A few weekends ago, I had the pleasure of dining at Claudia’s Steakhouse. One of my new favorite restaurants in the city. The food and cocktails at Claudia’s never disappoint and that’s why I decided to celebrate my birthday there. I did a Q&A with Claudia, the owner, who is super sweet – read below to get inspired.
1. How many years have you been in business?
10 years. I am fourth generation of women behind the kitchen, so I’ve been cooking ever since I can remember.
2. What inspired the name of your business?
At my other restaurant that I had for almost 9 years, it was called Brasas. Our guests would never use the name and always told their families and friends to go to Claudia’s. I had an event for a 90th birthday celebration and some people drove down from Atlanta. We were talking about the new restaurant in D.C and his response was “tell me it’s going to be called Claudia’s, I don’t even know the name of this restaurant. I always have go call it Claudia’s” – that was the magic moment.
3. How did you get into your line of work?
I am fourth generation of women behind the kitchen so I’ve been cooking ever since I can remember. My grandmother moved to Puerto Rico in the mid 60’s and worked for a family from Argentina for 10 years. My Great Grandmother’s husband was killed by a volcano eruption and she started selling food to farmers to survive as a single mom of two daughters, my grandmother Julia being one of them.
4. What do you love most about being located in DC?
It’s home for me, I left El Salvador when I was 15 and this has been the only place I have ever lived.
I think it’s one of the most important influential cities in the world: we make changes, we make policy, we house the president and vice president of the United States, we house ambassadors from all over the world. The exposure, the diversity, the buildings, the monuments, the history, the museums! My beloved DC.
5. Share with us and our readers an insider’s tip into your favorite spots or activities in the city.
I love going for afternoon or morning runs, especially around the Rock Creek area and by the monuments.
Dancing, Adams Morgan, the food trucks…
6. Do you have a special promotion, event you’d like for our readers to know about?
For the Summer we will be doing what the Floridians do during their summer …
50% Dinner entrée from 5:30 to 7:30 Monday – Wednesday
No Room rental fee for all corporate events booked by 8/31
Claudia’s Steakhouse
Address: 1501 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 783-8212
