Hilary, Debbie and I went to the new Lupo Verde Osteria on May 14th just a month after it opened. This is the second restaurant opened by the folks who opened the original Lupo Verde on 14th Street.
The Lupo restaurants have been described by others as “soulful Italian cooking.”
As you approach the former three story house that has been converted into a restaurant, to the right is a set of stairs that lead up to the main floor of the restaurant. To the left is a set of stairs that lead to the basement. More about that later.
As you enter the restaurant there is a greeters’ station straight ahead. To the right is a circular stairway leading to the second floor.
To the left is a small area in which there are two 4 tops and a 2 top. One of the 4 tops really only accommodates 3 people. That is where we were seated. We were first offered a table on the second floor but chose to avoid the stairs especially since the restroom is on the main floor.
Straight behind the greeters is a bar with a short L at the close end which has 12 high leather padded seats. There are several tables to the left of the bar.
On the second floor there is a private room which can seat up to 25 people in addition to a regular dining area.
Overall the restaurant can “officially” seat 86 but I was told that it can handle up to 100 people for a single event.
Hilary and Debbie started with Rucola salad – Arugula, Radicchio, English Peas, Goat Cheese, Mint Lemon Mustard Dressing. I started with Polipo & Anguria – Fried Octopus, Compressed Watermelon, Fennel Salad, Fermented Ramps, Potato Chips.
For her main course Debbie chose – Vongole – Spaghetti, Clams, Thyme, Preserved Meyer Lemon. Hilary and I opted for Branzino & Radicchio – Seared Mediterranean Seabass, Radicchio Tardivo, Aged Balsamic, Oven Dried Tomato.
I was the only one wanting dessert and I ordered Lemon Sorbet.
At the far end of the main room, past the bar, is a single restroom.
The walls are covered with dark rectangular tiles to waist height. From waist height to the ceiling there are gray/tan panels. The floor is covered with a series of creative six sided multi-colored greyish tiles.
In the far corner of the room is a white ceramic commode with two silver metal bars at right angles on the wall. Further to the left is a wire, multi tray stand with tissues and extra rolls of toilet paper. There is a long white ceramic washbasin in front of rectangular mirror. There is a painting on the wall of a baby sitting in a basket filled with spaghetti.
On our way out I recognized and chatted with one of the servers who had worked for many years at the Palm restaurant.
Now back to the basement. As you look down the steps to the basement you can see through a large window a set of shelves with various products. When we were there on May 14th, the store was not yet open. When open during the day, folks will be able to buy various pastas, sauces and oils. In the evening, the market area will be used for small group (up to six people) multi-course tasting dinners.
The space will also be used to sell coffee and pastries and what they call quick-grab salads, paninis and Roman Style pizzas.
Lupo Verde Osteria
4814 MacArthur Blvd. NW
Washington DC
202-506-6687
Reserve.com