Via Sophia — Restaurant in Washington

Not even sure where to begin. I would give less, but the food was good so giving 2 stars. Reserve outside patio, confirm 2x’s, turns out you can not reserve the patio area. Got seated, for a table of 8, I arrive early (5:40pm) with someone else, received, 2 regular menus & 2 happy hour menus (2 drinks menus where in the table already). Turns out in the dinning area, you are not allowed to order from the happy menu . Team arrived, no menus provided, had to get up and retrieve menus to everyone. Try to order from happy hr menu, was informed I am not allowed and the menus were taken away from me. order some starters around 6:30pm from regular menu, team places their drinks. Some requested Diet Coke & Mountain Dew, received Pepsi. No explanation or information was received about no coke products available (which would have been 100% understandable) 5a. Some members try to say they didn’t order that to waiter, waiter seemed confused, “this is soda, you want rum?”- ah, no? 7pm, starters came out (remember, I’ve been here since 5:40pm) We order our mains, at that time manager came up and ask how our experience has been? team stayed quiet & just smiled. We were trying to be polite. So I decided to say something. I think I mention 1 & 6 and gave me his card and ran off! He sends his staff with Prosecco...? — no one likes that so we try to say no, thank you & received the weirdest confused look ever, sorry? Server got changed to someone else and were left alone. 7:40-ish main dishes came out, I’ve been here since 5:40 (2hrs have passed now) We ate ( food was good!) and ask for the check so we can just leave and forget this moment. Service team started to plate us for desert...? Again we try to say no thank you, we just want to leave. Servers insisted and we got played. One of my members from the team got up and spoke with the manager to explain that we appreciate the effort he Is trying to do, but we really don’t need desert and if we could just pay so we can leave. Acouple of minutes later, about 4 deserts came out, like seriously? We just said, thank you for trying but we just want to leave. Meanwhile, one of my members try to just pay (that was a struggle on its own)

We just literally got up after we confirm with the manager that we paid, and left. This has been one of the worst experiences in my life. It’s a real shame since the location seems nice and the food is good. I could mention what I would have done if I was the manager, but will not. To...

Went for the first time using a gift certificate donated by the restaurant to a local fundraiser where we got it at an auction. Kudos to the management for supporting local charities!

It was a bit of a slow night (a Friday before a long weekend) and service was prompt. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list - at least the wines by the glass. Since there were only 2 of us and someone had to drive home, we decided not to get a bottle.

For appetizers we had the octopus with black garlic, and the 24 month prosciutto with strawberries, greens, and cheese. Both were great. The octopus was perfectly cooked (not at all rubbery), and came with a good pile of frisee on the side, so it was practically a side salad as well. The prosciutto appetizer was large, and could easily be split. The sweetness and acidity of the strawberries worked really well with the prosciutto.

I had the northern cod, my wife had the salmon, both of which were also perfectly cooked. We used the excellent house-made focaccia to sop up every bit of sauce on our plates . We didn't try any cooked meats, but we can both say that the chefs in the kitchen have a good touch with seafood.

Via Sophia has a pretty extensive wine list, both for by-the-glass and bottle selections. Prices seemed fair to us, and even the per-glass wines were good quality and interesting blends.

For dessert we had the tiramisu and the budino. Both were fine but I'd take the multilayered, rich chocolate and hazelnut bodino over the tiramisu, which is totally a personal preference

My one nit is that we went on a night that wasn't busy, but the music was still turned up pretty loud. On slower nights when there is less voice volume, I'd prefer not to have to speak loudly over the music. But that's it.

Via Sophia is Highly...

Delicious wood-fired Neapolitan pizza! So glad Hamilton replaced its 14th & K restaurant with modern Italian. The menu at the restaurant is a bit different from what's posted on the website - check out DC Eater for the latest menu. The Italian food is truly authentic and the brainchild of a Fiola Mare alum.

The Italian happy hour "Apertivo" is decent with a pizza/wine deal and few dollars off the pizza along with some cured meats as well as a couple of cocktails for $8, which aren't offered on the Dinner menu. The refreshing "Sorriento" cocktail during Apertivo with vodka, limoncello, and sparkling wine packs a punch!

The complementary warm and fluffy house-baked semolina loaf is divine, definitely ask for it! We did and came in handy for the burrata!

The luscious glob of creamy Burrata with grilled country bread and marinated veggies in olive oil and pesto was tasty. I watched my friend's boyfriend relish in delight as he mopped up the last drop of oil sparing no crumbs with the complementary bread.

The Margherita pizza was heavenly with pillowy soft charred crust cooked all the way through to the bottom with tomato sauce, fresh buffalo mozzarella topped with basil. It definitely hit the spot!

Similar to the sweet red bubbly wine Lambrusco, the "Cantine Federiciane Gragnano" had a hint of sweetness and paired well with the Margherita pizza.

Need to go to the bathroom? Push open the unmarked door in the wooden panel (sadly it's not a speakeasy - I was fooled too!).

Don't worry there's a new speakeasy in the lobby. Will be pushing open the blank white wall for some late night cocktails at "Society" next time!

Excited to come back and try the pasta and Tiramisu, as well as the craft...