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    Sfoglina - Downtown

    4.1 (395 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    SFOGLINA - DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

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    Braised Beef Short Rib Agnolotti
    Shawnice N.

    I have nothing but beautiful things to say about my experience at Sfoglina Downtown. Reservations are highly recommended. My husband and I were originally booked at another Italian restaurant in DC for our anniversary, but after receiving a glowing recommendation from a family member the same day, we decided to switch--and luckily snagged a 7:45 PM reservation. We arrived about 30 minutes early, planning to sit at the bar while we waited. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly by the host. Even though we were early, she checked on our table and let us know the current party was finishing up. Within minutes, the manager came over to personally welcome us and offered complimentary prosecco--which was honestly the best I've ever had. At the bar, the bartender immediately acknowledged us, offered water, and made us feel genuinely welcome. In DC, that's not always the case when you're just waiting for a table--but here, the hospitality never dropped off. We were seated early around 7:30, and our waiter, Oscar, was fantastic. His recommendations were spot on. We loved the prosecco so much that we ordered a bottle, and even then, the manager thoughtfully poured a small sample again before serving--such a great touch. A wine chiller followed promptly. For appetizers, we had the burrata and garlic bread with ricotta--both were rich, indulgent, and absolutely divine. For entrées, we ordered the beef ragu and chicken parmesan. Both dishes were incredibly flavorful and rich--honestly, the kind of food that has you sitting back like "wow" after every bite. The service and attention to detail were some of the best we've ever experienced dining out. Our water glasses were never empty--not once--and the same went for our prosecco. In fact, we never poured either our Acqua Panna or our wine the entire night. That level of attentiveness is rare. Dessert was chef's kiss--a chocolate cake paired with a complimentary vanilla strawberry ice cream that instantly reminded me of childhood, but in an elevated way. You know when food feels nostalgic but still refined? That's exactly what it was. Another standout detail: when they cleared our plates, they gave us small ticket stubs to retrieve our leftovers at the front. No clutter, no packing at the table--just seamless. We were checked on throughout the evening by multiple staff members, all warm, friendly, and attentive without ever being intrusive. And to top it off, the next day we received a lovely email from the manager thanking us for dining with them. The level of service was truly exceptional--and this is coming from a couple who collectively spent over 15 years working in hospitality as servers, hosts, bartenders, and bussers. We notice the details, and this place exceeded expectations across the board. 10/10. We will absolutely be back and will recommend to everyone. And the best part? They did all of this without even knowing it was our anniversary.

    Shar Z.

    I sat outside for one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had in awhile. Top notch dishes - spicy rigatoni alla vodka is an absolute must. Happy hour menu is just wow - $4 deviled eggs which were best I've ever had. Also tried the provolone bread which was really well balanced. The staff are happy to work there, friendly. Alejandro is the man! I can't wait to be back in dc to come back!! Loved it all

    Seating
    Justin B.

    We had an early dinner (5:30pm) on a Thursday. The service was great. Ironically I had made a reservation and added my wife has a slight basil allergy. Most places have asked if we have any allergies and they did not when ordering. We did order the chicken parm and spaghetti, which both had basil. I would add that I ordered the braised short rib agnolotti which was some of the best I've ever had. If you love a creamy rib ravioli style plate, I highly recommend. The manager came and checked on us which was appreciated. We did order tiramisu which was a little disappointing, as it had a chocolate cake base instead of lady fingers. But we also received a soft serve vanilla/strawberry dessert compliments of the restaurant. Overall great dining experience. The vibe is great if you love an Italian theme with fun Motown and Sinatra jams.

    Butternut squash tortelloni
    Debbie H.

    Spotted this place walking through DC and decided to stop in for dinner at the bar. Started with a glass of Sancerre (might have been a 9 oz pour - no judging!). The ambiance is warm and inviting - lots of folks having a great time chatting and dining. Also ordered the butternut squash tortelloni with brown butter and crispy sage. The pasta was super fresh and delicate. The perfect bite! The staff were friendly and attentive. Next time I'm coming back with friends.

    Lily S.

    Overall, a delightful (albeit pricey) experience. We started w the mozzarella trio, which in hindsight was way too much for two. I liked two of the cheeses - can't recall the one that was meh. I also wish they had more basil on the plate- it was fresh and delicious. The Tagliere di Salumi was a nice accompaniment, albeit some of the pieces were a bit salty. The rosemary bread was some of the best bread I've had in my entire life. Full stop. If that was the only thing I could eat for the rest of my life, I'd be ok with it. For mains, I had the braised beef agnolotti - good but just a touch too salty. My friend had squid ink pasta and really enjoyed it. The service was great. Not bougie fold your napkin while you're in the restroom bougie but perfect hand offs and plate clearing, and "we'll box this for you and put it out of sight by the host stand and give you a coat check ticket so you can pick it up on your way out" bougie. And they had a coat check 10/10. The one downside- y'all have lost your minds w the cost of drinks. Seriously. Please examine that menu. $80 for a bottle of Sauvignon blanc that I can pick up at Total Wine for $22? Please. Also, the fact that the place was only 60% full at best on a Friday night (we were there from 6-9 pm so I'm confident in my assessment) tells you something and the food is not the issue.

    Branzino
    Antonia N.

    I cannot say enough good things about Sfoglina Downtown!! We have been loyal customers of Fiola and Fiola Mare for years. Now, we're big fans of Sfoglina too. (Despite still having trouble saying the name - lol). We had a lovely dinner for my 40th birthday in one of their private rooms last night. The room was decorated nicely, with a comfortable table for the 14 of us. We had an amazing 4 course meal - starting with their tender, flavorful meatballs, delicate salad with goat cheese and tomatoes and their rosemary bread with whipped ricotta. Everything was served family style which was super fun and interactive. Then came the pasta course - with cheesy and peppery cacio e pepe and short rib filled Agnolotti with the most amazing truffle sauce. Everyone at the table was commenting on how perfectly cooked the pasta was and how good they were. I agree!! Then we moved onto our segundi - branzino with a puttanesca sauce and hangar steak. Again, the fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce was so flavorful! Finally, we had their luscious tiramisu with the most delicious layers and cream. Probably best I've ever had (but it kept me up ALL night - true to its name, pick me up!). The service was impeccable - the servers so attentive and helpful. The waters were always filled, the plates cleared and courses served at the perfect times. Grazie mille, Sfoglina for a truly special birthday and perfect evening!

    Tuscan Tomato Soup
    Michael R.

    Sfoglina is always a good time! This visit, I stopped by for dinner with friends and we had a lovely experience. The atmosphere is warm, intimate and inviting - perfect for catching up with friends or for a nice date night. Our server was on point, providing great service with plenty of charm and humor, making sure sure we had everything we needed and offering great suggestions throughout our meal. As always, the food did not disappoint. I started with the Tuscan tomato soup - it was lovely! The warm rosemary bread with whipped ricotta perfectly complemented it. For my main dish I had the ravioli which was pretty good. The desert was delicious (I can't remember the name but I took a picture below!) Also the drinks are really good! Sfolgina is a go-to spot in the city for good Italian food and great drinks. I will definitely return for more good times and to explore more of the menu.

    Andrew T.

    Service was great, the place has a great vibe to it. Cocktails were on point, the bread was amazing. Then came the main meal, perhaps my choice was the wrong one, the cacio de Pepe lacked the creaminess and pepper I've come to expect, only one of us three enjoyed our main course. However, the desert saved the review. The tiramisu is the best ?outside of Italy) I have had A must. We talked about the desert the rest of the night.

    Menu
    Jerry L.

    Appetizers and main course were all delicious! The service as great too. Definitely will come back when back in DC.

    Absolutely loved this place! The atmosphere was amazing, the food was delicious, and the service truly made the experience even better. Everyone was so kind, attentive, and kept checking in to make sure we were doing well. They even surprised us with a free dessert at the end, which was such a sweet touch. You can really tell they care about their customers. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants and I can't wait to come back!

    Spicy Squid Ink Tagliatelle - part of $85 "Pasta Tasting of 3"

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    2 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Private group dinner that I was invited to and the food was delicious! Service was great. And the desserts were delicious.

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    Wonderful food. A little different than typical Italian. Service was good but not great. Nice atmosphere.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - Sfoglina - Downtown

    Can I see a dessert menu, and what do you recommend?

    The pistachio cake is delicious! I'd consider it large enough to be shared between at least two people.

    Is it good for kids?

    Food wise - probably if your kids aren't picky. It is "cozy" though

    View All 3 Questions

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    Celebrated my birthday at L'Ardente and they did NOT disappoint! The lobster pasta and that famous…read more40-layer short rib lasagna were absolutely delicious. My drink was the Pornstar Martini with caviar, cute presentation, but they can keep the caviar next time . The ambiance was EVERYTHING, the customer service was amazing, and they even surprised me with cake and a candle. I LOVE L'ARDENTE!

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    4.2(3.9k reviews)
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    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!

    Filomena has been a Georgetown staple since 1983, and the history is everywhere. It's known as the…read morerestaurant that's dined presidents, celebrities, and just about everyone in between, with walls covered in photos to prove it. You can even watch the nonnas in the front window rolling fresh pasta by hand. I ordered the Linguini Cardinale, one of President Clinton's favorites and on the menu since 1983. Absolutely delicious. I also had the Vitello alla Marsala, and the portions are huge across the board. They start you off with three kinds of bread, hot and fresh, along with a pesto sauce that is incredible. To finish, they bring a choice between two different digestivos, a nice touch to end the meal. The atmosphere is dark with this pink lighting that gives the whole place a really cool feel. Service was exceptional from start to finish. This one is special, and worth seeking out when you're in DC.

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    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.

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    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!

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    Osteria Al  Volo - Fettuccine Amatriciana

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    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.

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    Sfoglina - Downtown - italian - Updated September 2026

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