The Tabard Inn, Washington DC
The Tabard Inn is an urban inn and restaurant located at 1739 N Street, NW in Washington, DC. Founded in 1922 by Marie Willoughby Rogers (1885-1970), it was purchased in 1974 by Edward Stone Cohen (1938-1999) and his wife Fritzi Davis Cohen. Today it is now an Employee Owned and Operated (ESOP - Employee stock ownership plan), and Ms. Cohen serves as president.
Awards & Honors[edit]
The Tabard Inn has been featured in several national and international periodicals and newspapers, including The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Times. In 2018 it was listed among the Top 100 Brunches in America by restaurants.com. Most notably, in 2017 and 2018, The Tabard Inn garnered "The Plate" distinction in the Michelin Guide (DC edition).
The Inn Today[edit]
Long favored by those who appreciate its quirkiness, individuality, and warmth,[1][2] The Tabard Inn also hosts book parties and other literary and community events.[3] It is known as an event venue.[4] [5][6][7]
History[edit]
Early Years[edit]
The center house in what is now The Tabard Inn, was known as The Lippett Mansion, built in 1900 in Washington's "Mayfair District" (as it was then known) for an admiral, and later renovated by former Senator Henry F. Lippitt of Rhode Island. Marie Willoughby Rogers (1885-1970) bought it and the two houses flanking the Lippitt Mansion, knocking down walls and connecting the three structures.[1]In 1922, Mrs. Rogers intended for the three, post-Civil War houses to be a place for entertaining. Her intention was not to operate an inn but "just to give parties." However, it continued to grow into a small hotel. Mrs. Rogers chose the name for her new establishment from a passage in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: "Wherefore they came to make a company in Southwark at this noble hostelry, The Tabard."[2]In addition to decorating the inn with aesthetic nods to its namesake, Mrs. Rogers began the inn’s tradition of pinpointing her guests’ home towns on a world map.
While the early days saw its floors filled with debutantes, The Tabard Inn had a more serious purpose as WWII began: it was home to the United States Naval Reserve (Women's Reserve) or WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) for three years.[3][8]
The Tabard Inn was also a postwar destination, as Admiral Commander John H. Cassady, Commander in Chief of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and his wife made The Tabard Inn home for a few weeks while visiting from London.[9]
Marie W. Rogers continued to manage the inn until her death in 1970, after which it faced demolition until Edward Cohen and his wife Fritzi Davis Cohen bought it with the intention of restoring it and operating a farm to table restaurant.
Threats and Battles[edit]
With new owners Edward and Fritzi Cohen, the buildings and inn were saved. In 1984, when Johns Hopkins University[4]planned to build an addition to its School for Advanced International Studies, it faced strong criticism from the Dupont Circle Citizens Association for failing to provide anything other than "minimal, if any additional amenities" to the neighborhood or city. Edward Cohen, Tabard Inn’s owner, added his voice, saying that the new structure would "rise intolerably close to the hotel gardens and rear windows...[putting] our businesses to a distinct disadvantage," blocking light, ruining the garden atmosphere, and blocking delivery supplies and trash pick-up in the alley.[10]Another successful block to further intrusion (a proposed parking lot) had been waged in the late 1950s.
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- ↑ Helmore, Kristin (October 28, 1986). "Tabard Inn: Perfect for 'Power' People". The Christian Science Monitor.
- ↑ Section: Washington-Dc Food Examiner (July 10, 2011). "Best sunday brunch in the city "Tabard Inn Restaurant"". Washington Examiner (DC) -.
- ↑ Hays, Charlotte (March 21, 1990). "ELIFECHARLOTTE'S WEB". THE WASHINGTON TIMES.
- ↑ Hill, Patrice (September 29, 1997). "Tabard provides genteel escape from distractions of modern life". THE WASHINGTON TIMES.
- ↑ Stefanova, Kristina (December 13, 1999). "Jeremiah Cohen - Hotel's preparations for New Year's Eve began months ago". Washington Times.
- ↑ McCaslin, John (May 2, 2006). "NATION
INSIDE THE BELTWAY". THE WASHINGTON TIMES. line feed character in
|title=at position 7 (help) - ↑ Isbell, Jennifer (July 21, 1992). "Author puts self-portrait into proper framework". THE WASHINGTON TIMES.
- ↑ "Bridal Shower For Wave Has Nautical Theme". The Washington Post. September 3, 1944.
- ↑ McL, W (Jul 18, 1954). "Cassady Visit Prompts Parties". The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959).
- ↑ Mariano, Ann (July 21, 1984). "Washington Post". The Washington Post.
