Cucina MORINI
Restaurant · Mount Vernon Triangle
901 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Highlights
Italian eatery serves pasta, focaccia, martinis, and ricotta bomboloni.
Italian eatery serves pasta, focaccia, martinis, and ricotta bomboloni.
"Mt. Vernon Triangle got the Italian eatery of its dreams last year, complete with fresh crudo, small plates, fish soup, homemade pastas (in half or whole portions), $7 martinis, and best-selling imports from its decade-old Osteria Morini sibling in Navy Yard. Matt Adler of Capitol Hill-born hit Caruso’s Grocery — who was Osteria Morini’s opening executive chef back in 2013 — is back on board to produce spot-on Sicilian meals at Osteria Morini. NYC-based parent company Altamarea Group combined its former Nicoletta Italian Kitchen and adjoining Brew’d cafe into one chic Southern Italian restaurant under DC Bar’s headquarters, complete with a reimagined aperitivo bar and stylish new dining room. Must-try dish: Adler’s weekend cornettos stuffed with Nutella" - Tierney Plumb
"Chef Matt Adler’s favorite for pastas and other dishes is also the home of a killer martini happy hour in the bar area; just note that it’s often packed, so it’s a gamble without a reservation." - Missy Frederick
"Cucina Morini is run by the same chef behind Caruso’s Grocery. And while we thoroughly enjoy the new Mt. Vernon Triangle spot, its dinner menu won’t be dethroning Caruso’s anytime soon. But their breakfast and brunch? That’s where the magic happens. The sit-down dining room transforms into a light and airy café, and the evening’s fanciness gets tossed out the window. You pick a table, grab your own utensils, and scan a QR code to order. Make sure that includes a bunch of bread-based dishes, like the smoked salmon toast, the avocado sandwich, and at least one cornetto." - mekita rivas, omnia saed, tristiana hinton
"Head to Cucina Morini’s lounge for $7 (vodka, gin, or bourbon) martinis alongside $6 bites like marinated Sicilian olives and rosemary potato chips from chef Matt Adler. Its $10 answer to an espresso martini is a frothy nitro variety made with Grey Goose, amaro, Luxardo espresso liqueur, La Colombe espresso, and vanilla. Over its Navy Yard sibling Osteria Morini, a newly revamped happy hour (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) features $7 classic cocktails and a stellar free bar snack from Adler: freshly made popcorn tossed with roasted garlic oil, rosemary and citrus salt, Parmigiano, and chives." - Tierney Plumb
"Enjoy a 4-course prix fixe menu of Italian food for $125 per person from 5 to 11 p.m. Menu highlights include the ricciola crudo of yellowtail with pistachio pesto and fennel pollen, lamb ragu rigatoni, braised short rib, and the popular affogato sundae. Reservations available here. At Navy Yard sibling Osteria Morini, an a la carte menu will feature a selection of signature dishes alongside some exclusive specials crafted just for the occasion, including lobster ravioli, bucatini with crab and sea urchin, and lamb chops. Reservations available here." - Vinciane Ngomsi
