Best Italian Restaurants in U Street Corridor

The management of Olio a Piu gave us a complementary meal after a good but less than stellar review for a dinner we had there during Restaurant Week. We took them up on the offer and had lunch there on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant was busy (a surprise to us for a downtown DC location) and the vibe was happy. We both had the delicious Farfalla Rossa cocktail. We had the Burrata Mediterraneo and Vitello Tonnato appetizers, Fusilli Cinghiale e Funghi pasta and Bronzino del Marinaio for entrees, and Tiramisu and pear and chocolate desserts. The food was excellent! Our server, Ximena, was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable, as was the rest of the staff. Thank you, Hospitality Team of Olio e Piu, for offering us this second chance at your restaurant. It tells us that you care about your patrons and the food and hospitality you provide. That's much appreciated these days.

Lupo Verde is always good, but they really brought it on Valentine’s Day. The food was great but the service was exceptional. That’s rarely the case on a major holiday so hats off the them. I also appreciated that they had a fixed price menu but also a few regular options, as I don’t love being stuck with multiple courses I don’t want. I know that variety adds to the difficulty for a restaurant on a night like Valentine’s, so it’s even more impressive.

My wife and I went here for Valentine's day. The food quality was overall very good. The salad we ordered was ok, but the waiter promptly offered a replacement for my wife. The oysters were (in my opinion - over 20 for 6 smaller variety ones) overpriced, but generally I expect that some in a restaurant like this. I do give them good marks for overall experience and ambiance. My wife prefers the high tables in the bar area, but this is no ordinary bar area, there are dedicated wait staff...plenty of them. The service is prompt, but not overbearing. The entrees were quite good, and the dessert special presentation was also on point. I put this in my special occasion category due to the price, but I would not call it outlandish. Really like the bar seating and vibe there...nothing crazy and not overcrowded. The main restaurant is well lit, but some of the seating is a little tight and normal height tables. Service throughout is consistent.

5 course Prix Fix Valentines menu. Everything was on point. Mascarpone bruschetta, mushroom soup, short rib ragu pasta, branzino, finished off with a chocolate temptation and a nice bottle of wine. Service was excellent, area is cute, dining is on the main floor of an old house. Very nice.

We had an amazing evening. The food was amazing. Thank you to Fernando, who made the night unforgettable. His attention to detail and warm hospitality made us feel like we were the only people in the restaurant. He anticipated our needs, made thoughtful recommendations, and added a personal touch that elevated the entire evening. It’s rare to find such genuine service these days, and Fernando truly made us feel at home. We can’t wait to return! Highly recommended for anyone looking for great food and an even better experience.