Dear Penguin: A rumor has been floating around the neighborhood listserv that Ray’s the Classic is closed, possibly indefinitely. What’s the scoop? — RB
RB:
Last year, Penguin taste testers established a “Ray’s the Classic” fund, with hopes of one day having enough dough to dine in the swanky Colesville Road steak house.
But when rumors of Ray’s demise wafted into the newsroom, things got ugly. Computer screens were smashed. Paper-recycling bins were set afire. And the break room … let’s just say it’s a freakin’ mess.
To restore some sense of order to Penguin corporate headquarters, I contacted John Landis, Silver Spring restaurateur and part-time Ray’s employee, for the full scoop.
According to Landis, carnivorous Penguins can rest easy: Ray’s the Classic is still in business. The restaurant is closed for renovations and upgrades, and will reopen sometime after Jan 9, 2008.
Thanks for your question, RB. Let’s hope your neighborhood listserv isn’t as anarchic as The Penguin newsroom.
– The Penguin
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Boxed wines and rosés are back in vogue. Just ask The Penguin's sommeliers.
Maybe the Washington Post reporters should adopt the same passion as The Penguin staffers in order to find accurate information. It might become a better newspaper.
Editor’s note: This comment has been edited for content. — JD (Jan 4, 2008)
I sure hope that when Rays opens it will actually have some color in the place other than just black and white. The food was OK with nothing standing out that would warrant the very expensive price tags. I vowed never to go back until the place actually looked inside like the price tags claim it should look.
just went to Ray’s Silver Spring. NO more premium alcohol. Beer and Wine only. Bartender said something about it being too expensive to maintain premium brands. What is going on? A steak place with no martini?
Editor’s note: Ray’s owner no longer wishes to sell hard sauce. Instead, he wants the restaurant to focus on its wine list. Go figure. — JD (Feb 4, 2008)
I wonder how much Ray’s decision has to do with MoCo’s stranglehold on liquor distribution?
Adega Wine Cellar is a wonderful independent restaurant and wine store, but they are being hurt by MoCo. Same goes for Abol, which we just went to. They don’t yet have Tej (Ethiopian Honey Wine) because they’re waiting for MoCo to finally get its act together and sell them the stuff.
MoCo must give up its monopoly on liquor, wine, and beer distribution.