What are five things I should know about Occidental Grill & Seafood?
A historic steakhouse that has been serving Washingtonians for more than 100 years, Occidental Grill & Seafood near Willard InterContinental offers a classic, comfortable space for settling in and digging into a perfectly grilled New York strip or pan-seared rainbow trout. Before you arrive for a meal, here are five things our Forbes Travel Guide editors think you should know about the classic restaurant:
1. It’s historic. The Occidental was opened next to the Willard in 1906, and has hosted hundreds of statesmen from nearby Capitol Hill during that time — many of their photos line the walls of the restaurant, providing almost a wallpaper of who's who that earned the Occidental its slogan, "Where Statesmen Dine."
2. The chef has history, too. Executive chef Rodney Scruggs started his culinary career as a line cook at the Occidental when he was just 18, and stayed until 1993, having worked his way up to executive sous chef. He then worked at restaurants around the Washington area and the eastern shore of Maryland, and as a private chef for the president of American University. Scruggs returned to the Occidental as executive chef in 2005.
3. The menu is pleasingly streamlined. When Scruggs returned to the Occidental, he imbued the restaurant with this food philosophy: "Keep it simple, Scruggs." His dishes stress fresh, local ingredients, and his seasonal side dishes are a delicious steal, like the sautéed cherry tomatoes or lobster mashed potatoes that have more buttery lobster than a Maine lobster roll.
4. Opt to be seated in the wine room. This secluded space, which showcases a modern new wine storage system, seats up to 24 and is ideal of private parties. The mahogany and leather lined space is a where you’ll be treated to either a four-, five- or seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings selected for each course.
5. The classic cocktails deserve a sip. For an interesting pre-meal drink, try one of the Occidental's oak barrel-aged spirits like whiskey or rye. These drinks take on the flavors of the barrel they’re aged in; on our visit, these included a curiously strong manhattan with Maker's Mark whiskey, vermouth, bitters and brandied cherries.
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On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails does Occidental Grill & Seafood offer?
Teetotalers will be pleased to find that non-alcoholic drinks at Occidental Grill & Seafood are created with the same spirit of creativity and care that goes into the spirited libations. There are housemade naturally flavored sodas, frozen concoctions and iced teas for non-drinkers at the steak and seafood restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental. The bar's ginger beer is an ingredient in many cocktails, but it's great on its own, slightly darker and with a spicy ginger flavor. The Occidental also offers lavender-lemon and blood orange sodas, an iced strawberry mint tea and frozen raspberry lemonade. For something without fizz, try peach chamomile, honey green, or pomegranate and lemon iced teas. -
On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does Occidental Grill & Seafood offer any special or rare bottles of wine?
Occidental Grill & Seafood sommelier Michael Williams has created a wine list that features approachable and familiar wines as well as others that allow you to expand your wine palate. Here he highlights four wines and beverages that range from the affordable to extravagant on his list at the Occidental, the steak and seafood restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C. Here are his four favorites:
For just $10 per glass, Williams offers the 2010 Eric Bordelet Sidre Tendre, a hard apple sparkling cider from Normandy. Bordelet, the cider's namesake, was a Parisian sommelier before taking over his family's cider production business, implementing sparkling wine techniques and creating offerings such as this one, which Williams calls "beautiful and complex with a persistent and extremely fine mousse."
A more extravagant option is the 2009 Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant Savennieres, offered for $200 per bottle. A chenin blanc that’s on Williams’ short list of the great white wines in the world, the Clos de la Coulée de Serrant from the Loire Valley is "intensely and freshly aromatic with searingly bright acidity."
For a bold flavor from a unique location, try the 2009 Owen Roe Rosa Mystica Cabernet Franc from Slide Mountain Vineyard in Yakima, Washington. This $160 bottle comes from the Yakima Indian Reservation, and is filled with cherry and blackberry notes. Williams says it’s the best cabernet franc he has ever tasted.
At just $67, the Joleté Deux Années Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is quite affordable, but still rather rare and worth tasting. The winemaker created just 441 cases of this pinot noir, a blend of 2009 and 2010 vintages that offers flavors of Bing cherry and sweet herbs. -
On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are some of the specialty cocktails available at Occidental Grill & Seafood?
The mirrored bar is the centerpiece of Occidental Grill & Seafood, and its bartenders craft specialty cocktails that change with the seasons. From a bar stool or from your dinner table, order specialty cocktails including mixtures that are aged in-house in oak barrels. Like an aged whiskey or rye, these drinks take on the flavors of the barrel they are aged in; on our visit, these included a curiously strong Manhattan with Maker's Mark whisky, vermouth, bitters and brandied cherries.
The bar also includes a seasonally changing list of handcrafted cocktails. On our visit, we complemented our meal with a mellow blood orange margarita and a maple Manhattan that augmented the classic with a sweet kick of Vermont maple syrup. The bar also features a bonus for dieters: a list of cocktails that clock in at fewer than 100 calories. -
On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Who is the sommelier at Occidental Grill & Seafood?
The sommelier at Occidental Grill & Seafood, the steak and seafood restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C., is Michael Williams. Williams an expert in selecting wines from regions around the world to pair with the cuisine at Occidental. He offers an extensive by the glass wine list, as well as a selection of ciders and artisanal beers that you’ll find are quite food friendly. Williams enjoys working with diners to select the best wine pairings for their meal, whether they’re enjoying a casual dinner with friends or planning a function for a group in the Wine Room. -
On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does Occidental Grill & Seafood offer wine pairings?
The wine program at Occidental Grill & Seafood, the restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental is run by sommelier Michael Williams. He and his staff are happy to offer wine pairing suggestions for any dish on the menu.
Williams’ list of wines available by the glass and bottle is both accessible and imaginative with familiar offerings as well as others that offer the opportunity to try something new. The sommelier has cultivated a list that includes vintages across a range of prices.
The by-the-glass list allows you to try a different wine with each course. For example, the Gratien & Meyer Saumur Brut Rosé will pair well with the yellow fin tartare while a glass of Mt. Beautiful New Zealand Pinot Noir is a great choice with the charcuterie board. -
On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does Occidental Grill & Seafood have a bar menu?
Sous chef Troy Coan offers small bites on the bar menu at Occidental Grill & Seafood, the restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C. In addition to specialty and classic cocktails, diners at the bar can choose from small bites from $7 to $14, including a large date stuffed with goat cheese, truffled French fries with garlic-lemon aioli, a tuna slider with ginger mayo, or near-meal fare like the fried buttermilk quail breast. The menu also offers an antipasto board and a cheese selection, including a goat cheese, two cow cheeses and a sheep variety for $15. Our Forbes Travel Guide editors were taken with the delicious drum cheddar and Manchego, a zesty Spanish sheep’s milk cheese. -
On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does Occidental Grill & Seafood have a bar?
The mirrored bar is the centerpiece of the Occidental Grill & Seafood, the restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C. Towering above the restaurant's tables and booths are the mirrors and bottles from the Occidental bar. Settle onto one of the bar stools, and order a twist on a classic cocktail such as the Blood-O-Rita, a margarita with blood orange liqueur and juice or an old fashioned where whiskey has been swapped for the smoky Mexican liquor called mezcal. The bar also barrel ages certain spirits featured in the curiously strong Manhattan with Maker's Mark whisky, vermouth, bitters and brandied cherries. They also create housemade sodas and non-alcoholic drinks to refresh teetotalers.
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On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does the menu at Occidental Grill & Seafood have seasonal dishes?
The menu changes five or six times per year, meaning dishes are always seasonal at Occidental Grill & Seafood, the steak and seafood restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental. Chef Rodney Scruggs builds his menu with a philosophy of "Keep it simple, Scruggs." His dishes stress simple, fresh, local ingredients that change with seasonal availability.
The accompaniments on the Bibb lettuce salad change according to the season. When Forbes Travel Guide editors visited in the autumn, the Bibb was paired with a poached pear, large lumps of creamy goat cheese, and glassy chunks of hazelnut brittle. In spring, strawberries replaced the pear and the nut brittle on the Bibb salad.
The seasonal changes also show up quite noticeably in the side dishes. Winter’s Brussels sprouts and lobster mashed potatoes have been replaced with grilled asparagus, sautéed cherry tomatoes and buttery Peewee new potatoes for spring. -
On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What is the food presentation like at Occidental Grill & Seafood?
Food presentation is simple yet artistic, representing the chef's food philosophy at Occidental Grill & Seafood, the steak and seafood restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C. Chef Rodney Scruggs builds his menu with a philosophy of "Keep it simple, Scruggs," and his dishes are presented in a manner to match. On simple white plates, entrees, salads, and starters are served simply, garnished lightly, and sit atop sauces that enhance the flavor of what's featured. The chef knows that diners eat with their eyes first, and strives to create inviting plate presentations that will whet the appetite. -
On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does Occidental Grill & Seafood offer any special gifts from the chef?
Chef Rodney Scruggs loves to delight his guests at Occidental Grill & Seafood, the steak and seafood restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental hotel in Washington, D.C. At dinnertime each diner is presented with the chef's daily amuse-bouche. This little edible surprise at Occidental Grill & Seafood arrives when the drinks are delivered to your table. They change daily, but on a recent visit, Forbes Travel Guide editors enjoyed a shot glass filled with warm, pale crab soup, a delicious, thick purée that was the perfect way to whet our appetite. -
On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Are there any signature desserts at Occidental Grill & Seafood?
The dessert menu changes seasonally at Occidental Grill & Seafood, the steak and seafood restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental hotel in Washington, D.C, but features fresh-baked cookies each night.
Like the dinner menu, the dessert menu at the Occidental changes every few months to showcase seasonal ingredients. Spring brings light desserts such as the strawberries Romanoff parfait layered with almond cake, orange cream and strawberry sauce. On a winter visit, Forbes Travel Guide editors indulged in a chestnut walnut crunch, a layered mix of mousse, walnut sponge cake and crunchy chocolate chunks.
The menu features classic desserts like crème brûlée and a large selection of dessert wines, coffee cocktails and cognac, but the Occidental's dessert signature is its cookies. The varieties and flavors change often, but they're always warm and freshly baked.
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On June 12Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the desserts like at Occidental Grill & Seafood?
The dessert menu changes seasonally at Occidental Grill & Seafood, the steak and seafood restaurant next to the Forbes Travel Guide recommended Willard InterContinental, but includes a large selection of tempting offerings from elaborate creations to fresh-baked cookies.
Like the dinner menu, the dessert menu at the Occidental changes every few months to showcase the best flavors of the season. Spring brings light desserts such as the strawberries Romanoff parfait layered with almond cake, orange cream and strawberry sauce. On a winter visit, Forbes Travel Guide editors indulged in a chestnut walnut crunch, a layered mix of mousse, walnut sponge cake and crunchy chocolate chunks. Also enticing is the ginger beer float, made with the Occidental's housemade brew and topped with vanilla ice cream.
There are also classic desserts like crème brûlée and a large selection of dessert wines, coffee cocktails and cognac, but the Occidental's dessert signature is the variety of warm, freshly baked cookies.
