Bourbon Steak DC

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Steakhouse That Defies Expectations

Bourbon Steak sits inside the Four Seasons Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue in Georgetown, and from the moment you walk in, it signals something different from the standard steakhouse playbook. The dining room is decidedly modern — muted leather chairs, rich woods, metal accents, and large-scale windows that draw in natural light. There is no dark-paneled, cigar-club atmosphere here. The recently renovated front bar invites guests to settle into banquettes with a craft cocktail, while the brick patio, framed by oversized fireplaces and sculptural art, is one of the more quietly impressive outdoor dining spaces in Washington.

The Kitchen Behind the Name

The restaurant carries celebrity chef Michael Mina's brand, and his modern American steakhouse concept is the foundation. But the day-to-day cooking is driven by executive chef Joe Palma, previously of Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert, and his influence is felt across the menu. Palma has introduced a stronger emphasis on seafood and French technique — a deliberate and rewarding departure from steakhouse convention. The result is a menu where the sea bass deserves as much attention as the beef, and where dishes like Seared Scallops with sweet corn espuma, fava beans, and pickled jicama sit comfortably alongside the prime cuts.

What to Order

The steaks remain the headline, with options ranging from by-the-ounce Wagyu and 36-day dry-aged beef to grass-fed and corn-fed selections. But the kitchen's range is evident throughout the menu. Black Truffle Agnolotti arrives with stracciatella, truffle butter, and parmesan. The Bell & Evans Brick Chicken comes with fingerling potatoes, fennel asparagus salad, and a lemongrass chicken jus. The Caviar Twinkie — cornbread cake with yuzu crème fraîche — has become something of a signature. And the duck fat fries, baked truffle rolls, and a Salad of Endive with Fuji apple, Stilton, and spiced walnuts round out a menu that rewards exploration beyond the grill.

Recognition Worth Noting

Forbes Travel Guide has recommended Bourbon Steak, singling out both the atmosphere and Palma's menu refinements. Wine Spectator awarded it a Best of Award of Excellence in 2025, and OpenTable placed it among the Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in the US the same year. For business lunches, celebratory dinners, or a quiet evening at the bar, this modern American steakhouse in Georgetown consistently delivers.