Sfoglina Downtown — Restaurant in Washington

Dining While Black Harrassment - Over the past weekend, we made reservations at Sfoglina as part of my husband birthday celebration. We were both excited about trying this restaurant for dinner. Prior to dinner, we were having a fantastic time visiting and hanging out in DC with friends. We arrived at the restaurant for our 7 pm reservations. The host confirmed our reservation and inquired "who was having the birthday", and we pointed out that it was my husbands celebration. We were then escorted to our seat mid-way of the back of the restaurant next to where they keep the silverware, and waiters supplies/equipment. Our waiter came to greet us, and took our drink order and bread request. About 10 mins into the experience the restaurant manager, Steven Sullivan approached our table and begin to inquire if everything was okay. We responded yes, and why do you ask? He stated that he noticed that we were quiet and it didn't seem that we were hanging a good time, and no one had come to our table. We responded that we were fine, and had no issues whatsoever. We looked at each other puzzled, not understanding what just happened. Finally, as we were ending the meal, the waiter came again and gave us a dessert menu and walked away. Two minutes later, Mr. Sullivan returned to our table and again asked if everything was okay, and I asked him why he felt it was necessary to return to our table when we didn't make any request for a manager. Mr. Sullivan continued by saying well "his senses were high" and he felt that we were not having a good experience. Again, I stated to him that our experience was fine until he returned to our table again unsolicited which made us feel extremely uncomfortable and at the point of harassment. When looking around the restaurant we noticed that we were the only blacks in the restaurant, and that didn't bother us at all. We were there to have a great experience and to see what all the rave was about the pasta they are famous for. I stated to him that we didn't have any problems and was celebrating my husbands birthday, when he replied and said he wanted to give us some dessert and birthday card. We told him that wasn't necessary, but he then insisted. He then gave us the check and pointed out that he had removed the cost for the sparkling water and bread. Sir, I didn't need you to remove anything from our bill because we were able to pay for whatever we purchased, and this felt very insulting. And in fact, if you wanted to do us a favor, first, stay away from our table, we never requested you, let alone you came twice to harass us. Second, if you want to pay for anything, pay for the bourbon I returned because the glass I was served in was chipped, and when it was returned, it had less bourbon than the original glass. Thirdly, my husband was never recognized by our waiter for his birthday. So, with that said, whomever is coaching you with your "intuition or high senses" you need to get your money back because you were completely wrong. Leave black people alone and let them enjoy their evening out, just as you do with your...

I'm fresh from my first -- and last -- trip to Casa Luca. Our disappointment in this strangely well-regarded restaurant built from the moment we sat down.

The meal started with a presentation of the menus and the wine list. These two items were essentially shoved in to our hands and our waitress promptly disappeared. There was no information provided, no specials, no recommendations, zero conversation; barely a 'hello.' Our water glasses were filled, our order was taken, our bottle of wine was presented.

Our appetizer, the antipasto, was a train-wreck of a dish. It had exactly four slivers of cured meat. The rest of the over-sized cutting board was pieces of exceedingly salty bread, a ricotta-style cheese covered in sweet berry compote (?!) and some sort of bowl of corn. Personally, If I'm at an Italian restaurant and I order "antipasto" I'm expecting olives, cured meats, cheeses, etc. as that is literally the foundation of antipasto. It's also what the Casa Luca menu describes (but doesn't deliver). For the "formaggi" referenced in the menu's printed description what was provided was a single, minuscule wedge of a cow's milk cheese, pushed off on to one corner. Almost an after-thought.

For the main course my wife and I shared the Family Style Polenta Spianatora which was awful on so many levels. The pork tenderloin was over-cooked and dry as dust; the ribs were grisly and barely edible; the sausage was mediocre and hardly better than something you'd find at an Olive Garden or similar generic Italian restaurant. The presentation was absurd, with enormous mounds of parsley topping every inch of the meat pile. And the salt! I'd be shocked if there were less than 1 full, heaping cup of salt poured over the food. We managed to eat about 1/3 of the dish -- an attempt to get some value for our $60 -- but eventually threw in our hats and requested the check. And extra glasses of water.

I have eaten at Fiola Mare and count the experience as one of the best I've had in DC. The waitstaff there was attentive, gracious; the food was fresh, elegant and well prepared. My experience at Casa Luca had nothing positive whatsoever. There were only six tables filled when we were seated for our 7pm reservations so I can only assume the restaurant is not doing well. From my experience tonight, I can fully understand...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Sfoglina - Downtown DC, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The restaurant offers a charming and inviting atmosphere, making it perfect for a delightful evening out.

Order Details: Chilled Tomato Gazpacho ($15): The gazpacho was incredibly refreshing and bursting with vibrant flavors. It was the perfect appetizer to kick off the meal.

Garlic Bread ($12): The garlic bread was heavenly! The bread was perfectly toasted and had just the right amount of garlic and herb seasoning. It was a great accompaniment to the meal.

Mafalde alla Matriciana ($26): The Mafalde alla Matriciana was a true standout. The homemade pasta was cooked to perfection and tossed in a rich tomato-based sauce with pancetta. Each bite was a burst of deliciousness.

Bucatini alla Carbonara ($24): The Bucatini alla Carbonara was a creamy and indulgent delight. The pasta was perfectly al dente, and the sauce was rich with eggs, pancetta, and cheese. It was a classic done right.

Sfoglina Tiramisu ($14): The Tiramisu at Sfoglina was an absolute showstopper. Each layer was light and fluffy, and the flavors of espresso and mascarpone were beautifully balanced. It was a perfect ending to the meal.

Gelato Swirl (Vanilla / Strawberry) ($10): To my surprise, our waiter kindly brought us a complimentary gift of the Gelato Swirl. It was a delightful combination of creamy vanilla and refreshing strawberry flavors. It was a wonderful gesture and a perfect way to end the evening.

Pros: The food at Sfoglina - Downtown DC is outstanding. Each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail, resulting in incredible flavors. The service was impeccable. The staff members were friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout the entire dining experience. The ambiance of the restaurant is warm and inviting, creating a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere.

Cons: I honestly can't think of any cons. My experience at Sfoglina - Downtown DC exceeded my expectations in every way.

Overall Impression: Sfoglina - Downtown DC is a gem in the heart of the city. The combination of delicious food, excellent service, and a charming atmosphere makes it a standout restaurant. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable...