[13] Two single-story buildings south of the Reed home were also built and owned by Reed. 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. We have an excellent reputation for honoring requests from those with allergies. During a normal year, Mothers Day Sunday would be a day to look forward to for the Old Ebbitt Grill in Northwest Washington. Back waiters were trained to balance plates of food on their arms, so they could get them to tables faster without the need to load and unload trays. DDOT/DDOT "At Clyde's, Treat Yourself to a Good Lunch and Cause. The restaurant was sold at a tax sale in June 1970, and was purchased by Clyde's Restaurant Group. 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. ", Dickey, Christopher. "You don't need to be an economist to figure not everyone is going to survive this. The restaurant had seating for 200 at tables and in booths. 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. [119] Over the next two weeks, the restaurant lost half its business, which normally ran 2,000 customers a day, most of them politicians and businesspeople. [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. Established in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington's oldest saloon, just steps from The White House and museums downtown. The Oyster Bar features an array of exceptional oysters and winning wines from the annual Old Ebbitt Grill International Wines for Oysters Competition. "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. [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. [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. [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. The Old Ebbitt brigade consists of 300 employees, over 100 of who work in the kitchen directly under Chef Joseph Allen's guidance. ", Stroup, Sheila. The restrooms were moved into the basement so they could be enlarged with lounges. Menus; About About; Hours & Location; Employee Assistance Fund; Press; Oysters 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. 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. "It's beyond iconic, man. Established in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is D.C.s oldest saloon and one of the highest-grossing independent restaurants in the country, pulling in excess of $35 million a year. ", Horwitz, Sari. "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. The oyster bar served 15 to 20 different varieties of oyster, and matched them with seven to 10 different types of wine. [86] There was little opposition to the demolition of most of the block, which included the Old Ebbitt Grill site. Tearful customers hugged owners Eileen . "City Allows Demolition of Historic Tavern. The accent here is on wholesome, healthy food, freshly prepared every day using the natural, locally-produced ingredients You may bring your own wine for a $25 corkage fee per 750ml bottle (maximum two 750ml bottles per reservation). So it's going to be a different landscape on the other side," Moran says. At the time, the District of Columbia was not divided into quadrants, and the streets had yet to be described as northwest, southeast, etc. "Three Bars With Ties to D.C.'s Prohibition Past. 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". [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. Each table in the Ebbitt was graced by a blue history card that read: "Many other famous statesmen, naval and military heroes, too numerous to mention here, have been guests of the house.". (202) 347-4800. Great atmosphere located close to the White House. Flexible schedule with part-time, full-time, and on-call shifts available. [133], Old Ebbitt Grill said in December 2012 that it was already booked for a private event for the second inauguration of Barack Obama. ", Curry, William N. "Tax Evasion in the District Is Punishable By a Wristslap. Martin, Douglas. Humphrey and his attorney told the FBI about the contact immediately, and Humphrey agreed to act as a double agent. Full-Time. [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. [125] The restaurant was also criticized by the newspaper for being too noisy for conversation,[126] and providing bland hamburgers, salads, and breakfast. It is nearly as close to McPherson Square station. [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. "Treasury's Losing Regal Old Friend. We are finalizing details on our own program we are creating as an additional way to take care of our employees.". Sam suggests the restaurant for a lunch meeting location, but is rebuffed and has the meeting at the fictional Patrick's instead. [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. Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC, Restaurants Bill Gruning opened the first one, in South Orange, in 1910; stores would . [4] The same year, Willard purchased Bushrod Reed's property as well. It has also been the site of parties hosted by famous actors and singers. "No Rush Yet on Inaugural Tickets and Hotel Rooms. ", Bucklin, Randolph E. "Old Ebbitt to Be Moved Next Door. [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. [91] The architectural firm of Andrews & Chatelain designed the interior. About Us | Old Ebbitt Grill Before placing your order, please inform your server if you have a food allergy or dietary need. Nick Iannelli | niannelli@wtop.com. [22], Ebbitt House and its restaurant were razed in 1926 to make way for the National Press Club building. The Contras were guerrilla fighters opposed to the communist government of Nicaragua led by Daniel Ortega. Over time, only the "Old Ebbitt Grill" name was used. [66] A tax claim was also filed by the federal government, and the business was unable to satisfy the claim. Today the Victorian interior evokes Washington saloons at the turn of the century. Only Tao Asian Bistro in Las Vegas with $64.6 million in revenues and Joe's Stone Crab in Miami, with $35.3 million in revenues, ranked higher. hide caption. Residents On What Black Love Means To Them, This gas station restaurant is serving some of the D.C. region's best Taiwanese food, Metro's 8000 series trains will have more room for bikes and strollers, Anacostia Arts Center redevelopment comes into focus with $2 million boost, Some face homelessness when leaving foster care, despite D.C. having housing vouchers. Old Ebbitt is obviously a very popular restaurant as it's so close to the White House. ", Kessler, Pamela. 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. In 2020, two Clydes in Columbia closed, including one that had been around for 45 years. Old Ebbitt Grill Closing : Top Picked from our Experts - RecipesChoice The Atrium Dining Room contains a large marble fountain, and is open to the atrium in the center of Metropolitan Square. It moved into new quarters at 1427 F Street NW. [28] His close friend, Representative and later President James A. Garfield, visited McKinley often in the hotel. See: Kelly, John. "The Raw Truth About Shellfish. A First-Ever Spinoff of Old Ebbitt Grill Is Coming to Reston He also praised the Breakfast Club, a deep-fried ham, French toast, and bacon breakfast sandwich. 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. "Panel Asks Buildings Be Preserved. The Old Ebbitt Grill was the first expansion beyond the original Clyde's in Georgetown. [72][73] Clyde's and Old Ebbitt Grill shared the same menus, which lowered costs and led to improved training for kitchen staff. Slovick, Mike. [42] Shutt said it was his intention to move all the stores occupying the 14th Street side of the building to the south side, and to add a large caf in its place. 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. Old Ebbitt Grill is the oldest continuously operating bar in the city. [41] H.C. Burch died the following year. [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. 5425 Wisconsin Ave [27] He dined almost nightly with his wife in the restaurant. [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. Old Ebbitt Grill was featured in the 1993 film In the Line of Fire. ", The trestle has sat unused and in poor condition for years. Report inappropriate content. ", "Anders R. Lofstrand, Ex-State Senator, 42. Attendance was so large, the party spilled out into the street. Security changes in Washington, D.C., after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks significantly affected Old Ebbitt Grill for a while. Anything goes at the Ebbitt. They got a lot of history and myth for their money. Cruvinet is the name of a company which invented a system for dispensing wine similar to the way beer is dispensed on tap. [13] Blanchard's daughter, Jane Farnham, inherited the property on June 10, 1850, after his death. The hotel was razed and rebuilt in the same location in 1827. [11][12] On September 1, 1863, Ebbitt sold the boarding house to his son-in-law, Albert H. The large Howard Chandler Christy painting, "Three Bathers", hangs near the rear of the Main Dining Room. The booths had green leather seats and velvet-covered walls, and were separated from one another by etched glass dividers. [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. ", "We're talking and working and doing our thing, and every two seconds you looked up and Final Four was canceled, Major League Baseball is canceled, NHL season's canceled," Lukacs says. hide caption. . [21] The massive chandeliers led the dining room to be called "the Crystal Room. [99] Due to its proximity to the White House, it was a favorite of United States Secret Service personnel as well as tourists. An oil painting behind the bar of a nude reclining near a lily pond was painted about 1900 by Jean-Paul Gervais. ", There was a family connection between Ebbitt House and the Willard Hotel. It is Washington's oldest bar and restaurant, [1] and is owned by Clyde's Restaurant Group. . [58] Anders R. Lofstrand, Sr. was the proprietor. By 1865, they were used as offices by The Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Evening Post, and other newspapers. His revival of Sweet Charity, which he choreographed, had just debuted at the National Theatre. ", Wheeler, Linda. $45.00. The Clydes classic expands to suburbia in 2025. "Movies Filmed in Washington: 'In the Line of Fire'." 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. [74] In June 1974, a Washington Post food review declared Old Ebbitt's fare to be "American, plain, and not bad". 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. 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. 222 posts. By 1970, the Old Ebbitt Grill had fallen on hard times and an auction was held to satisfy a federal tax claim. [26] Future president William McKinley and his wife lived there from 1877 to 1890, during his entire congressional career. Old Ebbitt Grill Navy Collared Polo Shirt. May 1, 2023 Lawmakers proposed making the crumbling structure into a part of a new paved trail connecting Georgetown to the Palisades. ", Ward, Alex. [122], Due to security restrictions in 2004, Old Ebbitt Grill was nearly prevented from its traditional practice of selling coffee and hot chocolate to spectators watching the inaugural parade, in this case for the landmark election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. A series of lawsuits, petitions, and intervention by city and federal officials occurred. Call 202.347.4800; Reservations; Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; Contact Us; Careers; [101][102] A 1986 food review in The Washington Post concluded that Old Ebbitt Grill had the worst omelets and pancakes in the city,[97] but the best appetizers. That displaced 90% of its workforce, leaving a "massive" financial strain on the company. The restaurant group initially applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan but later told WAMU via email that it had withdrawn the application. The long bar still sported mounted game animal trophies overhead, the fixtures were of marble or brass, and the curtains of lace. 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. [6][7] Crawford's daughter, Sarah, married Richard Forrest, one of the first eight clerks appointed in 1801 by Thomas Jefferson in the United States Department of State. The busy atmosphere, he argued, was not conducive to a positive dining experience. 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]. [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. "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. [39], Ebbitt House slowly declined. It is Washington's oldest bar and restaurant , and as of 2012 was owned by Clyde's Restaurant Group. ", Weil, Martin. "You walk up and down any street in D.C., I'd say more than half of these restaurants and bars that are there won't even be there when this is over.". Were simply doing the best we can to make it to the other side.. A jury could not reach agreement on the charges in December 1913,[47] but the charges were not dismissed until September 1914. The old hotel continued to stand, and rumors said the building would be turned into a department store or a movie theater. The treasured D.C. institutions second-ever location, dubbed Ebbitt House, will open at Reston Station in 2025 (1860 Reston Row Plaza, Reston, Virginia). schools stay closed for rest of academic year; Hogan offers hope on Phase One of reopening, Northam: Virginias Phase I plan a floor; localities can seek changes, DC passes third coronavirus relief bill, expanding rent increase ban, Coronavirus resources: How to get help and give help during the pandemic, Will lunch out become more expensive? "Scientists Use a Warm Bath to Get Oysters in the Mood. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. As newcomers of the industry are showing their fragility during the pandemic, so too are the stalwarts.