It looks like the President will have the opportunity to order up a well-done Wisconsin steak, near his new home, beginning this fall.
Noble Chef Hospitality, owners of Wisconsin’s Rare Steakhouse, signed a lease with the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) in January and is planning the opening of a new Washington, D.C. location in September.
The steakhouse, which will be located just blocks from the White House, will occupy 9,500 square feet in the recently expanded historic building at 1595 Eye St. NW. Unlike Rare locations in Wisconsin, the D.C. venue will feature a 163-seat upscale tavern on the first floor with a 174-seat dining room on the second floor.
It will also operate and provide catering services for a new private event space on the ninth floor of the building, which features picturesque views of Lafayette Square and the White House.
"We are very excited and honored to have been selected by LiUNA." said Jack Sosnowski, president and CEO of Noble Chef Hospitality, in a press release. "We look forward to bringing our flagship brand to the Nation’s Capital. We are confident that Rare Steakhouse will become a new destination for residents and visitors alike in the greater DC Metro area."
In keeping with its other locations, Rare D.C. will offer USDA Prime, dry-aged steaks, an extensive wine list and an emphasis on service. Steaks – including a 22-ounce bone-in ribeye, 24-ounce porterhouse, 24-ounce tomahawk chop and 28-ounce double bone-in filet – will be seared in a custom-built 1,800-degree Montague infrared broiler.
Washingtonians will also enjoy many Wisconsin-sourced specialty items on the menu, including Strauss Family Farms’ free-range veal and grass-fed beef; cheeses from the 100-year-old Carr Valley Cheese Company; world famous Nueske’s smoked bacon from Wittenberg, Wisconsin and sodas from Sprecher Brewing, made in-state with local honey.
"We are excited to help bring a taste of Wisconsin to Washington," said Terry O’Sullivan, President of LiUNA. "When we decided to include space for a restaurant build-out in the renovation of our historic building, we knew the concept had to be special and reflect the highest levels of service and quality, both of which come with the Rare Steakhouse brand.
"While they may be the newest entry into the Washington restaurant scene, we are confident they will quickly become a go-to downtown destination."
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
