Tuesday was a great day. I was able to eat at both of the wonderful restaurants that stem from Restaurateur Paulo Sacco and Executive Chef Massimo Fabbri: Tosca and Posto. I have eaten at Tosca more times than I can count over the years and I eat at Posto on a regular basis as it is my favorite neighborhood spot. However, I can say that this was my first time eating at both Italian establishments in the same day.
I met a business client at Tosca for lunch and it still upholds the classic vibe of old world Washington and earns its title as a top power lunch destination. The white tablecloths and clean setting deliver an upscale atmosphere conducive to doing business and brokering deals over lunch. I had the mixed greens salad to start and the scallops with artichoke puree and chanterelle ragu in a Port wine reduction sauce as my entree. The food was delicious and was the perfect amount to keep me satisfied until my dinner later in the evening at Posto.
As I have mentioned before, Posto is probably my favorite restaurant in Washington. It is my go-to for any evening with any group of people and for any occasion. It is laid back and has a great neighborhood feel while delivering blistering hot pizzas out of the oven and perfectly al dente pastas from the kitchen. Further, the atmosphere is lively and fun, and it tends to be packed up until 10 PM even in the middle of the week. It also helps that they have a wonderful wine list with a delightful Prosecco that I like to sample on a regular basis.
That same night I went to Posto with my parents and we all ordered the Pomodoro salad which is a summer special that consists of sliced green and red tomatoes, fava beans, red onions, green beans, ricotta salata and sprinkled with balsamic dressing. The salads were a hit at the table as they were light and refreshing. I had the tuna tartare for my main course, my dad had the margarita pizza with yellow and red peppers, and my mom ordered the spaghetti with shrimp and scallops. All were fabulous, but there is a special place in my heart for the spaghetti with shrimp and scallops. The pasta is perfectly al dente, the seafood is delicious and fresh, and the sauce is light and has a slight spice to it making it a well-rounded and satisfying entree. I could eat that dish every night and think it is beautifully crafted. There was nothing left on any of our plates at the end of the meal, however we sprung for the chocolate mousse and the gelato for dessert which comes from Pitango Gelato on P Street around the corner. All in all, Posto delivered a wonderful meal as always, and it also continues to give off a great energy as the place is filled with a young and hip crowd in a great neighborhood.
I would say Tuesday was a great day for me in the world of food. I think that the team behind Tosca and Posto provide Washington with the perfect spectrum of Italian options as Tosca offers the upscale and fancier option and Posto fits the mold of a local osteria with pizza ovens and a bustling crowd. I love both of these restaurants, and between the two, Washingtonians have great Italian options for any occasion.
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Ristorante Tosca
1112 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
http://www.toscadc.com
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Ristorante Posto
1515 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
http://www.postodc.com
