L'Ardente — Restaurant in Washington

As I've said in my other reviews of Italian places here in the DMV area...I am a diehard, born and raised Italian NYer. So when I make a review about Italian eateries, I truly give a lot of thought to my words and the praise/critiques I share. That being said, I tried out this place with a friend of mine who happens to be a native Calabrese and studied in Verona (in the Veneto region off which some of this restaurants cuisine is based) before moving to the US.

Simply put, the two of us had an absolutely incredible time. First off, the restaurant itself is charming, modern, clean, and certainly gives an air of higher-class dining without being pretentious. The service was spot on and the drinks were excellent (I tried their Manhattan Milano and my friend had the Glam Spritz, both of which were delicious and well-mixed with a proper amount of alcohol). We then switched to a Sangiovese red for dinner (Chianti wines are my favorite, but I encourage everyone to pick what they like and match it with their food accordingly).

For appetizers, we had the arancini and Venetian risotto. Arancini is typically a basic Southern Italian food you grab at any NY pizzeria like you would a calzone. But this was unbelievable. The filling was perfect and the sauce was absolutely to die for. The Venetian risotto (which is really granulated fish to mimic risotto) was also fresh and very flavorful. I absolutely recommend for my fellow fish-lovers out there.

For the pastas and entree, we shared the rigatoni carbonara, pappardelle, and the Vitello parmigiana (veal). Everything was absolutely incredible. Pasta carbonara is a Roman dish which I honestly don't consider to be one of my favorites. I've had it in Rome and it's definitely not my go-to for pastas. But the pancetta was cooked wonderfully, the fresh cheese and egg were beyond perfect, and the pasta was prepared beautifully. Same for the pappardelle. Again, I don't prefer cream sauces, but the taste of this sauce was out of this world and the combination with the veal was incredible. As for the veal, it's quite a generous portion truly meant for the table (as the menu describes) and was the perfect amount to satisfy two big guys with pretty significant appetites. The breading was crisp, the veal was a bit thicker than I am used to, but you were still able to cut it with a spoon, which as any diehard Italian like myself knows, is the true sign of a well cooked piece of veal. The tomato sauce on top was also delicious and I found myself scraping the plates for each of these dishes to get every last bite! Oh, and that reminds me of one minor suggestion I have (please please please serve bread at the table!).

Finally, for dessert, we shared a piece of their tiramisu. I've said it before, my momma makes the best tiramisu I know, so I rarely ever order it at a restaurant. There weren't a lot of options I cared for (a lot of chocolate dishes, which is not my style personally, but certainly is for plenty of people!), so I decided to go for it. It comes encased in a chocolate shell they flambé for you at the table so it melts over it. I personally could do without this piece of showiness that many modern restaurants have become obsessed with, but it was cute. The tiramisu itself was ok (3.5/5) with a thicker mascarpone and a weird addition of passion fruit that went well with the chocolate shell, but not the dessert itself. Fruit does not belong in tiramisu, period, and if you were to go that route, I suggest making the tiramisu more coffee-flavored as it's supposed to be and add something like a raspberry compote on the side.

That being said 8/5 stars for this place. I never thought I would say this in my 2.5yrs living in the DMV area, but I finally found an Italian restaurant I can both proudly recommend to others AND where I know I can find myself revisiting quite often. It is certainly expensive and lives up to its name of being "glam" Italian dining, but it is 100% worth it and I cannot recommend this place enough. Bravo, bravo, e...

Had such high hopes for this dinner. It turned out to be so disappointing, not because of the food taste, but because the experience I highly anticipated along with my party, was just a let down. We were nicely greeted by the hostess who immediately took us to our table and were so accommodating. I had reserved a table at the galleria, but after I saw the lounge, I knew that would be the best spot to celebrate the big 30! I also must mention that my party wasn’t all there. One person was running a bit late, and they had no problem making it work knowing it was my special night. Chris, our server, took a very long time to come around! The sommelier introduced himself first, I asked for recommendations, he brought me a taste of the wine he thought I’d like, and I was not thrilled with it. Chris, who happened to “overhear” the conversation suggested I try a different kind of Albariño the mix with their cocktails, he mentioned the price of the bottle and I said we would take it. The sommelier came around to open a COMPLETELY different bottle that was extremely expensive, so I said that was not the one we were interested in as I had tasted a different one and had completely loved it. He leaves frustrated, talks to Chris our server, and we hear nothing for quite some time. After about 10-15 minutes, Chris comes and says “We can’t offer that wine bottle as we use it for mixing cocktails and we don’t sell it” I was extremely upset at this point, first they bring a wine I had no interest in, they suggest another one that I loved, they failed to mention that’s not an option even as a glass, and there’s no apology for it. I ended up opting for a white bottle instead. If that wasn’t enough frustration for the beginning of our experience, I asked Chris if I could order some bread to which he said “Chef prefers if we put in the order all together at once”, to which I said, “fair no big deal”, he then says “I will make an exception and put it in right away”, I was extremely thankful, however, bread was not put it right away, he “forgot” to do it. The whole time we were there all he did was run back and use his phone, it seemed like he was clueless about EVERYTHING. We asked for water and that as well took forever, we asked for ice, again, took longer than expected. Food all came out hot and delicious. No complaints there. After our meal and dessert, we asked for coffee, 3 americanos, after waiting a good 20 mins, we asked Chris and he said “I forgot” I will make them right away. At this point, I was absolutely furious, all night (my special night) he had made mistake after mistake. We paid over $400 dollar for a very delicious, but terrible server experience. We knew going in that there would be a 20% tip added to the bill at the end of it, but I still expected the server to work a little hard at least remembering things and not using his phone even while in front of us at time. Just doesn’t seem like the place to be okay with that. I was really looking forward to bringing my husband for a next time but after my experience, I am not sure I would! Pics are showing what we ordered with the exception of the bread, artichokes, and Caesar salad which I did not capture. First picture, spaghetti pomodoro with pappardelle instead, absolutely delicious! Second picture, Tiramisù flambé, was good but not as great as I hoped! Third picture, Branzino per la tavola, absolutely outstanding! Also in the picture, 40 layer lasagna that I did not try, but my friend mentioned was very good. At last, Campanelle nere which I had a taste of and was extremely pleased with it. Overall the food was great, but sadly the service provided by our server really put a...

A Night of Culinary Delights at L'Ardente: An Exquisite Italian Dining Experience

Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at L'Ardente, a highly-regarded Italian restaurant known for its exceptional cuisine and elegant atmosphere. The entire experience was truly extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression on my palate and my overall dining experience.

Our meal began with the focaccia, a classic Italian flatbread. The focaccia was perfectly golden brown and crispy on the outside, yet soft and pillowy on the inside. It was accompanied by a touch of olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, allowing the true flavors of the bread to shine through.

Next, we savored the polpette, which were delectable meatballs bursting with savory flavor. The texture was just right – light and airy, not dense or heavy. It was clear that the meatballs were made with high-quality ingredients and seasoned to perfection.

Following the appetizers, we delved into the heart of the meal. The ravioli was a true delight, with delicate pasta parcels filled with a flavorful and satisfying filling (details about the filling can be omitted if unknown).

The star of the show, however, was undoubtedly the 40-layer lasagna. This dish is a testament to the culinary artistry at L'Ardente. The layers of pasta, meat sauce, and likely a creamy cheese (ricotta or mozzarella) were perfectly balanced, creating a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite. The impressive number of layers suggests a richness and depth of flavor that is truly exceptional.

For those seeking a touch of spice, the spicy linguini pomodore offered a welcome contrast. The combination of al dente pasta, a vibrant tomato sauce, and a well-balanced kick of spice provided a delightful interplay of flavors.

No Italian meal is complete without dessert, and L'Ardente's giandulja s'mores did not disappoint. This unique twist on a classic campfire treat incorporated gianduja, a rich hazelnut chocolate spread, for an indulgent and unforgettable ending to the meal.

Finally, we enjoyed a bottle of Forza Azzurri, which likely refers to an Italian wine selection. The specific wine is not mentioned, but it can be assumed that it was carefully chosen to complement the rich flavors of the meal.

While the price point at L'Ardente may be on the higher end, the exceptional quality of the food, the attentive service, and the elegant ambiance create a truly memorable dining experience. It is a place worthy of a special occasion, or simply a night of exquisite Italian cuisine.

In summary, L'Ardente offers a culinary journey that is both delightful and unforgettable. From the classic focaccia to the innovative giandulja s'mores, every dish is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality...