Centrolina
Italian restaurant · Downtown
974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
![Centrolina by Centrolina [official]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66646259/1175194_202003241857.0.jpg "Centrolina by Centrolina [official]")
![Centrolina by Centrolina [official site]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63265494/centrolinapasta.0.jpg "Centrolina by Centrolina [official site]")
![Centrolina by Centrolina [official]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63298615/BURRATA__1_.0.jpg "Centrolina by Centrolina [official]")
Highlights
Seasonal Italian fare featuring handmade pastas & market
Seasonal Italian fare featuring handmade pastas & market
"Nearly a decade in, seven-time James Beard nominee chef Amy Brandwein’s polished osteria continues to shine in CityCenter DC. The five-time James Beard Award finalist goes all in on seasonal ingredients to construct a frequently changing Italian menu; that could mean melon-flanked snapper sashimi; peachy gazpacho; pristine pastas pumped up with purple broccoli and eggplant ragu; wood-fired mains like halibut and chanterelle mushrooms, lamb rib-eye, and pancetta-wrapped rabbit. Memorable desserts like an almond cake with fresh citrus, yuzu, and white chocolate come from Tonari alum and talented pastry chef Mary Mendoza. For something a little more casual (and affordable), consider Brandwein’s all-day sibling cafe Piccolina across the street. If you drive: Don’t — there are plenty of nearby Metro stops and little parking" - Tierney Plumb
"Centrolina’s memorable Italian dessert menu includes a honey buckwheat cake with candied and poached rhubarb, kiwi, strawberry, basil, and white balsamic pearls or a delicious dark chocolate molten cake with Italian meringue, coffee chai-red wine, poached pear, and cream. Across the street at all-day sibling Piccolina, find fabulous cannoli, tea cakes, and cookies (try the lemon ricotta variety). Tonari alum Mary Mendoza stepped in last year as pastry chef at the CityCenter DC staples." - Tierney Plumb
"James Beard nominee Amy Brandwein embraces softies season at her Italian restaurant and market, calling on the crab to augment squid ink spaghetti alla chittara alongside spicy scallion, basil, crab fat, and green tomatoes ($38)." - Tierney Plumb
"Chef Amy Brandwein’s Italian woodfire-focused stunner is the highlight of the restaurant options at nearby CityCenter DC (she also operates the more casual Piccolina across the street)." - Missy Frederick
"Nestled in the alleyway of posh CityCenterDC, chef Amy Brandwein’s Italian mainstay for seasonal pastas and spritzes offers alfresco seating." - Abi Newhouse
