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Sfoglina - Downtown

4.0 (398 reviews)
PriceyItalian
Closed • Closed
Updated 2 months ago

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Sfoglina - Downtown Photos

SFOGLINA - DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Intimate
Romantic

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Elijah L.

Oscar was our server tonight. He is literally the best and his calm energy and helping us making decision on the menu when we really didn't know what we wanted made our night. I came for my birthday and the food is always hitting the spot. I recommend Oscar and the restaurant especially when your looking for good flavor and music.

Braised Beef Short Rib Agnolotti
Shawnice N.

I have nothing but beautiful things to say about my experience at Sfoglina Downtown. Reservations are highly recommended. My husband and I were originally booked at another Italian restaurant in DC for our anniversary, but after receiving a glowing recommendation from a family member the same day, we decided to switch--and luckily snagged a 7:45 PM reservation. We arrived about 30 minutes early, planning to sit at the bar while we waited. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly by the host. Even though we were early, she checked on our table and let us know the current party was finishing up. Within minutes, the manager came over to personally welcome us and offered complimentary prosecco--which was honestly the best I've ever had. At the bar, the bartender immediately acknowledged us, offered water, and made us feel genuinely welcome. In DC, that's not always the case when you're just waiting for a table--but here, the hospitality never dropped off. We were seated early around 7:30, and our waiter, Oscar, was fantastic. His recommendations were spot on. We loved the prosecco so much that we ordered a bottle, and even then, the manager thoughtfully poured a small sample again before serving--such a great touch. A wine chiller followed promptly. For appetizers, we had the burrata and garlic bread with ricotta--both were rich, indulgent, and absolutely divine. For entrées, we ordered the beef ragu and chicken parmesan. Both dishes were incredibly flavorful and rich--honestly, the kind of food that has you sitting back like "wow" after every bite. The service and attention to detail were some of the best we've ever experienced dining out. Our water glasses were never empty--not once--and the same went for our prosecco. In fact, we never poured either our Acqua Panna or our wine the entire night. That level of attentiveness is rare. Dessert was chef's kiss--a chocolate cake paired with a complimentary vanilla strawberry ice cream that instantly reminded me of childhood, but in an elevated way. You know when food feels nostalgic but still refined? That's exactly what it was. Another standout detail: when they cleared our plates, they gave us small ticket stubs to retrieve our leftovers at the front. No clutter, no packing at the table--just seamless. We were checked on throughout the evening by multiple staff members, all warm, friendly, and attentive without ever being intrusive. And to top it off, the next day we received a lovely email from the manager thanking us for dining with them. The level of service was truly exceptional--and this is coming from a couple who collectively spent over 15 years working in hospitality as servers, hosts, bartenders, and bussers. We notice the details, and this place exceeded expectations across the board. 10/10. We will absolutely be back and will recommend to everyone. And the best part? They did all of this without even knowing it was our anniversary.

Shar Z.

I sat outside for one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had in awhile. Top notch dishes - spicy rigatoni alla vodka is an absolute must. Happy hour menu is just wow - $4 deviled eggs which were best I've ever had. Also tried the provolone bread which was really well balanced. The staff are happy to work there, friendly. Alejandro is the man! I can't wait to be back in dc to come back!! Loved it all

Butternut squash tortelloni
Debbie H.

Spotted this place walking through DC and decided to stop in for dinner at the bar. Started with a glass of Sancerre (might have been a 9 oz pour - no judging!). The ambiance is warm and inviting - lots of folks having a great time chatting and dining. Also ordered the butternut squash tortelloni with brown butter and crispy sage. The pasta was super fresh and delicate. The perfect bite! The staff were friendly and attentive. Next time I'm coming back with friends.

Seating
Justin B.

We had an early dinner (5:30pm) on a Thursday. The service was great. Ironically I had made a reservation and added my wife has a slight basil allergy. Most places have asked if we have any allergies and they did not when ordering. We did order the chicken parm and spaghetti, which both had basil. I would add that I ordered the braised short rib agnolotti which was some of the best I've ever had. If you love a creamy rib ravioli style plate, I highly recommend. The manager came and checked on us which was appreciated. We did order tiramisu which was a little disappointing, as it had a chocolate cake base instead of lady fingers. But we also received a soft serve vanilla/strawberry dessert compliments of the restaurant. Overall great dining experience. The vibe is great if you love an Italian theme with fun Motown and Sinatra jams.

Lily S.

Overall, a delightful (albeit pricey) experience. We started w the mozzarella trio, which in hindsight was way too much for two. I liked two of the cheeses - can't recall the one that was meh. I also wish they had more basil on the plate- it was fresh and delicious. The Tagliere di Salumi was a nice accompaniment, albeit some of the pieces were a bit salty. The rosemary bread was some of the best bread I've had in my entire life. Full stop. If that was the only thing I could eat for the rest of my life, I'd be ok with it. For mains, I had the braised beef agnolotti - good but just a touch too salty. My friend had squid ink pasta and really enjoyed it. The service was great. Not bougie fold your napkin while you're in the restroom bougie but perfect hand offs and plate clearing, and "we'll box this for you and put it out of sight by the host stand and give you a coat check ticket so you can pick it up on your way out" bougie. And they had a coat check 10/10. The one downside- y'all have lost your minds w the cost of drinks. Seriously. Please examine that menu. $80 for a bottle of Sauvignon blanc that I can pick up at Total Wine for $22? Please. Also, the fact that the place was only 60% full at best on a Friday night (we were there from 6-9 pm so I'm confident in my assessment) tells you something and the food is not the issue.

Branzino
Antonia N.

I cannot say enough good things about Sfoglina Downtown!! We have been loyal customers of Fiola and Fiola Mare for years. Now, we're big fans of Sfoglina too. (Despite still having trouble saying the name - lol). We had a lovely dinner for my 40th birthday in one of their private rooms last night. The room was decorated nicely, with a comfortable table for the 14 of us. We had an amazing 4 course meal - starting with their tender, flavorful meatballs, delicate salad with goat cheese and tomatoes and their rosemary bread with whipped ricotta. Everything was served family style which was super fun and interactive. Then came the pasta course - with cheesy and peppery cacio e pepe and short rib filled Agnolotti with the most amazing truffle sauce. Everyone at the table was commenting on how perfectly cooked the pasta was and how good they were. I agree!! Then we moved onto our segundi - branzino with a puttanesca sauce and hangar steak. Again, the fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce was so flavorful! Finally, we had their luscious tiramisu with the most delicious layers and cream. Probably best I've ever had (but it kept me up ALL night - true to its name, pick me up!). The service was impeccable - the servers so attentive and helpful. The waters were always filled, the plates cleared and courses served at the perfect times. Grazie mille, Sfoglina for a truly special birthday and perfect evening!

Tuscan Tomato Soup
Michael R.

Sfoglina is always a good time! This visit, I stopped by for dinner with friends and we had a lovely experience. The atmosphere is warm, intimate and inviting - perfect for catching up with friends or for a nice date night. Our server was on point, providing great service with plenty of charm and humor, making sure sure we had everything we needed and offering great suggestions throughout our meal. As always, the food did not disappoint. I started with the Tuscan tomato soup - it was lovely! The warm rosemary bread with whipped ricotta perfectly complemented it. For my main dish I had the ravioli which was pretty good. The desert was delicious (I can't remember the name but I took a picture below!) Also the drinks are really good! Sfolgina is a go-to spot in the city for good Italian food and great drinks. I will definitely return for more good times and to explore more of the menu.

Andrew T.

Service was great, the place has a great vibe to it. Cocktails were on point, the bread was amazing. Then came the main meal, perhaps my choice was the wrong one, the cacio de Pepe lacked the creaminess and pepper I've come to expect, only one of us three enjoyed our main course. However, the desert saved the review. The tiramisu is the best ?outside of Italy) I have had A must. We talked about the desert the rest of the night.

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Reviews are generally positive. Many highlight the attentive and friendly staff, inviting ambiance, and fresh handmade pasta.

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4 months ago

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5 months ago

Private group dinner that I was invited to and the food was delicious! Service was great. And the desserts were delicious.

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4 months ago

Wonderful food. A little different than typical Italian. Service was good but not great. Nice atmosphere.

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Ask the Community - Sfoglina - Downtown

Can I see a dessert menu, and what do you recommend?

The pistachio cake is delicious! I'd consider it large enough to be shared between at least two people.

Is it good for kids?

Food wise - probably if your kids aren't picky. It is "cozy" though

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L'Ardente - 40-Layer Lasagna.

L'Ardente

4.5(1.7k reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$$$

Came here for my daughter's birthday celebration - highly recommend making reservations in advance…read more Very busy place. Ambience was good, perfect for the both of us. It was loud but we were able to have regular conversations. Service was great, staff friendly and attentive, which I loved. Onto the food - Caesar Salad, creamy and delicious - 10 out of 10 Duck Ravioli, if they had it as a main course, I'd devour- 10 out of 10 Margherita Pizza - 8 out of 10 Crudo, the sauce was refreshing - 10 out of 10 Cacio pepe, pasta cooked perfectly, very creamy - 9 out of 10 40 layer lasagna, it's flavor is similar to braised short ribs and pasta, a little on the salty side for me - 8 out of 10 Vanilla souffle and pistachio ice cream, ice cream great but souffle was not baked properly. Tasted like sweet egg whites - 6 out of 10 Over all experience was great, would definitely come back and try the other menu items and dessert - 9 out of 10 for me. Enjoy!

The decor and styling of L'Ardente is absolutely gorgeous. Just walking in for the first time, I…read morewas stunned. I came with a large party and we had a private area in the back to ourselves. They have many good options on their menu. There's a little something for everyone. From the antipasti menu, I enjoyed their Verde salad, the Carciofi, and the Hamachi Crudo. The hamachi was a highlight; it was so fresh and bright. For mains, we got the pomodoro and bolognese pastas. These were alright. The pasta itself was a little harder than al dente unfortunately. But the flavor of the sauces were yummy. I loved the dessert! We had the chocolate cake and the creme brulee. These were among the best bites of the night. Restrooms were large and mostly clean. Wasn't expecting them to be as ornate (or as dark inside) as they were. Downside is that the restrooms are right next to the kitchen area so wait staff were constantly moving and I was worried about tripping someone.

Photos
L'Ardente - Dining area

Dining area

L'Ardente - Famous lasagna yum

Famous lasagna yum

L'Ardente - Soft Serve - Vanilla Fior di Panna Gelato (v,gf) | Mango-Passion Fruit Sorbet (v+,gf) |

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Soft Serve - Vanilla Fior di Panna Gelato (v,gf) | Mango-Passion Fruit Sorbet (v+,gf) |

Filomena Ristorante - Pasta Mammas

Filomena Ristorante

4.2(3.9k reviews)
1.9 mi•Georgetown
•$$$
Women-owned & operated
Established in 1983

What can I say? The place is fantastic. We got caught up in rush hour traffic and they kindly moved…read moreour reservation without any hassle. Seated immediately in a packed house. Greeted warmly by our server, Ditonio, and toured thru the menu which had incredible choices. Started with a Caesar salad for two. Nice size, perfectly dressed. Only comment would be was missing anchovies which we likely had to ask for. Tried the meatball appetizer - two very large juicy meatballs with marinara and melted mozzarella cheese. Fantastic ! Wifey was advised to try the lasagna. Serving was large enough to feed four. Covered with marinara on one half and a light cream sauce on the other. Brought home more than half. I was advised by a friend to try the signature dish Linguine Cardinale. It was divine. Homemade linguine adorned with a cream sauce that resembled a cheesy She-crab soup and loaded with large chunks of fresh lobster. Dish was so good it put me in a coma. We finished with a piece of double chocolate mousse cake and their good night toast. Double highly recommend without any reservations. Ambiance was gorgeous and service was spectacular. Would have wished for a better table, but heck we were late and starved so just happy to enjoy the meal.

Absolutely incredible experience at Filomena! I originally made our reservations online through…read moreOpenTable and later needed to make a change. They were extremely accommodating and made the whole process so easy. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional, and the food was absolutely incredible. It's definitely an upscale dining experience, but worth every penny. The atmosphere, food, and service made for such a special evening in Georgetown. We would absolutely come back and highly recommend Filomena to anyone visiting DC!

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Filomena Ristorante - Lasagna Bolognese

Lasagna Bolognese

Filomena Ristorante - Focaccia Bread made fresh daily!

Focaccia Bread made fresh daily!

Filomena Ristorante - Filomena's Famous Cannoli

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Filomena's Famous Cannoli

Caruso's Grocery - Spicy Neapolitan Ragu

Caruso's Grocery

4.6(354 reviews)
2.7 mi•Capitol Hill
•$$

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

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Caruso's Grocery - View from the bar

View from the bar

Caruso's Grocery - Meatballs

Meatballs

Caruso's Grocery - Caprese martini

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Caprese martini

Floriana - Muscovy Duck Breast

Floriana

4.1(980 reviews)
0.9 mi•Dupont Circle
•$$

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.

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Floriana
Floriana - Banana Foster French Toast

Banana Foster French Toast

Floriana - Sunday Gravy

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Sunday Gravy

Sfoglina - Downtown - italian - Updated October 2026

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