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"An American standby in downtown D.C., this ode to Abraham Lincoln opened in 2011 to early praise from then–Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema and became known for a namesake burger and fries, mac and three cheeses, kale salad, deviled eggs, butternut squash soup, and the top-selling Freedom Manhattan that’s always aged 30 days in an oak barrel. Beyond the menu, it’s aesthetically defined by endless rows of pennies lining the space. Fifteen years on, it will serve its last course on Saturday, December 20, with a farewell party (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) featuring passed apps, a “Final Penny Mule” cocktail, and photo ops on its monumental “Lincoln” chair; the floor pennies are being bagged and handed to guests. The closing comes amid challenging conditions around 1110 Vermont Avenue NW, but the restaurant’s “Food of the People, by the People, for the People” spirit and moments like hosting President Barack Obama for lunch in 2012 cement its place in D.C. dining history." - Tierney Plumb