Peachy's Picks Washington D.C.: Martin's Tavern Encore Review It Continues to Earn Our Highest Recommendation Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
The delicious pan seared Sea Scallops of Martin's Tavern
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There is nothing like Martin's Tavern! It has been featured possibly more than any restaurant anywhere since it was first featured-we don't stop to count exactly and with over 17,000 posts we'd rather be writing than counting- and this is its 4th formal review within a year which puts it ahead. By a lot!
It was first featured in Peachy's Picks Washington, D.C. in April of 2014:
When we returned to Washington in the summer, it was the first feature in our Washington Al Fresco column:
It's been featured in our Breakfast Away column:
and this is its first encore classification. We surmise there will be many more.
Here's its number on Wisconsin Avenue, in Georgetown:
What makes Martin's Tavern so great?
To start off with, it's got a great story and a phenomenal history. It opened just after prohibition, and ever since it has been opened it has been owned by a Billy Martin-the current Billy's great-grandfather and grandfather owned it, as well as his father, before he bought it from his dad. Ever since it opened, there has always been a Billy Martin there. And if you know the current one, which we are pleased to say we do, you know it would be impossible to beat him in terms of commitment to excellence, quality and superb guest experience, not to mention culinary knowledge. Martin's Tavern is one-of-a-kind and a vacation once you walk in the door.
We've told you it's a tavern in name alone. Martin's Tavern serves high-class cuisine of sophistication where details matter.
We can't tell you how excited we were to sit in the booth called: The Rumble Seat, evocative of 1930's Ford Roadster's...which you can read more about in Cruising Peachy. (We hear Lime Rock Park has picked some winners.) When you arrive at Martin's Tavern, the tables are spotless and your napkin is beautiful.
If you want to dine like a President, you can see where everyone from Truman up to and including George W. Bush likes to sit and Billy will tell you what they liked to eat too. We're sorry to say the current resident of the White House has not made his way to our favorite address on Wisconsin Avenue, however, if Peachy Deegan is ever elected she will go to Martin's Tavern ALL THE TIME. (after Mover and Shaker Geoffrey Bradfield decorates the White House...) If Martin's Tavern were in New York, you would not have as much to read because Peachy would be eating and drinking there more than publishing probably.
As you know, Peachy Deegan is an enthusiast of strong reds, and she began with this Villa San Juliette 2011 Cabernet from California. It boasted a smooth, deep red fruit that had been aged 16 months in French Oak barrels. Solid tannins were prevalent and this proved to be a lovely companion to the edible entrees.
The appetizers section of the menu is one star selection after another, and what we found most endearing on this visit were the Pan Seared Sea Scallops. Don't hate them because they're beautiful...(remember that shampoo commercial?!)
These super fresh scallops hail from the Chesapeake Bay, and are delivered to Martin's Tavern every other day, and are seared to perfection. Every tender bite of this glory from the sea is superlatively enhanced by sauteed corn, pancetta and green apples. The almonds that come to this party on a plate are sliced to an ideal thinness and there's a hint of light garlic as well. Garnished with microgreens, the pan seared scallops are a winner of an appetizer we'd order again. We wish we were eating it right now!
While you are enjoying your dinner, you'll notice you can't beat the atmosphere in Martin's Tavern. The warm and friendly banter is enhanced by an excellent music selection and when Mr. Sandman graces your ears, you'll be looking for the jukebox (but we think there isn't one. That would be on our wish list Billy!) We did hear Walk Like a Man and you know we advised Clint Eastwood and Frankie Valli to do just that right in the door of Billy's place. Note that everyone is classy and no one is loud; there seem to be unspoken rules about Etiquette from Connecticut in place, which is what you'd expect from a spot where Jackie Bouvier became engaged to be a Kennedy.
This visit, we were delighted to meet Enoc Lopez, Sous Chef. He made his Martin's Tavern debut two years ago in the Spring of 2013.
For our green salad, we chose Martin's House salad, and they listened and remembered to put the dressing on the side. Of course, it was fantastically fresh and the mixed baby greens were tossed with sliced cucumber, carrots, grape tomatoes, and dried cranberries. The consummate green salad!
Without a doubt, our favorite edible wonder of the night was the excellent Lobster Risotto. The truly succulent chunks of fresh lobster perfectly poached wowed us tremendously. Creamy risotto and jumbo lump crab are a symphony of goodness around the lobster, additionally highlighted by rosemary grape tomatoes and garnished with microgreens. We love how every component is in bite-sized pieces too. The risotto was totally stand-up and not soggy at all, as lesser risottos from lesser venues can be.
You're going to want to save room for dessert!
It's clear why the bread pudding is their most popular dessert.
Accentuated by a hot bourbon caramel sauce, it is the ultimate in comfort food to warm you up this winter. Every bite was simply decadent!
Martin's Tavern continues to earn our Highest Recommendation
Established in 1933, Martin's Tavern is one of Washington DC’s most historic family-owned enterprises. For 80 years, Martin’s Tavern has been a renowned fixture in the mid-Atlantic and a must-visit establishment in historic Georgetown. In the late 1890's, William S. Martin traveled from Galway, Ireland to America. Forty years later, he and his son, William G. Martin, the current Billy's grandfather, opened Martin’s Tavern on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and N Street NW which is run today by our friend, William A. Martin Jr. You can call him Billy! From sitting Presidents and media icons, to city residents and worldly travelers, Martin’s Tavern is a welcoming home to the many who have long embraced its warm atmosphere. Its quintessentially classic American fare has delighted discriminating palates for decades from the Oakwood Atlantic Smoked Salmon to the Filet Mignon to whatever your little heart desires from the convincing menu. Every President from Truman to George W. Bush has happily dined at Martin's Tavern, and you can see the delicious culinary choices preferred by each in our review: Martin's Tavern is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know:
The President’s favorite booths, The Proposal Booth of Jack and Jackie Kennedy, Mickey Mantle in The Dugout Room, George W. Bush and family at Table 12 are just a few of the iconic stories. Fourth generation owner Billy Martin, Jr. continues the tradition of Washington’s oldest family owned restaurant and Georgetown landmark.
