One of America’s most beloved restaurants debuts in the nation’s capital this weekend.
Chef Nancy Silverton joined forces with power restorer Stephen Starr will give it a Michelin star Osteria Mozza in Washington, D.C. Opening November 10, the Italian restaurant occupies 20,000 square feet of prime real estate in Georgetown. He will understand the main dining dining room, a marble mozzarella bar, two private dining rooms, and a market featuring items hand-picked by Silverton.
Chicken all’Devil on Crostone
Birch Thomas
The original Los Angeles outpost of Osteria Mozza opened in 2007, bringing wood-fired plates, handmade pastas, and regional Italian cuisine to the area. Since then, locations have popped up all over the world, including Mexico, Singapore, and Hawaii. The DC spot marks the first time East Coast diners can enjoy Osteria Mozza’s menu on home turf.
This menu includes some notable dishes that Silverton has become known for: For starters, there’s the stracchino-stuffed focaccia di recco, one of Starr’s favorite plates. Nancy’s favorite trio brings together mozzarella di bufala with Cantabrian anchovies, sun-dried tomatoes and peppers, and fett’unta, a garlic bread dish. There’s also Silverton’s deconstructed Caesar salad and fan-favorite tagliatelle with oxtail ragu.
The bar, for its part, is just as focused on Italian flavors. The wines come from the Piedmont, Tuscany, Campania and Sicily regions of this country. (Silverton herself has a house in Umbriawhere she spends a good part of the year cooking for herself, family and friends.) Champagne comes courtesy of Champagne, for all celebrations large and small. And Italian specialties can be purchased at the market and brought back to your own kitchen: expect specialty olive oils, spices, jarred and canned items, and much more. Luckily, Silverton is the author of 11 cookbooks, in case you need some inspiration on how to use these ingredients.
Inside the restaurant
Rey Lopez
The design of Osteria Mozza DC is courtesy of the company Romain and Williams. The team transformed a historic market dating back to 1865 into a modern space with arched windows, terrazzo floors, marble tables, and accents of dark wood and exposed brick. The solarium makes you feel like you’re dining al fresco with floor-to-ceiling windows, while a private dining room on the mezzanine level can accommodate up to 20 people.
Silverton and Starr didn’t become two of the most respected names in the culinary world for nothing. And with the two teaming up to bring Osteria Mozza to DC’s powerhouse, you can pretty much guarantee they’ll have another hit on their hands.
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