Washington, D.C. - July 06, 2007

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

Locanda Restaurant Opens

Restaurants are like dates. There’s the exhilarating, flashy  one that knocks your socks off; the smoky, grungy one that gets your dark side; and the take-out one that meets your need for a quickie.

But when it comes to lasting romance, you crave the sort of comfort you can count on again and again.

Like Locanda, the new restaurant on Capitol Hill. With friendly prices and an unpretentious vibe, it’s just the kind of place you can see a future with.

The menu offers modern takes on popular Italian dishes, along with Mediterranean touches. Try the whole branzino accompanied by braised fennel, zucchini fritters, and gnocchi with taleggio cream and hazelnuts.

The mostly Italian wine list offers plenty of choices by the glass and the quartino (about a third of a bottle). Look for brunch, lunch, and outdoor seating down the road.

So unlike those dates, it might even be true love.

Locanda, 633 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, between 6th and 7th Streets (202-547-0002 or locandadc.com).