Centrolina Mercato E Osteria

One of my favorite restaurants and always rated as one of DC's top places to eat. Exceptional service and excellent food. A good selection of seafood dishes and, always, delicious pasta entrees. All seasonal and fresh. The service is excellent, beginning the very moment you enter. There is a small market for pastries and Italian products. Centrolina is in Palmer Alley in Center City DC. Always a relaxing walk through for about 3-4 blocks. Usually gaily decorated and well lit. Reservations highly recommended.

Fresh, seafood that speaks for itself. Well prepared in a way that enhances the food while still letting you appreciate the quality ingredients. The Mare dish octopus, fish, shrimp, everything was cooked exquisitely, seasoned delicately and grilled to perfection. The menu rotates and is limited, so you know they are using creativity and seasonal ingredients as well as making sure each dish is crafted with purpose. On the expensive side, so definitely make it a special occasion and save room in your stomach and wallet for a glass of wine or one of their fabulous looking cocktails. If you’re reading this far, and are looking for a *special* date night in the City Center (along with your bougie ootd in the beautiful pass through), this is the place! Follow it up with a $10 latte at Dolcezza and some people watching and you have a romantic evening not to disappoint.

The environment and service are impeccable, no complain at all. But I think we have been deceived a little by the rave reviews here on Google Maps about this restaurant. Foods are not up to the mark of price, hype and ambiance. We were very hungry and jet-lagged, probably we did not ordered the "right thing," but a restaurant of this price range should offer perfect meals throughout the entire menu, and there shouldn't be any "wrong order." That was not the case here.