Ray's the Classics

We hadn't been back here in quite a while, so we stopped in and ate at the bar last Sunday after seeing Blue Valentine at AFI. You forget how good Ray's is, and why these restaurants are so popular. I had a fabulous steak au poivre -- a 12-oz. NY strip coated in pepper -- with a baked potato and broccoli spear and Andrea got a luscious slice of prime rib, so tasty, with the same accompaniment.

It was all so easy. We keep forgetting Silver Spring is just 10 min. away, a quick ride along East-West Highway, and that AFI is literally right across the street from Ray's. Street parking was a breeze on a Sunday and hostess at Ray's said it was unusual that they were completely booked at 6:45, though sitting at the bar was quite pleasant. Ray's has great prices for the quality, though it's not what we would spend going out every week. But we will definitely do this again.