Urban Butcher

Reviews 4

PA

Paulette Paglia

What had been a 5 star review is now reduced to 3 stars for negative experiences on 8/22/17. On Tues 9/22 at about 6:50 pm I walked into Urban Butcher alone but with purpose. Namely Lavender Margaritas and a Lamb Tartare - all beckoning me inside and out of the stifling 97° heat. As I entered there was a group speaking with the host (possible proprietor) explaining theyd eventually have 8 for dinner. As this large group was chatting with the host/proprietor the host stopped engaging with them because omg! a woman alone, walking with purpose (obviously to the bar) omg!!! he decided he just had to loudly and rudely greet me: H/P-Hello! Good evening! Are you here for dinner?!Hello??!! Me-(Smiling but not stopping because guests were standing around the entrance STILL speaking to him AND I have never in my 25 years of being of legal age to order alcohol and sit at a bar have EVER had to explain myself) so smiling and WITH eye contact responded to his question: Hello; no. H/P-(Sort of stalking me): Are you!!!!?? Are you!!!!?? Going to the bar!!!!?? Me-Still smiling and while making eye contact nod in agreement with his inquiry an infant could correctly interpret. Nodding my head up and down in the affirmative. One of many international gestures for yes. He still looked upset. I truly do not know what his issue was except that I was not as dressed up as I normally would have been if not for the stifling 97° heat. I was a bit sportier than usual for dining out. Feeling guilty for wearing $100 athletic shoes, $30 shorts and $60 short sleeved billowy hippy-chic top and a $30 black mesh over-sized tote bag with colorful pinstripes out to dinner I notice the dress and appearance of those around me: Flip flops!!! Shoes completely OFF!!! Cotton sleeveless tees (aka "wife beaters")!!! Tattoos! Nose rings! Baseball cap on BACKWARDS!!! About 30 minutes into my bar experience (which was delightful) he walked past me saying hello to a few patrons seated at the tables next to the bar. Then to those seated next to me at the bar. All the while it seemed it was a passive-aggressive attempt for me to notice him and acknowledge his awesome power. He had the ability for those few minutes to redeem himself and change my negative impression of him but he was not going to directly initiate this possibility. The other extremely negative aspect of what should have been an easy-going relaxing night out was the FLIES. Disgusting germ carrying filthy flies all around the bar. And if theyre at the bar, theyre certainly in the open exposed kitchen 15 feet from the bar. Just disgusting. Go to Strosniders and spend $20 on a few Victor Fly Traps and follow the easy instructions. Below is my original 5 star review: Urban Butcher is well above most other DC area restaurants. The quality of ingredients and fine attention to detail in creating top-notch delicious food and cocktails is evident in every morsel, taste and sip. Nearly everything is made in-house and much locally sourced. The owner is a dedicated talented artisan to a craft which had been near-to-extinct. Service is professional but friendly and casual. We had dinner several times in dining area. My husband said the Porterhouse (which he regularly orders) is the best steak hes ever had, other than The Palms, he loves UB. Ive ordered the whole fish several times (once was Bronzino) and have never been disappointed. Yes UB is a steakhouse that also offers high quality fish which is deliciously prepared. Family and friends have become great fans too. UB is one of a few of our must-go-to restaurants when entertaining out-of-towners. The small plates are amazing delights and one can make a lovely satisfying meal from the ample variety and selection. We also highly recommend their fantastic Happy Hour all week long AND all day on Sunday. Theyve created a lavender infused margarita thats simply one of the best cocktails in the world. Terrific wine and beer list too. Nice upbeat atmosphere. Please support this truly amazing locally owned unique awesome restaurant.

DA

David Pittman

The dining options in DTSS just keep getting better and better. Off a side street a block south of The Sprung, Im not sure theres been a more anticipated or heralded restaurant than Urban Butcher. It is definitely deserving of the praise, but a few months under its belt should make it outstanding. The meat centric, seasonal menu is a delight. Highlights included the pig tails, the ox brisket, pastrami and lamb saddle. A deep selection of cheeses and terrines was impressive. The house made pâtés were great, served with AMAZING grilled bread. However, the came completely unadorned. No cornichons. No jams. We asked for some mustard and they sent out some incredibly sharp delicious tasting stuff (it accompanies the pastrami), but why not send it out in the first place. The Chinese spareribs were great, but came attached to the brisket bone (not a more hand or sharing friendly St Louis cut). This wouldnt have been an issue if a steak knife came with it too. The service is young and eager but a bit inattentive. For example, our ribs were delivered by another server and ours didnt show back up again for about 10 minutes while we waited for the steak knife. Same for the mustard. A host chatted with a regular customer while we tried to get his attention to no avail. I could cut a little slack if service was busier, but a Monday at 1800 isnt exactly the rush crowd. The delicious food MORE than makes up for the lackluster service team, which I am sure will improve with time (the service at Jackies and 8407 are indications that DTSS has great staff). If you go, intend to lounge a bit and revel in the meaty goodness.

TO

Tony S

Absolutely a joke of a so called steakhouse no air conditioner no domestic beer no patron plenty of flies & the absolute worst cheeseburger Ive ever had! The whole setup is just bad for a so-called steakhouse, cheap metal chairs bad service. This place would be perfect if it was just a salami and cheese spot especially since theyre so proud of it,to take an classic cheeseburger and F€%K it up so bad was shocking! 80/20 angus beef patty works all over the world! Not here they grind up tough as hell brisket and then horribly over season it what a joke! The only reason me & my guests got burgers were because the steaks were so unattractive coming out to other tables unlike Ruth Chris Gibsons in Chicago etc.places were you would never even consider a Cheeseburger I was in Silver Springs last weekend for the first time & enjoyed all of my dining except this one.Im not sure how this place is working but I will never lower my expectations of a steakhouse to except bad service sweating at my table flies everywhere because all the doors and windows are open on a 87 degree day flimsy cheap metal chairs not one beer I recognize on the menu to boot Never Again! Enjoy Silver Springs worst money all weekend. P.S forgot to mention the so called side salad.....I just want to scream thinking about it 80 cents worth of plain field greens tossed in some in house concoction in a bowl period dont remember what my bill was because it wouldnt have mattered I just wish I had drank them dollars instead wouldve been a lot happier

JO

Joe Nastri

Carnivores Unite! A great and unique restaurant concept in Silver Spring. Urban Butcher provides a variety of dishes meant to highlight their star attraction: high-end and delicious sourced meats (no hormones or antibiotics, full traceability, no unethical treatment) that are prepped in-house ... butchered, then cured or dry-aged (exactly what you may find from a quality local butcher). Except a place to lounge and get served cocktails / beers / wine while they cook and deliver meals in restaurant format. Ive tested a number of small-plate and entree dishes with a wide spectrum of meat choices, very good quality ingredients and preparation. Love the Steak Tartare (entree portioned), 48-hr Ox Tail Brisket, Terrines, Braised Meatballs, and their Sides collection (grilled Brussel Sprouts, so good). Steaks are 60-day dry-aged and you can easily experience sticker shock if youve not had higher-end steakhouse meals prior lol. Something to experience though, come with friends and share plates. Nice bar although seating can be a premium at certain times. Good collection of beers, wine and cocktails. Friendly service from what Ive experienced, but Ive only eaten at the bar so far. An upscale yet relaxed dining experience in Silver Spring. A welcomed addition. And looking forward to experiencing the retail Butcher aspect!