Osteria Morini is a fine Italian restaurant located in the Capitol Riverfront in Southeast DC. Known for its authentic Italian cuisine, Osteria Morini brings the Bologna region of Italy to the D.C. metro area in an inviting and indulgent atmosphere.
Osteria Morini’s decor is influenced by the original restaurant in Soho, New York City, but also adds its own flair and design to mirror the current development of the Capitol Riverfront. The high ceilings, lively atmosphere, and open chef’s kitchen allows customers to experience the creation of their meals right before their eyes.
To truly experience a full meal like the Italians do, we’ll walk you through the suggested order. Begin your meal with a variety of small plate offerings to share. Finely cured meats and cheeses, antipastis, crostinis, and a soup or salad are a few items to choose from. While you can’t go wrong with any of their options, we like pairing the prosciutto with the parmigiano reggiano, the pancetta di maiale antipasti, and the ceci crostini.
If you’re not too full from the delicious appetizers, the main course will surely do the trick. Chef Michael White’s pasta dishes feature a diverse array of customary ragus and finely stuffed pastas. Meat plays a very vital role in the dinner course, both coupled with the pasta dishes and as a featured component. Try the Cicatelle pasta which consists of ricotta gnocchi served with roasted duck, zucchini, and olives. For you meat lovers out there, try the Grigliata Mista (Mixed Grill Meats) and you’ll get to experience the lamb porterhouse, pork ribs, chicken sausage, and hanger steak all cooked in their wood burning grill.
Now for the best part of the evening, dessert! If you can’t decide on one thing, choose 3 of Osteria Morini’s gelatos and sorbets. Their signature desserts are constantly changing, but usually feature one of their delicious gelatos and sorbets. Favorites include the Torta de Limone (a lemon tart with toasted meringue and vanilla gelato) and the Fichi (a fig focused dessert with walnut brown butter cake, honey buttermilk gelato, and the concord grape sorbet).
Osteria Morini offers fine Italian wine, lambrusco, and prosecco from the northern regions of Italy to sip on throughout the course of the night. Depending on what you are in the mood for, craft beers, traditional Italian cocktails, apertifs, and digestifs are avaiable as well. ***Insider Tip: Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 4-7 PM and everything behind the bar is 20% off!
BONUS: In November, Osteria Morini is bringing back “Morini Mondays”! The special includes their scrumptious $10 pasta dishes all night every Monday as well as their regular Happy Hour deal! Be sure to make reservations so you don’t miss out on some of the best Italian food in the district!
