The Menu at Officina’s New Second-Story Restaurant Is Inspired by Southern Italy

Days after unveiling Officina’s sun-drenched cafe on the first floor, restaurateur Nicholas Stefanelli is ready to debut the tri-level culinary playground’s main attractions: a 150-seat restaurant on the second floor and a scenic rooftop overlooking the Wharf.

Both the casual Southern Italian-inspired restaurant and rooftop bar came online Friday, October 12, at 5 p.m. (1120 Maine Avenue SW). While an employee confirmed the restaurant is “fully booked” for Friday and Saturday (and running on limited service for opening weekend), diners are free to head up to the rooftop bar for a first taste of a $14 Negroni at sunset.

Nicholas Stefanelli’s a la carte restaurant — a diversion from his Michelin-starred Masseria’s prix fixe menu mantra — features a 90-seat main dining area, a 44-seat outdoor patio and a 12-seat private room overlooking the water.

The opening menu kicks off with two types of mozzarella and 10 options for charcuterie, followed by antipasti ($5 to $15) such as arancini, cannellini bean and pasta soup, and Masseria’s popular calamari. An inaugural lineup of eight pastas ($18 to $24) includes traditional Italian classics like Linguine alle Vongole with little neck clams, bucatini, and ravioli stuffed with veal. The priciest order in the fish section is a medley of swordfish, prawns, and calamari ($39), followed by a whole branzino and grilled Mediterranean octopus. Meats include a seven-day dry-aged duck breast and six-ounce beef tenderloin, with the biggest splurge being a 40-oz. rib eye — dry aged for 60 days — for $145.

Here’s a first look at the opening menu:

Hours of operation are scheduled for Monday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Stay tuned for photos of the rooftop, scheduled to serve its last drink at midnight.

Scroll on for a look inside the Wharf’s gorgeous new restaurant:

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

• Officina’s Stunning Sun-Drenched Cafe Just Landed on the Wharf [EDC]
• The Wharf’s Officina Unveils Its Anticipated Opening Date [EDC]
• This Is What the Wharf’s Tri-Level Officina Will Look Like [EDC]
• The Wharf: A Guide to All the Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs [EDC]
• Find Roman-Style Pizza, Vintage Amaros, and ‘Hunks of Meat’ at Officina [EDC]