Last date I was here: 07/16/2010
Restaurant: Sonoma (http://www.sonomadc.com/)
Location: Capitol Hill
Total Rating: 4.05
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5
Summary: Sonoma's mission is to highlight the Mid-Atlantic's best naturally-raised and local ingredients and pair the creations with the best American and Italian wines. The menu features wood-grilled meats and seafood, as well as smaller plates - including a recognized collection of local artisanal cheeses - all of which marries perfectly with the 40-plus wines Sonoma serves by the glass. Replacing an older restaurant that accompanied the many others that line the strip along Pennsylvania Ave SE, Sonoma peaked our interest. Closest Metro Station is Eastern Market or Capitol South.
Aug 2007: Very narrow, the tables are packed in and it was very crowded when we went. Packed with people from the Hill wanting to enjoy a fancy cheese plate and wine, I was not super impressed with the service. The food was not memorable and I would only try this spot again for lunch possibly.
UPDATE: Keith and I tried this place after our first choice plans fell through. We were able to be seated at a large communal table with no problems - and luckily no one was seated next to us the entire evening. Still dark and very noisy, packed with local Hill staffers, service was ok. The menu was slightly different than our first visit highlighting fresh ingredients. Again, this place is good for sipping wine and sharing smaller plates but not my favorite place to dine.
What I ate:
Smoked Mozzarella Risotto
Grilled Sea Scallops
served with white beans and eggplant puree
Penne
With pulled amish chicken, dried tomatoes, basil, ricotta salata
Charred Calamari
with chickpeas, grilled onions, basil-walnut pesto
Fussilli
with confit chicken, onions, and pesto
Margherita Pizza
crushed san marzano tomato, basil, mozzarella
Plus Keith ate:
Branzino
Grilled fish on a broth with oyster mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and spinach
