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 100th 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)
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