What to Eat and Drink at Navy Yard’s Osteria Morini | Eater DC

"A pioneer of waterfront dining in Navy Yard, this NYC import has been serving comforting pastas and stunning regional dishes from northern Italy for over a decade. The menu stands out from other glam Italian spots around D.C. with a small-bites update from chef Matt Adler (behind Cucina Morini and Caruso’s Grocery), featuring gems like ricotta gnudi and fried cacio e pepe zucchini. Warm lighting and waterside views make it a good pick for a chill date night or a comforting dinner with friends where you order extra dishes for the table. Start with the perfectly creamy gnudi and something crispy like the fried calamari with roasted garlic aioli and spicy pomodoro; cauliflower is transformed with Calabrian chile oil, Brussels sprouts are balanced with pistachio pesto and rich agrodolce, and the misticanza salad is a must order thanks to a subtle truffle vinaigrette, crunchy hazelnuts, and crisp apples. It’s hard to choose between pastas: go for the tagliatelle with complex Bolognese ragu if you love a meaty red sauce, the squid ink casarecce with leeks, Calabrian chile, and plump shrimp for something lighter with layers of spice and umami, or the braised veal shank–filled ravioli inspired by ossobuco for something you can’t find anywhere else. The maroon-colored restaurant is versatile, offering $7 drinks with complimentary Parmesan-topped popcorn at the bar during happy hour until 7 p.m., $15 pastas on Morini Mondays, or a fancy dinner that spans plenty of satisfying courses. Don’t sleep on the weekend brunch—plays on classics like focaccia Benedict with prosciutto and a pesto-filled frittata are fun, but the stunning ricotta pancakes, in both sweet and savory options, are the star dishes—all channeling the soulful cuisine and convivial spirit of Emilia-Romagna." - Emily Venezky