Coco Lezzone — Restaurant in Washington

Cute little Mediterranean and Italian restaurant located just a few blocks away from the White House with impressively large portions and a super friendly staff. I visited Coco Lezzone on a Friday night dinner with a couple of friends. We were immediately greeted by a warm, friendly hostess, who led us to our table in the center of the restaurant. Despite being pretty crowded, the restaurant as a whole felt quite quiet, so it was a great, relaxing place to enjoy our dinner as we caught up.

The menu is quite expansive, extending across four pages and three countries / regions of food, but we eventually settled on our selections. My friends both got pasta dishes, one with beef and the other with seafood, and I ordered their insalata tilapia. I was initially intimidated by the idea of a $25 salad, but once I saw the portion size, I understood why the price tag was so high. Each of our plates were massive, with probably 4 or 5 cups worth of pasta or salad. Our entrees also each came with a starter salad and bread (although I'm not entirely sure why my salad came with a starter salad...perhaps the servers just didn't want me to feel left out as my dining partners ate their salads, which is very sweet). Each entree was easily two, maybe three meals, and we could have easily split just one or two of these plates between us and been perfectly fine.

Although the portions were giant, I was, admittedly, not super impressed by the food itself. The pasta was overcooked and almost mushy, and, while the salad part of my salad was fantastic, the tilapia was overcooked to the point that it felt a bit dry. It looked quite seasoned on the outside, but much of that flavor didn't fully penetrate the fish, so it ended up feeling a bit bland. On the othre hand, the salad was loaded up with plenty of fixings, including feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted red peppers, red onions, fried pita chips, capers, pine nuts, greek olive mix, artichokes, radish, and hazelnuts, so it was a fun combination of flavors and textures. It also came with a small side of hummus, which helped to elevate the flavor and moisture levels...

I was pleasantly surprised when this restaurant was suggested to me by a colleague. Upon entering the restaurant, I greeted warmly by the staff and guided to a table where the three of us could talk, laugh and discuss comfortably without the staff hovering. The appetizers were almost overwhelming in the number of options to us but we quickly settled on the calamari and stuffed grape leaves. I have to say they were not only delicious, but way more than an average order receives in other restaurants. The calamari were also done in a way that were nestled on a bed of sauce and were both tender and flavorful. For our main entree, the selections were not only well portioned but also came with a house salad that could have been the meal in itself. I highly recommend the FIOCCHETTI AL GORGONZOLA which is Stuffed pasta purses with Stuffed gorgonzola, fig, prosciutto di san daniele, artichoke, peas, and cacio e pepe, the CHICKEN MARSALA, had a twist in flavors that did not disappoint and the third dish was the TORTELLONI CON MANZO BRASATO which was Tortelloni, braised short ribs, cremini, shallots, peas, artichokes, roasted red peppers, creamy pistachio gorgonzola. All I can say is WOW. Congratulations to the owners and staff who made the experience one that I will certainly be back for. Now, if they read this, my only request is to ensure you have the right ingredients for an appletini! Otherwise, we'll be...

Cocolezzone in DC is an absolute gem! From the moment I stepped in, I knew it was going to be a memorable dining experience. The Mediterranean-inspired appetizers were a delight — the salad, with its crisp, fresh flavors, paired perfectly with the luxurious burrata cheese. It was a heavenly start to the meal.

For the main course, I ordered the salmon, and let me tell you, it was cooked to perfection! The salmon was tender and flaky, and the accompanying Brooklyn-style sauce with roasted vegetables elevated the dish to another level of flavor. Every bite was like a celebration for my taste buds.

Then came the star of the evening the tiramisu. The dessert was a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece! The layers were perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of espresso and sweetness, making every spoonful feel like pure indulgence.

I also paired my meal with a glass of Pinot Grigio wine, which complemented the flavors wonderfully — crisp and refreshing, just as it should be.

The service was outstanding. The staff was not only professional but incredibly kind, making sure my experience was flawless from start to finish. Their attention to detail and warm hospitality made me feel right at home.

If I could give it 10 stars, I absolutely would! I can’t recommend Cocolezzone highly enough. Whether you're a local or visiting DC, this place is a must-try for anyone who loves top-notch Italian cuisine with a...