1789 $$$

1226 36th St. NW
202/965-1789
www.1789restaurant.com [1]

HOURS: Mon.-Thurs. 6-10 p.m., Fri. 6-11 p.m., Sat. 5:30-11 p.m., Sun. 5:30-10 p.m.

COST: Most entrées more than $20

If a restaurant has survived in Washington since the 1960s, it has earned the title “institution,” and 1789 is one of the few venerable dining spots able to claim that honor.

Its name refers to the date the city of Washington incorporated Georgetown and the year the archbishop purchased the land for the university.

Occupying a Federal-style row built in the mid 1800s, for years 1789 has drawn couples young and old, celebrants, parents taking their Georgetown students out for a special meal, and wedding parties. The restaurant is separated into rooms that each have a distinct decor, but all are cozy spaces, with fireplaces, gas lamps, candlelight, exposed beams, and fine linens.

Managed by Clyde’s Restaurant Group, the menu has managed to stay relevant in a city replete with new dining options. Young chef Daniel Giusti has added his stamp to the traditional menu, including sourcing the ingredients and adding selections like venison loin with sweet potatoes and crispy skate to a menu known mainly for its tenderloin and leg of lamb.

The formal service is friendly and not overbearing. Jackets are required for men, a fact that is usually discretely mentioned while making the reservations.