
5504 Connecticut Ave, NW
Thanks to Nick for letting us know that Mamma Lucia had opened up in the former Pumpernickel’s space. Check out their menu here. Hours are
Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 9pm
Friday – Saturday: 11am – 10pm (more…)

5504 Connecticut Ave, NW
Thanks to Nick for letting us know that Mamma Lucia had opened up in the former Pumpernickel’s space. Check out their menu here. Hours are
Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 9pm
Friday – Saturday: 11am – 10pm (more…)

3418 11th Street, NW
Thanks to Anthony for sending the good word: “I hope to inform the Columbia Heights community that seeing clients entering the new restaurant on 11th St called Ossobuco has opened.”
Their website is still being worked on but presumably we’ll be able to see their menu here. Anyone take an early taste?
Update: Thanks to Matt for sending a PDF of the menu – Ossobuco Menu (PDF)
Ed. Note: This is the former Maple space (and Columbia Heights Coffee back in the day.)

via IG
Some sweet photos from The Duck & The Peach and La Collina coming to Capitol Hill
La Collina is: “*Coming soon* An Italian restaurant for the Capitol Hill neighborhood of DC offering patio dining and carry out.” (more…)

1238 H Street, NE
From Granville Moore’s:
“Since we posted about our imminent closure, we have been overwhelmed by your support. You all have made it possible for us to stay open so THANK YOU!!!!!
We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but we feel blessed to be able to continue offering our Italian American Menu for take out and delivery at the moment and promise to keep you updated.”

3418 11th Street, NW
Thanks to readers for sending the update on the Italian restaurant coming to the old Maple space, and Columbia Heights Coffee before that, (I think to be called Osso Bucco):
“Rumored to be opening for daytime mid October”
Stay tuned for more info and an exact opening date.
Ed. Note: If you missed Maple’s Lamb Ragu and want to take a crack at it, here’s the recipe.

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. (more…)

212 7th Street, SE
Thanks to Martin and Arthur for sharing:
“Just noticed Acqua al 2 took their sign down. That can’t be good.” (more…)

200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
L’Ardente, “Glam Italian. Early 2021.” Thanks to Dylan for letting us know.
Eat DC tweets: “.@lardentedc, a 9,000 sq ft “glam Italian” restaurant from the @uncondiner team is opening early next year at @CapitolCrossing. A 16,500 sq ft food hall rumored to be from the Politan Group (St. Roch in NO & others) is planned for the rest of the retail space at 200 Mass Ave NW.” (more…)

3321 Connecticut Ave, NW
When we spoke about Firehook’s coming in closure in Cleveland Park (it still stings) lots of folks emailed me that Coppi’s had closed/was closing too. While still sad, word on the street is that this closure may have happened with or without the virus. Again, still sad and a bummer to see another vacant space on the strip. (more…)
Earlier this morning when we posted about the coming closure of Firehook in Cleveland Park – a historical video gem emerged of the previous tenant (which is why they had such a great back patio.) Thanks to Justin Rood for passing on this extraordinary video found on Youtube about Roma from 1997:
“The last year in the life of the Roma, a legendary restaurant in Washington, DC that was a Cleveland Park staple from 1932 to its closing auction in 1997, along with adjoining tavern Poor Roberts. Posted in memory of owner Bobby Abbo.
Edited by Mark Ruppert
Produced by Jeff Krulik
at Bedrock Productions”