Incredible food and a very attentive staff. I took my friends and their 9 month old and everyone was so nice and accommodating. Some of the best grilled calamari I have ever eaten. The pasta was perfect. The lamb chops were expertly prepared. I cannot wait to return.
This may be the best Italian food I've found in Washington, DC. I almost don't want to do a great review of Al Crostino - because it seems to be a best-kept secret right now. I'd hate to see it get so popular that I can't get a table. :-)
The food is exceptional. The staff - including the chef who greets everyone in the restaurant - is pleasant and knowledgeable. All of the dishes we tried were amazing.
We can't wait to go back...
Phenomenal food in an understated, hole in the wall spot. Excellent service and attention from the lovely woman that runs the place. Everything we had was delicious but the veal Milanese special really stood out.
A wonderful hidden gem. The owner is incredibly friendly and sweet. Simple decor, incredibly friendly staff, and absolutely wonderful food. It is elegant but not stuffy. A great date night restaurant. Some of the best Italian food I have had in DC. I highly recommend.
Beautiful family running Italian restaurant,where you can have lunch or dinner in so nice atmosphere.Chef and owner Juliana is nice and more than welcome to host guests.It was pleasure to meet her and try rigatoni alla Juliana pasta. Definitely will recommend to everybody.
Amazing is the best word to describe Al Crostino! While the wait staff is wonderful, the owners are even more amazing! During our first visit, Lina Ncolai (the daughter) visited with us extensively. Last night it was the main chef, Juliana (the mom!). She counseled us on great wine. And then she told us of her specialties for the day -- both incredible. And when I made a comment about my love for a certain vegetable, she brought some out from the kitchen and placed them on my pasta. I was speechless, but pleased. You'll enjoy the warm hospitality and the wonderful food!
Pretty good restaurant week menu, little bit of everything! The red sauce was amazing and can't go wrong topping Focaccia with melted cheese. Definitely good for sharing and want to go back to try more!
We got to hear about this restaurant through Groupon. The food was beyond amazing. From the starters through to the dessert, this place is just perfect. And the owner, Giuliana was a perfect blend of classy and knowledgeable. My husband and I couldn't recommend this place enough. We will definitely come back next time we are in Washington DC!! ❤️
Went here while visiting for a friend's wedding, happen to be my birthday weekend so wanted Italian! Love that the chef herself Julianna comes out and ask how your meal is! The food is amazing and the restaurant is very intimate. The tiramusu is great too, but I'm biased! Lol
Coming from northern New Jersey and exposure to traditional italian pasta dishes, I don't believe there is a ton of good italian in the DC area, even at high-priced establishments that get good publicity. This small but comfortable kitchen makes quite wonderful, authentic pasta dishes that don't try to wow you with a hundred flavors going on...they trust the simple flavors of their ingredients and completely nail the rustic tastes they are presenting. I've only had the pastas, but they are fantastic with just the right size portions. I tell everyone I know to go here, and everyone I've brought has loved it.
Tucked into a converted row house, Al Crostino is unassuming and delightful. We've been several times and always enjoy it - most recently we went on a Friday evening and it was busy but still had great service. We enjoyed a caprese appetizer, ravioli and whitefish entrees, and mousse for dessert. Everything was wonderfully fresh and delicious. We'll be back!
This place is amazing. If you want quality food and wonderful people to attend care to your food with a lot of love, then this is the place for you. Owned by a mother and daughter that take pride in their craft. Words can’t really describe how many this place is so go ahead and go try it. You’ll be amazed I guarantee it.
Recently returning from Italy, I have enjoyed searching for authentically similar delicatesses. I have found few, Al Crostino takes the cake. Family owned and beautifully operated, we enjoyed every minute of it. We sat at the chefs table, which was a blessing in disguise. Julian made ordering easy. Her recommendations and chefs preference were amazing. The love and time this family puts into their food and guest's experience is a direct reflection of the same I experienced while in Italy. My favorite dish has been the Gorgonzola gnocchi, but you don't get that option in most places in the states so naturally this is the dish I ordered at Al Crostino. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! This restaraunt gem is my new found love.
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We were referred to Al Crostino, run by a mother-daughter team, by it's sister restaurant. As soon as you walk through the door, you feel like you're entering someone's home.
They were very accommodating for my friend's birthday and allowed us to stay well after closing. About six people, including management, would check in on us to make sure we were doing well.
The food was a little disappointing, particularly the skewers, and there wasn't a wide selection to pick from. One of the owners came to the table to offer Parmesan cheese to those who ordered pasta dishes, but when I ask for some (I ordered a delicious chicken entree) I was told "oh no honey, we are Italian we don't mess with our food" and was instructed to place the Parmesan cheese on the side until she left, before I could add it to my food.
We found this to be really amusing--their sense of pride and commitment to being a truly Italian restaurant was charming. This is a great and convenient place to eat before hitting the party scene on U Street.
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