Graffiato Making Progress at 707 6th St, NW in Chinatown

According to their Web site:

In Spring 2011, Chef/Owner Mike Isabella will open Graffiato, an Italian-inspired restaurant in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, DC. The 120-seat spot will allow Chef Isabella to interact with guests while he crafts comforting dishes from seasonal produce and house made meats, hand-rolled pastas and marinated vegetable accoutrements. The two-story layout will feature an open butcher’s bar on the second floor and a large wood-fire oven tucked behind a U-shaped counter with 15 barstools on the first floor. Both stations encourage dialogue between the guests and chefs.

Chef Isabella will serve seasonal, artisanal pizzas and small plates inspired by the food he grew up eating in New Jersey prepared by his Italian American grandmother. With heavy influence from Chef Isabella’s Mediterranean and Latin culinary training, Graffiato promises to be anything but a traditional Italian eatery. Roasted potato gnocchi, tender pork ribs, bone marrow with cured lemon, and veal cheeks parmigiano are a few of the anticipated wood-oven dishes. Warm made-to-order fresh-stretched mozzarella and spiced red beets with pork fried almonds are sure to be popular first plates. When the kitchen closes, the oven will stay fired to feed Washingtonians looking for a late-night bite.

Food, wine and beer will be sourced domestically, and often from the East Coast. Look for unique cocktails, barrel wine and Prosecco served straight from a tap.