Casolare may be chef's Michael Schlow's second Italian restaurant in D.C., but don't expect a menu that's very similar to his new Alta Strada restaurant in Mt. Vernon Triangle. At Casolare, the coasts of Italy are the focus, which comes into play with the restaurant's light, seafood-influenced menu.
The space has its transportive qualities as well. Designed by Edit Lab at Streetsense, touches like terra-cotta tiles, blue and aqua hues, leather-accented lighting, and colorful artwork from artist Adrienne Schlow fill the 156-seat space. There are booths, an expansive bar area, and a pizza oven filling the restaurant, which is located within the Glover Park Hotel.
Chef Philippe Reininger, also of The Riggsby, is overseeing the cooking, where items like octopus, shrimp, antipasti and vegetable salads are paired alongside pastas and some pizzas. Riffs on Italian cocktails complement the food, along with local beers and Italian wines. The restaurant opens Monday at 2505 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Glover Park.
