brunch at Old Ebbitt Grill

I generally avoid Old Ebbitt Grill on holiday weekends since it a mob house of tourists.  In fact, because of those weekend crowds, I haven’t been there for brunch in at least four years.  But this past weekend, a friend had some visitors in from out of town.  They wanted to go to brunch on Sunday somewhere downtown, and were planning to walk to the monuments afterward, so Old Ebbitt seemed like the perfect way to start a day of sight seeing.

I am now somewhat ashamed that it has taken me so long to get back there for something other than their happy hours; their brunch menu is actually pretty darn amazing.  The first thing that grabbed my attention was the breakfast club – a bacon and ham stuffed french toast sandwich. Two other people at the table ordered it so I opted for something else, knowing I would be treated to a taste.  The french toast was cut into slices, which were then wrapped in bacon.  That is what I call getting creative with french toast!  Another person in my group ordered the baked strawberry french toast, which was a bit much on the sugar side for most people, but we all very much enjoyed getting a taste.

I decided on the spring eggs – poached eggs on ham, asparagus, and english muffins, topped with three cheese fondue. I was worried that the cheese fondue would be a bit much but it was actually very similar to hollandaise sauce, which you can’t go wrong with.  The dish that was my second choice was one that they are a bit more known for – eggs chesapeake, which is poached eggs on crab cake.  No one at my table ordered it but it’s gotten great reviews and look delicious.

I will continue to recommend this as a stop to out of towners, since it is such a DC institution, but I think I will need to start recommending it to non-tourists as well.  Their menu certainly offers enough to make me want to return again soon!  My only recommendation would be to make reservations or to arrive before the big lunch rush.  Otherwise, be prepared to wait in a cramped lobby with a lot of tourists…which is personally not my idea of a relaxing Saturday morning.

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