Always Prospering Media

Martin’s Tavern has been an institution in Georgetown in Washington DC since 1933. If you know me, you know I love a good throwback and I love a storied establishment with a rich history. To me, it adds an element of timeless class and tradition that one cannot fake. Martin’s is the oldest family-run restaurant in the city and being that they’re celebrating 90 years this year, it is safe to say that this charming tavern serving upscale American fare is tested and true. 

We arrived at Martin’s right on time for our reservation at 8pm on a Sunday night. The smaller dining room was packed and bustling and the host asked if we would be interested in dining outside. Let me tell you this: at an establishment like Martin’s, I promise you want to be inside that museum of a dining room. That being said, I just asked if we could dine inside and explained we would be happy to wait for a few additional minutes to make that a reality. He gladly said he could have us seated in a booth in five or so minutes. Five or so minutes later, we were seated in a cute wooden booth tucked into the very corner of the restaurant, in my opinion, the best seat in the house. We were able to have the privacy of being in the corner while also experiencing and observing the chaos of dinner service as waiters tended to their tables and bartenders made drinks for patrons at the bar. 

Our server came over to us shortly after we were seated and we ordered appetizers. This time for appetizers, we switched it up and decided to try two of Martin’s soups, their clam chowder and the highly regarded French onion. We found both to be good, the French onion was excellent as it was topped with melted provolone cheese and a baguette. The mild flavor of the provolone was a great compliment to the saltiness of the broth. As for our main courses, we wanted to go with some timeless classics so we ordered a meatloaf and fish and chips, although I was extremely tempted to order the double cut lamb chop. The fish and chips and meatloaf came out soon after we placed our orders. All of the food came out quickly from the appetizers and entrees to the desert, too. Martin’s meatloaf was served with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli but it was unique in that it was topped with a mushroom gravy. However, the earthiness of the mushrooms interacted well with the rich and dense mashed potatoes. The fish and chips was also somewhat unique. It was dredged and fried as opposed to being traditionally beer battered. The fries were just how I liked them, thin and crispy and the house made remoulade was an excellent compliment to the cod. Before we left, we made sure to order the signature bread pudding. We had a tremendous time at Martin’s and will definitely keep it in the rotation as a tremendous option for a date night, place to take parents, and a place to enjoy a great meal. 8.5/10.