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    The Monocle

    3.9 (216 reviews)
    Closed 11:45 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    The Monocle Photos

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    THE MONOCLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Dressy

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    Octopus and fava
    Binio L.

    Absolutely fantastic! Food was perfect, service was flawless and friendly. Ambiance is old time charm. Comfortable and just perfect to enjoy a great meal. My food was superb. Good location.

    Octopus Grilled, Spicy Sausage*
    Jason B.

    Rumor is that U.S. Senators prefer this nearby restaurant. I can't speak to politics but I can speak to their good taste! This restaurant is clearly a well-establish dining enclave. The booths are tight. If you know, you know. Don't let tummy pressing tightness dissuade you. I am very salt sensitive. I find most restaurants blow your palate away with overly salty food. Not here. I can say without reserve that my octopus was well grilled (okay, a few pieces were extremely chewy), the "spicy" sausage was redolent of the savory flavors of the American south, though to my (spice forward) palate, I did not discern a lot of heat. The Santorini fava, a traditional Greek dish made of split yellow peas had a delightful freshness and subtle sweetness that served effectively as a sauce for the octopus and sausage. The combination of flavors was surprisingly fresh, and reflected a clear culinary perspective (and a practiced hand). I very much enjoyed the food and my friends reported similar happiness with their dishes. Restaurant well, my friends!

    Alexis Andrea N.

    Cozy intimate American steakhouse with great service! Great place to celebrate or reunion with friends. I had an issue with my steak and they worked to make it right and I was very grateful. Great cocktail and dessert list too!

    Scott H.

    Excellent restaurant for a very expensive meal, but with good food and amazing service. Great place to impress. Also a great venue if you are meeting up with some Washington DC friends after work. Conveniently located across the street from Union station. New York strip steak was fantastic. French fries met expectations. Cheesecake also met expectations. Diet Coke glass was full, I didn't have any alcohol. Everyone else who did have alcohol seemed to really enjoy the experience.

    Crab with avocado
    Brianna T.

    The service and atmosphere were lovely, but I was underwhelmed by the food especially considering the pricing. The drinks and specials we tried were very good though!

    Crab cake
    Ann L.

    I had dinner here with a couple of colleagues while in town for a meeting. I had been here before for a group dinner, but this was my first visit with just a regular reservation and ordering off the menu. This is a historic restaurant right near the Capitol and is a good spot to increase your chances of catching a glimpse of members of congress if you're interested in doing so; there are lots of signed photos on the wall of previous guests. The menu is classic and basic with steaks and classic seafood. I had the crab cake and added on the optional side of fries. The crab cake was excellent; almost entirely big chunks of crab. The vegetables and fries were good. I had a ginger manhattan from the cocktail list; it was an excellent manhattan and the ginger was subtle. Service was a little off sadly. Other tables received bread and we did not. We asked about this and were told it was coming but never did. We also had an hour wait between cocktails and food arriving which is part of why we wanted the bread. Other tables were definitely being served before us; not sure if our ticket was misplaced for a bit. If something like that did happen, an explanation would have been helpful. I definitely love a leisurely dinner, but this did not seem by design.

    Barney G.

    Delicious!! Started with shellfish bisque, followed by a paradise salad, then topped it off with Crème Brûlée! So very good, with stellar service by Haris!

    Dessert
    Ino R.

    Off Capitol hangout...great atmosphere for anger together, and good food. We had an opportunity to meet with a member of Congress and then follow that meeting up with a meal and some drinks. Harris was an awesome server and handled our group of about 15 with ease. I ordered the Hanger Steak, medium rare, it was very good. It was covered with a cognac mushroom sauce which enhanced the flavor of the meat. I also ordered the mushroom and oysters side, which was surprisingly good. I enjoyed my side over the potato au gratin, and the green beans and carrots. Folks from party ordered the NY Strip, which was sizeably generous. The halibut presented well and for good reviews. Two from my table ordered (and didn't share) their creme brulee. I chose to dessert on a Knob Hill, neat. Great experience at a traditional steak restaurant, in a not so traditional location.

    Luxe Crab Cake
    Crystal R.

    We were visiting and taking the train back to Richmond. This location is walking distance to Union Station. The guy host was so friendly and overall the service was good. The pictures all over the restaurant were pretty cool too. This place isn't cheap. The food options are what I would expect for a "White House dinner" or something like that so that's pretty cool but it's not amazing or a dinner I would necessarily remember. It served its purpose and convenient.

    Monocle House Potato Gratin
    Noah K.

    Best steak in town! I got the filet mignon, and the house potato gratin. Both were terrific. This was the best steak I have ever eaten! Service was incredible! I see why this was one of Richard Nixon and JFK's favorite restaurants in town. Terrific ambience, great atmosphere. Once you eat here no steak will ever taste the same to you ever again! It will only remind you of how far you are from this exceptional establishment. MUST HAVE if you are in Washington DC

    Dinner with the girls after the Kennedy center
    Moshe H.

    When I sat down at our table, I took in the scenery and immediately noticed the wall of prior patrons. I had this vision of DC insiders having these perfectly tender steaks with a glutinous amount of steakhouse sides, paired with uncorked bottles of wine and a (cigar) smoke filled ceiling. For me, this kind of ambiance is worth the price of admission. I drank a mescal old fashioned and a rum based punch from the drink menu. (Both drinks were good) I'm pretty sure the house bread had a decent amount of rosemary in it. I like that personally. The house salad with avocados and hearts of palm was a great call to start the festivities. My 14 OZ NY sirloin was very tender and flavorful. Some of my steak slices made their way in the red wine sauce that accompanied my wife's Filet Mignon. That was also delicious and perfectly cooked. My crispy onion rings were not so crispy, but still enough crunch to satisfy that urge. Our side of potatoes au gratin was a 10 out of 10. The staff was fantastic and our server was excellent. It was a checklist experience for me and I'm glad we went. I look forward to taking my son here in the future to getting his read on the food and the ambience. I would recommend it.

    a person's foot on a black table
    Samone J.

    We visited during restaurant week for a much needed friend date! I was the first to arrive and was seated promptly! The service was solid, no complaints. As for the food, everything was delectable! My least favorite item was the shellfish bisque, it was a little too salty for my liking. The vibe is super cute, it made me feel like I was in The Sopranos. I would absolutely return here!

    BLT Salad
    Daniel C.

    I start this review with the fact that this visit was for a large party during lunch hour because I believe it plays a part in the quality of the meal to a certain degree. The service when we arrived was quick and efficient. The server took our orders quickly and he was on top of filling up our drinks during the duration of the meal. The salad was bland to say the least and was already served on the table upon arrival. For our entree we had a chicken or steak option. I ordered a medium temp steak, which I believe was the hanger steak on their menu. The steak was under cooked and lacked seasoning. The side item was the star of show and it was the chef potatoes. The potatoes were well cooked and the sauce was delicious. Overall this was a underwhelming meal. The ambiance of the restaurant was neat and you can tell there is a lot of history in this building. Unfortunately the meal was so forgettable that I simply can't give it another try when there are so many good options in the area.

    Chocolate Panna Cotta

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    17 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Great food, good price. More local political folks than tourist but worth a stop for tourists.

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    Page 6 of 6

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    Ask the Community - The Monocle

    What is the attire for dinner?

    Casual, just not sloppy.

    Is there valet parking?

    There is valet parking for the lunch hours! Street parking in the evening hours.

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    St. Anselm

    St. Anselm

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    1.0 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.

    Photos
    St. Anselm
    St. Anselm
    St. Anselm

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    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

    4.3(2.1k reviews)
    1.6 miDowntown
    $$$

    "Not Your Average Joe !" Classy Restaurants come with a certain charm the minute you enter the…read moreestablishment , and their inner decor for one reason or another ( which I can't explain ) makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Well Joe's Seafood checks every box and some others I didn't mention. The entire staff is professional, in a warm welcoming way. They ensure that your experience is a delightful one, filled with superb pampering service. And then there's the food !!! This is when I was totally floored... for starters the assorted bread basket for the table is absolutely delicious ( I literally had to force myself to stop alternating between the muffins and mini biscuits ) Since I was eating light today I ordered the seafood salad ( chilled lobster & shrimp on top ) and the salad was so fresh and had that crisp salad crunch that mesmerized my taste buds with every bite !!! DC hands down is one of the top restaurant city's in the country and Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is a big reason I can make that statement with absolute confidence !!!

    The most overpriced restaurant I've been to in Washington. No where near as good as Joe's in…read moreFlorida. $54 for a dozen of the smallest oysters I've ever seen. They could have fit in a thimble. The stone crabs were tasteless. The best was the coleslaw. It took forever to get a glass of wine and ice tea. I will not recommned it to anyone. Ambiance was OK, the place was packed. People were very casual, which surprised me for such an expensive restaurant.

    Photos
    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Area near hostess stand

    Area near hostess stand

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Grilled Seafood Platter

    Grilled Seafood Platter

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Back dining room

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    Back dining room

    The Capital Grille - Filet Mignon – hand-cut classic perfection.

    The Capital Grille

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$

    We had an incredible lunch at the bar! I had clam chowder and my husband had the crab- lobster…read morecake and both were delicious. If you're lucky you can get Alex at the bar who can tell you all about the history of the neighborhood and provide the best service you've ever had. Definitely worth a trip and look for Alex!

    Always an amazing time when we go to Capital Grille. This visit was for Happy Hour and it…read moredefinitely did not disappoint. We originally thought the Summer Pour wine tasting event was happening, but we were actually a week early. Either way, we ended up having a great evening. This time around we ordered the lamb chops, strip steak, lobster mac and cheese, creamed spinach, garlic shrimp, truffle arancini, and of course a great cab. The stars of the night were definitely the lamb chops and lobster mac and cheese. Both were absolutely delicious and are items I'd order again without hesitation. The creamed spinach wasn't my favorite this visit, but everything else was on point and more than made up for it. One thing I can always appreciate about Capital Grille is the consistency. The food is great, the service is attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere always makes for an enjoyable night out. We'll definitely be back, and hopefully next time we'll catch the Summer Pour event.

    Photos
    The Capital Grille - Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.

    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.

    The Capital Grille - Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.

    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.

    The Capital Grille - 14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

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    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

    Bourbon Steak - Bone in cowboy ribeye (20oz) medium.

    Bourbon Steak

    4.0(969 reviews)
    2.9 miGeorgetown
    $$$$

    When a sibling is in town and offers to pay for a meal you make the trip. My brother spoke highly…read moreabout Bourbon Steak and since he was in town invited me for dinner while he was visiting for work. The restaurant is in the lobby of a hotel. There's street parking and I believe valet but we found street parking fairly easily on a weekday. The ambiance is dim lit. Service was very attentive and seemed to pay attention to detail, announcing confirmations of no allergens within each dish brought to the table. Our water was filled regularly, suggestions were readily available to the many questions we had. I also thought it was a nice touch that your bagged items are taken off table and you are given a ticket without awkwardly taking up space while you maybe were still chatting or enjoying an after dinner drink or dessert. Quality of food was nice, can't recall the type of steak my brother tried I went with a ribeye and tried the octopus appetizer which was very tender. We also enjoyed the Brussels sprouts and whipped mash. Was definitely a meal that could easily be shared between 2-3 people.

    Consistent and delicious! I've been to a couple Bourbon Steak's and they never miss. The staff is…read morealways professional and attentive. The food is incredible. Always. We started with their bread, so good! And the tuna tartare and the French fry trio. All so good but my favorite is the truffle. We shared the rib cap which was cooked perfectly!! I mean look at that picture. One bite and I know I'm going to sleep good. Pair it with the sides, my go to is always the mashed potatoes. Can't go wrong with a meal from here. Also to note, their burgers are so good and the chocolate chip cookies for dessert are a must!

    Photos
    Bourbon Steak - Bar area

    Bar area

    Bourbon Steak - Chef Mina's truffle garlic rolls.

    Chef Mina's truffle garlic rolls.

    Bourbon Steak - Creamed Spinach, Crispy Shallots

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    Creamed Spinach, Crispy Shallots

    Mastro's Steakhouse

    Mastro's Steakhouse

    3.8(1k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$$

    Our team visited Mastro's Steakhouse during our Principal Retreat, and the experience was…read moreoutstanding from start to finish. We kicked off dinner with the shrimp cocktail, oysters, and lobster bisque, which were all fresh, flavorful, and a great way to start the meal. Since I can never pass up good sushi, we also ordered the Spiny Lobster Roll and the Crispy Garlic Tuna. Both were excellent, but the lobster roll was the clear standout and something I would absolutely order again. By the time the entrees arrived, it felt like we had sampled half the menu, but I still made room for the twin lobster tails. They were perfectly cooked, buttery, and worth every bite. To finish the evening, we shared Mastro's famous Butter Cake, which lived up to the hype and was the perfect ending to an incredible meal. The food, service, and atmosphere all made for a memorable team dinner. Mastro's delivered an experience that felt special without being pretentious, and I am already looking forward to my next visit.

    The service was simply impeccable, the staff made you feel so at home. Eager to ensure your…read moreexperience was the best it could be. Need a fun but non alcoholic beverage? Done, and with FLAIR! The appetizers were delicious, the entrees were tender and flavorful, the sides were yummy, and the desserts looked fab! Portions were generous, so of course there were take home boxes. We had a huge crowd so it's not fair to judge the space- we had both the main room and the bar reception area opened up; and the decor was perfect for business meetings or intimate dining. Thank you for a wonderful meal and your staff's impeccable service!

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    Mastro's Steakhouse - Bar area

    Bar area

    Mastro's Steakhouse - Chargrilled oysters

    Chargrilled oysters

    Mastro's Steakhouse - Caesar Salad

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    Caesar Salad

    Medium Rare - Super chewy parts of the meat that couldn't be eaten

    Medium Rare

    3.8(1.2k reviews)
    4.1 miCleveland Park
    $$$

    Service and ambiance were great! They have a very nice outdoor patio that's covered from the rain…read more The salad and bread are great. I did wish they gave a little more time between the bread/salad course and the main course, since I didn't have enough time to finish my salad. The sauce is delicious and the fries were nice and crispy. Wish dessert came with the meal for that price. The steak is definitely very low quality -- there were so many pieces that were too tough for me to even cut, let alone eat. Since they give you an extra serving, I had enough steak to eat, but it just felt like such a waste to have this giant pile of inedible steak on my plate. There was probably 3/4 of a serving of steak that wasn't so tough it was inedible, so might not have been enough of a serving for others.

    I've always had exceptional service here, but this particularly time the servers were incredibly…read morepreoccupied. It was really hard to flag them down for refills, etc. Medium Rare is a great brunch spot for the spring/summer time! Their outdoor patio is my favorite spot to be seated albeit they pack the tables like sardines. The steak frites with the peppercorn sauce is a must try. I'm not even a steak person, but as a saucy person, I love for this meal. The French toast is also crispy on the outside, yet soft and moist internally. It's the perfect balance of textures.

    Photos
    Medium Rare - Inside Vibe

    Inside Vibe

    Medium Rare - Grilled Portobello and Fire Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

    Grilled Portobello and Fire Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

    Medium Rare - Inside Vibe

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    Inside Vibe

    Ocean Prime - Truffle Fries.

    Ocean Prime

    4.3(811 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$$

    Delivering great seafood, prime steaks, and above all, the best service…read more Ocean Prime is the place for amazing experiences. I had an opportunity to introduce some and reacquaint others with why OCEAN PRIME is one of the best restaurants for service, food, and cocktails. When we arrived, not only did we have an amazing greeting from staff who gave us every impression that we were the most important people in the restaurant. Our server was beyond top-notch. Tiana set the standard for how a server should engage thoughtfully and helpfully. We had the iconic berries and bubbles, black, orchid cocktails, glasses of wine, and, of course, the goat cheese ravioli. For main entrées, we had an amazing special of lobster and scallop risotto, and Ribeye steaks, both Oscar-style and plain. Our side items were the jalapeño, gratin, potatoes, lobster, mac & cheese, brussels sprouts, and broccoli. The pace of service was perfect. We had plenty of time to enjoy the cocktails, appetizers, and dinner. The food came out extremely well seasoned, hot, and to everyone's liking. The general manager, Tim, took time to come by the table to make sure everything was going well and really put the icing on the cake by ensuring our entire experience lived up to the Cameron Mitchell brand. Truly, a night to remember

    Had a wonderful experience. I booked the reservation day of, including special accommodations…read moresince it was my girlfriend's birthday. A special birthday menu/sheet was on the table upon our arrival to our seats. Our waiter, Rafael, 5-star hospitality service. He gave us a thorough overview of the menu and the daily specials. He made sure to bring out my special request for the Warm Butter Cake (highly recommend)! My girlfriend ordered the nigiri, while I kept it simple with 8oz filet. Rafael recommended the mashed potatoes as a favorable side dish, and it paired well with the meal. Overall, 10/10 experience. Highly recommend if you're in the area! Again, much thanks to Rafael for making this night so special. He not only takes great pride in his work, but also carries a confident, yet serene presence that elevates the entire experience. Be sure to ask for him whenever you visit!

    Photos
    Ocean Prime - Tower

    Tower

    Ocean Prime - 14 oz New York Strip and Lobster tail

    14 oz New York Strip and Lobster tail

    Ocean Prime - The outside of the restaurant.

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    The outside of the restaurant.

    The Monocle - steak - Updated June 2026

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