Giovanni's Trattu — Restaurant in Washington

At Giovanni's, you step into a world of culinary delights where the art of Italian cuisine is celebrated with unmatched passion. Nestled in the heart of Washington DC, this gastronomic gem offers an exquisite experience with every visit.

As soon as you cross the threshold of this cozy restaurant, you're transported to Italy by the warm ambiance and attentive hospitality of the staff, especially the owner and main Boss Angela. The intoxicating aromas of fresh basil, ripe tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil dance in the air, inviting you to a sensory feast.

The dishes presented by the chef are simply divine, blending tradition and innovation with masterful skill. Each bite reveals an explosion of harmonious flavors, from the creamy risottos to the delicate textures of homemade fresh pasta.

The wine list is a true work of art, showcasing carefully selected vintages to perfectly complement each dish. Whether you're a fan of bold reds or refreshing whites, you'll find the perfect companion here to elevate your meal.

Giovanni's intimate and welcoming atmosphere makes it the perfect venue for any occasion, whether it's a candlelit romantic dinner or a joyful celebration with friends. Every detail, from the impeccable presentation of the dishes to the understated elegance of the decor, speaks to the team's absolute dedication to providing an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

In essence, Giovanni's is more than just a restaurant: it's a captivating culinary journey through the enchanting flavors of Italy, where every moment is a delight for the senses. An experience not to be missed for any lover of good food and...

This place is just wonderful. I’m travelling for work and found that place on my first night and I must say, I was not disappointed.

The place is a lovely, cozy room in a basement with brick walls, original Italian decorations, and pictures of the restaurant family. It’s has a very comfy and cozy ambiance, and about 20 tables.

They always have 4 to 5 waiters, including the owner, serving those 20 tables. So you can tell that service is a priority for them and it shows in the attention to details that they show. I am a very heavy water drinker (I can drink up to 2-3 litres of water with a meal) and my glass was always refilled and full, something I can rarely say. The staff is so genuinely nice and care so much for their customers, and I was surprised to realize that everybody recognized me when I came back the second time. The owner will also go from tables to tables to chat with the customers and make sure everything is perfect.

As for the food, I’ve lived in Montreal, Ottawa, Sudbury (Ontario) and Thunder Bay (Ontario). 4 cities with huge Italian communities and a plethora of Italian restaurants. So believe me when I say that this place has NOTHING to envy them about. It feels like being in Italy, and the place feels like being a guest in an Italian family.

I’d go back there anytime, and I’d ask them to cater my wedding in a heartbeat!

I would suggest to make a reservation, as the restaurant is small and the tables limited, but the staff did their best to squeeze me in as I had none.

Thank you to the lovely owner and...

My wife and I are in town celebrating our 3 year anniversary and we had quite the experience. The food was fantastic and fresh but we had terrible service (at first). One of the young ladies spent 15 minutes chatting away with "friends" while my wife and I sat there not being waited on. She offered the other table fresh Parmesan and cracked pepper as a topping on their entrees but never offered us any. However, two other waitresses saw that we were not being attended to and practically took over for the first waitress. The original waitress would only occasionally stop by (in between conversation) to just fill up our waters but the others would come by on a routine basis to make sure we were ok. At the end of the night, we faced a conundrum: we want to leave a tip but we do not want the first waitress to pick it up. We asked to speak with a manager about the matter and she waived the whole meal. Wow! Well, I couldn't leave without anything, so I walked to the nearest ATM and withdrew money for a tip and gave the tip money to the other two waitresses. I also gave the manager (who also is the owner's wife) some cash for our meals since it was not her fault. FOOD WAS EXCELLENT AND OVERALL THE...