Opened in 1985, The Otello Italian Restaurant Space is now For Lease

Update from Otello:

“Dear loyal friends & patrons:

After over 30 years in Dupont Circle, Otello restaurant has permanently closed its doors. As with many other restaurants, the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for us to stay in business. Some other restaurants were able to pivot to pick up and delivery services, but it was determined that this was not a viable option for our little restaurant.

We hope you keep Otello in your memories as a place for good food, good times and cheer. On behalf of the entire team at Otello, we thank you for your years of patronage and we will miss you all!
– Otello Restaurant”

Sadly their phone number has been disconnected as well so it appears to be another end of an era. The Washington Post reviewed them in 1985:

“The newest red-sauce and red-check Italian restaurant is Otello, just south of Dupont Circle.

It is a new incarnation of Piccolo Mondo, the K Street restaurant that has moved several blocks uptown — and several notches down in price. In this cute rustic dining room decorated mostly by food — an antipasto table with big loaves of rustic bread and a dessert table — and mirrored walls and ceilings, no main course on the dinner menu runs more than $10.”

1329 Connecticut Ave, NW

Updates when we learn what becomes of the space.