DeCarlo's Restaurant — Restaurant in Washington

I recently dined at this establishment and wanted to share my experience, hoping it might be a useful perspective. Upon my arrival, I was informed by the waiter that it was a quiet evening, and I was free to choose my seat, a welcoming start.

However, I encountered a few issues during my visit. Firstly, when inquiring about the wine selection, I was told abruptly that only five types were available, without clarification on whether these were house wines or available by the glass. This lack of detail was surprising.

Additionally, I had to request olive oil twice for our table, an oversight that could be easily remedied with more attentive service. Despite these service hiccups, my primary focus was enjoying the evening with my daughter, so I chose not to dwell on these aspects.

Regrettably, the food did not meet our expectations either. The artichoke dish appeared to be of canned quality, and the pasta in the fruit de mare was overcooked, with the sauce lacking depth and flavor. These culinary missteps significantly detracted from our dining experience.

Most concerning was the presence of rats during our meal, with three making an appearance in the dining area. This incident suggests a serious pest control issue that needs immediate attention. Upon raising these issues with the management, I felt my concerns were not fully acknowledged, particularly regarding the food quality and rodent sightings, and was left without an apology or explanation.

After returning home, I discovered online reviews indicating this might not be an isolated incident, suggesting an ongoing rodent problem. While I understand that pest management is a challenge for many establishments, witnessing such occurrences firsthand is unsettling and not something I've encountered elsewhere in my travels.

I share this feedback not out of malice but in the hope that it will prompt a reevaluation of both their service and pest control measures. A commitment to improvement in these areas could significantly enhance the dining experience for...

I’m rating DeCarlo’s 4 stars, but I love this establishment dearly and am delighted by its recent move to The Westchester at 4000 Cathedral Avenue, NW, off Idaho Avenue in DC. Get to know the menu and you’ll have a 5-star experience.

DeCarlo’s new Westchester location is serene, comfortable and elegant, with beautiful views of sweeping gardens. Ceilings are high and tables are widely spaced. In addition to two airy dining rooms, there is a small outdoor terrace with approximately 8 tables, most seating two diners. The decor is classic in the best possible way: Cary Grant would be at home, as would Katharine Hepburn. One can easily imagine Humphrey Bogart playing Rick Blaine here, overseeing the passing scene from the edge of the dining areas.

Service is gracious and attentive. Founder Lucy DeCarlo and longtime DeCarlo’s waitstaff have made the move to the Westchester, as has podcaster and former radio host Diane Rehm, a faithful DeCarlo’s patron.

My four-star rating reflects the fact that the cooking occasionally misses the mark, but there are many delicious items to choose from. Some of our continuing favorites: Steamed artichoke (always outstanding) Arugula salad Parmesan crusted pork chop Grilled veal chop Trout Florentine Scallops with pancetta Seafood pasta Veal and spinach lasagna

Specials and desserts are consistently satisfying. If you like soft shell crabs, they are excellent here.

Your car will be parked by a valet ($10.) Note that 2 short sets of stairs (3-4 steps each) must be navigated to reach the dining area. Check with DeCarlo’s prior to see if wheelchairs can be...

Three strikes and you are out! Each time the food was unimaginative and cool, not hot. The waiters seemed to know the clientele from their former location and were VERY attentive to them. Other clients agreed with me that if you are a newbie you are ignored. On my second visit three waiters were talking in the bar area and I could not get their attention until I walked to the bar. The wine selection is spotty. I think the Italian names are a lot for some of the servers to understand. The back story is that a number of residents in the Westchester and Watson Place co-ops invested lots of dollars into the renovation. While some regard the atmosphere as “homey” I have come to regard it as early funeral home. Oh yes do not even try to order on the phone. They are not prepared for that kind of expected service in this day and age. If you order a meat or fish entree be prepared for cool whipped potatoes and overcooked vegetables. There are too many excellent and some very recent additions to the number of Italian restaurants in DC to waste your time and money...