If your rambles in Georgetown have taken you a distance up Wisconsin Avenue, you may be delighted to discover this Italian market, cafe, Umbrian ceramics shop, popular brunch spot, Italian cooking-class venue, and, from Thursday to Sunday, a place for “communal dinners at the chef’s table.” It's an authentic taste of both Umbria and the Georgetown neighborhood. The light-filled second floor stages the cooking classes, Sunday brunch, and chef’s table dinners in front of the open kitchen. The street-level cafe/market/shop is jammed to the gills with cool gifty things, like gorgeous hand-painted Italian ceramics (a visiting painter is sometimes on hand to sign his work), as well as Italian wines and beer and meats and cheeses. So, shop away if you desire. Head to the cafe and order delicious bombolini (Italian doughnuts) at breakfast or one of the mouthwatering paninis—I’ve enjoyed the Piadina (prosciutto, pesto, and mozzarella) and porchetta (shaved fennel, provolone, greens, pork, and aioli)—at lunch. The menu also offers pasta dishes and salads. After 4:30, Via Umbria sells dinners to eat in, if you like, but most take it to go, the menu changing daily. Or consider signing up for a communal dinner upstairs. If it’s a pleasant day, I recommend taking out those paninis and Italian pastries and walking up the street to Montrose Park on R St., for a picnic.
Washington, D.C.› Restaurant
Via Umbria
1525 Wisconsin Ave. NW (btw. P and Q sts.)
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Georgetown
Hours
Sun 7am–7pm; Tues–Thurs 7am–8pm; Fri–Sat 7am–9pm
Phone
202/333-3904
Prices
Café: all food items under $15; chef’s table dinners: $50–$125 per person, not including wine
Cuisine Type
Italian
Web site
Via Umbria
Other
Reservations required for “chef’s table” dinners

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.