OLD EBBITT GRILL, Good enough for Presidents and good enough for you.!!
Written: Oct 19 '03 (Updated Feb 02 '05)
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Pros: Well located, good food, historic
Cons: can be a bit noisy
The Bottom Line: I liked the overall service, food, and atmosphere of this place that is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Old Ebbitt Grill |
Washington DC, like that of New York, has a wonderful mix if the old and the new in dining experiences. In New York a favorite old place is the downtown Fraunces Tavern where George Washington ate and even gave his famous farewell address.
The Old Ebbitt Grill is also a place where the politically powerful dine, yet, it's also inviting to the everyday man and woman.
WHERE IS IT?
Located on 674 15th Street NW makes this place an easy stop on a day of site seeing in DC. It is literally across the street from the White House.
What I liked is that they have valet parking after six PM Monday through Saturday and all day on Sundays. There is also a parking garage that was reasonably priced on the next side street if walking toward the Washington Monument.
The DC subway system also has a stop nearby.
ENTRY
As you enter the grand facade and revolving doors you get a sense of history. There is a mix of the old and new. Paintings and pieces of the nineteenth and twentieth century are on the walls and little alcoves and corners.
I found the greeting prompt and friendly. I have business in DC from time to time. I was at this restaurant on my own twice and once with a small group. We ate in a separate room in the back of the restaurant.
Do expect a wait at peak lunch hours. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Dinner reservations are important to make.
In the entrance area is a fine looking marble stair case, with antique railings, that winds its way down to the rest rooms. The rooms were clean and well stocked, attractive too.
The BAR
To the left of the entrance area, up a few steps is a bar. I liked the feel of it. This is actually a new addition to the older restaurant. It's done in old Federal style, "mans" feel, with hunting artifacts like decoys and like scenic paintings. I liked this room with its marble brass and woods. It seems like a place where many "power lunches" started their hour. The bar had a fine selection of draft beers. I enjoyed the atmosphere of this room and the sense of action within it.
The MAIN DINING ROOM
The restaurant is done in dark woods giving it and old feel. Hey, it is said that Presidents, McKinley, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Grant, and Teddy Roosevelt spent some time in these rooms. This restaurant has changed locations in the well over a hundred and fifty years it has been around. I really couldn't get the full picture as to who frequented which location. In any case the "feel" of history is here.
The main room is right off the foyer area. One thing I didn't like is that the main isle is the only way of getting in and out of the place. There are other rooms in the back. This makes for a lot of traffic constantly moving back and forth through the main isle of the dining room.
The dimly lit room, with heavy beamed ceilings, is attractive with booths, wooden tables and chairs and antique electrified gas lamps. It is a Victorian style decor. If I recall there were little vases of flowers on the tables.
During the afternoon this place is family friendly. It does take on a "finer" atmosphere in the evening. I will say though, that even in the midst of the mixed afternoon crowd, tables for two still maintained a romantic atmosphere.
Do take notice of many original paintings and etchings throughout the restaurant. There is some very interesting art on most of the walls.
The ATRIUM
Much to my surprise was the fact that beyond all the darker rooms was another section of the restaurant. If you continue through the main dining room you come out into the light! The restaurant shares a piece of a huge atrium area that is part of an office complex. This area takes on a very different atmosphere. I didn't, however, care for the sound level in this area. Is was a bit noisy with echos. For those for whom it may matter, it is also a far distance from the stairs in the front of the restaurant that offer the only way to the eateries rest rooms.
This atrium area, outside the restaurant borders, is also used for events catered by the Old Ebbitt Grill. I have been to one and they did a terrific job.
The MENU
This Old Ebbitt Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Though I did not have breakfast I did ask to see the menu.
Most of the offering were in the $7.00-$10.00 price range. Their "All American" Breakfast consisted of juice, eggs, home fries, toast, and choice of ham, sausage or bacon was $8.00, Eggs Benedict, $8.00, steak and eggs $10.00.
I was told this is a very popular breakfast place for local workers.
I had lunch at the place. One time I had their burger. It was about $7.50. It was fantastic!! I had the same thing again with the same results another time. The meat is excellent and I love the fries. It was all served in nice heavy dishes and heavy dinner ware. Cloth napkins were also a plus.
On another visit I adventured with their Sauerbraten. It came with red cabbage. That along with a draft bear was perfect!
The restaurant has quite a diverse menu. Lobster is always on it at about $20.00. That's quite a good price! Jumbo Crab Cakes were also on the lunch and dinner menus. They were $25.00 at either time.
Some items like the roast rack of pork had different lunch and dinner prices. $12.00 and $15.00.
I noticed quite a few pasta dishes too. Both northern and southern Italian were offered with an American flair. I know my wife would be tempted by their Scallop Linguini. It was written up as Bay of Fundy scallops, applewood smoked bacon, scallions and wild mushrooms in a lobster ginger sauce.
Equally enticing to me was the Wild mushroom ravioli with roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized onions browned in butter and sage.
Chicken dishes, Steaks and Salmon were on both lunch and dinner menus. The Trout Parmesan Parmesan crusted Virginia trout, flash fried and topped with hollandaise sauce, roasted red potatoes and sauteed veggies looked great!. This was $13.00 lunch and $15.00 dinner.
A salad and sandwich deal at $7.50 was excellent. There were about twenty different kinds of sandwiches to choose from.
Wines were about five to ten dollars a glass depending on your selection.
Deserts were all about $4.50. They had pies, Sundays, cakes and puddings. I never tried any, however, the portions I saw going by were a nice size and well presented.
HOURS
Monday -Friday
Breakfast 7:30-11:00
Lunch 11:00-5:00
Dinner 5:00-12:00
Saturday and Sunday
Brunch 8:30-4:00
Dinner 4:oo-12:00
Oh yes, They have take out too!
IN CLOSING
I felt the diverse offerings and reasonable prices made the Old Ebbitt grill a good value. The service was good but not sterling. The inside or atrium selection of dining areas appealed to me. I again stress that this place is terrific for breakfast and lunch with the family. It does take on a more formal atmosphere at dinner time. I don't suggest taking younger or unruly children later in the day. My final recommendation is that if you don't receive a dinner invitation across the street at the White House give the Old Ebbitt Grill a try.
Other reviews by Popsrocks
Washington DC
The Capital Hilton
Fairmont Washington Hotel
The Old Ebbit Grill Good Eats near the White House
The Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial
Washington DC
The Korean War Veteran's Memorial
The Vietnam War Veteran's Memorial
The National World War II Memorial This is a new major memorial that will be dedicated May 2004
The National Art Gallery
The National Archives This has just reopened and it's bigger and better!!
The National Air and Space Museum
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations If time allows, have a drink in the bar before lunch or dinner.
Best Suited For: Trendy Crowd
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