In a city where even our top rated restaurants grow more laid back by the year, it’s good to know at least one place that remains unabashedly fancy. The Prime Rib brings a level of formality that is elsewhere fading from existence. There are no trends inside these walls. Instead of craft cocktails build from local spirits and freshly juiced mixers, most diners here start their meal with a martini. The dress code has relaxed a bit from the days when men had to wear jackets, but diners still deck themselves out in suits and dresses for a meal on the floral banquettes amid towers of flowers. Live music (a pianist on weeknights and a full band on the weekends) adds to The Prime Rib’s appeal as a place to celebrate a big occasion. The food is exactly what you would expect: generous portions of good quality beef cooked accurately to medium rare. It’s worth noting that the recipe for the house salad dressing -- a creamy parmesan flavored sauce -- is so prized by the restaurant that it’s kept under lock and key. The salad it tops, a mix of greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers with a sliced and fanned-out avocado, is a fine way to start your meal. For something more indulgent, order the classic clams casino, studded with plenty of salty bacon. First timers should not resist the signature dish: prime rib. So big it barely fits on the plate, this roasted-on-the-bone feast will likely feed you for several days, and it’s too rich and beefy to pass up. More moderate appetites might prefer the dry-aged strip steak, which is almost as flavorful and easier to eat. Crab cakes are a good option for those who eschew red meat. The pace of a meal here is definitely relaxed -- if you are driving, feed the meter for at least two and a half hours -- so it’s a good reservation to make for times when you want to linger over a true fancy-dinner experience. 

    In a city where even our top rated restaurants grow more laid back by the year, it’s good to know at least one place that remains unabashedly fancy. The Prime Rib brings a level of formality that is elsewhere fading from existence. There are no trends inside these walls. Instead of craft cocktails build from local spirits and freshly juiced mixers, most diners here start their meal with a martini. The dress code has relaxed a bit from the days when men had to wear jackets, but diners still deck themselves out in suits and dresses for a meal on the floral banquettes amid towers of flowers. Live music (a pianist on weeknights and a full band on the weekends) adds to The Prime Rib’s appeal as a place to celebrate a big occasion. The food is exactly what you would expect: generous portions of good quality beef cooked accurately to medium rare. It’s worth noting that the recipe for the house salad dressing -- a creamy parmesan flavored sauce -- is so prized by the restaurant that it’s kept under lock and key. The salad it tops, a mix of greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers with a sliced and fanned-out avocado, is a fine way to start your meal. For something more indulgent, order the classic clams casino, studded with plenty of salty bacon. First timers should not resist the signature dish: prime rib. So big it barely fits on the plate, this roasted-on-the-bone feast will likely feed you for several days, and it’s too rich and beefy to pass up. More moderate appetites might prefer the dry-aged strip steak, which is almost as flavorful and easier to eat. Crab cakes are a good option for those who eschew red meat. The pace of a meal here is definitely relaxed -- if you are driving, feed the meter for at least two and a half hours -- so it’s a good reservation to make for times when you want to linger over a true fancy-dinner experience.