Bibiana
1100 New York Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-216-9550
Neighborhood: Penn Quarter/Chinatown, Downtown
Cuisines: Pizza, Italian
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Nearby Metro Stops: McPherson Square, Metro Center
Price Range: Expensive
Noise Level: Chatty
Reservations: Recommended
Website: http://www.bibianadc.com
Best Dishes:
Chicken-liver mousse on toast; burrata salad; oysters with lemon emulsion; veal meatballs with marinara; black spaghetti with crab; pizza with lardo and a runny egg; braised veal cheeks with polenta, mushrooms, and hazelnuts; squab with peaches; fried ar
Price Details:
Starters $3 to $18, entrées $16 to $34.
Special Features: Wheelchair Accessible, Valet Parking Available
It’s got the look of a mover-and-shaker: sculptural chandeliers, a stylish crowd, a floating chain-mail wall. But Ashok Bajaj’s modern Italian dining room has a rustic soul. Chef Nick Stefanelli, who has worked under Roberto Donna and Fabio Trabocchi, is at his best reinterpreting robust plates with his own elegant spin. Pastas are hand-rolled and delicate, and desserts are surprisingly inventive while still thoroughly Italian. Being able to order wines by the glass, quartino, or half and full carafes is a generous touch. If you’ve never indulged in Amaro, the bitter Italian digestif made from herbs, roots, and citrus peel, among other things, this is the place to try one. Our favorites: Ramazzotti, with hints of caramel and anise, and Meletti, redolent of violets and saffron.
Don’t miss: Fried artichokes; meatballs with polenta; salumi; lasagna Bolognese; Prosecco zabaglione with passionfruit-fig sorbet; chocolate-almond semifreddo and flourless chocolate cake.
Open: Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner. Expensive.
