Filomena Ristorante
| Address: | 1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA |
| Phone: | +1 202-338-8800 |
| Site: | filomena.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
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Alice Wang
Filomena seems to get progressively better every time I go. Just a week ago, I went and ordered their lasagna alla bolognese. The dish had layers of Pasta Mammas fresh pasta sheets with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses and oven baked bolognese meat sauce of beef, veal, Italian pork sausage and Chianti wine. It even resembled an inverted Italian flag, with the cheeses on the left, the bolognese sauce on the right, and parsley in the middle. I have to admit, it was very good. Paired with Capital Teas cherry blossom rose organic, it was a delightful meal for a Saturday night out. There are some dishes better done than others at Filomena, but for the majority I would have to say that this restaurant does a pretty good job of preparing homestyle, old country Italian food. They have the luxury of being located in the heart of Georgetown, where wealthy, preppy Georgetown residents and tourists frequent often so they get quite a bit of business even on supposedly slower weeknights. I think there are much better Italian restaurants in DC (Im looking at you, Obelisk) and certainly more affordable ones (Carmines takes the winner there for bang-for-your-buck), but Filomena is nicely situated in the middle with good food, decent prices, and a homey, cozy atmosphere. Now, if only they could figure out how to eliminate the draft that comes in every time the door opens, especially to those patrons sitting right in line with the door...
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Steve Wood
We were looking for something different to try while staying in the Georgetown area, and Filomenas was a fabulous find. This is by far one of the top Italian restaurants I have been to in the US with a wonderful atmosphere and even better food. Ive seen a number of reviews raising issues over a lack of good service, but our experience was quite different. Our server was very attentive, and kept us very entertained, making for a overall wonderful experience. We tried a number of dishes, and then came back a few days later to try more. Everything we tried was incredible, and all said and done, we tried: - Homemade meatballs -- If you dont get a main course that includes meatballs, this is a must order (2 huge meatballs ~$10). You will not regret it. - Gnocchi Della Mamma -- Homemade potato gnocchi (you can watch Mama making it by the entrance) with an old fashioned meaty Bolognese. - Lasagna Alla Bolognese -- Homemade pasta with Ricotta, Mozzarella, and a hearty meat sauce - Ravioli Di Chiacchieri -- Shrimp, Sea Scallops, Cheese Raviolis in a rich and creamy Lobster sauce - La Familia -- Homemade Fisilli pasta in a slow cooked meaty sauce with meatballs, sausage, and pork ribs (This was my favorite). The portions are large, so Id recommend ordering a few items to share, or have some leftovers for the next day. Reservations are recommended.
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Kateri Ambrow
We made 6pm reservations for two on a Tuesday evening in summer. When we arrived at 6:02, we were seated within one minute. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and made helpful suggestions. We had plenty of time to order and eat our food. There was a long wait for people without reservations, but we were in no way rushed by the staff. The sauces were excellently paired with fresh pasta and cheese. My husband ordered sausage, which came in a rich, cream sauce. We ordered Chianti, fried mozzarella, chicken parm, and tres leches for dessert with decaf coffee. Every bite was amazing! Even the coffee was delicious. The portions were so generous that we had enough food for two additional meals. While making reservations, we included that we were celebrating a birthday. When our dessert arrived, three of the waiters sang for us (a nice, personal touch). The restaurant served complimentary amaretto after dinner (I believe they offer this to all patrons...). Anyway, the place is on the pricier side, but is an excellent special occasion spot! Plan your parking ahead of time via parking panda or call for suggestions. There are a few parking garages within a short walk of the restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit!
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Christen McCluney
Great place to stop in for an old fashioned (but somewhat expensive) Italian meal. I hadnt been there in quite a while but decided to book a reservation for a last minute birthday celebration. Service was a bit spotty at times while there with our waiter disappearing for long spans but the food was really great. The bread basket had great variety. We did the burrata as a starter and it came out on tomato with basil, evoo and balsamic. For our entrees we had the lasagna bolognese and the seafood cannelloni. The cannelloni was awesome. it had shrimp, crab, scallops and cheese stuffed in a black pasta and covered in lobster sauce. Definitely not something I would eat daily but it was a decadent meal to celebrate my birthday. At the end of the meal the waiter brought out amaretto and sambucca to try and then we had our favorite part of the meal, dessert! My guest enjoyed her huge piece of cheesecake and I fell in love with the strawberry shortcake. I loved that it had macerated strawberries versus some syrupy sauce and a light whipped cream cheese topping. One of the best shortcakes Ive had. Even if you cant stop in to have a meal you can always go to grab dessert and watch the pasta mammas in the window make fresh pasta daily.
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Linus Van Pelt
So heres the deal. The food and service at this restaurant is simply amazing. The portions are enormous, so come hungry. Id recommend you go into some sort of training program before dining here. You need to slowly expand your stomach by gradually eating larger meals so that by the time you get here, you have the stomach the size of a whale. The pasta is by made in house and is to die for. The sauces are mind-boggling. Each bite is an explosion of flavour. The seafood is as good as at the best seafood restaurant in any city The selection and quality of meats is equally amazing. Came with my spouse, another couple and 4 children. Each meal ws better than he next. The place was packed with with large parties and we were made to feel like we were the only guests in the restaurant. One word of advice; we were there just before Easter and the decore was as tacky as the food was good. Im told Christmas is even more tacky. You know what they say about rabbits. It was like the Easter bunny had an insatiable appetite. There must have been at least 500 oversized Easter bunnies in every knook and crannie of the place so be forewarned. In the end who cares about the decor when the food and service is that good. I cant wait to come back!
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Andrew Brandt
I love Filomena and it will always be a special place to my wife and I, but there are a few negatives people should be aware of... Brunch Buffet - I dont know if they are still doing this but its not really worth it. For you, or them. Lunch - limited menu which unfortunately, excludes a few of my favorite dishes from the dinner menu, however, on occasion you can request the dinner dish (for dinner price) and they can make it. They have changed up the bread, herbs, and oils that they bring in the beginning of the meal, which to most probably isnt that big of a deal, but the old combination used to be amazing. Its a little disappointing, but also probably for the best that you dont fill up on bread. Not sure if they still do it but around major holidays, they used to decorate the hell out of the place. If you are planning a romantic night and you dont want to go to Christmas Town, then this might not be the place for you. So, if you are still interested, dinner is the absolute best. Food is great and wine selection is solid. Staff and service have always been on point. I personally think the decorations make it more of a family-friendly environment, but with the same great food and service of an upscale restaurant.
