Brush Pass Brunch with Eric O’Neill

Everyone loves brunch, even spies! 2025 is the 60th anniversary of the Brush Pass—a key spy move—and the 100th anniversary of The Mayflower Hotel! So let’s celebrate! Join us for an intriguing and egg-citing midday exploration of espionage while enjoying a delicious meal. Eric O’Neill will share tales from his job at the FBI where his background in surveillance led to his role as Robert Hanssen’s assistant with the secret task of spying on his boss. Not that we recommend spying on your boss, but Hanssen was suspected of being a mole who was working for Russia. Eric will also reveal some spy stories involving food and drink from around the world. You’ll enjoy some spy surprises, code-cracking puzzles, secret messages, and a front row seat for some re-enacted spy scenes. 

Brush Pass Brunch will be held at Tolson in The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection. The hotel is the scene of many famous spy stories and the restaurant is named for the FBI’s longtime head J. Edgar Hoover who dined at The Mayflower daily and the private dining space Tolson is a nod to his protégé and lifelong confidant. 

Tolson is located in The Mayflower Hotel at 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20036.  
Your ticket includes sliced seasonal fruit, The Mayflower’s famous banana bread (secret recipe), a choice of brunch entrée, and a spy mole-mosa (a mimosa!).

Tickets: $125
Members: $100

Space is limited – advance registration required!