The experience was definitely a success 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! read more

See all

Happy hour review: 4-6pm Adding the menu. Lovely bar area and lots of bartenders to assist! (They were good about saying 20% tip was already added.) read more

L'Ardente - Happy hour menu - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary here while visiting DC. We were staying at the Arlo and L'ardente is a very close walk. As soon as we arrived for our reservation and sat down, we were wished happy anniversary by the hostess and our waitress. For cocktails, my wife got a cantaloupe cobbler and I got the pornstar martini without the caviar. Both drinks were great, we ended up sharing another cantaloupe cobbler since that's a drink we've never seen before. For food, we shared the cesare salad and the famous lasagna. The cesare salad was really good with the absolute perfect amount of Parmesan cheese. We really enjoyed it but next time we come we'd try other things. Now for the lasagna. It was absolutely incredible. As we were eating it, we were joking of ordering another one just after our first bite. It was the best lasagna we've ever had and I've had some pretty great lasagna before. For dessert, we shared the vanilla and cantaloupe swirl ice cream. It was amazing. The cantaloupe was so different and just such a great idea especially for the summer. They also brought out a mini chocolate mouse cake with a candle in it and a card for our anniversary. I'm not much for cake but this was light and decadent. It was a very sweet thing for the restaurant to do. We cannot wait for our next time back in DC to come back here. It is a must try. read more

See all

Celebrated my birthday at L'Ardente and they did NOT disappoint! The lobster pasta and that famous 40-layer short rib lasagna were absolutely delicious. My drink was the Pornstar Martini with caviar, cute presentation, but they can keep the caviar next time . The ambiance was EVERYTHING, the customer service was amazing, and they even surprised me with cake and a candle. I LOVE L'ARDENTE! read more

L'Ardente - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

When researching places to eat while in the area for a conference, L'Ardente consistently came up across multiple sources as a great place to dine in DC. After polling my colleagues, we came to the agreement to check this place out. That being said, I booked a table our first night in the area and off we went. L'Ardente specializes in Italian fare - specifically marketing themselves as "glam Italian". Walking in, I didn't really get glam vibes, but perhaps because it was still daylight. The restaurant is pretty spacious - the main dining room has high ceilings and big windows, with a bar along the back wall and some alcoves along the far side of the restaurant. The decor is mostly modern, with mostly dark finishes with clean lines. We started with drinks - they have a good selection of cocktails and were also flexible to make something that we specifically requested. For apps, we decided to share the pulpo, verde salad, artichokes, and melon with prosciutto. All of these were good, but the pulpo and artichokes were my two favorite. Both were creatively prepared and had great flavor. For my main, their signature 40-layer lasagna was tempting, but I opted for the linguine ai frutti di mare. This was an interesting preparation - the expected seafood was there, but the red sauce was thicker than traditionally used in the dish, and had more heat. The dish was good, and apparently this is a running theme where they put their own twists on what are usually traditional Italian dishes. We opted for dessert, and shared the vanilla soufflé, crème brûlée, and the blueberry panna cotta. All of these were really good and creatively prepared. The soufflé was my favorite - great vanilla flavor and pared with tasty pistachio ice cream. Service was great, everyone was super friendly and made sure we were taken care of. Overall, I had a good experience at L'Ardente. Glam? The jury is out for me - but, the food is solid and service was great. I would return, but not before checking other Italian restaurants out in the area first. read more

See all

It's wonderful when a restaurant actually lives up to the hype. We went for the viral 40 layer short 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. read more

See all

@lardentedc offers a Saturday & Sunday brunch menu from 11am - 3:45pm in addition to their FULL dinner menu also available during brunch hours so let's dive in feat. cocktails, CICCHETTI, ANTIPASTI & PASTA made for the perfect glam italian day date for two COCKTAILS: Porn Star Caviar Martini (left) and Naked, Famous & Frozen (right) ‍ Porn Star Caviar Martini feat. @greygoose Vodka, Passion Fruit, Vanilla, Champagne & Caviar Bump... a truly special cocktail and an experience all its own CICCHETTI: Duck Hunt four duck ravioli with Parmigiano & black truffle are just as fun to eat as they are to look at, and even more delish to taste! ANTIPASTI: Burrata (top) Grape Tomatoes, Pesto, Olive, Basil, Pane Bianco & Capesante (bottom) Hokkaido Scallop, Yuzu, Brown Butter, Avocado, Pine Nuts --- one of the creamiest, most buttery yet refreshing scallop bites I've ever tried PASTA: Lasagna (top) 40 Layer, Short Rib Sugo, Truffle Mornay, Sottocenere Cheese & lobster pasta (bottom) couldn't resist @lardentedc's viral 40 layer lasagna, and now I can personally confirm it deserves all the attention but honestly, all of their pastas are incredible! read more

See all

The food was honestly very yummy the ambiance there was very nice and welcoming too and service was amazing ofcourse they kept refilling our water.i definitely recommend it gets packed here fast read more

See all

There is a reason I continue coming back to L'Ardente,every visit somehow manages to outdo the last, and this one was extra special as we celebrated one of my fraternity brothers' 40th birthday. We had a 12:30 PM reservation, and surprisingly...we actually made it on time. Well, I did anyway. To kick things off, we started with tequila, Reposado for me and a smoked tequila cocktail for my frat brother. It was the perfect way to toast another trip around the sun. For appetizers, we ordered the Caesar and the Verdure Grigliate, both of which were fresh, flavorful, and the perfect start to the meal. From there, we moved on to two of my favorites: the Duck Hunt Ravioli and the Gamberi. Of course, no visit to L'Ardente is complete without the Lasagna. If you have been here before, you already know. Layer after layer of perfectly balanced pasta, cheese, and sauce, it remains one of the best lasagnas I have had anywhere. We wrapped everything up with the Blueberry Panna Cotta, which was light, creamy, and the perfect ending to an incredible birthday lunch. As amazing as the food was, the service deserves just as much praise. Our server, David, was absolutely phenomenal. Hospitality like his is becoming harder to find. When another one of my fraternity brothers decided to join us unexpectedly, David happily accommodated him even though he was not part of the original reservation. He made sure our guest felt just as welcome and even served two celebratory shots at the table, adding another memorable touch to an already fantastic afternoon. L'Ardente has mastered the complete dining experience. The stunning dining room, consistently outstanding food, handcrafted cocktails, and genuinely warm service make it one of the best restaurants in Washington, DC. Every visit reminds me why it remains one of my favorite places to recommend. 10/10. Somehow every visit is my best visit, and this birthday celebration was no exception. If you are looking for a restaurant that gets every detail right from the food to the service to the atmosphere, L'Ardente should absolutely be on your list! read more

See all

We came here as a suggestion from our Lyft driver and we ordered everything he talked about with the exception of the prosciutto and melon appy. We had a fabulous dinner and our server, Ryan, was fantastic. He was so attentive and walked us through each course and even hung in there when we ordered the soufflé for dessert which took about 20 mins to prepare. (I'm sure he wanted to go home but hey, I've never had a soufflé!) Great food and service! read more

See all

We came here for my birthday diner and it felt like a special destination without being exorbitantly over the top! There were so many seating options inside from the pizza counter to the main dining room, bar area and back restaurant area. We moved our spot three times but they were so accomodating. The food here was delicious. As so many have shared, the must order items are the duck hunt appetizer, which is truly one of the best dishes I've ever had. For the entree, make sure you order the 40 layer lasagna. This was my favorite of all that we ordered. And finally for dessert, we had a dessert buffet! We loved the Vanilla souffle, a dish my husband said was the best meal he had since living in France. Now that is a compliment! read more

It just truly doesn't get any better than this place for a delicious Italian dinner. Everything is always perfectly crafted, service is always excellent, and the restaurant has an exquisite vibe that can't be matched. Updating my previous review to say I went back to try new items and they were even better than I could've imagined. The new Guest Relations manager Robin was excellent and made me feel extremely valued as a customer. She went out of her way to ensure it was a memorable evening for me, and for that alone I will be back! Try this place! read more

See all

Hands down my favorite restaurant of all time. I have dreamed of eating here since my DC trip in April of '25 when I went twice! Finally I was able to go again recently and it did not disappoint. The arancini is perfectly crispy and the Calabrian chili/lemon combination is to die for!!! The cesare with mint and lemon and crunchy lettuce wedges are another home run. Finally the carbonara is perfectly sauced and incredibly flavorful. I absolutely cannot say anything better about this restaurant and I'm counting down the days until I get to return!! read more

See all

Just visited L'Ardente for my daughter's birthday celebration. She saw reviews on IG. It did not disappoint. The food was excellent-- from the appetizer to the desert! And the service exceeded expectations! read more

See all

This place has been on my list for a while so I was excited to finally check this place out. The staff were incredibly kind and very knowledgeable with their menu. They were super attentive to us throughout our meal. For our meal, we ordered the Cesare, the Rigatoni alla Carbonara, and their famous Lasagna with 40 layers. Everything came out in a super timely manner and each dish was so rich in flavor. I am happy that my friend and I ended up splitting everything. The Cesare was addictive, the Carbonara was very creamy so the bite of salty bacon in the dish was a welcoming taste and then Lasagna was divine. It reminded me almost of eating a delicious warm stew but in lasagna form, making it such a comforting meal to eat. It was a lovely experience and is the perfect spot for your next date night. read more

See all

I've been waiting to try this place for a bit. We enjoy not one but two orders of arancini and then split the lasagna and cacio. The cacio was great but the standouts were the lasagna and arancini. It is definitely worth a visit. read more

Headed to L'Ardente after a hectic work day to let my shoulders down and we were very well taken care of! I'm so grateful for the Guest Relations Manager, Robin Williams, for her attentiveness, willingness to provide excellent service, and ensure that our server, the food, and seating arrangement was to our liking. The restaurant is beautifully laid out with high ceilings, a brick oven pizza bar, great lighting and wonderful food! The Polpo paired with the Carciofi blended perfectly! I'm looking forward to making their happy hour next! read more

L'Ardente - Carciofi - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

L'ardente is a gem in an unexpected part of the city. There's not too much around it and you wouldn't expect there to be an authentic Italian place. This place certainly is different from your Trattoria type of restaurant but does not lack in flavor. The pastas are excellent and you should definitely try the lasagna that everyone raves about. read more

See all

Service - Wonderful! The server was so attentive and came by often. He helped with making decisions for the table based on the items we have already ordered! Duck Hunt- MUST GET!! The ravioli was aldente but the cheese foam was the star! The funk of the cheese foam coats your mouth with the explosion of flavor. Cesare Salad- Twist. A minty, lemony twist to a classic. It was a wonderful addition to the table to share among 3 people for a starter Gamberi- Delicious. The prawns were well cooked and the sauce was deeply seasoned. If you are opposed to having a "face" on your food, this is not for you Lasagna-Classic done right. 40 layers of delicious short rib with a pile of freshly shaved parm on the side!! This is the dish you come back for each and everytime Zucca- Rich. This was rich and deep with flavor. This would be a wonderful second day dish if taken home. The pasta soaked up even more of the flavor from the sauce!! Dover Sole Piccata- Light. This was a large portion for the amount of other food on the table. If ordering for just 3 people, you will end up with too much. This was a nice light option if you didn't want to have a heavy meal. Wished the potatoes were a little crispy to give a different texture of the dish Vanilla Soufflé- MUST GET!! Who ever said vanilla is boring is dead wrong! The soufflé was custardy and melts in your mouth without the eggy taste or smell On to my next adventure... read more

See all

If I ever want to feel like I am on Sex and the City, this is the spot to go. Have a reservation! The food is quite savory and explosive with flavor. The location is great because you can walk to so many places afterwards to digest your meal. If you order their famous 40 layer lasagna, my pro tip is to eat very light that day because you will be stuffed with goodness after eating at L'Ardente! The ambiance is so picturesque and the staff is beyond stellar. Love this! read more

See all

This was my first time visiting this restaurant and I can't wait to visit again. Everything was absolutely delicious. They even elevated the traditional ceaser salad and made its citrus notes dance on your pallet differently. I purposefully tried all the viral items, arancini, 40 layer lasagna etc and they lived up to the hype. The ambiance, and service were equally satisfying. If I lived in the area, it would be my weekly go to. read more

L'Ardente - Ceaser salad. - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Went here for a lunch. Loved absolutely everything. We had Cavolfiori, 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. read more

L'Ardente - Tiramisu Flambe (in the middle) and Crostata di Ciliegie (on the left) - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Best meal I've ever had!! Highly recommend the duck hunt appetizer, best part of the meal. The lasagna is a must have and lives up to the hype. Cocktails and dessert were also yummy! read more

See all

I think I am in "my finally" season - trying all of the things I have been meaning to get to. Ever since L'Ardente opened in 2021, I've wanted to try it. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to while I lived in DC, because to be honest, I never got in an Italian mood. Now that I no longer reside in the DC area, I use every visit to eat my faves and occasionally a new spot. So, after another popular (and cheaper) Italian place closed before I could finish my delivery order, I spotted L'Ardente. I ordered the famous Lasagna - their 40-layer specialty - with short rib sugo, truffle mornay, and Sottocenere Cheese. The truffle mornay added a smooth, melty, creamy cheese sauce. It is good, but I am not sure if it is worth the hype at $40 lagnasa. I think the cost is built into the work but not the flavor profile. I think the meal is better without the sauce - it made it too salty with it. read more

L'Ardente - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I give l'ardente 5 stars and the 3 g's: Gorgeous, glamorous , and glorious. I was solo dining and felt so well taken care of. The waitress I had was so sweet and their guest service coordinator constantly checked in with a warm attitude. I got the focaccia and was between the girasoli and spaghetti pomodoro. I am so glad I went with my waitresses recommendation and got the girasoli! It was unlike any pasta I've ever had. Similar to a ravioli, but has a veggie puree opposed to cheese on the inside. The leek and lettuce within the lemon butter sauce was to die for, and the girasoli itself was pleasant and unforgettable. The focaccia was also SO FLUFFY. The outer crust was not too crunchy and just right. The inside is so glamorous but also feels Italian. Very clean, nice and spread out, and overall a fabulous vibe. If I'm ever back in DC, this is on my list of restaurants to be coming back to! read more

L'Ardente - Girasoli Seasonal (English pea) - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Went here for a family birthday dinner and it did not disappoint! Food: 5/5 I am not even a fan of Italian cuisine (birthday boy is), but this place is worth the pretty penny spent. The apps and main course dishes were fantastic. Their 40-layer short rib lasagna is famous for a reason! I shared that and the spicy pomodoro seafood linguine entree, which was also just as great. Would definitely recommend this place for any fan of great Italian food. Service: 5/5 the server was very attentive and was great at explaining the differences between dishes and allowing people to pick rather than just going with "I think you should get this one, it's better." She was very professional and kind. Ambiance: Beautiful restaurant. Their description of "glam italian" is the vibe they aim for. They don't have an official dress code, but you might feel out of place dressing too casually in this setting. The restaurant was not too loud, but I will note the seating where they placed our party of 8 felt pretty snug to the table behind us. I understand it's hard to sit 8 so not a huge issue for us. Parking: no valet parking, but there are a few garages up to 6 min walk away. read more

See all

We were luckily able to be sat here and it was such a memorable experience! Sitting at the bar, we were able to see the beautiful view of the full dining room. We were also able to comfortably chat between ourselves. I ordered a prosecco and the eggs Benedict with garlic toast. I ate every bite it was so delicious. The combination of the garlic toast and hollandaise was melt in your mouth delicious! The service was great, albeit it was hard to get our check. Since we were at the bar and he was the sole bartender, he was stuck fulfilling drink orders (we're talking prime time brunch o'clock) and taking care of those seated at the bar. Despite the delay, the dining experience was good and the food is definitely worth a rerun visit. read more

See all

Definitely a classy, filling meal that you won't regret paying for. Of course, I didn't pay for it--it was part of a catered service I was invited to at a nearby building, the Robin Hood headquarters in Washington, D.C. They served a full three-course meal plus appetizers. My favorite was the branzino, which was cooked very well. It had the perfect balance of herbs and zest that really made it stand out. They also had chicken, including a lemon pepper chicken, which was okay, but the branzino was easily the highlight. This place really serves great fish. The pizza was good, and the cauliflower options, including the vegetarian and vegan selections, were also excellent. Everything was well-seasoned and generously finished with buttery, herb-forward flavors. Being near the Capitol area adds to the experience. When you eat here, the ambiance makes you feel important, like you're being treated to something elevated and intentional. You feel good and rewarded just being there. I would highly recommend it. read more

See all

I was referred by a coworker who had a positive experience here. Making reservations was easy and it helped shape the expectation of the layout of the restaurant. There are three areas and they all seemed to be bustling the Saturday afternoon of my visit. Huge thanks to our server Ahmet and the Guest Relations representative. Robin Williams. They made sure we had everything we needed for this visit and any follow on visits, we were assured that they'd accommodate us accordingly. Everything was enjoyable and I found that sharing the appetizers gave an opportunity to explore more of the menu items. Portions were appropriate and the flavor was optimal. I look forward to returning here to enjoy more of the menu and ambience. Reservations are highly encouraged. Underground parking is available and it's easy to get to by public transportation and ride share. read more

See all

There will be a return trip to L'Ardente in the future. I just wanted to go ahead and get my feelings out of the way first and foremost. Some have said that this is the best Italian spot in DC. I am not sure how stringent they are with reservations because it is mentioned more than a few times that they will only hold your reservations for 15 minutes. Lucky I am a stickler for being on time and we got there about ten minutes before our dinner reservations. Looking around it was not that crowded but appreciate a place where the know reservations are what they are and not just a suggestion they need to consider. We were greeted immediately. The first thing that jumped out to me was how extensive the wine menu was. Not really a wine guy so I stuck with the cocktail menu. Actually, what really jumped out was the sign saying, "Please don't do coke in the bathroom." Whenever please is used I take it more as a suggestion. Anyway, I did not go with something that strong and went with the Blood Peach Bellini. I am not a big fan of foam or whip as a topping on my drinks, but the salted peach foam worked here. I took a scoop of the foam and there was no false advertisement. It tasted like a salty peach. What wizardry is going on back there. My chosen drink was refreshing and even for me it snuck up on me. For an appetizer we went with the gamberi. The grilled prawns with pomegranate molasses and garlic looked kind of "I don't know on the menu" but was a definite good choice on the first bite. Always willing to try something new and this is why. We also decided to try the polpette (beef and pork meatballs). Now to the main course. Spouse ordered the 40-layer lasagna and yes one of us counted ensuring that we got our 40 layers and short rib sogu that was promised. I kept reading about this lasagna and had to sample it to see what the deal is. It was pretty good, but I don't think it compared to my choice of the Vitello Parmigiana that came with rigatoni. I did not think it was going to be such a large portion. It took up the whole plate and yes there are pictures on yelp but still kind of hard to judge. I was up for the challenge but ended up taking half home. The fresh basil placed atop went perfectly with the slight tartness of the sauce. The tartness of the sauce was perfect. Sometimes I like my sauce sweet and sometimes I like it with a bit of that tangy taste. It was a nice balance with the whole entrée. A nice outing that I would highly recommend be it for a full dining experience and I will let you know about their happy hour. read more

See all

I went for the 40 layer lasagna which isn't served during lunch so my friend and I settled for these top dishes. Both were rich & feeling. read more

See all

We sat at the bar since we did not have a reservation and the service was still immaculate. Great ambiance and the food was delicious. read more

See all

L'Ardente was just okay for us. The food was good, but nothing that really stood out, and the service was fine. The biggest disappointment was the atmosphere. I understand that some restaurants are designed to have a lively, energetic vibe, but this was beyond lively. It was so loud that we could barely have a conversation with each other at the table. For a restaurant at this price point that presents itself as an upscale dining experience, I expected an atmosphere where you could actually enjoy dinner and talk to the people you came with. The restaurant itself is beautiful, but the noise level really took away from the experience. Overall, the food and service were okay, but the atmosphere would keep me from going back. read more

I've been to L'Ardente three times over the last two years and can say they've been consistent each time. I've had the pizza, carbonara, and of course the lasagna. All hits. For a dinner date or happy hour, you really can't go wrong here. read more

See all

I ordered a few appetizers, and the Duck Hunt was my favorite. I highly recommend getting it as an appetizer. Personally, I'm not a big fan of this restaurant. There are too many strict policies, like potentially losing your reservation. I also didn't like that they charge for water. However, my waiter was nice and friendly. I also ordered the famous 40-layer lasagna. It was very rich, but I really liked it. The restaurant is a bit too loud, and most of the time I couldn't hear my friends. Overall, the food is okay, but nothing extraordinary. read more

See all

Stunning Italian restaurant with impeccable service! Perfect for a date or special occasion! The interior of L'Ardente is gorgeous with lots of beautiful lighting fixtures. The service is incredibly friendly and attentive! To drink, I got the Blood Peach Bellini, which was so sweet and refreshing! Apps: Focaccia and Cavolfiori: Honestly, the focaccia was just ok! Nothing stellar, but I did enjoy the tomato tapenade. The cauliflower was tasty and I liked the chili garlic aioli! Main: Verde Salad and Girasoli: The salad was decent! Wish it had a tad bit more vinaigrette. The butternut squash pasta was delightful! Dessert: Il Vesuvio and Crème Brûlée di Riso: I loved the Il Vesuvio! Can't go wrong with meringue and raspberries. The crème brûlée wasn't for me, but I'm admittedly not a fan of rice pudding. read more

See all

Had such an amazing experience at L'Ardente -- we stopped in just for cocktails and ended up completely blown away. We grabbed bar seating without a reservation, which is perfect if you want to try it out first before committing to a full dinner (though honestly, after this visit, we definitely will next time). The cocktails were great, but the soft serve is an absolute MUST. We had the apple cider and vanilla swirl and I'm not exaggerating when I say it was one of the best desserts I've had in a long time -- so unique and perfectly balanced. The service was also incredible. You could really tell the bartender genuinely believed in how good the food is -- they were so enthusiastic and told us about a new menu item that honestly sounded amazing. That kind of passion makes such a difference. We're just visiting Washington, DC and are SO glad we found this place. Can't wait to come back and try the lasagna next time! read more

L'Ardente - Soft serve - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

L'Ardente - A Night of Flavor, Flair, and a Few Hiccups Our dinner at L'Ardente turned into a memorable evening, thanks in large part to Tara, our server, who made the entire experience warm and enjoyable. She truly elevated the night. When we arrived, I mentioned that I had been trying to call earlier in the day to move our 9 PM reservation to an earlier slot. After several attempts, the calls kept looping into a recorded message directing me to their website or email--no real person ever picked up. The lobby attendants later explained that their phone line isn't actually functional. I shared that it's a bit frustrating; if the number doesn't connect to staff, the recording should at least clarify that it's informational only. Otherwise, it sets the wrong expectation. They told me that I should tell their owner (so hello owner! I hope you're reading this) But once we got past that, everything else hit the right notes. Food Highlights Lasagna (40 Layers) Their famous 40‑layer lasagna absolutely lives up to the hype. From the first bite, the rich cheesiness and savory meatiness shine through, and the hint of truffle takes it to another level. It's indulgent, comforting, and packed with flavor. Linguine ai Frutti di Mare A beautiful seafood pasta with crab, scallops, prawns, and squid in a spicy pomodoro sauce. The freshness of the tomatoes really stands out, balancing spice and acidity perfectly. Every forkful felt vibrant and satisfying. Porchetta (Easter Special) This dish was a standout. The roasted pork had that perfect contrast--crispy skin with tender, flavorful meat and fat. Served with mashed potatoes, apples, and carrots, it felt hearty and festive. Honestly, it's so good that it deserves a permanent spot on their menu. Drinks Porn Star Caviar Martini This cocktail is an experience. The presentation alone is stunning, but the way you're meant to enjoy it makes it even more fun: start with a spoonful of caviar, sip the champagne to cleanse the palate, then finish with the vodka-passion fruit mix. It's playful, elevated, and unlike any cocktail I've tried before. Dessert - Flambé Tiramisu A showstopper. The tiramisu arrives hidden inside a chocolate dome, which is then flambéed tableside to reveal the dessert. It's dramatic, delicious, and the perfect finale to the meal. Despite the hiccup with their phone system, L'Ardente delivered a fantastic dining experience. The food is unique and deeply flavorful, the drinks are creative, and the service--especially from Tara--made the night feel special. If you're visiting DC, this spot deserves a place on your list. Btw this is my first time in DC! read more

See all

We decided to eat here for my daughters 12th birthday. When we arrived we were greeted warmly and quickly seated. Everyone was extremely welcoming and nice. The building itself was really nice and looked quite fancy. The furniture and setup of the restaurant was nice. We ordered the ceaser salad. Whoever seasoned it had a heavy hand, it was overly salty and we couldn't finish it . The focaccia and prosciutto was very good especially with the jelly provides. The salty and sweet with bread was a great combination. The gnocchi was probably the best plate of food I ate. It was melt in your mouth and the sauce was amazing. I wish it was served in larger portions. Another issue we ran into was the wait time. We had to wait almost 40-45 minutes before our main courses arrived. My wife was almost ready to leave. When we did get our food the lasagna was solid but nothing to highlight in my opinion. The carbonara by my wife standards was average. She felt the noodle choice wasn't the best for her. Overall it was a solid experience. There were some areas that could be improved. read more

See all

Hmmmmmmmph! This restaurant was in my bookmarks. Was super happy to take this place off the list before ending 2025! Upon entry, we visited the bar. It was packed and was great to see the other dishes come out. Love food/people watching. After enjoying our Blood Peach Bellini we checked in and were immediately seated in the back. Our waitress had a thick accent so it was rather difficult to understand her. The restaurant is on a corner which allows for natural lighting to shine in. The dim lighting added a somewhat of romantic vibe as night came. Deco is modern with an upscale flare! Chandeliers are gorgeous! Let's get into it! App - Giant prawns - The best dish we got! The highly acclaimed lasagna - Was great! "Fuoco" pizza - Was too spicy and although edible there was too much heat that we didn't enjoy it. Honestly, I always review places immediately but this spot missed it for me. One and done for me! Wouldn't return as the menu is limited. My date was going to order a steak or lamb chops but that wasn't an option on the menu. He was a trooper and ordered lasagna! If I got invited to this place, I'd likely try to convince my guest to patronize any other Italian restaurant in the city! Cafe Milano runs circles on this place! Honestly don't know what the hype is. It was just eh! read more

See all