Retrobottega just happened to be a hop, skip, and a jump from our hotel…read more A friend recommended it, and as soon as we sat down I understood why-everyone is so friendly and accommodating. A gentleman who worked there offered to take a photo of us, after watching us struggle with a selfie, the staff quickly grabbed an extra chair when we had a 5th guest, and our waitress was attentive, knowledgeable and sweet. While waiting for the rest of our party I tried two drinks. I can recommend both- retro passion and bourbon ginger beer concoction. We followed that with arancini and fried artichoke. Yes and yes. For the main meals, they generously let us slip large portions. I tried the short rib parpadelle, and although a tad under seasoned, everything was prepared properly and my pasta was perfectly al dente. Out of the 5 who visited 3 did not care for their meal, but I think we could all agree that the drinks, apps, and portions were on point. *So, we ended up grabbing dinner here two days after our initial visit- I can't say I recommend the octopus, and the beef carpaccio was "take it or leave it", but the gnocchi was pillowy perfection...just know that this is a heavy dish!

Finally a restaurant in Adam's Morgan that I would actually want to come back to!…read more Food exceeded our expectations- I had the ossobuco w veal shank - melted off the bone and the only bad part about the risotto is that there wasn't enough of it! The complimentary bread was absolutely divine. One of us got the bruschetta and it was beautiful (and delicious). The space is small but doesn't feel cramped. What really stood out though was the service. We were a little early on our Resi before the restaurant opened. Rather than have us wait in the rain, the staff let us in. They don't split checks, but they did it for us anyway. It's those kinds of little gestures that really make a difference. Bonus- great leychee martini.

One of my favorite neighborhood spots for homemade pasta and an excellent dirty martini! Tortellini…read moreis my fav but portion is small. Service has always been amazing when I come even if it's crowded. Servers like Brendan are friendly and really take great care of patrons especially when I've come in solo during the week!

We've dined at Lupo Verde at least half a dozen times, and it has been consistently excellent. The…read morerestaurant is narrow and lively, with high-top tables and banquette seating that can be a little tricky to slide into, but once you're settled, the food and drinks more than make up for it. The staff are knowledgeable, the drinks are well made, and the maître d' is especially accommodating, making guests feel welcome with warm Italian flourishes. If you want something quieter or more romantic, ask for a two-person table upstairs or toward the back. There is also bar seating, and the banquette offers a great bird's-eye view of the bar scene. Because the space is small and popular, reservations are definitely recommended. Lupo Verde remains one of those reliable DC restaurants where the hospitality, atmosphere, and food all work beautifully together.

The Perfect Post-Comedy Nightcap!…read more After catching a comedy show at DC Improv, we wanted somewhere nearby to grab a little nightcap, and Grazie Mille was the perfect choice! DRINKS: We came specifically for cocktails and a little post-show wind-down, and Grazie Mille definitely delivered. It's the kind of place where you can grab a drink and relax earlier in the evening, but the energy picks up as the night goes on. VIBE & ATMOSPHERE: This is where Grazie Mille really shines! Tucked away in a hidden alley behind Grazie Nonna, it has this dark, moody vinyl lounge feel that makes it feel like you've stumbled upon a little hidden gem in downtown DC. We especially loved the outdoor patio, where the DJ sets up on Saturday nights. It is SO cool and chic! The combination of the outdoor space, music, and late-night energy makes it perfect when you're not ready for the night to end but don't necessarily want to go to a full-blown club. Grazie Mille transitions from an Italian-American dinner spot earlier in the evening into more of a high-energy late-night lounge and party vibe, which I love. You can really make it whatever kind of night you're looking for. FUN FACT: Grazie Mille is from the same restaurateur behind Grazie Grazie at The Wharf and neighboring Grazie Nonna. Clearly there's a gratitude theme happening with the names, and I'm here for it! SERVICE & PRICE: The service was probably the biggest downside of the night. I stood at the bar for about 15 minutes before anyone even acknowledged me. At one point, a guy who clearly knew one of the bartenders walked up, cut in front of me, and yelled out his order. Instead of letting him know I had been waiting, the bartender actually stopped and listened to his order while completely ignoring the fact that I'd been standing there. That definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. And speaking of things that are hard to swallow...the prices! $26 for a skinny margarita is ridiculous. I expect to pay a premium for cocktails in downtown DC, especially at a trendy lounge, but $26 for a margarita is excessive. OVERALL: Grazie Mille was exactly what we needed after DC Improv: good drinks, great music, a chic atmosphere, and a really fun crowd. Whether you're looking for a nightcap, date-night drinks, or somewhere to keep the night going on a Saturday, this is definitely one to add to the list. I'll absolutely be back, especially for another Saturday night on that patio!

This place is the bar side extension of the restaurant, Grazie Nonna. We went here for their happy…read morehour after work. We were seated right away in the bar area outdoors. Someone came to take our orders but we weren't served food or drinks until almost 30 mins after. Our food came before any of the drinks did and I cancelled my drink by then since I had already filled up on food. The food was great though. We ordered the cacio e Pepe, chicken cutlets, and mozzarella sticks. If we come back, we'll order the cacio e Pepe and the chicken but not the mozzarella sticks since they had candied garlic which I'm not a huge fan of. The cacio e Pepe was very creamy and a decent portion to fill up on. The chicken sandwich was spicy and came on focaccia on a bed of lettuce with spicy dressing. We didn't order the Sicilian slices but saw other people order and would consider ordering if we come back.

"Hot" restaurants come and go in Logan Circle, but for a decade now, we've always come back to…read moreEtto. In fact, we often make a reservation somewhere else, but plan to stop here first. If we can nab a table at this cozy no-reservations spot, we cancel the reservation elsewhere. Etto remains casual but sophisticated, with seasonal specials made with premium quality fresh ingredients, prepared simply and with respect. You can always count on interesting, unique, and intense flavors, from bar snacks to cocktails, salads to charcuterie, and reliable seasonal Neapolitan pizzas. Pair a pizza here with a few small savory plates and salads and you have a beautiful meal. Items we always come back to include a bar snack of prosciutto and burrata (or pecorino), the watercress caesar (or any salad for that matter), roasted meatballs, and a terrific plain tomato pie.

Food was delicious, ambiance was very nice sitting outside, with the place setting it felt romantic…read moreand service was great. They had several different staff members coming around picking up plates, filling waters, and everyone was so nice.

Excellent stop at The Wharf with clear views across the Washington Channel. I ordered the Calamari…read moreFritto and a Margherita pizza (adding crispy pepperoni). Both were very good. The calamari came with shrimp (bonus in my book...!), was properly crisp, and the basil aioli worked well. The pizza had a solid crust and good balance of cheese and toppings. I usually don't ever mention the iced tea, but it was very refreshing and delicious here! I was dining alone and could not finish the pizza, so I offered the remaining half to a table of four nearby rather than let it go to waste. Server Emma took excellent care of me throughout the meal. Friendly, attentive, and professional without being overbearing. Service with a smile and a pleasant waterfront setting. Worth a visit if you are at The Wharf and want solid Italian with a view.

During my last stay at the Canopy, I decided to try Capitano for dinner and was so impressed that I…read morereturned for breakfast! Service: I placed my orders for pick up so that experience went by without a hitch. The staff were very nice and they packaged my order with care. The restaurant itself was beautiful and a perfect place to sit and dine for those desiring to do so. Dinner: for dinner I ordered the crispy chicken cavatappi and a side of crispy brussel sprouts. The cavatappi was phenomenal! The cook on the pasta was al dente and the flavors, a rich combination of citrusy savoriness, was so refreshing. The chicken serving was a little small but I think that the pasta swept me away. The crispy brussels were out of this world! The dressing was both creamy and tangy and it perfectly coated each of the crispy brussels without overpowering it. I was blown away by both dishes The next day I grabbed breakfast and we decided on smashed avocado toast and a lemon ricotta waffles. The smashed avocado toast was simply divine!!!! The cook on the fried egg was perfect and the flavors combined on the sourdough bread-REMARKABLE! The waffles were also incredible, no complaints heard. Overall, it's rare that I eat from the same place back to back but when the food is that good, you don't want to break your winning streak!

Loved my short stroll through center city. Friend suggested this restaurant for a quick bite. And…read morewe chose outdoor sitting. Such a lovely atmosphere. Great service. Nice staff. Good food. I got yellow tail. It was so fresh and served in delicious strawberry sauce. Then i ordered chargrilled octopus. My friend got gnocchi. And loved it. They work with different chefs on certain nights. Check their events. Looks great Indoor was really nice. Dark. And good size bar

Stopped in on a weekday for a business lunch to catch up with a former colleague, and Centrolina…read moreprovided the perfect backdrop. The stroll through CityCenter sets a nice tone before you even walk through the door. Upon entering, the first thing you notice is the wood stacked for the wood-fire grill, which creates a great atmosphere. The layout is well-thought-out, featuring plenty of two-top tables that are ideal for a cozy lunch, alongside larger tables to accommodate groups. Our waiter was excellent and informed us that the chef prepares a new menu daily, focusing on Italian dishes made with locally farm-sourced ingredients. The entire staff was great, maintaining an unrushed pace that allowed for a truly leisurely meal. For the food: * **Bread Service:** We started with a selection of table breads and olive oil. They were fine, though not necessarily the highlight of the meal. * **Verde Salad:** This was amazing, especially with the addition of the fried egg. * **Wood-Fired Grilled Swordfish:** My main course was fantastic, served with perfectly roasted small carrots. I would definitely visit again for the quality of the ingredients and the professional yet relaxed service.

Michelin star Italian restaurant with a seasonal 5 & 7 course menu of small courses…read more I came here with my fiance for dinner and while there was a ton of food included in our ~$650 meal, we were pretty underwhelmed by the flavors. They used a bunch of expensive ingredients (caviar, escargot, etc.) but the majority of the dishes and drinks did not taste amazing. It was fine, but we expected more from a place with the accolades & price tag that this place has Service was very solid (our waters were never empty & they folded our napkins when we got up to use the bathroom), but our server was very strange/was making odd banter with us

Continuing on my journey to eat at all of DC's Michelin Star restaurants, I was so excited to try…read moreMasseria! The space is absolutely beautiful. Even though it's right in the middle of busy Union Market, it feels like its own little oasis our servers were super attentive (my water glass never got even close to empty!!) We opted for the 6-course dinner (they offer a few different levels and this was right in the middle ) which was 220pp I think the breads, especially the potato focaccia and the savory bombolini, as well as the pastas were real standouts of the evening. I had one cocktail, The Last Word, which was delicious but a bit pricey at like $28. I think the duck course was my least favorite, also because it was the last course before dessert and I was absolutely stuffed by then. The desserts were very tasty and a great way to end the evening. Overall, I enjoyed the experience, and if I were to go again, I'd probably opt for the 4 courses because 6 almost did me in haha

6 pm on a Saturday night, all the tables were booked but they have a decent amount of bar space so…read moreour 3 person party was able to sit immediately at the bar. Our service obviously was prompt because of that. It wasn't loud or crowded or rowdy. A calm atmosphere. Our pizzas were amazing. Top tier I swear. We had the Sedgwick and Buona. The Sedgwick was my favorite but they were both so so good. Not too expensive either. I would recommend this anytime!

I had a great time visiting here for happy hour with my friend who frequents here a lot. We shared…read morecalamari and garlic bread together. The calamari could use some more seasoning and marinara sauce. We both grab a happy hour pizza which was really good. I thought the vibe was fairly cozy and the customer service was great at the bar.