National Press Club Eatery Open to the Public for Special Event
If you’ve lived in DC for any length of time, chances are you have a friend who is a reporter, and chances are that reporter is a member of the National Press Club, the most prestigious news club in the world.
The NPC, located on the 13th floor of the National Press Club building at the corner of 14th and F downtown, has been a wonderful haven for reporters for 100 years. Every U.S. president since Theodore Roosevelt has been to the club and it is often host to queens, visiting presidents, prime ministers and celebrities. I have breakfast there most mornings because it’s free to members. I see the Secret Service there at least a couple of times a week sweeping the area for whichever big-wig is going to speak. The Truman Piano stands in the Reliable Source, an adorably named bar with a delicious menu, and there are photos of all sorts of notable people playing the piano or sitting atop it, as Lauren Bacall did in 1945 while Harry Truman played.
In addition to a rich history, the place has fabulous dining. The Fourth Estate, another cutesy named eatery, has Chef Jim Swanson stirring up American classics at an affordable price. It’s open to the public, but gives discounts to NPC members. Lucky me.
There’s a great event coming up Dec. 5 that I can’t wait to attend. They do these little book dinners quite often, but this event for “Recipes from Historic America” by Linda and Steve Bauer sounds worth the trip. The book is part history, part cookbook, part travel memoir and details seven regions with the best eateries in each. The event itself will include a discussion about the book, a question and answer period and a six-course dinner with wine pairings. All this for $89 for non-members, $67 for members, including tax and gratuity. Fabulous.
Call 202-662-7638 for reservations with your credit card handy. Make sure to study up on the book too so you can get all your questions answered.
