Reviewing Martin’s Tavern: The oldest family-run traditional American restaurant in Washington DC.
Most people come to Washington, D.C. for history. They visit the Smithsonian museums, see the White House, and tour the numerous monuments dedicated to the memory of bygone wars and American heroes. But in a city like this, history can be found everywhere, including the many restaurants and bars. Martin’s Tavern, the oldest family-run restaurant in D.C. and a Georgetown staple, is one such place. Oozing with history, Martin’s has been the site of intelligence meetings, debates, and discussions among political leaders that led to historical landmarks such as FDR’s New Deal, the Brown v. Board of Education decision, and most famously, JFK’s marriage proposal to Jackie O (booth 3!). Baseball legends, Supreme Court justices, senators, Hollywood stars, and every president from Harry Truman to George W. Bush have dined here, and many of the old-fashioned hardwood booths are labeled with plaques commemorating the famous and important people who have graced their seats. Oh, and just to top it off, the food is great, too.
We were heading to a show at the Kennedy Center and decided to have an early dinner at Martin’s beforehand. It’s a quick 10-minute ride from the theater, so we booked a reservation for an hour and a half before we had to arrive for our show. The reservation system online asked if there was anything the restaurant should know, so I included the time of our show. I was impressed when, upon arrival, the hostess let me know that they had taken note and would ensure we were out in time.
Even for an early dinner time, the restaurant was packed with locals and tourists alike. Every seat at the bar was taken, and the many tables in the front room were squeezed together with people. The din in the restaurant is palpable, adding to the charm of the historic building. You can feel its personality radiating through every aspect of the restaurant. Deep mahogany and white tablecloths are broken up by waiters in ties that move with precision through the crowd. You immediately feel as though this is a place to see and be seen.
We were seated in a small back room off the bar, where there were only a few booths and tables, so the noise level was slightly lessened by its separation from the main dining space. Almost instantly, one of the tie-clad waiters appeared at our table and offered us drinks. We both ordered our usual, a dirty gin martini. Everything Martin’s turns out is done with an eye toward classic distinction, and their cocktails are no exception. The martinis arrived in icy cold glasses, delicately seasoned with olive brine and with two blue-cheese stuffed olives skewered in the center.
As we sipped our drinks and decided on dishes to order, we took a look around the room we were in. Every wall at Martin’s Tavern tells a story, and the decor is what you’d expect of a classic D.C. pub with an aura of fame. Dedications to its past patrons and to local institutions, such as Georgetown University, line its walls while colorful Tiffany-style lamps beam down from the ceilings. This is a living museum. And, if you’re lucky enough to catch it during the Christmas season, you’re in for an even bigger treat. Martin’s goes all out for the holidays, covering every available surface in garlands, lights, and bows, creating a living winter wonderland in the heart of D.C.
We settled on the French onion soup for an appetizer, which was listed on the menu as being the “best in D.C.” Lots of restaurants claim to have the “best” of something, but in this case, they may be telling the truth. An old-fashioned crock of thick, dark, sweet, and tangy onion soup was served to us with a large crusty baguette on top. Baked over everything was a generous portion of provolone cheese, which dripped over the sides and was perfectly browned and bubbling from the broiler.
Our entrées followed soon after the soup, with the staff keeping their promise to help us make our show despite their busy night. I had the double-cut lamb chop, which arrived perfectly cooked to medium, the way I had requested. The herb-coated meat was tender and juicy. It was paired with garlicky spinach, which was steamed to a vivid hue of green, and a helping of multicolor fingerling potatoes, which were uniquely positioned beneath the rest of the food on the dish to soak up the juices and flavors from above.
My dining partner ordered a classic comfort food: chicken parmesan. Served over fresh fettuccine, the fried cutlet was also very tender, and this too came smothered in a generous portion of mozzarella cheese that stretched to infinity as the fork was lifted from the dish. The red sauce coated the pasta and chicken without being overwhelming and was flavorful with a hint of sweetness. The entire thing was topped with fresh herbs that drew together all of the other flavors.
Before we left, my dining partner had to try the bread pudding, which was listed as the most popular dessert on the menu. And so, a steaming plate of bread pudding was set before us with two spoons. It was moist and included baked-in raisins. The pudding was then soaked in a hot bourbon caramel sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream; the two disparate temperatures and flavors mingling together created that flawless dessert experience.
Dining at Martin’s is something that brings locals and tourists in D.C. together. Reservations are definitely recommended and can be made about a month in advance for the inside dining room or their outdoor tables, which spill off the sidewalk around the corner from Wisconsin Ave to N St. The service is friendly, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is unlike anywhere else. And if all of that hasn’t convinced you to go, it’s important to note that their crab cakes are made with no filler; they are entirely crab meat! Whether you take a date, take the family, or meet up with friends, everyone is welcome here. Just don’t expect it to be quiet; there’s too much history being made.