Raviolis are a must !
As a general rule, D.C.'s City Center is low on great food, BUT if there's one place you should visit it's Centrolina. It's an Italian restaurant open for lunch and dinner with a market. After meeting a friend for a Friday lunch, here's my experience:1) Food: The restaurant sources local ingredients. (There's a list of where on the back of the menu.) My friend and I split a salad, bread basket and both had the tagliolini with a fried egg on top. Each dish was well prepared and worth the money. The bread basket comes with thin bread sticks, white bread and cheese focaccia.2) Drinks: We each had two glasses of refreshing prosecco. They have a full wine list too!3) Service: It's a it more fancy so the service is on point and very polite. Our server also did a great job of upselling us. Originally, my friend ordered a salad and I the bread basket. He convinced us to split both adding to our bill's total. He also suggested prosecco, which wasn't on our radar.4) Space: It's simple elegant with minimalist design, but striking. With big windows, the light pours into the space. Two uni-sex bathrooms are in the back near a private room for group dining. A bar is in the center of the restaurant.5) Price: The only complaint is the price point, but that's to be expected in City Center. Splitting bread, a salad and each ordering two glasses of prosecco and the tagliolini, our bill was $180+ with a 20% tip.
Awesome food and staff. No complaint at all
When we arrived we were not sure what to expect. It was buzzing with activity. Our server Tim seemed to be in the weeds. We chose a wine that he could not seem to find. After about 20 minutes his associate Thomas arrived & found the wine. It was worth the wait. We ordered the crispy eggplant - amazing! The buratta and the Verde salad - magnificent! The lamb chops and pork chops were a beautiful presentation - perfectly cooked and seasoned. The salmon was like butter, sweet and succulent. We were too full for dessert although when Tim brought a to go box of cookies we enjoyed them.
I did not have a reservation And they were still able to sit me at the bar. The wine was good!! The Tuna Carpaccio I had was so good I went on for a taste and ate it all before I took photos(sorry). Everyone around me seemed to enjoy their food. I could hear them all complimenting the food.
might’ve just been a poor choice on an off day, but the papardelle with white bolognese ragu at lunch today didn’t look too appetizing. friends I showed the photo to immediately said “looks like vomit.” unfortunate presentation. puzzling actually, that the kitchen would not anticipate that. also just ever so slightly sour, reinforcing the unfortunate presentation. this wasn’t my first time at Centrolina so I do know they can put out really good dishes. not touching that one again though.
This restaurant is pretty and the service was good. I have a salad and a seafood dish, the salad was good and I enjoyed the hard boiled egg on top as a different experience. The seafood dish was 38 dollars and consisted of one piece of fish one shrimp 2 scallops and some squid. It was tiny. I’m a petite woman and for close to 60 dollars I don’t think I should have left hungry. Can’t imagine a guy being satisfied with portions.
Fabulous late small lunch! Superb wait staff who made excellent recommendations! Caesar salsa, assorted breads and pannacotta - all delicious! Definitely will return!
A great experience with fine Italian foods and drinks. I do recommend that place!
If you order the right thing, it's fantastic. Otherwise... Our server was phenomenal but other front of house staff left a little too be desired for the price point.