There is a reason I continue coming back to L'Ardente,every visit somehow manages to outdo the…read morelast, and this one was extra special as we celebrated one of my fraternity brothers' 40th birthday. We had a 12:30 PM reservation, and surprisingly...we actually made it on time. Well, I did anyway. To kick things off, we started with tequila, Reposado for me and a smoked tequila cocktail for my frat brother. It was the perfect way to toast another trip around the sun. For appetizers, we ordered the Caesar and the Verdure Grigliate, both of which were fresh, flavorful, and the perfect start to the meal. From there, we moved on to two of my favorites: the Duck Hunt Pizza and the Gamberi. The Duck Hunt continues to be one of the most unique pizzas in DC, balancing rich, savory flavors with an incredible crust, while the Gamberi was cooked beautifully and packed with flavor. Of course, no visit to L'Ardente is complete without the Lasagna. If you have been here before, you already know. Layer after layer of perfectly balanced pasta, cheese, and sauce, it remains one of the best lasagnas I have had anywhere. We wrapped everything up with the Blueberry Panna Cotta, which was light, creamy, and the perfect ending to an incredible birthday lunch. As amazing as the food was, the service deserves just as much praise. Our server, David, was absolutely phenomenal. Hospitality like his is becoming harder to find. When another one of my fraternity brothers decided to join us unexpectedly, David happily accommodated him even though he was not part of the original reservation. He made sure our guest felt just as welcome and even served two celebratory shots at the table, adding another memorable touch to an already fantastic afternoon. L'Ardente has mastered the complete dining experience. The stunning dining room, consistently outstanding food, handcrafted cocktails, and genuinely warm service make it one of the best restaurants in Washington, DC. Every visit reminds me why it remains one of my favorite places to recommend. 10/10. Somehow every visit is my best visit, and this birthday celebration was no exception. If you are looking for a restaurant that gets every detail right from the food to the service to the atmosphere, L'Ardente should absolutely be on your list!

This place has been on my list for a while so I was excited to finally check this place out…read more The staff were incredibly kind and very knowledgeable with their menu. They were super attentive to us throughout our meal. For our meal, we ordered the Cesare, the Rigatoni alla Carbonara, and their famous Lasagna with 40 layers. Everything came out in a super timely manner and each dish was so rich in flavor. I am happy that my friend and I ended up splitting everything. The Cesare was addictive, the Carbonara was very creamy so the bite of salty bacon in the dish was a welcoming taste and then Lasagna was divine. It reminded me almost of eating a delicious warm stew but in lasagna form, making it such a comforting meal to eat. It was a lovely experience and is the perfect spot for your next date night.

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!

As a man with an Italian mother, I can say with confidence you won't be disappointed. This was some…read moreof the best home-style Italian food I've gotten from a restaurant. Oftentimes there's something wrong with restaurant Italian food. Maybe it's the serving size, the sauce, the quality of the meat, the pasta itself, or the price. I have to say they all lined up perfectly here. The price point is rather high, but considering quality and quantity, it makes perfect sense, and I'd say is well-priced. I'll also add - I ordered my food from a delivery service. So I didn't even get to experience the restaurant itself, where I'm sure the food would have been even better. If I had one piece of constructive criticism, the meatballs were maybe a tad too salty. I loved them, but to eat all four in the Matrimonia, I felt a bit tapped out by the end. This is also because the serving size is, as mentioned, massive. So really hard to say this is a criticism, as if there were fewer or smaller meatballs, you'd be extra grateful for the punch they have.

I've heard about this place from several people and tonight a friend and I decided to take our…read morechances with no reservation. The hostess apologized that we were on a two-hour waitlist without a reservation, but we were all in at this point so said go ahead and put us on it. Simultaneously we staked out the bar and, after about a half hour, scored two seats in the very small, 6 to 8 seat bar. They serve the full menu there and we really enjoyed the very kind, knowledgeable bartender, so decided to drop from the waitlist and stay put. As a vegetarian, my offerings here were a bit slim but there were a few. Three entrées were listed under pasta with vegetables, but one, the carbonara, does contain pancetta. The bartender said we could leave that out to make it vegetarian and it was the most popular choice so I went with it. It had spinach and ricotta ravioli, mushrooms and some peas. It was absolutely delicious. When we left we saw a sweet nonna making raviolis in the front window. Amazing. All the pasta is handmade. My friend got one of the specials which included lobster, scallops and pasta in a lobster sauce. The bartender described how they press the lobster for the sauce and my friend was out of her mind at how delicious it was. She's taking her leftovers on a flight home to Cleveland. The bartender mentioned he was a nondrinker like myself and was happy to put together a mocktail for me. It was orange, cranberry and pineapple juice with some soda and it was delicious, made even better with a garnish of a cherry and orange slice that made it feel intentional and special. We got tiramisu for dessert which is probably going to go down in my memory as one of the top tiramisus I have eaten anywhere. They have a dessert case in front that reminded me of a famous dessert case at Gullifty's, a restaurant from Pittsburgh's distant past. In one of the joys of sitting at a bar we struck up a conversation with two older gentlemen, one who was celebrating a birthday. The bartender brought over some Sambuca and amaretto and offered each of the gentlemen and my friend a cordial glass of either. Everyone chose the amaretto, and I was a bit sorry to no longer be drinking because I would have been all in on the Sambuca. That was a nice touch. This place goes all out on decorations, currently for America's 250th birthday, but my friend said last time it was like that for Halloween. This restaurant is a bit of an experience and I really enjoyed it. The only thing stopping it from being five stars was my disappointment in them not having a red sauce suitable for vegetarians. It's Sunday sauce or tomato sauce, both of which have a meat base. Even the eggplant lasagna has Sunday sauce which is an odd choice as this is something a lot of vegetarians might otherwise order. I've run into this a lot and know from my own kitchen it's not hard to make a marinara, which would be a lovely option to offer. A fun night out. With one drink each and a split dessert, plan on spending at least $100 a person here. My bill was just under 100 for vegetarian entrée, mocktail, half the dessert and tip.

Good food, good vibes and great service. It tends to be busy but if you don't mind a wait they can…read moreusually fit you in! Get the green goddess pizza, sounds like a strange combo but it's delicious

This review is well overdue but has been word of mouthed to several people since coming here for my…read morebirthday in August. From the time I arrived they made me feel special and wasn't even wearing anything that said it was my birthday. I brought a cake with me and I was going to ask how much they charge for storage and they told me "Nothing, it's free of charge". They relieved me so much. Now for the atmosphere, it was so so elegant in there even thinking about it now makes me want to go back just to stare at those wax candles that creates mountains of dripped wax which is its own kind of art. Next, let's take about the mouthwatering and delicious food we had. I ordered the Vodka Sauce Pasta and it was the perfect amount of heat and flavor. I also got a side of garlic bread and it was so crispy, light, buttery, and garlicky, just like I like it. My husband ordered the Drunken Love Pizza and of course I had to try a slice and WOWWWW. That one slice of pizza had me drooling it was so yummy!! Everyone enjoyed their food and it was great time. Now, on to my cake, I'd brought candles, plates, and even a knife with me to cut the cake. To my surprise, they brought the cake out with lit candles and everyone sung Happy Birthday to me. They even cut and served the cake to us. Keep in mind, there was not a charge on the bill for this either. It truly made my birthday even more special. Grazie Nonna, you don't understand how happy you made me feel that day. Thank you so much for the love shown on my special day. I will forever tell people this story. Thank you!

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!

My brother and I had an excellent meal and experience while visiting the area. Virginia, our…read moreserver, was amazing and provided excellent service. Would definitely recommend to anyone in the area!

Gabriel was amazing! Quick service & good food! The mushroom ravioli was the star of the show!read more

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!

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.

TLDR - came here almost 2 years ago and it's just as delicious as I remember! So glad I came back…read more I'm looking forward to the next time! Stopped by for lunch around 1 and the place was empty! My waitress was so kind and attentive without hovering. She even offered to turn the music down some which was a lovely suggestion. I ordered the mussels piccata to start and the braised lamb ravioli. Both were excellent! Delicious flavor and nice portion size especially for the price. About midway through both dishes started to taste a bit rich - I think they would be perfect enjoyed together or alongside a lighter dish.

It's a small restaurant and very cozy! First came here for a team dinner. Every single bite was…read moreimpressive! So I had to bring my family to experience it as well We did - and they were also blown away by each bite of even the simplest dishes! Their caprese salad has changed how my family does salad forever!!! And the shrimp scampi- oh that was so flavorful - pairing with the garlic bread that came with it - was simply heaven. Their risotto with pan seared scallops- perfectly done! We did not order anything fancy , just simple dishes and were blown away- that - is pretty darn good! Wish we lived closer to enjoy this place more often- and yes we will be heading there again this weekend!

There is no place like Floriana. Genuinely the best food... so much so that my husband and I chose…read moreFloriana for our wedding night. Cozy interior, quiet and romantic. It's in an over 100 year old house and it's beautiful. The food? Wow. Incredible. Nothing isn't delicious. Tender and al denté pasta. Everyone is so kind. The general manager and AJ helped to make our night so special. What a place.

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.