5 /5 Mari Baci: I was staying with friends in the area who said this was some of the best Italian in the capital—and it did not disappoint.
The restaurant itself is very charming, with a cozy, old New York Italian feel: plenty of grandma-style clutter on the walls and romantic, dim lighting. Our servers were friendly, attentive, and never rushed us. They poured our wine professionally and were helpful when answering questions.
We started with the meatballs and the grilled octopus. Both appetizers were well sized but not huge, just enough for 2–4 people to share. I don’t eat seafood, but I tried some of the beans that came with the octopus, and they were excellent. The meatballs were also impressive, especially for restaurant meatballs.
For mains, my friend and I split the Duck Scarpariello and the Duck Ragu. Both were flavorful and satisfying, though I personally wasn’t a fan of the duck sausage (everyone else loved it, though!). My friends raved about the squid ink pasta and fra diavolo. One friend ordered one of the specials, truffle pasta, which was very rich and truffle-y.
Overall, this was a wonderful place. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was full of character, and the staff made us feel welcome. Prices are on the higher side, but I’d happily return.