photo courtesy Il Piatto
From a press release:
“Restauranteur Hakan Ilhan is pleased to announce the Thursday, June 23, 2022, opening of Il Piatto, a new Italian concept in the former Mirabelle space, at 900 16th Street, NW, 20006. The restaurant will serve, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Ilhan has tapped Lina Nicolai as the new executive chef for the restaurant. For chef Nicolai, cooking is a family affair that began in her hometown of Naples, Italy. I n 2012, she teamed up with her mother to open Al Crostino in Washington, D.C. The popular family-owned neighborhood gem was successful for 12 years before closing its doors due to the pandemic.
photo courtesy Il Piatto by Rey Lopez
Hakan Ilhan plans to offer an approachable Italian menu that is a modern expression of classical Italian cuisine. Starters will range from $10 to $15, and entrées will be priced from $19 to $35. Familiar Italian classics on the opening dinner menu include Fettuccine alla Bolognese, Eggplant Parmigiana, and Chicken Milanese. For those anticipating a more modern offering, Maltagliati Funghi, flat pasta with an assorted mushrooms’ sauce, and Pesce Al Cartoccio, white fish baked with zucchini, onion, and white wine invite exploration.
“The long lingering pandemic has highlighted the fact that a value-oriented price point and comfort food never go out of style,” says owner Hakan Ilhan. “It is important for our guests to feel that Il Piatto satisfies all their needs. They need to be comfortable entertaining clients, having business lunches, grabbing happy hour at the bar, or bringing their friends for brunch on the weekends.”
Ilhan is also developing the beverage program for Il Piatto to concentrate on wines from Italy and America. The list will be approachable and showcase wines that are great value finds. The average bottle pricing ranges from $35 to $250, with a few higher end wines available, as well as wines by the glass priced from $11 to $21. Summer cocktails, Italian style, feature classics such as Negroni, Godfather, and the Aperol Spritz. One can also choose from the more adventurous selection which includes the Milano Mule, Sicilian Melt Martini and the Italian Margaritas.
Il Piatto is situated two blocks from Farragut West Metro and three blocks from the McPherson Square Metro accessible on the blue, orange, and silver lines. The 4,300-square foot restaurant seats approximately 100 guests in the main dining room, with an additional 22 seats at the bar. One can also book a table in the private dining room, which can accommodate an additional 30 guests. An outdoor patio will also be available during the spring and summer months (weather permitting) and can accommodate 60 guests seated.
Il Piatto is located at 900 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006. Lunch will be served Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner will be served nightly, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Brunch will be available on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily Happy Hour will be available Monday through Friday, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., exclusively at the bar. For more information, please call (202)506-3833 or visit www.ilpiattodc.com.”