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L'Ardente
L'Ardente: Classic Italian flavors, handmade pastas, and inviting service in DC.
4.6
Italian
$$$
L'Ardente: Classic Italian flavors, handmade pastas, and inviting service in DC.
Located at 200 Massachusetts Ave NW, L'Ardente is an Italian restaurant in Washington, DC. Diners praise handmade pastas and bold flavors, from the 40-layer lasagna to linguine and risotto, plus seafood like oysters and grilled octopus. The menu accommodates varied preferences, and guests highlight attentive service, a cozy atmosphere, and a generous cocktail selection, with a fair service charge noted by patrons.
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A renowned dish with short rib, featuring rich, layered flavors in a modern twist on a classic.
Freshly crafted pasta dishes like linguine and Campanelle Nere, using traditional Italian techniques.
An extensive bar offering innovative cocktails and curated wines, including options like Chianti.
Starters such as oysters, Caesar salad, arancini, and grilled octopus, perfect for group dining.
Inclusive menu items like Verdure Grigliate and Girasoli, catering to diverse dietary preferences.
Ideal for celebrations and large parties in a spacious, atmospheric setting with attentive service.
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Overall rating
M Z
Came here for a friend's birthday and couldn't have asked for a better experience. The food was excellent, and there was a variety of options that fit everyone's wants, needs, and preferences (i.e. vegetarian, vegan, dairy free). Service was prompt and always courteous. The Verdure Grigliate was filling and seasoned perfectly. Girasoli (butternut ravioli) portion seemed small at first, but it turned out to be the perfect portion after shared appetizers, and the flavors all meshed well together. The apple cider sorbet was out of this world! What I loved the most had nothing to do with the food, drinks or service: it was the service charge. I appreciate restaurants that ensure their employees are paid a fair wage, and the service fee takes care of that/doesn't force employees to rely solely on tips. Will definitely be back!
Carin Colbert
I highly recommend L’Ardente! My man and I dined here because I saw friends raving about the 40 layer, short rib lasagna! They did not over exaggerate when they said it was delicious! It lived up to the hype! The drinks were great. The food was amazing, and the atmosphere was calming. I’d definitely go again!
Carrie Crowther
We had a lovely anniversary dinner at L’Ardente. We started off with the oysters, caesar salad and gamberi, and they were all delicious. We also tried the grilled octopus and sun-dried tomatoes and olives complimented it so well. For the main we did the linguine and of course the 40-layer lasagna. Our server, Ezra, was amazing and so attentive throughout the night. The restaurant was definitely packed when we arrived for our 7:45pm reservation, but by around 8:30/9 the dining room started to clear out and the atmosphere felt much cozier. We enjoyed a glass of Chianti, so we didn’t get to explore the cocktails this time, and we weren’t able to try the Duck Hunt.. but that just gives us another reason to come back. Absolutely enjoyed it and would definitely return to try more from the menu!
David Lazar
I went here for a date and was honestly not impressed. I have heard a lot about L’Ardente since I moved to DC and it is definitely an impressive space but I don’t think it lived up to the hype. We started with the Arancini and Caesar salad. Both were good but neither was unbelievable. I did like how the Caesar was covered in Parmesan. For dinner we got both the Campanelle Nere and the 40 layer lasagna. Again, both were good but neither was worth the price. You can get really delicious, handmade pasta at Cucini Mornini right across the street. Much better value and taste in my opinion. L’Ardente does have a cool bar and I absolutely loved the bathroom sign. It would be a fun place to come with a large group but I will spend my date night money elsewhere.
Will
This place does have 1700 reviews so I won't call it a hidden gem, but I did find it randomly on the map. But let me tell you this place is amazing on all levels. From host, to service, to food, they simply deliver on all fronts. We started the night with the risotto and the buratta. Let me tell you the risotto was to die for. The amount of flavor packed into that small bowl, had my wife and I speechless. You can taste every ingredient listed in full force. A night here would not be complete without this item. Next we had the pizza and the lasagna with the ceaser salad. The lasagna is not like a normal lasagna in taste it is for more like a beef pasta with gravy, it's good though. The ceaser was amazing, likey the best I've ever had. The service was ontop of everything and super nice. Would recommend eveyone come here. Also they have a large selection of cocktails of that's your vibe as well.
