Roberto Donna Vet Grabs the Reins at Ovvio

A former chef de cuisine under D.C. institution Roberto Donna will now lead the charge at Merrifield's newish Italian restaurant, Ovvio Osteria.

Giovanni Carlo has been appointed executive chef of the restaurant, located within the Halstead Square development (where such restaurants as Lost Dog Cafe are located, near the Dunn Loring metro). Opening chef Chris Watson's departure was revealed last week; the chef cited differences with management.

Carlo intends to keep some things the same: he'll make bread in-house, for example, and keep pizzas and some of the restaurant's Italian classics on the menu. His plans are to increase portion sizes and "respond to guest requests for more value," according to a press release. The chef's resume includes Donna's Galileo, as well as time at the three-Michelin star Gualtiero Marchesi in Italy, and Pavarotti and Friends in London. No specific new menu items were announced in the press release.
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