Ray's the Steaks and Retro Ray's (Next Door) - Michael Landrum's Steakhouses in Courthouse - Closed

[JLK]

Dinner for seven worked out fine (although during our wait of about an hour, the poor hostess was really hounded by my normally very zen boss; I apologized on the sly). Everything we ate was as delicious as always. My young (22 years old) clients were excited to introduce the members of the crew who hadn't been to Ray's before to everything: the bread, the meat, the complimentary sides. I marveled to see one of the youngsters polish off the 20 ounce NY strip, plus sides, in fifteen minutes flat. My leftovers from a 12 ounce strip made a fantastic lunch the next day.

[jpschust]

Odd experience- we brought wine to Ray's last night and were told that it was Virginia law that you can't bring wine in, and you could only bring wine out. This seems strange to me as I'm almost absolutely sure we've brought wine in before for a corkage and I know for a fact that you can pay corkage at 2941. I asked the hostess (not Danielle this time) if she was sure, and she said she was...was she mistaken? Am I mistaken? We weren't rude or anything, and we bought 2 bottles of wine there, but we were carrying some pretty high end wines that we wanted to drink with our steak (and we would have gladly paid corkage to have those).

[JPW]

Odd experience- we brought wine to Ray's last night and were told that it was Virginia law that you can't bring wine in, and you could only bring wine out. This seems strange to me as I'm almost absolutely sure we've brought wine in before for a corkage and I know for a fact that you can pay corkage at 2941. I asked the hostess (not Danielle this time) if she was sure, and she said she was...was she mistaken? Am I mistaken? We weren't rude or anything, and we bought 2 bottles of wine there, but we were carrying some pretty high end wines that we wanted to drink with our steak (and we would have gladly paid corkage to have those).

Corkage is illegal in Virginia unless you are in a private room.

From a pamphlet of the Va ABC:

Are patrons allowed to bring their own bottle of wine into licensed establishments, and are licensees allowed to charge a corkage fee

for this?

A. No. BYOW (Bring your own wine) is illegal in Virginia. Patrons are not allowed to bring bottles of wine into licensed establishments.

(§ 4.1-324, 325 and 225). However, if you are unable to finish a purchased bottle of wine at a restaurant, they may cork the

unfinished bottle for you to take home (3 VAC 5 40 30 .

[jpschust]

this is officially the dumbest law ever. next to a foie gras ban.

[rappahannock]

this is officially the dumbest law ever. next to a foie gras ban.

I honestly don't know what is dumber, the law or paying someone 30 bucks to open and pour your wine...

[rappahannock]

whoa nelly.......complete fact finding before claiming that an establishment is 'breaking the law'...........2941 is NOT breaking the law......corkage fee charged on the basis of having a private dinner party in a private dining room..........

sorry, I misspoke (or typed) if that was the case, then yes its very legal. But to simply walk in with a bottle and want it served with your dinner. Nope.

[JPW]

this is officially the dumbest law ever.

pshaw. not even close my friend. Come on over the line into Montgomery Cty. and then I'll show you dumb.

[daveha]

I honestly don't know what is dumber, the law or paying someone 30 bucks to open and pour your wine...

The great Commonwealth has quite a few 'antiquated' laws regarding the sale of alcohol.

[Heather]

whoa nelly.......complete fact finding before claiming that an establishment is 'breaking the law'...........2941 is NOT breaking the law......corkage fee charged on the basis of having a private dinner party in a private dining room..........

It would have been helpful if that information had been included in the original post. Without it, rappahannock was right.

[rappahannock]

The great Commonwealth has quite a few 'antiquated' laws regarding the sale of alcohol.

before this devolves into a discussion about VA ABC laws, and I agree some are archaic... Anything specific you think is antiquated?

[jpschust]

before this devolves into a discussion about VA ABC laws, and I agree some are archaic... Anything specific you think is antiquated?

Go up a few posts and go to my original question. The prohibition on this is completely archaic. That and not being allowed to sell liquor in grocery stores is dumb as well. ABC stores are the biggest rip off ever and their selection is poor as well.

[rappahannock]

Go up a few posts and go to my original question. The prohibition on this is completely archaic. That and not being allowed to sell liquor in grocery stores is dumb as well. ABC stores are the biggest rip off ever and their selection is poor as well.

I will not give you an argument there. But those are the rules I and everyone else must live by...

[Al Dente]

To change the subject, where the hell is "Ray" nowadays anyway? Is he chained to the grill 25/8?

[dcs]

Go up a few posts and go to my original question. The prohibition on this is completely archaic. That and not being allowed to sell liquor in grocery stores is dumb as well. ABC stores are the biggest rip off ever and their selection is poor as well.

I'll second the gripe regarding the ABC stores. Thank God for the Chain Bridge and my easy access to McArthur Liquors. Though pricier than some DC stores, it is still a vast savings off of the ABC prices.

[DanielK]

To change the subject, where the hell is "Ray" nowadays anyway? Is he chained to the grill 25/8?

I haven't seen him out of his chef's whites in Silver Spring in a looooong time...

[Scott Johnston]

Maybe it is time for a "summer" event at Ray's? We could almost do a $20 chopped steak dinner or a place at the table menu? Hell, let's kill the fatted calf and see if ML will put together a blowout for us.

I haven't seen him out of his chef's whites in Silver Spring in a looooong time...

[monavano]

I'll second the gripe regarding the ABC stores. Thank God for the Chain Bridge and my easy access to McArthur Liquors. Though pricier than some DC stores, it is still a vast savings off of the ABC prices.

With all these laws about where you can sell and pour spirits etc....what if you couldn't pour?

The Hopsicle Dilema:

http://dc.metblogs.com/

[xcanuck]

Maybe it is time for a "summer" event at Ray's? We could almost do a $20 chopped steak dinner or a place at the table menu? Hell, let's kill the fatted calf and see if ML will put together a blowout for us.

Ha! A $20 Tuesday at Ray's. Excellent idea.

Maybe we can talk him into putting on another butchering clinic (any excuse to get another side of that most excellent meat) and we can stick around for a Place at the Table dinner.

[StephenB]

I haven't seen him out of his chef's whites in Silver Spring in a looooong time...

I believe that most days he butchers in Arlington until late afternoon, then heads to SS. But on APAT Sundays he stays in Arlington (unless that's changed in the last few weeks). And of course he continues to look for a satisfying hobby to eat up those idle hours.

[DanielK]

I believe that most days he butchers in Arlington until late afternoon, then heads to SS. But on APAT Sundays he stays in Arlington (unless that's changed in the last few weeks). And of course he continues to look for a satisfying hobby to eat up those idle hours.

Since RTC isn't open on Sundays, that makes sense...

[Michael Landrum]

To change the subject, where the hell is "Ray" nowadays anyway? Is he chained to the grill 25/8?

According to this poster, that is not enough. www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/?node=cityguide/reviews/display&id=1071592&start=0&nm=0

I wonder who this poor, aggreived, anonymous, multiple poster could be?

[Barbara]

According to this poster, that is not enough. www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/?node=cityguide/reviews/display&id=1071592&start=0&nm=0

I wonder who this poor, aggreived, anonymous, multiple poster could be?

Well, look who's back.

Honestly, Michael, it looks like you are still packing 'em in every night, so why worry about an a**hole? So tell us: What DO you do with all those "idle hours?"

[DanCole42]

According to this poster, that is not enough. www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/?node=cityguide/reviews/display&id=1071592&start=0&nm=0

From one of the posts:

We expect nastiness in the big steak houses, not in our neighborhood.

Why would someone go to a restaurant where they expect nastiness? Clearly someone out to pick a fight...

[Michael Landrum]

Well, look who's back.

So tell us: What DO you do with all those "idle hours?"

I have been so consumed with my nefarious, ceaseless, tirelessly evil plans to make Ray's: The Classics more like Ray's: The Steaks II that I have time for ought else.

[joycek]

Hello,

Can someone please confirm that RTS is closed on Mondays? I have an aunt and uncle coming in to celebrate his 65th birthday, and (since I've been long singing the praises of RTS to them) my aunt just got me on the hook to check into going to RTS. Unfortunately, they are only here Monday July 23. Any lowly backup suggestions would also be appreciated - they are fans of steak/seafood/traditional American cuisine.

Thanks

[crackers]

Hello,

Can someone please confirm that RTS is closed on Mondays?

(703) 841-7297

[Michael Landrum]

Hello,

Can someone please confirm that RTS is closed on Mondays? I have an aunt and uncle coming in to celebrate his 65th birthday, and (since I've been long singing the praises of RTS to them) my aunt just got me on the hook to check into going to RTS. Unfortunately, they are only here Monday July 23. Any lowly backup suggestions would also be appreciated - they are fans of steak/seafood/traditional American cuisine.

Thanks

Ray's: The Steaks is indeed closed on Mondays. Plans are in effect to open seven days a week again, but that is two weeks away, maybe more.

Ray's: The Classics is open on Mondays and takes reservations, (301) 588-7297, but since it is a near identical rip-off of Ray's: The Steaks, it is hard to recommend it.

If you should ignore this caveat, I should warn you to expect tableclothes, non-crowded seating, short waits, full bar, seafood and other grill specialties, a side or two, and several desserts not available at Ray's The Steaks.

[StephenB]

Cap, deckle, calotte, whatever you call it, it is stupendously good. From the web;

...the deckle is any part of the strip of muscle and fat that lies right on top of the ribs, according to James Reagan, a specialist from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

When it is taken whole off of the primal rib cut, chefs say it resembles flank steak. But it's more tender and more marbled.

"It's the flavor of rib eye with the tenderness of filet," says Eric Ziebold, executive chef of CityZen in Washington, D.C. It's the only cut of beef that he uses without braising. "Once you've had it, it's hard to go back to anything else," he says.

Escoffier and I had it tonight at RTS (the last ones in stock). Zut! All the hyperboles are warranted. I don't know if it's the best piece of beef I've ever had, but I can't remember anything better.

Thank you, Michael, for a memorable gustatory experience.

[youngfood]

Is Sunday night at RTS still "A Place at the Table" with a three course deal and a big contribution to a charity of the week?

[zoramargolis]

Is Sunday night at RTS still "A Place at the Table" with a three course deal and a big contribution to a charity of the week?

We were there last Sunday, for the first time. An incredible deal. $25 for crab bisque or caesar salad, hanger steak (et al) with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, and dessert choice from among key lime pie, chocolate mousse or strawberries and whipped cream, and $10 of the price is donated to charity. Only the remarkable Michael Landrum could conceive of an amazing meal deal like this, and actually deliver.

[jpschust]

Is Sunday night at RTS still "A Place at the Table" with a three course deal and a big contribution to a charity of the week?

Yes, we ate there last night. Another place I'm going to miss, though at least I'm moving to the land of the steakhouse.

[Scott Johnston]

I am going to bring a few friends to "A Place at the Table" this coming Sunday night, anyone been recently and can comment on the wait? I will try to stop by at 4pm.....but may not be able too.

[DLB]

I am going to bring a few friends to "A Place at the Table" this coming Sunday night, anyone been recently and can comment on the wait? I will try to stop by at 4pm.....but may not be able too.

I was there a few weeks ago at 5pm, and we were seated immediately.

[Seeker]

After reading the raves about Ray's the Steaks here, I asked my daughter and son-in-law to take me there for my birthday when I visited from Philadelphia last Tuesday. We were seated immediately at 6:30P with no reservation. Everything was as good or better than I expected -- from the tasty cashews, to the generous salads, to my medium-rare hanger steak, to a complimentary dessert of strawberries and cream. My son-in-law chose a really good red wine. The only oddity was that, after they make such a big deal of how the steaks are cooked, my daughter's sirloin ordered medium-rare and my son-in-law's ordered medium came out indistinguishable. Both more done than mine. No big deal. (I would love to have the recipe for that wonderful creamed spinach!)

[DonRocks]

Is Sunday night at RTS still "A Place at the Table" with a three course deal and a big contribution to a charity of the week?

"A Place at the Table" still takes place at Ray's every Sunday night, and has three options: $25, $30, and $35. All three options donate $10 to a local community charity. The difference in price depends solely on the cut of steak offered.

This evening, I got the $25 prix-fixe menu with a Caesar Salad, a Hanger Steak, and a dessert - focaccia and spiced cashews delivered as freebies before the meal. The steaks come with complimentary creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. Let's talk about this a bit...

The restaurant is giving $10 away right off the bat, so that leaves $15 coming into the till. The hanger steak alone - two generous strips (perhaps the entire hanger steak split along the central membrane), cooked to a perfect rare just as I ordered it - is worth $15 without anything else at all. Throw in the focaccia, the cashews, the salad, the spinach, the mashed potatoes, and the dessert, and it becomes almost embarrasing.

I have no idea how many covers Ray's accomodates on Sunday evenings, but let's say 100. That's $1,000 to charity each week. If it's open 50 weeks a year, then that's $50,000 a year.

Thank you, Michael Landrum, for giving back to your community.

Rocks.

[zoramargolis]

I was there on a Sunday night about a month ago, and I, too, had the "Michael Landrum is a truly remarkable man" epiphany. Maybe, with wine sales, he comes close to breaking even on the cost of ingredients. But he's got labor costs and overhead. He has forged a unique concept of being a businessman who truly cares about his community, his customers amd his employees, and is not just all about making a profit. It's admirable, it's refreshing. Why, it's downright un-American.

[mdt]

I have no idea how many covers Ray's accomodates on Sunday evenings, but let's say 100. That's $1,000 to charity each week. If it's open 50 weeks a year, then that's $50,000 a year.

Thank you, Michael Landrum, for giving back to your community.

Rocks.

This has been my almost every Sunday night dinner place and the charity donation makes it even better. Wouldn't it be great if this starts a trend that other restaurants follow?

[DanielK]

This has been my almost every Sunday night dinner place and the charity donation makes it even better. Wouldn't it be great if this starts a trend that other restaurants follow?

How busy is it on Sundays? Can you drop in and get a table?

[Ferhat Yalcin]

I was there on sunday also , and spoke to mdt , I just waited about 20 minutes.

[dcdavidm]

How busy is it on Sundays? Can you drop in and get a table?

We tend to eat early on Sundays, and usually drive by about 5:00, put our name on the list, and get seated within 10-15 minutes. When we leave an hour later, the place usually is full, but we have not seen a lot of people waiting outside. It is hard to resist Ray's on Sundays!

[mbalaver]

I can't comment on the crowds on Sunday nights, but I went tonight (Wednesday) a little before 7:00 and waited ony about 10 minutes for a table. I've been determined to take advantage of everyone being out on vacation, and this was a good way to do it. I was nervous I'd oversold the place to my friend, but he declared his medium-rare hanger steak to be one of the best steaks he's ever had. If you're interested in going and avoiding the crowds, best to get in over the next few days before the invasion of the returning vacationers.

[ulrath]

I plan on going on Sunday. Any Labor Day related closures I should be aware of?

[DanielK]

I plan on going on Sunday. Any Labor Day related closures I should be aware of?

(703) 841-7297

[Pat]

We're thinking of trying a logistical maneuver this afternoon and going by to put our name on the list before heading to a movie at Courthouse. What's the likelihood of being able to get someone to take our name if we get there a little earlier than 4:30?

My husband got a good laugh out of it when we were discussing movie locations and times, and I said that if we went to that particular showing at Courthouse, we could stop at Ray's the Steaks and get our name on the list for dinner after the movie. That was my first thought! He's still chuckling over that .

[Adam23]

We're thinking of trying a logistical maneuver this afternoon and going by to put our name on the list before heading to a movie at Courthouse. What's the likelihood of being able to get someone to take our name if we get there a little earlier than 4:30?

My husband got a good laugh out of it when we were discussing movie locations and times, and I said that if we went to that particular showing at Courthouse, we could stop at Ray's the Steaks and get our name on the list for dinner after the movie. That was my first thought! He's still chuckling over that .

We stopped by last Friday to put our name on the list around 345 or so and it was no problem - er it was a slight problem since the person taking names was one of the grill guys and he only spoke Spanish and kept repeating the instructions in Spanish. Quite humorous when another couple came in and were so flustered. Based on my experience, you won't have a problem.

[Pat]

We stopped by last Friday to put our name on the list around 345 or so and it was no problem - er it was a slight problem since the person taking names was one of the grill guys and he only spoke Spanish and kept repeating the instructions in Spanish. Quite humorous when another couple came in and were so flustered. Based on my experience, you won't have a problem.

Thanks! I don't think we'll go by that early. The timing was just going to be a little tight if we didn't arrive there until 4:30.

I haven't been to RTS in quite a while. We're in the midst of a largely no red meat phase now, so if we're going to have steak, we might as well have the best .

[Pat]

You know, as good as the NY Strip was that I had last night, it was (if it's possible) even better as part of a salad for lunch today. Oh, man. Sliced medium rare steak, over baby arugula, with cherry tomatoes, alphonso olives, and crumbled queso fresco . I reheated the mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and mushrooms/onions I ordered separately. Also delicious. Part cold meal; part hot; all good.

My husband got salmon last night, which was a bargain and perfectly cooked. None of that left. .

[jparrott]

We dropped by at 8:15 last night and got on the list for 9:45. Dr. Dremo's has an outdoor bar Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with one of the best tap lists anywhere, so a brisk 5-minute walk and a couple of beers was a suitable warmup indeed.

[hillvalley]

Does anyone else who lives near Ray's find the aromas whafting from the restaurant every night pure torture

[DPop]

Does anyone else who lives near Ray's find the aromas whafting from the restaurant every night pure torture

I find it to be like walking past a backyard where someone is barbecuing. The scent is almost begging you to go in and grab the first piece of meat that you see.