Judging New Restaurants – Lupo Verde (reader request)

14th and T Street, NW

I’ve had a few requests that we talk about Lupo Verde who opened up at 14th and T St, NW back in February. Their website says:

“Authentic, rustic, Italian fare featuring a variety of small plates, house-made breads and pastas, antipasti, pizzas al tegamino and a selection of fresh meats and seafood, such as our popular whole roasted fish, grilled sirloin steak and a premiere selection of cheeses and salumi. The daily specials are posted on the chalkboard.

Customers can purchase 70% of the restaurant’s menu “to go” including 50 cheeses (five of which are made in-house while the rest are made from local farmers or imported from Italy) sold by the ounce, two house-made prosciuttos and several other house cured meats. Fresh and dried house-made pastas are available for purchase by the kilo, along with rustic house-made sauces and breads.

An intimate 100-seat restaurant spread over two floors. The main level features a 15-seat bar of Carrara marble and hand-painted Italian tile and a 25-seat lounge. It also houses the Cheese Shop showcasing a variety of imported and house-made cheeses and salumi. Upstairs guests feel as though they stepped into a private residence with lofty ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, luxurious wall coverings, and substantial crown and base molding. Guests will find an intimate 10-seat marble bar, and 50 additional dining seats including a semi-private alcove. The cupola dining table, named the Sophia Loren, is also a focal point of the room seating groups of up to eight.

A gated, outdoor patio is also available during the spring and summer months (weather permitting) and can accommodate up to 40 guests.”

You can see their cucina and bar menu here and their cheese and salumi menu here.

Any fans?