RPM Italian — Restaurant in Washington

There are very few places in Washington, DC that I have consistently enjoyed over the last 7-8 years that I have been living in Metro DC. Without a doubt, one of those places is RPM Italian,becausebit consistently and unerringly delivers superior food and outstanding service. I have no idea, why I have not reviewed RPM in all these years (and it's such a disservice to these favorite of mine) but I am correcting it right here and now. RPM Italian is part of the Lettuce Entertainment family of restaurants. There is RPM Seafood, RPM Steak and RPM Italian in Chicago, IL, and RPM in Las Vegas, NV, as well as other unique, excellent restaurants (in the DC/VA area, there is Wildfire Steakhouse, 2 Mon Ami Gabi French venues, and Summer House Santa Monica). The decor of RPM DC exudes Italian understated sophistication, with muted grays, blacks and whites. As always, I sat at the bar, which I prefer over tables (years of travel have taught me the advantages of dining at a bar). I was just in time for the "Apéritif" Time (RPM'sctake on Happy Hour) which provides opportunities to try a variety of things at very reasonable price points. I must clarify that the relationship between quality and price of food and drink at RPM is amazing, whether you are ordering from the bar or from their regular menu. To begin, I had an RPM Negroni, which is so good that it was the main reason for me being there! My bartender was Momen, which was incredibly friendly and engaging. It was almost the end of the Apéritif Time (Mon-Sat, 4:00-5:30pm) so I ordered the short rib sliders (served on cute toasted brioche mini-buns) , fried artichokes (those make you feel you are in Rome !) and a mushroom, truffle and cheese pizette (a small pizza, which was so delicious that I almost forgot to snap a Pic). Everything came out hot and fresh. From the main menu, I ordered their Caccio e Pepe (cheese and pepper) pasta, which in RPM the sauce is enriched with egg yolk. This pasta is so simple yet the flavor is so complex and delicious! I also had a glass of red wine, and instead of dessert, an Italian desert wine. Yeah, I love to eat and drink, what can I say... I cannot speak highly enough about the bar service ftom Momen and Christian. These guys rock! RPM Italian has everything you may want, whether it is a night out for drinks with friends, or a romantic dinner. That is why I keep coming back (before and after pandemic). So now the deed is done, and I have honored one...

I came here to celebrate my birthday with a few friends, expecting to feel celebrated and eat delicious food, but experienced quite the opposite particularly due to the horrible customer service from our waitress PAULA R. We had a reservation and also made it known that we were celebrating a birthday after being seated, but there was no acknowledgment of that whatsoever from the staff. During our dining experience, it was incredibly clear that we were being discriminated against for looking young and “poor”. Paula gave intense attention to all of the other tables in our area, but only quickly stopped by our table once, besides to take our orders. When ordering my drink, Paula looked at my ID for an incredibly long time and kept touching it as if I had handed her a fake ID. She gave it back with an attitude and did not even acknowledge that it was my birthday. While eating, we had to flag down another waiter to assist us with getting hot sauce, since Paula did not want to provide us with any service. All of our communication with Paula, from being seated, ordering, and asking for the dessert menu and bill, was very short and filled with attitude. The food at RPM is okay, but nothing to write home about. We did find that our pasta was very al dente to the point where it was almost undercooked. There are definitely better Italian places in DC, especially for the price point. I find it really ironic to read reviews of how special others felt dining here for their birthday, when my friends and I felt discriminated against for the entire dining experience. Overall, the two stars saving this review is from the decent food and the friendly waiter who helped us when our actual waiter didn’t want to do her job. I would advise RPM management to reevaluate the biases that PAULA clearly holds because her classist, ageist, and racist views are damaging their...

5/5 Stars: A Memorable Dining Experience at RPM Italian, Washington D.C.

My recent visit to RPM Italian in Washington D.C. was a true culinary delight. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the tone for an exceptional dining experience.

Our meal began with the Garlic Bread, which unfortunately, didn't quite hit the mark. While it looked appealing, the flavor was off, and I experienced an unusual reaction – itching in my throat, followed by coughing. Perhaps it was just a personal intolerance, but it was a disappointing start.

Fortunately, the rest of our meal more than made up for it. The Butternut Squash Pasta was a revelation – perfectly cooked, creamy, and infused with a deep, nutty flavor. It's a must-try for anyone visiting RPM Italian.

The Crispy Brussels Sprouts were another highlight, with a delightful crunch and a subtle sweetness that balanced out their natural bitterness.

We also shared the Mushroom Pizza, which boasted a crispy crust, flavorful mushrooms, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. It was a well-crafted, satisfying pie.

No meal at RPM Italian would be complete without dessert. The Tiramisu Cake was decadent and creamy, with a rich coffee flavor and a delightful textural contrast from the ladyfingers.

In conclusion, our dinner at RPM Italian was outstanding, with a few minor missteps. The service was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. While the garlic bread didn't agree with me, the rest of our meal was exceptional. If you're a fan of Italian cuisine, RPM Italian is definitely worth a visit.

Rating Breakdown:

Food: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Value: 4.5/5

Recommendation:

Don't miss the Butternut Squash Pasta, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, and Tiramisu Cake. If you're sensitive to garlic, you might want to approach the garlic bread...