Ama
Restaurant · Near Southeast
885 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
Highlights
Northern Italian focacceria, aperitivo bar, and ristorante
Northern Italian focacceria, aperitivo bar, and ristorante
"If a love letter existed in restaurant form, it would look like Ama. Literally meaning “love” in Italian, the Navy Yard newcomer is intimate enough for a first date, but not so stuffy that you can’t waltz in for a solo dinner at the bar (where you can people-watch along New Jersey Ave). Always start with the focaccia di formaggio, which has got to be some of the best this side of the Atlantic. The blissful combo of fresh, flaky dough and melty cheese is so divine, you may find yourself levitating. Pasta is, of course, a must here, and the raviolini al tocco is the move. Stuffed with braised pasture-raised beef and escarole and dipped in a savory meat jus, you’ll wonder whether any other pasta dish in DC can compete. (At the moment? Doubtful.) Leave room for the tiramisu because A) tiramisu is always a good idea and B) the housemade mascarpone is magnificent." - omnia saed, madeline weinfield, jonathan smith, mekita rivas, allison robicelli, omnia saed, kym backer
"Open since June, Navy Yard’s elegant new Italian eatery comes courtesy of husband-and-wife industry vets Micah Wilder (Chaplin’s, Zeppelin) and Johanna Hellrigl (formerly of Doi Moi, Proof, Mercy Me). Drawing influence from chef Hellrigl’s northern Italian heritage, Ama transitions from an indoor-outdoor caffè and Genovese-style focacceria by day into an afternoon aperitivo bar and convivial restaurant by night. Kick off dinner with hard-to-get Tuscan salami and a peppery fennel salad, followed by mains like comforting rabbit stew served with homemade sourdough, spaghetti al pomodoro, and gloriously good gelato served in sliver cups. Negronis, spritzes, frozen Bellinis, and martinis take center stage at the bar come 4 p.m. A morning “cafè bancone” component showcases coffee and pastries starting at 8 a.m. Must-try dish: Lasagna engineered with mushroom bechamel" - Tierney Plumb
"Ama means love in Italian, which is a great name for a place that is easily one of our favorite-date night spots in the city. The focaccia di formaggio for the table is an ideal icebreaker, with savory crescenza cheese that oozes out with each stretch of the bread. The fritto misto is an addictive medley of lightly fried anchovies, prawns, and calamari, topped with a zesty lemon squeeze, which tastes like summers spent hopping from one coastal Italian seafood shack to another (or so we’d imagine). If you’re inclined to recreate the spaghetti smooch from Lady and the Tramp, spring for the classic spaghetti al pomodoro." - omnia saed, allison robicelli, mekita rivas
"Ama transitions from an indoor-outdoor caffè and Genovese-style focacceria by day into an afternoon aperitivo bar and convivial restaurant by night. Spend a few hours in the bright and cozy dining room feasting on northern Italian fare, like rabbit stew, classic pastas, and fresh gelato." - Tierney Plumb
"Ama means love in Italian, which is a great name for a place that is easily one of our favorite-date night spots in the city. The focaccia di formaggio for the table is an ideal icebreaker, with savory crescenza cheese that oozes out with each stretch of the bread. The fritto misto is an addictive medley of lightly fried anchovies, prawns, and calamari, topped with a zesty lemon squeeze, which tastes like summers spent hopping from one coastal Italian seafood shack to another (or so we’d imagine). If you’re inclined to recreate the spaghetti smooch from Lady and the Tramp, spring for the classic spaghetti al pomodoro. photo credit: Giada Paoloni photo credit: Giada Paoloni photo credit: Giada Paoloni" - Mekita Rivas
