Excellent food and dessert. They were able to accommodate a last minute party of seven which I…read moreappreciated so much.

I loved Pacci's. We got a reservation and sat downstairs, which had a really interesting dark…read morefeeling. One thing I really appreciate is a waiter who can walk you through the menu. Our waiter did that. I asked for recommendations and he explained everything on the menu to us. Then I asked a specific question about a dish and he knew the answer immediately. He also gave us specials. I got the Orecchiette e Salsiccia -- Rapini shells with sausage. I loved it. Someone else my table got the special -- pasta with steak. The steak was cooked PERFECTLY and was wonderful. Overall, I loved Pacci's. It has a laid back family vibe yet the food is fantastic. One more thing: the neighborhood Pacci's is in is beautiful. Pacci's itself is in a very rustic nice building, right across from many beautifully painted rowhomes and brownstones.

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!

The experience was definitely a success…read more Everyone must get the Duck Hunt--the flavor was immaculate. We almost ordered another one. Even the Polpette was extremely delicious, especially for something as simple as meatballs. Now for the main course, the 40-Layer Lasagna was amazing. I will say, though, that after a while, the flavor became so rich that it started to feel a little tiring. The Rigatoni alla Carbonara was also super good. I actually ended up switching with my partner so we could both enjoy the rest of each other's dishes. For dessert, we got the Crème Brûlée. I'd rate it a 4/5. The flavor was different from a traditional crème brûlée, but it was still delicious. Overall, everything was really good, and I would definitely come back to try some of the other dishes!

The decor and styling of L'Ardente is absolutely gorgeous. Just walking in for the first time, I…read morewas stunned. I came with a large party and we had a private area in the back to ourselves. They have many good options on their menu. There's a little something for everyone. From the antipasti menu, I enjoyed their Verde salad, the Carciofi, and the Hamachi Crudo. The hamachi was a highlight; it was so fresh and bright. For mains, we got the pomodoro and bolognese pastas. These were alright. The pasta itself was a little harder than al dente unfortunately. But the flavor of the sauces were yummy. I loved the dessert! We had the chocolate cake and the creme brulee. These were among the best bites of the night. Restrooms were large and mostly clean. Wasn't expecting them to be as ornate (or as dark inside) as they were. Downside is that the restrooms are right next to the kitchen area so wait staff were constantly moving and I was worried about tripping someone.

We dined in on a weeknight without a reservation and were seated promptly. We started with the…read moregarlic bread with mozzarella which was delicious, served on thick crusty bread and came with a generous amount of marinara. For entrees we tried the veggie pizza, fettuccine Alfredo and lasagna with meat sauce. All of our dishes were flavorful, hot and generously portioned. The lasagna came out much too hot to eat but was also delicious. It was a cozy dining room and we would definitely return.

Nostra is a nice and cozy neighborhood gem. Our family made same day reservations and they were…read morenice enough to accommodate us for dinner. We were off to a good start with the tangy and fresh Greek salad. My husband and shared the chicken marsala. It worked for us but wouldn't say it's a sharing portion. The Marsala sauce was smooth, little peppery and slightly sweet the way you would want. Slathering it all over made up for the chicken that could've been better. The Marsala was better than my daughter's piccata that had the same issue with little tough chicken and a too-sour sauce. The subtle sweet and citrusy flavor of the Lemonchello cake was so good. Had a little envy noticing other people's red sauce items like bolognese and chicken parm. These looked great and would be back to try. Service was friendly and the place is cute but no frills.

Get the focaccia! It was amazing. The inside was light, airy, and soft which contrasts perfectly…read morewith the crispy exterior. The outside was also moderately charred which carried a nice smoky flavor. There is an upcharge for adding burrata, which was also very delicious. The taglioni neri was also good, but the sauce was very tomato forward and the tomato's sweetness cut through the seafood flavors. I would have preferred the sauce to be much more seafood forward instead.

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.

I decided to try something new for my birthday and was more than impressed with my experience! The…read morefood was great! Our waiter, Manuel, was a wonderful help and a pleasure to be around. I would surly recommend Olio e Piu!

Food and service was excellent. Come see Manuel!! He makes the best drinks in DC! I recommend the…read moreclam pasta.

Excellent service. Superb food. Elegant decor. The portions are huge. Treated myself to a sit down…read morelunch while on a work call. Except for a few regulars, I nearly had the place to myself. Definitely coming back. Perfect spot to impress a date. The multi-level, multi-room layout creates cozy little pocket-size dining rooms. It's nice.

This is a great little place - probably the oldest of old school barracks row establishments…read more It's been 20 years since I've eaten here. After a bunch of times saying "we should go back to trattoria Alberto" we stopped by today we arrived about 1230 on a Monday and the streets were empty. We were seated immediately. Bread and water were complimentary, and the bread came with whipped butter, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. My wife had the chicken piccata and I had the chicken Parmesan. Both meals were tasty and super fresh. The service was the star of the show today. If you're looking for something different on 8th street check it out!

Drink of Choice: Passionfruit Mocktail…read more Food: Il Bruco Pizza - this pizza was delicious! I'm a fan of Grazie Nonna and have been often but always order the pasta. I decided to try the pizza this go around and it did not disappoint. The crust was cooked perfectly and not soggy despite it being on the thin side. It was a large pizza and definitely enough for two people or to take home. I could taste the truffle which was a hit. I would definitely order this again or my old faithful fettuccine alfredo!

We had a great first experience at Grazie Nonna. First of all - the space is so cute. We loved the…read moregothic-granny's house vibes inside. And they have a super cute patio outside that's far enough off the main street to be quiet and shaded. We started with cocktails. I especially enjoyed the Elderflower Spritz. You gotta have a spritz at an Italian place, right?? Then, we had our appetizers - the tuna tartare and buratta. Both were fresh, pretty and tasty! We loved the panzanella salad with the creamy burrata. And the tuna tartare was chopped nicely and seasoned well. The standout for us was their pizza though. Mamma mia!! The Drunken love with pepperoni and vodka sauce was to die for. Their pizza is like a mix between NY style and Neapolitan. The crust is crispy and puffy. It took a lot of will power to not eat the whole thing. The pastas fell a little short for us. The alfredo was just ok- not the best flavor. And the pesto was really soupy and a huge portion. Definitely, more Italian American than traditional Italian. We wrapped up the dinner with a cannoli brownie. A fun take on the classic Italian dessert. Overall, a delicious meal! We will be back for pizza FOR SURE.

Cute, slightly fancy Italian spot with vegan options. The vegan options are not the most exciting…read morebut they are delicious and you can tell they prepare everything with care. Not only is it a good spot for dinner, but it's also nice for a matcha or espresso in the morning (I heard they even have vegan pastries typically but I didn't get to try those). Service was good, if over the top,

This review is for the coffee and café experience. The coffee here is fresh, additive-free, and…read morereasonably priced. My go-to drinks are the Americano and the iced cortado. They offer several dairy and non-dairy milk options, and I was delighted to see walnut milk on the menu. The syrups and milk alternatives are made fresh in-house. The honey is wild-harvested, which is a nice touch. There is seating available inside, as well as the option to order outside through the bay window--a very cute and convenient setup. The staff is friendly and attentive. However, service can be slower than expected at times, as there is only one espresso machine. Pros * Additive-free coffee * House-made syrups * Wild-harvested honey * Reasonable pricing * Outdoor ordering window for to-go orders * Friendly staff * Fresh pastries * Italian espresso machine * Filtered water **There's a Happy Hour M-Friday from 3pm-6pm. Hugo Spritiz is an option."

Morena, Kayu, where to begin? I had the most delicious rice bowls and ube lattes at Morena's grand…read moreopening (Kayu's cafe). I liked that the drinks were simple yet distinct. They were all $5.50, except the bilo bilo matcha ($6). There were five options: *ube horchata latte *bibingka latte (salted egg caramel) *sampaguita latte (jasmine) *buko pandan latte (coconut pandan) *bilo bilo matcha They also have teas, cocktails, and two mocktails. I tried the burnt coconut chicken and BBQ beef rice bowls. The meat tasted as if it came right off the grill, with great marination. Both dishes also come with papaya atsara, which adds a bold pickled flavor to the mix. I'm excited to do some work here this weekend. Kayu also has great food, and becomes Morena on Saturday and Sunday (9 am-3 pm).

Kayu is a creative and tasty place to eat.  We love how they added a splash…read moreof color to both the cocktail menu with their ube drink and the hot chicken bao bun appetizer.    The purple bun was very appealing and the chicken was nice and juicy.  The sauce was good and we would have enjoyed even more of it and a little more heat.  The second playful dish was the kinilaw which was a mix of ceviche tuna and watermelon.  It was a trompe l'oiel as you tried to tell which cube was which.  The tuna was tasty and the watermelon nice and crisp.  In this dish, the sauce had a bit more zing and spice.  We also enjoyed the curry angnolotti but our favorite dish was the cashew kare kare   The meat was well cooked and the eggplant and the peas added to the tasty sauce.  We only wished for some rice to soak up more of the sauce. For dessert we ordered the  tsokolate which was a wonderful dark chocolate with a great smooth texture.  The space itself is playfully decorated as well and showcases some important mementos of the chefs' careers.  We look forward to finding out what other creative culinary treats await us on our next visit.