Ever since I first came to D.C. as a reasonably poor cereal eating freshmen in college, I’ve wanted to eat at the Old Ebbitt Grill. Now, as an extremely poor junior, I’ve given up Fruity Pebbles for Cliff Bars and finally managed to snag a table at the Old Ebbitt Grill. Located between F and G on 15^th street, just a block from the White House, Old Ebbit is the oldest and most well-known saloon in D.C. And when I say that I recently ate there, I really mean my very kind mother took my malnourished boyfriend and me there, and out of the good charity of her heart, kindly paid for our meals.

Seared Salmon Burger with a Side of Fruit Salad.

Serving martinis and oysters to tourists, D.C. residents, and Presidents since 1856, this Victorian inspired Oyster bar and hot spot feels like entering another world. Its velvet and mahogany booths, marble bar, antique walrus head, and full-length leg lanterns create an authentic and fun atmosphere. It’s the kind of fancy yet swaggering joint that makes you want to smoke a cigar, order a steak, and talk about how the stock market is doing. Honestly, it’s just a plain fun place.

Moving on to our meals, I started the night with a Ginger Snap cocktail, just one of the Old Ebbitt Grill’s tasty sounding alcoholic concoctions. My drink of choice that night included Domaine de Canton Ginger liqueur, Captain Morgan original spiced rum, and ginger ale, with the rim dipped in crushed ginger snap cookies. This is an excellent choice if you like ginger ale as a mixer, and it left me feeling a very warm, happy, and nostalgic for low-waisted dresses and bobbed haircuts.

The Chocolate Brownie Cappuccino.

Throughout the night, my boyfriend was a bit quiet, probably because he was shuffling a pile of their Chicken Carbonara into his mouth. I managed to sneak a spoonful before he inhaled it all.  The combination of bacon, Parmesan cheese, and, pasta made me feel better about living. It also had a surprising addition of fresh peas in it, which actually worked well.

My mother kept it pretty healthy and got the Seared Salmon Burger topped with sesame-seaweed salad and Sriracha aioli on a multi-grain Kaiser roll with a side of fresh fruit instead of the traditional crispy fries.

I, myself, went for a classier twist on a comforting classic: Veal Stew. This meal, which consisted of tender veal simmered with vegetables and served over creamy mashed potatoes, was the best thing I’ve eaten this year. It made me feel like I was living some sort of 1920’s fantasy in which I was Mrs. Gatsby and lived a blissful happily ever after with him in that mansion of his in Long Island. This might seem like an exaggeration but trust me, it’s not. This stew does things to you. Walrus head, Stop judging me.

After we ate dinner, we still found room for dessert. We chose the Chocolate Brownie Cappuccino, which is basically a delicious brownie soaking in a mug of cappuccino topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.  Yes, you read that right. It was a brownie, and a cappuccino, and ice cream. Together.

My one trip to The Old Ebbitt Grill doesn’t seem like enough. The saloon’s delicious menu also offers a range or fresh oysters on their menu that I’m curious to try as well as tasty breakfast and brunch options. For healthy eaters, the Athens’ Delight of Greek yogurt, granola, and fruit sounds like the good choice, but I’ll probably order the Grand Marnier French Toast with apple compote, honey pecan butter, topped with Vermont maple syrup because it sounds too tempting to say no to.

Also, I’m going to end this post with a shout out to all Moms. They’re awesome. They buy you fancy old timey themed food, and let you keep they’re leftovers. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.

-MAS (Mary)