Washington Restaurant Guide

Located in the heart of the city, the Fairfax Hotel has been a Washington institution since it opened in 1927. However, it was opening of the opening of the hotel's restaurant on the eve of President Kennedy's inauguration that redefined the Fairfax forever. On January 20, 1961, Colonel Gore's children, Louis, and Jimmy Gore, opened the Jockey Club.

At the time, because there was a lack of exceptional restaurants, entertaining and dining was primarily a private even. Washington insiders hosted dinner parties in their homes or at private clubs. Wanting to bring people together for great food and drinks, the Gore's designed the Jockey Club as a restaurant an inviting atmosphere with the comforts a private club.

From the moment it opened, the Jockey Club, the first family's restaurant of choice.

Jackie Kennedy was a regular, who created such excitement that diners stretched their necks to catch a glimpse of the stylish and elegant first lady. The Jockey Club was the first stop when Hollywood's elite came to town. Eva Gabor, Lauren Bacall, Joe Dimaggio, Kirk Douglas, Jimmy Stewart, Warren Beatty and Shirley MacLaine were all frequent visitors. Frank Sinatra, who adored the comfort of the Jockey Club, was known to put on a show when he came to visit.

There were other who required a discreet corner to solve the nation's latest crisis. With clientele from each of the neighborhood's embassies, foreign leaders could have learned advanced studies in diplomacy from the staff at the Jockey Club. Over the years, the restaurant has found a way to diplomatically appeal to all sides of the isle, hosting Bob and Liddy dole, Jack Kemp, Henry Kissinger, Charles Wick, Katharine Graham, Bob McNamara, George Will, Pamela Harriman and Nancy Reagan. In fact, Nancy Reagan became such a regular that the restaurant named a menu item after her -Nancy Reagan's Chicken Salad.