First thing's first: THE FOOD! Bread basket and accompanying tomato puree: The bread was delicious and I appreciated the fact that it wasn't the typical break-your-teeth trying to bite into it type! It was very soft and the tomato puree-thing was a nice change to the butter/olive oil you usually get at other places! Don't worry, it's not just pizza sauce or marinara, the tomato actually tasted very, very fresh. Pumpkin gnocchi in cream truffle sauce: The gnocchi dish was very simple but quite good. I've had bad experiences with gnocchi in the past, but this place seems to know how to do it right! The flavors in the dish were not overpowering and it was literally just gnocchi and cream sauce and nothing else. It doesn't look like a lot when it comes out, but because it was so rich I could not finish it (a good thing!) I would recommend this dish if you're looking for something that isn't going to overwhelm your palate. Bow-tie pasta with cream sauce, mushrooms: My date got this dish and really liked it. It sounds simple, and it is, but again it's when the simple dishes are prepared WELL that it makes dinner worth it. Chocolate cake with berries and Grand Marnier: My date asked for this without the berries and GM, and it was still good, but if I go back without him I might just try this dessert with the sauce that's meant for it :) Service: Our waitress forgot the coke we ordered, but it was an honest mistake, she was apologetic, and honestly we forgot that we had even ordered it until AFTER we finished our meal. ATTENTION: I made same-day reservations here (Saturday) based on a recommendation of a friend. I then went on Yelp to see how it rated and if people had any suggestions...well, I'm glad i kept my reservation! It's too bad this place is rated so low, maybe people just didn't order the right dishes or something, but La Tomate with its simple, well-prepared dishes was a MUCH better experience than some better rated establishments where the flavors just overwhelm each other and lessen the dining experience (ie at Zengo in Chinatown, where I will NOT be returning). FINAL VERDICT: I would come here again and recommend it to friends. read more

Meh ... 3 stars is accurate. I give it 2.5 because I was SO disappointed with the food. I love the restaurant its self. There is a live piano music and nice table settings. I just wish the food was a little better. It's sub-par and boring. The flavors just aren't there. It was OK, but with all the choices around I would skip it. read more

I came here with a large group and the service was very accommodating. The food was just okay. Appetizers were not memorable. For my entree, I had the tagliatelle (with bolognese). The pasta was cooked okay, with a decent chewiness to the noodles. The proportion of sauce to pasta was actually excellent, but the sauce itself was missing a certain heartiness that bolognese should have. Overall though, it wasn't bad. It's a decent place to get a decent bowl of pasta, but only if in the area. read more

I've been to La Tomate lots of times over the years and was never overwhelmed. I found it to be okay, but nothing to get excited about. But I hadn't been in a few years or so and now that I am once again living in DC I tried it again recently. I went by myself, eager for pasta, and I sat at the bar. Great night! I was in the mood for some kind of cheesy pasta and the smoked ravioli (I know I'm not getting that name right but I think it was the only ravioli on the menu and the cheese (?) filling was definitely smoked because the bartender and I had a long conversation about it. It was delicious! The basket of bread was okay - nothing special. But for some reason the butter that came with it was great! I couldn't get enough. The bartender - a 20-something girl with black hair - was just the sweetest thing. I was ready to adopt her as a new sister.Very helpful and friendly. The staff didn't rush me out. I left like I could have stayed there and read my book at the bar and taken my time for as long as I wanted. I'm very excited about La Tomate now. The next time I want to take a friend or even just feel like getting a good bowl of pasta and sitting at the bar my myself I will definitely go back there.(oh, and prices are reasonable.) read more

Wow. I knew the Yelp reviews were poor, but this was the only nearby place I could get a reservation for 4 at 8:30pm on a Friday, so I figured I'd take my chances. It was every bit as bad as you could possibly imagine. Incredibly poor service from start to finish, we got no refills on our drinks, it took over an hour to get our food, and some items that were ordered never showed up despite pointing it out to the waiter (when he would grace us with his presence) multiple times. Only the fact that a manager was walking around asking if anyone needed anything resulted in me having a fork to eat with. The table next to us walked out, which is what we probably should have done. read more

We went there late on a weeknight for dessert for a friend's birthday. I'd probably give 5 stars, but I only ate 1 dessert, so I can't really speak to the meal experience. I will have to come back and rate it again on that basis. What I did really appreciate was the atmosphere. It was really relaxing. PLUS and most of all I appreciated the fact that although they were closing by the time we finished, they did not rush us on our way. We felt welcome the whole time. read more

Oh my what a wonderful dinner.... Service was exceptional and we are waiting for dessert. I'm sure we will be pleased. This is my new go to place in Dupont Circle. Put this on your list of go to places when in the area. read more

Had the steak and eggs for brunch. Once it was in front of me, I didn't stop to breathe or speak until it was gone. Marvelous. read more

Boring, expensive and small portions. I had a bowl of soup. It was less than a cups worth of soup, cold and tasteless. When I did not eat the soup and canceled my entree, no one asked if there was a problem. Service was lacking. Atmosphere was blah, but extremely noisy. With so many good places to eat in DC, why bother going here. read more

2 stars seems like a bad rating, but the phrase yelp associates with the rating ("Meh. I've experienced better.") is exactly how I feel. I was unimpressed, completely. Nothing was horrible. Service wasn't terrible. But I just didn't get it. The food was so 1-dimensional, the menu uninspiring, and the service lackluster. I feel bad because I walked by this place for a year before trying it - and the sign is so cute! But that's probably the only thing that stands out for me. I really can't think of a reason to come back... read more

I agree w/most of the reviews on here: meh. I pass this place prob'ly twice a week, had never been there, and finally got a few girl friends together to go last week. We made a reservation for Sat night, tho when we got there we realized we def'ly did not have to b/c there were plenty of tables. The atmosphere was pleasant, the waiters were attentive, and the prices were reasonable. But the portions were small and the food was bland. I had the spinach gnocci which was served with no sauce over it at all (?). We wanted to order dessert; stared at the menu for about 10 mins, but did not want anything on it. We ended up getting creme brulee, and, again, meh. I'd say go here for drinks on the patio; not the food. If it was more expensive, i'd tell you not to bother. read more

Took a group of about 20 for dinner there this evening. Planned the dinner ahead of time with the owner who was extremely helpful, created a dinner menu for us and made everything super simple. The service was fantastic and the food was great. We were able to eat in their semi private room upstairs; it was perfect for our party. I would highly recommend this place for groups. read more

I went over on a Tuesday evening and was solo as I was in town for work and this was suggested by someone I trust. I ordered the pork medallions which was good. The pork was cooked well and wasn't tough. The blend of flavors was good. The service needs help. They are understaffed and run around pouring water. I think the food is just a bit overpriced and doesn't equate to the service you receive. read more

It's like eating at an Olive Garden with service (with Olive Garden being better in food quality). Cute concept, not so delicious food. read more

We went to La Tomate for brunch the Sunday after the big snowstorm. It has incredible light - it's surrounded by big windows and it was fun to people watch. The food is creative and delicious. The service is really great. A few favorites: The squid appetizer (perfectly tender and delicious with the lemon and olive oil sauce) and the pumpkin gnocchi were delicious. The review by Cara S. sounds like she's projecting - all were being served, including attractive 20-somethings. Perhaps she could have complained to the manager and resolved her complaint rather than slamming the restaurant as a whole? read more

good food but they rush you out as soon as they can. i had the pasta al nero which was to die for and the bread was delish. i'd like to go during the day to see what it's like then. read more

-very good food -great ambiance -very respectful staff (especially the owner) Definitely going back read more

I was trying to decide while the to give this a 1 or 2 star. I was feeling in a great mood so I'm going 2. The service- Lackluster. The food quality- C- at best. From the bread that was brought out to the sauce it came with to the appetizer (Caprese) to the 3 meals my table ordered- unfortunate. No one could even finish their meal. I don't like giving bad reviews. There is a TON of room for improvement here and it needs to happen... Quick read more

Went a number of years ago, and the food was okay...nothing spectacular, nothing that stands out. I actually liked the place more than the food! The decor, the smallness of it...it was quaint, very European. I'd go back, but I wouldn't say it's amazing. read more

La Tomate was our first meal in Washington, DC. It also happened to be my BFF's b'day meal. It was not our first choice, unfortunately, many of the area restaurants in the district where we stayed happened to close early. After noticing that most restaurants closed at 10:00 PM we found one place open fairly later until about 11:30 in Dupont Circle and it was almost a last resort. It was a great last resort. Everything we ordered was pretty delicious. My only regret was not requesting a substitution in my pasta choice that would better compliment my succulent Wild Boar (having just come from Italy a few months ago and trying the Wild Boar there made me a huge fan for life) The Egglant Rolatini/Terrine appetizer was just delicious and melted in my mouth. The Eggplant was not breaded as would normally be expected but draped in savory sauces with fresh herbs. The crab/avocado salad was delectable. The Fresh Pesto Linguine with a savory pine nut / parmasano cheese was an epicurean delight. Desserts: The Creme Brule - the sugar was perfectly carmelized, the custard was just absolutely velvety sweet. The tartufo was delicious and everything I wanted. The service was great! The location is really nice with options to sit on their outside patio, near the bar area and the more private dining room. Oh, and the BEST walk-away after-dinner mints!!! Wish I stole more!! read more

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La Tomate just celebrated its 32nd year of business. This is an impresive accomplishment. Dupont Circle is an internationally celebrated destination and draws young and mature alike. Tomate is perfectly situated for people watching. Happy hour is always festive. Over the years, the menu has transformed many, many times, but continues to feature farm-to-table, local ingredients whenever possible. The service is very friendly and attentive. The faces are familiar and welcoming. It is not unusual to bump into a senator or two. La Tomate is one of the better neighborhood, family-owned restaurants in Washington. read more

This review is specifically for the cafe. First of all, it's really cool and innovative to have a take away counter attached to the restaurant. I was skeptical but I stopped in for lunch and the service was quick and efficient. The quality of their ingredients is remarkable! Every ingredient on my sandwich was special. The bread was divine! The prosciutto was cut in front of you! The mozzarella is scrumptious and moist. The sandwiches also come with a salad on the side, which is a nice touch. The dressing seems to have been just oil and vinegar with was a little boring but good for the health conscious. For the kind of ingredients they're using and the taste they produce this is a pretty good value. It also looks like the kind of place that would be nice to sit by yourself with a book. I will come back! read more

Really solid pasta, and good charcuterie. I can't speak to any of the other food because all I get when I come here is pasta and prosciutto. It's got a really nice atmosphere, especially out on the patio, where you can sit and peoplewatch. It's not hoppin' and trendy, and these days it feels like everywhere in DC is hoppin' and trendy so the change is welcome. It's perfect for a date, and I also used to love it for work lunches, when i worked around there. It can get crowded in evenings so a reservation isn't a bad idea. read more

This is one of those reviews that matters very little. Food was alright. Service was alright. Ambiance was alright. I enjoyed all the food that hit the table, but none of it was of a caliber I can't create at home. That sentiment goes for the decor as well. Mozz/tomato salad, calimari, pasta with salmon and pesto, lamb chops and veal ravioli all very good. I really enjoyed the spiciness of the marinara that came with the calimari. Yummy. My wine glass was dirty though. Like, little crusty bits stuck to it dirty. read more

It was pretty good. Nothing amazing but I still recommend it. I enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Its ran by a short italian who seems pretty passionate for what he does. He apologized for the smokers sitting next to us, we didn't mind. Got the sausage and pasta. It was good. Nothing amazing. Looks like they make the pasta in house which is a plus. They serve Peroni beer, a light beer which is perfect when really cold on a hot night. read more

My girlfriends and I were seated at a table set in a bay window, and it was cute and I would say sort of romantic, except it was also freezing thanks to the wintry weather outside. I kept a scarf on the entire time we dined. I agreed to visit La Tomate on my friend's suggestion, but I wish I had viewed the menu prior to agreeing. I felt that none of the entrees on the menu fit my budget. I settled for just a small ravioli pasta dish, but the waiters seemed miffed that I didn't order wine and appetizers to accompany my meal. We did split a dessert, but I didn't tip very generously because I found their attitudes unwelcoming and I tip on good service, not out of obligation. The food was not memorable, but the chilly draft and the waiter's attitudes will keep me from returning. read more

My boyfriend and I came to La Tomate for dinner. Like others, I had walked by the restaurant a thousand times and I don't know why it took me so long to come inside. A GREAT place for a nice (nice as in a bit pricey) dinner out. The service was excellent and the waiter was very friendly and efficient - it was a very rainy night so they weren't very crowded though. The best part was the food. We ordered their soup of the day (a tortellini soup), calamari appetizer, and pasta. The taste was unique and the pasta dish felt a home-cooked Italian meal (if your mother happened to be an amazing chef) as opposed to the commercial-tasting meals that many Italian restaurants offer. I will definitely be here again once I save up some money for a nice dinner out! Also, it's worth mentioning the ambiance of the restaurant. The layout is very interesting and it feels cozy inside even though you're in the middle of busy Dupont. read more

Food better than average. Atmosphere fair. Service was good. What a pleasant surprise. I liked our indoor seats with a view of the patio and the street. The Italian bread was decent. We ordered the Caprese salad which I am sure would have been good had we been served good tomato. The tomato had no flavor and was slightly mushy. The italian sausage we had prepared as a side dish was delicious!! Great herbs and spices. My bow-tie pasta w/ diced prosciutto, mushroom & cream was prepared perfectly, and it was very tasty too. I can't quit thinking about the wonderful flavor and al dente pasta. My friend had the arborio rice, wild mushrooms, and imported mascarpone, which he I loved and I did too. read more

I was in town for a conference and came here for a late dinner alone. The hostess wasn't very friendly but she did accommodate my request to move to a different table on the patio when she first pointed me to one in the back corner. I was there alone and I felt like people-watching. The servers were attentive with refills and I have no complaints. I ordered a salade nicoise and it was so delicious, and salty, and just great. It was huge, too! I was pleased with my meal. read more

It was decent. A little steep for my taste, but the food was fresh and the service was superb! read more

La Tomate - Gluten free Linguine dish with clams, mussels and calamari (sans the shrimp which i opted out for). Highly recommend! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Try the Branzino, it was the best piece of this fish I have had in years. Whole fish cooked, tender, incredible dips that added a nice complexity. Homemade pasta on the side with a delightful red sauce with highlights of basil. Outside seating, an absolute delight. Disclosure: I have known this restaurant since the 1980's and their new executive Chief is the best. read more

Had the best time at La Tomate. The food was amazing and the decor enhanced the experience.

Imagine a Fazolis, now take away the prompt service and low price. Seriously....just go to chipotle or god forbid, subway. This place was disappointing on every level. read more

I was craving Italian and had high hopes. Their menu was tempting, and I settled on the melanzane (baked eggplant) and a caprese salad. But the waiter talked me out of it saying it was too much for me (clearly he didn't know how hungry I was) and directed me to the bruscetta and the more expensive linguine with clams even though I said I wanted something with more sauce. But i was still in the mood for a waiter recommendation, so I went with his picks. I regretted it. The bruscetta was okay, and the linguine was inexcusably dry and too salty, the clams were too tough. I wish I had stuck to my original plan. Otherwise, the staff was friendly and attentive, and I loved the outdoor seating on a beautiful Sunday. I'd go back again to give the rest of the menu another chance. read more

A solid stand-by in a swishy section of town. I've meant to try this place for a while, and while walking down Connecticut Ave tonight around dinner time, we walked in. It was quiet for a Thursday night in Dupont, but as that meant we got a table immediately, and had a chance to hear each other talk, I was good with it. The service was fantastic, a number of waiters kept an eye on us and ensured we had everything we needed. And when I clumsily dropped my knife, not an unusual occurrence, they were right there. The wine list for wines by the glass was sparse and unimpressive - what they had was OK, but only OK. I had higher hopes. The food was solidly alright. I had the black linguine with shrimp and mushrooms, and while the pasta could have used a little more sauce, it was well cooked and well flavored. My companions gnocchi was the star of the evening, though - how do they get their gnocchi so light and fluffy? Melting in your mouth is not an idiom here, and the gorgonzola and walnut sauce was amazing. My lemon pastry dessert was good, but not amazing - next time I'll have the espresso alone. Overall, I was a happy camper, and as my leftovers sit in my fridge, I've got something to look forward to tomorrow. read more

Location of the place would be a good 4 stars, the patio is really cool. Food was OK, not bad, but not tasteful either. What i enjoyed most was the Olive Oil (even the bread was not good). Appetizers and entrees look chic but won t be a souvenir forever. Very reasonnable check. read more

I went to La Tomate for a friend's birthday and had a decent experience. At first, it was great. We got seated quickly at an outside table. The atmosphere was really nice, aided by the fact that La Tomate has such a great location. Plus, they immediately brought us a basket of bread and took our drink orders - win. Unfortunately, that was the end of the great service. It took another 30 minutes for our server to check up on us. If it had been a busy night, maybe a weekend, I would be more understanding. But, it was a tuesday night and not at all full. On the bright side, the food was great! We all had different pasta dishes and we're all pleased with our choices. I might consider giving this place another try. Perhaps they were having an off night? Either way, enjoy! read more

Great food. Great service. They blew it on an eggplant dish but comped us on another entree then gave us free Lemoncello and Grappa. Can't wait to return read more

I'm not sure why everyone is just "meh" about the food. I thought this was amazing. It's rare that I LOVE Italian food, but that's exactly what happened when I ate here. I ordered the rigatoni with duck ragout, and it was FAN. TAS. TIC. The pasta was so fresh and flavorful, and the duck plus sauce was to die for. For dessert I ordered the ricotta cheesecake, which was also amazing. I took both home as leftovers for my husband, and he was also wowed. He doesn't even like Italian food all that much. Service was great, price was typical. Knocking them down a star because the bathroom (at least the women's) was a little gross. read more

First time here and the Food is Amazing. Delicious Italian food. Best of the best. Had their crab cakes, braised Short ribs and their smoked salon. All was delightful and I'm so full and satisfied. read more

La Tomate - Worth the stop. Italian food and it's finest. - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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