If you're looking for delicious, traditional Italian dishes, pleasant surroundings, and good service, La Tomate is the right choice! Their Caesar salad is the best I've ever had. The tables are arranged such that the noise from other patrons does not drown out conversation. In winter, the elegant, pendant lights over the bar lend a cozy atmosphere inside, and in summer there is patio dining outside. My husband and I hosted a dinner for 12, and the proprietress worked closely with us to be sure we were getting what we wanted. The guests had three appetizers and three entrees to choose from. I requested the Caesar salad and the same dessert for everyone. We chose a white and red wine to be served with dinner. We thought the tab was quite reasonable. read more

Delicious, classic Italian food with great wines and cocktails too. It took me 10 years of walking by to finally go in, and I'm so glad I finally did! read more

Where to begin? The entire dining experience was without peer! The dining environment was reminiscent of corner cafes in Paris or off the beaten track Trattorias of Rome. The decor is established modern and pleasing. The various art works in the place are eclectic, eccentric, and interesting. The musical selection was subtle and understated and complimented the environment without distracting in any way from the experience. The service was also peerless. Observant, attentive, and, most important to me, nearly transparent! No hovering! Just supremely competent! Finally and most importantly, the food.. stunning! The three of us covered most of the terrestrial options and all were outstanding. My son's chicken dish was, as he put it, at that perfect moisture level- neither overcooked and dry nor undercooked and runny! The flavor was also top drawer. The filet exceeded the expectations I reserve for dedicated steakhouses. A subtle seasoning and cooked to perfection. Rare for us. The lamb chops were among the best I've eaten in decades! All dishes were served attractively plated and complimented with sides that were truly complimentary to the main. Finally, the dessert selections were both outstanding. The Mousse was dark and dense- I know some prefer fluffy mousse but I'm not one of those. The tiramisu was amazing and this is coming from a guy who has NEVER had a tiramisu he liked! Again, the subtlety was the key! A perfect combination of complimentary flavors. Oh! And the espresso reminded us also of Italian Espresso from the streets of Rome. We have absolutely nothing to complain about! In short, the best possible meal I could have imagined for a mid spring evening. read more

La Tomate - My photo of a charming art deco statuette from the La Tomate dining room. - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place was very nice, with a delicious cacio e Pepe pasta with truffle and cheese and very nice salads.

I love to sit outside and sip illy coffee with biscotti here. My favorite spot to hang out, when I want to have a quiet time with me. The place is generally not much crowded during the later afternoon, I came here couple of times. The outdoor place is very large considering this is in the heart of DuPont and I like to seat in the back where it is towards a quiet street. That is kind of Deja Voo of my Italy visit and I love that experience. read more

After the mayor's horrendous decision's during COVID wiped out so many businesses I am making a concerted effort to support those that survived and thrive. La Tomate is definitely a winner. I have to admit I was turned off years ago during an unimpressive restaurant week meal and I've walked past this place for years. However, one of my favorite waiters from Annie's swears by this place and I had to give another try and I am so glad I did...I've been to lunch twice this week and both times were excellent. They have a 3-course lunch with much to choose from which is reasonable at $34. Trying to eat more pescatarian lately and they didn't disappoint. I had the caesar salad, delicious branzino and sautéed spinach. I like that you can opt for an additional side vegetable instead of dessert. Great if watching your carbs! They have a soup of the day which gives such an old school country club vibe. Love it. My friend felt that a glass or wine would have also been a nice substitute for dessert...but that is not an option. The place is very cute inside with a lot of character and charm. In warmer months there is an outdoor patio. They have a series of small tables and lots of windows facing Connecticut Ave. They draw a nice sized crowd for lunch. The restaurant goes back a ways so could probably accommodate groups and there seems to be an upstairs although I did not go up. May have to consider this spot seriously for a dinner party. Started off with an Italian aperitif - Aperol Spritz - wonderful! Will have to visit for dinner soon. read more

This place has incredible food. The menus has so many different unique and delicious options. The interior is also beautiful and perfect for a night out. I would definitely recommend, but prices are definitely steep. All of the waiters are also very kind and attentive. read more

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La Tomate is my favorite place to bring DC visitors or locals looking to explore DC's famed authentic cuisines. The handmade pasta alone is what sells this place for me every time. Today I did the 3 course lunch special for $29 with a Caesar starter, pasta entree, and dessert (but you can opt for a side dish instead of the dessert too). Today I was craving pesto and the Pesto Genovese (with linguine noodles) hit the spot. If you're looking for a filling, classic pesto with savory, nutty flavors and delicious texture, then try this dish. The Bread Basket (served on the most precious yellow platter) came out warm and fresh from the oven, drizzled with olive oil and lightly seasoned. The bread is also perfect for dipping in the remnants of your pasta sauce. My Caesar salad was also one of the best caesars I've had in a while. The Mousse di Cioccolato was amazing, but if you're getting a dessert item and you like notes of Espresso in your dessert, you MUST try this tiramisu. Now that I've finally tried it, I want to come back for a coffee with the tiramisu (because the coffee here is also phenomenal). Aside from the food, the atmosphere and staff will make this place one of your new favorites too. read more

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The restaurant was packed , but I was alone and they found aplace for me. The Pasta Nero was fantastic! Era così delizioso!

This was our second time here while visiting Washington DC. What a great experience BOTH times! Formal or casual, your choice. Great location in dupont circle. They have a nice outdoor patio or a more formal diningroom and a nice upckass bar if you prefer. Service was exceptional. Great variety on the wine and cocktail menu. The salad for a starter was fresh and delicious....some greens, thinly sliced radishes, cherry tomatoes and a light, sweet balsamic dressing. Salad for one was big enough to share. A small but delightful fresh loaf of bread with an olive oil drizzle....crusty outside and so soft inside. I had the ravioli with chard and ricotta on the inside and a delicious sage brown butter sauce....to die for!! My husband had a pasta dish with sausage....yum. We both had dessert....I had the homemade gelato and my husband had the cheesecake. We both finished every morsel. My husband also had an espresso served with a small biscotti. Meal was pricey, (entire bill $170) but was so worth it. One negative would be that to get to the restrooms, you have to climb/descend a steep set of stairs so not easily accessible. This will be a tradition for us everytime we come to DC from now on. Oh, and an interesting fact we learned while on the trolley....this was the restaurant that Chelsey Clinton got engaged in! read more

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This was on the first the first restaurants I visited after moving to DC as it is a few blocks from my house. The service was incredible and venue was very classic, upscale Italian restaurant. The food itself was very good, I ordered the caccio e Pepe con Ouvo which was spectacular and rich. Serving sizes aren't huge but my dish was more than enough. This is a great place to visit if you're looking for an upscale but humble Italian dinner. read more

THE BIG: Literally the restaurant is the corner of Connecticut and 20th St NW collide...with a interruption from R St NW. If that doesn't help, it's located near Bareburger, Teaism Dupont, and Sette Osteria. Big interior seating with surprisingly numerous outdoor tables. Street parking is available. THE BLACK AND WHITE: I went here with a couple of buddies after doing First Friday Dupont. We were feeling kinda bougie and wanted to order a bottle of wine for dinner...so why not at an Italian restaurant! The place was pretty crowded since we came at peak dinner time, but we still managed to get a table within minutes. The menu is expansive but I knew exactly what I wanted to get...and that was the gnocchi. My buddies got the tagliatelle and the pork medallions. To appetize our gut, we got the calamari. I was thinking the calamari was going to be fried but when they brought it out stir fried...I was like uh oh. I don't do well with non fried squid/octopus dishes. So I let the other two down it. Fortunately you are given bread and olive oil to help fill up the stomach before the entrees came out. Speaking about entrees coming out. Boy was service fast! Immediately after ordering, we were served our red wine and within 8 minutes, we were served our entrees! I do have to say the gnocchi and the white sauce accompanying it was absolutely delicious. I fortunately convinced my friend who had the pork medallions to split half of his with me for half of mine. The pork medallion was good, not the best pork I've had, but still nonetheless good. THE FINAL BAMBOO: The final damage including tax/tip was $40.10 split 3 ways for a calamari appetizer, bottle of red, gnocchi, tagliatelle, and pork medallions. Not bad considering anything with the addition of a bottle of wine is going to increase the total bill. I was quite satisfied. read more

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

The food served at la tomate was good, however the service was awful. As soon as we stepped into the restaurant we felt like they were looking down on us. We are on vacation and wanted some Italian food and wish the service was friendlier and more welcoming. read more

The place was real quiet, not that many people here but we decided to sit on the Patio. We only got two appetizers and it was definitely a home run! Fried prawns in a tomato sauce and sautéed calamari. This will definitely be a restaurant I come back to when visiting DC! read more

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

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Food superb! Outside patio dining lovely! Dined Oct 5, 2023 SPAGHETTI DI GRAGNANO ALL'ASTICE: Gragnano spaghetti w/ whole lobster meat, cherry tomatoes, lemon zest & thyme. This was absolutely superb! The sauce was exquisite! Can't wait to go back to have again and again!!! FILETTO STECCATO Pan-seared beef tenderloin wrapped w/ pancetta & sage, potato confit heirloom carrots, brown sauce & wine reduction: My friend had this steak dish and said she found it superb! -Dined outside in lovely patio area on an evening with perfect weather/temperature! -Wait staff excellent! Very nice & professional! read more

The meal was amazing, but unfortunately the service was bad enough to still get 1 star. Our waiter brought one of our drinks and never came back with mine. Then I finally told a woman who was bussing tables, and she was like I'll get that now. Never came back. Then the waiter came back a while later after we finished our meals and I told him not to worry about making it because we were about to leave. It was ridiculous and I'm still annoyed about it. read more

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

Love the ambiance and the food. It has a very European feel to it. Weather permitting, sit outside on their patio. It's covered if it rains. read more

Most of the people who helped us were courteous and the food was 8/10 (could use more gluten free options!). I had a Yelp coupon for 15% off if we checked in (see photo) which they didn't honor it, which is objectively a bad look from a customer service standpoint. But I did enjoy that this is one of the oldest restaurants in DuPont, and the decor was pleasant. The since I'm in a good mood coming off of hanging with some amazing people at this place, I'll take it 4 stars instead of 3. read more

La Tomate - Hanging with former colleagues (or current friends!) - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Had the branzino. Pan seared Mediterranean sea bass fillet, sauteed veggies, black garlic mayonnaise, parsley powder, micro citrus salad. The mayo in the sauce was too much for the fish. I wish they just went with some good evoo with maybe some lemon zest and garlic. The fish was a little over cooked. Service was decent. Prices were ok for DC. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back but if I were in the neighborhood I might try it again for dinner. read more

Definitely one of my top favorite restaurants when in DC! For starters the server was super helpful and was able to answer all our questions about the menu. He also gave us advice on what was better etc. The bread is fantastic, very flavorful. We got the 3 cheese appetizer and picked the Parmesan, provolone, and truffle cheese (I don't remember the Italian words for these sorry!) We got the Super Tuscan Italian wine blend which was very good. The pasta was also phenomenal with great flavors. I will definitely be back here when I'm in town again! read more

La Tomate - Cacio e Pepe con Uovo - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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What an incredible find! There are many fine restaurants in DC, but name one that has REAL Italian BRUNCH with 7 courses.‼ I said Seven (INCREDIBLE) courses‼ EVERYTHING about La Tomate is special in ways that are not easy to find these days. Not only is there true artistry with the food, from the quality to the presentation, the chef is an actual ARTIST. For real! La Tomate is filled with beautiful art. Some of the pieces are the Chef's, and some have been collected over the years. Where do you find this anywheres⁉ And the staff Quality, True Quality. What more can you say⁉ From the time you are seated, to the time you pay your bill, you are aware that this is one very special restaurant, brunch, lunch or dinner‼ Julie T. read more

I've been dinIBG here for several years so I was quite confident when I took an important guest for lunch yesterday. But this time... The food was good -- although suddenly very light on quantity. I can't say I have ever seen such a skimpy Caesar Salad. And it looked as though they had run out of linguini and scrapped together just enough to make one plate. As to the waiters... The service was inattentive and, in short, horrible. We waited and waited and waited for anyone to come near us, to take our orders, bring what we ordered. Etc. Etc. The experience was disappointing -- and an embarrassment. read more

Wonderful experience and atmosphere. We ended up ordering the small plate brunch option and everything was so fresh and tasted wonderful! Service was very attentive without hovering. read more

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Food was actually really well. Went here with a friend and had dinner. I had the chicken all I can say is yum! The bread is also an amazing treat! read more

My friend and I came here for dinner one Sunday night and it was absolutely perfect. We split two dishes and each was delicious. The lamb in particular was so tender and well seasoned that we couldn't stop talking about it. They offer fresh bread and olive oil to start and we ordered arancini as an appetizer and it was so great. Their outdoor seating is amazing and so fun when you're watching the sunset over DuPont circle read more

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

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This place is very Italian not only in its food offerings, but also its service and attitude. Some have called the service slow, and to that I urge everyone to consider who is writing these reviews: your average wound-up DC neurotic. Italian food takes time to prepare, and conversely should take time to consume. Don't come here expecting a quick lunch break meal. A weekend dinner date is going to take a couple of hours (to enjoy your food, drink, conversation, company, etc.), however all of the serving staff I interacted with was nothing but friendly and attentive. The pastas seem fresh and homemade. The place is very uniquely decorated and there is plenty of seating space. They have a long list of cheeses and charcuterie which I highly recommend. La Tomate is the place to go for high end Italian in Dupont. read more

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A deeply mediocre restaurant. Friendly service in a nice setting but the food leaves much to be desired. The lamb was perfectly cooked but way too salty even for a salt lover. The gelato was bland though the espresso was very good. If you are set on Italian find somewhere else. read more

La Tomate is a very nice dining experience - from the food to the decor to the ambiance. Unfortunately those reviews about the slow service - all true. I dined at La Tomate for brunch after wondering about the restaurant for years. They have a very convenient tasting brunch menu with the option to add a bottle of champagne. The food was very tasty and exactly the right portion to leave me full but not uncomfortably so. My only reason for the 3 stars was the service. Food all came out timely from other staff, but our actual server was very scarce. I was not able to order anything outside of the pre fixe because he was nowhere to be found and we had to flag down a different server for our bill. I do recommend a meal here though; the patio space is big and comfortable and the inside of the restaurant is beautiful. Be prepared to give all your orders upfront to help with the wait and enjoy! read more

I went to La Tomate on in DuPont Circle on a Saturday around lunch time. We sat outside and it was a great experience, overall. I had the salmon with potato purée - the salmon was so perfectly cooked and the entire dish was so yummy! My friends really enjoyed their food as well - they had the carpaccio salad, eggs Benedict, and the linguini pasta. Everything was just perfect. The only thing that I was not happy with was that the server was very unpleasant when I asked him to split the check based on what we are. We were only 4 people, and generally, it's not an issue. He was rude about splitting the check, so we split it equally. Other than that, I loved the place. read more

Old school Italian! I love this place. The restaurant feels cozy and the staff are extremely friendly/clearly have been running it for years. The table bread it buttery and salty-absolutely delicious. We got the spicy pork Ragu and the broccoli sausage cavatelli both were great! We also got the beef tartar however we didn't love it as much as the entrees. It was great but probably will order a different appetizer next time. Overall a great dining experience. They took time letting us settle and werent rushing us through our ordering or dining which we personally liked! read more

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Yesterday I had a wonderful lunch at La Tomate! Very close to the Dupont Metro and The Phillips Collection but in a quieter neighborhood which was nice. It reminds me of a Paris bistro. We were promptly greeted by (I think) the owner or GM and we sat on the patio. This patio is amazing. They have a fully open portion then they have a portion that has overhead heaters/fans and side covers that can attach to the canopy so you can basically eat out there all year. The service was as great as the food as well. They immediately brought up freshly made warm bread and we both ordered their grilled shrimp with veggies lunch dish and it was excellent. After lunch we went inside to tour the restaurant and I cannot wait to go back. They have a nice bar seating section but the best is they have like 4-5 dining nooks for 2 diners or up to like 8/10 diners. Very nice for privacy. I live quite far from DC but plan to go back this summer just to have another lunch here. read more

Always a good thing when you get a call for dinner when you are in the area & LT is where we landed. Not sure why the person opening the door stated there's a $5 Door Cover...we proceeded to the Hostess stand & to the patio without paying. We grabbed a covered table providing us a great view in all directions of Conn Ave & the colossal passerby's. It's a simple yet interesting menu of Prosciutto, Appetizers - Octopus Salad, Salads, Pasta & Seafood...& a one Burger. The pasta selection is about 7 variations deep, a Gluten Free option & a 20 minute wait. The table receives complimentary bread basket, olive oil & garlic upon request. We shared the Smoked Salmon Carpaccio (86'd the eggs) & the thinly sliced salmon was lightly garnished with arugula, red onions, chives, dill honey & olive oil. It came with 2 crostini's, so be prepared to request additional if you so choose to. I went for the Nizzarda Salad, 4 small slices of sesame crusted tuna, cannellini/string beans, cherry tomatoes (86'd the eggs yet again & anchovies) olives & a good balsamic vinaigrette. My highlight was the Smoked Salmon & 2 San Pellegrino's Limonta sparking waters. :-) He ordered the Rainbow Trout, that is smoked in house & came with a few slices of sautéed squash, nothing elaborate. Marioisi was our server who was friendly & attentive, as well as his bar-back in great tandem if we required anything else. Besides the slim portions, the price & taste was A-OK...I could return if I'm in the area again unexpectedly & not starving. read more

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Everything I ordered here was delicious beyond expectation. It's a little on the pricier side of things but the price is worth it- I came back to have the Cacio e Pepe another time because it was so good. The servers are seasoned and you can tell the food is good from their age and dedication to the restaurant. The ambiance is like a warm, cozy, Italian sunroom. I would definitely recommend eating outside on summer nights and watching the Dupont Circle foot traffic pass you by. Definitely coming back. read more

Excellent food, excellent service! We had a bottle of savignnonblanlc and shared the calomari and roasted beats as starters. We had beef tenderloin, veal Medallions, and ravioli for dinner and shared them so I know they were all great! Dessert is gelato, tiramisu and apple coating. All around great experience ! Relaxing environment, nice dupont circle neighborhood location. , read more

Nice atmosphere and very tasty food. The Hilton recommended this to us and we can see (taste?) Why. They have a stock menu plus specials. Worth going back to. read more

Good food. Great service. Pasta was fresh and very well made. Far better than what I expected.

I am confused by their rating. We were walking by and decided to drop in for a snack. Once we saw the menu we decided to overeat! We had minestrone soup, a prosciutto, pasta, salad, warm bread with olive oil and wine (Chianti and Pino). We were VERY happy with our meal. We also love the ambiance and the service was excellent. We sat on the patio which was covered and had heaters. We sat next to a couple who said they had been coming here since 1987 and it is their favorite local place. I told my party I would be a regular as well and have reservations for Valentines for myself and friends. This is the kid of restaurant that feels comfortable and the food is worth the trip. Will update posting if get a different vibe or service on Valentines. read more

La Tomate sold us seriously expired dessert and then didn't respond to my several attempts to contact them about it. I placed an order on their website for two sandwiches, two sides, and two desserts. The caprese and chicken sandwiches were tasty, the sides were just ok (website said the roasted potatoes had cheese on them but ours didn't), and the desserts were terrible. The tiramisu was 8 days old, as indicated by the label, and the "mousse" was solid like cement. Can't recommend this place for the food or the abysmal lack of response to our concerns. It's a shame because we really wanted to continue supporting this place as one of our local restaurants. Sadly, we won't be returning to this one. read more

La Tomate - Tiramisu we were served on 5/24/2020. Well past its prime! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Perfect! Surprisingly, their patio was open on Christmas Day 2020. It was a chilly night, but they had heaters and blankets! The staff were wearing masks. We ordered a delicious bottle for the table. It was well-enjoyed. The Caesar salad was delicious. The veggie ravioli was also tasty. Their bread for the table was delicious. Overall, a very perfect Christmas meal! read more

Great lunch spot with a three meal course available at a reasonable price. Plenty of seating inside or outside, and they have a market with arts and small fixtures upstairs near the bathrooms. Inside has an Italian home vibe to it. read more

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