The Old Ebbitt brigade consists of 300 employees, over 100 of who work in the kitchen directly under Chef Joseph Allen's guidance. It opened as an unnamed restaurant in the Ebbitt House hotel. "Good R.O.I. Rendering by STUDIOS Architecture/Courtesy of The Washington Area Community Investment Fund [62], Anders Lofstrand, Sr. died in 1955, and in April 1961 Old Ebbitt Grill was sold to Peter Bechas,[63] the former head waiter at the Willard Hotel from 1955 to 1958. [135], In July 2019, Clyde's Restaurant Group was acquired by Graham Holdings.[136]. [28] His close friend, Representative and later President James A. Garfield, visited McKinley often in the hotel. Bechas was successfully prosecuted for failure to pay sales taxes in 1963 and 1966, and was prosecuted again in 1970. The old hotel continued to stand, and rumors said the building would be turned into a department store or a movie theater. Impressionist works by James Harrington hang throughout the restaurant. Old Ebbitt Grill is mentioned by fictional White House staffer Sam Seaborn in Season 3, Episode 19 of the television show The West Wing[145][circular reference]. "Barricades a Blow to Business. [141] Old Ebbitt has long composted its food waste,[142] but oyster shells are not compostable and before 2010 were thrown out as garbage. [97], The restaurant also instituted a "back waiter" system. [96] A year after the Grill opened, The Washington Post said it had the best dining ambience of any restaurant in the city. It first opened as an unnamed restaurant in the Ebbitt House Hotel. [77], Old Ebbitt Grill gained notoriety in 1977 as the location where a Soviet spy ring operated. "Remarks of John B. Larner Before the Society March 10, 1902, in Exhibiting An Old Photograph of the South-East Corner of 14th and F Streets. $45.00. "Scientists Use a Warm Bath to Get Oysters in the Mood. All rights reserved. [78] Humphreys had already been identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was facing prosecution for his actions. "When we do go back to work, I have no idea what we're going back to," Lukacs says. ", Romano, Carlin and Mastrangelo, Joseph. The back waiter system was created so that waiters continued to wait on tables rather than spending time in the kitchen waiting for orders to be filled.[98]. The restaurant hired Robert McGowan, formerly a chef at Sardi's in New York City.[118]. 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. 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. 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. The large Howard Chandler Christy painting, "Three Bathers", hangs near the rear of the Main Dining Room. 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. In the 1940s and 50s, Gruning's may well have been North Jersey's most popular ice cream chain. They got a lot of history and myth for their money. And in the last month, it's gone from being one of the most profitable independent restaurants in the country to its current state barely hanging on. ", Singletary, Michelle. Location, The budding Mexican brand unveils a 10,500-square-foot Penn Quarter edition on Friday, April 28, Sign up for the [41] H.C. Burch died the following year. Benjamin Ogle was the maternal grandfather of. 675 15th St NW Washington DC 20005. The restaurant was incorporated by Anders Lofstrand, Sr., as a stand-alone business. His revival of Sweet Charity, which he choreographed, had just debuted at the National Theatre. . Henry, Kate Kearney. [61] His son, Anders R. Lofstrand, Jr., invented a machine to wash drinking glasses at Old Ebbitt Grill. ", "Peter G. Bechas, Area Restaurant Owner. [134], Restaurant Business Magazine reported in October 2014 that Old Ebbitt Grill ranked third in the nation in revenue for 2013. [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. [13] Next to the one-story buildings was Farnham House. The 1427 F Street NW location was demolished in 1983 during redevelopment, and Old Ebbitt Grill moved into its current quarters at 675 15th Street NW. President McKinley is said to have lived there during his tenure in Congress, and Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt and Warren Harding supposedly refreshed themselves at its stand-around bar. ", "Jury In Ebbitt House Case Fails to Agree. ", Zito, Tort. [36] Despite the success of the changes, Gibbs left Ebbitt House in 1893 after purchasing Wormley's Hotel. Ebbitt House Hotel was razed in 1925 to make way for the National Press Building, built in 1926. Thats going to be a couple of millions of dollars of debt thats going to be on our balance sheets on the other side of this, McDonnell said. "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. 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. Comstocks sprawling, 80-acre mixed-use development near Metros Wiehle-Reston East Station is home to regional headquarters for titans like Google, Spotify, and Rolls-Royce of America, alongside restaurants like Founding Farmers and Davios Northern Italian Steakhouse with more on the way. It was originally owned and built by David Burns, whose plantation had covered much of the downtown area that would be developed as Washington, D.C. Burns gave Farnham House to his daughter Marcia, who in turn sold it to William H. Dorsey in 1802. Drinking establishments in Washington, D.C. Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking reliable references from October 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Grant's Bar, named for American Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant, features a ceiling mural by Carol Loeb. A jury could not reach agreement on the charges in December 1913,[47] but the charges were not dismissed until September 1914. Company-wide sales for Clyde's Restaurant Group, which operates 12 restaurants in the D.C. area, are down 95%, about what Old Ebbitt is seeing. ", Reel, Monte. The owners of Clyde's acquired the Old Ebbitt in 1970. Rendering by STUDIOS Architecture/Courtesy of The Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Illustration by Athiyah Azeem/Courtesy of Street Sense Media, one of the most profitable independent restaurants in the country, poured Veuve Clicquot and dished out leg of mutton with caper sauce, D.C. Council wants to buy Georgetown's trolley trestle and turn it into a trail, In Their Own Words: D.C. The United States expelled Alekseyev on February 6, 1977. [82] It was one of the few dining places in the city to stay open until 1:00 A.M.[77]. [22] Prohibition began in the District of Columbia on November 1, 1917. [30] Rear Admiral John Lee Davis also lived and died there. The Atrium Dining Room contains a large marble fountain, and is open to the atrium in the center of Metropolitan Square. "Three Bars With Ties to D.C.'s Prohibition Past. Old Ebbitt Grill has four bars: the Old Bar, which is part of the Main Dining Room and features the mounted game trophies, the Oyster Bar to the right of the entry foyer, Grant's Bar toward the rear of the restaurant adjacent to the Atrium Dining Room, and the Corner Bar up the short steps and to the left of the entry foyer along G Street NW. [64] Bechas' ownership of the restaurant was marred by repeated tax problems. 19 reviews. 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. [48], The renovations were not enough. Yes, we offer select gluten-free items and can modify others upon request. 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. We have an excellent reputation for honoring requests from those with allergies. "I'd love to believe that the Clyde's group and how we're operating and the steps we're taking with our employees and keeping our businesses going will be well positioned on the other side. If he weren't living in his girlfriend's place, Lukacs, 46, says he'd have to move back in with his parents. A replica was crafted instead. Old Ebbitt Grill, One Of The City's Oldest Restaurants, Is Barely Hanging On | DCist The city's oldest restaurant doesn't see a return to 'normal' happening this year. Report inappropriate content. Old Ebbitt Grill, the legendary 164-year-old restaurant regarded as D.C.s oldest, is bringing in a small fraction of its normal business and faces a steep uphill climb to survive the pandemic. It is Washington's oldest bar and restaurant , and as of 2012 was owned by Clyde's Restaurant Group. "Small Space, Big Vision. Paintings of waterfowl hunting by Richmond, Virginia artist Claiborne D. Gregory, Jr. and a museum-quality collection of decoys convey the relaxed and timeless comfort and camaraderie of an Eastern Shore hunt club. 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. hide caption. 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. "A Q&A With John Laytham, CEO of Clyde's Restaurant Group. In November 1994, Old Ebbitt Grill reopened its oyster bar to much press attention. . When shown the document, Meese allegedly said, "Oh, darn." The foyer and Main Dining Room feature paintings by Kamil Kubik, and in the Oyster Bar hang oil paintings by Peter Egeli and watercolors by J. Robert Burnell. The media reported on Old Ebbitt Grill only a few times. 401k retirement plan with generous match - participation and full vesting immediately. [89] The walls were paneled in mahogany and the ceilings decorated with murals and stencils. [66] A tax claim was also filed by the federal government, and the business was unable to satisfy the claim. He was ecstatic when he got a job there. "A Shell Game for a Cause. He also planned to add a women-only restaurant to the lobby, at a time when many public facilities excluded women. The Contras were guerrilla fighters opposed to the communist government of Nicaragua led by Daniel Ortega. hide caption. [43] Lucy Parker Willard, widow of Caleb Willard, died on January 12, 1910. He also praised the Breakfast Club, a deep-fried ham, French toast, and bacon breakfast sandwich. The Living Room. It is closest to Metro Center. ", "Ebbitt House Auction Draws Curious Crowd. The Oyster Bar features an array of exceptional oysters and winning wines from the annual Old Ebbitt Grill International Wines for Oysters Competition. Actually, good is too light a word to describe the oldest and most historic saloon in town. Humphrey and his attorney told the FBI about the contact immediately, and Humphrey agreed to act as a double agent. "A Keen Taste for Touring. It was completely remodeled by Burch and Gibbs. ", "Reality Check: US Restaurateurs Say Cons Sent Mostly Static. ", Von Eckardt, Wolf. Facing tough competition, the hotel closed in 1925 and was torn down, eventually replaced by the National Press Club building. By 1970, the Old Ebbitt Grill had fallen on hard times and an auction was held to satisfy a federal tax claim. Level Contributor. "Comfortable Perches Along Pennsylvania Avenue Are Much in Demand. "610 Lofstrand Lane." He helped incorporate the Calvert Club, a private gentleman's drinking establishment dedicated to the memory of Leonard Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore in 1914. Craney. 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. ", Zak, Dan. ", Salmon, Jacqueline. Daily Oyster & Raw Bar Happy Hour. [125] The restaurant was also criticized by the newspaper for being too noisy for conversation,[126] and providing bland hamburgers, salads, and breakfast. 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. "Now, if the tables at the Ebbitt are full, as they often are at lunch, shoppers from Garfinckel's down the street and secretaries from nearby federal beehives can join the male chauvinists who like to eat facing long rows of antique steins, stuffed game heads and a little embalmed bear that once reputedly graced the bar of Alexander Hamilton," the article reads. [26] Future president William McKinley and his wife lived there from 1877 to 1890, during his entire congressional career. The long bar still sported mounted game animal trophies overhead, the fixtures were of marble or brass, and the curtains of lace. Parking garages are available in our building on both G and F Streets. Nick Iannelli can be heard covering developing and breaking news stories on WTOP. "Failures Eat Into Restaurant Community. May 1, 2023 Lawmakers proposed making the crumbling structure into a part of a new paved trail connecting Georgetown to the Palisades. But when auction proceeds fell short of the lien on the property, bidding began again, but this time on the entire contents. Today, Clyde's Restaurant Group has grown to include 13 properties. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow @WTOP on Twitter to engage in conversation about this article and others. The company is continuing health insurance for any employees who had it prior, and footing the full bill. [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. [59] Lofstrand was a veteran bar and club entrepreneur in the city and in southern Maryland. So was his dad. DC Jazz Festival. The nearest Metro stations are Metro Center and McPherson Square. [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 system was invented in 1978, although many different companies make "wine bar systems" today. Back waiters were required to have excellent physical strength and good balance. The sale price was $11,250. This allows a bottle of wine to remain open for up to two weeks without spoiling. Old Ebbitt Grill did not close its doors at 1427 F Street until September 12, 1983. WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM, Latest coronavirus test results in DC, Maryland and Virginia, DC tourism revenue nose-dives amid pandemic, Downtown DC economy operating at 10% of pre-emergency level, Md. An oil painting behind the bar of a nude reclining near a lily pond was painted about 1900 by Jean-Paul Gervais. [55], The history of the restaurant between its establishment in 1926 and the 1980s is not well documented. 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. Old Ebbitt intended to close its doors in April 1983 and reopen a few weeks later in the new location in May. [31] William Howard Taft lived there from 1890 to 1892 when he was United States Solicitor General. 2001. $50.00. Old Ebbitt Grill is a historic bar and restaurant located at 675 15th Street NW in Washington, D.C., in the United States. Make a reservation on our site through OpenTable or call 202-347-4800. The antique clock over the revolving door at the entrance is an heirloom from the previous location, and the marble staircase with an iron-spindled rail was salvaged from the old National Metropolitan Bank next door. We do not have elevator access to the room; it is accessible via stairs only. [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. Determining which establishment is the oldest bar in Washington, D.C., is complex. Savage, p. 100-101; Gutheim and Lee, p. 73; Lowry, p. 61-65; Evelyn, Dickson, and Ackerman, p. 63-64. ", "Old Ebbitt Grill Among Top-Grossing Independent Restaurants", "From News To Nightcaps: Washington's Graham Family Buys The Clyde's Group". 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. [128] In 2010, after the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, comedian Stephen Colbert hosted a Comedy Central after-party at Old Ebbitt Grill. Moran says he hopes the restaurant will recover within the next six months, and is putting his faith in science and "smart people." This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Book now at Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, D.C., DC. Griz Dwight at. It's like, I think the guy said to me, 'What's next? [74] In June 1974, a Washington Post food review declared Old Ebbitt's fare to be "American, plain, and not bad". Tearful customers hugged owners Eileen . "Thinking About Drapes In Case It's Curtains For Madam Speaker. Davidson is said to have modified the mahogany bar to make seating more comfortable for female guests.
