My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary here while visiting DC. We were staying at the…read moreArlo and L'ardente is a very close walk. As soon as we arrived for our reservation and sat down, we were wished happy anniversary by the hostess and our waitress. For cocktails, my wife got a cantaloupe cobbler and I got the pornstar martini without the caviar. Both drinks were great, we ended up sharing another cantaloupe cobbler since that's a drink we've never seen before. For food, we shared the cesare salad and the famous lasagna. The cesare salad was really good with the absolute perfect amount of Parmesan cheese. We really enjoyed it but next time we come we'd try other things. Now for the lasagna. It was absolutely incredible. As we were eating it, we were joking of ordering another one just after our first bite. It was the best lasagna we've ever had and I've had some pretty great lasagna before. For dessert, we shared the vanilla and cantaloupe swirl ice cream. It was amazing. The cantaloupe was so different and just such a great idea especially for the summer. They also brought out a mini chocolate mouse cake with a candle in it and a card for our anniversary. I'm not much for cake but this was light and decadent. It was a very sweet thing for the restaurant to do. We cannot wait for our next time back in DC to come back here. It is a must try.

@lardentedc offers a Saturday & Sunday brunch menu from 11am - 3:45pm in addition to their FULL…read moredinner menu also available during brunch hours so let's dive in feat. cocktails, CICCHETTI, ANTIPASTI & PASTA made for the perfect glam italian day date for two COCKTAILS: Porn Star Caviar Martini (left) and Naked, Famous & Frozen (right) ‍ Porn Star Caviar Martini feat. @greygoose Vodka, Passion Fruit, Vanilla, Champagne & Caviar Bump... a truly special cocktail and an experience all its own CICCHETTI: Duck Hunt four duck ravioli with Parmigiano & black truffle are just as fun to eat as they are to look at, and even more delish to taste! ANTIPASTI: Burrata (top) Grape Tomatoes, Pesto, Olive, Basil, Pane Bianco & Capesante (bottom) Hokkaido Scallop, Yuzu, Brown Butter, Avocado, Pine Nuts --- one of the creamiest, most buttery yet refreshing scallop bites I've ever tried PASTA: Lasagna (top) 40 Layer, Short Rib Sugo, Truffle Mornay, Sottocenere Cheese & lobster pasta (bottom) couldn't resist @lardentedc's viral 40 layer lasagna, and now I can personally confirm it deserves all the attention but honestly, all of their pastas are incredible!

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

My girlfriend and I went to Olio e Più in DC today, and unfortunately, I really can't say it was a…read moregood experience. It started from the moment we walked in. We had a reservation, but despite most of the dining area being open with plenty of available tables, they tried to seat us at a strange table tucked into a corner behind a plant. I asked if we could move, and they graciously accommodated us, but it was an odd way to start the night. I'm not sure why guests with a reservation would be placed in a corner when the restaurant had so much availability. The service throughout the night was even more confusing. Our designated server was initially very friendly and was never rude, but after seeing her early on, she disappeared for quite a while. Then another server came over and asked if we had been helped. Later, a third server came by, and throughout the meal another two or three people helped us at different points. You would think having that many people involved would mean faster service, but somehow it was the opposite. We had to repeat requests multiple times, whether it was asking for a drink menu, bread, or eventually the check. A drink I ordered when our food came out never arrived until we were ready to leave. We also had to ask for the check three separate times before we finally received it. As for the food, the Caesar salad was decent, although I've had better. The bruschetta was actually pretty good. The tomato and olive pairing worked really well with the sauce and arugula. The pasta, unfortunately, was the biggest disappointment. I'm genuinely surprised by how bad it was. The pasta was watery, the noodles had a strange texture, and the overall flavor was incredibly bland. My girlfriend and I aren't particularly picky eaters, either. We both struggled to understand what had gone wrong with the main entrées because they simply weren't very good. There was also a bizarre situation with the cacio e pepe. The menu specifically says that it is prepared tableside, which was part of the reason we ordered it. There appeared to be enough room in the aisle for the cheese wheel cart, but instead, a staff member came over and essentially told us he wasn't going to bring the cart to our table because he didn't want to ask the nearby guests to move their chairs in slightly. He told us he would make it farther away and that we could go watch if we wanted, then walked away. Even the people seated next to us looked confused and asked us, "They can't move the cart next to you guys? There's plenty of space." We were just as confused as they were. Obviously, tableside cacio e pepe is ultimately just pasta and cheese, but if your menu specifically advertises the experience as being prepared next to the table, guests are going to reasonably expect that experience. Otherwise, don't advertise it that way. The restaurant did comp the drink that arrived extremely late, which I appreciate, but I honestly didn't care about getting a free drink. I ordered it because I wanted to enjoy it with my meal while celebrating something with my girlfriend. By the time it arrived, that opportunity was already gone. The atmosphere didn't help much either. The restaurant was strangely cold, and the lighting felt oddly bright for dinner service. For roughly $150, the entire experience was incredibly disappointing. Between the bland pasta, disorganized and slow service, strange seating situation, and the tableside experience that never actually happened tableside, I simply can't justify the price. Maybe their New York locations are better, but in DC, there are far better meals you can have for this kind of money. Our server told us that every bite would be "a little trip to Italy." Unfortunately, it felt more like a trip to a high school cafeteria. My high school's pasta was better. 3/10. I wouldn't return, and I wouldn't recommend it.

If Filomena isn't already on your must try DC restaurant list, go add it now!…read more One of the first things you notice is the nonnas in the front rolling fresh pasta, which is such a memorable touch and gives you a glimpse into the experience you're about to have. As you walk down the stairs and into the restaurant, you're welcomed into a dimly lit space with pink lighting and beautiful decor, creating an atmosphere that feels like an experience from the moment you arrive. The food was absolutely delicious, and the portions were huge. My biggest regret was not taking pictures, but I guess that just shows how excited I was to eat! We started with delicious warm bread and pesto, and then we ordered the Linguine Cardinale and Vitello alla Marsala, both of which were incredible. The food, the service, the ambiance, and everything in between were fantastic. I seriously can't wait to go back!

The restaurant looks modest from the outside, but head downstairs and you'll find a bustling,…read morelively dining room. One neat detail right off the bat: you can watch women making fresh pasta by hand through the upstairs window. The ambiance downstairs had plenty of decorations--not very traditional Italian, though I suspect they were just getting an early start on Halloween. The food itself was delicious and comes in massive, shareable portions. Luckily, our Lyft driver tipped us off about the sizes ahead of time, so my wife and I split the short ribs and a pasta dish along with a glass of wine each. Even with splitting entrees, the bill still came out to around $100, so expect higher prices. Service was the main downside. Our waiter, Vito, was purely transactional and completely devoid of personality--it felt like he really didn't want to be there. Worth a visit for the pasta and generous plates, but don't expect warm hospitality.

Drink of Choice: Passionfruit Mocktail…read more Food: Il Bruco Pizza - this pizza was delicious! I'm a fan of Grazie Nonna and have been often but always order the pasta. I decided to try the pizza this go around and it did not disappoint. The crust was cooked perfectly and not soggy despite it being on the thin side. It was a large pizza and definitely enough for two people or to take home. I could taste the truffle which was a hit. I would definitely order this again or my old faithful fettuccine alfredo!

We had a great first experience at Grazie Nonna. First of all - the space is so cute. We loved the…read moregothic-granny's house vibes inside. And they have a super cute patio outside that's far enough off the main street to be quiet and shaded. We started with cocktails. I especially enjoyed the Elderflower Spritz. You gotta have a spritz at an Italian place, right?? Then, we had our appetizers - the tuna tartare and buratta. Both were fresh, pretty and tasty! We loved the panzanella salad with the creamy burrata. And the tuna tartare was chopped nicely and seasoned well. The standout for us was their pizza though. Mamma mia!! The Drunken love with pepperoni and vodka sauce was to die for. Their pizza is like a mix between NY style and Neapolitan. The crust is crispy and puffy. It took a lot of will power to not eat the whole thing. The pastas fell a little short for us. The alfredo was just ok- not the best flavor. And the pesto was really soupy and a huge portion. Definitely, more Italian American than traditional Italian. We wrapped up the dinner with a cannoli brownie. A fun take on the classic Italian dessert. Overall, a delicious meal! We will be back for pizza FOR SURE.

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

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!

We had a wonderful experience here! The lasagna and the calzone were both absolutely…read moredelicious--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The service was just as amazing. Our server, Monroy, was friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome throughout the meal. We'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend!

my friends and I LOVE this spot! Bruno and the team are always so accommodating and hospitable. We…read morerecommend the spritz happy hour to anyone and everyone! Favorite Italian spot in Georgetown easily!!

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

A cute little neighborhood spot. Was in the mood for pasta and decided to go on a whim on a…read moreSaturday night. It was crowded but there were still a few seats available. Found it to be a bit louder than I would've liked but I think it was because of the spacing between tables. Came toward the end of the night and got seated and welcomed right away. I ordered the polpette, meatballs to start. They were quite tasty, but the sauce was a bit watery. Think that's just because the meatballs themselves were pretty juicy. Heard the focaccia was a hit, so asked for some of that. I was told they didn't have any left. Which was weird, because then another server came and asked if I wanted bread. I'm glad I said yes because the focaccia is very fresh and was a great addition to the meal. For my main, I ordered the vodka pasta, which was very flavorful and very saucy. I love a good, thick vodka sauce and that's what you'll get here. The one part of the pasta I didn't really enjoy was the chicken inside the pasta. I think I would've preferred a grilled chicken option instead of the chicken that comes in the pasta. That being said, this place is a gem. The prices are great and the portions are hearty. The pasta is thick, you're really coming here for fresh noodles and ingredients. If you want to top your meal off just right, you'll get the chocolate lava cake. Very delicious! Service was good and staff was very attentive!

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

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

Our meals tasted as good as they looked-- our starters and entrees were beautifully plated. We had…read morethe caprese salad and portobello mushrooms and then the lamb chops and lamb shank. Service was attentive and efficient. We'll be back. .

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

I had the tortellini mignon- absolutely loved it. Great service and ambiance. Great for a date…read morelunch/dinner.

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.