Bravo for "Graffiato"

C Says...

As some of you may or may not know, I LOVE Top Chef. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Whether it's Fabio making "hamboogers" for Jimmy Fallon, Tiffany going from bitch to sweetheart, or Padma telling someone to pack their knives and go, it's fantastic TV. So ever since Mike Isabella announced he was opening a restaurant in DC (something much different than Spike's Good Stuff or We the Pizza), I'd been dying go. Yeah J for picking it this month.

I had high expectations going in based on reviews from foodies to friends, and for the most part, I wasn't disappointed. Featuring small plates or pizzas, we opted to share the former. Staring with a simple, yet oh so flavorful flat bread, the meal dovetailed into a beet with goat cheese salad. I have just discovered beets after a trip to Chelan, WA (shout out CR!!!!) where I absolutely fell in love with them. No longer did they taste like dirt. I'm not sure if the chef forgot the goat cheese, or I just missed it, but this salad could have used some, or more, even if the beets were cooked to perfection. The pork belly was melt in your mouth divine and the chicken thighs were unbelievable. Two words: pepperoni sauce. The only real miss of the meal in my mind was the pumpkin risotto; the flavors never really came together, and it left me wanting to like it, but couldn't. To end the meal I had to try the zeppoli with pumpkin caramel. Maybe to make up for the risotto -- and it did. Boy, did it.

While the ambiance is rather loud and was crowded on a random weeknight, I highly recommend making the trip. Remember. Two words: pepperoni sauce.


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J Says...

I had been to Graffiato prior to this review...the other J simply had to go as soon as it opened. At that time, we did the chef's tasting with wine pairing which allowed us to try basically 3/4 of the menu (there were four of us, each getting different plates) for a decently-priced $85 each. Thus, going into dinner with C, I had an idea of what to have again...what to avoid...and what new to try.

To Mike Isabella's credit, he adds and subtracts items based on the season and local availability, so there were some new items for Fall that I was unaware of during my previous summer dining. The only item C forgot to mention in her review above was the homemade spaghetti. I know it sounds boring but it really is quite amazing. In my mind, it ties the beloved pepperoni sauce. I wasn't disappointed when C decided not to have too much of my cherished spaghetti.

As the food speaks for itself...and it speaks loud and proud...I think the setting needs some attending too. It's a bit like a high school cafeteria, completely with uncomfortable chairs, chilly temperatures and cement walls/floors that bounce every sound around the room. This may be the sterilized feel that Isabella is going for, but just doesn't seem to fit the DC model (more of a NYC-niche thing, perhaps).

So yea, I'll be going back to Graffiato...and likely bring the other J next time, as I almost had to sleep on the couch for excluding him this time. Oh Snap!


Graffiatio - 707 6th Street NW, 202.289.3600, http://www.graffiatodc.com/