This old house: You know it's historic because it has the word "old" right there in the name. (stana2z via Flickr)
Not being an expert but having been around a little, I’m betting there aren’t many restaurants in Washington, D.C., that are more historic than Old Ebbitt Grill.
These days, you’ll find Old Ebbitt on 15th Street downtown, right beside the White House, but it hasn’t always been there.
Its website claims that “Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington’s oldest, most historic saloon, was founded in 1856” and started off life as a boarding house in a slightly different location. It’s actually moved a few times, and is now owned by Clyde’s Restaurant Group.
[ Related: Ella’s in Penn Quarter Makes Eating Healthy as Easy as Pie ]
While it’s true many of its old artifacts are no longer with us, the antique clock situated over the revolving-door entrance is one from a previous location that survived. Today, its Victorian interior brings back memories of turn-of-the-century saloons, and its food is good enough for it to have received a 2010 Diners’ Choice Winner designation from OpenTable.com.
Historic traditions aside, let’s get to the real reason patrons flock to Old Ebbitt – other than to drink their blues away: the food.
According to the site, “The Ebbitt serves upscale American saloon food with an emphasis on fresh and seasonal ingredients.” They brag that they buy from local farms, making sure your veggies and fruits are fresh. The restaurant also sources many of its meats, poultry and seafood from their native regions. Buying local is good.
No one can say the Ebbitt doesn’t give one choices, as its 11 online menus attest. They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
This can get somewhat pricey. The most expensive entrée on the dinner menu is the Grilled New York Strip Steak. Replete with sugar snap peas, sherried mushrooms and mashed potatoes, it’ll run you $24.95. The rest of the entrees listed are in the $13.95-$19.95 range.
OK, so that’s not too bad.
[ Related: Adams Morgan: Exotic Eateries Let You Travel the World, One Morsel at a Time ]
The thing that may separate Old Ebbitt from the rest is its oyster bar, which owners claim is the most famous one in town. What really might separate Ebbitt from the pack (as if it needed more) is the outrageously extensive wine list.
Sitting “just behind Old Ebbitt Grill in a bright soaring atrium,” baby brother Ebbitt Express caters to who you think it would: people on the go. They serve breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Old Ebbitt’s hours, pertaining to which meal they serve, are a bit complicated. Generally speaking, the restaurant is open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday-Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Located just outside Penn Quarter in Northwest, Old Ebbitt is within walking distance of several Metro stations, with Metro Center (Red Line) and McPherson Square (Blue/Orange Line) being the closest.
Apartment renters near Penn Quarter (and soon-to-be renters in the area), there are a zillion reasons why living in the capital is a good choice, and the Old Ebbitt Grill is one of them.
Take advantage of it.
