Sorriso is definitely one of Washington, DC’s gemstones. I’ve been here 3 times in the past 2 years, and absolutely love this place.
Tucked in with a group of restaurants at the top of the stairs to the Cleveland Park Metro, Sorriso’s location is super convenient–not only is it easy to get to, but the Irish pubs and bars along CT Ave. provide tempting post-dinner entertainment.
I’ve been to approximately 1 million Italian restaurants in my lifetime (not exaggerating, I swear), and Sorriso is one of my all-time favorites. The menu offers a lot of variety, from typical Italian dishes drenched in tomato sauce (“gravy” where I’m from) and cheese, to brick oven pizzas, and wonderful seafood.
One of my favorite dishes on the menu are the mussels. Served as an appetizer, a generous portion makes for a great dish to share with a group of people. You can get them marinara or butter-and-garlic style. I’ve had both, and they’re both fantastic.
Another favorite dish I’ve had at Sorriso is the beef carpaccio. Served raw, it’s packed with flavor, and feels light and fresh. This would be a great thing to have on a summer day.
Aside from the appetizers, I’ve tried various pasta and seafood dishes at Sorriso, and all were wonderful. I’ve never had the pizza, but the restaurant boasts a wood burning brick oven, and the pies look delicious. Overall, I would say the menu is generally affordable, but definitely not cheap, which gives incentive to try out some new dishes.
Another great thing about Sorriso is the wine list. Affordable and offering lots of options, you’re sure to find a great wine here. The wait staff has generally been very helpful in giving me advice about which wines to pair with which items on the menu.
The atmosphere at Sorriso is busy, but somehow it still feels personal and comfortable. One word of caution…if you visit Sorriso anywhere in the vicinity of a weekend, be sure to make a reservation. The restaurant is relatively small, and fills up quickly. The one time I neglected to make a reservation, the waitress stuck my mother and I at a tiny table near the bar, right in the pathway of all the servers–that was less than optimal. So definitely make a reservation and I would recommend trying to grab a seat upstairs rather than downstairs–it’s a bit more roomy and less hectic.
Overall, Sorriso is one of my favorite places in DC, and it’s a little bit under the radar. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good Italian restaurant here in the district.
Grade: A-
Check out these reviews for more info:
Washington City Paper
Washington Post
