Martini Hour alert! First, I think that the martini hour is absolutely genius! It runs from 5-7pm and the selections of martinis were perfect. Ambiance: the restaurant is beautiful but note that martini hour takes place in a small bar area with limited seats. Nonetheless, you can grab a few friends and make this a moment as you enjoy those perfect martini selections. Bites: there weren't much to eat at martini hour so we moved to the general area afterwards to enjoy some food. Service: the staff was amazing and very accommodating. Shoutout to Nesto, the best bartender around! Martinis: Morini Martini: I absolutely love this drink. It was crisp, refreshing, and had a little bold flavors from the white pepper. I absolutely loved this drink and would get it again Sicilian Martini: another fav! Think summer time refreshing with a hint of sweet and citrus burst from the mandarin and lemon Espresso Martini: this drink was another great selection. Freshly brewed and perfectly prepared. I loved it Least favorite: Cala Rossa. I only disliked the drink because it was very sugary and I don't really enjoy sugary drinks. Food: Rigatoni: this dish was divine! And quick note, the smaller plates were perfect serving sizes. But back to the dish. The pasta was cooked al dente and the lamb ragu was soooooooooooooo good! No seriously, it was absolutely divine. Perfectly seasoned and rich in flavors. Other members of my party enjoyed their dishes: Cappelletti and Paccheri Alla Norma, both were described as absolutely perfect. Excellent evening, great service, incredible food and perfect drinks! What's not to love about this place?! I'll be back! read more

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So this place is a go-to for pasta lovers- either in person or delivery. The large portion is a must! Even to have leftovers! One of my favorites pictured here is the squid ink pasta in a spicy sauce with blended shellfish. The bread crumbs on top, shellfish and pasta have the best texture combination. The red pepper perfectly compliments the dish. My other go- to is the gramigna- the white sauce with pepper and sausage is a very tasty dish. I truly appreciate their homemade pasta! For apps- can't go wrong with the burrata. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere chic casual. read more

Cucina Morini - Taglioni Neri - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was sold on the $7 martini happy hour alone - like how can you go wrong with that kind of deal, in this economy? Cucina morini was great all around- we came for the happy hour of $7 martinis but stayed for dinner as well. The martini lounge is small but with great people watching in a beautiful space. The bar seating was all very vibey - the aesthetic of this whole place is elegant and cozy without feeling too stuffy. The Morini martini and the dirty martini were definitely our favorites, though the espresso martini was solid too. Now for dinner - we knew this spot was known for its appetizers so we started with the yellow tail crudi (ricciola), the focaccia with the side burrata, and the broccolini. Each appetizer complemented each other so well - the crudo was fresh with bright flavors, the bread was airy and light and was great with the small burrata, and the broccolini was the star of the show - spicy, charred, and exquisite. I could have easily ordered just more apps but we wanted to try some pastas as well. I appreciate that they have both small and large portions of pasta. We tried the small gramigna and the larger portion of the cappelletti. I am usually a fan of red sauces but both white sauce based pastas were some of the best I ever had. Forget some of the other Italian spots in the area, this pasta was hands down amazing. Light, easy, understandable - the flavors were there without doing too much. Both portions were fantastic and a good amount for the $$. No dessert for us - I think the apps and pastas were quite enough. Service was great, we both had a glass of wine with dinner which was tasty, and the vibes were great. Will definitely be back! read more

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This martini happy hour popped up on my IG, so a friend and I decided to check it out since it was such a beautiful Friday evening. After reading a few reviews, we learned the $7 martini special is only available in their "martini lounge," which is a small bar area right when you enter the restaurant. It was already standing room only by 6pm, so we opted to grab a table and have dinner instead. The restaurant was pretty busy, so it took a while for our drinks to come out. It looked like our waitress was covering a lot on her own, but thankfully other staff helped run food and drinks, which kept things moving. We ordered the bread and crispy zucchini and both came out hot and were really tasty (great recommendations from our waitress!). All of our cocktails were solid as well. I had the rigatoni and broccolini, and both were flavorful and satisfying. My friend has the ravioli which she said was ok just needed more seasoning. The space itself is really cute, with a mix of tourists and neighborhood locals. Overall, I'd come back, just earlier next time to beat the crowd and actually grab a martini in the lounge. read more

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We only went for their martini hour so did not get the food. The martini hour is only available in the front lounge which has couple chairs and sofas for seating but no tables in case you wanted to get food. Martinis, as advertised, were $7 and pretty good and strong. Can't beat the price for this area of DC so will definitely come back and maybe even try the food as it looked delicious! read more

Another good happy hour deal, if you like a martini you'll like it here. There's not a ton of room so it got a little cramped in there (it was raining so that may have made it a little more cramped inside) but it's a fun vibe. I got their Sicilian martini and it tasted almost a bit like bubblegum in addition to the citrus. Service was super nice and quick though! read more

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I was here last night for a private event and was pleasantly surprised. I do wish there better seating in the martini lounge. You either had to stand and eat or hold the plate on your lap or in your hands. Although there were a lot of us, the food came out quick. The food was amazing! I ordered the frutti di mar. The shellfish and branzino were cooked perfectly. I didn't eat the calamari though because I'm only a fan of fried calamari and they said they wouldn't take it off. I could also tell the pasta was homemade. I also ordered the focaccia, which was delicious! It was light and fluffy. The only thing I wasn't the biggest fan of was the cala rosa drink. It was okay, but way too sweet. It almost tasted like a melted popsicle. I will definitely be back for the food. read more

Cucina Morini - Frutti di marre and cappelletti (half portion) - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Amazing food & service! Don't skip out on appetizers. I would come back just for these apps alone: Broccolini: 10/10! Fried perfectly. The broccolini disintegrates in your mouth kind of like cotton candy. Cavolfiore: 10/10. Sweet and tangy. I licked the plate clean. You have to get this! Graminga: 9/10. The noodles are delicious and have a unique texture because they have a whole in the middle of them. I added crushed red pepper & black pepper to bring in a hint of heat. Rigatoni: 10/10. My man loved this! read more

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Cucina Morini absolutely over-delivered. We came in to celebrate my job promotion and ended up having one of those "every single thing hits" dinners--simple dishes, executed with absurd precision. We started with the espresso martini. It's definitely on the sweeter side and doesn't lean into that strong, bitter coffee bite (which is usually my preferred espresso martini flavor profile). Still decent and smooth--just know it's more dessert-leaning than bracing. The focaccia is genuinely unique: crispy, almost crackly on the outside, but soft and light inside. The herbs really come through, and it's the kind of bread you keep tearing into "just one more piece" until it's gone. For pasta, the rigatoni lamb ragu was a standout. The lamb brings this deep richness that plays perfectly with the red sauce, and the pasta was perfectly al dente--firm, with real bite. Comforting, but still refined. The gnocchi was also excellent--small pieces, not gummy at all, and the sauce was beautifully balanced between sweet and acidic. It's a simple dish on paper, but that's exactly why the execution shines. Biggest surprise of the night: the gramigna. The subtle sweetness from the pork sausage, the sauce, and the egg yolk all come together in this really satisfying, silky way. It's almost like a carbonara vibe, but honestly better--again with that perfectly al dente, slightly firm pasta. Dessert was the affogato, and the portion is absolutely shareable. I love affogato and this one delivered--a must for affogato aficionados. And the cherry on top: our wonderful server Caesar brought out some house-made limoncello to celebrate my promotion. It was the best limoncello I've ever had--sweet with just a slight bitterness and insanely drinkable. If you like limoncello, you have to try it here. Overall: I was genuinely surprised by the quality. The dishes are simple in the best way, and the kitchen's execution turns that simplicity into a masterpiece. We'll be back. read more

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We came here for an anniversary dinner on a Saturday night. Our server was excellent ! He had a kind enthusiasm but also gave us space to enjoy our evening. The menu is a good size and anything you pick will be delicious. We got Hugo Spritzes to start and they were some of the best I've had in the area. Our starters were perfectly sized - the broccolini is a MUST! The meatballs were also delicious and the sauce paired well with the focaccia we got. Our mains were the Gramigna (waiter's rec!) and Paccheri Allá Norma. Both were to die for and great portions! We opted to have dessert at home but the options were super tempting!! Knocked it down a star just because the tables were a little close to together, but all things considered would highly recommend. read more

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I've been wanting to try Cucina Morini and was excited to snag a reservation. The ambiance was dark and moody, which I really liked. We started with calamari, focaccia, and burrata. All the appetizers were very fresh and very delicious. However, after that the service was extremely slow and we had to flag a waiter down after 20 minutes to order our mains. I liked that for the pasta you could order half or full portions. I had one of the specials - a veggie forward pesto - and it was pretty good. I tried some truffle ravioli and that was the best dish I had. The service throughout dinner was again extremely slow and we were having to flag people down. The waiter apologized on his own and offered a complimentary dessert for the slow service. I appreciated the gesture but then the dessert was put on our bill. They corrected it after we let them know. While the food was good, the whole experience was still affected by the service and I wish I could've been more present to enjoy the experience. read more

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Stopped by for a couple quick drinks & loved the ambiance, the service, & the quality of drinks! I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu. :) read more

Cucina Morini - Espresso & Gin Martinis -- yum! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Really enjoyed myself here! The martini lounge with $7 high quality drinks cannot be beat. We spent a while there and then sat down for dinner and did not order any other full priced drinks. The food: - Tonno (5/5) lots of great interesting textures and flavors here - focaccia (10/5) the must order, truly impeccably flavored and texture bread - Frutti di Mare (5/5) very significant seafood provided - rigatoni (4/5) standard ragu - busing (2/5) really not my favorite custard texture and felt too texturally different than the accompaniments read more

My friends and I decided to try this restaurant because we usually visit its sister restaurant for pasta mondays and let me tell you, I was SO worth it. It also has a great martini HH special (at the front bar only). I highly recommend getting a reservation on a Monday or you will be short. We made a reservation for 2 but ended up with 3 and the restaurant wouldn't have a seat for us for 3 hours. We ended up sitting at the bar and giving our table to 2 ladies looking for space. I'm so glad we ended up at the bar because the bartender (with the glasses) was so nice and very attentive. I'd return just to sit at the bar in his area for guaranteed great service. I ordered the Ostriche (osyters), Rosamarino (cocktail), Broccoletti, and Taglioni Neri. Everything was divine! The oysters were 6 for $24 and came with a prosecco mignonette. Very tasty. By the time I finished the 6, I told myself I could've eaten 6 more. The broccoletti was very good. It had a slight kick to it which was so good. It was the perfect consistency of crispy and tender. The taglioni neri was, as the kids say, torch! This pasta was so good. It was a squid ink pasta with seafood in it. I am so glad I ordered the full portion because I cleaned the plate. I cannot wait until we go back to this place for dinner. I highly recommend. read more

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Came for martini happy hour and sat in the martini lounge! It wasn't super crowded but seating is limited to benches on the periphery of the lounge so I wouldn't come with a big group. Service was quick and polite! read more

Cucina Morini - Martinis - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went in for pasta Monday, there was good service and the pastas were overall quite tasty. My friend and I split 6 of the primi pastas and enjoyed them all though the gramina was our favorite followed by the gnocchi and then eggplant one. One downside, they brought them all quick and they got cold by the time we got to the last ones, would have preferred an offer to space them out but a small gripe. Overall would recommend read more

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Solid Italian cuisine. The restaurant decor is classy and nice. Our server was able to recommend a delicious non-alcoholic drink for me. We shared the paccheri alla norma and the taglioni neri. Both dishes were very flavorful. The paccheri alla norma is made of eggplant, tomatoes, red chilis, ricotta salata, and basil. The flavors came together in an excellent way. The dish was a good serving size for one person. The taglioni neri was a squid ink pasta made with shellfish ragu and Calabrian chili butter. The flavors came together nicely, and I am very happy that the tomatoes did not overpower the seafood (which is an issue I've had with many Italian restaurants in America). For dessert, we shared a slice of the olive oil cake. It was moist and delicious. Overall, I'm happy with my experience here; however, the prices felt a bit high. We ended up paying for an $8 bottle of water when tap would have been fine with us. read more

Cucina Morini - Paccheri alla norma - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Omg! The Griminga, the Rigatoni. Yes, yes, yes! So happy to have gotten the Griminga. The Rigatoni was tasty but was not as perfect as the Griminga. I almost licked the plate. Will certainly return. Thankful for the service that Morgan provided. The staff and manager Pauline were very nice and thoughtful. Everyone was very personable. This place has several places to seat for different size parties. read more

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I did restaurant week here twice. Got to sample a little bit of everything. I LOVE THIS PLACE. The squid ink pasta is probably my favorite item. Both service and ambiance are amazing. I've snapped a bunch of pictures. read more

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Amazing service. Fantastic food. A genuinely wonderful dining experience with interesting dishes that are beautiful and delicious.

Reservations are key, or getting there early to sit at the bar. We were fortunate to snag a reservation for Morini Monday (pasta specials) to try more of a variety of dishes- our favorite way to try new places. We have been to Caruso's Grocery (same ownership and chef) and the service is top notch at both places. The food is southern Italian here, so not the Italian American at Caruso's. There was a super cute family sitting next to us and they were able to enjoy their meal and get stuff catered to the littles with no problem. Okay our experience-- we were grateful to have a round table for all the food we got even though it was just myself and my daughter. Calamari was honestly the best I've had that I can remember- incredible flavor and sauce. Tender, not chewy, breading was perfect. Focaccia was like a pillowy carby cloud of love. We got it with the burrata but it was delicious on its own as well. Ended up dipping in the lamb ragu.... Rigatoni Lamb ragu- man listen. This is probably not the right name on the menu but forgive me I have carb fatigue and will be asleep in minutes when I'm done with this. I am trying to not curse, but F*** it was good. We got primi sizes of everything we ordered to have a chance to try a variety. I then ordered a full size of this for us to bring home to split for lunches for us both tomorrow. My kids friends will be so jealous. Cacio y Pepe spaghetti- perfect in the primi size. Rich and decadent, but my daughter said it got cold faster than the other pastas because it is more light and delicate. It was DELICIOUS though. Simple and delightful. The boy that got cold was only because that rigatoni got a hold of her and she forgot anything else was on the table. Gramigna- a pork sausage pasta with so much rich flavor. I absolutely loved it. My term wasn't as into it but couldn't figure out why. More for me. It was bomb. Drinks- I stuck with water and she had a Shirley Temple which was made really really well. ($5- def a fair price!) Desert- the donuts were almost like pillows of heaven. Soft and warm. Came with dark chocolate dipping sauce- neither of us were a fan but it's bc we just don't do much chocolate for dessert- it was made really well. If it came with the cream that was served with the olive oil cake.... Oh boy. Oh and yes the olive oil cake- a lovely surprise- moist, balanced, really really wonderful. The cream balances the cherry sauce really well. I could eat that cream all day. Service was outstanding and so friendly. It was packed but we could hear each other fine and not on top of other folks. Bathrooms were clean and well kept. Date night? Go. Sad and need carbs? Go. Celebrating anything? Go. Really, just go here. read more

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The martini hour is such a great way to grab a drink especially on a nice day. Love the options.

Cucina Morini had been on my list of places to try for a while, and I finally came with my friend the other day. We started with martinis in the lounge, I got the Sicilian martini which was lovely, very sunny and bright. Another night I'd love to come for just drinks and bar snacks, they have such a great deal that I definitely want to take advantage of. We then sat down for dinner and ordered the focaccia to start, which was out of this world good. I don't know how they got it so light and fluffy, it was like eating a warm cloud. I got the Lamb Ragu as I had seen so many rave reviews about it, and it was really good. The rigatoni was slightly more al dente than I typically would go for, but it was otherwise great. The sauce was so rich and comforting, I could really take the rosemary in there. Overall, great italian food and an excellent happy hour, I look forward to coming back! read more

Incredibly fresh food & great service. My companions enjoyed the wine & I loved the n/a cocktail read more

Cucina Morini - Sweet - cornetto with pistachio cream & crumble - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A small group of friends and I went to dinner here on a Thursday evening. We had the calamari was the appetizer as it was really good! One of my friends and I split the black ink squid pasta. At first I was hesitant since I've never had it before and heard it can be a hit or miss in some restaurants but I decided to go for it. It was so delicious!! Now, I'm encouraged to try to elsewhere. Our service was also excellent. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. I'd definitely return! read more

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I always have the best time when visiting Cucina Mornin! Meting friends for dinner, it was nice to have a few Martini's while we waited to be seated. The bartender was so sweet and made great drinks! The great service continued at the table where we enjoyed a variety of options from the menu. We were enjoying ourselves so much were didn't realize the restaurant was closing and the staff never made us feel rushed. Look forward to returning! read more

Cucina Morini - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I absolutely love Cucina Morini for both dinner and "martini" hour, and I have visited several times over the past couple of years. The Happy Hour martini deals are some of the best in the city, especially since they include an espresso martini on the menu, which is such a nice touch. The only small drawback is that Happy Hour is limited to the front of the restaurant, and it can get pretty busy. My advice is to arrive right when they open so you can grab a comfortable spot. The staff always move quickly to make sure everyone gets their drinks in no time, which really keeps the good vibes going. Dinner here is just as wonderful. Every pasta dish I have tried has been full of flavor, but the rigatoni with lamb ragu is my top pick. The Gramigna also deserves a special mention, and honestly, you cannot go wrong with any of their pastas. I usually like to share a couple of dishes when I come with friends, and it is always a hit. Do not skip the calamari while you wait, it is a great way to start the meal. The cozy and welcoming atmosphere makes Cucina Morini perfect for catching up with friends, relaxing after work, or enjoying a romantic date night. I have done all three here, and every time I leave happy, full, and already planning my next visit. read more

Went to Cucina Moroni for a girls' night out and it was so fun! Our server was adorable and super sweet. We asked for recommendations and he basically listed the entire menu, which made us laugh. We ended up getting the taglioni neri with squid ink, shellfish rags, and Calabrian chili butter, plus the cavolfiore (cauliflower dish), the small plate, and the crème brûlée to finish. Everything was delicious and the pasta was cooked perfectly. Service was great, food was amazing, and we had such a fun night. Definitely a cute spot for a girls' dinner or date night. read more

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They have brunch?! I've always known this place for a good happy hour and their Monday pasta deals. We stumbled on it for brunch and it was great. Their fried cauliflower is delicious. Their pancakes are the star of the show. Reasonably priced, they are enough for two people to split! They look like a 8 inch cake and they have both savory and sweet options. A must try! Service is great. They espresso martini was okay. read more

I met up with a friend here on a Wed night and we sat at the bar because there were no tables available. The restaurant is nicely decorated with warm tones. Thankfully, we're able to order from the full menu at the bar, though the bartender was pretty busy the whole time we were there so service was rather slow. For food, we got the polpo alla piastra (octopus) and the focaccia to share. The octopus tasted pretty good, but the little potatoes that came with the dish were a bit tough. The focaccia was definitely the best thing I ate all night. It was warm, pillowy, just delightful to eat. Unfortunately, it is also some of the most expensive bread I've ever eaten at $11 for 4 small pieces. Then, I ordered a small size gramigna as my entree. While it tasted good, it was nothing to write home about. The pasta noodles weren't quite as al dente as I like, and the sauce felt a bit basic. The portion size was also very small. I realize I ordered the smaller one but it was still smaller than expected. Overall, I'm not sure if I would go back because the only thing I thought was special about the whole meal was the bread, which in my opinion is too expensive. Food: 3/5 Service: 3/5 Price: 2.25/5 Ambiance: 3.75/5 Overall: 3/5 read more

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I arrived earlier than the reservation time this past Friday, so I wasn't able to be seated just yet. Their bar area had a good amount of seating, so I sat there with the menu and some water before my friend arrived. Our server was very helpful with his recommendations. He suggested 4-5 plates to share between the two of us, which was perfect. CRUDI: SALMONE - 21 Each order came with five salmon crudi, topped with an ample amount of trout roe, chives, and something garlicky. The combination was fine, but I wasn't impressed. I thought the flavors overpowered the fish a bit too much. SFIZI: BURRATA - 19 Our server really recommended the burrata to us, saying it was one of his favorites and I can definitely understand why. The burrata sat on top of a bed of chopped, marinated tomatoes and topped with mint, pistachio, and other seasoned herbs. Each order came with a bowl of sliced toasted bread. This was truly phenomenal with so many flavors happening all at once. The burrata was creamy and well seasoned, mixed with the juicy and sweet tomatoes along with the delicious, buttery crunch of the toast. The flavors went crazy. I would highly recommend the burrata here. PASTA: FRUTTI DE MARE (PRIMI) - 23 This came with more seafood than pasta, and I'm not complaining. There were a good amount of mussels, bits of fish, shrimp, and other seafood mixed in with the calamarata (thick ring pasta). The seafood was enjoyable. Pasta was the perfect al dente. But I thought the sauce was a bit loose (a lot of it sat on the bottom on the bowl) and it was hard to mix it all up with all the seafood and shells. Overall, this wasn't bad, but not my favorite. PASTA: CAPPELLETTI (PRIMI) - 19 This pasta was a bit simpler, with eight raviolis stuffed with truffle and ricotta. The cream-based sauce was thick and topped with bits of prosciutto. Despite how small each ravioli was, they were pretty dense with a strong truffle flavor. The prosciutto was too salty, so I didn't eat much of it. I liked this pasta, but didn't love it. It was too heavy and salty for my liking. DOLCI: OLIO D'OLIVA - 14 To end the night, we shared a dessert between the two of us. Our server recommended this one, which was an orange olive oil cake, topped with a chunky blueberry jam, and some honey yogurt cream. The cake was smooth, with a denser texture instead of the usual fluffy or cloud-like cakes. The blueberry topping wasn't too sweet and the cream was delicious. This was a great sharable that was a nice end to our meal. The burrata and olive oil cake were the memorable parts of the meal. If I come back, it'd be for those two only, and I'd try other pasta/entree options along with it. read more

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Nice Italian spot with a pretty bar area and some cozy spots tucked in the back corners of the dining room. We most enjoyed their house-made bread and the squid ink pasta, as well as the salmon starter. read more

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Just stopped in for their martini hour but ended up getting seats out on the patio for some The lounge area gets pretty packed early but the service was quick and we enjoyed our martinis. Staff was friendly and super accommodating when we got caught in the rain on the patio. I def will come back to check out dinner since we didn't really have food. read more

Cucina Morini - Espresso Martinis - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came to this place right at opening and there were already about 4 parties waiting outside for the doors to open - that's always a good sign. We originally were seated outside but the mosquitoes were quite bad so we were able to easily move inside. Very spacious interior with huge bar, multiple seating areas. Staff is plentiful and very attentive!!! All the food we ordered was delicious but I highly recommend the burrata if you like pistachios, it was so fresh. The calamari was good but not life changing. Both the Pansotti and Rigatoni were amazing. The menu offers a small portion and a regular portion but the small portion was more than enough for me and I even had leftovers of it. Will definitely be stopped back here! read more

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So 4 stars only because I didn't eat there and this is strictly for the lounge! It may be a a best kept secret but $7 martinis was an amazing find. The space was limited with limited seating but worth the stop and enjoyed my drink! Service was quick once you got their attention and would like to return to try the food read more

Cucina Morini - Menu - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We came here for the Monday night pasta special and had a great evening. I recommend the paccheri alla Norma. It is unique and not often found on other Italian restaurant menus. The service was the star of the show. Our waiter found out we got married in Sicily a few years ago, and gave us free champagne and dessert. While the restaurant says it is on a casual side, it is also a great place to dress up and celebrate a special occasion. read more

We came here for brunch on a rare sunny early-March day. I've seen rave reviews about their dinner menu and very few about their cafe food and was interested in trying it out. The restaurant is nicely lit and has beautiful windows to let the natural light in. I ordered the pomodoro sandwich mainly because it was one of the few items in the menu that had protein. As someone who rarely orders sandwiches, this was an amazing meal. Not too heavy but just the right amount to get your day started. We also ordered a side of potatoes which was also delicious. My friend got the Greek yogurt which is probably the most beautiful way to display yogurt. We both got tea and that came in individual pots. Our waiter was attentive and the food came out faster than we thought. Would definitely come back for a relaxing brunch. read more

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Overall Rating: 9/10 $7 Martini Hour ALL DAY EVERY DAY in the lounge? Say no more! After a few, you're transported to a dimly lit, trendy Italian spot serving some of the city's best Italian food. Food: 4/5 Crudi: * Ricciola: The pistachio crunch with yellowtail? Perfection. Almost ordered another. Sfizi: * Rapini: Broccolini with a sauce? My Italian dream come true. * Calamari Fritti: A classic--good, but nothing groundbreaking. * Polpettine: Meatballs at an Italian restaurant? Always a yes! Pasta: * Cappelletti: Truffle prosciutto ravioli--sounds like a winner, tastes even better. * Gramigna: Rich, creamy, and mood-lifting. This pasta alone made my bad day a good one! Sfincione: * House Baked Tomato Focaccia with Stracciatella: Keep this away from me--I have no self-control. Pietanze: * Capesante Alla Capri: Scallops + risotto + the perfect kiss of lemon = chef's kiss. * Pollo All Diavola: I never order chicken, but this dish? Worth every bite. Service + Décor: 5/5 Unpretentious, inviting, and effortlessly cool--ideal for date night, family dinner, or flying solo. Cucina Morini just gets it. Full Review on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGilBDxxuwb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions. Please try these restaurants and form your own judgments--it's what I would do. read more

Cucina Morini - Full review on my Instagram (@_edaj_) and TikTok (@_edaj_jade_) - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It happened to be DC restaurant week so I was lucky with the price of dinner. I made a reservation for 6:30PM. I can't see restaurants being packed on a Monday but... I sat at the bar. I was greeted by Donna and given a regular menu plus the small restaurant week menu. The bar area has tables plus the bar seats itself and is very inviting. I order a Peroni and get the cold glass to enjoy it in. For the antipasti I order the Vellutata-corn soup. Entre the spaghetti Cacio E Pepe and the desert, ice cream sundae. This restaurant is great for a date or dinner out with friends. It has a homey vibe. My soup is out almost immediately. It looks tasty and I'm not wrong. The broth is flavorful but not heavy, spiced just right. And the shrimp is all through the soup, practically in every bite. If you like a good soup this is something to definitely try. It's gone pretty quick. After a bit the spaghetti arrives. It's a good size portion and it's hot. The sauce in the pasta is very good and they didn't use too much pepper, just the right amount. It's very good. I have had spaghetti cacio e pepe before but never this good. The restaurant makes all their own pasta, fresh to the table. I am full after a bit, a lot of food. The peroni is gone and I switch to ice water ; bar staff kept my glass full. On comes the ice cream sundae. (I was thinking if it's huge I won't be able to get part of it home...no ice cream on the metro.) The gelato is tip top, I think it was fresh made. Delicate flavors accented with sliced strawberries and almond slices. Molto bene! Service is very good at the bar. Donna is on top of whatever you need. I'll definitely be returning read more

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Came here for a weekday girls' night with some Yelp foodie friends during the first month of its opening! The ambiance was warm, modern, and a little dark. The front of the restaurant is a large bar area where they also have happy hour! I've heard really good things about it, but have never been. There are these GIANT decorations that don't seem big for the space, but are bigger than any human LOL. Just a random fact. My friends and I sat at a table adjacent to the dining room bar and kitchen. Every table has a cute mushroom-like lamp. It was cute and we realized it's on/off was to just touch the base. We needed it for our "camera eats first" pictures. We all ended up ordering a variety of appetizers to share: Mozzarella di Bufala, two of the crudi, and the Polpo Alla Piastra. We liked everything overall, but felt like the crudi was pricey and we could've done without. We each ordered a pasta dish. I got the Taglioni Neri which was really good. Not the best one of ever had, but still well executed. I love any squid ink pasta. My friends also enjoyed their pastas. We all ordered the "primi", smaller portion of the pasta and felt like we could have ordered the full instead and eaten it all, too. We also ordered three desserts to share: Olive Oil cake, Creme Brulee, and the affogato. We each liked a different dessert the best and it was the most we disagreed all night LOL. I was personally partial to the affogato and did not like the olive oil cake. The service was good, but extremely slow. We chocked it up to a fairly full restaurant and newly opening issues. Our server had disappeared for most of the night and eventually he did come by to apologize. Overall, it's a good restaurant. It didn't stand out to me, but I'm open to going again in the future. read more

Cucina Morini - Two types of crudi, octopus - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia