Old Ebbitt Grill

This restaurant is easy walking distance from most of the major monuments/White House.  It always seemed to be quite crowded but there is a pleasant lobby area and impressive wood bar if you have to wait.   If you can sit in one of the booths as they are spacious and make you feel like your party is the only one in the place.  The decor is a bit outrageous, all shiny brass, animal heads, and an obscene amount of ferns/poinsettias (I was there around Christmas), but it makes it all the more interesting.   It has an upscale feel with out being stuffy.  The food was incredible.  My party had the manicotti, the crab cakes (the best, with huge lump meat that was delicious), the fish and chips, salmon, and ribeye.  All were above average.  The french fries were truly the best I've ever had, the vinegar sauce that comes with them is excellent.  Lots of great traditional cocktails, and the dessert wines were fun to try.  The service was very polite and loved to chat.  This didn't make them the speediest waiters, but it was worth it.  Large groups would have a blast here, but it's also a place where a couple could sit tucked away in a corner and have a romantic, people watching dinner.  Not exactly a place for little kids with all the crowd, noise, and the "grown up" food, but my teenage brother thought it was super cool to be in the unique DC atmosphere. Not cheap, but not out of the ordinary for a nice place.   I would totally go back! 

Old Ebbitt has consistently delicious food with seasonal variations, and the service is impeccable, whether you're a group of two or of twenty. The atrium is lighter and feels a little more casual than the main dining room (which has lovely dark wood and soft lights), so ask to be seated there if you're dining here with young children. A great place to teach older kids how to behave in a restaurant with tablecloths (but keep them happy with a good kids menu), have a business lunch, or even share a romantic dinner in one of the banquettes.