"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. Clydes, one of the longest-running restaurant groups in the U.S., opened its first restaurant in Georgetown in 1963. hide caption. [134], Restaurant Business Magazine reported in October 2014 that Old Ebbitt Grill ranked third in the nation in revenue for 2013. The Old Ebbitt Grill, which was originally founded in 1856 and is regarded as D.C.'s oldest restaurant, is famous for serving celebrities, presidents, other dignitaries and scores of. Over time, only the "Old Ebbitt Grill" name was used. An exterior scene was shown and then Clint Eastwood and John Mahoney were shown sitting at Grant's Bar inside. Clyde's Restaurant Group bought the Ebbitt, seen along F Street, and reopened it in 1972. Their website says: Ebbitt Express caters to local workers, shoppers and visitors on the go. The office space was enlarged. The Cabinet room can accommodate events from 5-75 guests. ", Tuck, Lon. The new owners refused to renew Gumpert's lease on a yearly basis. See: Kelly, John. When I got hired there, I swear to God, it was like telling my father that I got signed by the Yankees, because he would walk around the restaurant like, "Hey, how you doing? [9] Smith joined the two houses into a single unit, and named them "Frenchman's Hotel" because he employed a French immigrant as the manager of the facility. An oil painting behind the bar of a nude reclining near a lily pond was painted about 1900 by Jean-Paul Gervais. 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. Martin, Douglas. 2 Reviews. [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. "Panel Asks Buildings Be Preserved. In 1800, Crawford built two four-story Federal-style houses on the two easternmost parcels of this property. ", Eisen, Jack. 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. 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. Load More Products. "Out to Dinner and a Show. In 1907, John Helmus, who oversaw the serving staff and bar for 39 years, died. . [78] Humphreys had already been identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was facing prosecution for his actions. "You unlock that revolving door, and the world comes through," David Moran says. He also planned to add a women-only restaurant to the lobby, at a time when many public facilities excluded women. The nearest Metro stations are Metro Center and McPherson Square. He was the restaurant's general manager on 9/11 and says it took until early 2002 for the restaurant to get back on its feet. [125], By 2008, however, Old Ebbitt Grill's reviews had improved. Can I bring my own wine? ", "Old Ebbitt Grill Among Top-Grossing Independent Restaurants", "From News To Nightcaps: Washington's Graham Family Buys The Clyde's Group". Full-Time. "High Alert, High Anxiety. hide caption. [34][35] Over the next two years, Burch and Gibbs completely refurnished all the rooms, adding new furniture and Belgian carpets, re-papered or added painted frescoes to the ceilings, and installed new furniture in the hallways. [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. Major General Winfield Scott Hancock,[4] Commanding General of the United States Army William Tecumseh Sherman, and Rear Admiral Samuel Rhoads Franklin all lived there for a time. Washington, DC. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Paintings of game birds by Robin Hill hang in the Cabinet Room. Nick Iannelli | niannelli@wtop.com. ", "Reality Check: US Restaurateurs Say Consumer Sent Still Stuck. In 1994, Clydes Restaurant Group commissioned Nantucket artist James Harrington a self-taught, impressionist painter to capture unofficial Washington. Today, no one can pinpoint the houses exact location, but it was most likely on the edge of present-day Chinatown. City of Rockville Historic District Commission. [23], In the late 1800s, this hotel was considered one of the most fashionable in the city; its lodgings and restaurant were patronized by politicians and high-ranking military officers. The night before, Ebbitt Grill ran out of liquor by 10:45 P.M. 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. But how we get from today to there? But this is not a typical year, and the coronavirus pandemic has led to staggering financial losses for the legendary D.C. restaurant. ", du Lac, J. and Butterworth IV, William E. Gutheim, Frederick Albert and Lee, Antoinette Josephine. [55], The history of the restaurant between its establishment in 1926 and the 1980s is not well documented. Old Ebbitt Grill was featured in the 1993 film In the Line of Fire. Old Ebbitt serves a diverse menu including seafood, steaks, and pasta. The Clyde's Connection. He also praised the Breakfast Club, a deep-fried ham, French toast, and bacon breakfast sandwich. [73] In February 1980, Carr agreed to preserve the facades of the Keith-Albee and National Metropolitan Bank buildings as part of the Metropolitan Square development. In 1970, the Internal Revenue Service closed the restaurant after tax trouble. A First-Ever Spinoff of Old Ebbitt Grill Is Coming to Reston Tipped minimum wage increases in DC, Pedestrian struck and killed on I-295 in DC, Driver injured after tree falls on SUV Saturday night; Wise Rd. The bar and restaurant in the. Main content starts here, tab to start navigating. 50% off Shift Meal. No tour of the restaurant is complete without a glimpse into the handsome private dining room downstairs. Reynolds smuggled the document out of North's office and took it to a luncheon meeting at Old Ebbitt with Attorney General Edwin Meese. ", Commanding General of the United States Army, List of the oldest restaurants in the United States. Old Ebbitt Grill is closed only on Christmas. ", Zak, Dan. The sale price was $11,250. The Old Ebbitt Grill was the first expansion beyond the original Clyde's in Georgetown. It first opened as an unnamed restaurant in the Ebbitt House Hotel. Carr had already negotiated to move the Old Ebbitt Grill to a new location within the new structure. [30] Rear Admiral John Lee Davis also lived and died there. Today there are a dozen locations across D.C., Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland, including the Tombs, 1789 Restaurant, Hamilton Live, and Clydes of Chevy Chase, Gallery Place, and Mark Center. "It's beyond iconic, man. Old Ebbitt Grill brought to its knees by the pandemic Report inappropriate content. Choreographer and director Bob Fosse was preparing to host a party at Old Ebbitt Grill when he collapsed outside the restaurant and died of a heart attack on September 23, 1987. They offer a wide range of options suitable for all the family. [131], In 2011, The Washington Post listed Old Ebbitt Grill as one of the top three raw bars in the city. 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. And for the last four years, at least 75 federal housing vouchers have gone unused. 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. "He was more proud that day than the day I was born.". [99] Instead, the basement contained a large private dining room. The mahogany Main Bar is a copy of the bar at the F Street location, which had rotted beyond repair. Actually, good is too light a word to describe the oldest and most historic saloon in town. The media reported on Old Ebbitt Grill only a few times. Sam suggests the restaurant for a lunch meeting location, but is rebuffed and has the meeting at the fictional Patrick's instead. For example, after the repeal of Prohibition in the United States, Ebbitt Grill sought a liquor license in May 1934. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow @WTOP on Twitter to engage in conversation about this article and others. [75] By 1977, Washington Post food critic Donald Dresden was praising the restaurants bacon cheeseburgers and innovative menu items: "Imitators are still trying to top Clyde's and the Ebbitt's bacon cheeseburgers and the disc-shaped deep-fried potatoes that come withbut they'll have to keep trying still. Please enter a valid email and try again. [77], Old Ebbitt Grill gained notoriety in 1977 as the location where a Soviet spy ring operated. (202) 347-4800. [51] By this time, the hotel was so run down that the furnishings often went for a fraction of their replacement value, most going for less than a dollar. ", Schulte, Brigid. The restaurant group initially applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan but later told WAMU via email that it had withdrawn the application. [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. Facing tough competition, the hotel closed in 1925 and was torn down, eventually replaced by the National Press Club building. [4] Presidents Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren G. Harding all drank in the bar there. 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. [116] Washington Post food critic Eve Zibart, writing in August 1995, said that its highly polished woodwork, counter facing the ice bed and shuckers, and excellent selection of oysters made it a "first-class raw bar". In a 1972 Washington Star article, the renovated Ebbitt is painted as a bit of a rough-and-tumble downtown spot for cheap eats (corned beef hash and eggs, $2.25) that caters to daytime diners and late-night drinkers. Claim this business. $45.00. Metro Station near Old Ebbitt Grill - Washington DC Forum It retained that name after its ownership changes in 1961 and 1970. 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. Our dress is casualwe welcome you in a tuxedo, jeans, a business suit, shorts or a cocktail dress. However, the diversion of funds to the Contras was not yet exposed. All rights reserved. They got a lot of history and myth for their money. Old Ebbitt Grill Navy Collared Polo Shirt. Were not running at a rate which is long-term sustainable, McDonnell said. The United States expelled Alekseyev on February 6, 1977. [13] Given the numerous newspapers with offices along 14th Street between E and F Streets, the area was nicknamed "Newspaper Row," a name it would hold into the 1930s. Bringing its rich history with it, the "new" Old Ebbitt remains a historic landmark. ", Irwin, Neil and Hedgpeth, Dana. "Ebbitt Hotel, Gone, Had Its Beginning in Boarding House. [132] Post food reviewer Tom Sietsema, however, had little good to say about the entrees (nearly all of which he found disappointing) and the service (which he found to be tardy and focused more on getting customers to buy more food). [22], Ebbitt House and its restaurant were razed in 1926 to make way for the National Press Club building. Ebbitt House Hotel was razed in 1925 to make way for the National Press Building, built in 1926. [125] The restaurant was also criticized by the newspaper for being too noisy for conversation,[126] and providing bland hamburgers, salads, and breakfast. [124] The restaurant was praised by The Washington Post for being able to accommodate large groups, offering a variety of plain and upscale food, providing friendly service, and having the best raw bar in the city. Old Ebbitt Grill is a historic bar and restaurant located at 675 15th Street NW in Washington, D.C., in the United States. ", Curry, William N. "Tax Evasion in the District Is Punishable By a Wristslap. I'm J Luke's dad,'" Lukacs says. On the left of the foyer and up the five marble stairs is the Corner Bar. We do have access to capital and we can fight our way through this, said McDonnell. Locally sourced seafood & seasonal produce. ", Wheeler, Linda. Old Ebbitt Grill - Wikipedia [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. This allows a bottle of wine to remain open for up to two weeks without spoiling. [135], In July 2019, Clyde's Restaurant Group was acquired by Graham Holdings.[136]. "People often think that Washington never had any good restaurants in the past, and they think it's all happened in the last 10 years," he says. He decided to devote the whole 14th Street side to the restaurant, as well as to renovate the kitchen. Diners sat in high-backed leather chairs. 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. Old Ebbitt became Washington's first known saloon. ", Argetsinger, Amy and Roberts, Roxanne. Wines, whiskeys, and brandies were served from two large storerooms. "The Old Ebbitt Grill is not going to continue to be a takeout and delivery-only business." Since the city mandated all sitdown restaurants close their doors in mid-March, Old Ebbitt Grill has been forced into a takeout-only establishment. ", The trestle has sat unused and in poor condition for years. cambridge. But it is working to continue giving them 100% of their pay, even as they remain sidelined. [13] On May 16, 1818, Dorsey sold the house to William Blanchard. The Contras were guerrilla fighters opposed to the communist government of Nicaragua led by Daniel Ortega. On the east side was the now-famous Red Parlor, a gentleman's lounge fitted with rich red and gold draperies, fabric wall coverings, and upholstered furniture. [110] It spent $17,000 a month on table linens. . $25.00. [89] The walls were paneled in mahogany and the ceilings decorated with murals and stencils. Old Ebbitt Grill - Home - Facebook ", "Visitors to the Mall Have Plenty of Dining Options While Sightseeing. As demolition proceeded, Old Ebbitt Grill hosted a large party which won notice in The Washington Post. "Scientists Use a Warm Bath to Get Oysters in the Mood. [36] Despite the success of the changes, Gibbs left Ebbitt House in 1893 after purchasing Wormley's Hotel. The menu served buffet-style included Blue Point oysters, green sea turtle, Kennebec River salmon, mutton, chicken, hominy fritters, stewed diamondback terrapin, canvasback duck, English pheasant, and a variety of vegetables, fruits, cheese, crackers, nuts, pies, and puddings. 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. [33] What was known as the "New Ebbitt Caf" opened in November 1910. "[74] The new owners retained Old Ebbitt's dark paneling, shelves of beer steins, mounted game trophies, and spittoons, which it had long showcased. [67][71][72], The new Old Ebbitt Grill improved its menu. [77] Its crab cakes were poorly reviewed as too bland and heavy with bread. "Let Them Eat Crab Cakes. Is there a corkage fee? In the 1940s and 50s, Gruning's may well have been North Jersey's most popular ice cream chain. We have made updates. 25% off Discount at all Clyde's Restaurants including 1 guest. We have an excellent reputation for honoring requests from those with allergies. The restaurant was first threatened with demolition in 1962. The three carved glass panels separating the Main Bar from the Main Dining Room were done by Charles B. Shefts, who carved the mirrors and windows as well. OLD EBBITT GRILL - 9133 Photos & 9984 Reviews - Yelp The Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington's oldest saloon, was founded in 1856 when, according to legend, innkeeper William E. Ebbitt bought a boarding house. 233 2nd St NW, Washington DC, DC 20001-2136. Cruvinet systems, which can be mobile or installed and can accommodate anywhere from two to 120 bottles, immediately recork a bottle of wine. Just minutes before the curtain rose on the Washington debut of the play, the cast learned that the United States had declared war on Iraq and begun the Gulf War. "Richard Forrest and His Times: 1795-1830. They ended up buying the restaurant instead. OLD EBBITT GRILL - 9131 Photos & 9979 Reviews - 675 15th St NW, Washington, District of Columbia - Bars - Restaurant Reviews - Phone Number - Menu - Yelp Old Ebbitt Grill 9979 reviews Claimed $$ Bars, American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch Closed 9:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day) See hours See all 9163 photos Write a review Add photo Save Menu For now, the restaurant has laid off more than 240 employees, which is about 85% of its staff. In 1977, developer Oliver T. Carr proposed tearing down the entire block between F and G streets NW and 14th and 15th streets NW and constructing a 12-story hotel and office building complex to be called Metropolitan Square. [92] The interior decoration was designed to mimic the bar at 1427 F Street, and included the game trophies, some of which were originals, not recreations, and rumored to have been shot by President Theodore Roosevelt. [21] The massive chandeliers led the dining room to be called "the Crystal Room. He was ecstatic when he got a job there. The Atrium Dining Room in the rear offers table seating, although fixed, long benches provide some seating. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [91] The architectural firm of Andrews & Chatelain designed the interior. 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. April 24, 2023 Amore Eats' co-owner Pei Hsieh was craving Taiwanese cooking when she couldn't visit home during COVID. [19][20] The dining room was in the rear of the hotel, on the site of what used to be Farnham House, which in photographs from the period shows as the last three windows on 14th Street.
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