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

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

Fantastic location, perfectly adequate food, excellent atmosphere, and oh, did I mention the fantastic location? The food gets three stars, but the rest of the qualities make it a great choice, especially for a date. Maybe a bit overpriced, but then again, you can sit outside on the patio and watch the Scientologists try to find new chumps to brainwa^H^H^H^H^H^H^H personality test. read more

This was a neat place in Dupont Circle. The food was good as was the wine. A group of us from the office went here for dinner when we arrived in DC for a conference. We knew nothing about this place other then what we saw from the windows as we walked by on our quest for food. Of course everything was al-la-cart which was fine, but it would have been nice to be able to try more of what they had to offer. I can definitely say that the Ravioli di Asparagi e Mozzarella al Pomodoro was very good as was the chocolate dessert I had (I'm kicking myself because I don't remember what it was called, but it was good). The interesting thing about this place is how 'tight' it all felt to me. We sat on the second floor, next to a window looking out on Connecticut Avenue and it felt a little cramped to me, but don't let this stop you from checking it out. I thought the service was good. Our waiter was professional and made eye contact, which is always a big plus. I have to admit he wasn't overly friendly but he was still good and we didn't have any trouble with him, it's possible he was a little scared by us because we were loud and laughing a lot or it could be him. Who knows and I didn't really need the waiter to entertain me. Check it out if you are in the area or if you come to DC and are staying close to Dupont Circle. read more

We had a 5 star dinner there after actually sitting down at other restaurants and having a drink and seeing that we actually didn't like their menus. We were late diners on a Sunday night after a progression of disappointments and delicious martinis. My friend had been here years ago and it was just as memorable this last Sunday night. The highlight was the wonderful service from every person there from hostess to bussers and everyone in between. We especially appreciated the waiter deferring to the sommelier who was charming and right. My only criticisms were the radio or sirius station, as everything else was so great, no go on the pop music. It was like easy listening dated pop music, I don't know what station that is but it's not helpful when everything else is so solid. There was also too much on the menu for my taste. We stuck to the simple stuff and had delightful salads and bolognese and an amazing desert. I think they could pare down the menu a bit and be solid 5 stars all the time. But really as service goes, so friendly and so accommodating without being insincere. Many DC restaurants could learn a thing or two here from this lovely staff. PS. I would also like to stick my face in the pommodoro they serve with the fresh bread. read more

Not bad, but I wont visit again. It's just so average that I can't possibly imagine myself ever going again... even if I wasn't going out of my way. It's almost frustrating, really. Good location and outdoor patio, thoroughly blah food. Apps were pretty good- honestly, they were the best part of the meal. Unfortunately the entrees were just very bland. They were cooked fine enough, looked fine enough, the patio and waitstaff are both nice enough... but the food itself was just... well... bland. Give me some flavor, some spice... some... something! I wandered in with my fiance and his dad (after literally running out of another place nearby, but that's another story). We were seated right away, service was prompt and friendly... all of those things would normally make me feel better about a place. But the entrees were just so underwhelming I can't look past it, and by looking at some of the other reviews on here, I'm not the only one.... read more

So this review is for the Caffe which is new and really delicious! It reminds me of being in Italy. The design is just like Italian caffe's and they make Illy coffee which is the real deal. The woman that runs it is Italian and that shows as the food and ambience is authentic. Try the centifuga when berries are in season. It will blow your mind. Also, I love the sandwiches and the pate. Really, the whole Caffe menu is great and really reasonably priced. They also carry Chino which is really hard to find in DC and is Italian Coca-Cola. Just adds to the authenticity. Salute! read more

After passing this restaurant many times, we finally stopped in and we're not disappointed. The food and the service were excellent! I had the rigatoni (with duck) and I was outstanding. read more

La Tomate - Rigatoni with duck. Excellent! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

Dinner started with the prosciutto sampler. They had signs about prosciutto being their specialty, so had to try it. It was really good. For the main course, I went for one of the pasta dishes, against my better judgement of not getting a Bolognese sauce unless I have specific and direct recommendations from someone I know. Needless to say, it was not very good. The waiter staff were professional and courteous, and accommodated needs without blinking, as one would expect. I give this good marks for location, the nice outdoor patio, and prof staff. Will need to try something else to see if the food experience can be better for me. read more

After walking by this place for literally years, one day we were going to the Black Fox (also 4 stars) and decided to stop in for dinner. What we found was kind of rare these days, namely good food with good service at a good price and a really nice environment...without the usual crush of your average trendy DC food establishment (looking at you 14th st!) Would be a great spot for a quiet 2nd or 3rd date before going out somewhere around Dupont or Adams Morgan. read more

Went into their new carry out for a mocha. Fast and friendly service. Weak espresso!! Just a hint of chocolate, I think? 12 oz cup for $5.00. I'm a sucker. read more

Nice Italian spot on DuPont circle. The waitstaff are amazing ; the owner is very friendly. Food is average ! read more

Authentic Italian food. Good for just about any occasion. Homemade pastas, bread and sauces.

Everything was bad. Service and food. Very dry and no flavor. Even the bread!! Service was lackluster. Barely came by.

Our new favorite discovery in DC. Charming restaurant in Dupont Circle. Excellent staff and service. Interesting and diverse menu with wonderful food. We look forward to many more visits!! read more

I give it a 3.5. The service was great, but I went early (around 6PM). I ordered the Veal Chop -- it was one of the best that I have had. My date had the Veal Scaloppini, it looked great. She raved about it, but I didn't try it. The side dishes were a bit small; I recommend ordering a half order of pasta if you're extremely hungry. The Beef Carpaccio was excellent, and the sauce they serve with their bread (HOMEMADE!) is amazing. It's a bit pricey, and my only complaint abuot the food was, as I said, the portion sizes. As business picked up, service slowed down, so I can see why people marked it down. read more

This place is usually great - awesome location and gorgeous setting. I prob. go here 1-3 times a week with work for lunch. My boss was their first customer 20someodd years ago when they first opened their doors. The food is good but the menu doesn't change much - I prefer the meats over the pastas - they have a homemade dough-like taste that I don't really care for (And i'm italian). Nice service - friendly setting - great managers - great dink selection - happy place to be and return again and again! Make reservations because they get busy! read more

The best thing about La Tomate is the ambiance. The restaurant venue itself is lovely, romantic and intimate. My issue with this place is the food was underwhelming. It wasn't bad. There was nothing wrong with it, but it was unimaginative and somewhat bland. I feel like if they revamped their menu and added more variety, it could really be something special. There was entirely too much pasta on the menu. You might stay that's preposterous, but there is more to Italian cuisine than Farfalle in cream sauce. They could do a thick cut Filet Mignon with a balsamic demi glaze, or a chicken Milanese. In all honesty, I give it a 2.5 stars. It wasn't bad. But it wasn't anything to write home about. Lacking in creativity, but the potential is there. I'd be willing to go back with a new and improved menu. Side note -- the bus boy took better care of us than our waiter. Not sure if that's the standard, but somewhat inattentive/sub par service. read more

Went to this place for Thanksgiving 2012 with my girlfriend, because we're too lazy to cook. It was on urbanspoon as 80%+ liked it and three stars on here so we gave it a shot. Big Mistake, and here's why: For starters, we got the calamari. $11, sauteed and served in some red sauce. Super salty and overcooked, making it chewy. It did come out hot though, which wasn't the case for our dinner. I ordered the steak medallions, med-well, she had the salmon-shrimp ravioli in a lobster reduction. Mine came out medium, and tasted old. The steak was room temperature and the asparagus and mashed potatoes were cold. Every thing was way over salted. Her dish, super fishy... tasting and smelling = old shrimp, gross! Again, her dish was extremely salty and room temperature when it got to the table. Pasta was over cooked and dry. The only pro about this place is the wait staff. They are very friendly, and when they noticed we were unhappy with our meal, asked if we wanted anything else, insisted that we take something to go, but when we politely denied, removed both entrees from the bill (we didnt complain about the calamari). read more

La Tomate is a perfect place for a small group of friends to make a night out of a pleasing, affordable, somewhat classy dinner in the heart of Du Pont. Last time I went it was about $50 per person for two shared appetizers, four entrees, two shared desserts and two bottles of the good wine. The wait service is very European, in that they take care of you, but also give you time to enjoy yourself, your company and your food and drinks, without rushing you out. This is how it should be. The entrees don't top $20, and the pasta is served up generously but not overwhelming, and between $13 and $17. The cheese and cured meat appetizers are an excellent starter for the table, and the server can pair your cheese with wine or your wine with cheese. The food isn't five star quality, but neither are the prices. And for the prices, the food is excellent...that is what matters. read more

Overpriced and horrible service. I just needed a quick sandwich to take in the car. First no menu placed out at the bar. Placed the order and some rude woman who apparently works there put in her order and told the woman at the counter to get her the drink ASAP. She was rude and not friendly at all. I told her that I was here first and in a hurry. She told me she worked there - I told her that I was surprised because her attitude was horrible. The sandwich was not worth $8. The inside of the sandwich (the vegetarian) was rather good but completely wasted by using pathetic sandwich bread. The other option was cibatta but why not a nice roll or bread from marvelous market. The experience was horrible and overpriced - not worth returning. read more

The food wasn't awful but it was close! My wife ordered the pork medallions and I ordered some kind of sea food pasta dish. The pork was very tender but lacked all taste. My wife is a little thing, 110lbs soaking wet but she asked me where the rest of the meal was when they bought out her dish. It was on a bed of some kind of sweet sauce that instantly turned dinner into dessert. Way too sweet! My pasta was... how can I put it... well, all the ingredients used were good but just not together as they were. Also we were given another tables check at the end, so how much did they really care about us? But the worst was the price. $70.00? We were so unsatisfied we walked two blocks in the freezing cold just find a place that had decent coffee and dessert. This isn't the eighties. There are tons of really good eating places on that block. This restaurant will have to up their game to stay in business. Either they ill never eat there again. read more

This eatery had outdoor seating making for pleasant dining al fresco. Pasta made fresh daily. I would have rated this place higher however they are not gluten service-oriented. The gluten free pasta was $2 more and took 20 minutes longer to prepare. Being someone with celiac disease I find this unfortunate, as I do with other restaurants that charge extra for GF menu items. Providing an explanation for the additional cost and prep time either on the menu or by the server might be taken more welcoming. That being said, the food and service were well worth the visit. read more

Stopped here for dinner with a work friend. Ordered salads and entrees and one drink apiece. Got a bread basket. Food took an extremely long time to come out - there was little communication from waitstaff as to the problem. Got salads - waited again for entrees. Drinks were empty as was bread basket - no offer of refills. Finally dinner ahhh - not! Food was cold. Sent back. Waiter offered something else - got a prosciutto plate - it and the fresh bread were good. Manager finally comes over - reports entrees are taken off the bill - we waited again for check - I must have misunderstood. Finally asked for manager and he had comped the whole bill! So Kudos to him - but food and service were subpar. I might try them again given the manager acknowledged their shortcomings. read more

La Tomate has been a regular favorite for decades. They have the best Caesar Salad in town! There are generally 3 things that make a restaurant desirable, a great value, and worthy of a return visit: 1) The food, 2) The service, and 3) The ambience. La Tomate has terrific food...authentic Italian dishes with right-size portions and enough variety to please any palate. La Tomate is a customer-friendly place with enthusiastic staff (some very long-term employees who make the place feel like your second kitchen and dining room!) who are committed to service. The owner takes pride in offering authentic Italian fare in a lively and pleasant setting. The location of La Tomate is great...and with beautiful outdoor patio tables or inside tables that can be somewhat private (upstairs) or in the thick of it all in the bar area. Give a great local business like La Tomate a try! Worth the trip! read more

I went to dinner with my grandfather last evening for the first time since Coronavirus began and not only was the food exceptional (the chef even made us a requested dish that wasn't on the menu!)-- the service was so kind and helpful when we asked for a special social distancing table arrangement to ensure safety. They went above and beyond to make sure my grandfather was socially distanced away from me and the other customers and did it all with a smile. Never felt so well taken care of! Thanks for a great evening! read more

Ordered a glass of wine and some pasta at the bar. Heard Italian spoken by various folks who were there. Bartender had zero personality and on a Saturday wasn't doing much of anything except standing around. We would have ordered more drinks but was turned off by her lack of discussion desire. Food was ok. It was rather bland. Could have benefited from some spices and pepper. The bread was cold. It would have been great if it would have been warm and freshly baked. read more

I went here for dinner and was completely underwhelmed. The service was slow and unenthusiastic (waited over 10 minutes for water after sitting down, and the waiter only stopped by to ask how our food was as I was eating the last bite of my entree). The food was mediocre (at best) and was very overpriced based on the quantity and quality. Everything I tried was either too greasy or too salty or both. I do not recommend this place. read more

This place wasn't bad, but it also wasn't stellar. The waiter was a kid who really didn't care much for his job, and both his manager and the bar tender had to keep an eye on him to ensure he was keeping track of everyone's water. We went for lunch, and it was decently busy for a Monday. I ordered rainbow trout, while my wife had the cannelloni. Both were pretty good, with good sized portions. All in all, it was a good one time experience. I don't think I'd ever come back here if I find myself in DC again though. read more

The food and ambiance is excellent! We are vegetarians and found several items on the menu that were interesting. We ordered the beet and walnut salad and it was amazing. I would highly recommend it. We asked them to make penne arrabiatta and it was the best we have ever tasted. We also ordered spaghetti with tomato basil sauce. While some may say this is boring I can tell you that their sauce is so good I could drink it!! The pasta was cooked al dente' and not the usual mushy that Americans so often prepare. That's something coming from an Italian foodie!! This has become one of our favorite places to eat when we are visiting. We are from out of state. read more

La Tomate - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

New chef, amazing food! Pasta is delicious. Rivals or is better than the Italian food at Lupo Verde. Attentive and friendly staff. Great location for outdoor seating. Hadn't been before today, but I will be back :-) read more

One of my favorite go-to's when I want a quick spaghetti and a cesar salad and too lazy to cook. So authentic and cute inside! Reminds me of Italy while sitting outside and people watching. I also always get the 5$ tomato mozzarella sandwich at the cafe during lunch on weekdays. What a treat! read more

Great location, great atmosphere, above average Italian, HORRIBLE service. They were severely under staffed and had extremely rude waiters. Asking for things like salt and pepper or more bread should not be scoffed at and treated like unreasonable requests. Don't depend on your location, do better. read more

Pretty disappointed with the service. Ordered bottomless mimosas but saw the bottom of my glass multiple times! Had the wrong table's order delivered and a lot of confusion. Our waiter wouldn't show up for twenty minutes at a time. read more

Good little neighborhood Italian joint. Food was good wine and drinks were ok. Wait staff was a little slow for a not very busy time. All in all it is a good choice read more

I was on a business trip and I walked by this restaurant. I was surprise by the genuine Italian meal. I enjoyed this pleasant surprise.

My favorite neighborhood treat! I'm there with my guy at least twice a month. Here's what I like about it: Smooth vodka martini and killer cosmo -- this woman likes a real cocktail, no sweet-drink-sugar-highs for me Excellent food (soft bread w-tomato puree is delicious dipped in a little oil and parmesan, fresh calamari steak appetizer, mozarello & tomato, Friday fried calamari, and incredible surprises every time I go). Sure, I've had a "just ok" meal there but that's rare; usually the food serves this finicky person just fine Friendly staff -- I've never ever had an unpleasant moment with anyone in there Nice atmosphere -- bright air and windows all over make it a cheery place even on a rainy day. Mr. Piano Man plays lovely tunes and is very nice to people Outdoor seating a bit tucked away -- my favorite reason to go there, especially mid-day when people who whine about work are still at work or Tuesday nights. I don't like sitting on sidewalk cafes where exhaust fumes coat my food. The shrubs that protect LaTomate are always in great shape. Love this spot! read more

The decor was nice. The location is great. We had two meatless pasta dishes; the penne and the paccheri. Both were not good. The service was a bit odd but not bad. There are better italian restaurants in the city. read more