Merkin Osteria

Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room and Osteria features wines produced By MJ & Jennifer Keenan, Tim White and team using fruit from 110 Acres of Estate Vineyards in both the Verde Valley and Willcox, AZ.  We stopped here for lunch after visiting their other wine store in Jerome, AZ called Caduceus Cellars.

Maialino Mare

Maialino Mare is a Roman-style trattoria with an emphasis on seafood pastas and fish newly opened in DC's Navy Yard — a coastal sister to the original Maialino restaurant opened in New York City in 2009. Sourced from its local family of farmers and fishers, Maialino Mare uses quality, seasonal ingredients throughout the menu, complemented by a robust Italian wine list and beautiful, rustic desserts. Executive Chef Rose Noel draws inspiration from Roman trattorias to create seasonally inspired Italian fare.  Maialino Mare participates in a revenue share and is a non-tipping restaurant.  Closest Metro is Navy Yard.

Sfoglina

Sfoglina is a casual Italian trattoria and pasta house from Chef Fabio Trabocchi, named for the artisans and Italian cultural icons that carry on the tradition of rolling sheets of pasta by hand with a rolling pin, a technique passed through the generations. The menu features homemade pasta reflecting classics and regional specialties from throughout Italy, changing often and including daily specials.  With three locations in DC, we went to the Downtown location near Metro Center.

Acqua al 2

Located directly across the street from the historic Eastern Market, this is the third Acqua al 2 to open (first in Florence, Italy and second in Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, CA). This fine dining Italian restaurant is a welcomed new edition to the neighborhood and whose anticipated opening created hyper buzz around town and overbooked nights. Since their opening in 2010, we have returned for various special occasions and Acqua al 2 remains one of my favorite restaurants in DC. Closest Metro is Eastern Market. 

At Home: Pesto Chicken Pasta

Every year we plant basil and every year the plants do so well that we can't use it up fast enough. I often use the basil leaves for caprese salads, but another way to use up a whole bunch is to make basil pesto. Pesto is great to spread on sandwiches or mix with pasta. Keith grilled up some chicken and made easy Pesto Chicken Pasta for my next feature of What Micky Eats...At Home.

Graffiato

"In June 2011, Chef Mike Isabella opened Graffiato, an Italian-inspired restaurant in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC. The 130-seat spot allows Chef Isabella to interact with guests while he crafts comforting dishes from seasonal produce and locally cured hams, hand-rolled pastas and marinated vegetable accoutrements.

Coco Pazzo Cafe

Last date I was here: 07/26/2011

Restaurant: Coco Pazzo Café (http://www.cocopazzochicago.com/coco-pazzo-cafe.html)

Location: Streeterville - Chicago

Total Rating: 3.6
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4

Summary: “Inspired by the cafés that line the piazzas in Florence, vibrant and lively Coco Pazzo Café is just steps away from Magnificent Mile shopping and hotels. The Café offers a casual atmosphere, a diverse menu, and Italian wines by the glass.” After walking around the Mag Mile, we stumbled upon this café with its alfresco patio and were intrigued by the simple menu. Located near many hotels, Coco Pazzo Café is not to be overlooked. The service was great, food was simple, homemade, and loaded with classic flavors. My garginella pasta was not too dense and sprinkled with lovely fresh mushrooms. The bread was also very fresh with just the right amount of chew factor. It was not until the next day that I found out this was the smaller “sister” restaurant to the more famous main Coco Pazzo. Nonetheless, we had an excellent and satisfying meal for a decent price. I would come back again to try other items on the menu.

What I ate:

Garginella di Funghi
Housemade tubed shaped pasta with a mushroom ragu

Grotta Azzurra

Last date I was here: 4/1/2011

Restaurant: Grotta Azzurra (http://grottaazzurrany.com/)

Location: NYC - Little Italy

Total Rating: 4.75 Food: 5, Price: 5, Service: 5, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Located in heart of Little Italy, this charming Italian restaurant is a popular stop for tourists. We stopped in for lunch with our bus tour group and were able to get in and out in about 30 minutes. The food was hot, largely portioned, and seasoned just right. Although we had a limited lunch menu to choose from, the options were all tasty and everyone ordered something different including the chicken francaise, chicken parmesan, skirt steak, and penne pomodoro. Soft drinks came with our meal, but we mostly stuck with water and also enjoyed the fresh Italian bread on the table. Overall, Grotta Azzurra was a great place for lunch and I would definitely eat here again.

What I ate:

Rigatoni alla Vodka

tube pasta in a vodka creme and tomato sauce

Bistro Italiano

Last date I was here: 09/09/2010

Restaurant: Bistro Italiano

Location: Capitol Hill

Total Rating: 3.25
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Located near Union Station in a row-house, Bistro Italiano offers the neighborhood classic Italian dishes such as lasagna and linguine with clams as well as fresh pizzas and sub sandwiches. Closest Metro is Union Station.

Keith and I went to dinner here after hearing many raves about it's food and low prices. We were seated by the window in the almost empty dining room. Most of the business came from people stopping by to either place an order to pick up or pick up one they had already called ahead for. And what were they all picking up? Pizza! Every single customer that came in to pick up, had ordered pizza. Should have been the red flag to us, but we opted for a more traditional meal. We ordered an odd appetizer to share - with a French flair, the baked brie with roasted garlic was gooey and creamy. Our server was quiet but attentive. Our entrees were the perfect size, not too big nor too small. Although I did not care for mine as much - the flavors were just a little off - Keith seemed to enjoy his. We should have gotten something with their red sauce. The overall verdict - we appreciate the attempt and the low prices but would only come back to try the lasagna and pizza.

What I ate:

Baked Brie with Roasted Garlic Bulb

served with fresh sliced warm Italian bread

Clams Vongole

served in a garlic white wine sauce over linguine

Plus Keith ate:

Fettuccine Florentine with Chicken Picata

boneless breast of chicken in an Alfredo sauce with spinach

Butera's

Last date I was here: 09/03/2010

Restaurant: Butera's (http://www.buteras.com/showContent.php?linkid=3/)

Location: Seaford, NY

Total Rating: 3.9
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Butera’s of Seaford, owned and operated by the Butera family and Randy Narod. This newly renovated room is tastefully decorated with a mix of traditional and contemporary design. It’s the best of both worlds. The restaurant exudes a warm Italian charm with a fresh and modern twist, without losing the “comforts of home” feeling. The new Italian cuisine features Northern and Southern influences. Italian food lovers will never grow tired of the expansive menu. The great Butera reputation continues as we are known for our generous portions. Whether it be pasta entrée’s, grilled fare and fresh fish. The menu runs a gamut from pasta marinara to veal prosciutto, marsala and sage.

Keith and I went to dinner with his family while we were visiting for the holiday weekend. We were seated right away in a comfortable booth and were immediately intrigued by the many choices on the menu. We ordered a few appetizers specials for the table to share and they were all very tasty and fresh. With the nice Sangiovese wine we had, I was quickly filling up. I am not sure if we were just too full from the appetizers, but the entrees were mediocre. Keith and his brother each ordered veal, yet the meat tasted different in each. The chicken sausage in my dish was a little underseasoned and dry. Yet, Keith's father enjoyed his bassa fish, which was very flavorful and flaky. The portions were very generous so there were plenty of left overs. Supposedly the desserts are really good too, but those were to be saved for another time. All in all, Butera's is a nice family restaurant with classic Italian dishes that were very satisfying.

What I ate:

Baked Clams

Calamari Fritti

Golden fried calamari with spicy marinara sauce and lemon

Baked Eggplant

Stuffed Mushrooms

Jumbo whitecap mushrooms stuffed with spinach, sun dried tomato, fresh mozzarella & bread crumbs

Rigatoni with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Spinach

in a white wine sauce

Plus Keith ate:

Veal Sorrentino

sauteed veal, topped with eggplant and proscuitto in a red wine sauce over linguini

Sonoma

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

Xop D'Or

Last date I was here: 05/28/2010

Restaurant: Xop D'Or (http://restaurantxopdor.com/)

Location: Place d'Espanya-Barcelona, Spain

Total Rating: 3.5
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: We wanted to find a place to have dinner before the night time water fountain show and stumbled upon this brewery/restaurant. Patio seating is available outside and the tapas bar inside. We sat in the back dining area that was decorated with bright orange colors and contemporary paintings. Our server spoke English very well and was very attentive. The menu seemed varied with common dishes - similar to the chain restaurants in America. Our appetizers were amazing and very tasty, yet I was disappointed with my entree selection. I knew I probably should not have ordered it, yet thought it would be a safe choice. Keith enjoyed his veal and we both devoured the desserts (seemed to be a trend in Spain). All in all, this dining experience was different than the "authentico" establishments, but the food was still decent. I would recommend other tourists to eat here, since they could find a mix of familiar (salad, pasta, pizza) and traditional (veal, rabbit, tapas).

What I ate:

♥Goat Cheese and Roasted Vegetables♥

Tortellini with Mushroom Sauce

spinach tortellini filled with Ricotta cheese and topped with a creamed mushroom sauce

Bread Pudding

served with pistachio ice cream

Plus Keith ate:

Fried Sardines

Veal Steak with Potatoes

served with boiled potatoes

Villa Francesa

Last date I was here: 09/14/2009

Restaurant: Villa Francesa (http://www.ristorantevillafrancesca.com/)

Location: North End, Boston, MA

Total Rating: 3.35
Food: 3, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Villa Francesca is in the North End of Boston, within the oldest Italian community in the United States. Located on the Freedom Trail just two minutes walk from the Paul Revere house, Villa Francesac serves traditional Italian cuisine with old world hospitality. Closest Metro is Haymarket.

I was in Boston for a work conference and went here the first night for dinner. We arrived early enough that It wasn’t too crowded yet. Although the pasta was fresh with homemade flavor, my entrée was a little plain. My coworkers’ enjoyed their dishes of Pollo Ambruzzo and Spaghetti Pesto better than I did. With so many authentic Italian restaurants within the Little Italy section of town, there was nothing outstanding about Villa Francesca that would make me come back again.

What I ate:

Ravioli Burro E Salvia
Ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta cheese in a butter and sage sauce

Columbia Restaurant

Last date I was here: 08/09/2009

Restaurant: Columbia Restaurant (http://columbiarestaurant.com/)

Location: St. Armand’s Circle, Sarasota, FL

Total Rating: 4.55
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4


Summary: The Columbia Restaurant Sarasota is located on St. Armand’s Circle in Lido Key. The Mediterranean style dining rooms and outdoor patio area are both relaxing and elegant. Serving Spanish/Cuban cuisine, Columbia Restaurant serves lunch or dinner while surrounded by the circle's paradise of lush tropical landscaping that create an international atmosphere of friendly warmth, enduring elegance, and timeless style. Columbia Sarasota opened in 1959 on St. Armand’s Circle, and is now the oldest restaurant in Sarasota.

We stopped in for a late lunch/early dinner on our drive back from Anna Maria Island. Sitting inside was a great relief from the hot summer sun and the simple ice water was so refreshing! Our server was very friendly and if we did not have such a long drive back, I would have liked to have tried the sangria that they made fresh table side and also the lovely traditional dish of paella. Since I was not in really a Spanish cuisine mood, I was relieved see a pasta entrée on the menu and it was delicious! Keith really enjoyed his meal as well. I would definitely recommend this classic place to others.

What I ate:

Pasta con Trufas “Cristalino”

Fresh pasta pockets stuffed with truffles and cheese simmered in a rich creamy sauce made with Spain’s premium Cava sparkling wine, Cristalino.

Plus Keith ate:

Filet Steak Salteado

Choice tenderloin tips are placed in a very hot sauté pan, then we combine Spanish extra virgin olive oil with a touch of fresh garlic then add sliced sweet Spanish onion, green bell pepper, fresh mushrooms, diced potatoes, Spanish sausage (chorizo) and a splash of red wine. Served with yellow rice.

Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar

Last date I was here: 07/18/2009

Restaurant: Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar (http://www.urbanadc.com/index.html)

Location: Dupont Circle

Total Rating: 4.5
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Urbana has been highlighted in many local papers and restaurant reviews and features an imaginative and approachable menu influenced by the rich culinary traditions of the Western Mediterranean. Offering signature pastas, pizzas from the wood-burning oven, grilled meats and seafood, Urbana is most popular for its Appertif Hour and specials that are available at the swanky bar from 4-7pm. Urbana is also known for its wine experience and displays an entire dining room filled with wine bottles as well as a list of 35 wines by the glass. The floor plan is open and split between the dining room to the left and a wood-burning oven in the back and the lounge/bar area to the right. The lighting is dim to create that romantic feel with direct spot lights to tables to make sure you look at your food. Closest Metro is Dupont Circle.

When we arrived for an early dinner, the dining room was empty except for one other couple. We were seated at a nice half circle booth towards the middle of the room – our backs to the kitchen. Our server informed us that tonight was a new menu featuring a 3 course tasting in celebration of Urbana’s third anniversary. After ordering our wine and perusing the menu, we decided to go ahead and try the tasting menu. Our scallops were cooked a little on the light side but tasted very good and the presentation was very pretty and colorful. As more patrons filled the room, our entrees took a while to come out. Our server kept using the excuse that the menu was new so the kitchen was backed up, but we saw another large table of 5 who has arrived as we were eating eating our appetizers and ordered our same dishes get served before we did. When our dishes did come out – there was a mix up of mine. The tasting menu listed a pappardelle with tomatoes and zuchinni in a light lemon butter sauce – however this was apparently a typo and was supposed to be the linguine dish where as the pappardelle is served with pork in a tomato sauce. The server was apologetic and the kitchen fired up the promised dish in quick time. The server informed us that it was indeed a mistake and that they would re-print all the menus before the next night’s service. I did not mind so much as the pasta was very light and fresh – exactly what I was anticipating. Our desserts were pretty and the perfect portion. Keith’s cheesecake was more like a panna cotta, but the flavors were there. All in all, Urbana was a classy restaurant with an ambitious persona to please its patrons. I would definitely come back again, especially since the small seasonal menus are constantly changing and the appertif hour is pretty good deal.

What I ate:

Seared Sea Scallops
With a white bean puree and red bell pepper and mango relish

Pappardelle
With grape tomatoes, zucchini, and pine nuts in a lemon butter sauce

Trio of Crème Brulee
espresso with brown butter maple foam
rosemary and caramelized apples
local honey with blueberry compote

Plus Keith ate:

Bacon wrapped Pork Loin
served with anson mills polenta, melted vidalia onions and baby carrots

Bananas Foster Cheesecake