Oliver Pastan is a chef whose cooking is described as a unique blend of influences, likened to Prune, 2Amys, and Chez Panisse, creating something distinctly his own.
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I’m dedicated to keep every restaurant that doesn’t do reservations nor tips open. For as long as they continue to cook good food, of course.
Dined here on a Friday night around 5:30 pm without any wait. Lines formed around the 6 pm mark. They have plenty of seating and a nice back garden for you to wait in.
The lamb skewers were divine with a good amount fat roasted to crispy perfection. I wish the accompanying dipping oil were spicier.
The fresh pasta special with chanterelle mushrooms were creamy, well seasoned, with good chews. The whole smashed garlic in there did not bother me, though others be aware.
The pizza was slightly under seasoned, and I for one cannot really taste the squash blossoms (what do they taste like anyways?). The dough was chewy and crispy, and the anchovies saved the day.
The Fior de Latte gelato was a highlight. The slightly tangy flavor was perfectly complimented by the blue sauce and fresh blueberries.
Honestly one of the best meals I’ve had in a while in DC. Not that they need more diners to prolong the wait, but I do hope more people will come and keep this establishment open for many more years to come.
Bar del Monte has a great ambiance and a unique setup, with solid food and drinks. However, it’s no-reservation only, which leads to long wait times, and the prices feel higher than what the experience justifies. While DC doesn’t have many places quite like it, that alone doesn’t make the wait or cost worthwhile. I enjoyed my visit, but it’s not somewhere I’d return. I’d recommend checking it out once for the experience.
3
We had dinner at this restaurant and the atmosphere was very nice and welcoming. We ordered a fritto, a pizza margherita, and a pasta of the day to share.
The fritto was well executed in a tempura style, but for the price it was quite questionable, consisting of only a few pieces (three onion rings and three asparagus). The pasta was cooked al dente, but the sauce was overly salty. The pizza was good, but the mozzarella was added after baking and was just a small portion placed on each slice rather than properly integrated.
The plates had a nice decorative style inspired by Salento, Italy, but they were quite scratched, which unfortunately does not make for a pleasant presentation to customers. The tip was included, but we still felt the dishes were somewhat overpriced given the portions and quality. The service was acceptable.
In conclusion, the restaurant has good potential and it is nice to see a daily menu, but it would benefit from improving the quality, balance, and presentation of the dishes and overall attention to detail in order to make the experience more appealing and better value for money.
5
Amazing food, kind staff, cute vibe/decor. The pasta and meat skewers were the best, the margarita pizza was underwhelming. Would absolutely return!
5
So cute and delicious. Everything is amazing here but most especially the pasta and pizza. They need more small plate options to share. It’s not 💯 legit Italian - and I’m Italian - but it’s a 10/10.
