Returned after eight years and so glad to find the same top notch service, quality of food, portion size, wines, neighborhood vibe. And they still have the squid ink linguine on the menu, squid ink pasta lover says no one in the area makes it as good as they do. We tried the coconut lemon cake for dessert, flavors hit the spot and the toasted coconut brings out coconut in various depths beyond the usual. The in house marinated Castelvetrano olives are delicious. While I love good bread, bread baskets before carb heavy italian meals kill the appetite. Olives are so much better, especially with some of the great red wines Red Hen has. read more

See all

The restaurant is nestled within the community. We walked in without a reservation and the wait for a table was really long, so we had dinner at the bar. Despite eating at the bar, the service was amazing and I enjoyed it even more than eating at a table. The bartender was so friendly and I enjoyed talking with him. He gave great recommendations on places to have drink after dinner. He was very knowledgeable about the neighborhood. We order the butterleaf salad and pea hummus for appetizers. The salad was so soft and the dressing was delicious, I love that it wasn't too salty. The pea hummus had a peppery/smoky smell and was very creamy. For the main dishes, we order the gnocchetti and rigatoni. The pea flavoring of the gnocchetti was too overpowering, I did not enjoy it. The rigatoni tasted way better. For dessert, we order the coconut lemon cake. The coconut flavor was very faint, but the lemon taste was strong. Delicious taste and the frosting was yummy. read more

See all

Nice cozy neighborhood gem with fresh pasta and delicious food across the board. We were able to walk in on a weeknight and snag seats at the bar. We started with the burrata, a delicious first bite. We then had the octopus and the flavor in that was beyond! Smoky, well balanced and the crispy gnocchi made for the perfect pairing. We had the squid ink linguini and the Campanelle. While opposite ends of the spectrum the pasta was perfectly cooked and the items were flavorful filling portions. While I always have room for a dessert stomach, we had to skip out this time because we were so full. Overall great vibes, service and food. What more can you ask for? read more

See all

Truly I would give it a 4.25 but since that isn't possible, I am rounding. I enjoyed most of the evening. Sarah was a lovely bartender and while I wasn't sure how on top of it Sarah was at first, I felt well taken care of by her and the rest of her team. Given it was just me, I definitely didn't want to take a full table- it was quite busy, but what was not expected that I was lucky enough to get a spot at the bar within a few minutes. I wish there was a larger wine by the glass list. And also that my rigatoni was slightly more al dente, but I will be back. I heard the gnocchi was yummy and the apple dessert absolutely was! read more

See all

Outstanding casual upscale rustic dining experience. Apps were the highlight. Party of 7 we split one of the salads, whipped ricotta, burstta, carpaccio, squash app, and broccolini. All was fantastic. Whipped ricotta was not a favorite with our group, it's whipped smooth. Drinks were interesting, wine list is expansive and covers a variety. It's not a big space but it feels roomy, and when full it's not too loud. Staff was wonderful. Food was paced to come out well. Overall it's a place I would come back to visit. read more

The Red Hen - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

immaculate vibes, like your neighborhood date night spot. i love the usage of wood in the interior we got lucky sitting right where we could see all the orders come out of the kitchen, but secluded from the rest of the diners. the rigatoni and the mafalde were both so good; as was the arancini (per josies request) and the whipped ricotta toast. the octopus was good but standard IMO. also it was so affordable too at around 50pp read more

The Red Hen - scallop - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Honestly, I have to lead this review with remarking the service. Sat at the bar and I typically don't like doing this, but at Red Hen I would do it every time. The bartenders were so lovely. You could feel the rapport building that just comes with great hospitality. The dim lighting, the rustic feel, open kitchen, the community vibes. No notes! I have been meaning to come for years and I am disappointed in myself that this was my first time making it in. On a Wednesday night, this place was packed approaching 9 o'clock. There was still a wait to have a seat at a table, which is why we took the bar, again, no regrets. I don't think there's a bad seat in the place. The food came out and record timing like it was already predicted what we were going to order. I loved the anchovies on top of the broccolini. We were told the whipped ricotta was a starter dish that you have to have on your first time. I did enjoy it, for me by the time I got a quarter away and I had to lessen the ricotta. But the Crostini was perfectly crisp. The rigatoni was perfect, a moderate portion. I will definitely be returning. read more

See all

I don't usually go to restaurants just to eat; I go for the full vibe -- the food, the atmosphere, the crowd, the staff... the overall mood. I found this place after hours of scrolling and calling to score a last-minute Valentine's dinner reservation because, of course, someone here forgot to book ahead. First off, shoutout to the amazing hostess who literally saved the night.. And my husband! She did her best to find us two seats so we could enjoy some of the best food I've had in a while at a restaurant. There is nothing fancy about the dishes, it's just cooked right. The dessert is pretty light on sugar, which I really appreciate. It probably would've been better if it was a little warmer, though. Keep doing what you are doing, hold on to your awesome staff and keep cooking with passion. Love the simple, rustic interior! read more

The Red Hen - Half chicken. PERFECTLY cooked! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Work trips don't always guarantee memorable meals, but The Red Hen absolutely delivered. My coworkers and I dined here while in DC, and it ended up being one of those "we're still talking about it days later" experiences. We ordered family-style so we could try a little bit of everything and grateful we did. Every single dish felt intentional, thoughtful, and beautifully executed. The whipped ricotta crostini (with truffle oil!) was to die for! It was creamy, airy, and indulgent without being heavy. The perfect taste that geared us up for remainder of the meal. The capicola crostini, smoked in-house, had the perfect char on the bread to complement the rich, flavorful meat. The arancini were paired with a mouthwatering sauce that made it impossible not to go back for seconds. The broccolini was perfectly charred with just the right salty punch from the anchovies. The rigatoni was warm and hearty, pure comfort in pasta form. The short rib ragu was rich, deep, and incredibly flavorful and exactly what you hope for when ordering it. And the pork... perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and paired beautifully with prosciutto and chicory slaw. Absolute standout. Thankfully, we somehow saved room for dessert. The gingerbread sticky toffee pudding was a dream. It was like a cross between a churro and a soft snickerdoodle cookie, nostalgic in the best way, reminiscent of your grandma's baking. The chocolate gelato was decadent yet fluffy and the perfect sweet ending. The entire menu feels so carefully crafted, and each dish shows real attention to detail. It's rare for every single item at the table to hit, but this one did. We will absolutely be back the next time we're in DC. read more

Red Hen is a coveted DC restaurant you have to make a reservation for weeks in advance, so I snagged a Friday night on. Started off with the bread and ricotta. While it was good, this was nothing special. The pasta was delicious and cooked al dente. Drinks were refilled meticulously. I had their special - a gingerbread sticky pudding for dessert. It was fine, not the best. This is a cute date night if you love Italian food, but not a place I will besting to go back to you. read more

See all

The Red Hen was delicious. We had been wanting to eat there for weeks and finally got a reservation for a Saturday night. The line was out the door, so I definitely recommend getting a reservation especially if you're going around prime time. Even though it was so busy, we never felt rushed. The food came out quickly too and it's an open facing kitchen so you can see everything being made. The food is delicious - I have nothing bad to say. The pastas were amazing, the bread with butter and radishes were great, and the desserts were also delicious. The tiramisu was my favorite. They also have great wine options. I absolutely recommend trying this restaurant if you're in DC! read more

See all

The Red Hen absolutely delivered on every level. The pasta was incredible -- perfectly cooked and full of rich, balanced flavor that shows real technique and knowledge of the right combinations. The short rib special was equally impressive -- tender, deeply savory, and beautifully plated (it was their special that night) And whatever you do, don't skip the bread service. The butter alone is worth the visit -- smooth, decadent, and downright addictive. A cozy atmosphere, great service, and food that overdelivers. The Red Hen easily ranks as one of the best dining experiences I've had in D.C. read more

The Red Hen - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This was literally the best place I've ever eaten in DC. Everything was great but the whipped ricotta was to die for and the squid ink and short rib pasta were stand outs. I really want to try the campanaelle next time, after we've already ordered, it kept going by us and it looked incredible. read more

See all

I think about the Green Circle Chicken Parmigiana every time I eat another chicken parm. The chicken parm ($38) here is insane. They serve you three pieces of chicken parm dressed up in mozzarella, marinated tomato, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and topped with basil. It goes without saying that the chicken cutlet is moist with the crispiest exterior. But, instead of a marinara sauce, marinated tomatoes are used instead. A sauce doesn't weigh the chicken down and you still get that acidity from the marinated tomato. Absolute perfection. We also loved the caramelized scallops ($42). They're served with farro verde, roasted fennel, carrots, 'nduja sausage + celery root cremosa. I can't recall the farro or fennel, but let me tell you, the scallops were fire. They're substantial in size and great with all the accompaniments. The internet has very polarizing views about the mezzo rigatoni ($26). I ordered it and yes, it is mid compared to everything else we tried. For such a highly touted dish, it was very plain Jane. It comes dressed with tomato, garlic fennel sausage ragu, fennel pollen + perorino. Ours was less than al dente and the medley of flavors didn't really do it for me. Our waiter also recommended the spring pea hummus ($26), though I wish we chose a different toast instead. The pea hummus was very muted on a spectacularly delicious piece of bread. I really enjoyed my meal at The Red Hen. It was homey and the food tasted comforting. read more

See all

The ricotta toast was absolutely divine, no notes for that! The olives on the side were delicious as well. As for the rest of the dishes, the squid ink pasta was extremely light, there was not much flavor to it at all. The mezzi pasta was fine, but felt like it was missing something. The octopus was tender, but a bit salty in flavor. I would say the ricotta toast is a definite must get! Perhaps we went on an off day, but it was nice to try once while we were in the area! read more

See all

Came for my fiances birthday and we loved it. Fantastic experience at the Red Hen last night. Service was incredible, staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. Ambiance was great and the food was fantastic. Some of the best we've had in the DMV area. Highly recommend booking a reservation a few weeks in advance as they fill up Quickly. read more

See all

My wife and I recently went to red hen for date night. I've been recommended this place multiple times by multiple people so it's only right. I enjoyed the fact that you can see the kitchen from your seat and everything was open. Our server was great and the head chef was awesome as well. Everyone was so welcoming, friendly and conversational. The Whipped Ricotta Crostini was delicious. The bread to Ricotta ratio was a bit off so we ordered some more bread to balance the ratio. The Rigatoni definitely stole the show. We loved it. They have a pretty extensive non-alcoholic menu which my wife was happy about. The menu is very simple and they do it very well. I look forward to going back. Parking wasn't too bad but it's street parking. read more

See all

No - it's not just that there's not a bad seat in the house (which feels like a mom and pops in the country); it's not just it's open kitchen, fueled by a wood burning stove; or that the bartenders remembered my name after only having been once (I'm memorable?) - It was this perfectly crafted gimlet, will dill; this perfectly charred octopus, resting in a fascinating hazelnut Romesco (a Spanish sauce, I googled). And of course, the oft recommended rigatoni was the best I've had. read more

I've been eager to dine at The Red Hen for over six months after hearing glowing reviews from trustworthy foodie friends. They raved about the whipped ricotta toast, octopus, squid ink linguini, and scallops. However, getting a Resy for Red Hen at a reasonable dinner time can take over a month, so I'd recommend planning ahead. They do offer bar seating on a first-come, first-serve basis, but I'm unsure about the wait times. A friend and I finally visited about a month and a half after booking our initial reservation. The restaurant's location isn't the most metro-accessible (~15 minute walk from the closest stations). While there is street parking, we got lucky with a spot a block away on T Street. The service was efficient and friendly, and our food arrived quickly after we ordered. WHIPPED RICOTTA CROSTINI - 14 The toast was topped with a thick, squiggly layer of whipped ricotta that had a fresh, bright flavor with a subtle cheesy taste. The balance of wildflower honey that was present in every few bites was a lovely touch to mellow out the richness of the cheese. The hints of truffle created an umami-packed experience. The dish was absolutely delicious, and we definitely recommend it. GRILLED SPANISH OCTOPUS - 22 The octopus were grilled perfectly, and the thicker pieces were meatier and more flavorful. The variety of crisped potatoes added a nice texture. However, the sauce (almond-based and reminiscent of pesto) was a bit too greasy and didn't quite work for me. While the rest of the dish was tasty, I wouldn't go out of my way to order the octopus again. SQUID INK LINGUINI - 28 The sauce was a bit runny, but it paired well with the linguini and squid. On its own, the sauce wasn't very flavorful, but it blended seamlessly with the squid ink pasta, which surprisingly had more of the "oomph" in every bite. The pasta was perfectly cooked, and we loved the generous portion of calamari, which wasn't fried. We liked how much calamari is in each portion and that it wasn't fried. The addition of chilis was a nice touch. Overall, this was a solid, comforting dish, and I would definitely order it again. ROASTED MAPLE PANNA COTTA - 11 This was good but not groundbreaking. Personally, it was a bit too heavy after a few bites because it was extremely creamy. My friend thought there were too many hazelnuts, but I found that they helped cut the richness and sweetness of the panna cotta. The maple flavor was nice and noticeable. We probably wouldn't get this again, though. Overall, my friend and I had a good experience. I'll definitely be back for the ricotta toast and squid ink linguini in the future! read more

See all

Locally sourced food and Michelin recommended. The menu is fairly simple and the restaurant is quite inconspicuous. It's located in a residential area and you wouldn't notice it if not for the wooden sign with a red hen painted on it. It's much larger once you step inside. Very loud and lively with a busy bar area. Cocktails are $15 and imaginative. I had Dilling me softly--dill infused gin. Very tasty and refreshing. Toast and antipasta are a great way to start. Grilled bread with butter and shaved radishes along with olives are satisfying but not too filling. We loved the voluminous presentation of the butter leaf salad and green goddess dressing. Pastas are perfectly al dente. Mezzi rigatoni with sausage was tasty. The mafalde porcini crema had good flavor, but could've used a bit more mushroom mixed with the bulky pasta. Portions seemed small but I guess I just wanted more. I'm curious why there are only two mains on the menu. The chicken parmigiana was delicious. The chicken was pounded thin and smothered in tomato, mozzarella and olive oil. Parking is challenging and a reservation is recommended. I'd love to see more mains on the menu but I guess the concept is to share and sample the delicious pastas. read more

See all

I've heard a lot about this restaurant and got a reservation a month in advance to finally give it a try. Nestled just outside the major hustle and bustle of DC, this restaurant has a cozy neighborhood feel with an upscale twist. For a DC restaurant, I have to say the prices were really fair for the food- we spent less than $150 for the whole meal which I feel like is rare now a days. Service was fairly quick and easy. We got a cocktail and the orange wine to start. Then we tried the arancini di primavera and the whipped ricotta toast. The arancini were tasty but the whipped ricotta toast was definitely the star of the show. The bread was so soft and the ricotta was so airy, I could have had 5 more. For our mains we got the mezzo rigatoni and the creaste di gallo. Both were fantastic, full of flavor with nicely done meat that rounded out the meal. Overall really enjoyed this spot- would love to come again! read more

See all

I was able to get a last-minute reservation at The Red Hen after getting off the waitlist on a Thursday night. Before arriving at the restaurant, I had to find parking which was a bit difficult as there is just street parking and some of the surrounding streets seemed to have parking restrictions. When I arrived in the restaurant, I spoke to the host who was a bit rude which was not a great start to the experience. Once seated the waiter came over and was friendly but disengaged (likely due to how busy the restaurant was). As an appetizer the restaurant brought out olives. For dinner I ordered the "MEZZI RIGATONI". I enjoyed the dish, but it was nothing out of the ordinary compared to other Italian restaurants. For dessert I ordered the "ESPRESSO & MASCARPONE TIRAMISU" which was the best part of the experience. In terms of the atmosphere, the restaurant is on the smaller side with a cozy feeling and was fairly lively the night that I was there. The seating was a bit tight but still allowed for the table to feel comfortable. Overall, The Red Hen was an okay experience. The food was in the average to good range, with the desert being the star of the show. The staff were not the friendliest, but I would like to think that it was due to an "off day". I would recommend going to The Red Hen if you are excited about the experience, but it is not a huge miss if you are unable to get a reservation. read more

See all

Ambiance - 5/5 Red Hen has such a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a date night or an evening out with friends. Sitting at the bar is an experience in itself--you get a front-row view of the staff preparing everything to order, which adds an exciting, behind-the-scenes feel to the night. The energy is vibrant without being overwhelming, striking just the right balance for an enjoyable evening. Service - 5/5 On my first visit, I sat at the bar and had such a great experience with our bartender, Sara (apologies if I'm misspelling). She was superb--knowledgeable, informative, and refreshingly honest with her recommendations. I enjoyed it so much that I brought my fiancé back the very next time just to sit on the same side of the bar to have Sara again. The entire staff radiates professionalism and care, but Sara's attentive service really elevated our experience. Food - 5/5 Every dish at Red Hen is beautifully crafted and bursting with flavor. We started with the Grilled Rustic Bread and Charred Broccolini--the whipped butter was absolute perfection, and the toasted hazelnuts with golden raisins gave the broccolini a radiant mix of textures and flavors, good to the very last bite. For entrées, we had the Spaghetti Pomodoro and the Gnocchetti--both meatless options that didn't miss a beat. The spaghetti, made with golden tomatoes, offered a lighter, creamy twist on a traditional red sauce, while the Gnocchetti highlighted a perfect balance of flavors with just the right richness. Dessert was the ultimate finish. The Roasted Maple Panna Cotta was silky smooth, with the hazelnut crumble adding the perfect textural contrast. The Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart, on the other hand, was a true chocolate lover's dream--rich, decadent, and deeply satisfying. read more

See all

Red Hen is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. For my husband's birthday we got lucky with walk-in seats at the bar. We began our meal with their rustic bread and cultured butter with anchovies along with the luizzi burrata (spiced carrot puree, beets, mustard vinaigrette, dill, and pistachios) and the scallop crudo. I really enjoyed the carrot puree and vinaigrette with the burrata, it was so well seasoned, but the scallop crudo was truly the standout starter. The scallops were so fresh and flown in that day. For our mains, we ordered the mezzi rigatoni and creste di gallo. The rigatoni was so fragrant with the tomato, garlic, and fennel. Not only were the pasta noodles cooked to perfection, the sausage ragu was so tender and delicious. My favorite was the creste di gallo because of how tender the short rib was and the onion, oregano, and parmigiano had me reconsidering Italian food was my fave fare. Our night was not complete without their desserts. I opted for the roasted maple panna cotta, which was topped with a hazelnut crumble and whipped cream. **Chef's kiss** This was truly a delightful dessert- it was so light and not overly sweet. While I am not an Italian food enthusiast, Red Hen is the exception for me. I highly recommend making reservations as soon as they open up. While I am thankful we were able to snag a seat, it was pure luck. Buon appetito! read more

See all

After hearing all the buzz--and reading about President Biden's go-to pasta dish--we finally snagged a reservation at The Red Hen about a month in advance. The place is definitely popular, and walking in, it's easy to see why. The space is warm and welcoming, with a cozy, open layout that feels both intimate and lively. It's beautifully designed without being overdone, which we loved. Our server was fantastic--genuinely friendly and attentive. We especially appreciated how sweet they were with our kids, even bringing extra bread when they were getting a little hangry (parent win!). As for the food... we really wanted to love it. We tried the signature Mezzi Rigatoni with Fennel Sausage Ragout (the Biden special!), and while it was fine, it didn't quite live up to the hype. Same with the Spring Pea Spaghetti--pretty on the plate but underwhelming in flavor. The bread that came with our meal was a bit too charred for our taste, and the butter portion felt a little stingy. One bright spot was the Burrata--not so much for the cheese itself, but for the Capicola, the cured meat served with it. That was the standout on the plate. And we did really enjoy the wine, especially the Sangiovese from Terenzi--a solid pour that paired nicely with the meal. Would we wait another month for a table? Probably not. We've had better food elsewhere. But the charming atmosphere, great service, and stylish vibe definitely make The Red Hen a lovely spot for a night out in DC. Just maybe temper expectations when it comes to the food. read more

Loved the food here - the chicken parm is a standout dish. The service was pretty good - standard for a high quality restaurant. The vibes were good, it sometimes was too loud to hear others. read more

The Red Hen - Arancini - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Had a wonderful date night at the Red Hen. Everything was outstanding, from the service, food, and ambiance. Highly recommend the ricotta toast! This review was made in connection with a Toast promotion. read more

My server was kind enough to make me a custom menu with vegan options outlined on their Summer 2025 menu. Items that could be made vegan required heavy modifications. My Mezzi Rigatoni was just okay, but I appreciated that they veganized it. read more

The Red Hen - Mezzi Rigatoni modified vegan - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

We really enjoyed the Red Hen. The drinks were great, the whipped ricotta with truffle oil toast was spectacular. I was afraid it would be overwhelming, but it was quite the opposite. I couldn't get enough! I also recommend the Cacio e Pepe pasta, even if it's not on the menu, just ask! The wait staff was pleasant and the ambiance was cozy and intimate. We would totally come back again. Maybe even just for that toast! read more

See all

I heard great things about this restaurant. The Bidens have come here. It's hard to get reservation quickly here and it filled up starting 5 pm. So make sure to make reservations. The ambiance is very warm, rustic, and barn vibes. It's great for dates and special occasions. The CHICKEN LIVER & FOIE GRAS MOUSSE was so creamy, smooth, salty, and perfect consistency. GRILLED SPANISH OCTOPUS was chewy and I loved the pairing with acidity of the salsa verde. SQUID INK LINGUINI you can't really taste the squid ink but it was light. I believe this was what the bidens got, MEZZI RIGATONI which was really fresh and simple. I would recommend coming here. read more

See all

This may be my new favorite Italian restaurant!! It's hidden in the Bloomingdale neighborhood so parking is too hard to find. Highly recommend making reservations. They are very accommodating so just call for anything! It was giving rustic, but modern vibes. The service and hospitality were impeccable!! Our waters were always refilled, and we were checked on often. We started off with Spring Pea Hummus, Arancini Di Primavera, Butterleaf Salad, and Charred Broccolini. I would get all again, especially the hummus and broccolini. The salad had an interesting presentation, however, the dressing was not evenly spread. We also got Spring Pea Spagetti, Mezzi Rigatoni, Mafalde, and Campanelle Primavera. The pastas were not family style size, but we wanted to try multiple so we made it family style. I would literally get all of them again. My favorite was the campanelle since it was the most unique flavor... very herbaceous! I heard you can order a secret off-menu Cacio e Pepe... We ended with Roasted Maple Panna Cotta, and that freakin' SLAPPED!!! The caramizled hazelnut crumble was soooo good. Amazing flavors and texture. I can't wait to come back to try other dishes! read more

My friends and I did walk in and the staff was so nice to squeeze us in on a weekend dinner. Favorites: -whipped ricotta crostini: a must!! So so good and tasty especially with the black truffle sauce and honey on top of the ricotta toast -mezzi rigatoni: delicious pasta. I thought the pasta to sauce ratio was really good We also ordered the mafalde and squid ink linguini which were both alright. Still like the mezzi rigatoni the best. Service was great and they even provided complimentary olives! Also great ambiance and def one of my fav Italian spots in DC. read more

See all

Amazing place for memorable pasta selections. Our party of five had four pastas and each was better than the next. The secret off the menu cacio e pepe was rich and creamy. The rigatoni is a great choice if you are looking for a red sauce. Squid ink was delicious with a bit of heat and the malfade with mushrooms was divine. The salad was simple and a nice start but nothing special that I would skip next time. Really loved the whipped ricotta appetizer and chicken parm. The waiter tried to over sell us by saying we needed 3-4 appetizers, 5 pastas and a protein for the table which would have been way too much. We were a party of five and got one app, a salad, four pastas and chicken parm and had lots of leftovers to take home. Would love to come back. read more

See all

I stopped by this gem while visiting DC and I will surely say the internet streets got it right!! I was solo with the intent of treating myself to a nice dinner. Reservations are strongly suggested since people who know good food eat there.. I called ahead and was told it was a wait but the bar was open. Zoom. I'm there. The place is unassuming and quaint a tad small, but certainly good for me. I sat at the bar and the male server was just amazing- attentive, kind and so welcoming. He made suggestions that didn't disappoint. All The staff were super friendly. It was late (almost closing) but I still got the best service. I ordered the grilled bread (appetizer). This is my only complaint. Bread at an Italian restaurant should be free. ‍. BUT it was delicious and I would definitely pay for it. I also got the favorite pasta dish with sausage ( can't remember the name ). It was filling and just delicious and I had a bit left over that tasted just as good the next day. But let me tell yall about this dessert . It was pretty much the best dessert I've ever had. It was a chocolate hazelnut cake with crème fraise ice cream surrounded by toasted hazelnuts. The cake was light, moist and not too sweet. The ice was the perfect pair as it a just a tad cheesy ( for lack of a better word). The toasted nuts were soooo good I wanted to lick the plate. . The whole experience was just what I was looking for after a long tiring day of sightseeing. The best meal of my trip!!! This will always be a stop when I'm in town. read more

The Red Hen - THIS is DIVINE!!! Hazelnut cake with crème fraiche ice cream. - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I've heard great things about Red Hen but it's tough to get a reservation so I made a real effort to get one for my husband's birthday. Ambiance: overall, it's nice. It's a relatively small space - when you walk in, the bar is "center stage" so to speak whereas the tables are on the periphery. We had a space near a window which was a tad chilly because we were there the day we got a few flurries. Service: Our server was very attentive, coming back regularly to check in and refill our water. Food: I want to be clear that nothing was wrong with the food but we were underwhelmed. We couldn't taste the truffle in the ricotta crostini so it was largely whipped cheese and bread (though there was some nice flaky salt on top). The Mafalde was one note - it was obv pasta with mushroom but the flavor wasn't complex. The one standout was the rigatoni -- it had a nice depth to it and the flavor lingered. We split the carrot cake (well done - would love more cream cheese frosting). TLDR: nice spot but nothing wowed us. Given how many places we still want to try in DC, I doubt we'll be back. read more

The Red Hen - Whipped Ricotta Crostini - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

What a fantastic evening at the Red Hen. Food was amazing (the octopus is life changing), great pasta, and lovely pleasant staff (shout out to Colleen). Went for our daughter's graduation dinner and had a ball! Decent wine list as well! Will go back in the near future! Thx, Red Hen!! read more

The Red Hen - Saw this but ate at the Red Hen!!! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Everything is overpriced for what it is. Butter leaf salad- large and very refreshing Whipped ricotta- super filling and heavy. Get another order of bread to eat this with. It's great that they really fill it up a lot of ricotta Mezzi Rigatoni - I don't even like pasta and enjoyed the rigatoni Pork- wouldn't order again. It was covered in a mustard gravy Waiter was nice. We asked for recommendations and he gave them though he seemed slightly annoyed about the ask. Restaurant was full on a Monday night so you have to talk loudly in order to hear each other. read more

Hands down the BEST pasta place in DC-- no wonder it was so difficult to get a reservation!! The squid ink pasta is especially a must-- i want to go back just for that pasta. Service is good, and ambiance is very rustic and cutesy. It did get a bit hot because we visited in the middle of the heat wave, but everything else was great. read more

The Red Hen - Pasta - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

I can't believe I have slept on this place for so long (more than ten years!). They are perfect for a date night, family dinner, and anything in between. It is a lovely space, cozy with lots of wood and string lights. To set the mood, they bring a small dish of olive oil covered olives. A unique touch that pays off because they are tasty. Just what you need before sipping a drink or two. On Sunday night around 5:30, the place was packed. We didn't make a reservation because we didn't think it would be needed, but we were wrong, so learn from our mistake. Thankfully for us, they had one spot available, a side counter seat where we sat side by side. Even the bar was totally full. Wow. They earned that crowd because the food was amazing. The starter was the best of the best, a whipped ricotta crostini topped with some truffle oil. It is so good. So much flavor, such great texture, truly phenomenal. It makes bread sexy. They are an Italian restaurant, so of course we had to try some pastas. I highly recommend the short rib pasta. There isn't a ton of meat, but what is there is great, and the pasta is fresh and satisfying. A really nice red sauce. I also sampled the squid ink linguini to try something different, and it was light but full of flavor. I couldn't decide which I liked better. read more

Absolutely love this restaurant. Cozy, quaint, romantic, with great food. Wish we could afford to eat here much more often. Can't wait to go back. read more