Fabio Trabocchi commands much of the praise and attention at
his excellent mid-century-mod Italian dining room. What sometimes gets
overlooked: an equal talent behind the bar. Jeff Faile shakes and stirs
some of the best cocktails in Washington—try the nicely gingery Milan Mule
or the rosemary-scented and refreshing Fiola. Weekdays 4 to 6, a terrific
happy hour offers $6 cocktails and snacks including buffalo-mozzarella
fritters and veal meatballs with a runny egg. Insider tip: Faile has a
special love for Negronis, the Italian aperitifs of vermouth, bitters, and
gin. Six are on his menu; the Negroni Bianco—with Botanist gin from
Scotland, Cocchi Americano, and Dolin Blanc vermouth—is spectacular. Open
Monday through Saturday.
