I Made it to Old Ebbit Grill

It was my first time to Washington. I had done my normal research online and listed out a lot of potential restaurants and eateries. After I landed, I “ubered” my way to the hotel. On my way to the hotel I saw the incredible Old Ebbitt Grill. This was definitely one on the list. I had read online that this was the place of famous crab cakes and news reporters trying to get the latest scoop. I had an early flight, so needless to say, I was famished. Yes, I know people are starving in the Sudan and I am not missing many meals, but I was famished! I unpacked quickly at my hotel and walked the two blocks to the restaurant. I walked in around 2:30 pm and there was still a bit of a crowd in the bar area. I made my way through the bar and found a seat in between a man and a couple. Once seated, the bartender asked me, “what will you have”. I mentioned that I heard they had the best crab cakes. This simple statement gave the gentleman to my left permission to start up the conversation. I was quickly informed that yes, I was in the best place for the BEST crab cakes. After listening to this gentleman and the bartender educate me fully on what the perfect ingredients are in crab cakes, my order was made. For your own enjoyment, there should never be vegetables, minimal bread crumbs, large lumps of crab meat and minimal mayonnaise. This was serious information folks… not to be taken lightly. I asked the gentleman what he did for a living and he explained that he worked upstairs and gave me the name of his company that included something about advocacy in the title (I wasn’t taking notes). I proceeded to ask, what that meant and he said, “I make people feel good about the government.” I chuckled and said, “you’ve got a hard job right now.” He laughed back and said, “that’s why I’m having a cocktail at lunch.”

Once the crab cake sliders came… I was mesmerized. By far, hands down, the best crab cakes I’ve ever had.  (Let it be noted: I have never been to Maryland.) While I was eating my crab cake sliders, the bartender asked me where I was from. He said he noted a southern accent. I explained that I was traveling to D.C. from Texas. He asked who I was with and I explained I was traveling alone. I guess this gave the lady to my right permission to speak. After the bartender walked away, she lightly touched my arm and said, “excuse me, did you say you were here alone.” I explained how I came about taking this trip by myself. She wasn’t as surprised that I was on the trip by myself, but more that I had never been to Washington D.C. before. She explained that she had come every summer since she was a little girl. She asked me where I had been. I explained that I had simply landed, unpacked and walked from the airport. She then began to talk so beautifully and educate me on one of her favorite galleries in D.C.:  Renwick Gallery. She pulled out her phone and showed me her favorite piece in the gallery. She asked me what I thought it was… I said it looked like a man in a trench coat about to surprise. The art (link here) http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=31977 is called “The Ghost Clock” – it’s simply a piece of fabric over a clock; however, the entire piece is chiseled out of one piece of wood. I told her that I would be sure and go to the Renwick after I left the Grill. She was so excited for me. She then said that she needed to leave because her husband was in a meeting with Mitt Romney. I then realized I must have been in the presence of “somebody”. She was so sweet and kind. It was after this trip that I decided to start a blog. In the future, I will take notes. But when traveling to D.C., don’t miss Old Ebbit Grill and be sure and have a conversation.

Note: These crab-cake sliders had the perfect amount of Mayonnaise.

Lesson: Talk to people, they might be famous!

Old Ebbitt Grill, located at 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

http://www.ebbitt.com/