The Oval Office
Government office · White House Grounds ·
White tablecloth dining for politicians and celebrities
Information
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500 Get directions
White tablecloth dining for politicians and celebrities
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500 Get directions
"The location where President Trump announced the new 'Trump Gold Card' visa."
"Once a glitzy, white-tablecloth magnet for celebrities and politicos, The Oval Room closed last fall after a 26-year run; despite a $1 million renovation in 2014, Bajaj chose to gut the space and start over after it was left damaged following protests near the White House — windows were broken and the carpet and tables sustained fire damage — and it had been closed for about a year." - Tierney Plumb
"Near the White House, I describe the Oval Room as a high-end modern American dining room that has been closed for a rebrand during the pandemic." - Tierney Plumb
"Near the White House, I watched the glitzy, white-tablecloth Oval Room — a modern American restaurant that for 26 years served countless celebrities and politicos — quietly close last month. A favorite of Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema for prix fixe lunches and people-watching over shrimp and grits, it adapted during the coronavirus by launching a takeout sandwich pop-up in September. Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj says he’ll keep the space and introduce a new, undisclosed project, and the restaurant’s website teases, “Stay tuned for the opening of a new restaurant concept in the near future.” The most recent chef was Bryan Moscatello, and notable alumni include Tony Conte and John Melfi. In 2014 Bajaj invested $1 million in a renovation that added a white marble bar, dangling theatrical lights, and artwork by Jennifer Bartlett, drawing diners such as Michael Phelps and Mayor Muriel Bowser." - Tierney Plumb
"I found that the fine-dining Oval Room—typically a spot for power brokers to gather over foie gras tarts—had all 10 windows and its glass doors smashed after Saturday night violence; owner Ashok Bajaj said someone attempted to start a fire on a table before running off, and he later discovered looters took liquor from another of his restaurants." - Gabe Hiatt
