Old Ebbitt Grill Awards

Old Ebbitt Grill Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: When it comes to busy, bustling restaurants in the nation’s capital, there is none more vibrant than this grand dame of the Clyde’s Restaurant Group. The interior invokes images of a late nineteenth-century saloon in its Victorian décor and use of rich mahogany wood. While the historic memorabilia adds to the ambience, it’s the kitchen that keeps guests returning --- with tourists and locals happily eating side-by-side.

Food & Drinks: The restaurant follows the same menu profile as the others in the group: keeping a mix of familiar favorites like the locally fresh-ground hamburger cooked the way you like it; a monthly special that features the best of the season (rockfish, halibut and lobster among the favorites); and chef-selected specials unique to the Old Ebbitt. The annual Oyster Riot has made it the place to enjoy pristine quality oysters in Washington. The oyster bar, located behind the main bar, is a favorite social scene. Look to enjoy your selection with a glass of wine selected each year by an in-house panel. Two standout dinner dishes are the jumbo grilled pork chop with a generous portion of roasted sweet potatoes and curry apple-almond chutney, and the regional favorite of jumbo lump crab cakes with lemon aïoli. The best bet for dessert is the fresh fruit and berry creations.