Fabio Trabbochi's flagship Fiola offers ahi tuna and hamachi crudo, and his other restaurants also have crudo on the menu.

The Coolest New Crudo Options in D.C.

Local chefs have various spins on the Italian fish dish

by China Riddle Sep 29, 2016, 10:00am EDT

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Fabio Trabbochi's flagship Fiola offers ahi tuna and hamachi crudo, and his other restaurants also have crudo on the menu.

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by China Riddle Sep 29, 2016, 10:00am EDT

Astute eaters know nearly every coastal culture has their own way of serving raw fish. Japan has both sushi and sashimi, Latin America has ceviche and the French fawn over tartare. When it comes to Italy, however, the dish of choice is crudo. The word's literal Italian translation is "raw," and in the boot-shaped country surrounded by water, there's plenty of raw seafood to go around.

The preparation of crudo is somewhat similar to sashimi. However, while sashimi presents thicker slices of ultra-fresh fish alongside wasabi and soy, crudo is thinner and often allows for more variety in its accompaniments. In the basic recipe, thinly sliced fish is paired with citrus, dressed in salt and light garnishes, and drizzled with high-quality olive oil right before serving. The fish in crudo is just as fresh as sashimi, but the added ingredients provide an entirely different culinary experience.

Washingtonians will certainly recognize crudo, as it's been popping up in raw bars like Whaley's and Conosci — the latter is almost entirely focused on the dish. Other classic Italian restaurants, like Fiola, also usually keep crudo options on their menus. Here's a map of some of the newest crudo dishes around town.

Bibiana Osteria & Enoteca

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This sleek osteria is fashioned after Italy’s design capital, Milan, but offers traditional crudos that can be found all over Italy. Currently four crudo options are available on the dinner menu for either $14 of $16. Offerings include fluke with radish and caperberries, or hamachi with pink peppercorns.

1100 New York Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 216-9550

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Conosci

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Brought to D.C. by Chef Michael Schlow, diners enter this new crudo bar through his other Italian restaurant, Alta Strada. The a la carte menu of crudo offers hamachi crudo with uni and caviar, as well as other raw dishes like tuna poke with chiles, or American red snapper ceviche. If eaters prefer to leave their crudo selections to the kitchen’s expertise, tasting menus can be ordered for $45, $85 and $135. The bar only has 31 seats, so call ahead for reservations.

465 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 629-4662

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Fiola da Fabio Trabocchi

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As one of D.C.’s prominent Italian restaurateurs, Fabio Trabbochi has crudo options on nearly all of his menus. His flagship Penn Quarter restaurant, Fiola, currently offers an ahi tuna and hamachi crudo with citrus, black olives, sorrel, creme fraiche and, when possible, caviar. It’s available for $22 a la carte, but is typically served in a larger tasting menu ranging from $74 to $105 depending on the number of courses.

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601 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

(202) 628-2888

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Hazel

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Hazel, one of Shaw’s newest dining destinations, offers New American fare and a less-traditional crudo. Here hamachi crudo is served with crispy rice, black lime, radish, hibiscus and smoked yogurt for $14.

808 V St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 847-4980

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Masseria

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Inspired by the Puglia region of Italy, Masseria offers crudo as an antipasti option on its tasting menu. Here sliced tuna is served with lime, orange, green tomatoes, and chili. Tasting menus can be ordered in three to six courses, priced at $69, $78, $89 or $125, respectively.

1340 4th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

(202) 608-5959

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Osteria Morini

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This Navy Yard osteria’s menu is based on the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy. The focus is primarily on stellar pastas, but at dinner an $18 yellowfin tuna crudo is currently available with baby artichokes and taggiasca olives.

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

(202) 484-0660

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Red's Table

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Boasting views of Lake Thoreau in Reston, this restaurant is known for its American fare and rustic vibe. The new fall menu includes an updated version of their $14 cape d’or salmon crudo, but this season it’s citrus-infused and served with almonds, chives, apples, radishes and celery.

11150 South Lakes Dr, Reston, VA 20191

(571) 375-7755

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Ripple

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Although its locally sourced menu changes frequently, eaters can often find a crudo at Ripple in Cleveland Park. Currently, Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley’s kitchen has been serving up a $14 kampachi crudo yuzu pickled chanterelles, apple dashi and ginger at dinner.

3417 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

(202) 244-7995

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RPM Italian

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The brainchild of a celebrity duo and currently one of D.C.’s hottest spots, RPM Italian has consistently offered crudo since its opening a few months ago. One of its latest options include $17 tuna crudo with pistachios and olives. A less traditional raw option that’s also on the menu is a $16 wagyu beef carpaccio with truffle aioli and crispy parmesan.

601 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 204-4480

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The Oval Room

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Upscale Oval Room serves dishes with both New American and Mediterranean influences. A yellowfin tuna crudo is currently being served with watermelon, local cucumber, purple ninja radish, basil seed and yuzu emulsion is available at dinner for $16. A similar lunch version with trout roe is priced a little lower at $14.

800 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

(202) 463-8700

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Whaley's

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This sustainable seafood spot has drawn many diners to Navy Yard with its raw bar. The ultra seasonal crudo menu was tweaked very recently, and now includes a bigeye tuna with yuzu, beets, green apple and Italian-style tuna roe. All options on the current crudo menu are $14 to $17.