Ok so you're a guy from Jersey and of course you love Italian food so your keep your eyes peeled…read moreall over the city for new places to try. Paccis looks like a small family owned Jersey Italian spot tucked inside a classic Capitol Hill brick home so of course you gotta try it. You and your girlfriend sit down and immediately the couple in the corner seated next to you pipes up about good timing because you just missed the sunset glaring through the window. This fella keeps flapping his jaw the whole time. Even to the elderly couple cross the room. Ok so maybe I was part of the problem but whatever. Anyway it feels like home. They eat there all the time, so that's a good sign. Good people. Which is good because the food is good too and You don't want bad ambiance to detract from a great meal. Oh and did I mention the couple who sat next to us after that were speaking Italian and sharing pizza and pasta? Paccis is certified FOOD: So oh yeah they serve food here too right. Let's talk about it. Me and the girlfriend love to share everything because why come to a delicious restaurant and only try one dish? Fuggedaboutit! We're sampling over here. She starts with a Hugo spritz that apparently is a "girliepop fave" which I might deserve jail time for typing those words but whatever sue me she liked the drink ok? Antipasti: We tried the eggplant fritti which was delicious. Also shared the beet salad. Also delicious. But I will say that we eat a lot of arugula salads and dry arugula even with all the toppings can be a little rough and I'd love if it was lubed up with a tiny bit of olive oil. Anyway don't hesitate to try either of these. Entrees: Buccatini alla carbonara was awesome. Creamy/cheesy, nice bite through the pasta, and that cured meat or whatever it was. We also had the chicken Marsala which was delicious but if you don't already know, don't ask how it's made so delicious because it's basically all butter and cream. Anyway pasta and sauce and chicken we're all delicious. Desert: Especially in an Italian restaurant this is almost always an automatic tiramisu for me but this time we decided to go with something different. The girlfriend loves a lemony dessert so we tried the limoncello cake. She loved it and I liked it. I would say get it if you're a lemon fan. And bada boom bada bing that's your review. Highly recommend!

Somewhat upscale Italian restaurant with a large menu of fantastic dishes that come in substantial…read moreportions Both a downstairs and an upstairs for seating I came here for dinner with my family, and we tried a variety of the dishes here, all of which were fantastic. Our waitress was very friendly as well, and the food came out very quickly. It does get a little loud inside, but nothing too crazy

Very solid restaurant offering tasty meals, fair pricing, and helpful service. Everything felt well…read morebalanced, making it a reliable and enjoyable choice for everyday dining with friends or family.

I picked this place as my birthday dinner with some girlfriends. I was unsure of the vibe, food etc…read morebefore arriving. The place gives cozy speakeasy vibes. We we sat down the waitress was very friendly and welcoming. She knew alot about the menu items and such. As soon as she handed me the wine menu and saw Chianti as one of the wines, I didnt hesitate to get a bottle for the table (I love Chianti with a story behind it). We ordered the Creamy Burrata, with Grilled Bread and four cheese sauce and the calamari for the appitizers. All of the appetizers were amazing and Im a sucker for grilled crushy bread. For the main course i ordered the Trout Piccata. The fish was cooked to perfection and the veggies were well seasoned. My friends ordered the chicken piccata, Caruso Alfredo and baked Cavatelli. Everything was good. Next up we ordered the butterfinger sundae, Nutella cannoli and tiramisu. The sundae base is chocolate ice cream. If you are fan of chocolate ice cream you will love the sundae. Overall great experience and I will definitely return!

I came into the DC area two weeks ago and will be here for the next 11 months. This restaurant…read morewas recommended to me by a colleague so I decided to make the walk from where I am currently staying. Let me start by saying that the atmosphere in this restaurant is one that is so welcoming the minute you arrive. I approached the hostess stand to inquire if there was bar seating available to which the polite hostesses provided a gentle hand gesture and oral direction to the bar. While walking to the bar area, I encountered what I presume to have been a server who was likely standing watch from a distance over his service area, who apologized as our paths met. (There was no reason to apologize, very polite nonetheless) I found a seat at the bar and was greeted by Paul. Paul was an exceptionally pleasant and answered all my immediate questions while preparing my initial cocktail during happy hour. We discussed the menu and he provided great insight which helped finalize my decision for the evening . In the meantime, bar manager Laura stopped by to ensure that I was taken care of to which I informed her that Paul and I spoke and he is making a beverage for me. For the food...the Caesar Salad is #1. I am a food snob and this salad HITS!! While enjoying my salad I inquired about their cast bourbon selection. The staff was very knowledgeable and provided a price list to coincide with their higher end selections. My 40 layer lasagna arrived some time in the midst of the conversation where Paul extended a courtesy sampling of a wine that he recommended that pairs nicely with my meal. It was perfect. I closed out my meal with an espresso type martini, at which time Paul and Laura further extended and offered me a sampling of one of the bourbons I was looking at. I cannot say enough about this establishment. I can't wait to go back and have already recommended via phone conversations to three people and I just left. The evening and encounter was more than just pleasantries with a customer, rather I felt as if I was the only one. If the owner or manager is reading this, Paul and Laura are 10+ and I will be back. Thank you so much for the best meal I have had in DC over the last 2 weeks. Can't wait to do it again!!!

L'Ardente was incredible! The 40-layer lasagna was unforgettable, and every dish we tried was…read morebeautifully prepared. A must-visit in DC.

Nostra is a nice and cozy neighborhood gem. Our family made same day reservations and they were…read morenice enough to accommodate us for dinner. We were off to a good start with the tangy and fresh Greek salad. My husband and shared the chicken marsala. It worked for us but wouldn't say it's a sharing portion. The Marsala sauce was smooth, little peppery and slightly sweet the way you would want. Slathering it all over made up for the chicken that could've been better. The Marsala was better than my daughter's piccata that had the same issue with little tough chicken and a too-sour sauce. The subtle sweet and citrusy flavor of the Lemonchello cake was so good. Had a little envy noticing other people's red sauce items like bolognese and chicken parm. These looked great and would be back to try. Service was friendly and the place is cute but no frills.

i wish we had this in california, BIG PORTIONS AND ABSOLUTELY IMPACTFUL!!…read more- a lot of sauce for the portion of noodles -flavorful -cheesy

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.

Cucina Morini is an excellent place for solo dining. I secured a last minute reservation for a…read morespecial Memorial Day Morini Monday for myself. Not saying that dining companions are distracting, but I felt like I could fully experience the flavor of both the Taglioni Neri and Gnocchi, both half portions at $10 each, better on my own. When the dishes came, I saw that the sauces were both red and feared they would taste too similar. After one fork full of each, they are quite clearly distinct. The standout in the Neri were the shellfish for me. Even though they were small bits, the pieces tasted fresh. In the Gnocchi, the saltiness of the prosciutto, though not overwhelming, paired well with the basil sauce. I finished a little more than half of each plate before boxing it up for a small lunch the next day. The service was great and the tall ceiling and windowed dining room provided a nice atmosphere. It was a cloudy and rainy Memorial Day, but I wondered what the sunlight looked like shining through those high windows. How lovely a space they have created to enjoy fine Italian dining in.

I was well received as a solo diner. Everyone was very nice to me. I especially liked the Cesar…read moreSalad which was made in the classic style and was delicious. Lyss did a wonderful job as my server--she was unfailingly kind and attentive! A great experience all around.

Great ambiance! Food was delicious. Campbell was our server and her service was phenomenal. She was…read morevery pleasant and fun to talk to. P.S: Thank you Campbell for telling me where to find the mason jars!

This is a great little place - probably the oldest of old school barracks row establishments…read more It's been 20 years since I've eaten here. After a bunch of times saying "we should go back to trattoria Alberto" we stopped by today we arrived about 1230 on a Monday and the streets were empty. We were seated immediately. Bread and water were complimentary, and the bread came with whipped butter, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. My wife had the chicken piccata and I had the chicken Parmesan. Both meals were tasty and super fresh. The service was the star of the show today. If you're looking for something different on 8th street check it out!

I've been going to Albertos for years and it's easily in my top 3 Italian restaurants in DC. The…read moreservice is always fantastic, delicious food, and generous portions. My favorite dish is the chicken piccata with pistachio cake for dessert. The dining room is nice and reservations aren't required to get a seat. These dishes also travel well if ordered for pickup/delivery.

Walked over after dinner at shoto and mostly floated into Nonna like a cartoon character lead by…read moretheir nose. We sat at the outside bar and were helped right away. We ordered: Nonna Ciao - 10/10 - my first time with caffeine in my liquor and that was interesting in a good way. I don't stray too far from a lemon drop so this was a nice change Drunken love pizza - 10/10 - perfectly crispy, cheesy and flavorful. The only complaint I had was that they didn't have any ranch. Service was great and we didn't wait long for our food or drinks. Definitely somewhere I'd visit again.

Randomly stumbled upon this place during a quick work trip in DC. No reservation but I was able to…read moresnag a spot at the bar. I recommend making a reservation because it was packed and walk-ins were being turned away. I forget the name of the pasta dish, but do remember that it was phenomenal! Pasta tasted fresh and handmade. Pizza was also good - thin crust, chewy, quality ingredients.

Cute, slightly fancy Italian spot with vegan options. The vegan options are not the most exciting…read morebut they are delicious and you can tell they prepare everything with care. Not only is it a good spot for dinner, but it's also nice for a matcha or espresso in the morning (I heard they even have vegan pastries typically but I didn't get to try those). Service was good, if over the top,

This review is for the coffee and café experience. The coffee here is fresh, additive-free, and…read morereasonably priced. My go-to drinks are the Americano and the iced cortado. They offer several dairy and non-dairy milk options, and I was delighted to see walnut milk on the menu. The syrups and milk alternatives are made fresh in-house. The honey is wild-harvested, which is a nice touch. There is seating available inside, as well as the option to order outside through the bay window--a very cute and convenient setup. The staff is friendly and attentive. However, service can be slower than expected at times, as there is only one espresso machine. Pros * Additive-free coffee * House-made syrups * Wild-harvested honey * Reasonable pricing * Outdoor ordering window for to-go orders * Friendly staff * Fresh pastries * Italian espresso machine * Filtered water **There's a Happy Hour M-Friday from 3pm-6pm. Hugo Spritiz is an option."

Why You Need to Go: 10/10 Approachable Authenticity: The…read moremenu feels like a genius, can't-miss collaboration. It does a brilliant job of bringing true cultural authenticity to the table in a way that is incredibly welcoming and accessible. Flawless Recommendations: Trust the staff! Every single server recommendation we tried was an absolute HIT. Immaculate Vibes: We chose to sit at the bar high tops and highly recommend it. The energy was buzzing, the service was seamless, and even the music playlist was amazing. KAYU didn't just meet the high expectations we had from social media--it completely exceeded them. We already can't wait to go back just to soak in the atmosphere again. Do yourself a favor and move this to the very top of your list! *sorry... best photos are on my wife's phone. : /

We went unknowingly on pride day celebrations so our saturday night dinner was not so private and…read morequiet and serene. Regardless, I appreciated their attempts to elevate Filipino cuisine. The chicken afritada worked for me as they just broke it down to separate pieces and plated it well. They also had this curry dish that my partner enjoyed. The rest left much to be desired. Salad had too much of a texture mishmash. My partner's crab noodles were unpleasantly smothered in green onions - also what Filipino dish is this even derived from? And they gotta rethink their desserts because they had this one sweet that just does not look appetizing at all. Oh and would love larger portion sizes for the set course meal you pay per person, especially the dessert. Nice decor and warm cozy setting. Can't speak for the patio seating because the block was closed down for pride day. Loved the celebrations tho, just was so busy and jam packed for what we intended was a nice date night. Not on Kayu or the celebrations, but still unfortunate.