Ruth’s Chris Steak House

I normally go to the Ruth’s Chris steak house near Fairfax, VA, but I have to say that this particular one is Crystal City’s best kept secret. And when I say secret, I mean that. Most people don’t know it’s here so it doesn’t get that crowded, and it at the top of an office building, and most people are not looking for a fancy restaurant in an office building. I heard about it from a foodie friend, so we decided to go there one day. The happy hour is amazing! Even though Ruth’s Chris is notoriously expensive, the happy hour makes it affordable from those who do not have as much to spend but still want great quality food. The steak sandwich was maybe half or even a third of what steak would normally go for around dinnertime, with just the same amazing quality.

For the most part you get good quality food I realize everything is a la carte and be prepared to pay about $ 75 an entrée. I ordered the crab cake but wasn’t that impressed with that at all.

I am such a sucker for a good steakhouse and Ruth’s Chris is no exception. This location can be a little confusion to find since it’s in an office building, but look for the valet booth in the courtyard and they’ll lead the way. Once inside you can enjoy a quality glass of red wine and that perfectly buttery filet mignon and as many amazing sides as you want (Order the mashed potatoes and the creamed spinach).
One pro-​tip is Ruth’s Chris has a GREAT happy hour that’s a really good deal. Order the steak sandwich and some wine and it’s very affordable for the quality of food and drink you get!

I came here with a friend for Happy Hour and lets just say that there is nothing Happy about the service. I go to the R.C. In Fairfax all the time and everything there is phenominal… This is my first and last time here– our waitress is anywhere but in sight. It took over 15 mins to get a drink and it is not even crowded. The table next to us is unhappy as well, they were overcharged for their bills. Do yourself a favor and go to ANY other place in the neighborhood and you will have a better time.

This steakhouse is definently worth the money, even though it may seem very pricey. I, being a mediocre restaurant conoissuer, enjoyed this very much and I feel its one of the best restaurants I have ever been to.
The food quality: tip top, outstanding! I had the seared ahi tuna for appetizer, as well as two HUGE and perfect shrimp from my dad’s shrimp cocktail! Absolutely incredible! The shrimp are ginormous! You get four big ones, with a choice between a roulade sauce or the traditional New Orlean’s red cocktail sauce… I would personally recommend the red sauce. Just a hint of zesty kick, but perfect for the mild and tender shrimp.
The seared ahi tuna exceeded my expectations– it originally comes with a special sauce on a plate, the raw tuna sliced generously in it. Because I’m following a strict calorie deficit, I asked the waiter for it without sauce– now not only was the food incredibly awesome, but so was the service! The service was so flexible with my picky family. We all don’t like butter in our meals, and the waiter said it wasn’t a problem, as well as a few other things. Overall, my first visit to Ruth’s Chris is definently a memorable one! I can’t wait for my next dinner at this exquisite restaurant.

Great place! Their Happy Hour is awesome! The staff is excellent. I went for Christmas Day Dinner and was impressed by how busy it got. I had their 16oz Ribeye, 2 Lobster tails and a loaded baked potato. Coupled with two Vodka Martini’s with Blue Cheese stuffed olives, needless to say I was a happy man.
The view here is spectacular, and it gets better after dark.

My husband and I have been to all of the Ruth’s Chris locations in the metro-​DC area, but the Crystal City location is probably our favorite, for two reasons.
First, the restaurant is on the 11^th floor of a building that overlooks Reagan National Airport and the Potomac river, so the views are amazing. This makes for a very romantic atmosphere, so it’ s perfect for date night. In fact, two couples got engaged at nearby tables during our recent Saturday evening visit.
Second, it’s easier to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night than at the other locations. This is despite the fact that Crystal City is very accessible by car and there is plenty of free parking (as well as valet parking offered by Ruth’s Chris). Perhaps that’s because there isn’t much to do in Crystal City after dinner, but DC is just a short ride away.
As far as the food is concerned, it’s pretty much the same as at other Ruth’s Chris locations, which is to say excellent. My husband is not a big steak eater, but the Ruth’s Chris filet mignon is his favorite steak in the metro-​DC area. I don’t eat meat, but like any good steakhouse they have a good selection of seafood. I ordered the Sea Bass on my recent visit, and it was very fresh and cooked perfectly.
Our favorite appetizers are the crabmeat-​stuffed mushroom caps and the spicy lobster. One tip regarding the mushroom caps: they stay hot for a long time and it’s easy to burn your mouth, so we usually cut them in half as soon as they’re delivered to the table so they cool down a little faster.
The sides are all excellent. Every good steakhouse these days seems to have Lobster Mac and Cheese, and Ruth’s Chris version is probably my favorite: very creamy with large chunks of lobster on top.
Another plus: an excellent by-​the-​glass wine selection. Our favorite waiter, Teddy, also provided some really good wine recommendations.
We’ve never had a bad experience here. Highly recommended.

My first time here and I’m very very enjoying their food. We got spicy lobster for the appetizer for the table and everyone love it! I got Sea bass for my main dish. That’s amazing! The fish cooked perfectly!
The service is very good. Also, they have valet.($ 5) So, you don’t have to worry about parking.
We definitely come back here again. SOON!!!

SUCH A GREAT THANKSGIVING:
Pros:
–Sharable Sides
–Thanksgiving 3 Course Special (39.99)
–Valet
–Nice View
–AMAZING SERVICE
–Full Bar
Cons:
–Parking
–A little hard to find if you don’t know the area
This year my family and I decided to do something different. It was unusual of us to not have the whole Thanksgiving spread. We were apprehensive; yet hopeful!
I must say, I had a wonderful experience! They offered a thanksgiving dinner special for 39.99. You were able to choose a starter, and Entrée and a sharable-​size side and a desert. Or you can partake of the normal menu which includes the Ruth’s Classic with two options $ 49.99 and $ 54.99 It was terribly delicious.
They also have a spiked apple cider that was delicious. It was different and great!
It’s a little pricey but definitely worth the investment because the ambiance and service is great!
–I had the crab topped salmon with soy glaze (5 star amazing)
–The calamari was the best I’ve ever had, it is lightly fried & lightly tossed in this sweet yet tangy sauce (Reminiscent of Thai)
–Oh you must try the sweet potato soufflé, it is sweet and savory and eliminates the need for desert

You will never have another steak like here. Do not come here if you are a health nut or are trying to eat healthy. There is no point in getting dressed up, scheduling a babysitter, paying for parking, and paying $$$ per person to eat like a good boy/​girl. Just don’t… The steaks are seared at up to 1800 degree burners! Butter, salt, and pepper are all the seasoning one will need. The sides are large enough to share (which adds to intimacy for a date. The desserts are par to none. Amazing bread pudding! I try no to give 5 stars out unless it is over the top awesome.

I’m a fan. I didn’t have a reservation and was told it would be a 10 minute wait for 2 people at 8 PM on a Thursday night– which was weird. So I chose to sit at the bar.
Luckily there was a very talented bar tender. He was incredibly attentive and helpful.
I recommend the appetizers:
Veal Parmesan, RC Chopped Salad (it has bacon!)
Meal:
Crab Cakes– nice size, 3 of them! Full of real crab meat less «cake»
Salmon with crab over top of sweet potato and pineapple — AMAZING
The restaurant itself was slightly older as far as carpeting, chairs, and overall décor. There are some great views here of DC and the river. The food beats The Prime Rib in my opinion, on par with Joe’s. However for service and décor The Prime Rib and Charlie Palmer would beat it.
Valet is 5 $.

Omg did I have a great time at the Wines of the World event at Ruth Chris. Well where do I began… So the wine ambassador was awesome very knowledgeable, and funny. I could tell that he loves his job and it made the experience all the more fun. The first course with the white wine was to die for. The Ahi Tuna was just divine. Second was okay, but the wine that was paired with it was awesome. I wasn’t crazy about the polenta. I was hoping for a warmer temp and more texture. The third course was that carnitas. Very good and the guacamole was freaking delish. My favorite course was the entrée. Can’t go wrong with steak. The dessert course was great and the whiskey was good but a little much for my taste. My drink palette is still growing up lol. I’m looking forward to the next one. Great convo, great folks, great food. It was just delightful, a great way to end a great weekend.

The entry is very institutional (and not in a good way!) upstairs in a soulless glass tower. Although some shared appetizers were alright (seared tuna and veal ravioli), the bread was a bit soft. The trio of lamb chops were properly done (be sure to request mint jelly!), as was the creamed spinach; the Brussels sprouts and potatoes au gratin, however, were only OK. Moreover, there was no need to ask which gin I wanted in my G&T since it was almost all ice and water in any case, the Malbec by the glass was bitter and despite listings to the contrary, when it came to desert they didn’t even have their signature caramelized banana cream pie (nor did the waiter offer any other alternative sweet), so I won’t be coming back, particularly at these prices. The space is accessible.

I have never been a real fan of Ruth’s Chris but the service and atmosphere really made this experience worth the trip. Not to mention the lobster Mac n cheese!
First thing I noticed was the atmosphere. I sat in a booth which I love and there was a great view with plane watching. It may be strange but I love this!
Second thing I noticed was the service! Jonathan definitely made my night! He was friendly, personable, and had a deep grasp of the drink and food menu to recommend the perfect run of courses. He kept our drinks full and was perfectly attentive at just the right times.
Food. My opinion of Ruth’s Chris officially changed after trying the lobster Mac n cheese. The pieces of lobster were so tasty and blended well in the dish. I also had the crab Blt with zucchini fries from the happy hour menu which was a little larger than I had anticipated as I couldn’t finish it all. I love zucchini fries and theirs was done great! The crab Blt was a little messy but definitely filled me up. I also had some of the steak sandwich and was not disappointed as the meat was tasty and prepared perfectly, not overcooked at all.
The only downsides experienced had to do with parking and other waitstaff. It is pretty tricky to find the location as my gps took me to the back side of the building and I had to find my way all the way around. I highly recommend the valet at $ 5 as the parking is a bit tricky; although apparently there is a garage to park in, I opted for the ease of valet after sitting in a good amount of traffic. I was also unimpressed with the young adults that delivered our check as she wasn’t as friendly as Jonathan but I understand they may have been busier than usual. It definitely took some time after she delivered the check for her to collect payment and return for signature.
With the great service of Jonathan, the beautiful view and the lobster Mac n cheese, I’m sure I will be making a follow-​up visit!

I had a great time last night at Ruth Chris Happy Hour. The happy hour selection was not vast but what they did offer was delicious. I ordered the steak sandwich while someone else at my table ordered the crab cakes. Both dishes were phenomenal.
The happy hour pomegranate martini was delightful but the coconut lemon drop was by far the best cocktail I’ve had in a long time. Let me add I don’t even like the taste of coconut but this drink was very refreshing.
Melissa was our server. She was very nice, humorous and delivered great service. She got all our orders correct and checked on us in just the right amounts of time.
To top off the night, we had sweet potato soufflé as our dessert. It will melt in your mouth.
The view of the city was stunning even though I didn’t have a window seat but I definitely enjoyed my experience. I will be back.

What a wonderful event! I joined their 50^th Anniversary Wine Dinner featuring their founder’s favorites. If you love Ruth’s Chris Steak house, you can’t miss their fabulous events. First I was shocked because it was not at romantic table with some decelerations as usual but at a coup table with others. But now I really appreciate the setting. I got to encounter wonderful people. Wine professional, foodies, … Our group was very lively all the time. I can’t wait for the next visit there for the famous Happy Hour with amazing view.
Menu and Wine & Spirits
1.
Appetizer: New Orleans shrimp & grits
Scrumptious! Shrimp was one of the best in my life. So crispy and juicy. The sauce was rich. It was not just normal simple grits. A little bit salty but so good.
Casa Noble Anejo, Tequila $ 60
Tasty! Good tequila is amazingly smooth. I heard Ruth used to drink it quite often.
2.
Salad: Fresh Mozzarella & Kumamoto tomato salad
Simply good! I’ve been to Kumamoto many times. Everything is good there. Mozzarella is good. If you try one at Mannino’s Italian restaurant, it’s hard to get satisfied with fresh Mozzarella.
Franciscan Estate, Cuvee Sauvage Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Vally $ 40
Great! Great aromas. Full bodied and creamy texture. Rich white wine.
3.
Soup: Ruth’s original French onion soup
Perfect! Some people put the top cheese part aside for diet and tasted only the soup and complained it too uninspiring and sweet. They missed the great combination.
Tom Gore Vineyards, Field blend, Alexander Valley $ 40
Interesting in a good way! The menu says, ‘…complex aromas of blackberry, leather,…’ What? Leather? Yes, it is. You should try one;)
4.
Entrée: 12 oz. USDA prime NY strip with potatoes au gratin & creamed spinach
Fantastic! I did not use any salt and pepper. Juicy medium rare. It seemed to be too big for many people to eat all. But I did and wanted more. I had heartburn next day as usual though.
Robert Mondavi Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $ 30
Classic! I can’t drink most cabernet because of allergy issue. But I can this one and Josh so far. I like the dark chocolate aroma.
5.
Dessert: Classic crème brûlée with fresh berries
Delicious! Lots of vanilla beans. Good balance with flesh berries. Some people ate only the crispy surfaces. Waste! I wish I could have helped them out but it was too rich to taste a lot.
Robert Mondavi Winery, Moscato d’Oro, Napa Valley $ 30
Fabulous! Smells fruity jasmine and tastes wonderfully like the smell. I wish I could have got some more there.
(Wine prices are average ones on other sites. I’m sure they are much more expensive at restaurants.)
Price
Wow! $ 100each. So about $ 120each with tax and 17% gratitude (They calculated.)
Staff
Sophisticated! Well done!
Room
Classic and clean and a little bit dark as usual.
Parking lot
I parked at Crystal City Parking. Free after 16:00. If you chase Ruth’s Chris sign, you’ll miss the accessible door to the building and end up to call them to ask where the open door is. So you should park close to the gate and look for the fitness club sign. It took 10 mnts to figure it out. Hahhh…

As far as Ruth’s Chris goes, this is the ONE! 11^th floor overlooking the airport. ENOUGH SAID! This has always been my Ruth’s Chris of choice so I might as well give them some love. My last visit was with a group of 8 but the service was so good, you felt like you were the only one at the table. This is a well oiled machine! Now, since the time we walked in the door, I was craving their lamb chops. We were having a discussion about the lamb chops and what did I do? I subconsciously ordered the damn Filet. smh! When my food came out, the waiter had to show me his notepad before I would take his word that I ordered the Filet. The two people beside me also backed him and not me. LOL! He graciously offered to take back the filet and put in a rush order for the lamb but I ate my mistake and man was that the best mistake I have ever eaten in my life! That Ruth’s Chris Filet was something special this particular day and it made the disappointment of not having that scrumptious lamb dissipate into thin air! The waiter’s attitude and his most humble offer to correct what was obviously my mistake made what would have been an excellent dining experience turn into an OUTSTANDING dining experience. They take care of their patrons!!! I ordered the Lobster Mac&Cheese as my side and that could have been a meal all its own… AWESOME! In comparison, the Lobster Mac&Cheese is $ 18 while the Lobster Mashed Potatoes at Mastros Steakhouse is $ 36! Hmmm, half the price! :)
Now there is a small dark Morton’s Steakhouse across the street. please by pass that little thing and come to this Ruth’s Chris. This is the crown jewel of Crystal City, trust me you’ll thank me later!!!

My new favorite happy hour! Best view, service, and food on happy hour! The cocktails are strong and they don’t skimp on the food either. My fiancé and I had the best time here on a Friday night.
The only complaint — he is a beer kinda guy and they only had bud light on HH special.
The servers were all really laid back and personable. It is on the 11^th floor and it took us a minute to find the elevator but its right before you get to the sport and health gym inside.
Spicy lobster and the steak sandwich are TO DIE FOR!

I’ve been here several times with a group of 6 or 8 people for a work related dinner and it was always terrific. Great service. Attentive. Excellent food.
However, dining here with a date or eating by myself has been hit or miss and disappointing more often than not. Very slow service. Lost orders. Steaks at the wrong temperature. Incorrect orders are the norm.
An exception is eating at the bar when Alexandra is working, especially during happy hour. Courteous, fast. Great recommendations on wine, drinks, or menu specials. A great selection of wines by the glass.
But unless you are with a crowd, I can’t recommend the dining room.

If it wasn’t valentine’s day evening I would give it a 3, but I think that would be unfair given this is probably one of their busiest evenings. We booked our reservations a month and a half in advance and were sat within 5 minutes of getting there. We had a wonderful seat right by the window. Such a splendid view of the city in the evening.
Our server was prompt to bring us drinks and we were served warm crusty bread immediately. We didn’t seem to see much of him the rest of the evening.
we split a bottle of malbec and had the calamari for an appetizer. It was probably my favorite of the evening. So perfectly fried and I loved the Asian sauce they served it with, as opposed to the normal marinara.
The crab cakes were just okay, a little too salty. I ended up eating most of the onion rings bc I wasn’t too crazy about the crab. We also got creamed spinach as a side. Not very flavorful.
Bf’s steak was too done and not very juicy. Food started out good but turned out to be average.
Again, very high chance it was bc it was incredibly busy, but I think I had my fair share of Ruth Chris.

Toll, schöner Ausblick, prima Essen, guter Service. Absolut ein Restaurant zum Ausgehen, auch für Geschäftsessen gut geeignet. Wir waren eine größere Gruppe und rundum zufrieden.
Weniger lustig wurde es für die Raucher. Diese haben um eine Zigarette zu rauchen das Gebäude verlassen. Nach 22 Uhr konnten sie jedoch den Aufzug nach oben nicht mehr rufen. Ein Raucher gab auf und fuhr zurück, andere hatten Glück und erwischten einen Aufzug, der runter kam.