Barracks Row welcomes Lavagna restaurant’s fresh fare.
By Nevin Martell
Blackboards throughout the Italian eatery tip off diners to specials and specialties.
The word lavagna means blackboard in Italian and it’s a fitting moniker for Barracks Row’s latest addition. Lavagna’s food is guided by a straightforward principle: “It should be simple, fresh and changed often,” says owner Stephen Cheung. “Just like a chalkboard.”
In keeping with this mantra, all of the pastas are made in house daily. Choose between enticing options like gnocchi with pear, Gorgonzola and walnuts, radiatore with tomato cream and classic spaghetti and meatballs. Dishes are spiced up with just-plucked Italian basil, mint and thyme from the patio herb garden. And the homemade focaccia bread is served fresh from the oven.
The bar menu is well curated, featuring 15 different wines by the glass. There are 10 different specialty cocktails ($9 each) as well, such as The Lavagna, which is spiked with housemade raspberry vodka, the Clasico Amore, which features pineapple pisco and the Gli Angeli Margarita, which owes its fiery herbaceousness to basil tequila.
If you can’t make up your mind about what to order, just check out the blackboard menus placed around the restaurant and you’re sure to find inspiration.
Make a reservation online or call 202-546-5006.
