It's wonderful when a restaurant actually lives up to the hype. We went for the viral 40 layer…read moreshort rib lasagna and it was without a doubt the best tasting and highest level of execution lasagna I've ever had. The meat was melt in your mouth tender, pulled and thin so it worked with the thin layers of pasta and cheese. The truffle mornay was delicious. For apps we had the burrata and focaccia which were both flawless. Along with the arancini and polpette meatballs. I really liked the blend of beef and pork in the meatballs, they had a nice snap to them almost like a pork/beef blend hotdog. The pepperoni pizza was solid but nothing to really write home about. I'd recommend skipping pizza here to save room for the great apps and house made pastas. Service was amazing, our server was a tall guy who didn't rush us and offered multiple good recommendations. The decor is classy but not overstated. They do a good job of making you feel comfortable if you're in a suit or a tee shirt. Desserts were delicious as well, we got the strawberry pavlova and the blueberry panna cotta. I preferred the panna cotta myself but both were great.

Went here for a lunch. Loved absolutely everything. We had…read moreCavolfiori, Whole Grilled Branzino, Americana pizza. As a desert we had Tiramisu Flambé and Crostata di Celiegie. Every single dish was perfect. Also great service and ambiance.

This spot has been on my list for ages and finally got to take my girlfriend here to celebrate our…read moreanniversary. The inside is very well decorated but a bit dark. We started with the grilled octopus (which were alright) and the arancini that were amazing! The complimentary focaccia bread they give you is also great (pro tip - dip it in the red sauce that comes with the arancini). For our mains, we got their signature linguini cardinale and the recommended seafood carbonara. Both the pastas were cooked to perfect al dente and were very large portions with lots of seafood. The linguini cardinale deserves every single praise as each bite is rich and indulgent. We ended with the strawberry cheesecake which was good, but very standard. The space is a bit dark and can feel cramped but overall, I had a great time and enjoyed the food. Apps: Grilled Octopus and Arancini Entrees: Linguini Cardinale and Seafood Carbonara Dessert: Strawberry Cheesecake

Everything about this restaurant was amazing! As soon as you arrive, you're greeted by the sight of…read morea woman making fresh pasta by hand through a window--such a unique and memorable experience. Once you step inside, you're led downstairs into the dining area. The restaurant may appear small from the outside, but it's surprisingly spacious with a beautiful atmosphere inside. The menu has so many options that deciding what to order can be a challenge, especially since the dishes are on the pricier side. However, the quality and experience make it completely worth it. I would happily spend all my adult money here! The pasta was absolutely incredible, and the arancini balls were some of the best I've had. Even the bread and butter stood out--the bread was soft and warm with the perfect crunchy crust. From the handmade pasta to the welcoming atmosphere, this restaurant truly delivers an unforgettable Italian dining experience.

We had a wonderful experience here! The lasagna and the calzone were both absolutely…read moredelicious--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The service was just as amazing. Our server, Monroy, was friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome throughout the meal. We'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend!

Great appetizers and pizza and a fantastic environment. Thanks you Monroy for a great service! Will…read moredefinitely be back next time we are in DC!

Came here for lunch. I think it was way early for the likes of Washington DC crowd, so for a while…read morewe had the whole place to ourselves. The decor is more of a mix of Italian Rustic and Heavy American classic giving the vibe of Italy with feel of Power typical for quite a few DC higher end restaurants. Food is top notch. Tagliere (Not quite Pizza but very close), Spaghetti alle Vongole, Hamachi Crudo, Octopus all delicious.... Lunch crowd started arriving around 12:30 which about what I was expecting and why not service is great although early lunch is a little lite on the crew but no misses, which is an excellent sign. Full bar with great cocktails and wine. I'd say visit if you get a chance.

Transforms you to a cute cafe in Europe!…read more Food- bright, fresh, and flavorful. Drinks- nice variety of cocktails and mocktails. Space- simple and classy decor. Service-Muhammad was friendly professional and attentive. Gave great suggestions.

I found this restaurant at the last minute and boy am I glad we did!…read more We arrived at around 7:45 and the place was packed. The hostess told us we likely wouldn't sit until 9:45 so I inquired about the bar and the manager quickly stepped in to put us on a waitlist. Since the restaurant is connected to a food hall of sorts, she recommended we grab a drink there while we wait. Shortly after we got our drink, we received notification of an opening and were seated by 8:15. We had the burrata appetizer, Ragú x 2, and the seafood fra diavolo. The burrata was one of the best I've had since they serve it with pesto, pine nuts, and garlic bread. It was truly divine! The Ragú was not far behind. Incredible flavor and a generous portion. The seafood dish had a nice kick and had plenty of seafood, which is not common as of late. All dishes were also priced reasonably for the quality you received. As we sat at the bar, we had pleasant conversation with the bartender and finished our meal with a small cannoli that really sealed the deal. If you're looking for excellent Italian food in DC without breaking the bank, look no further than Caruso's grocery! However, I'd recommend reserving ahead of time because it's certainly not a secret. LOL

I picked this place as my birthday dinner with some girlfriends. I was unsure of the vibe, food etc…read morebefore arriving. The place gives cozy speakeasy vibes. We we sat down the waitress was very friendly and welcoming. She knew alot about the menu items and such. As soon as she handed me the wine menu and saw Chianti as one of the wines, I didnt hesitate to get a bottle for the table (I love Chianti with a story behind it). We ordered the Creamy Burrata, with Grilled Bread and four cheese sauce and the calamari for the appitizers. All of the appetizers were amazing and Im a sucker for grilled crushy bread. For the main course i ordered the Trout Piccata. The fish was cooked to perfection and the veggies were well seasoned. My friends ordered the chicken piccata, Caruso Alfredo and baked Cavatelli. Everything was good. Next up we ordered the butterfinger sundae, Nutella cannoli and tiramisu. The sundae base is chocolate ice cream. If you are fan of chocolate ice cream you will love the sundae. Overall great experience and I will definitely return!

I've been coming to this lovely Italian gem for so many years. It is consistent and delicious and…read morefriendly and cozy. Their pastas are perfection. Their menu is simple and it works. We've taken out of town guests, we've taken our son, we've done takeout. One of my favorites is the bucatini with short rib ragu. I always ask for an extra side of buratta, which pair is so nicely with the hearty sauce.

A cute little neighborhood spot. Was in the mood for pasta and decided to go on a whim on a…read moreSaturday night. It was crowded but there were still a few seats available. Found it to be a bit louder than I would've liked but I think it was because of the spacing between tables. Came toward the end of the night and got seated and welcomed right away. I ordered the polpette, meatballs to start. They were quite tasty, but the sauce was a bit watery. Think that's just because the meatballs themselves were pretty juicy. Heard the focaccia was a hit, so asked for some of that. I was told they didn't have any left. Which was weird, because then another server came and asked if I wanted bread. I'm glad I said yes because the focaccia is very fresh and was a great addition to the meal. For my main, I ordered the vodka pasta, which was very flavorful and very saucy. I love a good, thick vodka sauce and that's what you'll get here. The one part of the pasta I didn't really enjoy was the chicken inside the pasta. I think I would've preferred a grilled chicken option instead of the chicken that comes in the pasta. That being said, this place is a gem. The prices are great and the portions are hearty. The pasta is thick, you're really coming here for fresh noodles and ingredients. If you want to top your meal off just right, you'll get the chocolate lava cake. Very delicious! Service was good and staff was very attentive!

Came here with a friend before going to see Alanis Morissette live - best experience ever!…read more Who knew the perfect pregame to live music with Grazie Nonna. Perfect ambience! perfect food! perfect location! The food was pretty good - I love an artisan pizza (brick oven in the back)! Calamari was good - nothing crazy! Overall cute place to grab a little Italian bite!

I visited this restaurant on a Saturday evening with friends. The ambience was decent. However, it…read morewas so loud that I couldn't hear the people next to me, including the waitress. Which made for a very interesting experience. It felt like she would just come by and smile at us in the middle of our conversation conversations, and I don't know if she actually asked anything each time she came. The service in general could've been wayy better. We ordered pizza and then pasta and when we asked for a box, we were made to box up our own food and we were just given a huge pizza box that took up 80% of our table and the waitress walked away. I don't know if I was expected to just hold the pizza box while sitting at a small table and trying to eat my pasta, but there was absolutely zero consideration given to where I was supposed to put this large pizza box on this small table when we still had half of our meal coming to the table. The waiter also didn't pay attention to any dietary restrictions or allergies, and offered zero guidance on that. Also, we were told that there was a time limit for where we were sitting despite they're being several tables open the whole time we were there. For the food, I really enjoyed the food- Italian salad, pizza with the hot honey, and Alfredo pasta. But everything else really dampened the experience. If I were to go back, I would either order takeout, eat outside, or come another day when it wasn't so loud, and have a different waiter.

stopped in for drinks yesterday and ended up staying for a couple hours because the drinks were…read moregreat and the bartender Mac is awesome! he was so nice and knowledgeable about the menu. will be coming back for sure!!

This is one of our go to places whenever we are in Georgetown, it never disappoints! The inside of…read morethe restaurant is absolutely stunning. We have ordered everything from prosciutto + melon appetizer to steaks and pasta, everything is always prepared perfectly and the service is excellent. Will be back often!

classy and cute italian restaurant near the convention center -- my boyfriend and i came by for a…read morelate lunch while visiting the city. we were seated pretty much immediately in a spacious round booth and were introduced to our server -- tim deserves a special shoutout, super friendly and accommodating, and great at talking up the menu and each dish we chose. between the two of us, we ordered the whipped ricotta and wild blossom honey focaccia to start, with the prosciutto tortelloni and lobster fra diavolo as our mains. the focaccia was a perfect balance of lightly creamy and slightly sweet with the bread (not too dry or hard, and easy to spread). the pasta was advertised as made in house, and certainly was delicious and bouncy enough to be believed. sauces were balanced nicely and pleasantly complimented their pastas appropriately. we finished off with the pistachio gelato -- gelato is apparently made in house as well with a machine in the back, and was soft and creamy, paired with a strawberry that was nicely gelatinous and almost a highlight of the dessert. we definitely wish we could come back a lot more often if we lived in the area.

This is hands down one of the best Italian restaurants in DC. I either visit or get delivery quite…read morefrequently. The ambiance is 10/10- perfect for a celebration, date, or chic dinner. The service has always been remarkable. For starters, the meatballs are exceptional - they taste like my Italian grandmothers! My family from out of town even has me freeze some and take them when I visit! The whipped ricotta and honey has also been a go-to. For dinner- I will forever be in love with their lobster ravioli. Fresh pasta, huge chunk lobster meat, and a lobster claw piece in the sauce. Totally worth it for the price! My other favorites are the squid ink pasta, and mama de pandi's pomodoro! I am super picky about sauce, and hers is one of the best! Again, pasta is home made and perfectly al-dente! My family members love the papperdelle ragu! Last week, I tried the pasta with scallops and wild mushrooms! Again, exceptional! The one miss for me was the vodka sauce, but that's because I think I like everything else so much! The mini donuts for dessert are a must-get!

Cucina Morini is a delightful dining experience that truly lives up to its reputation, especially…read moreduring martini hour. With $7 martinis available from Monday to Sunday in their cozy lounge, it's an ideal spot to unwind with friends. I sampled several cocktails and found each one to be exceptional, but the standout for me was the Cala Rossa a sweet yet refreshing delight. After enjoying our share of martinis, our appetites kicked in, prompting us to check for a table. The staff was incredibly accommodating, allowing us to sit at the bar. We indulged in their pasta offerings, opting for the Capelletti and Rigatoni, both of which were delicious and perfectly cooked. Cucina Morini combines great service, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a fun visit for anyone looking to enjoy a fantastic night out.

Cucina Morini is an excellent place for solo dining. I secured a last minute reservation for a…read morespecial Memorial Day Morini Monday for myself. Not saying that dining companions are distracting, but I felt like I could fully experience the flavor of both the Taglioni Neri and Gnocchi, both half portions at $10 each, better on my own. When the dishes came, I saw that the sauces were both red and feared they would taste too similar. After one fork full of each, they are quite clearly distinct. The standout in the Neri were the shellfish for me. Even though they were small bits, the pieces tasted fresh. In the Gnocchi, the saltiness of the prosciutto, though not overwhelming, paired well with the basil sauce. I finished a little more than half of each plate before boxing it up for a small lunch the next day. The service was great and the tall ceiling and windowed dining room provided a nice atmosphere. It was a cloudy and rainy Memorial Day, but I wondered what the sunlight looked like shining through those high windows. How lovely a space they have created to enjoy fine Italian dining in.