"The team behind Ivy City’s amaro distiller Don Cicco & Figli is opening an Amalfi-rooted trattoria in the Union Market district (300 Morse Street NE) next month. Founder Francesco Amodeo leans on his Amalfi Coast roots with whitebait fritters dipped in almond pesto, house-made rabbit pasta with thyme, and Campania’s favorite dessert (eggplants, candied fruits, almonds, and chocolate). Seafood flown in from Italy, Japan, and beyond will be dry-aged on-site, and dishes are prepared with olive oil and sea salt in lieu of butter. Mixologist and Barmini alum Alex Pisi plans to make a spiked edition of Italy’s rocketship popsicle on an edible licorice stick. The 32-seat dining room is framed with old photos of Amodeo’s fisherman uncle at work and is joined by an even-bigger alfresco situation out front." - Tierney Plumb