Opening: Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

DC diners have a new option for seafood and steak - Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab has opened in the district. Joe’s was brought to DC via a partnership with Lettuce Entertain You, who owns Wildfire, Mon Ami Gabi, Big Bowl, and Community Canteen. The opening of Joe’s DC is particularly memorable for the restaurant, as the opening coincides with the 100^th anniversary of the original Joe’s Stone Crab (opened in Miami Beach in 1913).

The two-story space, one of the largest in DC, is dramatic and gorgeous. Housed in the old Union Trust Bank building, beautiful marble columns stand tall, providing an aura of elegance. Classic leather booths surround the bar area and a large, dark wood bar centers the space. Large, beautiful chandeliers hang from the ceiling, elevating the lighting by adding a level of sophistication. The downstairs area of the restaurant houses the bar and the dining room, and the private party rooms are located upstairs.

Joe’s features an excellent wine list. The wines on the wine list range from California to Virginia to France, with a number of options by the glass and several half bottles (both white and red). They also offer several delicious cocktails, including a lime margarita. Thanks to an extensive drink menu, diners have a wide variety of choices when choosing a drink to suit their taste buds, mood, and dinner choices, from a glass of bubbly to a cocktail to a bottle of wine.

True to its name, Joe’s features a myriad of seafood options, steak, and their famous stone crabs. Whether you’re a happy carnivore or a seafood lover, this menu features something for everyone. The seafood was absolutely delicious. I sampled the Jumbo Alaskan King Crab Legs, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Oysters on the Half Shell, Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche, and Char-Broiled Beef Tenderloin Sandwich. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and delicious. 

Joe’s stone crabs were incredible - tender and sweet. Sourced from the Gulf of Mexico, stone crabs are sustainable and are considered a “best choice” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. I learned that stone crabs are able to lose one of their two claws and the claw removed (consumed by diners) grows back again within a year, providing a sustainable source of seafood. The stone crabs were accompanied by Joe’s Mustard Sauce, which I can only describe as a horseradish-like honey mustard with a hint of mayonnaise that was incredibly addicting but didn’t overpower the flavor of the stone crabs.

Between the beautiful space, excellent wine list, and delicious steak and seafood, there’s no doubt a new gem has opened in DC. I’m looking forward to returning! (www.joes.net, 750 15th Street NW, 202-489-0140)