March 6, 2006
Voices Ray'sd
Let us tell you, it's a real pain to be popular. You'd be amazed at how many propositions we get from attractive suitors and the sheer number of Vicky Seeks panties thrown at us on a daily basis. Just look at our comment section: an unmitigated outpouring of love and adoration. We take solace that we're not alone in our suffering, however. Ray's the Steaks in Clarendon Rosslyn has the same affliction. The similarities end there, though. While we lap it up, Ray's owner Michael Landrum gets pissed.
The low-pressure circulation that has hung over the topic of Ray's in recent years has been kept alive by the establishment's reputation for less-than-fawning treatment of its customers. Just within the last few weeks, we find ourselves in full-blown storm over the restaurant's unwillingness to implement a functional reservation system. And when you're as popular as Ray's, evidently that dog won't hunt.
The debate erupted, as they do, on foodie haven DonRockwell.com after a TomChat. Posters were poking at Ray's for forcing them into a virtual breadline for reservations, then wedging them into 90-minute seatings. Landrum let loose as well, but probably a little too much so, as his comments crossed the line from "get it off your chest" to "here's a peek at my deep-seated resentment." "I'll be moving to a place where the assholes do not outnumber the decent people by a factor of 10-to-1," "I'll serve whatever you want however you want, but I don't serve assholes," and referring to Washingtonians as "so many power-disfigured Gollums slitheringly lusting after their Precioussss, so many Michael Jacksons-in-Red-Ties-and-Guccis staring in the empty mirror of enabled ego indulgence, so many suburban Warriors high on sucking the crack pipe of SUV exhaust" are all actual quotes from the outburst. It snowballed quite a bit to the point where chefs and other restaurant folks were joining in on annoying patrons and how to deal with them, but many of the exchanges were deleted (for propriety's sake, we assume) by Den Pop Don, especially after Sonoma's Eli Hengst chimed in with entreaties for civility.
This is just one more link in the chain of controversy surrounding the restaurant, from the 90-minute seating policy (albeit on early tables only), to its request that you call them back to confirm your reservation. What should we expect from someone who calls himself the "improprietor?"
Right now, you can't expect much unless you traipse over the river for a chance at Ray's meat; the place is no longer taking reservations until they can work themselves up a good system. We don't know, but it looks like there are lots of options out there. Not deploying these tools (and the people to run them) probably keep Ray's as one of the most affordable steak spots around though, so take your pick.
While we're not trying to prolong the debate, we found it newsworthy enough to share with you. So you tell us, are you more inclined to eat at Ray's since Landrum is willing to tell it like it is, or keep your distance so as not to spend your money on a misanthrope? Or is it all about the food?
Hat photo from Flickr user wannabehipster used under a Creative Commons license.
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From Landrum's comments on DonRockwell.com: I work too hard and life is too short to deal with assholes
That goes for you as well, Mr. Landrum. But seriously, as long as restaurants such as Ray's remain popular, people will ignore the owner's tirades (see also: Greenwood, Carole or Clark, Gillian).
Of course, the beauty of living in a capitalist society is that, eventually, diners will get tired of jumping through hoops and dealing with fussy owners. When restauranteurs only see the people in their establishments as consumers, they will lose out. Diners are the ones who will make or break a place. And now with the ease of posting on the Web about one's dining experiences, it's even more crucial that restauranteurs realize that one negative opinion can be broadcast to thousands in a matter of minutes.
That isn't to say they should shut up and stay in the kitchen, but they need to be more PR savvy. Besides, karma's a bitch.
Do anyone happen to know when and if they are actually opening the second location in Silver Spring? Last I looked it wasn't too promising.
http://static.flickr.com/33/71051838_cf06866fef.jpg
I was really looking forward to good, less expensive steak nearby. The seating policy wouldn't necessarily keep me away; it would just lessen the frequency of my visits. However the "across the river" part means I haven't ventured to it yet.
Ha! Wow. Yeah, well my foodie $s will be going elsewhere. Amazing how a small, in-demand place like Komi can manage to serve its patrons w/o such vitriol.
Yeah, Landrom needs a serious attitude adjustment.
Ray's isn't in Clarendon. It's in Rosslyn (really it's on the border between Rosslyn and Courthouse, but it's certainly not in Clarendon). The Potomac Ocean Effect strikes again!
I think Landrum is perfectly fair in how he wants to run his own business. If people don't like it, they can go elsewhere, as cliched as that sounds. I've yet to eat at Ray's the Steaks but continue to want to, and none of this changes that a bit.
I think he can say what he wants, and as long as it doesn't affect the food, why does anyone care?
But I wonder if the reservation policy is actually increasing the number of assholes that go there. If it turns into a status thing to be able to get a reservation there (and, believe me, it is (was?) tough as balls to get a reservation there b/c you could only call during a two-hour window and the phone was always busy), then the people who chase status will make up the large majority of people who go there (and there's a lot in the d.c. area). In other words, if you're someone who makes some intern or secretary jump through a million hoops to get a reservation, how do you think they're going to act when they get there? You know what I mean?
Ray's is the Shizzle.
Shhhh, keep it secret DCist, you're ruining it for everyone!
You used to be able to make reservations in the past at Ray's, I haven't been for year or so but am I wrong here?
Great timing. I ate at Ray's yesterday... it's easily my favorite restaurant in the area. The change is policy was a huge shock to me. But we decided to test it out. We went there at 6pm and was informed we could be seated at 7pm. So we went back home (Rosslyn to Ballston) and hung out until dinner. No sweat.
However, for those who complained about the reservations, this will only make it worse. Imagine driving from an hour away only to be told you had to wait 2 hours, with no wait area. Instead, it was perfectly easy to get a reservation for a weekend if you called 2-3 weeks in advance.
I didn't see any mention of it above but the Rosslyn Ray's is closing on March 26 for some time. I couldn't get any info as to why last night but I think it might have something to do with the other restaurant getting up to speed (this is from our waitress).
I've been to Ray's about 12-15 times in the past 3 years. I've never had even one bad experience there. I don't know what all the fuss is.
My fiance used to work the reservations at Ray's back in August & September. She was actually getting things right and ready (the high school girl who did the job before her really fucked things up) when Michael up and fired her for no reason (perhaps the fact that someone was actually doing their job while taking reservations scared him?).
My family's money stopped going to Ray's the Steaks that very day.
Michael is an asshole, plain and simple.
Umm...Clarendon? No. Try again. We would have accepted "Courthouse", "Rosslyn" or the more general "Arlington".
I admit that Clarendon is a stretch. It's probably my District snobbiness that accounts for my geography shortcomings. You can take solace in the fact that I know even less about Maryland than I do Virginia.
If you don't like his policies or attitude then don't go! The prices are good for a quality steak dinner (which accounts for the popularity), but the food is not mind-blowing. Carole Greenwood's steak is better!
Ray's is near my apartment and my girlfriend is carnivorous, so I've been at least five times in the past year. I think Ray's has been pilloried on its own success- we went for valentine's dinner, which required reservations long ahead of time and, yes, the call the day of to make sure and for the first time I experienced the sort of person Landrum is pissed about: slimy Hill/K Street sort of guy, dining by himself, monopolized the waitress for 10 minutes dithering over the steaks and wine list, brought his own bottle as a gift while trying to sneak something out of the owner's private stash, kept trying to get Landrum's ear to talk about the food, tipped the "guys in back" a twenty...
I can only get the cheapest steak on the menu and I will say without a doubt that it's worth every hoop jumped through and I actually feel some pride that Landrum has always treated me better than the asshole monied demi-foodies he's railing against. It's a pity the place is so popular, as it only seems to draw those forum vampires.
I have been to Ray's many times - and I've even chatted with Mr. Landrum. We shot the shit about uppity folks and attitudes. Frankly - lots of chefs are total egoists, but that also makes them great. Like Aaron Sorkin and 'shrooms. Anyhow - I frankly never had a problem with the 90 minutes (and think the beef around it is way out of proportion). You want to pay for the amazing decor and service, go to Morton's. You want a damn good steak and sides to kill for? Go to Ray's.
Like I said, many chefs are total jerks - at least ML is up front about who he is. But I loved talking with him, and his food is just beyond superb. If that makes people go somewhere else? More reservations for me...
From far away in Iowa the controversy over Ray's just looks silly. If there were a steakhouse half as good as Ray's anywhere in Iowa I'd be ecstatic. I've never eaten a better steak--anywhere, and it's not from lack of trying.