Italian restaurants in Washington, DC
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A
Teatro Goldoni
Teatro used to be just that – a sort of crazy clown carnival of very colorful, eye-catching, yet fairly ‘meh’ Italian dining. We loved (and still love) the Commedia del Arte ambience, a refreshing change from the starched-shirt formality so common in Foggy Bottom, but the food wasn’t worth the price. No longer, though. Chef Enzo Fargione has brought discipline and style to the menu without sacrificing the madcap flair that is Goldoni’s signature. Pasta stuffed with sweetbreads and sausage, all sweating a thick walnut sauce, should be too much (it almost is), but Fargione’s kitchen manages to restrain the richness just enough so the flavors don’t muddle. On the other…
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B
Pasta Mia
Long lines, stiff waitstaff, crowded conditions, perfect pasta. This is the price of good, cheap Italian, friends. But that’s OK. Sip your red, twirl one of 20-some types of flour/semolina/gram perfection and try not to break into operatic praise. It gets crowded inside, so this may not be the best place for romantic candlelight and Chianti, although it is grand for big groups and gregariousness. By the way, we mean it when we say ‘long lines’ – there’s no reservations here, and if you’re coming for dinner on a weekend night, you’ll want to arrive early. If you’re in a big group, they won’t seat you until everyone’s arrived.
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C
Locanda
Old-school Italian with just the right touches of modern embellishment, Locanda is lush. The menu isn’t particularly challenging – if you’ve ever had a nice Italian night out, you know what to expect – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. These may be small pasta plates (more Italian than Italian-American, which always tries to suffocate you in penne), but there’s an inverse quality–quantity equation at play. The menu shifts with the seasons; we remember a wild-mushroom gemelli from spring 2009 that seemed to sum up the season on our taste buds.
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D
Café Milano
Widely regarded as one of the best bring-your-date-out-for-some-upscale-Italian eateries in the city, Milano has been racking up political bigwigs and besotted George-town couples for years with its executions of northern Italian favorites. It is ridiculously pricey, though; while we accept you’re paying for atmosphere along with food, self-importance and the (admittedly good) chance of some DC celebrity-spotting don’t warrant some of the price tags on this menu. For a good deal that still translates into some pretty good eating, order one of the pastas.
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E
Obelisk
Oh the pleasure of dining at Obelisk. You need only do it once, but you need to do it, especially if you’re a fan of pushing the boundaries of what can be done in an Italian cucina. The small and narrow dining room feels almost like eating at someone’s kitchen table, and the set-course Italian feasts are lovingly prepared with first-rate ingredients; the antipasti in particular is a revelation of just how powerful a start can be. The menu changes daily, but doesn’t give you much selection (picky eaters should call ahead).
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F
Coppi’s Organic
An old-school U St restaurant that fires up the wood-burning oven nightly to serve perfectly crusted, crispy pizzas along with other seasonal and traditional Italian delicacies. The owner is crazy about bicycles and the cozy restaurant is jammed with cycling memorabilia. More importantly, the owner obsesses over fresh, high-quality ingredients, a consuming passion that shines through in the Italian fare. Coppi’s gets packed on weekends, when locals flock in to partake of all of the above, plus some good cheap wine.
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G
Paolo's
Pop into this Italian bistro at night when the vibe is rowdy and crowds waiting for a table (try to score a coveted on the outdoor patio or by the big street-side windows) spill onto Wisconsin. Brick-oven baked pizzas, grilled meats and pastas complement the award-winning wine list and with the white table clothes and lots of ambient noise it makes an easy-going first date spot.
Visit late at night to score around US$10 pizza specials, perfect if you're woozy from a night of drinking.
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H
A La Lucia
Dishing up a winning concoction of uncomplicated Italian at affordable prices inside a vibrant dining hall, this newbie restaurant has already made a name for itself. Plates are of the generous grandma's kitchen variety - heaping portions of spaghetti bolognaise, rich lasagna, and veal masala. The ambiance is refined in the back, all white table clothes and low lighting and a stunning wine bar. In the front room it's all about color; walls are bright and decked with original pieces.
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I
Bricks Tavern
'Bricks' means the ovens in which the gourmet pizzas are baked and topped with the freshest of toppings: grilled chicken with sun-dried tomato and lemon-dressed arugula; roasted eggplant with sweet peppers and goat cheese; and classics like tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella. Salads, sandwiches and pastas round out the menu beautifully. You can enjoy your meal at the long, friendly bar or alternatively upstairs on the rooftop.
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J
Pizzeria Paradiso
This casual restaurant serves wood-oven Neapolitan-style pizzas with scrumptious toppings to crowds of starving patrons with rave results. The pizza crust is perfect – light, crisp and a little flaky. Great people-watching from the big plate-glass windows, popular happy hours, and a hand-picked beer and ale selection heighten the appeal. There’s a second location in Dupont Circle.
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K
Galileo
Galileo tops many DC foodies' lists for its wonderful array of pastas, risottos and grilled meats. Owned by DC's Italian cuisine wonder kid, Roberto Donna, Galileo is a favorite power-dinner spot for the times when you need to impress. For extra special occasions, book the Laboratorio, where 10 to 12 guests dine in a private space and observe the preparation of their custom meal.
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L
Al Crostino
This isn't the best food in the city but, at these prices, it's pretty damn tasty. Simple, hearty food is served in reasonable portions. The pastas are probably your best bet, although the steaks can be an equally good choice. In summary, Al Crostino is a welcoming trattoria, where the chef is known to check on patrons and the service is refreshingly attentive.
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M
La Tomate
A favorite for years now with folks working and living in the neighborhood, La Tomate has prime people-watching location on the corner, which it takes advantage of with tables clad with starched white linens hugging long glass windows. The ambiance is reminiscent of an Italian bistro and there are daily pasta and salad specials.
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N
Sesto Senso
Early in the evening, this restaurant is ideal for a business lunch or romantic dinner. The Northern Italian menu is authentic and affordable, featuring delicious, lightly fried calamari, fresh vegetarian pastas and thin, crispy pizzas. After hours, the Euros show up in all their finery to dance the night away.
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