Just two blocks from the White House, Potenza serves a broad selection of rustic Italian dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. The 10,000-square-foot contemporary restaurant includes an open kitchen, raw bar, salami stand, bakery and a 6,000-pound pizza oven. During the summer and spring, diners can also enjoy a view of the Washington Monument while eating on the charming outdoor patio.
The pizzas are light, with a thin crust and a flavorful sauce. My favorite is the prosciutto, pomodorini e mozzarella pizza made with porcetta, olive oil-poached tomatoes, arugula, fresh mozzarella and roasted garlic. Also worth trying is the gorgonzola dolce, made with gorgonzola, mache and aged balsamic drizzle.
Delicious and authentic pasta dishes such as the linguine alle vongole, made with clam sauce, pancetta, garlic and lemon, and finished with olive oil, will complement the one-of-a-kind wine list. Definitely take the time to read through it and ask sommelier Ralph Rosenberg for recommendations. If you’re drinking a bold red wine, try the rigatoni and Sunday gravy, made with meatball, spicy fennel sausage, spare rib, brasciole and ricotta. If you want seafood with a glass of white wine, the cod al forno (a whole oven-roasted cod with truffled cavatelli and roasted cauliflower) is a great choice.
Potenza recently introduced a small-plates menu that is perfect for sharing and trying several dishes. Better yet, order them with the wine pairings. You can choose any three dishes for $28. Selections include pancetta-wrapped figs, veal with mushrooms, smoked salmon crostini, antipasto skewers and crisped stuffed blossoms with truffled chicken, ricotta and asparagus sauce. There is also a small plates menu for desserts. The honey panna cotta has a nice creamy texture and is not too sweet.
If you go
Potenza
15th and H streets NW
202-638-4444
potenzadc.com
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday, 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday
