dbmoss t1_jefn6bg wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:41 PM

For me it’s a toss up between The Red Hen in NW DC and Filomena in Georgetown. Filomena is more traditional and expensive. But the portions are huge/family style. The Red Hen is a little more modern.

Honorable mentions to Rose’s Luxury near Eastern Market. It’s not technically Italian but they always have modern pasta dishes on the menu (plus they give you free little make your own cacio e pepe kits when you leave).

Lupo Marino, it’s kind of pricy for what you get but IMO is best Italian option at the wharf/beats Officina.

Osteria Morini in the navy yard is pretty good, their cheese board is the best thing there imo though.

Stellina Pizzeria, is mostly known for their pizza but the pasta there is actually pretty good too - specifically their cacio e pepe

1crazyarchitect t1_jefp9ua wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:54 PM

+1 to Red Hen and Rose’s

Humor_of_Talmanes t1_jefrzo4 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 6:12 PM

Red hen is my favorite so far, Filomena’s gives that traditional feel though

MerwinsNeedle t1_jefvk45 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 6:36 PM

Love The Red Hen. On our first visit, my friends and I ordered every pasta dish on the menu, and we could not believe how good the simple spaghetti al pomodoro; I'm a big proponent of places that do even the basics really well.

I_R_TEH_BOSS t1_jefz938 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 7:00 PM

If Rose's ever brings back the Cacio e pepe souffle, it fucking rocks.