Capital Cooking with Lauren DeSantis: Restaurant Makeover: Morton's Bethesda

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Restaurant Makeover: Morton's Bethesda

Metropolitan Martini and
Tomato Bruschetta Crostini

Morton's The Steakhouse has brought new life to it's Bethesda, MD restaurant with a complete interior facelift. Since their acquisition of Morton's in 2012, Landry's Inc. has been updating Morton's restaurants nationwide. The addition of new booths, fresh carpeting, modernized light fixtures and artwork give the Bethesda restaurant the upscale appeal it deserves.

Morton's The Steakhouse ~ Bethesda, Md.

Gone is the feeling of entering a hotel bar or men's club, Morton's Bethesda now has a touch of the modern while still granting a nod to it's steakhouse roots with dark woodwork and intimate atmosphere. The updated decor reminded me of a sophisticated nightclub where Mad Men's, Don Draper could easily feel at home making business deals and glad-handing clients. A perfect combination of throw-back elegance and modernized chic.

Dining Room

The Boardroom

Thankfully, Morton's revised menu has not lost the flavors that have made it popular since its flagship restaurant was established in Chicago in 1978. Bethesda guests were invited to celebrate their new look on April 9th and were greeted with Prime Platters of their past popular dishes and some of their new menu items.

Petite Lamb Chops ~ Perfectly herbed and marinaded.

Staff menu favorites include the new Field Green Citrus Salad with baby arugula, oranges, strawberries, goat cheese and candied walnuts in a roasted caper citrus vinaigrette; raw bar, which includes Maine Lobster, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Oysters on the Half-Shell, Lump Crabmeat, and Alaskan King Crab Legs; and the Double-Cut Prime Pork Chop. While several guests informed me that the tried and true Filet Mignon is the item that keeps them coming back. There was also buzz over the newly added and seasonal Pan Roasted Alaska Halibut which is served in brown butter caper sauce with a fresh spring vegetables.

Crab Cake BLT Sliders on a Poppy Onion Bun
Definitely the most popular party tray of the evening!

Located in the Hyatt Regency next to the Bethesda Metro, the restaurant's perfectly cooked cuts of meat and great location have made it an essential steakhouse for downtown Bethesda.

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
with Morton's Signature Cocktail Sauce

Unlike the Baltimore and Georgetown locations, Morton's Bethesda offers Prime Platters, which is the restaurant's response to catering.

These perfect party platters, which can be purchased with elegantly displayed miniature crab cakes, lobster cocktail, prime cheeseburger sliders, and other tasty palm-sized (not bite-sized) selections are sure to give your home or office party a refined twist on the standard party tray.

Ahi Tuna Crisps

My favorites from the evening's tastings were the BLT Crab Cake Sliders, Ahi Tuna Crisps, and Braised Short Rib Beef Sliders. I was also impressed by the level of attentiveness that the staff offered - offering full trays of foodie goodness early and often; as well as the accessibility of upper management throughout the evening, provided the perfect touch in showcasing the renovations and new menu items.