We recently spotted Van Cliburn having dinner there with Sid and Ramona Bass. In addition to steak and seafood, diners can also feast on award-winning chicken-fried steak, and house made meatloaf. ", "Reality Check: US Restaurateurs Say Cons Sent Mostly Static. 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. [22], Ebbitt House and its restaurant were razed in 1926 to make way for the National Press Club building. The floors were colorful mosaic tiles, the furnishings were expensive, and the café profusely decorated with palms and ferns. [54] Demolition of the building began at 1:00 P.M. on January 6, 1926, as National Press Club President Henry L. Sweinhart ceremoniously removed a brick from the existing building. [46] Three months later, city officials accused Shutt of selling liquor in the bar to underage children. Ah, Magnolia Avenue. [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 restaurant was forced to close for two days when streets near the White House were closed. The kitchen was renovated. Can't get more Fort Worth elite than that! National health campaigns against high cholesterol had reduced demand for foods heavy in eggs. "No Rush Yet on Inaugural Tickets and Hotel Rooms. ", "2 Sentenced to Jail Term As Viet Spies. [27] He dined almost nightly with his wife in the restaurant. Mrs. Shutt eventually turned the hotel over to Augustus Gumpert. [53] However, in November 1925, the owners announced that the building would be razed to make way for the National Press Club Building. Old Ebbitt Grill was demolished in 1983 during redevelopment of the site. ", Roig-Franzia, Manuel. However, the diversion of funds to the Contras was not yet exposed. Old Ebbitt Grill did not close its doors at 1427 F Street until September 12, 1983. [112] In May 1994, Old Ebbitt Grill added a take-out service, Ebbitt Express, in the atrium section of its restaurant. Security changes in Washington, D.C., after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks significantly affected Old Ebbitt Grill for a while. Steamed white rice. ", Zak, Dan. Staff Report. [59] Lofstrand was a veteran bar and club entrepreneur in the city and in southern Maryland. [45], The hotel continued to decline. 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. Between April 1961 and April 1970, the restaurant paid its sales tax in only six of 105 months. Old Ebbitt Grill created a popular annual event known as the Oyster Riot in 1995. It retained that name after its ownership changes in 1961 and 1970. "The New Workplace Motto: Let's Not Do Lunch. April 23, 2010, p. 7. She found the appetizers and salads excellent, but considered the pasta dishes hit-or-miss and disparaged the main entrees. 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. [13] By 1865, it housed the D.C. offices of the New York Herald. [94][95] Gas lamps were used in the main bar and booth area. [81] Its trademark omelets were the "Old Ebbitt", made with sharp cheddar cheese and Bermuda onions, and another made with chili and served with a garden salad with Roquefort blue cheese dressing. [52], It was not clear if a new Ebbitt House hotel would be built. The latest addition is Cat City, in a beautifully redone historic building, where stark black accents make a stylish backdrop for chefs Vance Martin and Martin Thompson's crowd-pleasing menu. "Cruvinet: It's Like Wine on Tap. After Lofstrand's death in 1955, the restaurant was purchased by Peter Bechas in 1961. [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 with—but they'll have to keep trying still. "Staff, Patrons Toast Old Ebbitt's Demise As They Await Its Rebirth on 15th Street. [77] Its crab cakes were poorly reviewed as too bland and heavy with bread. [134], Restaurant Business Magazine reported in October 2014 that Old Ebbitt Grill ranked third in the nation in revenue for 2013. [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. The new owners refused to renew Gumpert's lease on a yearly basis. 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. [120] After First Lady Laura Bush began patronizing the restaurant,[121] business soon returned to normal. 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. Cat City Grill takes its cuisine very seriously. Carr had already negotiated to move the Old Ebbitt Grill to a new location within the new structure. Secure the chicken in a medium rectangular wire-mesh grilling basket and set over an open grill flame. Deselect All. The restaurant was sold at a tax sale in June 1970, and was purchased by Clyde's Restaurant Group. ", Argetsinger, Amy and Roberts, Roxanne. [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. "610 Lofstrand Lane." ", Wheeler, Linda. Old Ebbitt Grill is the oldest continuously operating bar in the city. "[103], In the late 1980s, Old Ebbitt Grill became a popular hangout for actors and crew from the nearby National Theatre and Warner Theatre. A jury could not reach agreement on the charges in December 1913,[47] but the charges were not dismissed until September 1914. In July 1992, the Washington Business Journal said the 390-seat Old Ebbitt Grill grossed more money than any other restaurant in the D.C. metropolitan area. ", Zibart, Eve. 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. In 2007, the event sold every ticket in 38 minutes.[140]. "Movies Filmed in Washington: 'In the Line of Fire'." [67], Old Ebbitt Grill was purchased on June 16, 1970, at a tax sale by Stuart C. Davidson and John Laytham, co-owners of the restaurant Clyde's of Georgetown. [138], The first Oyster Riot was held in October 1995 to promote Old Ebbitt Grill's oyster bar. This allows a bottle of wine to remain open for up to two weeks without spoiling. The Hale Koa resort is located on 72 acres on Waikiki Beach in downtown Honolulu. The Road Back Starts at Home for Jon Taffer and Bar Rescue With the nightlife industry facing challenging times due to the pandemic, Jon Taffer goes all in to help his hometown, Las Vegas, on the new season of Bar Rescue premiering May 2 at 10/9c. Historic bar and restaurant in Washington, D.C. The new restaurant was immediately popular. [64] Bechas' ownership of the restaurant was marred by repeated tax problems. Slovick, Mike. "Stuart C. Davidson, 78, Owner of Legendary Washington Bar. Either the meat loaf with wild mushroom ragù or the Texas Steak (read: chicken-fried) with cream gravy should satisfy any carnivore. [33] What was known as the "New Ebbitt Café" opened in November 1910. We sat immediately and could not stop looking around at the nautical artifacts that covered the wall and ceiling of the bar. ", Richman, Phyllis C. "Star Service Up on the Roof. Hale Koa Hotel – An Affordable Resort in Paradise. ", 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. [39], Ebbitt House slowly declined. Humphrey and his attorney told the FBI about the contact immediately, and Humphrey agreed to act as a double agent. The restaurant had seating for 200 at tables and in booths. ", Larner, John B. Henry, Kate Kearney. [58] Anders R. Lofstrand, Sr. was the proprietor. In 1978, it was one of the few establishments in Washington, D.C., to serve Guinness Stout on tap. At the time, the District of Columbia was not divided into quadrants, and the streets had yet to be described as northwest, southeast, etc. "Joining the Night Owls for Dinner. Alekseyev and Humphrey met at Old Ebbitt Grill in December 1976. "Small Space, Big Vision. As demolition proceeded, Old Ebbitt Grill hosted a large party which won notice in the Washington Post. 06/01/2014 Full Ep "Reopening Day: New Shine for the Old Ebbitt. A plaque referencing this film is on the wall in Grant's Bar.[144]. [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. Cat City Grill is drawing just as many heavy-hitters. The restrooms were moved into the basement so they could be enlarged with lounges. The restaurant was incorporated by Anders Lofstrand, Sr., as a stand-alone business. The house marked the northeast corner of Murder Bay. Asparagus tempura with wasabi sauce was a real treat, while a layered spinach salad was a festival all by itself, with mandarin orange, dried cherries, pine nuts, bacon, Gorgonzola, and wontons. Assistant Attorney General Charles J. Cooper, a young appointee in the Office of Legal Counsel, also at the lunch, said the memo was a "bomb. The night before, Ebbitt Grill ran out of liquor by 10:45 P.M. "To Tan, a Place in the Sun Not Needed. Cooked bean sprouts, sauteed in a little sesame oil or peanut oil and seasoned with salt ", Irwin, Neil and Hedgpeth, Dana. [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). ", Tuck, Lon. [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. [85] No legislation was enacted, however. At Cat City Grill, expect to be blessed with an honest-to-goodness piece of peppery, melt-in-your-mouth steak (not that pounded-flat stuff), caked in a light batter and accompanied by cream gravy that you can actually taste. ", Sietsema, Tom. [4][18] The hotel had 300 rooms, canopied windows, and an elevator. "Ebbitt Hotel, Gone, Had Its Beginning in Boarding House. [104] Old Ebbitt began hanging posters in the lobby of current theatrical performances. [91] In April 2012, sales were still 1 percent ahead of 2011. Two fire companies had to respond to the blaze, which did $5,000 worth of damage. 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. We recently spotted Van Cliburn having dinner there with Sid and Ramona Bass. [22], Ebbitt House struggled to compete against the larger and more lavish Willard Hotel, and the Raleigh Hotel, built in 1893. ", Kramer, Joan. Asparagus tempura with wasabi sauce was a real treat, while a layered spinach salad was a festival all by itself, with mandarin orange, dried cherries, pine nuts, bacon, Gorgonzola, and wontons. September 30 2010 | FW Weekly Critics Choice |. ", Joynt, Carol Ross. 2001. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Old_Ebbitt_Grill&oldid=1019481467, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking reliable references from October 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. [133], Old Ebbitt Grill said in December 2012 that it was already booked for a private event for the second inauguration of Barack Obama. [109], In the early 1990s, Old Ebbitt Grill was financially one of the best-performing restaurants in the city. http://www.zagat.com/r/cat-city-grill-ft-worth-0, Voted one of three best places for a Power Lunch in Fort Worth by, 2011 Fort Worth Weekly "Best of" Awards: Best Restaurant Best Chicken Fried Steak Best Bargain (Flat Iron Steak), DFW.comUpscale, down-home Cat City Grill opens on hip Magnolia Avenue--A new restaurant on hip Magnolia Avenue knows the right way to start and finish a meal, Wednesday, 07 April 2010 | by TERESA GUBBINS. Find out which 10 restaurants made our foodie Hot List.7. Char with the breast side down first, 7 to 8 minutes. Old Ebbitt intended to close its doors in April 1983 and reopen a few weeks later in the new location in May. and Butterworth IV, William E. Gutheim, Frederick Albert and Lee, Antoinette Josephine. 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. [135], In July 2019, Clyde's Restaurant Group was acquired by Graham Holdings.[136]. "Zephyr Hopes to Exploit Mystique of Luxury Train Travel.". Old Ebbitt Grill was the site of a discussion among administration officials hoping to protect President Reagan from fallout related to the Iran–Contra affair of 1986. By Deirdre Simonds For Dailymail.com. "Food & Drink: Changing Needs? [21] The massive chandeliers led the dining room to be called "the Crystal Room. [127], In 2009, Old Ebbitt Grill had the fourth or fifth-highest volume of restaurant customers in the United States. The resort features several pools (kiddie pool, family pool, and adult only pool), several restaurants and bars, an Exchange, a fitness center, walking and jogging trail, laundry facilities, parking, and even on-site Starbucks. 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. Cat City Grill: Ellerbe isn't the only hot spot along Magnolia (Nonna Tata, Yucatan Taco Stand, Lili's, to name just a few). Back waiters were required to have excellent physical strength and good balance. In November 1994, Old Ebbitt Grill reopened its oyster bar to much press attention. [13] On May 16, 1818, Dorsey sold the house to William Blanchard. The bar and restaurant in the. 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 Bacon-and-Eggs Brigade. This post was last updated in March 2021. Since 1917, the liquor law had required that alcohol only be consumed while sitting at tables. Cat City Grill is drawing just as many heavy-hitters. A series of lawsuits, petitions, and intervention by city and federal officials occurred. "A Bash to Call Its Own. [26] Future president William McKinley and his wife lived there from 1877 to 1890, during his entire congressional career. [13] Willard converted the boarding house into a hotel. ", There was a family connection between Ebbitt House and the Willard Hotel. Richard Forrest's eldest son, Julius, married Sophia Ogle, daughter of Benjamin Ogle. [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. In 1907, John Helmus, who oversaw the serving staff and bar for 39 years, died. "Scientists Use a Warm Bath to Get Oysters in the Mood. Hungry? Cruvinet systems, which can be mobile or installed and can accommodate anywhere from two to 120 bottles, immediately recork a bottle of wine. He did not proceed at the time, but the threat of demolition was a catalyst to a committee of citizens known as the "Landmarks Committee" recommending in 1970 that the city enact legislation protecting the two structures and Old Ebbitt Grill. 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. "Let Them Eat Crab Cakes. ", Ward, Alex. [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. [38] He conducted extensive renovations to the exterior of the hotel in 1895. "A Keen Taste for Touring. [9][10], In 1856, William E. Ebbitt purchased Frenchman's Hotel from Smith, turned it into a boarding house, and renamed it Ebbitt House. [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. 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. Ticket in 38 minutes. [ 118 ] menu has a variety of burgers only with fries. The Boland Amendment from supporting the Contras `` Reopening Day: new for. Grill in December 1976 federal government, and Ackerman, p. 74 September! General Ulysses S. 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