for a no fuss date night! Our servers, Pete and Alexander, were top notch, providing consistent and friendly service. Despite the name of the restaurant, your steak is cooked to your specifications, so don't worry! The meal itself was delicious and satisfying, my steak was cooked perfectly, the fries were seasoned well and crispy, and it even came with an unexpected surprise. All I'll say is, save room. We topped off our meal with their decadent chocolate cake...amazing! I highly recommend giving them a try. We'll definitely be back for more steak and brunch too!! read more

See all

We took a birthday visit here last week. The first round of steak was good the second round was great. The cocktails and mocktails were just as good for the under 21 guests. Our server was fantastic and provided a nice celebratory dessert that was delish. read more

Went for a birthday dinner so the prix fixe menu was helpful for a large group. The execution wasn't the best though. Many of us didn't get the correct steak doneness that we ordered, but we made it work and swapped plates. Overall, the consensus was that the steak and fries were decent. Several of us ordered dessert - chocolate cake, apple pie, and carrot cake - which were enjoyed. read more

Manager is an absolute joke. Mother's Day reservation for 2pm. 30+ ppl in line with reservations. No communication from the older female manager. Half hour later, the RESERVATION line hasn't moved. Lady couldn't be bothered by it either. read more

Well our second trip here and our last Service was horrible food and the server came late never got the second portion and our waiter disappeared . If you can't staff and train your staff to do what needs to be done then close . Cameron was the manger and was ineffective and absolutely had zero clue as to what was wrong . Paid the bill left and will not return . read more

2nd time in one week. Great service and delicious food. Bartender made great drinks. Will be back. Thanks for a great dining experience.

Food was decent. However, for their food to be steak based how do you not cook a steak medium if that's what you ordered? Service was subpar. Waiter that took our order never returned. Was greeted and served going forward by one of the owners. Drinks are included with the brunch price but I would have preferred to just pay for the drinks since they were so weak. They are new to Columbia; I may give them another chance maybe in six months. read more

I liked this place. Atmosphere was nice, bartender was great and attentive, location had free parking and activities, it was clean inside and the pace of the service was timed perfectly. My steak temperature was perfect and I liked the simplicity of the prefix menu flat rate. I was able to enjoy a glass of wine with my meal as well. I asked for the special sauce that goes over the steak on the side in case I didn't like it but it was actually good, I didn't mind it. Next time I will let them dress the steak with the sauce. I will be going back for sure, possibly for brunch. read more

See all

There's real Steak Frites at authentic French bistros, and then there's Medium Rare, a poser at best. The name should be "Well Done" because that's how our steak came out, even though we ordered medium well. The server said if you want a little pink then order medium well. Zero pink, and somewhat tough. Fries were limp with no crispness. Service was poor, with our server disappearing for long periods even though the restaurant was only about 30% full. Don't let the picture online fool you, the strips of steak were very thin, almost shaved thin, and the fries were nowhere near the picture. Plus, this place was loud, loud, loud, even at only about 30% capacity. The only saving grace was the Manager who seemed to be doing her best under trying conditions. So, if you want a poor rendition of Steak Frites, albeit it at a fair price point, limp fries and sketchy service, this is your place. read more

Went for a girls dinner out and had a WONDERFUL experience. The ambiance is clean, had a great aesthetic, lighting, and bar area. Our Wait service was timely, helpful with recommendations, and the manager stopped by and was extremely friendly and outgoing as well. The crafted cocktails and sangria were excellent The steak was cooked perfectly to our liking, and the second serving was a nice treat! Highly recommend indulging in the sundae dessert and chocolate cake - perfect for sharing and a night cap. Can not wait to come back and to try this brunch! Just the place that is needed in Merriweather district read more

We went at about 2PM, on a Sunday. They were still serving brunch. Oddly ridiculous. Food. Brunch featured 4 poached egg dishes, and something comprising strips of steak with fries. The last time I was forced to eat a poached egg I was 4, so we both went for the steak strips. They were perfectly cookes and only over priced by a factor of 3. Service: Sunday must be training day. The sweet little miss who served our table was unclear on most things...like whether we needed water, or a menu. The other attendants, mostly angry looking young men, did their job with the charm of prison guards. Ambience: The place is new and pristine clean with hard chairs and nominally tight spacing. There were no foul odors. The sound system was playing something comprising the howling a few tortured cats to the background of a pounding bass that vibrated the table. We could not wait to escape. And, for about 3 ounces of steak, some fries, and desert, we paid $100. Perhaps that's considered a value among those who have no appreciation of what class and good food really is about. Never again. read more

First time at Medium Rare and it was great food and service! For the price it's really hard to beat!! read more

Medium Rare - Steakhouses Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Food absolutely delicious. Everything from bread to the steak frites. Highly recommend the moist chocolatey chocolate cake. Service was primo. Will be back. read more

Let's say this was the best experience ever. Kim was amazing and we are so thankful for making our first experience and our son's birthday dinner. Great place'!! Understanding the concept before coming. You will not be disappointed. Ask for Kim!!! You rock girl... read more

I feel like this place is either a hit or miss there's no in between. I came here on a very busy Saturday night and the service was pretty good. The menu is pretty limited but the food was really good. The restaurant is very pretty but the tables in my opinion are a bit too small. I highly recommend their ice cream. read more

I might return, but I don't know the long-term viability of this establishment. As you probably know, they only serve steak, and beef consumption is declining. The steak is okay but not outstanding, and neither are the fries. Nobody in my party liked the sauce they served on the steak; I suggest you get it on the side. If you only serve one item, it needs to be spectacular; the salad did not wow me either. The bread, service, and ambiance were all good. Regarding my comment about long-term viability, on a Friday at 8 PM, the restaurant was at about 40% occupancy. read more

Wow. Top notch dinner from service to execution. Waiter was quick to get us going on a beautiful Friday night on the patio. Water, drinks and bread were on front of us quickly. That bread, crusty, warm, soft. Salads came out, were big and dressed well. If you don't like your salad dressed they will bring it on the side. Steak and fries came our perfectly cooked, medium steak was pink. Fries were fresh and hot. Sauce was peppery and didn't overwhelm the steak. And then they bring you a second serving of steak, fries and sauce! While we didn't order dessert, we saw others with massive desserts. I can't say enough for the service, professional, unobtrusive and so kind. So excited to have this at merriweather. read more

I was so excited to try this place. I make a reservation for 5:30 on Saturday night. When we arrive we were taken to our table. We are waiting for a server to arrive and take our drink order at least . 10 minutes had gone by and we finally got a server. Tables that came in after us are finished their bread on to their salads. It's 6:00pm now and we have yet to receive our salads. I ask the server and she says let me check. Finally it comes out. The 5 tables after us are now on their second steaks and we still haven't had our first. My partner at this point is pissed so I ask the server what's up? Tables she took 10 minutes after us are finished with their food. She leaves and comes back and says our food should be out in second. We ask to see the manager and explain what happened. She said the server was new and forgot to put in our order. Which would have been fine if she would have just told us that. She didn't say anything and they took $38 off our check. Food 4 out of 10. Service -25 out of 10. Ambiance 6 out of 10. read more

Good service good food and atmosphere love the sangria will be visiting again nice to have a good restaurant in the area

The food was decent for the price but our waiter completely ignored us after they came up to us initially. We had to ask another waiter for our check. Did not get any water or get checked on even once. Do not recommend. read more

Went to the new Medium Rare in Columbia. Our party of 4 was anxious about it since we are regular diners at their Bethesda location. The meal, service and price were just what we expected - all excellent! The Medium Rare brand lives on. read more

We arrived for a weeknight 715 reservation and were seated promptly and were excited to try this restaurant. our waitress Sofia (or at least that is the name on the receipt) took our drink order and explained the menu. Our dr came out promptly along with bread. That was the last we saw of her for over 30 minutes. Other tables around us had salads, steaks, drinks coming non stop. Finally someone else came over and offered to refill our drinks and asked how things were going. We kindly let her know, she apologized, and we immediately got salad and entrees. After we were done dinner our original waitress reappeared with no apologies. She asked us if we wanted the check but I said we would like dessert. About 30 minutes later she came with the bill (never got the dessert). I had to get her to take that off the bill, she liter said my fault and that was it. We are pretty kind to service workers but that was terrible. We will not be going back. read more