Oh my!!!!! After all the hype and the 3 week wait to get in, I have to say that Ray's lived up to expectations and surpassed them. Highlights--a warm greeting from our waiter, Justin, who remembered us from Palena (is Frank becoming a launching pad for staff around the city????) and guided our ordering with an amazing sense of what the highlights of the menu were. Terrific bread and wine by the glass (had to drive home...) The scallops were great--a bit too spicy for me but cooked perfectly. My husband reported that the steak was one of the best he ever had--the flat iron with mushrooms and bernaise on the side. I had the hanger steak--cooked just right and beyond compare. Had a little diablo and blue cheese on the side for light dipping. (Good, although the bernaise may have been just a touch better.) I have a perfect little section left for tomorrow's breakfast -- if it survives the night! Desserts--key lime pie and chocolate mousse--gracious end notes and just the right portion size. I think the only downside was our table--we were wedged in to a two-top behind the little station the staff uses for water, etc. So hubby viewed that while I had a wonderful view of the staff dishing out the amazing spinach and mashed potatoes. We asked about another table but were told all the other two's were reserved and were going to be pushed together for larger groups. Please note that not ten minutes later a couple walked in and was seated at a two-top. Sigh... How early do I have to call to get a table that isn't quite so wedged into the kitchen???? But aside from the small disappointment, I can promise we will be back as soon as I can plan far enough in advance to get reservations... Is this becoming the Per Se of DC? Jennifer