The Gist: http://www.ebbitt.com/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=About_the_Ebbitt
The Why: I was told that you go to The Old Ebbitt Grill for the history, not for the food, and considering my proclivity for the later I’d passed on Old Ebbitt during my first visit to Washington DC and had considered skipping it again until a ridiculous storm of wind and rain plus lunch plans in the area changed my mind. In other words, it was warm, dry, and convenient.
The Reservation: None made, and arriving only ten minutes after they opened the doors none was needed.
The Setting: Near to the Whitehouse and a favorite of presidents of both the distant and recent past as well as tourists (and even some locals) The Old Ebbitt is antique, Victorian, and impressively well maintained. A large space with multiple rooms, bars, art, and heavy tables with plush seating the space is certainly dated but at the same time very comfortable, a space of a bygone era with character to spare.
The Service: In a word, fantastic. Greeted at the door and ushered in with my umbrella kept near the hostess stand to dry I was led to a large 4-top in the center of the room where I was greeted by a young lady named Jessica who not only offered menus, water, coffee, and excellent service throughout my stay but also the local paper and some memorabilia/post cards about the restaurant (plus her own personal anecdotes about the pains of being a Redskins fan for many years.)
The Food and Drink – Coffee, Pastry, Main Course.
Bottomless Coffee: Pretty standard stuff here; served piping hot with warm milk and five types of sweetener the cup never reached less than half full.
Blueberry Muffin with Butter: House made and served warm with whipped butter this muffin was actually far better than I’d have hoped with the top delicate, light, and slightly caramelized while the base was dense with a fluffy and buttery crumb. While more blueberries at center would have been ideal, there were certainly enough at the periphery.
The Breakfast Club: Told that this was the “only thing worth ordering” at Old Ebbitt by a friend I have to say this sandwich of ham and bacon stuffed French toast definitely lived up to the hype as the sweet meets savory blend not only shined in the flavor department, but also in terms of texture with the custard soaked bread and crispy bacon in great balance while a sidecar of pure Vermont maple syrup and fresh fruit added enough sweetness without overwhelming the savory.
The Verdict: Touristy or not and dated or not I really enjoyed my breakfast at Old Ebbitt and would happily return. Excellent service and a great space to sit and relax (or to let the weather pass) I’ll admit my sampling of the food was limited but also note that what I had was quite good while the opportunity to wander the space and explore the rooms was by itself worth the price of admission.