4/5 Stars

$$

No undergraduate will deny that having at least one hungover brunch is a college tradition. Some Georgetown students roll out of bed Saturday and Sunday mornings and stumble into Leo’s to question the life decisions they made the night before. And as I’m speaking of questionable choices, I have to admit that Leo’s is very convenient if you are looking for a “drown your sorrows in food type” of breakfast. However, you might want to avoid a certain someone from last night, you may have had such a bad night that you need to treat yourself or you may have had such a good night that you deserve to treat yourself. So when I find myself in these situations, I call up some friends and go to Martin’s Tavern for a delicious brunch

Martin’s Tavern, on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and N Street, is not only a Georgetown staple but a D.C. institution. Known as a favorite among U.S. presidents and other dignitaries, Martin’s may seem like it’s geared towards a more geriatric audience, but they should appeal to a younger crowd since they serve delicious brunches until 4 p.m. on the weekends.

Upon our 11 a.m. arrival last Sunday morning, my party was promptly seated in one of the cozy booths next to the window. The wood paneling that covers the wall as well as the restaurant’s unique antique chandeliers and artwork give the tavern an endearingly old feel. Indeed, entering Martin’s is like stepping back into history since almost every booth has been graced by the presence of a famous politician like JFK. The dimly lit interior also provides the restaurant with a cozy ambiance.

Two of us ordered coffee, which we both found bold and flavorful. The other two ordered Bloody Marys, which they commented were perfectly spicy. Since we were all drinking water as well, we were also pleased that our waitress never let our glasses remain less than half full.

To our delight our food came within ten minutes of ordering. The menu offers typical breakfast items like pancakes and French toast as well as a plethora of salads, sandwiches and other lunch favorites. Martin’s serves American-style bar food, so there’s not really anything out of the ordinary, but the sheer size of the menu means there’s something for everybody. Our party ordered the early riser — two eggs any style with a choice of ham, bacon or sausage and served with toast, home fries and complimentary coffee. Although it was a simple dish, each component was cooked to perfection and everyone cleaned their plates.

The true showstopper, though, was the seasonal pancakes. I was confused when I was told that they were pumpkin pancakes, but I ordered them anyway simply because I will eat just about anything that’s pumpkin flavored. After the first sweet bite, I made everyone at the table try them. There was just the right amount of pumpkin flavor. I would encourage everyone to order them with one caveat: you may have to fight off some wandering forks attempting to steal a piece.

The prices are moderate, especially when you factor in the quality of the food and the fact that it’s a famous Georgetown restaurant. Depending on what you order, your bill will be somewhere between $15 and $20 with tip included. Though if you order an appetizer or some adult beverages, be prepared to pay a few extra dollars.

Martin’s will always be on my list of brunch spots. I’m looking forward to going back soon to find out what the next seasonal pancake is.