The old hotel continued to stand, and rumors said the building would be turned into a department store or a movie theater. Delivery & Pickup Options - 9984 reviews of Old Ebbitt Grill "There is nothing negative I can say about the Old Ebbitt Grille, it is just that good. ", Zibart, Eve. Beginning in 1984, officials in the Reagan administration sought to sell conventional weapons to Iran via Israel in exchange for Iran using its influence to win the release of American hostages being held by Hezbollah and other terrorist groups in Lebanon, which was then in the throes of a civil war. April 23, 2010, p. 7. Old Ebbitt Grill White Collared Polo Shirt. ", Dickey, Christopher. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. Shutt died in 1919, and his widow attempted to run the hotel. By 1970, the Old Ebbitt Grill had fallen on hard times and an auction was held to satisfy a federal tax claim. [46] Three months later, city officials accused Shutt of selling liquor in the bar to underage children. $45.00. The most important step is for the server to be notified at the outstart of the meal about any special needs. Laytham said the restaurant turned away 800 to 900 customers a day and did $26 million in sales in 2011. Washington Post reporter Pamela Kessler said in 1981, "The restaurant feels like old Philadelphia, rather than a slicker, parvenu Washington". In 1970, the Internal Revenue Service closed the restaurant after tax trouble. That displaced 90% of its workforce, leaving a "massive" financial strain on the company. "High-Level Iran Cover-Up Shown in Testimony, Documents. The Old Ebbitt brigade consists of 300 employees, over 100 of who work in the kitchen directly under Chef Joseph Allen's guidance. The office space was enlarged. The sale price was $11,250. Facing tough competition, the hotel closed in 1925 and was torn down, eventually replaced by the National Press Club building. on that one.". [105], President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush met the singer and actor Sting at Old Ebbitt Grill in September 1989 after his Washington debut in the title role in Three Penny Opera. ", Stroup, Sheila. "Food & Drink: Changing Needs? Old Ebbitt Grill was featured in the 1993 film In the Line of Fire. The Atrium Dining Room contains a large marble fountain, and is open to the atrium in the center of Metropolitan Square. [32] From the late 1860s until the 1910s, it was considered "Army and Navy Headquarters" because of the number of military personnel who lived there and the large number of veterans' meetings held there. No tour of the restaurant is complete without a glimpse into the handsome private dining room downstairs. After Lofstrand's death in 1955, the restaurant was purchased by Peter Bechas in 1961. Before the demolition, a restaurateur named Anders Lofstrand bought many of the hotel's furnishings and incorporated them into his new restaurant a block away, DeFerrari says, which was eventually named Old Ebbitt Grill. Today, Clyde's Restaurant Group has grown to include 13 properties. [13] On May 16, 1818, Dorsey sold the house to William Blanchard. 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 202.347.4800. A series of lawsuits, petitions, and intervention by city and federal officials occurred. He decided to devote the whole 14th Street side to the restaurant, as well as to renovate the kitchen. It has also been the site of parties hosted by famous actors and singers. [13] By 1865, it housed the D.C. offices of the New York Herald. [112] In May 1994, Old Ebbitt Grill added a take-out service, Ebbitt Express, in the atrium section of its restaurant. ", Argetsinger, Amy and Roberts, Roxanne. "Zephyr Hopes to Exploit Mystique of Luxury Train Travel.". Old Ebbitt Grill donates its used oyster shells to the alliance, which plants baby oysters, known as "spat", on the shells and deposits them in the bay. Craney. [26] Future president William McKinley and his wife lived there from 1877 to 1890, during his entire congressional career. Before placing your order, please inform your server if you have a food allergy or dietary need. [22], Ebbitt House struggled to compete against the larger and more lavish Willard Hotel, and the Raleigh Hotel, built in 1893. [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. ", "Jury In Ebbitt House Case Fails to Agree. The restaurant had seating for 200 at tables and in booths. Were doing about 5% of the sales that we typically do, McDonnell said. ", Reel, Monte. In the 1920s, when the Ebbitt moved to a converted haberdashery at 1427 F Street NW, they were combined into a single Old Ebbitt Grill. Please note, that the Cabinet Room is located on the lower level of the restaurant down a flight of stairs and is not handicap accessible. [125] The restaurant was also criticized by the newspaper for being too noisy for conversation,[126] and providing bland hamburgers, salads, and breakfast. ", "The Removal of Chief Justice Chase's Body. ", Fehr, Stephen C. and Haggerty, Maryann. Old Ebbitt serves a diverse menu including seafood, steaks, and pasta. Over time, only the "Old Ebbitt Grill" name was used. The restaurants business has slowed to a crawl as it tries to offer carryout options. [68] Clyde's was founded in 1963 by Davidson, then an investment banker, after new legislation made it legal to serve liquor to patrons standing at bars. Back waiters were required to have excellent physical strength and good balance. 5425 Wisconsin Ave And so how you open those and try to enforce any sort of 6-foot rule; I don't really know how you would do that," Claire says, who adds that the bars bring in about a third of the restaurant's sales. Book now at Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, D.C., DC. Old Ebbitt Grill 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20005 202-347-4800 www.ebbitt.com Old Ebbitt Grill is in a great location, and is a fantastic option if you are looking for a wider variety of food in addition to oysters. 50% off Shift Meal. DDOT/DDOT Along the way, the restaurant acquired beer steins, animal heads (reputedly bagged by Teddy Roosevelt) and wooden bears said to have been imported by Alexander Hamilton for his private bar. Willard. The restaurant, called "cheerful and sunny" by the Washington Post, fronted onto 14th Street NW, was lit with crystal chandeliers, and could seat up to 225 people. You may not bring corkage for a wine that is currently on our list (producer, wine, and vintage). "'WWR' and Ford: Celebrating a Union. By 1970, the Old Ebbitt Grill had fallen on hard times and an auction was held to satisfy a federal tax claim. newsletter, Shaw Ramen Bar Haikan Turns to Tacos Through the Summer, Fast-Casual Rasa Breaks Into Maryland And More Openings, D.C.s Polished New Planta Queen Isnt Your Average Vegan Restaurant, Inside Ellie Bird, a Family-Friendly Cafe for Falls Church, Burger Hit Mlange Calls It Quits at CityVista And More Closings. The rest of the time, it serves pretty much whatever purpose a diner has in mind, be it a power breakfast, a business lunch, a bar scene,. in DC remains closed, After more than a half-century in public office, Cardin wont seek reelection in 2024, Summer road trips might not cost you nearly as much as they did last year, Prince George's Co. Public Schools celebrates 'Decision Day' for Class of 2023. The federal program is supposed to give financial assistance to smaller businesses, and McDonnell said his group, which operates a dozen restaurants in the D.C. region, does not really fit into that category. 600 14th St NW The Hamilton, Washington DC, DC 20005-2008. Old Ebbitt Grill Washington, DC's oldest bar, established in 1856. DC Jazz Festival. ", Salmon, Jacqueline. Since 1917, the liquor law had required that alcohol only be consumed while sitting at tables. ", Roig-Franzia, Manuel. [21] The massive chandeliers led the dining room to be called "the Crystal Room. [24] It is well-documented that President Ulysses S. Grant and President Andrew Johnson both dined in the restaurant frequently,[25] as did abolitionist clergyman Henry Ward Beecher. WashingtonPost.com. Peter Afriyie/WAMU/DCist We do not have published calorie information as our menus change daily, weekly, and monthly. It reopened in 1972 and moved to its current location on 15th Street in 1983, the site of an old Vaudeville theater and movie house. ", "Ebbitt House Auction Draws Curious Crowd. See: Kelly, John. Old Ebbitt Grill Closing : Top Picked from our Experts - RecipesChoice ", "Press Club to Start Ebbitt House Razing. 675 15th St NW Washington D.C., DC 20005 Established in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is the oldest dining saloon in Washington. So she opened a restaurant. The restaurant said it would lease 13,492 square feet (1,253.4m2) of space on two levels, with the bar, main restaurant, and oyster bar on the main level. The long bar still sported mounted game animal trophies overhead, the fixtures were of marble or brass, and the curtains of lace. Make a reservation on our site through OpenTable or call 202-347-4800. The possibilities include a rooftop terrace, connected to a penthouse space for events. [94] Within a year, the restaurant was mostly being patronized by yuppies, lawyers, and tourists. ", Von Eckardt, Wolf "Big Stakes In a New City Game. Call 202.347.4800; Reservations; Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; Contact Us; Careers; The new hotel featured a restaurant that poured Veuve Clicquot and dished out leg of mutton with caper sauce. Main content starts here, tab to start navigating. ", "Anders R. Lofstrand, Ex-State Senator, 42. The one-time general manager of Old Ebbitt Grill has hosted his share of power brokers, entertainers and tourists (he remembers the time Bono popped in for oysters and a Guinness). Locally sourced seafood & seasonal produce. Clydes, one of the longest-running restaurant groups in the U.S., opened its first restaurant in Georgetown in 1963. Load More Products. On his last day before the lockdown, he says his experience with a few regulars was "surreal. "It's now a symbol of the connection I think between the old Washington and its ways and the new Washington that we have now. A new version of D.C.'s venerable Old Ebbitt Grill is coming to Reston, filling a gap created when its parent company closed Clyde's of Reston last year after more than three decades at. [77] Washington Post reporter Pamela Kessler observed in 1981 that its signature dishes included chili, blue cheese and Welsh rarebit hamburgers, quiche Lorraine, a Reuben sandwich, and steaks. "When we do go back to work, I have no idea what we're going back to," Lukacs says. An exterior scene was shown and then Clint Eastwood and John Mahoney were shown sitting at Grant's Bar inside. [10][13] Exactly a year later, Craney sold the property to Caleb C. Willard, brother of Willard Hotel owner Henry A. In July 1925, The Washington Post reported that Gumpert was constructing a new 10-story, 125-room Ebbitt House hotel at 10th and H Streets NW. Freedom. Street parking is limited. Two fire companies had to respond to the blaze, which did $5,000 worth of damage. Bringing its rich history with it, the "new" Old Ebbitt remains a historic landmark. While Prohibition lasted, Ebbitt Grill was known as part of "Rum Row"former bars in an area bounded by 13th and 14th streets NW and E and F streets NW which continued to sell alcohol furtively. [49] In 1923, the Willard estate, which had retained ownership since Lucy Willard's death in 1910, decided to sell the hotel. They going to shut the Old Ebbitt down?'". The restaurant was forced to close for two days when streets near the White House were closed. OLD EBBITT GRILL - 9135 Photos & 9989 Reviews - Yelp April 17, 2023 Forty to 100 people age out of foster care each year in DC. In 1978, it was one of the few establishments in Washington, D.C., to serve Guinness Stout on tap. Old Ebbitt Grill Restaurant - Washington, D.C., DC | OpenTable [86] There was little opposition to the demolition of most of the block, which included the Old Ebbitt Grill site. [55], The history of the restaurant between its establishment in 1926 and the 1980s is not well documented. [111] The Washington Post's Phyllis Richman claimed the combination of superb hamburgers with seasonal foods such as fresh Alaskan halibut, corn on the cob in the summer, and locally grown vegetables and berries, was what drew customers. In December 1985, Oliver North, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps who was serving as a military aide to the National Security Council, proposed selling the weapons directly to Iran at a $15 million mark-up. Clydes of Reston served its last crab cake at Reston Town Center last spring after a 31-year run, and Ebbitt House marks the brands anticipated return to the area. The United States expelled Alekseyev on February 6, 1977. ", du Lac, J. But it is working to continue giving them 100% of their pay, even as they remain sidelined. At the time, the District of Columbia was not divided into quadrants, and the streets had yet to be described as northwest, southeast, etc. Although originally a four-hour, all-you-can eat and drink event held on one day, by 2011 Oyster Riot had expanded to a three-day event held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. [41] H.C. Burch died the following year. The Cabinet room can accommodate events from 5-75 guests. [85] No legislation was enacted, however. It reopened at the same location on October 13, 1970. The Iran-Contra affair was exposed by the press on November 3, 1986, and on November 13, President Reagan publicly admitted that an arms-for-hostages deal existed. 222 posts. Evelyn, Douglas E.; Dickson, Paul; and Ackerman, S.J. In 2010, Old Ebbitt Grill joined the Shell Recycling Alliance, a project of the Oyster Recovery Partnership, anonprofit helping to restore oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay. The accent here is on wholesome, healthy food, freshly prepared every day using the natural, locally-produced ingredients A replica was crafted instead. ", Ward, Alex. Bechas was successfully prosecuted for failure to pay sales taxes in 1963 and 1966, and was prosecuted again in 1970. [89] 1427 F Street NW was demolished in early December 1983. "Three Bars With Ties to D.C.'s Prohibition Past. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. But, as McDonnell noted, the Old Ebbitt Grill is just not built for carryout and casual, fast service. This allows a bottle of wine to remain open for up to two weeks without spoiling. Sculptures by John Dreyfuss adorn the Atrium Dining Room. Today, no one can pinpoint the houses exact location, but it was most likely on the edge of present-day Chinatown. The Beltway sniper attacks of fall 2002 did not affect business, which continued to hold steady through February 2003, a time of high alert and anxiety. "Richard Forrest and His Times: 1795-1830. "Landmark Passes As Ebbitt House Doors Are Closed. Old Ebbitt intended to close its doors in April 1983 and reopen a few weeks later in the new location in May. The Contras were guerrilla fighters opposed to the communist government of Nicaragua led by Daniel Ortega. Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC, Restaurants ", Goodman, Christy. He helped incorporate the Calvert Club, a private gentleman's drinking establishment dedicated to the memory of Leonard Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore in 1914. 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". Lukacs remembers visiting Old Ebbitt on the Fourth of July several times as a child. Explore menu, see photos and read 26470 reviews: "An absolute sensational breakfast and impeccable service - thank you ". Washington, DC. [2] He joined the Ebbitt and Reed properties into a single unit enclosing a 4-foot (1.2m) wide alley between the two and built bathrooms with oval windows in the space above. ", Tuck, Lon. Staff Report. John Laytham and Stuart Davidson, who owned Clyde's of Georgetown, attended the auction of Old Ebbitt's memorabilia, hoping to snag the restaurant's beer-stein collection. Best Raw Bar in the city with oysters from both coasts, clams, shrimp and Maine lobster. [91] The architectural firm of Andrews & Chatelain designed the interior. However, it has changed owners and locations several times, which may invite the claim that it is not "continuously operated". [4] The same year, Willard purchased Bushrod Reed's property as well. Griffin, W.E.B. [4][18] The hotel had 300 rooms, canopied windows, and an elevator. It changed hands a couple times in the following years, eventually becoming a hotel operated by Caleb C. Willard, brother of Willard Hotel proprietors Joseph and Henry. "City Allows Demolition of Historic Tavern. We are finalizing details on our own program we are creating as an additional way to take care of our employees.". David Moran, area director of operations for Clyde's Restaurants, says to-go orders are a "bridge to get us through" the pandemic, but won't sustain Old Ebbitt's business longterm. In attendance were Wyatt Cenac, Rosario Dawson, Mick Foley, Tim Meadows, John Oliver, then a Colbert show regular, and Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, the hosts of the MythBusters television series. As the years passed, it moved to a number of new locations. [48], The renovations were not enough. White House-adjacent Old Ebbitt Grill, the iconic crown jewel of Clydes Restaurant Group, is expanding for the first time in its centuries-old history. [113], In 1995, business dropped after Pennsylvania Avenue NW was closed to street traffic and curbside parking was eliminated in front of the restaurant on 15th Street NW for security reasons following the bombing by an American domestic terrorist of the Oklahoma Federal Building. Around the corner from the Main Bar is the famous Oyster Bar, featuring paintings by marine artist Peter Egeli and Chesapeake Bay watercolor-ist J. Robert Burnell. ", Joynt, Carol Ross. The restaurant was incorporated by Anders Lofstrand, Sr., as a stand-alone business. The Omelet Room did not make the transition to the new location. Manager Erin Claire has concerns about what reopening might look like, given social-distancing restrictions that may stay in place. The . [4] Presidents Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren G. Harding all drank in the bar there. hide caption. [61] His son, Anders R. Lofstrand, Jr., invented a machine to wash drinking glasses at Old Ebbitt Grill. [8] Although it is unclear what happened to the property after Sarah Crawford's death, some time prior to 1856 it was purchased by William J. "It was almost like a joke. In 1983, the Old Ebbitt Grill was uprooted one last time when it moved around the corner to its current location at 675 15th Street NW to the Beaux-Arts building that was once the old B. F. Keith's Theater. The restaurant was uprooted one last time when it moved around the corner to its current location. Bartender was very knowledgeable and accommodating pointing us to the best spots to go in town. "To Tan, a Place in the Sun Not Needed. [5] William Crawford installed Richard and Sarah Forrest in his houses, and they inherited them upon his death. [56], The Ebbitt House bar, its paneling, and decorations were removed before the hotel's demolition and installed at a new location at 1427 F Street NW. The bar and restaurant in the. He also planned to add a women-only restaurant to the lobby, at a time when many public facilities excluded women. Established in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington's oldest saloon, just steps from The White House and museums downtown. The restrooms were moved into the basement so they could be enlarged with lounges. The booths had green leather seats and velvet-covered walls, and were separated from one another by etched glass dividers. Old Ebbitt Grill, One Of The City's Oldest Restaurants, Is Barely [106] The Rolling Stones dined at the restaurant a few weeks later after a concert in the city. It began using the name "New Ebbitt Caf" in November 1910. For example, after the repeal of Prohibition in the United States, Ebbitt Grill sought a liquor license in May 1934. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington gave Old Ebbitt Grill its Visitors' Choice Award in 2011. The glassy new edition in suburbia will import Old Ebbitts popular menu of American classics, twice-a-day happy hours, oyster-fueled raw bar, and plentiful seafood towers. . [107] In 1991, playwright Neil Simon, director Gene Saks and the cast of the play Lost in Yonkers held the opening night after-party on January 17 at Old Ebbitt Grill. "The Old Ebbitt Grill is not going to continue to be a takeout and delivery-only business.". ", "Old Ebbitt Grill Among Top-Grossing Independent Restaurants", "From News To Nightcaps: Washington's Graham Family Buys The Clyde's Group". Reynolds smuggled the document out of North's office and took it to a luncheon meeting at Old Ebbitt with Attorney General Edwin Meese. "Failures Eat Into Restaurant Community. Is there a corkage fee? We have an excellent reputation for honoring requests from those with allergies. What are my transportation options and is parking available nearby? But in January 2012, De Lo's closed for good. ", Hall, Charles W. "Bob Fosse Dies After Collapsing On D.C. [40] Caleb Willard, now one of the most famous and wealthiest men in Washington, D.C., died on August 2, 1905. Some 270 employees, or 90% of its staff, are out of work. [35] Willard's estate rented Ebbitt House to George R. Shutt, who had formerly managed the National Hotel at 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. In 1976, Vladimir I. Alekseyev, a reporter for the Soviet Union's news agency, TASS, contacted United States Information Agency employee Ronald L. Humphreywho was already acting as a spy for the North Vietnamese government. Reynolds discovered the document in North's files during a meeting with North in his White House office. [67][71][72], The new Old Ebbitt Grill improved its menu. "At Clyde's, Treat Yourself to a Good Lunch and Cause. This federal-style room is reminiscent of a downtown club with spirit of the Chesapeake Bay. "You don't need to be an economist to figure not everyone is going to survive this. 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. A jury could not reach agreement on the charges in December 1913,[47] but the charges were not dismissed until September 1914. An oil painting behind the bar of a nude reclining near a lily pond was painted about 1900 by Jean-Paul Gervais. Menus | Old Ebbitt Grill [93] Old Ebbitt's famous mahogany bar was not installed in the new location. "Scientists Use a Warm Bath to Get Oysters in the Mood. It's been bought and sold by various individuals and companies. [130] After a slow summer, business at the restaurant had slowed so much that sales were steady compared to 2011. [137], Oyster Riot is an annual oyster eating event held at Old Ebbitt Grill each November on the weekend before Thanksgiving. The building which later was owned by William E. Ebbitt was located on the southeast corner of F Street NW and 14th Street NW in the city of Washington, D.C. [135], In July 2019, Clyde's Restaurant Group was acquired by Graham Holdings.[136]. Guests dined at tables set with tablecloths imported from Scotland, using Haviland & Co. Limoges porcelain china, silver-handled knives and forks manufactured by Reed & Barton, and Bohemian glassware. ", Kessler, Pamela. Gruning's, South Orange. At breakfast, the waiters wore brown cutaway jackets, vests, and pants with a gold stripe, while in the evening they changed into black tuxedos. The business also failed to deposit withholding taxes on employee wages with the city. If he weren't living in his girlfriend's place, Lukacs, 46, says he'd have to move back in with his parents. ", Pincus, Walter and Morgan, Dan. Daily Oyster & Raw Bar Happy Hour. Were simply doing the best we can to make it to the other side.. "The Raw Truth About Shellfish. The new owners refused to renew Gumpert's lease on a yearly basis. ", Bucklin, Randolph E. "Old Ebbitt to Be Moved Next Door. ", There was a family connection between Ebbitt House and the Willard Hotel. Stuart Davidson (1922 - 2001) and John Laytham (1944-2019), owners of a newer Washington institution, Clyde's of Georgetown, expressed an interest in buying the Ebbitt's collection of antique beer steins to display at Clyde's. The Living Room. [63], The restaurant had little reputation by 1969, and was primarily known for its pork chops, seafood, and steaks, and as one of the few D.C. restaurants to serve dinner until 12:30 A.M.[65] In July 1969, Old Ebbitt Grill was one of 171 firms in the city cited for non-payment of taxes. For now, the restaurant has laid off more than 240 employees, which is about 85% of its staff. The chairs in the dining room are copies of antique Victorian bentwood chairs from a New York Central Railroad dining car, replicated by furniture manufacturer Shelby Williams. [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. The mahogany bar was slightly lowered, new HVAC installed, and a general $130,000 refurbishment completed. Parking garages are available in our building on both G and F Streets. Drinks are great, food is good, and if your into oysters, feel free to order up a dozen or so-they . cambridge. ", Commanding General of the United States Army, List of the oldest restaurants in the United States. Wines, whiskeys, and brandies were served from two large storerooms. ", Romano, Carlin and Mastrangelo, Joseph. April 21, 2023 New renderings of Metro's 8000-series train cars show the transit agency is switching up the trains' seating configuration, moving forward with the open gangway concept. "It's beyond iconic, man. [22], Ebbitt House and its restaurant were razed in 1926 to make way for the National Press Club building. Meet some of the people that have made Old Ebbitt such a success. [53] However, in November 1925, the owners announced that the building would be razed to make way for the National Press Club Building. ", Weil, Martin. 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. Paintings by Kamil Kubik on the north wall depict festive, patriotic scenes near The White House and near the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. [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.