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MikeS. 13 years ago.
Back in the day it was either Tom Sarris’ Orleans House or Blackie’s at 22nd & M for beef. Both were outstanding, many fond memories.
Oh no! What sad news! When I lived in Washington 20 years ago, we would go there often. The salad bar was always fresh and diverse; the dressings tasted homemade – and delicious. The prime rib was fantastic! Yes, Orleans House, you will be greatly missed.
I’ve passed it many times … never knew it was a classic.
Orleans House in Rosslyn, Va will be closing soon. The restaraunt sits on a great piece of real estate in this small city directly across the river from D.C. It is also directly across the street from an Orange Line Metro stop. Prime real estate.
They have been in business for 30 years at least. They are well known for their prime rib and salad bar. The salad bar is shaped like a Ms steam paddle wheeler. The prime rib is some of the best I’ve ever had. They offer a full menu and some fine desserts along with a full bar.
Before I moved back East we would make a point of coming here at least once when TDY to this area. Co-workers from across the country would meet up here when we were in town together. In Town being a 100 mile or so radius of DC.
Orleans House, you will be missed.
MikeS.
Thanks BigAL. That’s the place. Glad to know it’s serving until 3.
Yeah it is sad that it closed. My office is right next to it so we had a goodbye party for it and brought half the staff over for the last night. It stinks that cool places like that have to go out of business for commercial zoning.
sounded like just my kind of place, great prime rib and salad bar…(I love homemade dressings!)(I hate those packaged Ken’s dressings that too many places give you…tastes too phony to me)
hope Orleans House relocates soon, so I can try it.
Your thread brought back memories of a restaurant in Los Angeles with a similar name that closed at least 15 years ago. It was called Orleans, and they had the best popovers, and real good blackened prime rib. It was in a cute little country house type setting in the West LA area, right off the 405
I have a LOT of good memories of this place. Meeting co-workers from across the country there on many occasions. Whenever family or friends came to visit and we’d tour DC we always took them here for dinner. Even PP liked the place. I really hope they reopen, especially if they can recreate the ambiance.
MikeS.
I lived just down the street from the Orleans House, but only went once when I lived there. Like BigAl72, it was when I had visitors. It was a bit pricey for me at the time, plus I was working in the catering business and had other (free) sources for good meals! It was a unique place and seemed like a throw back to another era, when dining out was an event. Sad it has closed. I really hope they find a way to open elsewhere.
I remember The Orleans House quite well. I valet parked cars there for one year back in 1964. Mr. Sarris also at that time owned the Tom Sarris’ Steak House about a block away. It was sold off to a real estate developer in the gestation period of Rossyln Va’s vertical growth. I have been back to the Orleans House on every trip to DC during the last 43 years. While the building was showing its age, the food was still very well prepared and the dining experience was always memorable. I wish I had know of the closing a week ago, I would have journeyed back to Arlington to dine and pay my last respects.
The TV news coverage of the closing did mention that they are looking to relocate.
They had 2 ladies working there for the 40 years they were open. I was in her 50s and the other was 80 something.
Another one here who always passed by the Orleans House, thinking I would give it a try, when I lived in DC a while back.
Guess we shouldn’t put these things off too much!
I think the chinese restaurant divefl referred to is China Garden. (http://www.chinagardenva.com/). When I lived in Rosslyn I used to get takeout from there but the food always tasted kind of different from what I was used to. I’ve heard the dim sum was good, but never had it.
I went to Orleans House just once when my parents visited me. The prime rib was pretty good. I wonder if the owners considered relocating. There must be some open spot in the suburban dc area that they could move to.
I was there about 6 months ago, was still quite good. Will definetely miss it.
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Originally posted by divefl
Wow. Regrets. I always planned on going there. Should not have put it off so long. Did anyone go to it recently?
I went there last Fall. Food was still quite good, prices reasonable, atmosphere is a throw back to an older style of fine dining, but it was kept perfect – not old looking or run down in the least, just dated. Service was fabulous.
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