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Italian Food Is Dying In DC

First, developer Douglas Jemal announces that he has purchased land where A.V. Ristorante Italiano now stands.  The restaurant will close in October 2007.  Then, to add insult to injury, the owners of San Marco have announced that they are putting the restaurant up for sale at the end of the year.  San Marco is one of my favorite restaurants in this city, and easily the best italian food this side of Baltimore.  Even if the purchaser continued to operate it as the same restaurant, it could never be the same without Chef Pino Mele, who plans to return to Sardinia.  So, in order to savor every last minute of the restaurant's existence, I guess I'm going to have to start eating there twice a week.  If you see me in 4 months and I'm really fat, you'll know why.

Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 by Registered CommenterRCR | Comments13 Comments

Reader Comments (13)

Try Odeon Cafe on Conn Avenue. It's the only place in the city where i'll eat the Carpaccio and not worry about getting a tapeworm. Bon Appetite.
Aug 22, 2006 at 11:21AM | Unregistered Commenterhomeimprovementninja
Odeon? Odeon, home of the $14.95 Lobster special? No thanks. Odeon is horrendous. Famous Luigi's is better, for god's sake. There is a lack of good "red sauce" joints in the city, though. Have you tried Al Crostino, RCR?
Aug 22, 2006 at 11:26AM | Unregistered CommenterRudy and Blitz
This is sad news. I love A.V.'s - it's such an old school , affordable and seemingly authentic experience. I can handle this one, but the San Marco news just hit me like a punch to my gut. San Marco is by far my favorite restaurant in DC. Its masky decor is a little unusual, but the entire staff is super friendly and they make the best Penne Arriabiata I've ever had. I love going in there to fill my belly and chat with everyone.
Aug 22, 2006 at 11:28AM | Unregistered CommenterWharman
Sir, you have broken my heart. San Marco is easily one of the best joints in the city. I have dreams of their gnocchi with pesto. I'll be at the next table over for the rest of the year, shoving it in my cheeks like a chipmunk preparing for the longest, saddest winter.
Aug 22, 2006 at 12:12PM | Unregistered CommenterBrunch Bird
the loss of AV is bad enough, but now san marco? say it isn't so. i guess i'll be eating a lot of italian until the end of the year.
Aug 22, 2006 at 12:52PM | Unregistered CommenterLady Tiara
San Marco is the best Italian place in the city hands down (Ok, I haven't been to Galileo, so I can't really say that). I laugh at the idiots who line up at Pasta Mia every night.

San Marco is closed right now because the owners are in Italy for a few weeks, but if you haven't been there, get there before they close.
Aug 22, 2006 at 01:23PM | Unregistered Commentercuff
Al Crostino is meh at best--it makes me sad to think about the fact that Kuna used to be there.
Aug 22, 2006 at 03:27PM | Unregistered CommenterJordanBaker
I don't really think of Crostino as in the same vein as AV, San Marco, or (blech) Pasta Mia. It lacks the traditional feeling of other home-style places. Also, the menu is limited.

I still haven't tried Il Pizzico in Rockville, which is apparently the bee's knees.
Aug 22, 2006 at 04:14PM | Registered CommenterRCR
Fair enough, Crostino isn't exactly a red sauce joint, and I too miss Kuna. But, those guys screwed up Kuna in the first place by trying to open up Opera - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

San Marco closing, or changing, isn't "new news" though - they have been talking about going back to Italy for about a year now. Definitely DC's loss.

Can't say that I have ever had a good meal at AV though, and Pasta Mia is beyond awful.
Aug 23, 2006 at 08:26AM | Unregistered CommenterRudy and Blitz
I don't go to AV for good food. I go for it's history. It will be missed. I've never eaten at San Marco, so it sounds like I'll have to make it in there for one visit before it's departure.
Aug 23, 2006 at 10:46AM | Unregistered CommenterWashington Cube
I know they've been talking about selling it for a while, but now that it's definite... I had also heard that Roberto's sister might buy the place and continue it, but I don't know how credible that rumor is.
Aug 23, 2006 at 03:48PM | Registered CommenterRCR
Again flying the Virginia flag, Landini Brothers in Old Town is great. Try to sit in the front room for the best ambiance, as long as you don't mind the occassional smoker/cigar. And if you want a dish that's not on the menu, say, arrabiata, odds are that they will make it for you and it will be fantastic.
Aug 23, 2006 at 03:59PM | Unregistered CommenterMadelyn
Whaaaat? Landini is awful. A tired old town "landmark" that caters to tourists and folks who don't know any better, just like Il Porto.

If anyone heads to Old Town for food, I'd imagine it would be to either Eve or Vermillion - maybe Morou's spot when he opens it. Everything else there is mediocre or worse, decidedly not worth the trip over the bridge.
Aug 24, 2006 at 10:12AM | Unregistered CommenterRudy and Blitz

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