Etto — Restaurant in Washington

Etto puts together a comprehensive and creative menu of pizzas, cured meats, wines, and even a few interesting salads. It can be a bit frustrating to go through every item, so focus on the pizzas and the salamis (and a salad, if you want to be healthy). The staff is friendly, attentive, and ready to answer any questions you have. We started off with a Frisee, red endive, and grapefruit salad with gorgonzola dressing and pine nuts which left enough dressing and flavor to smear the bread in. If you’re going to pick something from the cured meats, make sure you try the fennel pollen or the hand-sliced prosciuto di parma.

We really came here to try out the pizza, though. Having a strong connection to 2 Amys, we were expecting an impressive pizza. It is different from 2 Amys, but in a refreshing way. The crust is the foundation of success and uniqueness for Etto’s pizza. Apparently, the dough is made using freshly milled flour each day on a stone mill and bakes at a higher temperature in their oak-fired pizza oven which translates to a thin, but firm crust that won’t droop when you pick up your first slice. Nice and crunchy – we loved the crust – but the ingredients weren’t overshadowed. There are some interesting combinations, so we selected two – the margherita (very good but could’ve benefitted from a bit more cheese) and the potato patata chorizo tomato (the chorizo and peppers made this pizza our winner). Each pizza is sized for one hungry individual, so order enough to encourage sharing. If you can only have one thing on the menu, go with a pizza that features some of their meats. We were full and couldn't fit any dessert in (sadly), but the assorted candies caught my eye. I'll try them next time.

The restaurant is located in the trendy and busy 14th St corridor right across from Le Diplomate. The interior is cozy, and nicely done – the food and oven are on showcase. There is an outdoor patio for when the weather permits. They open at 5 on weekdays and noon on weekends. Be advised that they don’t do reservations, so try to get there right at 5 and you can enjoy the restaurant before all the other loud...

Fantastic Neapolitan-style pizza served in a cozy, vibey space with great service! I visited Etto for a casual Friday dinner with a friend, and we had a delightful time. They don't take reservations and are quite popular, so I was a bit worried that we'd be able to snag a table on a Friday; however, we, thankfully, managed to snag their last available table on their patio. The entire restaurant -- inside and out -- is super cozy and has a lovely, welcoming ambiance. The tables are positioned quite close together, so it can feel a little bit tight and loud, but it creates a really fun environment.

My friend and I split a Sicilian eggplant pizza and the tuna belly, both of which were phenomenal. The tuna belly was super flavorful and went wonderfully with the hearty starter bread; the celery leaves were a great final touch and pop of freshness to cut through the otherwise fatty, heavy dish. It was also the perfect way to whet our appetite for the pizza. The pizza was fantastic, with a great savory, slightly tart tomato sauce and a generous helping of smoky roasted eggplant. The crust has a great char and is quite thin and almost floppy, but it's to be expected for Neapolitan-style pizza; it just means you have to dig in pretty quickly or it'll start to get a bit soggy. The pizza is finally finished with a sprinkling of fresh basil and diced kalamata olives, which give the dish a good extra hit of freshness and brininess, respectively.

Overall, I had a wonderful time at Etto. It's the perfect spot for a casual dinner or happy hour, and I can't wait to...

Went by during the dinner rush right before seeing a show at Studio Theatre. Great spot for great pizza and wine! I sat at the bar and ordered the Braised Fennel + Rosemary Pizza, the Affogato (Espresso with a small scoop of ice cream in it), and a glass of the featured wine (Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo).

All of it was delicious! The pizza was layered perfectly and paired well with the wine. A soft, doughy crust with red onions and parsley and garlic and, oh... give it a try if you go.

The Affogato was delicious, but as soon as I saw it on the menu and how small the cup was, I told the bartender (who was super friendly), "this sounds really dangerous!". No doubt you shouldn't have it regularly, as it's an espresso with an added shot of vanilla ice cream. Good for your health? Not likely. Good for your taste buds and sweet tooth? M. Hm.

Other than the food being excellent, the staff was all friendly. It was pretty packed when I went, both inside and out, so if you don't like lots of people, maybe opt for take-out (the restaurant typically opens around 5pm). Given its location and the quality of the food, it's not a surprise it's a hit.

Wine was $16. Pizza was $21. Affogato was $6. Be prepared to splurge a little bit, but it's DC and the food is worth it. Also important to note that a 20% service charge was automatically included.

Overall, 5/5 stars from me. Chef's kiss...