Swanky Capitol Hill steakhouse opens soon with martini carts

A swanky new steakhouse is coming to Capitol Hill later this fall: Lucille's Modern Chophouse from chef Matt Baker (Gravitas, Michele's, Baker's Daughter).

Why it matters: A Capitol Hill steakhouse is a D.C. cliché, but Baker — who earned a Michelin star with Gravitas — is channeling chophouse nostalgia while dreaming beyond meat and potatoes.

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The vibe: The high-style space in the Kimpton George Hotel channels the golden chophouse era with power booths, pullable privacy curtains and roving martini carts.

• Baker tells Axios the tableside cocktails will be served "dim sum-style" with oysters and caviar for snagging alongside.

Curtains add privacy throughout the chophouse. Rendering: Courtesy of SM+P

End of an era: The space has been home to Bistro Bis for 26 years. Storied D.C. chef Jeff Buben (Vidalia, Woodward Table), whose lease is up, is closing soon to make way for the new concept.

• Watch out for a version of Buben's legendary French onion soup at Lucille's.

Dig in: Baker's a Texan who grew up on beef, so naturally there's a dry-aged meat display in the dining room. But he's also a French-trained chef who cooked in Singapore. You'll find a little of everything at Lucille's, from Texas wagyu to Gravitas-style parker house rolls and Singaporean chili crab-louie.

• Traditionalists can order an American prime porterhouse with twice-baked potatoes — but top it off with fun "enhancers" like roasted marrow or foie.
• For dessert: Throwbacks like baked Alaska or a bananas foster sundae.

Plenty of nooks in the dining room. Rendering: Courtesy of SM+P

Between the lines: Baker's specialty is a salt-crusted steak — yes, like the fish — where the meat is slathered in roast garlic and herbs, caked with salt, roasted, and removed from its aromatic cocoon.

• "It's the opposite of a caramelized crust, but the tenderness and flavor is next level," Baker says.

A bar nods to Bis. Rendering: Courtesy SM+P

The intrigue: An opening date is TBA. Baker says his marching orders are to open before the inauguration.

• "Hopefully we'll be busy serving the important people who want to be here — we don't want inauguration to be our first week of business," says Baker.

If you go: Lucille's Modern Chophouse , 15 E Street NW.