Acqua Bistecca — Restaurant in Washington

New restaurant w potential, but really needs to find its footing in order to match its price tag. No signage for streetside entrance that was through a door for a parking garage complex. Bar was beautiful as was the seating and lighting, but muzak style background audio was weird. Best waitress service we’ve had in a long time and well staffed floor/front of house staff. But heard our waitress get chastised by management for appropriately timing our experience menu courses as opposed to rushing our food (shout out to her for sticking to her guns). Of the experience menu: only 2 out of 4 apps were good (squash and salad. Not arancini or the toast that used to be focaccia). Both pastas were good. The swordfish was mid, but the steak had SILVERSKIN in it that we had to dress ourselves. Desserts also mid, but the description of ‘il limon’ was bafflingly opaque. Finally, the wines: the blanc de blanc i selected was good (but served in a white wine glass? $30 for a glass of $70 wine?) and the pairings selected for the menu were poorly timed, underwhelming, and simply grabs from off the by-the-glass list. One of our other self-selected wine was given as a fridge-temp/cold cab sav. That didnt improve w warming. Dc eater...

I had high hopes for this restaurant, given its stunning location in a charming, upscale neighborhood—a gem they seem unaware of. The ambiance is undeniably beautiful, but the experience falls short. The food is decent, but it lacks the authenticity one expects from a place aspiring to be a high-end Italian restaurant.

The service has significant room for improvement. The staff appears to be improvising, which is somewhat understandable for a newly opened establishment, but it’s clear they lack proper training. Interactions among the team feel disorganized and unprofessional, reflecting poorly on management. The leadership seems out of their depth, unsure of how to guide the staff or deliver a cohesive dining experience.

This restaurant aims to position itself as a premier Italian dining destination in the DC area, but it misses the mark on what truly defines Italian hospitality—warmth, precision, and culinary excellence. They’re still figuring out their identity and service standards. With some refinement in management, staff training, and a stronger focus on authentic Italian cuisine, this place has potential, but it’s not there yet. I hope they take the time to elevate the experience to match the beauty of...

We celebrated my wife’s and her friend’s birthdays at Acqua Bistecca DC, and it was a night to remember! The decor sets an extraordinary vibe—sophisticated, elegant, and brimming with that quintessential DC charm, making it the ideal spot for a special occasion. The one hiccup was our initial server, whose performance was, frankly, a disaster and could risk tarnishing Acqua Bistecca DC’s reputation. Fortunately, the general manager, Mark—aptly nicknamed “The Fixer”—stepped in with remarkable professionalism, swiftly changing our server and resetting the evening. Alongside the stellar Shannon, he transformed our experience into something truly unforgettable, ensuring we’re already planning our next visit. The food was phenomenal, each dish cooked to perfection and thoughtfully paired with beverages. I highly recommend the Venice, a delightful twist on a whiskey sour that’s simply divine. For a unique treat, order the lasagna, and don’t skip the arancini and focaccia—you’ll be glad you didn’t! While Acqua Bistecca DC is still new and ironing out a few kinks, the outstanding management and cuisine that rivals the best I’ve tasted in Italy make it clear this restaurant is poised to become a cornerstone of...