When I think of amazing restaurants I've been to In Washington DC, this one definitely tops my…read morelist. The vibe, the food and the service all Come together in what I can only describe as a perfect restaurant experience. Well done, L'Ardente, well done! We were staying close by for the Indy race in Washington DC and I was excited to try the 40 layer lasagna. Food (5/5): we started with the Focaccia - Rosemary | Fleur de Sel | Tomato Tapenade (v+) and it was delicious. Our favorite was the Fuoco Pizza - Soppressata | Fennel Sausage | Pickled Peppers | Calabrian Chili The pizza was so light and flakey and delicious! We did try the lasagna- it tasted like a short rib pasta and was creamy and decadent. Service (5/5); so wonderful. A sweet woman came by to ensure we had a good experience here. Ambiance (5/5): amazing beautiful restaurant.

Had this place on my list for a long time and it was worth the wait! Here are my hit/misses:…read more Arancini: creamy, cheesy, comforting but also elevated! I was surprised I could actually taste the saffron in this since there are more robust flavors going on here with the chili oil but I appreciated it! Focaccia: comes out looking like a popover but has that classic focaccia texture. Tomato tapenade is a must with this. Very good, but if you are picking one veg app go for the arancini. Cacio e Pepe: some of the best I've had in DC. Creamy, cheesy sauce cut with the perfect bite of black pepper that is obviously high quality and fresh. The pasta itself is perfectly chewy and it's all just glorious with a glass of the Sauvignon Blanc. Linguine al frutte di mare: seafood heaven. Not very spicy at all -- just enough for the enjoyment of it. Plenty of seafood and none of it was overdone. Flavorful sauce and once again perfectly cooked pasta. Hubby devoured but did note that he didn't get shrimp and scallops just crab and squid. Not that it was bad, just that's what he got and he would have liked the shrimp and scallops for balance. A note about the Vanilla soufflé: we wanted it but it takes 20 min to make and we didn't know so we didn't get it -- next time I come I'm getting it and ordering it with my meal. Just something to keep in mind. Pannetone bread pudding: love the concept and the execution. Pannetone makes a great base for bread pudding. Beautiful decor -- very classy and modern. Large dining area and a decent sized bar area. I Appreciate that the servers know and understand their menu and are available for recommendations without being overbearing.

Food was excellent and service as well. Lasagne and olive oil cake was delicious! Will come back! :)read more

Came here for lunch. I think it was way early for the likes of Washington DC crowd, so for a while…read morewe had the whole place to ourselves. The decor is more of a mix of Italian Rustic and Heavy American classic giving the vibe of Italy with feel of Power typical for quite a few DC higher end restaurants. Food is top notch. Tagliere (Not quite Pizza but very close), Spaghetti alle Vongole, Hamachi Crudo, Octopus all delicious.... Lunch crowd started arriving around 12:30 which about what I was expecting and why not service is great although early lunch is a little lite on the crew but no misses, which is an excellent sign. Full bar with great cocktails and wine. I'd say visit if you get a chance.

Filomena Ristorante was phenomenal!…read more My husband and I decided to try Filomena after our friends raved about it. I thought I had booked a reservation, but when we arrived I realized I never finished the prompts and my request did not go through. Fortunately, they were still able to accommodate us after a short wait. The staff was lovely and very attentive throughout our meal. The restaurant's exterior is unassuming, but it's quite charming inside. right when you walk in, there is a pasta mama making fresh pasta on the right hand side, which you can also see through the glass window from outside. It was very neat. Unfortunately, I can't remember the names of the dishes we ordered, but everything was absolutely wonderful. We started with a crab appetizer and were very impressed by the generous amount of fresh crab. The entrees were huge and in hindsight, we could have shared one. I also ordered a glass of red wine and even though we love sweets, we skipped dessert. We were too full! What a great experience!

Filomena has been in Georgetown for more than 40 years. It's definitely worth going to…read more Right now they have their special Halloween decoration all over the restaurant and that's worth a visit by itself. Reservations are strongly suggested. We went this past Sunday for dinner . Service is excellent . They start with a basket of variety of bread and their special pesto based oil dipping sauce . food is very good, a bit heavy on some of the sauces. The portions are definitely family style and enough for two to three people. Wine menus is extensive . After the meal the server comes to the table with complimentary decanters of Liqueurs, Sambuca and Amaretto , you get to choose a shot of one of them. Of course Desert is a must try .

Been to the restaurant multiple times. Recently, first time, had a gathering at our home catered…read moreby Grazie Nonna. We had pasta and salad for 8. It was just as delicious as in the restaurant. The food was hot, layed out by our delivery person and not expensive. If you have a catering opportunity think about Gazie Nonna. You won't be disappointed.

Grazie Nonna: Mixed Reviews, Delicious Food & a Birthday Dinner Worth Celebrating!…read more My friends treated me to a belated birthday dinner at Grazie Nonna on Saturday, and I'll admit, I was a little nervous going in. I'd heard mixed reviews about this place, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But I'm happy to report that our experience was a pleasant surprise! Cocktails Naturally, I started with the Nonna Ciao, their take on an espresso martini made with tequila instead of vodka. Now, if you know me, you know I ALWAYS request tequila in my espresso martinis, so seeing it already featured on the menu was a win! For my second round, I switched to the Fuoco e Pera, which is essentially a spicy mezcal mule. And listen, they understood the assignment with BOTH cocktails! Delicious, well-balanced, and right up my alley. Food, Food & MORE Food! We decided to share everything, which sounds reasonable until you realize how much food three people can convince themselves they need. For starters, we ordered: Calamari Burrata Arancini Cacio e Pepe All three were delicious and got our dinner off to a great start! For entrées, we kept the party going with the Drunken Love Pizza, featuring aged and fresh mozzarella, provolone, pepperoni, vodka sauce, basil, and pecorino Romano. I don't eat pork, so I picked off the pepperoni and kept it moving. We also ordered two pasta dishes: Chicken Parmesan -- Your traditional chicken Parmesan, but with a generous portion and plenty of flavor! The chicken was beautifully cooked, tender, and most importantly, NOT dry! Because there's nothing worse than cutting into a promising piece of chicken only to discover it has the texture of cardboard. Sunday Sauce -- Featuring lumachi pasta, short rib, hot sausage, fennel, carrot, and pecorino Romano. And let me tell you, we thoroughly enjoyed EVERYTHING! The variety was perfect for sharing, and there wasn't a single savory dish we regretted ordering. Dessert & Birthday Sweet Treats Now, what's a birthday dinner without dessert?! Obviously, we couldn't settle on just one, so we ordered the Tiramisu and Cannoli Brownie. Unfortunately, the tiramisu was a miss for me. I've had some incredible tiramisu over the years, and this one simply didn't measure up. The Cannoli Brownie, however, was a HIT! Definitely the better choice of the two and a sweet way to wrap up our celebration. Atmosphere, Service & Pricing The indoor dining area isn't particularly large, but there's plenty of outdoor seating, which is a nice option when the weather cooperates. Our server was attentive, friendly, and happy to answer all of our questions throughout the evening. We never felt rushed, which I especially appreciated considering how much food we ordered! As for pricing, everything felt pretty comparable to other restaurants in the area. Nothing particularly surprising there. Overall Thoughts Despite the mixed reviews I'd heard beforehand, Grazie Nonna delivered a lovely birthday dinner! The cocktails were fantastic, the savory dishes were delicious, and the service was attentive. The tiramisu was the only real disappointment, but thankfully, the cannoli brownie came through! Would I return? Absolutely! And shoutout to my friends for another wonderful birthday celebration. Good food, great cocktails, and even better company. That's my kind of Saturday night!

My wife and I recently ordered the garlic bread and the alfredo for delivery and received our order…read morein a timely manner. Both dishes did well in transit and were still warm when we got them. The garlic bread was well-baked and flavorful, with delicious cream and olive oil dipping sauces. The alfredo was homemade, fresh, rich, creamy, and had good umami and the right amount of salt. I would recommend Caruso's Grocery!

I found this restaurant at the last minute and boy am I glad we did!…read more We arrived at around 7:45 and the place was packed. The hostess told us we likely wouldn't sit until 9:45 so I inquired about the bar and the manager quickly stepped in to put us on a waitlist. Since the restaurant is connected to a food hall of sorts, she recommended we grab a drink there while we wait. Shortly after we got our drink, we received notification of an opening and were seated by 8:15. We had the burrata appetizer, Ragú x 2, and the seafood fra diavolo. The burrata was one of the best I've had since they serve it with pesto, pine nuts, and garlic bread. It was truly divine! The Ragú was not far behind. Incredible flavor and a generous portion. The seafood dish had a nice kick and had plenty of seafood, which is not common as of late. All dishes were also priced reasonably for the quality you received. As we sat at the bar, we had pleasant conversation with the bartender and finished our meal with a small cannoli that really sealed the deal. If you're looking for excellent Italian food in DC without breaking the bank, look no further than Caruso's grocery! However, I'd recommend reserving ahead of time because it's certainly not a secret. LOL

We've been coming to il Canale for over a decade, and the food is always excellent!…read more Service is top-notch, Kaitlin took care of us with utmost pleasure. Anytime friends or family come to DC, we always recommend il Canale for dinner.

The food and experience was wonderful. I recommend this place to anyone. Kaitlin was a wonderful…read moreserver! We will be back.

Must-try. Best pasta in the area by far. Bucatini short rib (pictured) is one of the best pasta…read moredishes I've ever had. Meatballs are incredible. Great service and ambiance.

I've been coming to this lovely Italian gem for so many years. It is consistent and delicious and…read morefriendly and cozy. Their pastas are perfection. Their menu is simple and it works. We've taken out of town guests, we've taken our son, we've done takeout. One of my favorites is the bucatini with short rib ragu. I always ask for an extra side of buratta, which pair is so nicely with the hearty sauce.

Get the focaccia! It was amazing. The inside was light, airy, and soft which contrasts perfectly…read morewith the crispy exterior. The outside was also moderately charred which carried a nice smoky flavor. There is an upcharge for adding burrata, which was also very delicious. The taglioni neri was also good, but the sauce was very tomato forward and the tomato's sweetness cut through the seafood flavors. I would have preferred the sauce to be much more seafood forward instead.

Cucina Morini is a delightful dining experience that truly lives up to its reputation, especially…read moreduring martini hour. With $7 martinis available from Monday to Sunday in their cozy lounge, it's an ideal spot to unwind with friends. I sampled several cocktails and found each one to be exceptional, but the standout for me was the Cala Rossa a sweet yet refreshing delight. After enjoying our share of martinis, our appetites kicked in, prompting us to check for a table. The staff was incredibly accommodating, allowing us to sit at the bar. We indulged in their pasta offerings, opting for the Capelletti and Rigatoni, both of which were delicious and perfectly cooked. Cucina Morini combines great service, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a fun visit for anyone looking to enjoy a fantastic night out.

Sooo Tortino was a romantic birthday dinner for the two of us. This cozy spot feels intimate and…read morerelaxing, perfect for a date night. The decor is traditional Italian style, which I appreciate. The service was very good and attentive throughout the different courses. I enjoyed our food and left feeling full but not overly stuffed. What we ordered: Pan Seared Scallops = Cooked just right Beef Carpaccio = Very tasty Crab Ravioli = Very light but filling

Had dinner here after a long day at a convention. It was just what we needed. Pedro was an…read moreexcellent server. He was attentive and informative. It was a small sized restaurant but was just right. Had the crab ravioli for dinner and the crème brûlée for dessert. Both were delicious!

Visited DC recently, this time with my friend. I reserved this restaurant because he liked Italian…read morefood but was more interested in those non-pasta dishes. Floriana, indeed, offers a good number of interesting app. and meat/seafood entrees. The restaurant sits in a small, old building in U-St Corridor. We went there at 7:45pm and both its first and second floors were packed with people. For food, we tried the following: 1. Steamed Mussels: served in white wine based broth. There were more mussels than I expected and they -- as well as the broth -- were full of umami. 2. Baby Beets salad: diced red beets, orange segments, thinly sliced green apple, arugula, whipped goat cheese at the bottom. Tasted fresh and refreshing. I especially like how beets went with the oranges and goat cheese. The crispiness of apple was also interesting. It would be better if there were more goat cheese! 3. Lasagna: my friend's entree even if he originially wanted to have non-pasta dishes lol. This heavy baby had a huge block of layered pasta and meat, and topped with a thick layer of beautifully melted cheese. Absolutely filling but also full of flavors. 4. Duck Breast: perfect medium rare and very tender. Came with sauteed gnocchi & swiss chard, cherry demi-glaze. The gnocchi pieces had very different shapes so I guess they were homemade. The swiss chard added some sweetness & juiciness to the dish. The sauce was good, but I could hardly taste the flavor of cherry. Also, I hope the pasta could be slightly firmer. 5. Complimentary bread: ~13g per piece. Served with a sauce similar to pesto. My friend liked the sauce very much. Service was quick, even if the restaurant was fully seated. Our server was also friendly and informative. For example, when I had a hard time deciding whether to order the Sunday Roast pasta or the duck, he explained the two dishes in detail. I would try more dishes the next time I visit DC.

Cute place. Get reservations. Food was ok. Lasagna was good…read morebut the serving was enough for 3 people. Same with the steak. Pretty crowded with tables and loud. Difficult to have a conversation.