Cafe Fiorello DC

NYC Institution Cafe Fiorello Is Expanding to D.C. | Eater DC

"I’m intrigued that Cafe Fiorello’s first foray outside Manhattan will reactivate a prime downtown D.C. corner that’s been empty since 2018; the new location at 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW aims to mirror the NYC fixture (situated across the street from Lincoln Center since 1974) with reliable Italian fare, a destination antipasti bar overflowing with vegetables and seafood, and many familiar favorites. I’m looking forward to bouncy calamari, creamy rigatoni alla vodka studded with smoky bacon, short rib meatballs over open-faced lasagna, burrata ravioli, dover sole dressed with lemon beurre blanc, various beef cuts, veal chops prepared three ways, thin-crust pizzas, and fluffy tiramisu; weekend brunch will bring smoked salmon bagel boards and artichoke frittatas. I also note the D.C. outpost plans a daily cafe to serve coffee, espresso, teas, breakfast sandwiches, pizza, and pastries for tourists, politicos, and theater-goers at nearby Warner and Ford’s theaters, with an expected opening this fall ahead of the 2024 presidential election." - Tierney Plumb