The food is delicious, nourishing, with enough vegetarian, vegan, gluten free options. This is not the typical italian cuisine or restaurant you maybe used to, with dense creamy pastas and loud pizzas (nothing wrong with that) but is more subtle north western italian food which is having its moment in many parts of the world. The team does a wonderful job of combining an already fresh and delicate cuisine with whole grains/flours/healthier alternatives. Thin, crisp Ligurian flatbread made of chickpea flour, focaccia with tender onions. tender chestnut flour gnocchi with Tigullio pesto, Tiramisu with buckwheat ladyfingers. lemon cake with hazelnut flour, fior de latte gelato and fresh sorbets. Our group enjoyed all items with the favorite being the flatbread, focaccia, and Tiramisu. portion sizes are ideal, price is in line with what you expect in the DC and Navy Yard area. Ice creams could be priced a tad lower than the other desserts. Drinks are fresh, the spritzes are perfect to welcome spring/summer. Service is kind, attentive, and helpful. Adam made appropriate recommendations for our table. Evening ambience with low lighting, a vertically floating dining room and bar is suitable for dates, after work drinks, families, and friends alike. The commitment to sustainability is visible not just in take out containers but also in the bathrooms! read more

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If you can get past the activist angle of the business model, denouncing seed oils and suggesting PFAS is in basically all back-of-house kitchen equipment, the place is actually quite pleasant. They're great at accommodating allergies, though not as strong when it comes to vegan options (the carnivore diet definitely seems more aligned with their philosophy). The drinks and wine were fantastic, and their gluten-free, dairy-free pita-style bread was even better. Apparently they also have a solid happy hour, so it might be worth another visit to check that out. Not an out-of-this-world dining experience, but definitely a nice addition to Navy Yard. read more

EYUCK - worst Italian food I've had in my life. Now that I'm looking back on the menu online, they don't even have it on the online menu. The seafood was not cleaned correctly and I was tasting grains of salt in my mussels. We also had the Ancient Grain Sourdough Crostini that was just absolutely drenched in oil. You could not even enjoy the olive tapenade. It was dark inside the bar and I could barely get any cell service. Also, the toast app since there's no service makes it really hard to pay. read more

Ama - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The Paccheri con sugo di mare was light but filling. You can tell they were using all natural ingredients and fresh pasta. The restaurant was lightly dimmed and inviting. All of the staff work together and very knowledgeable of the menu, wine pairings and the region this restaurant is inspired by. read more

Ama - Paccheri con sugo di mare - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great location, right across from Whole Foods on the Capitol Hill. Nice ambiance and fresh food. The service was nice and pleasant. We tried a few dishes on our first visit. We went back again the next week just to make sure. The stood out dish was the rice bowl. My friend and I are going to order it again in our future visits. The other dishes were fine but kind of ordinary. read more

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I came in on a Monday night so it wasn't too busy but still lively. There was plenty of seats at the bar. The menu is seed oil free and very cautious of our health. I liked how the menu talked about the benefits of different ingredients throughout. It is a great spot to go for a meal when you are still ingredient cautious. All of the food was good and solid portion size. I got the baba au rhum for my dessert and the server warned me it is boozy and it lived up to the hype. My friend got the tiramisu and they make their lady fingers in house so it's gluten free. They also had a full page of nonalcoholic drinks at differing price points. I will definitely return. I also saw they have a water service so I'll need to check that out. read more

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As an Italian, I think Ama really nails the simple trattoria flavors. Not everything was perfect, but the pici and the coniglio were both standouts, and rabbit is genuinely hard to come by in the US, so that's always a win. I'm also fully on board with their philosophy of organic, healthy, micro-plastic free ingredients, which feels very true to how food is approached back in Italy. Service was good, and the ambiance leans upscale, though the food is very much trattoria in spirit. As an Italian, that's always an interesting dynamic to encounter in the US, not something you'd typically see framed that way back home. read more

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Came to Ama with three friends for Restaurant Week and had an amazing experience. The vibe is super cute and cozy. Parking can be hit or miss, but I lucked out this time. We were supposed to stick to the Restaurant Week menu but somehow ended up ordering three different breads -- all were a hit, including the pea pancake (so good). And I loved the one that's like a pizza. For apps, the soups were solid. The minestrone was my favorite. Just a heads-up: the pasta fagioli is not like Olive Garden's, so don't order it expecting that. Entrees were a 10/10 -- we shared the Branzino and pasta Bolognese and everything was delicious. Dessert was gelato or sorbet, and we all left very happy. Restaurant Week is back and Ama definitely delivered. Great spot for celebrations too. Our server, Gerard, was super attentive and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended -- I would definitely come back and recommend this place. read more

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I wasn't wowed, I'm afraid. The happy hour cocktails are sickly sweet. The wine was fine but only 2 options. The famous focaccia was too hard and not great. The pastas are so expensive and pretty small. I got the pasta with duck ragu. I normally love duck but the duck flavor was gamey and overpowering. The pasta was good but the overall flavor was not the best. We asked for Parmesan cheese. They brought a tiny amount in a little cup, ground up parm, and then charged us $2 for it without any warning. My friend liked the pomodoro but otherwise I was underwhelmed and overcharged. There's also a service fee of nearly 4% to boot. read more

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AMA nails the balance between intentional dining and genuine enjoyment. The vibe is warm, stylish, and thoughtfully curated without feeling try-hard. The menu leans wellness-forward while still feeling indulgent. We ordered the focaccia (get two -- trust me) and the Spaghetti al Pomodoro, both of which were beautifully executed. The pasta was simple, bright, and comforting, letting high-quality ingredients do the work. Service was excellent throughout -- attentive, knowledgeable, and aligned with the restaurant's calm, confident energy. Overall, AMA delivers on food, ambiance, and experience in a way that feels cohesive and intentional. Easy five stars, and absolutely a place I'll return to. read more

Ama - Spaghetti al Pomodoro - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

beautiful restaurant, very friendly and nice staff, food is incredible quality. fresh food with a focus on health, wellness, and good quality ingredients! I had the autonomy smart matcha latte which was was healthy and tasted amazing with quality health centered ingredients the inside decor and atmosphere is light and airy with a perfect atmosphere for beautiful spring day read more

Ama - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Nice cozy neighborhood spot, menu offers authentic Italian dishes. For small bites, grab the beef and pork meatballs. Service at the bar was prompt. Bartender was knowledgeable and too technical with dink explanations.... Would have loved to see a smile - he was too focused. I will have to return for table service. read more

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The ambiance is beautiful and calming with soft lighting, terracotta tones, and an authentic charm that feels both elevated and familiar. It is intimate, warm, and full of character. Ama was such a highlight during DC Cocktail Week 2025. I ordered their featured cocktail, Fiato di Bosco, and it was INCREDIBLE. The mezcal actually brought a gentle smokey flavor in comparison to cocktails I've had before. That blended with the bright citrus felt like taking a deep breath in a forest. Classic and so well balanced. I also loved their eco-friendly approach. No microplastics in their food or cocktail prep, all grass fed beef, wild caught seafood, and clean house made ingredients. It is the kind of integrity you can taste. The team made the experience even more memorable. Eden the restaurant manager was so kind and relatable. Chris, the bartenders created cocktails so quick but with so much precision. And Blake, the bar manager, was truly outstanding. She was serving, bartending, answering questions, checking in, and making the space feel warm and family oriented the entire time. Ama feels like a neighborhood favorite with intention and incredible hospitality. I cannot recommend it enough. Definitely going back! read more

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I've now dined here for dinner and brunch and both experiences were top notch. I'm impressed with the commitment to healthy foods and preparation throughout the process. The menu was intriguing and we enjoyed all of our selections. From the focaccia bread to the beets to the fennel salad and fried meatballs, the appetizers were delightful. The raviolini and beef heart bolognese pastas were remarkable too! My hubby loved his veal and the I forgot to mention all the fun mocktails (kids tried the elderberry and I enjoyed the homemade ginger ale)! I'm stoked to have this brunch option on Sundays following church now! Thank you, Team Ama! read more

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Summer 2025 Restaurant Review Ama was top of my list for this restaurant week selections. It's nuzzled in between shops between neighborhoods on a strip in Southeast DC. It was packed on a Tuesday. My friend and I were greeted as soon as we walked in and escorted to our table. Our server provided her favorites from the list and we placed our orders. We heard that Ama had really good expresso martinis so we each ordered one with bourbon. Summer restaurant week: 3 for $55 Caffè Shakerato ($18) 3/5 I've had better espresso martinis, but this one was decent FIORI DI ZUCCA - 3/5 POMODORO E MOZZARELLA (V) (AGF) - 3/5 TAGLIATELLE CON RAGÙ - 3/5 GELATO - 4/5 read more

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Been here a few times with friends for dinner. It's a nice spot for a girl's night or date night. It can get busy sometimes, but the drinks are excellent. Also recommend getting the focaccia as a starter. read more

Ama - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Omg! Not familiar with Italian food but this restaurants is really good. We shear a couple dishes which all of them were just so good. Service was amazing we set at the bar and had a happy hour drink too. Location and ambiance are perfect you can have a drink after by a rooftop next door. Highly recommend read more

Ama - Selection puc if our order - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Based on an influencer's review on ig, my husband and I decided to try Ama while visiting DC. The service was great and my husband's branzino was fantastic. I had the chickpea pancake, which was just okay and not something I'd order again. Overall, a good experience thanks to the service and atmosphere, but menu choices matter read more

Ama - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Vibe/decor- the decor is simple but classy. I love the European feel having the bakery with the open window at the bar. Food- everything we had was just ok. Calamari needed more seasoning, the eggplant parm came as just a roasted eggplant, and the spaghetti and meatballs were a bit odd. (Our server did explain it was a fried meatball so we were prepared). Drinks- the Hugo spritz was a nice size, very refreshing and just the right amount of sweetness. Happy hour- the happy hour specials are drinks only and only at the bar seats Our server Girard/Gerard was friendly, professional, attentive, and super knowledgeable about the menu. He explained some of his favorites, most popular dishes, restaurant week specials, and even marked the menu when I said I had a peanut allergy. He truly made our dining experience special, since the food was mid. read more

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Went here for a dinner event and got to try five courses just by walking in and seeing how the staff and the chef were set up I could tell it was gonna be a delicious meal. The Chef took a few moments to tell us about how all the food was imported from a local farm and the culture of the restaurant. You can tell the chef was very proud of their food. Our waiters were swift with service and kindly explain which each this was. My favorite were the focaccia and trenette al pesto, gotta love bread and pesto pasta. The fruit desert was also tasty. This restaurant is definitely for a nice dinner date and special occasion. If you're looking for fresh Italian food and flavors, this is where I would go. read more

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Lovely northern Italian wine selection! They had quaffable $10 wine on happy hour and delicious thick focaccia. We didn't like the thin cheesy focaccia option - it's not focaccia like. I didn't like the acidic nature of the dressing on the beef carpaccio but it was high quality meat (for what I tasted) I had a phenomenal beet salad too! I loved it. As a pairing, we enjoyed the highly acidic Pinot Bianco from Cinque Terre- very refreshing. Our waitress was new but super kind. I'll definitely go back to try different things, especially on happy hour. read more

Ama - Beef carpaccio - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The magic continues and it's still our favorite in dc - took a friend who's a pastry aficionado for his bday and boy of boy did we get allll the indulgences !! Eden and Max make you feel like you're family and their constant presence and warmth is so complimentary to the food as well. Chef Joanna is a wiz as per usual and we love them! read more

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Stopped by Ama for a nightcap and left with a lingering question: Is this an Italian spot, a Middle Eastern-inspired one (thanks to the text on parts of the menu), or an Italian place with a Middle Eastern twist? We're still undecided--but intrigued. For 10 p.m., the place had a solid crowd, especially around the bar. My friend and I ordered an elderberry cosmo and shared some Fugassa--both hit the spot. The cocktail list is impressively extensive, and the staff were warm and attentive. read more

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Ama is more than a northern Italian restaurant. It's a business on a mission. Chef Johanna Hellrigl's goal is for you to enjoy good food and feel good the next day. To that end, every ingredient used is whole, avoiding refined sugars, artificial colors, chemicals, or added flavors and preservatives. Writing this review the day after dining at Ama with a good friend, I can attest that Chef's vision is fulfilled. Here's our experience. 1) Food: Ama specializes in northern Italian food straight from the motherland. To that end, there's a bit of German influence. The menu is organized around antipasti, pastas, mains, and more. To feed two grown men, we ordered the Focaccia di Formaggio (flat bread), Polpette Mondeghili (meatballs), Carciofo al Mattone (artichoke), Finocchio (shaved fennel), Trofie con Pesto Genovese (pesto pasta), Paccheri Al Sugo di Pesce (seafood pasta), Semifreddo, and Tiramisu. We left very content. Every dish was simple and led with quality ingredients. The winners were the meatballs. They come out not very attractive, but wow. They are crispy on the outside, but juicy on the inside and full of flavor. The shaved fennel, pesto pasta, and the flat bread were excellent. You can't go wrong with any dish. 2) Drink: The beverage menu is expansive and comes with cocktails, wines, zero proof drinks, and more. Because it is unique, I ordered the Kiwi Margherita. The kiwi blends well with the rest of the drink. It's refreshing. For my second drink, a glass of their white that was in between a Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc was really good. 3) Service: From start to finish, service was impeccable. Our server Adam was attentive, paced check ins perfectly, and knew the menu in and out. The chef also visited many tables, greeting regulars and welcoming newcomers. 4) Mission: On top of quality ingredients, they uphold slow cooking and planet-friendly practices. Their kitchen is all electric and they are free of single-use plastics. Everything is done with intention. 5) Space: The space is large with a bar, a window that opens for their all-day cafe, and plenty of tables in the dining room. You feel like you're in a European restaurant. 6) Neighborhood: It's in Navy Yard full of tall buildings. With views of the U.S. Capitol up the road, there's easy street parking or you can walk from the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station. read more

Ama was good, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit again. I stopped by for happy hour and then stayed for dinner. Happy hour is 3 PM - 6 PM daily at the bar with 5 cocktails, 1 beer, and "rotating wine specials" for $6 - $10. I arrived at 5 PM on Monday; I was the only person there and staff was finishing up a staff meeting. The happy hour drinks like the Ama Spritz, Milano Spritz, and Hugo Spritz were all solid. My favorite was the Milano Spritz which was frozen and bubbly. It wasn't a slushie, like I expected, but frozen with more of a chipped ice preparation. I noticed the restaurant promoting its free happy hour snacks on social media and their website. "All beverages come with a complementary stuzzichini of housemade grissini bites, Ligurian olives or lupini beans." Well, no one at the bar got these snacks, and I eventually asked the bartender who poured us small ramekins of olives and breadstick bites (grissini). The olives were tiny and mostly pit -- disappointing. We also weren't given any bowl or plate to discard the pits. I found the grissini bland but my friend liked them. For dinner, we had the Focaccia di Formaggio ($11) which was three medium-size pieces. It was delicious. Then the Fritto Misto ($15); also tasty, with a nice, light fry. For entrees, the Lasagnetta ($32) which was good, but not like a lasagna -- more like a pot pie in presentation and flavor. The Raviolini al Tocco ($28) was very good. In all, this was enough food for two people without being very full. Service was spotty. When I first arrived, I was greeted warmly by a host, but there was no one behind the bar to serve me until someone wandered over from the staff meeting. I had to ask for bar snacks. When we moved to a table for dinner, it took a few minutes for anyone to take our order. The space is kind of neat. It's a long, semi-narrow space with a long bar, plus a small window outside where you can stand and have a coffee or pastry (but no alcohol). The check includes a 3.85% Health and Wellness fee. read more

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It's taken me a while to try Ama, and I'm very sad I didn't come here sooner! Everything we had was delicious, and I loved how gluten free friendly their menu is. The seafood ragu with gluten free pasta was deliciously light and spicy. The service was excellent and attentive as well. The only note I have is that I was surprised by the size of bar bosso sbagliato. I was so excited to see a sbagliato on the menu as it's my favorite drink, and while flavor-wise the drink was perfect, I was a bit taken aback by the size of the drink when it was set down next to my friend's spritz. I still would have gotten the drink, but I'd suggest informing guests of its unique bar bosso legacy before it comes out! read more

Ama - Bar Bosso Sbagliato - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We showed up as a family with our toddler, but the vibes were giving date night haha. Nevertheless we were welcomed and seated right away. The first thing you'll notice about this restaurant is that it has this old school feel with a twist: a focus on health and sustainability, which is like a dream to me. (I've really scaled back on eating out because the quality of ingredients that does not match up to the price.) With that being said, the portions here are microscopic. The focaccia was not the classic focaccia you'd expect, it's more like a flat bread (Ligurian style). The pasta dishes we tried were delicious. I could immediately taste the freshness and they really tasted nothing like any pasta dish you'd have at any other place. I just wish there was like a parsley garnish - presentation was so basic. The potato appetizer was the only disappointment. It was extremely garlicky and charred from the outside but not cooked very well from the inside. Also no garnish, no interest. I loved their mocktail menu and the one I tried was lovely. Dessert, however, was def the cherry on top. We got the chocolate torte and it was out. Of. This. World. The cardamom whipped cream added the perfect kick to the decadent chocolate and I couldn't have asked for a better ending to our evening. But then they showed up with a scoop of lemon gelato for our toddler as a treat, which was what really made our night. Thanks to the lovely staff who were so friendly and cooperative when our son was having a hard time. It's always so uplifting to dine out and not have to worry about being judged for your child's occasional big feelings. :) read more

Ama - Delicious gelato - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Very good food and service. Atmosphere is great too. We tried the lunch special, frittata and the focaccia fromaggio with cheese. Most highly recommended. read more

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The staff was lovely and helpful with explaining the menu and offering wine pairings. The ambiance was nice, nothing bad to say there. However the tagliatelle bolognese was made with fettuccini, and the pesto pasta had one little piece of potato and one green bean which we found quite silly as they were ingredients mentioned on the menu. The breadsticks that came with the charcuterie weren't great, I would've preferred a cracker or bread, but the quantity of meat and cheese was generous! Overall, lovely glass of wine and pasta for the night! read more

Ama - Tagliatelle Bolognese - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Had a great lunch experience at Ama thanks to the delicious food and wonderful service! I tried the sbriciolona salame open-faced focaccia sandwich as well as the latte freddo with vanilla. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the coffee - the latte had a nice and strong coffee flavor without being too bitter and the vanilla added the perfect subtle sweetness. The focaccia was delicious - pillowy on the inside with a crispy bottom and crust, and I thought the saltiness of the salami and cheese paired very well with the sweet savoriness of the sun-dried tomatoes and onions. Another highlight of my visit was the fantastic service - both servers were super welcoming and attentive without being too overbearing. Definitely a place I would love to revisit! read more

Ama - Latte freddo - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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One of the best restaurants in DC. What a great mission this restaurant has with phenomenal food, ambience and care from the owner chef and all the staff. I absolutely can't wait to come back!!! Food was amazing read more

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Nothing wrong here, just was a bit underwhelmed. My iced vanilla latte was good (prepare yourself for the to-go cups, it feels like you're walking around with a juice box), but my pear tarte was disappointing, wish it had more flavor. The walk-up cafe bar was cute though, and the guy who took my order was friendly and speedy! I'd stop by again but not go out of my way. read more

Ama - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I'm not going to go on and on about how this restaurant is a rare breed and there's nothing quite like it. The truth is, there absolutely is, but not in D.C. The refreshingly authentic take on elevated Italian food is welcomed to these parts. Why reinvent the wheel when you already have such a solid foundation. Overall the menu execution is really strong and it nearly feels like Italian home cooking. The atmosphere doesn't exactly match that and I'm not sure what to think. To me it feels like a Jose Andres restaurant, but with Italian cuisine. So I'm torn between tried and tested... or just flat out copying. Either way, if it works it works. read more

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I walked in and thought what a cute place and the guy at the front was jovial and welcoming. That was the best part. I love a good meatball. But these were more like, crispy, greasy meat disc's - see the pic. I even questioned my server about them- she said the menu is more northern Italian. . Nowhere did it resemble a Lucious meatball. So disappointed. So I asked for another recommendation- and received a ravioli stuffed with some green veg stuff and thick white sauce. It completely lacked seasoning for me and needed some texture. Very one note and looked unappealing. I working near by and had planned to come back cause then menu looked interesting .... I've changed my mind. read more

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We came for an early Saturday night dinner and had a good, healthy dining experience (until we got to dessert, at least). Located just 3-4 blocks from the Navy Yard metro, Ama was easy to find and boasted a classy interior filled with natural light. Hungry, we started with a focaccia - the farinata. This was 3 triangles of wafer-thin chickpea-based bread, a nice starter but nothing particularly filling, prompting my husband to order the fugassa - two thick slabs of warm and delicious bread My tartare di salmone was a large disk of fresh delicious salmon, helpfully served with crunchy, thin eggplant & farinata chips (I liked these more than the limp farinata we had earlier). With this, I had a Hugo spritz, refreshing and citrusy (and the multitudinous ice was easier to 'swallow' as Ama wasn't one of those restaurants that blasts AC and make you feel like you are dining in a refrigerator). My husband didn't like his vitello tonnato (he wanted the veal but didn't realize the sauce in the middle would be a salty tuna puree - I didn't taste it but the mix of presentation of meats did seem unusual). For entrees, we had the chicken with plain salad (he had a lot left-over, but enjoyed it) and the piccage verdi pasta. The latter didn't have ramps mixed in but the pasta itself was made of ramps, and the amount of butter and cheese accompanying the pasta was perfect. Portion size was very reasonable and not too heavy. This was a highlight. For dessert, gluttony took over and we had the tiramisu, a millefiogli (which isn't on the online menu, perhaps being seasonal), and pistachio gelato. Each one was very well done, and although it wasn't my favorite tiramisu (the buckwheat savoiardi, minimal mascarpone-to-savoiardi ratio, and limited expresso being disfavored), I liked it. The seasonal dish had nice strawberries and a light cream (the lightest of our three desserts), and the pistachio gelato was very rich and creamy. No complaints about the prompt service (probably helped by us being the earliest diners in the restaurant). read more

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Not only was the food delicious but the mocktails were beautiful and tasted great. We met the chef who told us about her life and the reason she became a chef. Loved the personalization and would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone read more

The service has been hit or miss at AMA but the food is always delicious. You can tell the ingredients are fresh and light. The dishes are consistent from what I've ordered and seen from other guests, I've dined twice and Spaghetti al Pomodoro and Raviolini al Tocco are my favorites. read more

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Amazing breakfast croissants and savories for a quick pick up breakfast. They were fast and quick. Ambiance was outdoor so weather was nice. read more

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The restaurant is clean and our server was very kind and attentive! I hate to give it only 3 stars but the spaghetti was bland. It would have been better with fresh Parmesan and chilli flakes. I'll be back and see if the other dishes are more flavorful. read more

Ama - Spaghetti - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

An underrated gem in the Navy Yard! The food is all deliciously indulgent, but the values of the restaurant definitely come through in how good you feel after. Some favorites of mine include the meatballs, salmon tartare, chicken milanese, and lasagna. The pesto trofie pasta is something I never would have ordered on my own, but when I asked the waiter to surprise me, this is what he brought out and I couldn't have been happier! This is the perfect place for family dinners, date night, girl's night out, and everything in between. read more

Ama - Anchovy toast, crispy potatoes - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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