Ama is a charming Navy Yard Italian gem blending an all-day café vibe with a lively aperitivo scene, where seasonal dishes and craft cocktails celebrate culinary love and sustainability.
"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, Emily Venezky
"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
"Navy Yard’s elegant new Italian eatery comes courtesy of husband-and-wife industry vets Micah Wilder and Johanna Hellrigl. 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. Go for the uniquely made lasagna slathered in mushroom bechamel, raviolini al tocco filled with braised pasture-raised beef, or spot-on spaghetti al pomodoro, along with gloriously good gelato for dessert." - Tierney Plumb, Mekita Rivas
"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, lasagna engineered with mushroom bechamel, 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." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky
"Navy Yard’s elegant new Italian eatery, which opened Tuesday, June 4, 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. Dinnertime highlights include a rabbit stew lightened up for summer with fresh tomatoes, crispy artichoke, and spaghetti al pomodoro. Negronis, spritzes, frozen Bellinis, and martinis take center stage at the bar starting at 4 p.m. In a few weeks, Ama adds a morning “cafè bancone” component with coffee and pastries available at 8 a.m." - Tierney Plumb
