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Category: American (New) [Edit]
675 15th St NWMcPherson Sq (Blue, Orange)
Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange)
Mon-Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
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Old Ebbitt lays claim to being one of, if not THE, oldest bars in DC. Don't believe the hype. The original Ebbitt's was around the corner on F Street. I visited in the early 80's (I m dating myself, I know, but in my defense, the drinking age was 18 at the time) and it was truly a dive. Oliver Carr tore it down when he redeveloped the property in the mid 80's and moved the original wooden bar and all of the stuffed animals (including the famous walrus head) to its current location on 15 Street. So, it has some of the original furnishings, but the space is not the same.
Not that Im trying to dis the place. The new location is huge and the food is a big improvement over the original. The dining room fare is pretty much your standard Clyde's: solid upscale saloon classics using fresh ingrediants, but nothing that's going to blow you away. The dozen or so draft beers are nothing particularly special; the usual Clyde's selection. But the real reason to come to Ebbitt's? The raw bar happy hour, from 11pm to 1am when everything is half off; they sure know how to pick fresh oysters and clams. And the best thing about the raw bar happy hour? The Orca Platter: one dozen oysters, one dozen clams, one dozen crab claws, one dozen jumbo shrimp and a one pound lobster. Normally $95 and yours for only $50! Now that's a deal!
3.5 stars.
Being Thanksgiving and having no plans, myself and BT (the DC Yelper, not the trance producer) came here for dinner. Reservations were full till 10, so we tried our luck at getting a walk-in seat. I put my name in and was given a buzzer and was told that it would be 45 minutes to an hour. So we went to the front bar area and had a couple drinks. After about a half hour a couple seats at the bar opened and we took those rather than waiting for a table.
Being Thanksgiving, I ordered the traditional turkey dinner which was about what one would expect of a traditional turkey dinner: turkey (both light and dark meat, which was nice), sausage and chestnut stuffing, candied yams, whipped potatoes, and a choice of pie for dessert (I opted for apple since I can pretty easily make a pecan or pumpkin pie with minimal effort). It was all tasty, but nothing really wowed me. Still, I left quite happy. The beer prices were maybe on the high end, but not extraordinarily so, and the bartenders were very friendly throughout. I definitely want to come back some time for a regular meal and see what it's like.
Look at all these reviews...they don't lie.
My supervisor told me to pick any place I wanted to have my farewell dinner at and I, of course, chose the OEG. Are there plenty of other "celebratory" restaurants in the area. Sure there are, but they don't have the same feel or vibe as this place does. It's a classic. And I know that every time I go, I will leave full and happy.
On the 4th, we came in and was told there would be a 45 minute wait. We headed to the bar to order some wine, sit, and relax. Not even 25 minutes went by when we were notified that a table was ready.
We started with grilled oysters, which were delicious. He ordered the Seafood Jambalaya and I had the Veal Stew. He loved the jambalaya and I marveled at the amount of seafood that was in it. They don't skimp, I tell ya. I've had the stew before and enjoy it very much in the colder months. It's such good comfort food and warms the insides. I ended up taking half of it home because the portion was so big.
This is still one of my most favorite places to go for a great meal, excellent service, and a relaxing time. What would I do without it???
Okay, okay, what can I say that hasn't been said already?
This is one of my favorite restaurants if…
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LOCALS: I don't know how I missed this, but THIS IS (basically) a CLYDE'S. So don't wait 45 minutes standing up to eat there, for God's sake! I felt like a total ass once I sat down and saw the menu. Can't believe I waited that long. . . for a Clyde's! I wonder if the Clyde's that's just a few blocks away would typically have a shorter wait.
Old Ebbitt Grill could be considered, by the uninitiated, one of those historic touristy places you visit once, while you're visiting D.C., and never visit again. After all, any restaurant that's hosted Presidents Johnson, McKinley, Grant, Cleveland, and Roosevelt is probably out-of-control pricey and not so great in the food department, right?
Wrong. Old Ebbitt is one of my favorite places to eat in D.C. -- and not just for the atmosphere and history. The food and drinks are fantastic. The service is phenomenal. The seasonal specials and featured dishes are famous and worth a visit at least a few times a year. The prices are shockingly reasonable for a restaurant steps from the White House and the Department of the Treasury. And they serve Rolling Rock, from the tap, outside Pennsylvania. It's basically impossible to dislike Old Ebbitt.
A few dishes I recommend: the tomato, feta and onion salad (when it's available in the summer), the hot steak dinner salad, the chili, and the soft-shell crab (my favorite dish). I've never had the crab cakes, but I understand they're quite good.
Whether you're visiting from out of town and sightseeing near the White House, or you're spending an evening in D.C. hitting the clubs and bars, a trip to Old Ebbitt should be included with any D.C. plans.
I have to come back asap for dinner. Since we were down the street at The W, we decided to stop in for a drink and appetizer at the bar before dinner. I had the Conway oysters. They were so fresh, buttery, I really could eat them without any condiments they were so good! Also shared the grilled oysters. They were got from the grill and wonderful. Our bartender was awesome, he kept topping off our wine glass and didn't charge us. Love those kind of bartenders!
Apparently there is an Oyster Riot here every year, tickets are sold out now, but I will be on top of it when it comes time next year!
I've been to the Old Ebbitt twice in one day. Once for brunch and late night for drinks. Late, night it ranks A-OK -- I got a "Nutty Irishman" and it was a tasty drink and the bartender(s) were very friendly.
HOWEVER, I can't say I was impressed with the food for Saturday brunch. The rather scatter brained waiter said the Crab Cakes were their specialty, so I got them. My guest got some weird french toast wrapped in BACON. She offered me a bite and the thought of fatty bacon wrapped around french toast with ham in the middle made me gag. She likes "pork" and was in "hog heaven".
When my $25 lump crab cakes arrived they looked OK but had the consistency of the Sahara --- dry and not very flavorful --- did I mention DRY? Oh, and I spit out a 1/2 dozen pieces of shell.
I also had a mimosa that was 90% cheap OJ with a little cheap champagne. The place certainly has character, but the food (for what I got) was certainly lacking. I also noticed the table clothe had holes in it -- huh?
Like I said earlier, for drinks, I liked the place. For a meal, I think there are better places in D.C.
Been going to this place since I was in college. Still great! Service and food and atmosphere. Always meet someone famous or politically charged in the bar also. This is a sit down restaurant though so you need to really make time for it and not a great idea to go here for lunch. Make reservations!!!
Went for the Thanksgiving dinner and it was satisfactory. The restaurant itself is nice and it is owned by the Clyde's group. Service was satisfactory but $8 for valet seemed pricey. Nothing wrong, nothing spectacular, A-OK.
I have been to this restaurant a few times and it doesn't disappoint.
My favorite is the crab cake dinner with two crab cakes. They are delicious. You can't get these in Colorado like this. This time it came with au gratin potatoes and green beans. Everything was quite fresh.
I have been with a few friends before and a couple of times by myself. If you are going with friends, make sure that you have a reservation. It is probably the only way you are going to get a table in a reasonable time.
When I go by myself, I find a seat at one of the bars. It is always nice to sit there and visit with other people and the bartenders are quite knowledgeable about the menu and restaurant history.
The nice thing about Old Ebbitt and its sisters restaurants is that they buy local from local farms. It definitely shows from spring through fall.
I finished up my dinner with fresh pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. It was delicious.
Old Ebbitt is one of the places you need to go to when you are visiting Washington, DC, or a place you need to go if you are from the region.
I was starving and just wanted a nice sit down place to eat. It was our last day in DC so we were exhausted and pretty low on funds. My feet were killing me and we were taking a cab back into town and asked the cabbie were we should eat and he mentioned Old Ebbitt Grill. He's never eaten here, but we figured we may as well try it since it was in such a good location in town. We pulled up and I immediately thought this would be a pricey place since it's right next to the White House, but it was so affordable.
I loved it. It as a Monday night and this place was packed, but we only waited about 10 minutes for a table. Service here was awesome. Our waiter was friendly, provided recommendations and just had a great attitude overall. My boyfriend and I both had the filet mignon and our steaks were cooked and seasoned perfectly. They were delicious.
We really wished we had stopped by this place much earlier in our trip. It would have saved us from having a horrible meal a couple of nights before. This will be a regular stop for us whenever we are in town.
If it wasn't for the constant flow of tourists that pack this place silly, I would eat here all the time. They have about 3 bars, a great private dining room downstairs, a full raw bar, and a ton of seating. Even so, it can be really difficult to get a table.
The food is delicious, a slightly more upscale version of Clyde's and they have some cool events here from time to time. If you're looking for a slam dunk and don't mind the wait, this might be the ticket for you...
Don't miss this charming DC classic that isn't rolling over and playing dead.
Located just East of the White House, I'm told that this is the place that the politically connected power players come to dine. So naturally I get worried that I was going to end up with expensive food that doesn't live up to the hype. Thankfully, my fears were misplaced. Old Ebbitt Grill provided my friends and I with great service and a very diverse tasty menu that didn't lend itself to sticker shock.
Plenty of salads, pastas, raw and cooked seafood, and grilled & fried items with influences from the Southern, Mid Atlantic, and New England regional cooking (along with a smattering of some interesting int'l dishes).
Just to be different from my pursuit of the finest crab cakes in the greater Maryland, DC, Virginia area, I settled in for a delicious Autumn Vegetable Platter of roasted squash, wild rice, spinach with an apple cider sauce and orange-cranberry relish. Not to go total veggie, I had the wonderful spicy roasted oysters (and yeah for the butter, too).
My fellow diners had a lobster that was priced cheaper than steak @ 17.95 and the crab cakes @ 14.50 for a single that I should have tried.
This beautiful, wood paneled restaurant isn't relying on it's reputation, but provided us with well served, delicious and interesting food.
My tip: Definitely go! The bartenders looked like they know what they're doing. And make sure you're going with friends who are willing to share what they ordered.
The first time I came to Old Ebbitt's, I saw Ernest Borgnine play the piano while his sassy ladyfriend sang along. True story.
It's like Clyde's, except more expensive, and more baroque in appearance, and they try to get you to order oysters. I mean this in a good way. I'd give it a 3.5 if this were an option.
Good to take visiting relatives, especially after the obligatory walk round the White House. For the price, you can do better for food (even within walking distance), but the experience is a decent one.
Good American style restaurant. Actually went here first with a group of 30 people. The food was excellent and the service was good. Although with the size party that we were we only had one waitress, don't get me wrong she was great but really?
Overall, good place for a solid meal. Bit loud for an intimate first date type thing.
I'm usually not that picky about most places, but I would give Old Ebbitt Grill 3 stars. We were showing some friends around DC and after passing by the White House on a Saturday afternoon, the only good place to eat in reasonable walking distance was Old Ebbitt Grill.
Impressive atmosphere and ambiance. Very Old Republican- mahogany, old oak, fireplaces with big game heads mouted over it, that sort of thing. It definately has the "power lunch" thing going on. The waitress was friendly and the selection of beers on tap was pretty decent.
Food was okay. My buddy and I had the Oktoberfest Platter and the girls shared some fish and chips and had a bowl of chili and clam chowder. They said both the chili and the chowder tasted overly sweet.
The Oktoberfest Platter was kinda bleh. Two bratwurst sausages, some saurkraut, and mashed potatoes topped with fried onions. The mustard that was served with it didn't have any real kick or mustard seed flavor and the brats tasted like something i would pick up for a quick bbq. Saurkraut wasn't bad- not too strong, a little too mushy.
All in all, it was decent. The place is relatively cheap- I had a drink and my meal for $20. The way the place was furnished and decorated, I would have expected to pay a whole lot more. If you're in the area and need a place to sit down and eat, Old Ebbitt Grill isn't too bad.
Bottom line: Heavy Americana style food, decent bang for buck, really old and historic restaurant right around the corner of the White House.
Food = 3; ambiance/location=5.
Pros: Good service (11 PM Friday Night and still packed), Waiter was really courteous, food was 3 stars, great atmosphere... rustic saloon feel (think Doc Holliday), historic (1856), right around the corner of the White House;
Cons: Really heavy food (unless you're into heavy food), very loud, not a great 1st date place due to lack of intimacy, big big restaurant so it can get really loud.
Food:
Crab Artichoke Dip: Thick creamy and lots of crab. It tasted alright. The creaminess over-powered the flavors of the crab and artichokes.
Fish and Chips: Great, crispy, fresh, came with fries, coleslaw (coleslaw was meh).
Crab Cake: Very mellow flavor with lots of bits of crab, came with side of string beans (fried in butter), with sliced sauteed yams/sweet potatoes.
History, Oysters, Drinks, and Men in suits...
What else could a girl ask for?
Great service. Great Ambiance. Ok Food.
I forget the stats from our waiter, but he said that the Old Ebbit Grill is something like the 5th busiest restaurant in the country or something like that? Maybe the proximity of the White House helps feed the clientele, but this is not your standard tourist trap. The joint was SURELY jiving, and the men in suits kept a coming! Dessert looked fantastic, but there was no way my belly would allow it.
If the richness of the red velvet seats and white uniforms don't get you, then maybe the stories from past Presidents will. Enjoy, and yes... try the Rachel Ray beloved Trout Parmesan.
This would have been 5 stars but for the service. It was extraordinarily slow. However, the food was amazing. I had the cannelloni, which was savory and delicious. My mom had the top sirloin that was "melt in your mouth" good and my dad had the lobster (which he said was okay). The bread pudding and creme brulee are dream-worthy.
Be prepared for a wait on weeknights (happy hour crowd), but patience pays off with delicious food.
I've been there twice in 3 days, a Wednesday and a Saturday, both at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday it was spectacular, excellent service and great food. Jambalaya for one and pepita encrusted shrimp for the other.
But today, Saturday was "meh". Crowded with tourists (like us). We found two stools at the bar for our 30 minute wait (at 3 pm?). Ordered a shellfish plate, 6 oysters 6 clams, 2 shrimp. Bartender indifferent and trying to show it. Just as soon as the platter of oysters arrived the pager buzzed indicating our table was ready. My wife went to tell the host and they insisted on leading her back to our table and I was left alone at the bar to hurry through a platter of oysters which had just arrived. Then our table waitperson was also indifferent to us, and then the computer system went down and no one's orders could be entered, nor could anyone pay.
I fail to understand why the restaurant could not figure out a way to take orders and cook food without the computer working. Apparently they do not have pencils and paper anymore.
Food was good, but service issues spoiled our enjoyment on Saturday. When I watched people around us waiting 20 minutes to pay because the computer was down I thought it was an ideal opportunity for the management to start passing out some free drinks or desserts, but apparently that didn't dawn on them and we all sat frozen in time, us to order and others to pay, because their computers crashed. Disappointing.
The lobster bisque was delightful, but hit this place when the pace is slow enough to enjoy and they are not just trying to run as many tourists through the place as quickly as possible. I think if you have to wait for a table here its not a good time to eat here.
So, the place was overrun with tax-revolt loonies the night we went so the wait was loooong (like an hour plus). Thank god they have four different bars that kept us entertained... $3 Rolling Rock was decently priced.
Dinner was awesome! I had the jumbalaya which was chock full of seafood and the perfect amount of spice. My lovely companion had the filet mignon which as also amazing.
Highlight: steak and seafood.
Low-light; crazy-crazies railing against "socialist takeover" on both sides...
A friend referred us to Old Ebbitt Grill and thank goodness! So many places in DC were over-priced bar food places with not that great quality of food. This place however-- was fabulous! We went during lunch and didn't want to wait for a table, so we sat in the bar area to the left facing 15th St. We ordered the veggie sandwich (fried eggplant in place of bread, with so many amazing flavors in between. The potato salad was so good-- tasted very homemade and had a little kick to it. We also ordered the crabcake sandwich. YUM. The crab was extremely fresh and another great choice.
We ended up going here twice in one weekend. Great food and the bartenders were very friendly. They did offer a dinner recommendation, which I later found out was another "Clydes" restaurant (Old Ebbitt Grill is part of the group as well), but I can't really blame him for promoting other restaurants in the group.
Great food, great atmosphere, prime location. The only downside is that it gets cram packed with tourists. You get in there and think "how can someone wear a hawaiian shirt in this nice of a restaurant?"
If I ran Old Ebbitt, I would raise prices and try to get a snappy casual dress code going on! This place is very inexpensive for the quality of the food that you receive, and everytime someone visits from out of town I take them here - family, friends, they all love it and its proximity to the white house and treasury. A downside is that it's not really amazing to take a date to (at least not a first or second date) because it's sort of... unoriginal. Gotta spice it up boys ;)
How could I forget Valet for $8! Awesome!
Oh, make sure you get a reservation... the tourist congestion means 2 hour waits on a weekend.
Came here for lunch on a Saturday and boy was it packed! I like the decor of the place. I got the Eggs Chesapeake, which was good but not great. Service was slow. The company we were with were raving about the place and how it's their favorite, never had a bad meal here, etc., etc., so I was a little disappointed. I thought it was just meh, but wouldn't be against trying it again.
The most amazing part of my dinner was the SERVICE. If anyone works in hospitality, you know D.C. is a union town and sadly, service is not up to par in many establishments because employees cannot get fired unless they pick up a butcher knife and go at it with a customer...and even then they might have a chance at re-hire.
Anyways! The food was SUPERB, the oysters! A great deal of $10 per dozen from 11PM - 2AM. The service was really wonderful, we were waited on by 2 lovely gentlemen who weren't only on top of their ish, they were entertaining and went above and beyond.
The interior is stuffy but that's very D.C./White House.A very grown-up kinda place so of course I felt like I was 12. Definitely will be back! Myabe if I dress like I'm 40, I'll feel 25?
In A Nutshell:
*One of the busiest restaurants I've been to, but the service was so efficient. This is also the oldest restaurant I've ever been to.
*I ordered the Maine Lobster for less than $20! It tasted so succulent!
Overall, I'd come here again. The atmosphere was amazing and it was cool that it's right across the street from the White House.
4-1/2
Old Ebbitt wins you over with the great ambiance. Keeps you glued with the impressive menu, executed carefully.
Pros:Food is affordable, for the ambiance, and a great deal better than any bar I have been to, thus far, in DC. Its a great place to watch a game or have a good dinner with your significant other. Where else can you do that? Great oysters & good wine at affordable prices. Everything on the menu is done right. Its an American Pub done right.
Cons: Too many tourists, and despite the great wine list, lacking interesting beers.
I was really excited when we had an excuse to stop by Old Ebbitt Grill because its been on my mental bookmarks for years now! And being a fan of Clyde's, I knew that they could do no wrong.
We walked in looking for our party and got lost! The place is like a maze! Anyway, we sat down and looked at the menu -- which is identical to a Clyde's menu. Identical. Same dishes, same wine recommendations, same font, same everything. Same goes for the oysters - same Pemaquid, Wianno, Raspberry Point options.
We ordered a bunch of appetizers - crab dip, oysters, calamari - and they were all good. I ordered a chicken dish as my entree and substituted the summer squash for mashed potatoes (my favorite side in the whole wide world). The chicken turned out to be surprisingly moist and flavorful!
The service was pretty good, and food was brought out relatively quickly, considering how huge the restaurant is. They must run a tight ship because everything seemed really organized and people knew what they were doing.
But really...What's with all the hype about this place? People hate on Clyde's and then love Old Ebbitt Grill? They're the same thing! So I'm giving four stars, even though for me it didn't live up to my expectations. I love Clyde's (of Rockville), so I should love this place, too, right?
I have had both breakfast and dinner here and both were fantastic. For breakfast I had the Eggs Benedict which I thought was very tasty. The hollandaise tasted fresh and tangy and the portion was generous. The ambiance was great with lots of interesting conversations going on at all the booths around us.
When we walked in for dinner a few days later the place was packed and I thought we were going to be out of luck without a reservation. To my surprise we were seated within a few minutes. I had a fillet mignon which was as good as I've had at any of the fancy steakhouses and half the price. My wife even talked me into having an oyster which was cooked with bacon and was delicious. To sum it up the food is great and reasonable, and if your an out of towner the scene can be very exciting.
This is a must do whenever you are in DC. The food here is great. I've eaten many dinners at Old Ebbitt's on business and with friends. You get superior fine dining service with a very casual welcoming feel. I definitely recommend the crabcake as well as most of the seafood. There is so much history in the restaurant. Another positive is the location: Right next to the White House (but can also be a con due to the high number of tourists). Definitely get a reservation and spend some time walking around the White House before your meal.
I had tried to get drinks and dinner at the Old Ebbitt Grill multiple times on various visits to DC and it's always packed with a mix of tourists, yuppies and politicos.
I decided during Memorial Day weekend to stop in for a quick lunch and had a pasta dish (raw bar wasn't in the budget) and a beer. I had a really horrible experience with a racist comment made by a bartender, and upon my return home after my weekend in DC I emailed the management to tell them of my incident. (You know how one comment can ruin a day? That was what happened.)
The manager contacted me and was quite the attentive ear to my issue. He dealt with the situation and invited myself back to the restaurant for a complimentary meal. I took advantage of this gracious compensation when I spent my summer in DC recently.
My parents visited me, so we went there for 1 1/2 pound Maine Lobster in June. We were greeted by the manager on duty who treated us graciously and we had a great waitress that was attentive and accommodating.
June is awesome at OEG. They have 1 1/2 pound Maine Lobster special for $18.95. So, we gorged on lobster, crabcakes and wine. I was happy to have a good experience due to my first solo experience there, which was highly disappointing and this time the staff really made up for it (and the lobster was so tasty!).
We had a chance to see President Obama's motorcade roll into the White House and after dinner we wandered down to the Haye-Adams bar for a nightcap!
Thanks for making up for such an awkward first experience Old Ebbitt! And yay for cheap tasty lobster!
2.75 stars. I can't stand idly by and watch the Old Ebbitt get fantastic reviews on Yelp. From a culinary standpoint, the Old Ebbitt Grill is extraordinarily mediocre, and yet based on its breathtaking exterior and lush history, it remains an iconic piece in DC lore (as well as a favorite amongst tourists).
On my last visit here, I spilt the jumbo crab cake entree and indulged in a dozen oysters. The Old Ebbitt has a small selection of decent oysters available, and while I prefer the shallot vinaigrette and cocktail sauces at Hank's Oyster Bar, I did enjoy the oysters I sampled here. They were not great, but they weren't dismal either.
The crab cake, on the other hand, was on par with Clyde's. For those of you who love Clyde's, this is not meant to be a compliment. I've had better crab cakes in now defunct chains in Houston, Texas. A great crab cake involves large chunks of blue crab magically held together by the slightest combination of bread crumbs, mayo, Old Bay, and seasonings. The crab here is cut far too thin and the amalgam of ingredients used to hold together the crab is flavorless. Overall, I would rate it in the bottom half of all crab cakes I have ever eaten.
On prior visits, the service I have received at Old Ebbitt has been exceptional, and I have appreciated that. I have no idea what happened this time. The waitstaff on this occasion was grumpy and rude. I was harshly rebuked for sampling my housemate's drink prior to showing my ID (I have no idea what a bunch of 25 year old girls would be doing hanging out with a 20 year old guy, but apparently, that was the logic flowing through Mr. Intelligent Waiter's head that night). He appeared annoyed upon anyone asking questions about the menu, and he was late providing drinks. Furthermore, it was a chore to even get him to serve the table. Overall, it was a crash course in how to not wait a table. Has the restaurant management suffered extensively in between my admittedly rare appearances?
But for the fact that I once had an extraordinary date here, I'd probably be giving this place 2 stars. Having said that, I'm not sure that getting a third star based on potentially misplaced sentimentality is reason to cheer.
I will qualify my review by stating that I have only been here for lunch.
The Old Ebbitt Grill gets…
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Tried it out over the weekend and I have to say I really enjoyed this place. Very friendly bartenders, great staff and delicious food. I had the Salmon and crab cakes. YUM!
I agree with the review posted directly before this: culinarily speaking, Old Ebbitt's Grill is utterly unremarkable. BUT...
The history of the place and the fact that it is in a town that thrives on history, is the key item on the menu in a visit to Old Ebbitt Grill.
If someone comes to town for a visit, this is the place to send or take them. Suggest they order the crab cakes. (When in Rome, do as Romans. When in Mexico, order the Mexican food. In a steak house, order steak. At Old Ebbitt, ORDER THE CRAB CAKES.)
When they return to their home and someone asks "How was your visit to Washington... where did you go and where did you eat?" If their answer includes "Old Ebbitt," the person asking the question will conclude that in fact, they did have a great visit to DC.
Sometimes, you have to do the basics. Old Ebbitt is one of those basics. Even if it is mundane to you and I... and possibly a bit overpriced, ridiculously overcrowded and horrifically noisy, to them... it IS Washington, DC.
Absolutely LOVE this place! My boyfriends sister is the one responsible for taking us here on our trip to D.C. - it is one of her faves.
This a terrifically historic building with killer architecture, its bustling crowded with people constantly in & out, chatting up the Maitre D' - who, by the way, is soo friendly you just want to pull up a chair next to him and chat ... All of this and the building has such a trippy history - this is the spot the Brits popped in to watch The White House burn after they set fire to it back in 1814! I joke you not!
The food was excellent, the service even better! The crab cakes - while pricey, huge and totally worth the price! DELISH ... Such a great spot - can't wait to visit again next time in D.C.
I recommend!!
Old Ebbitt is an institution. Stiff drinks, good food and all the political gossip one can ask for...it's DC baby and I love it.
ONLY BASED ON RAW BAR HAPPY HOUR
I am not a fan of their hot food but Orka platter at midnight on a Monday night for less than $50? Nuff said. It's not oyster season now but no murkiness here. I come any time of year - love it during the winter obviously. I always love love the raw bar happy hour. It's the best deal ever and the wine list is one of the best priced and best stocked in the city.
I never order anything else here, I don't come here for anything else. I wouldn't if I were you. Maybe the artichoke crab dip but other than that, don't do it! Have some jumbo shrimp cocktail instead! Oh and a shout out to the bartenders here, they've been here for over 20 years and are great guys.
A couple of weeks ago my coworkers and I had lunch at the Old Ebbitt Grill (OEG) to celebrate the retirement of one of the analysts we work with. We walked from our building that's across the street from Federal Triangle to OEG. For me, it was a bit of a long haul for lunch but it was a special occasion.
OEG was busy when we arrived. We had a large party and had made prior reservations. It didn't take too long for our party to be seated. Walking through the restaurant to where we were being seated was pretty cool. The place is so old and full of character. I couldn't help imagining how many famous and influential people have dined here.
Due to it's location, OEG is full of well dressed folks during lunch hours so you may want to consider that if you're dressed casually and plan to dine here. I don't think it's the sort of place that would refuse you if you weren't dressed a certain way, but I know I would perhaps feel under-dressed if I were here wearing casual attire.
Our party was seated in an area in the back of OEG that I don't believe is part of the original building. It looked a lot like a mall food court. The difference though that there were tables with white linens and silverware. It would have been cool to dine in the main room but I guess I'll have to go another time to experience that with a smaller group.
The menu isn't extensive but it's got a bit of something for everyone. Salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta dishes, seafood, steak, etc. I ordered the Honey Glazed Ham Sandwich which consists of brie cheese, grilled onions and arugula on ciabatta bread with honey mustard mayo. It was delicious. It's a bit messy though with the melty brie and onions so if you're having a formal lunch meeting or something I would not recommend ordering this sandwich. On the other hand, if you're in familiar company- http://go.for.it. The sandwich was big and well worth the price ($8.95). The accompanying french fries did not disappoint either. Perfectly cooked and salted.
Between my coworkers and I we sampled a large portion of the OEG menu and everyone was very happy with their meal.
Between the price and the quality of the food I would love to go back to OEG for lunch again soon. It would be a great place to enjoy a delicious meal and watch the folks around you.
I went to the Old Ebbit Grill last night to celebrate a friends birthday and we indulged in the late night raw bar happy hour. Can you say delicious, fresh, CHEAP oysters?
We opted for the combination of 12 oysters, 12 shrimp and 12 clams. During the happy hour everything is 50% off, so all that food was less than $30! The Raspberry Pointers were my favorite- they were sweet, but not too sweet and tasted great with a bit of the horseradish sauce. The shrimp were HUGE. HUGE. You could just get the shrimp and you would be full for days. The clams were just okay. I think I was too obsessed with the shrimp to care.
We shared the peanut butter pie for dessert. It might have been his birthday, but the cake was so good, I'm pretty sure I ate way more than my share. I also may or may not have scrapped every last bit of chocolate sauce from the place. (No, I did not lick the plate though the temptation was there). They wrote happy birthday on the plate, which was really nice!
I highly recommend going to the raw bar for the happy hour. There's something really fun about dining late and something especially fun about eating really good food!
I am so glad my friend picked this place to celebrate her 25th birthday. I would have never decided to drop-in and try this place because it looks a bit too DC politico from the outside.
But this is definitely one of the best American restaurants I have been to. The service was prompt and professional. They did forget that the birthday girl ordered some shrimp as an appetizer, but they were very apologetic and didn't charge her for it.
I ordered lamb. The others ordered crab cakes, pasta, and steak. All the entrees were excellent. I don't know if reservations are absolutely necessary, but I would recommend it since it seemed pretty busy.
Washington, DC
Category: Restaurants
Washington, DC
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Federal Triangle
Category: Performing Arts
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle
Category: Seafood
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