Top 5 Bites: An Italian Invasion

• November 21, 2013

by Jamie Liu

Pasta from Osteria Morini

This week’s Top 5 Bites is heavy on Italian fare, with three Italian restaurant openings and one closing.

New York Italian

New York import Osteria Morini from Chef Michael White opened Tuesday at 301 Water Street SE (map). With Matthew Adler serving as executive chef, the menu is traditionally structured with salumi, cheese, salads, antipasti, pasta, and entrees. If you’re a big carnivore, you’ll probably enjoy the variety of meats — grilled or spit-roasted over a wood fire. There are 18 wines available by the glass, including two sparkling options.

Roberto Donna Expands

Chef Roberto Donna is making quite the comeback as he expands with a second restaurant, Alba Osteria, on December 15 at 425 I Street NW (map) with restaurateur Hakan Ilhan, according to PoPville. Along with a selection of salumi, cheese and homemade pasta, the restaurant will serve Neapolitan-style pizza. In addition to a “boutique selection” of wines, you can choose from four wines and 20 beers on tap.

A Green Wolf on T Street

Next up in the procession of Italian restaurant openings is Lupo Verde, which will open in mid-December at 1401 T Street NW (map), according to the Washington Post. The new restaurant from the owners of Tunnicliff’s Tavern and Ulah Bistro will serve wood-fired pizzas, paninis, and pasta, as well as a selection of 50 cheeses, including five made in house.

Selection from District Doughnut

A Hole in One

Fans of the catering-only District Doughnut no longer have to put in a bulk order to get their doughnut fix. District Doughnut will be opening a retail location at 749 8th Street SE (map), according to Capitol Hill Corner. The bakery is known for its salt-sprinkled dulce de leche and peanut butter glazed jelly-filled doughnuts.

Dino to Close

Neighborhood Italian trattoria Dino in Cleveland Park expects to close in January. But fans of the restaurant’s great selection of wines and rustic Italian food will be glad to know that it will reopen in an undisclosed location in Shaw in February, according to the Washington Post. Owner Dean Gold cites slow business as the reason for the relocation.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/top_5_bites_an_italian_invasion/7851