RAF Club News
The Army and Navy Club, Washington
Squadron Leader Berry-Ottaway recently visited The Army and Navy Club in Washington
A visit was made to the Army and Navy Club in Washington DC, USA at the end of February 2006.
The club is situated on the side of a small square, less than five minutes walk from the White House. A convenient Metro station is across the square with another one only a short walk away. The location of the club is ideal for those visiting Washington for either business or pleasure.
On arrival there was a friendly reception and a Porter’s Desk whose help was much appreciated as the airline had decided to send my luggage to Chicago.
The bedroom was comfortable and well appointed (it even had a small box of complimentary chocolates on arrival). Coffee and tea making facilities were supplied and replenished.
The dining room was impressive, being large and two floors high. One can look down into this room from windows in a first floor (or second floor in American parlance) corridor.
Both the cuisine and service were of high quality and there was live music at dinner on the Friday and Saturday evenings. The menu offered a variety of choices and all the dishes were well presented. The highlight of the week is the Sunday Brunch which is very much a social occasion for members’ families. However, visitors need to be aware that an 18% surcharge is automatically added to the bill to cover a service charge.
In the basement there is the Eagle Grill for less formal meals. Unfortunately it had very limited opening times being mainly week-day lunch times and Monday dinner.
The club is justly proud of its library which is large and contains thousands of books on military history. Not surprisingly there is a large section on the American War of Independence and the Civil War.
Overall it was a very pleasant visit and a typical club atmosphere and can be thoroughly recommended.