We recently returned to The Rose Resort in Dumfries, VA, for their exciting Million Dollar Giveaway on November 30th. Along with the event, we were fortunate enough to snag reservations at 1609 Prime Cuts + Cocktails, the resort’s steakhouse. While the experience showed promise, there were a few areas that could use improvement.
The Evening Begins
Our evening started with a warm welcome and drink orders, including another lemon drop cocktail. Unfortunately, the process was a bit disjointed as our server had to return to the bar multiple times to answer questions about their vodka selection.
We were served bread and butter shortly after, which was fresh and delicious, setting a good tone for the meal.
The Star Dish: Shrimp Cocktail
The standout of the evening was undoubtedly the shrimp cocktail. The shrimp were perfectly chilled and paired with cocktail sauce that had a delightful hint of horseradish, giving it a flavorful kick. This dish was the highlight of the menu and set high expectations for the rest of the meal.
Steak and Sides
For the main course, we decided to share the 40oz tomahawk steak, accompanied by roasted potatoes and carrots. While the steak was well-charred, it was cooked beyond our requested medium-well temperature, arriving well-done. The tableside carving was underwhelming as the knife wasn’t sharp enough, leaving the steak appearing more “butchered” than sliced.
The plating also lacked finesse, with the meat simply placed on the plate. While they did offer to wrap up the bone, it would have been a nice touch to use it as garnish before presenting it.
The roasted potatoes were hit-or-miss, with some perfectly cooked and others slightly underdone. Unfortunately, the carrots were overly charred and undercooked, detracting from the meal.
Caesar Salad and Other Notes
The Caesar salad was enjoyable, though we prefer a creamier dressing. The flavor, however, was well-balanced.
While the food and service were decent, the overall experience didn’t quite match the premium steakhouse pricing. Small details, such as drink menus printed on paper in plastic sleeves, gave the restaurant a less polished feel.
Final Thoughts
There is clear potential for 1609 Prime Cuts + Cocktails to be a standout dining experience at The Rose, but for now, it feels like a restaurant still finding its footing. With premium prices and an underwhelming execution, guests may leave feeling they’ve overpaid for a mediocre steakhouse experience.
We hope to see improvements in the future, as The Rose and its dining options have so much potential to shine.