joni0702

We have two graduations in May - one in DC and the other in Boston. Finally nailed down Boston and am now looking for DC. The graduate loves Italian, but classic old school Italian (think chicken parm, calamari, and fettuccine alfredo). I am looking for a restaurant that is special but moderately priced. Would love someplace that we can easily park (if that is possible!). Any dependable Italian restaurants that you can suggest? Family style would be even better. Thank you in advance.

flpab

What area of DC?

joni0702

Daughter is in NW DC.

kja

You might consider La Tomate near Dupont Circle:
http://www.latomatebistro.com

Or Paradiso in Woodley Park:
http://www.cafeparadisodc.com

Or perhaps Sorriso's in Cleveland Park:
http://www.sorrisoristorante.net

sf7307

I don't always reply when I disagree with someone's restaurant suggestion, but I have been to Tomate twice and thought it was mediocre at best on both occasions.

clarkgriswold

giovannitrattu.com

florianarestaurant.com

kja

@ sf7307 -- thanks for commenting. I hadn't been there in a while, so it could have changed.

sf7307

Thanks for not taking offense kja!

kja

@ sf7307 -- of course not! I feel bad that I recommended a place that has not withstood the test of time.

msrva

What about Carmine's in Penn Quarter? Family style, traditional Italian. And I think they do their share of groups.

flpab

http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/washington-dc/
I am really bad with Italian places.

letsgeaux

We were there a few weeks ago. We loved the Old Ebbitt Grill. It was around the corner from our hotel (The Willard) and we went there twice. Some of our other favorites, all in that general area are Central, Rasika (Indian food), Zaytinya (Mediterranean small plates) and the Blue Duck Tavern in the Park Hyatt. We also enjoyed the Italian food at Tosca.

kja

Tosca (not to be confused with La Tasca) is, IMO, the best Italian in the city, and it is priced accordingly. You might, however, be able to take advantage of its reasonably affordable pre-theater menu.
http://www.toscadc.com/our-story/

obxgirl

Since it's a post college graduation meal, I'm assuming it's a weekend day that you're looking for?

Al Tiramisu at Dupont Circle serves a very traditional menu though I doubt you'll find chicken parm. I really like the food there. It probably stretches the upper bound of moderate.

Another Dupont Circle place is Sette Osteria which is, I think, right across Connecticut Ave from Tomate. SO also serves pizza, definitely moderately priced. I've been a couple of times and thought the food was good in a reliable neighborhood kind of way.

Carmine's seems like a good choice.

None of the places mentioned here will have easy parking.

yestravel

Casa Lucca is very good and moderately priced. They have valet parking.

yestravel

More tRaditional is Filomena in Georgetown. Haven't been in years so perhaps someone else may have.

kja

Another traditional Italian (Tuscan) restaurant in the Dupont Circle area is i Ricchi, but it is also a bit on the pricey side IMO:
http://iricchidc.com

Doh

If you are willing to go out to Bethesda, then you might consider Olazzo.

(I haven't been to Dino's Grotto yet, and it might be a little more expensive/less traditional than you were hoping for, but the prior incarnation of Dino's might have been just what you were looking for).

Tosca with the pre-theater menu is a great recommendation, but it's not much of a red sauce place.