Capa Tosta — Restaurant in Washington

Hi! I’m Italian, have been raised on homemade pastas and sauces, have spent time in Italy, and the cuisine my fam most often goes out to eat in the U.S. is Italian. So if you’re in the same boat and are very critical of Italian, I hope my review helps you decide between Capa Tosta and other [better] options in the district:

Capa Tosta has lovely vibes outside on the patio, and they even have a special on Tuesdays and Wednesdays where you can get a bottle of wine if you buy dinner for two. If you take advantage of this and also get the Chicken Parm, you will be pleased. However, in general, for other dishes, I would NOT recommend this restaurant for authentic and flavorful Italian food and am shocked to see its current rating is so high.

The bread they bring out was not good. Was not warm, did not have any pizazz, did not taste particularly fresh — reminiscent of of a thin sliced Italian bread loaf I’d get pre-cut from a Walmart Deli.

I was trying to decide between ravioli and gnocchi, and settled on the Gnocchi Sorrento. The burrata on top was great - that was the only praise-worthy thing about this dish. If you are familiar with gnocchi, a high-quality gnocchi,  should be tender, soft, and delicate - almost melting in your mouth - rather than tough or chewy. If the melt-in-mouth quality is a 10, and tough and chewy is a 1 - I’d say this was a 4 or 5. If the texture on a gnocchi is a let-down, at least a superb sauce can be a redeeming quality of a dish. However, this was yet another ding: There was another review that mentioned the sauce tasted cheap and jarred. I 100% echo that. The “San Marzano” tomato sauce was the blandest red sauce I’ve ever had. Lacked any flavor or complexity. I didn’t even bother finishing my dish, as I had deemed it a sheer waste of calories — I thought I was being overly critical, so had my German partner try it and his words were “wow, this is an absolute joke - I don’t want to eat it either”.

My mom was also disappointed with her Chicken Marsala and said although the chicken was cooked well, the dish lacked flavor, even with extra Marsala sauce. My partner and dad were pleased with their Chicken Parms and thought they were excellent, which jives with the other reviews - hence why I think this is the only dish I’d recommend. It also comes with a vodka sauce — when I had bites of my partner’s pasta that came with his chicken parm, this sauce was much better than my San Marzano tomato sauce.

Service was good. You could tell the wait staff were really trying to be friendly, warm and welcoming — which they did well — but we weren’t particularly impressed by their skill.

FYI - The credit card you put down to make a $50 reservation for a party of 4+ automatically gets used for the entire tab, without even asking/confirming with the patron first. When I booked it said “Due to our limited seating and demand, we require a $50 refundable deposit to confirm your reservation. This security deposit is only non-refundable if you cancel under 24-hours” — was not aware they wouldn’t ask to apply it to the tab, or use for the whole tab. When we complained about it (my parents were in town and treating me to dinner for my bday) the staff was very sweet to try to make it better with dessert (The tiramisu was great). I gave an extra star for service because of their attempts to atone the issue, but still feel so strongly about the low quality of the food that I regret to be leaving an altogether low...

Indulgence reached new heights at Capa Tosta, where I had the absolute pleasure of savoring their Lobster Crab Ravioli. As a lover of Italian cuisine and a self-proclaimed foodie, this culinary experience was nothing short of extraordinary.

From the moment I walked into the warm and inviting ambiance of the restaurant, I knew I was in for a treat. The attentive and knowledgeable staff made me feel right at home, setting the stage for what would become a memorable dining affair.

The Lobster Crab Ravioli arrived at my table like a masterpiece on a plate. The presentation alone was enough to ignite my appetite. As I took my first bite, I was met with an explosion of flavors that danced on my palate. The ravioli's delicate pasta enveloped a sumptuous filling of lobster and crab, creating a perfect balance of richness and tenderness.

The sauce was nothing short of divine; a velvety, saffron-infused masterpiece that complemented the seafood filling flawlessly. Each bite was a harmonious blend of creaminess and seafood essence that left me longing for more.

What truly impressed me was the attention to detail in every aspect of this dish. The ravioli was cooked to perfection, tender and cooked just right, while the lobster and crab filling exuded freshness, taking me on a journey to the Italian coast with every bite.

The portion size was generous, making this dish perfect for sharing or enjoying as a decadent solo indulgence. Coupled with a glass of their recommended white wine, the dining experience elevated to new heights, creating a symphony of flavors that lingered long after the meal.

As a connoisseur of Italian cuisine, I can confidently say that Capa Tosta has set the bar high with their Lobster Crab Ravioli. It's a dish that showcases the culinary expertise and dedication of the chef and the restaurant's commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience.

If you find yourself at Capa Tosta, the Lobster Crab Ravioli is an absolute must-try. From the warm ambiance to the impeccable service and, of course, the divine flavors of this exquisite dish, it is an experience that will stay with you long after you leave. Bravo to Capa Tosta for delivering Italian...

I've been to Capa Tosta several times now, usually with family. Every time we've enjoyed a great meal together, being welcomed in by Aldo and Angelo on behalf of their family and the rest of the team. There aren't any gimmicks or things done for the sake of being trendy -- simply a menu with a nice variety of apps, salads, pastas and mains. As well as wines and a cocktail list with a few classics alongside some more unique house creations.

The thing is, we're a family that shares, and without exaggeration every single thing I've tasted at Capa Tosta has been particularly delicious and well executed. At this point, that's most of the menu. The dishes are cooked with care and expertise. It's a family-run restaurant, with everything flavored just right.

Everything they serve has really hit the spot. The arrabbiata actually has a kick of savory chili peppers mixed in with the bright tomato sauce. The spaghetti vongole has the brininess of the clams balanced with the perfect amount of garlic and acidity from white wine. The orecchiette Pugliese features the pleasant bitterness of broccoli rabe dancing with sausage and ricotta salata. And the tagliatelle bolognese is hearty, rich, and lovingly made. The meatballs, crispy artichoke, eggplant parm, and fritto misto appetizers are all excellent. And there isn't a pasta that wouldn't please. The main dishes include a few standbys like chicken parmigiana and a daily special or two, which are also very satisfying.

This is the type of place where you think you know what to expect, but things are just a little better anyway. Even the first time we visited, Aldo treated us like friends or family. There is a true feeling of hospitality, where we're not just customers but guests. All of this makes Capa Tosta an amazing place to have in the neighborhood, since it can make a regular evening turn into...