Café Milano – Where you have to pay to play

Located on Prospect Street, just west of Wisconsin Avenue, is the small but elegant Café Milano. It offers all that you would expect at an Italian café, good food, wine and friendly service. But what Café Milano really offers, is a chance to flaunt one’s social status, which is why it has become my second favorite DC establishment for people watching (the first is Kramerbooks Afterwords Café).

Café Milano markets itself to the “movers and shakers” of DC—businessmen, politicians, diplomats and of course, socialites. I have been there on two occasions, and on both, I would be lying if I said that I saw anyone of any considerable fame. But you sure wouldn’t know it judging from the designer suits, fashionable dresses, and air of self importance. It is a rare occasion (Halloween) that you can observe someone wearing sunglasses after dark, which certainly speaks to the heightened sense of self that abounds among the patrons of Café Milano. Fortunately for the perpetrator, the bar and dining room were well lit enough to reveal that they were, in fact, designer. And if the moon glasses didn’t tell the entire story, the designer three piece, cufflinks and all, did.

The bar is a scene from the Great Gatsby. There is an obvious dichotomy of company here. The women—young and attractive--have a manner about them that says, “I am not looking for just a husband, but a way of life.” The men, twenty years older on average, have a complementary look that declares, “I can provide that lifestyle. Do you see my suit?” There is nothing that would indicate their message to be false—they really ARE well dressed. I’ll leave the judgment regarding the marital success rate of such matches to the experts.

If you want to ingratiate yourself into this crowd, you are going to have to pay up. There is a premium to dine here. Entrees are in the forty dollar range, and you can get a small pizza for 17 bucks. A glass of wine will run you in the vicinity of fifteen dollars. If you are looking for food, walk south to Filomena’s, it is a better value. But if you are looking to people watch, for next season fashion ideas, or for a husband, come to Café Milano.

Landini Brother's

Situated off of King Street, one block from the waterfront, Landini’s is a good lunchtime reprieve from Old Town shopping. The exposed brick walls, flagstone floor and dark mahogany trim produce a quaint Tuscan experience. There is a sense of family--it seems all of the waiters know each other, and all have a similar, and sometimes difficult to understand, accent.

Downstairs provides a spirited atmosphere, catering to larger groups. Upon entry, there is a perceptible smell of cigar smoke, lingering from the night before. The non-smoking area to the left is set-apart from the main floor. And, the noticeable red ductwork hanging from the ceiling provides the necessary ventilation, alleviating the smell for its non-smoking patrons. If you are looking for a quieter or more romantic venue, you can sit upstairs adjacent to the wine room, containing a host of Italian favorites.

The food is good. For lunch I had the “Pollo alla Griglia”—a grilled chicken panini that was tender and tasty. I washed it down with a couple of Peroni’s, nothing fancy. On a dinner occasion, I had the “Suprema di Pollo alla Bolognese”—a chicken breast sautéed in butter and white wine, topped with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce—for my entrée. It was excellent, but the portion was a bit small for what I have come to expect from a family Italian Restaurant. Perhaps I was spoiled from my visit to Filomena’s in Georgetown only days prior.

All in all, I cannot complain about my experiences at Landini Brother’s—the food and service are good, it is not overly-expensive, they have an ample selection, and the atmosphere is vibrant. I will go there again without hesitation, but for a really special dinner or celebration, I will probably search elsewhere as it lacks that extra “wow” factor.

Filomena - A Great Value In Georgetown

Perched off of Wisconsin Avenue, Filomena's in the heart of Georgetown. My experience with Georgetown Restaurants has been that they are usually good but overpriced. The food at Filomena's is excellent, and although the price tag is comparable to other local restaurants, the portions are massive making it an exceptional value.

Filomena's has an array of appetizers. I can personally vouch for the "Bruschette Con Pomodoro" and the "Scampi alla Zia Katie" both of which were excellent. For an entree, the "Pollo alla Parmigiana" is outstanding. The chicken is tender, served breaded and piping hot under a salty tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. The serving is so large, I could only try the side of penne pasta--also very good.

They have a relatively extensive list of Italian wines--especially red. Personally, I enjoy their Chianti and Sangiovese based selections. And after dinner, you can look forward to a complementary carafe of Sambuca and Amaretto complete with coffee beans. And if you have any room left in your stomach their desert list looks amazing. I have yet to try one.

The atmosphere at Filomena's is quite festive. The small unassuming entryway belies the open and grandiose interior. Situated to the right of the entrance is a small room where their "Pasta Mama's" handmake the pasta--adding to the Italian flavor. Their dining floor decor borders on intrusive but adheres to the current Holiday theme and is jovial. Currently they are decked out for Valentines Day. My only complaint, politics aside, is that the stuffed donkey at the entrance overshadows the hospitable maitre de. But I suspect they will take it down after the novelty of the new administration diminishes.

Overall, Filomena's is an excellent venue for a date, a business meeting, or a get-together with friends. Your experience will justify why it has been voted DC's best Italian restaurant three years running.