Tracy O’Grady

1789 Restaurant

Washington, DC

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Thursday, March 7th at the Embassy & Winemaker Dinner Series

1789 Restaurant takes its name from a significant year in Washington’s history: That year, its original site was purchased by Archbishop John Carroll, the founding father of Georgetown University, the Constitution of the United States was adopted and Mayor Robert Peter incorporated the village of Georgetown.

The restaurant originated in 1960 when Richard J. McCooey, a Georgetown alumnus, bought two enterprises that occupied a Federal home dating from the mid-1800s. The building’s basement was opened as The Tombs, a casual restaurant geared to Georgetown University students and faculty. The upstairs evolved into 1789 Restaurant, which offered the ambiance of a stately home with its handsome prints and working fireplace. Its original classic French menu and gracious service were hailed by Washingtonians, and it soon became one of the city’s most noteworthy restaurants.

Tracy O’Grady became the Executive Chef of 1789 in March of 2018.  A South Buffalo native, O’Grady has earned her local renown with over twenty years of restaurant experience in the D.C. area. She received high acclaim for her restaurant Willow in Arlington, VA, where she served as Executive Chef and owner for ten years. Following its closure, O’Grady was Executive Chef and managing partner of the fast-casual Italian Campono Restaurant in The Watergate. She acquired a unique culinary education, spending several years working under Chef Yannick Cam as well as James Beard Award-winning Chefs Roberto Donna and Bob Kinkead, for whom she served as Executive Chef for ten years at D.C. fine-dining seafood restaurant Kinkead’s. Chef O’Grady is excited to be crafting a contemporary seasonal dinner menu for 1789 Restaurant along with a selection of bar bites for the Bar & Club Room.