We two mid-50s experienced travellers dined here monday night for a special occasion. Chose not to do the $25 valet parking, found some on the street a block away. The arrival process could have been more personal and streamlined; not sure why our reservation had to be verified by the hostess inside the door and again back at the hostess stand, and it all seemed more of a process than a personal welcome. First impressions: cozy, modern, well-curated decor well-installed in a historic building. So many staff walking around! Hard to tell who's staff and who customers are. Courteous waiter (w/ sidekick trainee) got the job done welcoming us and explaining the menu, but again the interaction didn't seem very personal; more like a fancy process. After ordering, we were left to sit w/ drinks for 20+ minutes without anything to snack on (how hard would it be to provide a little bread or bread sticks?). In DC glasses of drinkable red wine are $16-$18 but here glasses of similar grade red (cabernet blend, dolcetto) are $20-$25. Restaurant looked about 80% full so maybe that's why the first food seemed to take a while. Then the pasta arrived before we were done with the foccacia and instead of making the poor server wait there with the pasta we invited him to just put them on the table while we finished the appetizer. Pici and Oreciette "primi" were tasty as you'd expect from a place with Silverton's pedigree, but also appropriately priced at $20+. The chicken alla diavola su crostone was indeed spectacular-looking (enough to share) and tender, although a sharper knife (didn't mention it to the waiter) would have made sharing it a cleaner experience. A bit of an awkward moment at the end of the evening- somehow the (complimentary, special occasion) dessert was quite delayed so even after asking for the check we waited for dessert to arrive. It too was delicious like the rest of the food. All-in-all a higher-end, get-what-you-pay-for experience, although fundamentally it's just Italian food. Hard to eat here for two for less than $200 but most customers probably don't mind because Mozza decor/chef/experience is buzzy and it's a nice place to splurge on dinner without going all the way downtown in DC. read more

We came to celebrate my friend's birthday and Osteria Mozza certainly meets the criteria of an old school fine dining Italian establishment. It is quite a large operation with the hustle and bustle of many service staff and patrons. Our menu for the evening included the following: focaccia di recco ( w/ stracchino cheese), mozzarella di bufala & condimenti (basil pesto, romesco, black olive tapenade & caperberry relish), grilled octopus (potato, celery, scallion & lemon), tagliolini (36-month white cow parmigiano reggiano, white alba truffles), tagliatelle (bolognese), mafaldine (oxtail ragù), braised lamb neck (Anson Mills polenta, preserved lemon & Castelvetrano olives), bistecca alla Fiorentina (dry-aged, bone-in porterhouse), rosemary olive oil cakes (olive oil gelato & rosemary brittle), butterscotch budino (caramel sauce, crème fraiche & maldon sea salt), coconut straciatella gelato pie (Douro almonds & hot fudge), and a fruit sorbetti. I was doing my research prior to visiting (through other reviews and speaking with a previous diner), and what I discovered was that this establishment is heavy handed with the salt. Having known that, I requested that the focaccia di recco be served with the salt on the side, and that preemptive request fulfilled exactly my desire to not have it overly salted. I enjoyed it and if you are with a larger party, I suggest you order it. The mozzarella di bufala had the four condiments as stated above; unfortunately there was only one serving spoon for all four condiments. I wish the service staff would have been more cognizant of this and served all of them with separate spoons as the flavor profile of each condiment were very different. These are details that should be fully accounted for prior to each plate arriving to the table; instead, diners would have to request this after the fact. The grilled octopus, although smaller in portion, was tender and delicious with a pronounced smoky flavor throughout. The accoutrements of the cooler potato, celery, scallion, and lemon worked well to contrast the heavier smokiness of the octopus. I may have dinged this review by another star if this dish was poorly executed, but luckily it met the mark. I took a bite of the very expensive white truffle tagliolini, and it was simply divine. Perfectly al dente, decadently rich, lusciously coated with the viscous sauce, and perfumed with the beautiful fragrant shavings of white truffle. It wasn't plagued with the over-salinity issue as with some of the other dishes this evening. If we come again, I will definitely opt for this pasta dish over the bolognese and other red sauces. The salinity was very pronounced in the bolognese and the porterhouse. The heavy flakes of salt made certain bites of the porterhouse overly salty (such as the ends and corners) but the larger cuts towards the center of it were spot-on. Had this salt been disbursed more evenly, it would have been much more ideal. I did however greatly enjoy the texture of the tagliatelle, thin ribbons of perfectly al dente pasta; it served as a perfect vessel for the rich and salty bolognese. However, because of the salinity of the bolognese, I did not finish it on its own after I consumed all the pasta. I actually originally requested the tagliatelle to be paired with the oxtail ragù; a manager later came and very politely explained that each pasta was tailor formulated for each respective sauce. The porterhouse itself was cooked to a perfect medium rare and imparted a rich beef flavor in each bite. Again, if this flake salt had been toned down and applied more evenly, it would have been perfect. I highly suggest the braised lamb neck; it was slide off the bone tender and succulent. The desserts were quite enjoyable. The rosemary olive oil cakes had a crispy exterior, were served warm, and were soft on the interior. The gelato cake was thick, rich, not too sweet, and featured a delicious cocoa crust; the almonds swimming in the hot fudge sauce were a nice, nutty, and crunchy contrast to the cold and smooth gelato. The butterscotch budino was actually quite rich and substantial; this is definitely tailored for someone with more of a sweet tooth. The fruit sorbetti featured a large pizzelle and was more tart than sweet; good for those that want to finish the meal on a lighter note. Having said all the above, I had to ding a star because of the seasoning (which wasn't completely consistent and heavy handed with the salt at times) and the lack of detail with the serving utensils. Otherwise, I would rate the service as fairly attentive and consistent despite how busy the staff were. Also be forewarned, this is not a quiet restaurant and the noise level can deter some for those who prefer a more tranquil and peaceful setting like a Japanese omakase counter. Lastly, street parking can be a challenge so be prepared and go early; if not, opt for the garage parking (which is quite expensive of course) around the corner. read more

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We've been twice so far and have had great experiences each time thanks to our waiter Bruno. He's guided us towards amazing items on the menu and is always attentive without being overbearing. Also, everyone at the restaurant has been so sweet toward us bringing our newborn baby to dine with us and has sat us at tables that can fit our Doona. Food wise our favorite things are the little gem salad- the green goddess dressing is delicious and I'm obsessed with the candied pepitas. We've gotten the pepperoni pizza and another pizza with anchovies and capers and both were so good; their crust is phenomenal. Pasta wise we've had the orecchiette, carbonara, pici pasta, and tagliatelle. The carbonara was ridiculously salty, thankfully they allowed us to send it back. The other pastas were perfect, it would be hard to pick just one favorite. For dessert we've had the coconut gelato pie and the bomboloni, both great. We love their vermouth selection too. Highly recommend this beautiful restaurant in Georgetown! read more

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Colleague and I popped in for a late lunch with no reservation. Hostess quoted us 25 minute wait but we snagged a couple of seats at the bar within 10 minutes. What we ordered- Mozzarella Di Bufala & Condimenti: the freshest mozzarella I've had in years. Creamy, soft, mildly flavored, sweet and salty. Each of the accompaniments were bold and uniquely tasting. Arancini: perfectly crisply on the outside, warm and creamy inside, very thoroughly seasoned, all covered in a perfect bolognese. Not pictured but ordered- Little Gem Lettuce: crisp romaine lettuce, toasted sweet pepitas, all coated in a green goddess dressing that will make you want to lick the plate. Margarita Pizza: very traditional but absolutely delicious. Must order! Will be going back again very soon! read more

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After trying and failing to get a reservation here multiple times, we finally made it in for a Thursday night dinner. To start, the ambiance of the restaurant and bar is spectacular. All the design details seem incredibly thought out and tasteful. As far as service goes, our experience started out a little odd when our waiter accidentally poured water on one of our plates and napkins (it happens) but then did not apologize or offer to replace them. They also only came around once to refill our waters. The service quality, at least on this night, is why I couldn't give this place five stars. The food was spectacular for the most part. We ordered the tagliatelle, the carbonara, and the pici for our mains which we all thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend. Portion sizes weren't massive, but felt appropriate. Despite many reviews here raving about the focaccia, we found it to be a miss, especially at that price point. It felt fairly bland like it was missing something, overall just tasting salty. For dessert we had the bombolini and the tiramisu which were both wonderful and a great way to end the evening. read more

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What an amazing time we had! The restaurant is beautiful inside. The cocktails were well crafted and delicious. From start to finish our meal was delightful. Service at the bar was slow for our pre-dinner drinks but our server definitely made up for it during the remainder of our visit. Definitely the best meal I've had in DC! read more

Osteria Mozza - Tiramisu, rhubarb crumble and peanut butter deliciousness - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The service was amazing. Every dish was delicious and exceeded expectations. The carbonara was one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had. The blistered cherry tomatoes on the mozz were perfection. I could go on and on. You will not be disappointed. read more

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Vibes, vibes, vibes. Decor is lovely, felt like I was sitting inside of an arboretum. Service was great as our waiter made jokes and created a lovely environment. The food was good (take my opinion with a grain of salt as Italian food is not my favorite). The pasta was the absolute best out of the four items we ordered. The pizza was decent, everyone was getting Nancy's salad and it was fine, and the burrata was just burrata (it did not come with any sides, it was just cheese with pesto). We saw Nancy Silverton which was cool, my coworker had a bit of a stroke when she saw her (totally appropriate). I'd go back, def would try newer items but ya it's an Italian restaurant. read more

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5 stars! Osteria Mozza is a total vibe. From the moment we walked into this restaurant, we knew it was going to be amazing. Upon entering, we were greeted by two lovely hostesses, who confirmed our reservation and seated us immediately. Our server Daniel A. came over with the best smile and offered amazing recommendations since it was our first time dining and he didn't miss a beat. We started with the Brunch Little Gem Lettuce Salad, for entree's we had the Tuna Melt and Chicken Milanese Paninis. Both were delicious but the Tuna Melt needs a standing ovation. The tuna was so good! My god! For dessert we shared the Butterscotch Budino. This entire dining experience was superb. We owe all that to Daniel A. He was the best server and took very good care of us. We can't wait to return very soon. Here are a few tips: Make a reservation! I repeat, make a reservation! You will thank me later. Take ride share or metro! Parking in Georgetown can be a hit or miss. read more

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Solid food, good service, really lovely ambiance! Came with a friend - We each got one drink, split an app and a pasta, and we left feeling satisfied and spending under $50 each at what I would consider a nicer restaurant in Georgetown. Great experience, would definitely go back! read more

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Had a reservation for last night for a celebration. Started with the Focaccia Di Recco which was yummy and cheesy. Burrata & Artichokes, the mint pesto was amazing,but the artichoke could have used more flavor. Cinco Jotas Jamon Iberico & Prosciutto Di Parma was an amazing choice, it was a really good portion of meat. For our main dishes we got the mafaldine( oxtail ragu) and tagliatelle bolognese. WONDERFUL flavor. Melted in our mouth. Ended the night with their selection of gelato - black currant and coconut/ passion fruit. Delicious overall. The ambiance was lovely and welcoming. Can not wait to go back and hopefully have a table in the " outside " section. Service was efficient. read more

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Such a good ambiance in the sun room. Great service from a very attentive staff. Our water cups never went empty. The flavors of the food were perfect. Good portion sizes. read more

Osteria Mozza - Chicken Milanese Panini - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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They have rotating specialty pasta dishes that were both delicious and unique. The focaccia was disappointing because I thought it was going to be a fluffy bread but it was more like a flaky flatbread. I got the $20 tiramisu to go. Was honestly astounded by how expensive it was but truthfully it was the best tiramisu I've ever had. I was skeptical about the hazelnut on top but the hazelnut added to the texture and taste. Definitely a nice date spot with prompt service. Would definitely come back if only for the tiramisu. read more

I was excited to try Osteria Mozza after hearing good things about it. They have valet- bonus! Checking in was easy and we were seated right away. We were actually welcomed and greeted first by the Som who told us about some of the cocktails, wines, and the vermouth drinks. I've been kinda into a vermouth spritz lately so was excited to try one here as well. The drink I received wasn't the one I ordered but it was delicious so I just went with it (there's one vermouth that has both a Rosa and a Blanco- be sure to specify!) Overall service was fine- nothing bad. My favorite items were the mozzarella caprese (we ordered a side of garlic bread with this as well), brussel sprout salad, the carbonara pasta (we almost fought over the bacon pieces!), and of course the butterscotch budino. We were there a couple weeks ago and I am still thinking about that sweet, smooth, and caramelly deliciousness. We even got a Nancy sighting! read more

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Do yourself a favor and sit at the bar. The bartenders are fantastic company and are great at their jobs. Unless you're here to have an intimate experience with another person, I highly suggest mingling with them. My girl friend and I came here for dinner but unfortunately ate before our reservation (too hungry lol), therefore we only had room for the Focaccia Di Recco, which was recommended by our waiter. It is a great and salty snack to pair with girl talk + drinks. Again, the highlight of our night was sitting at the bar. We promptly returned to our bar seats after eating. 10/10 experience. read more

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From the moment we arrived, it was what we were hoping for. We came for my husband's 60th birthday and what an experience we had. We started with the octopus and Nancy's Caesar salad both were beyond expectations! I tried the yellowtail speidini and my husband had the braised lamb neck. Everything was fantastic and the rest of our experience did not disappoint. We will be back! read more

Excellent food service and ambiance. We will return. Highly recommend when in Georgetown.

Great service and food will be back again soon thank you team. Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Excellent place to eat! Atmosphere is top notch...food was fantastic... dessert was to die for...and we had the greatest waiter ever!!! read more

Osteria Mozza - Greatest waiter ever!!! Dessert.... Omg! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We walked in on a Thursday night and had to wait about 30 minutes for a table. I heard a lot of rave about this place so I was expecting the food to be good. We got dips sampler to start. I got roasted chicken for my entree and my friends got grilled octopus and oxtail Ragu. My chicken dish was huge and it came with a soggy bread under. The taste was just okay. There was not a lot to it. I was very disappointed. My friends' dishes were just okay, nothing out of ordinary. The highlight was the tapenade. read more

Osteria Mozza - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A merely acceptable epicurean effort. Chicken panini was oily. Each bite squirting out the flavorful additions to sandwich reducing it to "nice" food. However, at a $100 for one oily chicken sandwich and two cocktails, my suggestion is spend your money elsewhere. Cool ambiance/architecture....but I came for the food...... Overhyped, overpriced, and underwhelming. read more

Don't go here. Staff is extremely rude. Regardless of the food being ok it made the entire experience very disappointing.

I came here last month for lunch and the service was extremely disappointing. The man at the front door was friendly but said since I was alone I had to sit at the bar, even though the restaurant was pretty empty, it was after a snow day. I sat at the mostly empty bar for 10 minutes and was annoyed that the two bartenders were chatting and didn't bring me water or a menu. Finally I asked the woman next to me who was waiting to pay what's the deal and she said actually we order through a waiter and she pointed to him, our Italian waiter was nearby but not paying attention to the bar. I was doing Dry January so I asked if they had non-alcoholic drinks and they did but since that section was written in Italian I didn't notice it. I got a canned drink as a mocktail and a glass with ice. So of course I googled the price of it and it costs $5 while I was charged $14. Ridiculous for a non-alcoholic cocktail. It should be $7-9. Inside the bar a woman made their Mozza Caprese app non-stop for orders, I'm surprised it's not listed as the #1 most popular dish on yelp. In front of me on the bar was a jar of chopped raw onions for her to use, although I never saw her use it. As you can imagine the smell of raw onions at the bar was so strong and dreadful! She should keep it on the island behind her next to the machine she butters the bread with - yes they have a machine that butters bread. The only vegetarian pasta was spaghetti, how boring, so I ordered the Margherita pizza. The pizza was a thin crust with a sparse amount of cheese and tons of oil poured over it. Oil was dripping down my face with every bite. The tomato sauce was too salty. When I finished they were so slow to clean up my table. I had to sit there with the whole pizza setup - high table in front of my face. Finally when he brought the check, he disappeared for another very long time. I saw him across the bar going back and forth to the table there, laughing and chatting with them. I put my coat on and then had to stand so I figured he would walk over then, nope! read more

Amazing food and awesome location. Delicious non alcoholic cocktails and a menu with food you actually want to eat. The mozzarella bar is amazing and I could have eaten every single one. The hanger steak was salty and sweet and the apple crumble was hot and crispy. The inside is super cute and I loved the enclosed patio. Two notes I would give for improvement; our server was AMAZING but service is a little slow so I would not suggest if you were in a hurry and the bacon on the burrata was similar to a microwaveable bacon you can get from the grocery store. A thick cut, high quality bacon, could have made that the best burrata I have ever had. Other wise, I rate this a solid 8.7/10 and will absolutely be back. Edited for spelling. read more

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Okay first things first... the restaurant is absolutely beautiful and vibes and ambience are on point! Service is excellent. The food is delicious- t bone steak was so juicy and cooked to perfection. The focaccia was different but delicious nonetheless. It was almost like a flatbread topped with shaved Parmesan and olive oil. Arancini was creamy and flavorful. The carbonara was our least favorite dish- It wasn't bad just nothing great. Can't speak for any of the other pastas. The desserts (peanut butter pie and butterscotch mousse) were 10000/10 good. Extensive wine list and great cocktails. Do yourself a favor and have a date night here! read more

My experience was mixed. The restaurant is absolutely stunning. The place opens up when you walk in with grand architecture, chic decor, and moody lighting. The market in the front is a unique touch. Everything looked delicious, but the prices were high. I've been looking forward to coming here and the food was underwhelming. Everyone thought the portions were small. The pasta had great texture, but was salty. We got a cinnamon roll for desert and it was okay. Warming it up would have made it better! read more

Osteria Mozza - rigatoni carbonara - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very loud and cold in the outside atrium. Food was unremarkable, bland and very disappointing. Pasta was too al dente and not enough sauce. Chicken sandwich was dry. Burger was decent but not worth the price. I expected much more from a Nancy Silverton restaurant. Service was good though. read more

We had high hopes for Starr/Silverton's restaurant and it is a beautiful atmosphere, but the service and food was just bad. Our server and the manager were not knowledgeable about menu items, the menu had a main ingredient error compared to what was actually served, we had long wait times between courses, we were brought the wrong dish, and the pizza came out lukewarm. The dishes we did get were 5/10 flavorful and left us feeling hungry and underwhelmed. read more

The restaurant is beautiful. Service is attentive and the servers and waitstaff work in harmony with one another. The food was fresh and flavorful. Tables are well spaced and even with all of the hard scape - we have do problem with noise. We were not rushed and the portions were ample. read more

The food is very good and the service is very good but it is very, very loud. And it's an attractive space. The crowd is boisterous, with lots of men opining very loudly (not a lot of couples, maybe a reflection of the volume?). I wouldn't go there again for a meal with anyone I especially wanted to talk to. But I'd definitely go for the food and service. read more

DC Osteria Mazza promises pedigree but delivers little more than pretense. The pasta, a supposed centerpiece, arrived cold, flat, and utterly forgettable--closer to neglect than to craft. The building itself is beautiful, but architecture alone can't carry a restaurant. Yes, the salads were decent, but no one comes to an Osteria for lettuce. In a moment of irony, the staff even offered to let us take the pasta home for free--but when food is this poorly executed, why would anyone want a second helping? Compared to the LA original, this location feels like a hollow imitation, second-rate and uninspired. For a restaurant trading on reputation, the failure here is not just culinary, but cultural read more

The Nancy Caesar salad is a must have at Osteria Mozza. Service is phenomenal and the ambiance reminds me of NYC.

Osteria Mozza is an absolute gem for a date night! The ambiance is perfect with a lounge bar vibe and a European feel that sets the mood right from the start. We kicked off the meal with the walnut and rosemary mozzarella was an amazing choice. We also tried the tuna-stuffed peppers, which paired beautifully with the bread. I'm glad I saved some bread for the pasta dishes! I went with the anchovy spaghetti, and it was perfectly balanced--not too overwhelming, and the pasta was cooked just right. The real star, though, was the brown butter ricotta ravioli. One large ravioli with an egg yolk inside that oozes out when you cut into it--mixed with the brown butter sauce, it was rich, flavorful, and absolutely divine. We also shared the branzino, a whole fish that was perfectly cooked, flaky, and topped with a roasted lemon to squeeze over it--such a simple but tasty touch. To wrap up the meal, I had the butterscotch dessert--a smooth pudding topped with caramel sauce and cream fresh. It wasn't too sweet, just the right way to end a fantastic meal. The service was very good--the waiters were attentive, always making sure my glass was full. This place truly delivered for a special night out! read more

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An update to the review. Went again to Osteria Mozza to celebrate a friend's 29th birthday, along with two others. Her mother had a dietary issue and has to stay away from too much tomato. The waiter was insufferable and downright mean - while asking for recommendations he basically said nothing on the menu was without tomato & then advised she have dinner elsewhere. He couldn't or just wouldn't answer follow up questions & we even identified ones that were without tomato (e.g. goat cheese ravioli, squash etc) and tried to double check with him that the ingredient list was correct on the menu - he was definitely just trying to push the expensive meat dishes and taking advantage of her condition, as he refused to say the pastas she picked out were without tomato. He then rushed the entire dinner and rudely pronounced the chef needed apps and main dish orders right away (other tables were given more time). He then watched her fill out the check and looked over her shoulder while writing the tip - very unprofessional behavior. Pretty much mirrors my experience last year at Osteria Mozza. read more

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Excellent! We did a New Year's Day brunch (lunch menu was offered) and it satisfied the pickiest of eaters. I often wonder if we need another Italian or French place in DC. However, Mozza is on a league of its own. Every appetizer, pasta and steak dish exceeded expectations. Even dessert was a total hit! I was so busy enjoying dinner, we forgot to take pics. Pro tip: order pizza as an app and share the delicious super thin crust pizza. The mozzarella bar was a hit with sardines and prosciutto options. The mafaldini oxtail ragú (another reviewer found it very salty, I thought it was decadent and perfect. Even the size, not too much not too little) and steak mains were top notch. For dessert, you can't go wrong with the Bambolini, tiramisu or apple pie. Yes, all three excellent. Note: between 3-5 the menu is cut in half. Make sure you're aware of the mid day menu. read more

I went last night to Osteria Mozza with a group that made up a party of five (we had a reservation). I loved the space, which was spacious, high ceiling with warm and inviting lighting. Our waiter (Matthew) was remarkable; funny, personable and made wonderful recommendations for our meal. Two of us had a glass of red wine, chosen by the waiter, that paired beautifully with the meal. I was impressed with the care and precision of the entire team though. Small details, like how silverware never clattered-was always placed, made an impression. We ate family style, all of us sharing all of the dishes. The food itself was marvelous. Highlights for me were the cheese filled squash blossoms, the gem salad and the branzino. The pasta dishes were delightful, and I cannot say enough just how good it was. For dessert I would recommend the butterscotch pudding, we also had a chocolate tart that just floored me. I also would recommend that you consider the gift possibilities, that you can buy, displayed along the walls of the front door. Fine Italian dried pasta, olive oil, olives, some wine options as well. My first time in Georgetown--made memorably savory and sweet! read more

Fantastic place! They do an amazing job at recreating the authentic Italian dining experience here in DC. Great vibe and very attentive service! Will be back again read more

Not only was the food bland, but the service was exceptionally bad. Will not be returning and would not recommend.

No better place in DC right now if you want excellent food, great people watching, an upbeat vibe and great service. I was blown away by the food. We did two salads and the Octopus to start and all were special , especially the salads. We then did a vegetarian pasta that the server recommended - it was decadent and amazing. Then we did the duck, chicken, branzino and ribeye for the mains. The chicken was the show stopper , followed by the duck. Branzino was light and flavorful. The ribeye was good but nothing special. You can get a better ribeye at a steakhouse. read more

The environment was amazing! A very nice date night overall. The staff was very solid as well. However, the prices were a bit high for what we got. I shouldn't leave a $150 dinner without being decently full, but the food I did receive was solid. read more

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