Italian Chain Piola Closes Its D.C. Restaurant

Piola, the Italian-based restaurant chain known for its monthly all-you-can-eat gnocchi special, wood-fired, brick oven pizzas, and an abundance of complimentary finger foods provided during happy hour, has closed its nearly five-year-old shop at 2208 14th Street NW.

“We would like to thank you for your preference and continuous support throughout the years,” management wrote in a farewell note posted on the front door. Commenters on local blog Popville speculate that the sudden closure may have something to do with recent arrests involving marijuana.

This recent development does not appear to have affected the preexisting Piola in Rosslyn (1550 Wilson Boulevard), which remains in place. Well known for the free snacks distributed at the bar during weekday happy hour, Arlington’s Piola also serves unlimited plates of gnocchi on the 29th of every month (a company tradition), AYCE pizza during weekend brunch, and offers discounted drinks (beer, wine, cocktails, sangria) throughout the week.