il Canale — Restaurant in Washington

Mixed review incoming. I’ve heard amazing things about this restaurant living in dc for a year, so when some friends came into town I made a reservation to try their dinner! Some of the food was heaven, but others were just meh.

If I went back I’d get: Margherita pizza. The best Neapolitan pizza I think I’ve ever had, even better than some pizza I’ve had in Italy. The crust is so springy, ingredients so fresh. I’d get this as an appetizer it comes out so quick! mushroom ravioli. Heaven in food form. Simple butter sauce, perfect level of truffle light and there but not overwhelming -lobster ravioli. Had more seafood packed in the ravioli than the seafood pasta.

What I would not get: -focaccia. It’s just like plain pizza dough, it’s ok, but the pizza is so much better -pomodoro spaghetti. I was really really disappointed about this one. After all the hype, and the delicious pizza, I thought I’d see how excellently they can make such a simple dish. And I couldn’t finish it because it was just so meh, especially when comparing it to the ravioli. Canned tomatoes? Just not very good flavor, very underwhelming. I’d give this a 2/10. I’ve had better pomodoro sauce at home whipped up in 30 min.

My other gripe is the service when checking in. Once we were seated, our server was lovely (I did feel bad for how much she was running around- the place was PACKED - but she was handled it all very well). But I think they take too many reservations to handle. It’s on a busy Georgetown sidewalk, and they have everyone line up to have their name yelled when a table opens once you’ve checked in, even if you already have a reservation. We had a 7:30 reservation, showed up 7:25, but didn’t get seated until 7:45. Not the end of the world, but just felt very in the way and like my business didn’t matter much, and once our name was yelled we were rushed through the busy restaurant by an overworked hostess jogging to keep up while trying not to run into everyone seated because there are so many tables packed close together. I get that they are busy but I think they need to sort out a bit of a better system because it did start the dinner off on the wrong note.

I think I’d go back, but only for the dishes I mentioned above, and the waiting for tables was stressful enough I don’t think I’d do this for an special event (bringing friends from out of town, family etc) because it just brought the...

Where to start at this tourist trap dumpster fire - long story short they're riding old reviews, old fame, and old frier oil.

Add 15-20min to whenever you make your reservation before getting in. There was a line of 20 or so along the curb just waiting for a table (everyone in the picture, plus a few behind us). Everyone was past their reservation time. Worst of all we're all crowded in front of and around the outdoor tables. Felt awful for those folks seated there.

After getting seated we watched the house manager outright yell at the bussers to clean a table faster not 30 seconds after those seated there had stood up. Then ask another large table of 10+ to leave as they overextended their time.

We started off with a bottle of wine (Cab, $65/bottle, pictured), the wine was bland and oxidized with a dry cork (pictured), clearly not storing properly.

Appetizer: Arancini was either over fried or fried in overused old oil. It was dark and dusty in color with an odor. Similarly, while we didn't order the calamari we could smell it each time it came out. It looked pale and greasy. Best guess is it's old/stale.

Main: The pizza was an absolute mess. The diavolo had three pieces of either basil or spinach, a mountain of salami, and was so over oiled the dough was completely soggy in a pool of grease.

Gnocchi was nothing to write home about.

The best part of the meal and the only reason they get a star is the side of asparagus. It was lightly grilled, that's it, and was the best part as it involved as little of the restaurant as possible.

Oh the absolute topper, the Parmesan cheese. For a $150 tab for two you think the Parmesan cheese would be fresh and not canned grated Kraft. Had to laugh, you charge $20-30 per entree and put dollar slice Parmesan shakers on the table. 🤦

A mess through and through just churning through patrons with disregard for what they're serving. Overall skip il Canali, go to any number of other Italian restaurants nearby. Or, save yourself the time, money, and heartburn by going to Sbarro, it'll be a...

Good experience are: *Nice place to eat, good vibes and nice ambiance

Bad experience are: *The Server wasn't good why????? First,He doesn't know the taste of the drinks, he can't recommend anything at least simple base on his experience serving the drinks. (O_o)

Second, about the pizza (which is very easy to explain) I asked him but he asked me back like what Sir?? (o_O) I asked him what is the popular pizza here and he said "I don't know what do you like?" and the way he reacted was so annoying.

Honestly, it's blowing my mind and it is the same thing how he said our drinks as well, like "I don't know what do you like??" but can you please Mister recommend something? Especially it is our first time to eat in the restaurant!

Third, When we decided what to order which is Diavo pizza, it is not good pizza (If you love and know about it you can tell if it's good or not) but this pizza doesn't have much flavor, bubbles, not crispiness and no charred. However I don't know why there's alot of people like your expecting a good experience but it's actually not. Especially when you know the food so well.

Fourth, the one he recommend to me for the drinks was not good and wasn't for women and the drinks of my partner taste good and it has sweet in it. So, we decided to switch because the server doesn't know anything on the menu. I mean if your new just let us know we can understand but then you didn't plus it seems like ur not new server.

So, overall I will rate this place as 2 Stars. Also the server (white old guy, tall and white hair) didn't check us much our table. Good thing to try it but we will never come back again. It's...