Amid the pastel-colored townhouses and red-brick storefronts of Georgetown lies a restaurant of renown. For three decades, DC’s key players have been gathering to drink and dine here. Cafe Milano is the long-time watering hole of the city’s most well-renowned residents (both celebrated and infamous). Prominent people from out-of-town also recognize this restaurant as the place to be for dinner in DC.

Guests arrive to a row of flags from all around the world. Affixed to the top of the storied eatery, these reflect the numerous nationalities that call DC home. Yet they also reflect the diversity of Cafe Milano’s clientele. Past guests may have dined along Sophia Loren sipping a glass of Vintage Tunina. Or perhaps Lenny Kravitz was their dinner-mate, feasting on a house-made truffle pappardelle with veal ragú.

Dinner in DC

Dubbed by the Washington Post as ‘the place to see and be seen’ in the city, diners at Cafe Milano can expect extremely attentive service alongside memorable meals of classic Italian goodness. Only the quality of attention the waiters lavish upon you matches the quality of food served. The restaurant’s team takes every care to treat their guests – famous or not – as VIPs.

Café Milano opened its doors in 1992, the same year that Bill Clinton was elected president. It has been a hotspot for the U.S capital’s political set ever since. The owner and brains behind the operation is Franco Nuschese, whose Italian heritage makes him an expert in both food and hospitality. Although he was born in the town of Minori along the Amalfi Coast, Nuschese has called Washington DC his home for thirty years.

Prior to opening Cafe Milano, Nuschese managed restaurants for Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. In addition, he acted as the assistant VP for Caesar’s World in Europe and the Middle East. His business prowess, combined with the Southern Italian philosophy of welcoming every guest as a member of the family, creates a uniquely intimate atmosphere at Cafe Milano.

A Culinary Experience

When it comes to cuisine, Cafe Milano proves that sometimes, the old way is the best way. Executive Chef Domenico Cornacchia and his team craft classic Italian dishes prepared in the traditional styles. There is nothing superfluous or pretentious about the food here: no frills. Cornacchia is unconcerned with incoming and outgoing foody trends that change with the wind. Instead, the team at Cafe Milano is dedicated to creating truly delicious meals using exceptional-quality ingredients.

Cafe Milano has maintained its status as the place where important people have dinner in DC for 30 years. This is in large part due to its commitment to consistent culinary excellence. Despite or because of their simplicity, the dishes output here are utterly superb. Every dish is executed with the utmost care, guaranteeing that every eater goes home satisfied.

One timeless classic on the menu is the Parmigiana di Melanzane. This melt-in-your-mouth eggplant parmigiana is packed with rich flavors. Plus, it’s so tender that it seems to dissolve like butter on the tongue. Visitors would be remiss to leave without sampling one of the Cafe’s renowned homemade pasta dishes. The Tonnarelli Bulgari is a confection of thick house-made noodles, coated in a sumptuous mixture of Pecorino Sardo and peppercorns prepared Cacio É Pepe style. The fresh pasta’s flavor and texture leave nothing to be desired. The dining experience is elevated only when paired with a bottle of something off of the extensive wine list.

A little tip for those in the know: one of Cafe Milano’s most show-stopping dishes is not on the menu. Enquire about the salt-encrusted branzino. As it takes 40 minutes to bake, this dish requires a bit of patience, but is ultimately worth the wait.

Served simply with lemon and grilled vegetables, the salt crust that is cracked open table-side imbues the fish with additional flavor. Additionally, this salt jacket ensures a perfectly tender and moist final result. The ever-attentive waiters will debone the dish before serving. Thus, all of the heavy lifting is complete by the time the white fish makes it way on to your plate. There is therefore nothing left for you to do but sit back and enjoy your dinner in DC.

An Elegant Ambiance

With their dedication to culinary classics, it comes as no surprise that the ambiance at Cafe Milano also celebrates classic styles. The restaurant can be split into three distinct sections. In the front, dark wood panels frame wide windows. The low lighting here makes for a sultry yet sophisticated atmosphere. In the center section, things are a bit brighter. Whimsical light fixtures resembling branches coat everything in a warm, mellow glow. Across from the dining area, where white-tablecloth-covered tables are set up, the bar is filled with bottles boasting golden-hued liqueurs.

Glancing up, diners will spot a mural of Milan’s metro system painted on the ceiling: a system of interlinking lines in a criss-cross of colors. This, along with the designer scarves and gowns that are framed on the walls, pay tribute to the restaurant’s namesake: Milan, the capital of Italian fashion.

 Like the cuisine, the ties and gowns displayed behind glass are timeless. In addition to the classic fashions adorning the walls are old Hollywood-style photographs. These images, some in black and white and some in retro colors, pay homage to the restaurant’s many celebrated visitors.

The final third of the restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, with white-washed wooden shutters and simple décor. In addition to the public dining areas, the Milanese Cafe also boasts several private dining rooms, which can be booked for more intimate gatherings. In fact, one of these dining rooms played host to Michelle Obama in 2013. She celebrated her 49^th birthday with around twenty guests in the private upstairs section of the restaurant.

Celebrity Sightings

In addition to presidents and first ladies, the Georgetown eatery has hosted a variety of politicians, diplomats, journalists, movie stars, singers, and professional athletes. Thus, Cafe Milano has long ago established itself as the hot spot for the biggest names in D.C and around the world. In addition to Michelle Obama, the restaurant has hosted notables such Hilary Clinton, Tiger Woods, and Lionel Richie. It was even chosen as the celebration spot for the Washington Capitals hockey team after their Stanley Cup win.

Nuschese is well-known throughout DC for his capacity to make even the highest-profile people feel at home at Cafe Milano. The intimate atmosphere contributes to the comfort of guests requiring every level of discretion, as everyone can enjoy their meals in the utmost privacy. Around the restaurant are a series of maître d type figures who overlook the room to ensure that every customer is dining in comfort.

There are many reasons why Cafe Milano remains so immensely popular with the biggest names in the world. The exceptional quality of both the food and the service has ensured it consistently maintain its title as the place for dinner in DC throughout the thirty years of its existence. With classic cuisine, couture, and clientele, it is safe to say that the Italian eatery is – and will continue to be – a timeless classic that never goes out of style.