Outstanding Service- This was our 3rd visit and consistently our favorite restaurant in DC! The food is fresh, unique and the best flavor. The atmosphere is sleek, and beautiful furnishings. We have traveled all over the US, and the calamari, seafood & pasta are some of the best I have experienced! read more

Needing to try a new spot because I've run out of places to review.. Lol, I looked through my Bookmarks and WALA, there was Acqua Bistecca staring right at me. Going in, I knew the restaurant was gorgeous but pictures don't do A.B. justice. As soon as you enter, you see the semi-circle velvet seating, the intimate booths and this amazing bar display. I immediately had a snap a picture! Early as usual, I started off at the bar where they have a nice HH menu. I tried one of the recommended cocktails that was very good. The calamari was BANGIN! My friend schooled me and said it was tempura style which was why it tasted so good. Well, other restaurants need to take notes.. For real! Once we were done at the bar, the lovely hostess led us to our booth for dinner. We kept it simple, I had the Delmonico Ribeye sliced and she had the Branzino. She's a hard critic, much harder than me and she had to admit, both meals were BOMB!! Prepared perfectly, we both agreed.. We'll be BACK! Acqua Bistecca is a hidden jewel in upper upper NW Washington, DC, in a small newer living/shopping area with garage parking just footsteps away. If you're looking for a new slick spot to dine with a dope atmosphere, this is absolutely the place to be!! read more

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Average food and overpriced doesn't add up when there are so many better choices in the District. If you're spending north of $300 for a meal, you want to hear angels singing. Not happening here. Not even close. read more

Food is soooo average 6/10. Service 7/10 because they were very nice but horribly slow. Aesthetically pleasing for sure. Overall, this place is nice for drinks at the bar and pictures, but the food is not great. read more

Acqua Bistecca - Saffron Branzino - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This restaurant definitely lives up to the hype! We just stopped by for happy hour and the bar was gorgeous. The team is very friendly and the items came through quickly. All of the happy hour food items were a decent portion. The pasta was my favorite, tasted so fresh. I would definitely come back for a full meal. It is great for a girls night out, date night and they had plenty of larger tables. read more

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HOUSE-MADE FOCACCIA CHOOSE 1 $10, 3 $16, 5 $26 Castelvetrano Olive Tapenade House Made Ricotta Arugula-Pistachio Pesto *The arugula-pistachio pesto, house ricotta, and Castelvetrano olive tapenade paired well with the bread and made for a strong start to the meal. BISTECCA: 16 oz Bone in NY Strip 65 chargrilled, brushed with red lambrusco butter & served with caponata stuffed cippolini onion *This steak delivered on every level: perfectly cooked with a beautiful crust and excellent flavor. It was easily my favorite bite of the evening. Black Berkshire Pork Chop 45 apple agrodolce blackberry mostarda *I asked the server if the chop would be moist and was told it would be, but I found it pretty dry. The mostarda added nice flavor, although the dish would have benefited from an additional side. SIDE: Wilted Spinach 13 *The wilted spinach was outstanding and easily the best version of wilted spinach I have had. COCKTAILS: CAPRI 16 angel's envy bourbon tomato water basil, lemon, clarified *completely unique flavor profile, would order 5 of these next time and Uber home MARINA DI RAGUSA 19 arette reposado tequila solerno blood orange liqueur prickly pear foam lemon *found this way too sweet, not for me DESSERTS: We ordered the apple crostata with ice cream. While it was enjoyable, the menu also listed several desserts that sounded especially appealing, including the chocolate budino, panna cotta, and olive oil cake. read more

Service was phenomenal and the food was even better. I love the ambiance and the convenience of garage parking. This is a perfect date spot. Can't wait to get back and try more of the menu. Highly recommend the Risotto 'alla Marchesi' and the Lumache e Funghi. read more

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We went to Acqua Bistecca to celebrate a job promotion and it was a great experience! They treated us to a glass of prosecco each and some prosciutto which was lovely! The drinks were unique, we tried the marina di ragusa and the Milano Milo and enjoyed both! We got the focaccia as an appetizer with the summer corn dip and it was absolutely delicious!! For mains, we got the branzino and flat iron steak, both were cooked perfectly. We got the grilled broccolini and fried potatoes on the side. I would order everything we got again! Nothing disappointed! They dealt with food allergies very well which was a plus. While it is a little expensive, everything was made perfectly. I would recommend this spot to anyone looking for a nice restaurant for a spot to celebrate or a date night. read more

Acqua Bistecca - MARINA DI RAGUSA - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Wow! First of all, the ambiance is out of this world. Secondly, given that this is a new restaurant, I would definitely recommend trying the sampler option on the menu. You get scrumptious shareable plates and it's totally worth it. The food was so packed with flavor! I would definitely recommend! read more

Acqua Bistecca - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Wow! This place owes me nothing. This review is for the bar! From classic to current good drinks and bartenders who can actually make spectacular curiation. Try the "Last call and naked famous", add La gritona tequilla and thank me later! They have the best ceasar salad in town and Service was Grade A. Ambiance was 10/10. There's a HH with $10 top shelf drinks read more

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My husband & I came here for a double date dinner with our friends. Perfect moody and romantic vibes for dates! I requested a table with booth / banquette seating, and we were seated in a nice spot in front of the bar. We opted for the tasting menu to keep things simple - they brought out each dish with the portions tailored to your party size. I thought that some of the portions were so small for 4 people to share, such as only giving us 1 tiny piece of squash parmesan and 2 arancini balls to cut up and spread between us. But giving us slightly more for the less expensive things like the salad and potatoes, so that was a little off-putting for how much we ended up paying in the end. We still liked most of the dishes, but for $600-$700, you're probably better off ordering à la carte, so you can enjoy full portions of your favorite dishes. We just didn't feel like making choices that night LOL. We also enjoyed several rounds of cocktails and wine. Overall, it was still a delicious meal in a nice setting but we've had better & more for the price. read more

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We arrived for our reservation and requested to be seated in the less populated area. The dining area closer to the bar was filled to capacity and was quite noisy, but the back was still relatively empty. The hostess agreed to seat us in the quieter area. After we were seated, our waiter took our drink orders, which consisted of mocktails and bottled water. For dinner, we ordered salmon, chicken, focaccia, potatoes, brussels sprouts, and mushrooms. For dessert, we ordered granita and il limone. As a complementary birthday dessert, they included some of the best rice pudding that I have ever had. Overall, the meal and service were outstanding. Each dish was flavorful. The desserts were good, though I would have preferred the granita without the added chopped pistachio and custard. I would definitely return and highly recommend this restaurant for an exceptional dining experience. read more

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Met up with a friend here for dinner. We picked up a drink at the beautiful bar first. Started with the focaccia with 3 spreads: cannellini beans, the arugula, and pistachio pesto. Bread was toasted and delicious although a little greasy (in a good way). I loved all three spreads. Then i got the homemade Arancini and he got the steak tartare. Both were good but I still prefer the ones in Sicily :) Next course I had the Pappardelle and he had a different pasta. Both were good and very winter/northern Italian type pasta dishes. Heavy but lots of flavor. We both ordered the Bronzino which was my favorite course. Wow- so good!! We split the Lemon dessert which was delicious, lite, and refreshing. It could have used some lemon sorbet added. The bathrooms are very exquisitely decorated. You should definitely make a trip there while you're there. Sadly, the trashcan was nearly overflowing, and they needed a little bit of attention. Also, it was annoying that there wasn't a hook for my purse in the bathroom. read more

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You must get the house made focaccia with house made ricotta! Pretty sure it's not good for your cholesterol but great for your tummy. So crispy, buttery, and the house mead ricotta- creamy and delicious! Every dish was mouthwatering! Our server Andre was outstanding! Modern ambiance; great with kids. Can't wait to come back! read more

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What a great experience! We had various dishes from the $85 tasting menu (which is a pretty good deal). Most of our dishes were really good! The highlight of our experience was our waiter, Dwayne. He was the best! read more

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Really great experience, from the incredible service to the glamorous aesthetic, and every bit of food was incredible! We started with the focaccia, and Caesar salad (this was a top tier Caesar), and split two pastas between 2 people - the saffron pasta was the standout of the two. If you like chocolate do not pass on the Bombino. It's like chocolate mousse but better. read more

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What a gem of Restaurant. We knew a new Italian restaurant opened but we were surprised to see it just recently open last Wednesday. You need a reservation. They were sold out and we got there at 5 PM so we sat at the bar, The bar was a wonderful Place to sit and talk to the bartenders. We ordered and service was impeccable! Heidi helped us and was a great resource of what is good! we ordered many things from the tuna tartare to the beet salad to the Delmonico steak and potatoes to the Papadelli w lamb and lobster and bean soup! Everything was flavorful, perfectly prepared and of amazing quality. The restaurant has a great vibe and is beautifully decorated. We definitely will return with friends. It's a must go to place. read more

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The ambiance is very nice with very warm music and inviting place. The bar is amazing and food is wonderful. Celebrated my birthday with some friends and had variety of pasta for dinner. Service is amazing, our waitstaff was excellent and knowledgeable. Would come back and try the steak next time. read more

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Excellent! In every aspect. service high-end, personable and professional. The bar manager is phenomenal! We had the chef special tasting menu with 4 courses. Terrific and inventive. Highly recommend read more

Acqua Bistecca - Chef tasting menu, octopus and clams - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I came here with my partner while my kids were away at camp. It's a nice spot, located right across the road from Wegmans, my favorite grocery store! Drinks are very pricey. I was suprised at just how expensive the wines were by the glass with many drinks starting at $30+ per glass. My partner and I got a drink and a side of meatballs. We appreciated that they allowed us to tasted the wine before committing. Also, service was very friendly and the general atmosphere of the place was pretty nice. I'm docking a star based on just how pricey this place is. Though, I do love that it is so close to Wegmans! read more

So glad my friend chose this place for dinner. Upon entering, the view of the bar took my breath away. It was spectacular! The vibe was intimate and grown. The food was amazing and the service was the same! I ordered Branzino with some sides. Not pictured was the Tuna Tartare and calamari. Both we devoured before we could take a photo I fully intend to return because I just want to try so much more on the menu. 10/10 recommend! read more

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Beautiful place with great service! The drinks are as delicious as they are beautiful. The food was good but I did not feel like the tasting menu was worth the price. I did enjoy everything but I only had 2 bites of each item. My friends and I agreed that it would probably be better to order off the regular menu when we return. read more

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I have been here a couple of times since their recent opening and it has not disappointed. The food is great and the vibe is top notch. Whoever designed the bar area deserves some kuddos. Once I eat here a couple of more times I'll update with better food reviews. Jeff was awesome as a server. read more

Dined here on New Year's Eve and had a great experience. The restaurant has a dim, intimate atmosphere with a live band that really set the mood for the evening. The staff was extremely attentive, and every dish we tried was delicious. One standout for me was the half dozen oysters which were an additional charge, but absolutely worth it. They were incredibly fresh and full of flavor. I was a bit surprised that the prix fixe menu didn't include any drinks, so we added a few separately. The main course of lobster and monkfish was rich and flavorful. I'd definitely love to come back to try their regular menu, and, of course, enjoy more oysters. read more

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This place is absolutely gorgeous! Perfect date night spot if you want to wow someone. I came here for my bday 12/24 and only wanted caviar bumps which aren't own the menu! Chef said yes and I had a hefty serving of what has been the finest caviar I've had in a while! Cocktail was also beautiful. Great music selection as well read more

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Acqua Bistecca is a great spot for a date night or a small group outing, especially if you want something a little more upscale. We went on a double date and decided to try the tasting menu, which is served family style so the whole table can sample a variety of dishes. I didn't grab a photo of the menu, but I did take pictures of each dish so you can see exactly what we were served . The tasting menu comes as four courses and was paced really well. Once things started, there was always something new coming out without feeling rushed. At the time of writing, it was $85 per person with an optional wine pairing ($55) and a few add-on options. Everything tasted great, though my favs were the swordfish and the steak in the main course. If I had one critique, it would be the portion sizes. I was satisfied but I definitely could have eaten more, although that might just be me. Service was prompt and friendly, and the whole experience had a Michelin level feel to it. The restaurant itself is romantic with dark accents and low lighting, and the bar is impressive, stretching all the way up to the ceiling. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and would go back again to try other food on the menu. read more

This place is amazing! The food and service were excellent! We had a party of 9 so our table was in the back room secluded from the main dining area that has that popular bar. There is a parking garage that is open 24 hours right next to the bank of American and wegmans. You just take the elevator up and the restaurant is on your right. The lighting to the restaurant is pretty dark but very elegant. The decor, paintings and furniture really make this place. The bathrooms are for men & woman. They are also pretty decorated for a great selfie pic. They are known for their steak and drinks. The calamari was amazing! Definitely get the focaccia bread along with the 6 dips. You can also order bottle wine and with great selections. They have two mocktails listed & are really good. Everyone also loved the lasagna. read more

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The vibe of the restaurant was cool and very pretty. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the hype. The cocktails were okay, but nothing out of this world. I started with the tuna tartare. It was good, but something was missing, and at $28 for a starter, you'd expect it to be really good. That was followed by the lamp pappardelle, it was mediocre. The lamb was very gamey, and I don't think the noodles were made in house. The only saving grace was the 8oz fillet. It was cooked perfect, and tasted good. I also ordered the Brussels sprouts with the steak, they were tinder, but oddly very spicy? Service was excellent, but the overall quality of the food was unimpressive. I will have a hard time recommending this to people in the future, and I doubt I'll comeback. read more

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3.5 stars. The inside decor and ambiance was nice, but the food was just okay. Tried the ribeye, swordfish, and pappardelle pasta. The ribeye was cook well and tender, but lacked a little salt for me. The pappardelle was delicious, but a little small in terms of portions. The fish was actually my favorite. Fresh, flavorful, and cooked well. read more

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For a new restaurant in the heart of Tenleytown I would give it a 4/5. I would say the only thing was the service that needed some work as it was a tad delayed for the time we arrived. Food was delicious for what I ordered pasta and salad to play it safe since it just opened; would love to try the other options with meat. Drinks were hyped for nothing and had interesting choices so ordered a regular dirty martini. Crowd was perfect for a Friday evening and the bathrooms are so clean and cute mirror for a photo op. I highly recommend the pasta funghi if you love truffle since it was so rich with every bite. Didn't get a chance to try the dessert so might have to make another trip for that! Music was perfect and the staff was very efficient with getting table cleaned for the main dishes. Just go and experience it for yourself and see what you think. read more

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Went here a couple of weeks for dinner, it was kinda hard to find but it's located in a nice new neighborhood up north of DC. Ambiance felt like old money crowd lol it was lovely. Ok food, I absolutely LOVEDDD the Porcini Butter Roasted Chicken you have to get that! The calamari was also a delight, felt light and fluffy portions could be better. The lasagna alla piastra was my least favorite could use better flavoring or seasoning it just felt underwhelming more for aesthetics. Drinks were delicious too has the seasonal spiritz. Overall great recommendation read more

Acqua Bistecca - Bathroom pics - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I attended a soft opening at AB in DC. The decor, vibe (NYC feel), and music were on point. The lovely bar is the focal point of the restaurant. The staff/customer service was impeccable (one of the main reasons I will be returning). They make sure your glasses are filled, napkins are folded and plates are cleared for the next food item. The food was delicious and flavorful. However, the tableside Caesar salad was absolutely fantastic, and I loved watching it being made. My cocktail was not great, but you can't go wrong with a glass of Pinot Grigio. This is a great place for date night or a girls' night out. I will be going back and sit at the bar :-) read more

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Oh my! Where should I start? Place is just fantastic. From the glass on the ceiling to cozy dining area! Bar deserves special mention - great staff - Manny and Niko knows what's going on and drinks are on point!!! So cool! read more

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Wow - we were blown away from the moment we walked in! The service, food, and atmosphere are simply incredible. Wayne took care of us for the evening and he was phenomenal - definitely request him as your server!!! We did the experience menu and loved everything, but the arancini, chargrilled flatiron, and lasagna were most memorable, with the lamb papardelle has an honorable mention. They have a creative cocktail menu and there's no way to go wrong. Wayne surprised us with drinks after we told him what spirits we generally liked, and we both loved them. The decor is gorgeous, with the bar being the main event at the back of the restaurant! There's no bad seat in the house, but we loved being near by the bar to admire its beauty and watch the bartenders work their magic. Wayne made our night so special, and we can't thank him enough for guiding us through the menu thoughtfully, serving us patiently, and making our experience fantastic from beginning to end!!! Thank you, WAYNE!!! read more

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I visited Acqua Bistecca over the weekend. The restaurant is located inside a apartment community in DC. Parking Garage is available, you can get a 2hr validation through Wegmans, The restaurant has a good modern Italian vibe, and the atmosphere is incredible. The bar is my favorite, it looks amazing. Definitely a photo spot. Services was good and friendly. The food- it is definitely on the high-end side, both presentation and pricing. For starter, we ordered Little Gem Caesar Salad, pretty fresh and flavorful, nothing super unique and Caviar Mozzarella Sticks. I didn't know the price at first and it was ($42) and more expensive than my main dish. I feel like I am paying for the caviar experiences, instead of the mozzarella sticks. Again, it was okay but not memorable. For main dish, we ordered Due Bucatini Pasta. My favorite of the night. it comes with clams, tomato sauce, nduja butter, and gremolata crumbs. Very tasty, rich and flavorful. A little bit salty though. We also ordered the Wild Striped Bass. it served with saffron-orange braised fregola. fish was tender inside with crispy skim and nicely seasoned. Overall, ambiance was amazing with beautiful interior, prefect for celebration or date night. The food is solid but not mind blowing and prices definitely on the high end side. Will come back for any future special occasion. read more

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We had a wonderful dinner at Acqua Bistecca with a 5:30 reservation. The restaurant was very quiet when we arrived, but it quickly filled up and had a great buzz by the time we left about two hours later. We started with the focaccia and ricotta--so good we had to order an encore. I also had the Piazzi cocktail, which was delicious. For an appetizer, we tried the fluke crudo special. It was super light and fresh; I really enjoyed it, though my husband was a bit indifferent. The highlight of the night was definitely the filet with broccolini. The steak was incredibly tender and flavorful--easily a top-five filet for me. The lasagna was also a delight, though worth noting it's a complete departure from the traditional lasagna I'm used to. It has a spicy profile, which I love, so it really worked for me. We finished with the panna cotta. It was great and a little different, topped with blood orange granita that added a really nice contrast. Service was excellent. Jimena was incredibly attentive and made us feel like we had her all to ourselves. Overall, a fantastic meal and a place we'd happily return to. read more

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Food was OK, atmosphere was fine, service was dismal - server disappeared for a while to get high, and upon return, broke a water bottle on floor behind us. I was hoping for a better experience for the $100+ per person meal. Will not return. read more

Fantastic food, friendly service, and a great atmosphere. Highly recommend! Must order is the housemade focaccia, tuna tartare, lumache pasta and any of the fish!!! read more

Staff was super friendly & welcoming. Great to see the bar area in person. Our food and drinks were great. Big shoutout to our waiter Jeffery. He was supper informative on the menu while constantly checking in on us. Great experience can't wait to visit again. read more

Acqua Bisteca is a posh surf and turf Italian inspired restaurant by Michelin-recognized chef Michael Mina. It's trendy, dimly lit, and immediately captures your attention with the high-ceiling lighted bar. Service was fast and friendly with great recommendations. Plates were tasty and shareable, while a bit pricey, the food is delicious and offers a number of easily shareable options. The Branzino, steak, and spicy lasagna were favorites. The cocktails were creative and we also enjoyed the Caesar Salad. Worth a revisit as one of the cocktails was out and the entire menu looked fantastic. read more