Peck, p. 25-26; Evelyn, Dickson, and Ackerman, p. 74. The crab Benedict was delicious, the coffee was hot and the restaurant was beautiful. A fire broke out in the kitchen on August 12, 1913, doing extensive damage. Across from the White House, Old Ebbitt serves American Cuisine, and See more 28,036 people like this 31,676 people follow this 416,125 people checked in here Mrs. Shutt eventually turned the hotel over to Augustus Gumpert. A new head chef and assistant chefs had already been hired. WashingtonPost.com. When shown the document, Meese allegedly said, "Oh, darn." "Comfortable Perches Along Pennsylvania Avenue Are Much in Demand. [123], In 2003, Old Ebbitt Grill was busiest on weekends in the spring, when high school student tourist business was at its highest in the city. Opened in 1856, it stands a few years older than the Ford's Theater, and similar to Ford's has had all manner of political personages, past and present, pass through its doors. Hugh expectations going in but they were more than met. [141] Old Ebbitt has long composted its food waste,[142] but oyster shells are not compostable and before 2010 were thrown out as garbage. It reopened at the same location on October 13, 1970. Cruvinet systems, which can be mobile or installed and can accommodate anywhere from two to 120 bottles, immediately recork a bottle of wine. ", Von Eckardt, Wolf "Big Stakes In a New City Game. . ", Horwitz, Sari. By 1970, the Old Ebbitt Grill had fallen on hard times and an auction was held to satisfy a federal tax claim. Really enjoyed our brunch here and our server Jade was fantastic! Whitehead, Frank Insco. The Cabinet room can accommodate events from 5-75 guests. The food was delicious. Best crab cakes anywhere. Located just two blocks from the White House, this historic venue sits right in the middle of all of the history and character Washington, D.C. has to offer. Willard. Rating 14/20. The Cabinet room can accommodate events from 5-75 guests. Today, Clyde's Restaurant Group has grown to include 13 properties. Please call Megan Kilby at 202.552.5000. [55], The history of the restaurant between its establishment in 1926 and the 1980s is not well documented. "Barricades a Blow to Business. Is there a corkage fee? Established in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington's oldest saloon, just steps from The White House and museums downtown. [71] Among the items they purchased were a 200-year-old clock which used carved wooden gears for its mechanism, a carved wooden grizzly bear once owned by Alexander Hamilton, crystal decanters dating to 1575, and stuffed boar's head, swordfish, alligator, and walrus head. "Landmark Passes As Ebbitt House Doors Are Closed. Perfect is more like it. To help the Alliance, a new element to the Oyster Riot was introduced, a Saturday afternoon event known as " the Matinee" is held with a portion of the proceeds . "Movies Filmed in Washington: 'In the Line of Fire'." It moved into new quarters at 1427 F Street NW. "Let Them Eat Crab Cakes. A jury could not reach agreement on the charges in December 1913,[47] but the charges were not dismissed until September 1914. ", "Reality Check: US Restaurateurs Say Consumer Sent Still Stuck. The new owners refused to renew Gumpert's lease on a yearly basis. Established in 1856, it was a favorite of Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding and Theodore Roosevelt and is still a popular meeting spot for political insiders, journalists, celebrities and theater-goers.Its Beaux-Arts . [143] To help the Shell Recycling Alliance, Old Ebbitt Grill introduced a new element to its Oyster Riot, a Saturday afternoon event known as "Matinee Riot." 167. Additional private and semi-private space may ne reserved in our Atrium dining room. "Staff, Patrons Toast Old Ebbitt's Demise As They Await Its Rebirth on 15th Street. ", Chamberlain, Chris. The restaurant had seating for 200 at tables and in booths. Today, no one can pinpoint the houses exact location, but it was most likely on the edge of present-day Chinatown. Never again! Unfortunately, many artifacts were beyond preserving and unable to weather the 1983 move around the corner. [4] During this time, the boarding house also took in guests from the Willard Hotel. Feels like home every time we go there. Perfect is more like it. He appreciated small touches such as coat hooks near booths and pepper mills on tables and found the staff's honesty about menu choices refreshing. Casual attire but no tank tops. As a boarding house, the Ebbitt guest list read like a Who's Who of American History. From the feel, though, it's a sort of business casual. [115], Old Ebbitt Grill's oyster bar closed in 1992 after diners fell ill from eating raw oysters infected with the deadly Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. [72][73] Clyde's and Old Ebbitt Grill shared the same menus, which lowered costs and led to improved training for kitchen staff. [88], The time frame for closure proved optimistic. While you can go to any restaurant in America and be greeted with tacky, store-bought, kitsch . [77] Its crab cakes were poorly reviewed as too bland and heavy with bread. Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant. And suddenly, for $11,200, the two partners unexpectedly found themselves owners of a second saloon, the Old Ebbitt Grill. Saw a few nice t-shirts, and a few suits and dresses. The Corner Bar is decorated with paintings by Claiborne D. Gregory, Jr., and carved waterfowl decoys by numerous artists. The cheese sampler is divine as is the eggs Benedict (Chesapeake style with crab cakes!). Held at noon, a portion of the proceeds are donated to the Oyster Recovery Partnership. Actually, no tank tops anywhere. Paintings of waterfowl hunting by Richmond, Virginia artist Claiborne D. Gregory, Jr. and a museum-quality collection of decoys convey the relaxed and timeless comfort and camaraderie of an Eastern Shore hunt club. The food is very good and the service is always fabulous! The Oyster Bar features an array of exceptional oysters and winning wines from the annual Old Ebbitt Grill International Wines for Oysters Competition. 202-347-4800. So happy OEB never misses a beat! Brown, George Rothwell. The new restaurant was immediately popular. Old Ebbitt Grill did not close its doors at 1427 F Street until September 12, 1983. [22], Ebbitt House and its restaurant were razed in 1926 to make way for the National Press Club building. ", This page was last edited on 1 January 2023, at 04:04. He decided to devote the whole 14th Street side to the restaurant, as well as to renovate the kitchen. In November 1994, Old Ebbitt Grill reopened its oyster bar to much press attention. The Hotel disti The decor was made more whimsical, however, leading Washington Post architectural critic Wolf Von Eckardt to declare in 1978 that the Grill was "one of the most charming rendezvous on the Eastern Seaboard". [11][12] On September 1, 1863, Ebbitt sold the boarding house to his son-in-law, Albert H. [138], The first Oyster Riot was held in October 1995 to promote Old Ebbitt Grill's oyster bar. ", Tuck, Lon. Old Ebbitt Grill is a senior D.C. restaurant. Its main claim to fame was its hefty portions and moderate prices.[102]. 675 15th St NW Washington D.C., DC 20005 Established in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is the oldest dining saloon in Washington. The food was delicious. [13] On May 16, 1818, Dorsey sold the house to William Blanchard. Not to be out done by the ambience. Established in 1856, it was a favorite of Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding and Theodore Roosevelt and is still a popular meeting spot for political insiders, journalists, celebrities and theater-goers.Its Beaux-Arts facade, mahogany and velvet booths and . I don't think there was a drop on our plates. On June 5, 1970, Old Ebbitt Grill was closed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for failure to pay $10,995.15 in taxes going back to 1965. Email donations@clydes.com. Old Ebbitt Grill DC Parking 0 Results Sort by Distance So, it is whatever you would like. [69] Davidson and Laytham bid in the tax sale hoping to buy beer steins and the mahogany bar, but ended up with the entire restaurant. "Small Space, Big Vision. The 1427 F Street NW location was demolished in 1983 during redevelopment, and Old Ebbitt Grill moved into its current quarters at 675 15th Street NW. Back waiters were required to have excellent physical strength and good balance. Before placing your order, please inform your server if you have a food allergy or dietary need. Assistant Attorney General Charles J. Cooper, a young appointee in the Office of Legal Counsel, also at the lunch, said the memo was a "bomb. Our waitress was amazing! OEB made this meal a fantastic experience. Between the moves and its history, the Old Ebbitt has amassed a priceless collection of antiques and memorabilia. ", Eisen, Jack. The United States was barred by the Boland Amendment from supporting the Contras. [13] Two single-story buildings south of the Reed home were also built and owned by Reed. Old Ebbitt Grill is an iconic tavern in downtown Washington that has been serving award-winning cuisine for more than 160 years. President McKinley is said to have lived there during his tenure in Congress, and Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt and Warren Harding supposedly refreshed themselves at its stand-around bar. Impressionist works by James Harrington hang throughout the restaurant. Out drinks were great. Great service. I look forward to many more meals there during future visits. The restaurant's dcor was saved and the Grill opened as its own entity around the corner at 1427 F Street. Steps away from the White House, the Old Ebbitt Grill is the perfect location for your next event. Daily Oyster & Raw Bar Happy Hour. "Joining the Night Owls for Dinner. The back waiter system was created so that waiters continued to wait on tables rather than spending time in the kitchen waiting for orders to be filled.[98]. The restaurant was uprooted one last time when it moved around the corner to its current location. An exterior scene was shown and then Clint Eastwood and John Mahoney were shown sitting at Grant's Bar inside. [22] Prohibition began in the District of Columbia on November 1, 1917. The place is historical, the employees very friendly and the food was terrific. The Hotel distinguished itself as the first hotel in Washington to remain open all summer instead of closing when . [2], A three-story house on 14th Street adjacent to Ebbitt House was occupied by the Reed family as well, although by 1864 it had been purchased by Willard, who raised the roof. Alex Kapranos, lead singer for the Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand, included an entry on Old Ebbitt Grill in his 2006 book, Sound Bites: Eating on Tour With Franz Ferdinand. [87] In August 1980, Carr announced that Old Ebbitt Grill would reopen in a corner location near to its old 1427 F Street NW spot. Old Ebbitt Grill Blue T-Shirt. You may not bring corkage for a wine that is currently on our list (producer, wine, and vintage). The business also failed to deposit withholding taxes on employee wages with the city. The etched glass panels separating the Old Bar from the Main Dining Room were created by Charles Shefts. It is Washington's oldest bar and restaurant,[1] and is owned by Clyde's Restaurant Group. The busy atmosphere, he argued, was not conducive to a positive dining experience. OPEN NOW. Old Ebbitt Grill doesn't just have to be a traditional lunch or dinner spot. Absolutely loved our experience at the famous Old Ebbitt! The sale price was $11,250. Shutt's plans had changed somewhat in the intervening nine months. [13] Willard converted the boarding house into a hotel. [97], The restaurant also instituted a "back waiter" system. [79], The restaurant continued to improve through the late 1970s and into the early 1980s. This allows a bottle of wine to remain open for up to two weeks without spoiling. The restaurant's turn-of-century saloon atmosphere with antique clocks, marble staircase and . Determining which establishment is the oldest bar in Washington, D.C., is complex. Care is taken to avoid cross-contact, however, our kitchen is not completely gluten-free. Casual. The service was fantastic. We love: meatballs, cheese sampler, oysters, chicken & waffles, & eggs Benedict. The Cabinet room can accommodate events from 5-75 guests. It has also been the site of parties hosted by famous actors and singers. Eggs benedict, mimosas, crabcakes and french toast! [62], Anders Lofstrand, Sr. died in 1955, and in April 1961 Old Ebbitt Grill was sold to Peter Bechas,[63] the former head waiter at the Willard Hotel from 1955 to 1958. The house marked the northeast corner of Murder Bay. ", Weil, Martin. [5] William Crawford installed Richard and Sarah Forrest in his houses, and they inherited them upon his death. Old Ebbitt Grill. Our server was excellent. [27] Chief Justice of the United States Salmon P. Chase lived there while working in the capital and died there in October 1886.