Italian
I Ricchi, has become ordinary by now. I find Galileo overpriced, inconsistent, and offering poor service, though occasionally wonderful. Obelisk is good but a bit boring for my taste. None of them beat what you can eat for $10 ($5, once they bring the lira back) in a good Trattoria in Parma or Torino.
I Ricchi, web site, 1220 19th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-835-0459 [Washingtonian | The Hill | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Many people like Tosca, web site, 1112 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-367-1990, no weekend lunch. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
For suburban areas, I find both Marco Polo and Bonaroti's of Vienna to be satisfying; I like the buffet at the former and the lasagna at the latter.
Marco Polo, 245 Maple Avenue W, Vienna, VA, 703-281-3922 [City Paper | openlist | Yelp]
Ristorante Bonaroti, web site, 428 E. Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA, 703-281-7550 [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Joe's Pizza and Pasta, web site, scattered branches, is tasty and cheap, but go with low expectations. [City Paper | openlist | Yelp]
See also Tutto Bene, under Bolivian, and Cafe Tirolo, under Austrian, their pasta is good.
