Photo by María Helena Carey
We’re all very excited about having an upscale and fresh new Italian restaurant in our midst, I know. And judging from the long lines and booked nights and weekends, it seems like all of you in the community know this as well. We’re all into great food around here, and some of us have lamented more than once the fact that the Italian restaurants around the Hill are not up to par with either the offerings of other towns, or of other areas within DC.
But is that really a fair assessment? After all, while it is true that some restaurants have more gourmet offerings and breath-takingly flawless presentation than others, is good food alone a reason to frequent a restaurant? While I leave you to ponder that philosophical statement, let me tell you about an Italian restaurant some of you love, and some of you love to hate: Trattoria Alberto.
Alberto’s is located at 506 8th Street, SE, in the heart of Barracks Row. It’s nestled in a gray Victorian, which hides a happy couple of rooms painted in cheerful Tuscan yellow. When the weather is nice, tables beckon you from the outside. I had always walked by the place and been intrigued by it, but it wasn’t until a recent conversation in which both love and disdain for Alberto’s were professed that I decided I needed to go see for myself on which end of the spectrum I fell. In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that my dining needs are a little trickier than those of many: I come with a two-kid-under-five entourage, which requires things single diners or those with an all-adult party may not be looking for. I appreciate a place that can offer quick service — or quick bites to start– and I especially appreciate flexible, gracious staff willing to accommodate my brood and me while not making us all feel self-conscious. In this particular area, Alberto’s shines from the very start: the staff is seasoned, sweet, accommodating and courteous. Right away, our family felt welcome: there is no better feeling, other than knowing that someone else is cooking and cleaning up, than feeling comfortable in a shared space.
The menu (both lunch and dinner versions are available for your perusal online) is varied but does not try to encompass an overwhelming array. They are also happy to adjust menu items, especially offering half-portions of pasta for the wee set or for those who are watching a special element of their diet. The food is flavorful and comforting; the presentation is not elaborate, but rather it’s more family-style than other newer venues around the area. It also comes out very promptly, which as I mentioned earlier is a winner with my three-ring circus. This month, through the 31st, Alberto’s is also offering a free Tiramisù with the purchase of two entrées: as you all know, shared calories simply do not count. Finally, Trattoria Alberto offers carryout service, for those days in which you need your comfort food fix but you really, really don’t want to deal with reminding your fellow diners of their manners every thirty seconds, which, I realize, can also be a hazard after an especially happy Happy Hour.
If you have never dined at Trattoria Alberto, you may want to give them a try. And if you’ve been, won’t you share which end of the spectrum you fall into?
