Al Tiramisu
2014 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-467-4466

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. This festive eatery ripples with laughter and conversation, drawing celebrities and politicians to its doors. Al Tiramisu offers classy Italian cuisine in a pleasant environment and is great for a romantic night out or dinner with a group of friends. Seafood is the specialty, especially when it's grilled and served with olive oil and lemon. Veal, beef, and duck draw rave reviews, too, as do pastas, which include spinach-ricotta agnolotti and lobster-topped linguine with cherry tomatoes. Reservations required for dinner. METRO: Dupont Circle
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Café Luna
1633 P St NW, Washington, DC 20009 202-387-4005

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Ideal for a leisurely weekend brunch, this café offers classic morning dishes you love, made just like mom used to ­ assuming your mom was a great cook. Traditional eggs Benedict are topped with creamy Hollandaise and served with a flavorful side of onion-spiked home fries. Eggs tomato florentine is terrific too, but the most popular dish is light, sweet French toast, made with batter-dipped, bakery-fresh bread, drizzled with syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Enjoy the vivid, artsy dining room, or head out onto the sunswept patio. Brunch served 10am-3pm Saturday and Sunday.
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Café Milano
3251 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-333-6183

Description: GEORGETOWN. A pale interior punctuated by framed European-designed scarves and ties sets the scene for this "see and be seen" establishment. Washington's fashionable elite frequent the elegant hot spot, and it's not uncommon to stand at the bar and glimpse one of the Wizards or a US Senator in the next room. Scrumptious Italian delights fill the menu, from specialty pizzas to veal-and-spinach-stuffed ravioli. There's also a range of carpacci and pasta dishes, along with daily specials. An outside dining area, shaded by large awnings, is attractive during mild weather. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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Etrusco
1606 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Francesco Ricchi creates yet another quality restaurant, marking this location with his own particular brand of Tuscan cuisine. The menu is limited, which many consider a blessing. Rather than sift through pages of dishes, diners quickly choose one of the specialties and enjoy the attention given it. Pastas are fantastic, cooked perfectly al dente and accented with flavorful sauces. Seafood is fresh and flaky; veal, tender and succulent. Homemade sausages come with a garlicky bite, and the wine list is terrific, though a bit pricey. Business casual attire. METRO: Dupont Circle
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Fahrenheit
3100 South St NW, Ritz ­ Carlton, Georgetown, Washington, DC 20007 202-912-4110

Description: GEORGETOWN. This hotel dining room makes an impressive mark on Georgetown's dining scene. The stunning room is constructed around a historic smokestack and boasts gleaming hardwoods, colorful Tibetan rugs, exposed brick walls, and a pewter-glazed ceiling. The menu features American specialties with a slight Italian accent. Delicacies include soft-shelled crabs direct from Maryland, rockfish hailing from Virginia, and scallops mined from the shores of Maine. Smart casual dress.
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Filomena Ristorante
1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-338-8800

Description: GEORGETOWN. Known for resident "pasta mamas" who have made an art form of Italian cooking, this Georgetown restaurant boasts a friendly, home-like atmosphere and a serious menu. Try the buffet for great value, or order a generous helping of gnocchi, spaghetti, or ravioli, topped with delectable sauces. Veal, seafood, poultry and steaks can also be had. Plus, desserts and breads are made in-house and beg sampling. Wines available. Smart casual dress. Reservations accepted. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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Finemondo
1319 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004 202-737-3100

Description: Defined alternately as "rustic Italian" and "home-cooked Italian," this restaurant's authentic cuisine keeps folks returning again and again. The specialty is spit-roasted meat, fish, and poultry, including roasted guinea hen and spit-roasted half chicken. Both are excellent. Appetizers and desserts exceed expectations as well. Ginger crème brûlée with green apple sorbet provides the perfect finale. In the comfortable dining room, large windows open onto the street during warm weather. Smart casual dress. Reservations suggested. METRO: Metro Center
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Luigino
1100 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005-3934 202-371-0595

Description: DOWNTOWN. Close to the Convention Center and Metro Center, this airy establishment is light-filled and spacious. The extensive menu offers zesty selections of hot and cold appetizers, pizzas, pastas, and seafood. Entrees feature veal, beef, quail, chicken, and lamb. Music plays quietly in the background, a comfortable, soothing presence and a respite from work or a busy day. The dessert menu includes old favorites, like tiramisu, and also offers custards, ricotta cheesecake, and a range of coffees, cognacs, and grappas. METRO: Metro Center
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Obelisk
2029 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-872-1180

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Tucked into a brick townhouse, this intimate restaurant thrives on simplicity. Its environment is clean-lined; its food, unadulterated; its menu, uncluttered. Based on what's fresh and seasonal, the prix fixe menu changes daily and offers just a few well-developed selections. As a result, rich, satisfying courses keep patrons coming back for more. Italian-inspired meals might begin with bread or antipasto, then move to a roast squab entrée, and end with a homemade ice cream dessert. Reservations strongly recommended. METRO: Dupont Circle
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Odeon Café
1714 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009 202-328-6228

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Long a favorite for dinner and late-night snacks, this atmospheric café has added weekend brunch to its agenda. A diverse crowd shows up in the comfortable dining room to enjoy eggs Benedict (spinach, ham, or salmon) or fresh-baked quiche. The menu is small, but each dish is well-prepared and attractively presented. A relaxed vibe and bottomless cups of coffee make this a peaceful place to ease into the day. The entire lunch menu is also available during brunch.
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Olives
1600 K St NW, World Center Building, Washington, DC 20005 202-452-1866

Description: DOWNTOWN. This appealing eatery serves a host of Mediterranean-inspired entrees from its open kitchen, and a wide, airy dining room washed in earth tones provides an authentic Italian feel. Managed by chef-owner Todd English, the place produces artfully created dishes, including spinach-green Israeli couscous carbonara and truffled ricotta ravioli. Homemade pastas, especially the signature butternut squash-stuffed tortelli, make choosing difficult, and you'll also want to try slow-roasted duckling, pan-seared venison, and bacon-wrapped scallops. Business casual attire.
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Pasta Mia
1790 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20008 202-328-9114

Description: ADAMS-MORGAN. If you can imagine no better meal than a bowl of pasta, you'll be overjoyed to find this place. Pasta is all they do, and it comes just like it says on the menu ­ no substitutions. Of course, there's no reason to alter this light, homemade delicacy in all its varieties and sauces. Mixed with ingredients like olives, broccoli, Italian sausage, roasted garlic and fresh herbs, all the dishes are sublime. A glass of red wine and a loaf of crusty bread will be enough for you to achieve nirvana. Do be prepared to wait, for both a table and your order. Their reputation is exceptional, and everything's made to order.
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Pizzeria Paradiso ­ Dupont Circle
2029 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036-5948 202-223-1245

Description: Without exception, everyone raves about this fabulous place and its incredible pies. Pizzas baked in a wood-burning oven come with thin, hearty crusts and authentic ingredients. Without even sampling one, you can judge food quality by the lines outside the door. The small dining room provides more than just pizza, as proven by great sandwiches, stuffed with fresh cold cuts, roasted vegetables, and tangy cheeses on home-baked breads. Salads, wine and gelatos are terrific, too. METRO: Dupont Circle
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Pizzeria Paradiso ­ Georgetown
3282 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-337-1245

Description: GEORGETOWN. Without exception, everyone raves about this fabulous place and its incredible pies. Pizzas baked in a wood-burning oven come with thin, hearty crusts and authentic ingredients. Without even sampling one, you can judge food quality by the lines outside the door. The small dining room provides more than just pizza, as proven by great sandwiches, stuffed with fresh cold cuts, roasted vegetables, and tangy cheeses on home-baked breads. Salads, wine and gelatos are terrific, too.
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Ristorante i Ricchi
1220 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-835-0459

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Spacious, glass-enclosed rooms, laced with trailing greenery, provide terrific views of downtown DC. With a focus on rustic Italian cuisine, the Tuscan-inspired menu features grilled meats and baked entrees from the wood-burning grill. An array of pastas and risottos tempts diners, and succulent pork, beef, and seafood dishes have a rich, smoky flavor. The open kitchen also serves thick soups, crusty breads, homemade sausages, and the signature Tortelloni al Burro e Salvia, a pasta with ricotta and spinach, tossed in a butter-sage sauce. Business casual attire. Reservations recommended. METRO: Dupont Circle
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Teatro Goldoni
1909 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006 202-955-9494

Description: DOWNTOWN. A carnival atmosphere pervades this theatrical restaurant, named after one of Venice's most famous playwrights and epicures. Goldoni would be proud of the exuberant place, filled with commedia dell'arte masks and harlequin motifs. Awash in color and imagination, the interior is in perfect synch with the food. Both open themselves to a variety of influences and fuse the components into something fresh and exciting. The menu places a premium on fresh seafood and pastas; a perennial favorite is lobster risotto with sun-dried tomatoes. Osso bucco also draws raves, as does crab-encrusted mahi mahi. Dessert runs the gamut from sorbets to pecan tarts. METRO: Farragut North or Farragut West
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The Palm
1225 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-293-9091

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. For a classic fine dining experience in our nation's capital, you can't beat The Palm. While there, you're likely to see scurrying Secret Service agents and legislators recognizable from C-SPAN, and regulars have been caricatured on the walls for decades. USDA Prime steaks are justifiably famous, jumbo Nova Scotia lobsters are delicious, and Italian dishes reflect the restaurant's heritage. Delectable sides include cottage fries, creamed spinach and fried onions. The casual yet refined atmosphere and outstanding service accommodate a relaxed meal or a business meeting with equal aplomb. METRO: Dupont Circle
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Tivoli Restaurant
1700 Moore St, Arlington, VA 22201 703-524-8900

Description: ARLINGTON. Set in a shopping and business complex above the Rosslyn Metro, this tranquil eatery delivers reasonably priced Italian favorites in a relaxed, upscale environment. Business meetings and romantic dinners occur simultaneously in the pastel-tinted dining room, which also features plush seating and fresh flowers. Sample complimentary herbed focaccia and then enjoy such Northern Italian specialties as risotto, ravioli, and fettucini Alfredo. Continental favorites include steaks and veal with hollandaise. Reservations recommended. Business or business casual attire.
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Tosca
1112 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004 202-367-1990

Description: DOWNTOWN. Tosca's menu focuses on the foods of Italy's Lake Como district, the home region of chef Cesare Lanfranconi. Dishes created in his kitchen honor his heritage and are consistently well-presented. Among them are eggplant gnocchi with shrimp, roasted rack of lamb, and veal filet. Quiet conversation is easy, given the restaurant's thick carpeting and drapes, and the place is a good choice for important business meetings or special nights out. Reservations suggested. METRO: Metro Center
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Tuscana West
1350 I St NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-289-7300

Description: DOWNTOWN. This popular Italian kitchen, located across from Franklin Park, features the cookery of Chef Luciano D'Avanzo, who amazes palates with delightful, contemporary renditions of time-tested classics like Sicilian tuna, ravioli verde and oven-baked pizzas.
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