Potenza Opens Downtown

I appreciate them not putting prices on any of their menu items. This saves me the trouble of questioning whether or not I can afford them. I wish more upscale restaurants were so considerate.

Excellent! We love Zola, so am looking forward to trying Potenza and also can’t wait to see what the store looks like.

When does “Cedar” open (8th and E)? Has anyone found a website for it yet? We got an invite to an event taking place there in April…but was like, is the restaurant even open yet?

Sure beats a liquor store. But how bout using some of that fantastic sidewalk space the same way LeBar across the street does? Hopefully when the weather is warmer they’d start outside seating.

There are plans to have outdoor seating on 15th Street when it warms up and lunch service will be added after a few months too (hopefully). As far as price range, they are “DC-reasonable,” which means that appetizers are around $10-$15, pasta course is about $15 and main entrees are in the $25-$30 range. It’s not super expensive, and the food is fantastic (I went to the “mock service” before they opened – I just walked in and they served us, even though we weren’t invited!). There is also going to be a upscale wine shop around the corner on 15th too. It’ll be nice to have this neighborhood come alive after 6 pm!

I love the DC reasonable prices. Talk about living in a bubble here. I guess they have to pay for the place, and if I just order Pizza I won’t be washing dishes. I love the building and the look of the space. This part of Downtown has so much potential, the old buildings really gives a sophisticated urban feel. Wish we had more neighborhoods like this.

I called and they also said they have a bar area and a bar menu.

lol @ “DC-reasonable”

according to Capital Spice’s review of Potenza, the non-restaurant/non-bar portions are set to open on March 30. it sure will be nice to have a real gelato stop for my out-of-town guests after traipsing the Mall over the summer.

Good luck, you’ll need it with those prices.

i poked my head in yesterday to check it out. they were very nice. they said they were officially open on monday but let me look around. i also picked up a menu which i can scan in – it has the entire menu, wine list and prices. i’ll email it to pqliving later today so it can be posted.

Stopped by on Friday night for Happy Hour, the bar was crowded and we had a good time. They could use a better set of draft beers (Peroni & Pilsner Urquell are the best options) but the Peroni etched pilsner glasses the beer is served in are very fun.

I don’t understand the complaints about prices, the most expensive pizza is $15. You can’t get a pizza that good anywhere for $15, and it’s big enough to share. The other items are about what you’d pay anywhere, even a chain like Ruby Tuesday.

In fact we liked it so much on Friday, Mrs Columbo insisted we go back on Saturday. We had an even better time Saturday night. It was about $100 for the two of us to have a couple of drinks each, big charcutiere plate, one antipasta, one gelato (the gelato was fantastic), and finally an after dinner drink. $100 is about what we seem to pay everytime we go out, so this was no different in cost, but possibly a lot more fun.

for eating at the bar, the pizza is definitely big enough for 2 people and the honey-thyme gelato rocks. great wine choices too…I had the Super Tuscan red and the Antinori Chardonnay. what I really liked is that the interior is *not* all sleek, euro, trendy nor was the attitude. there are plenty of those super-trendy spots around DC and I think Potenza will have better staying power than taking the super-trend route. will definitely take out-of-towners here for a sit down dinner when they visit.

the Washingtonian put up one of their restaurant video feedback segments on Potenza too.

and no, I’m not shilling for pay. I just really liked it.

You must try Potenza. I guarantee you’ll return. The restaurant, bar and bakery is beautiful and inviting without feeling “stuffy”. The staff is extremely attentive and friendly. Went w/ a group and we all sampled each other’s appetizers, entrees and desserts. All were absolutely perfect and sinfully delicious. We’ll definitely be back!

Hi Angela. Thanks for the comment on the outdoor plans. Right now, there is no connection with the restaurant to the outside, it seems. No signage on the entrance or the windows to even let you know its open. (See Oceannaire for a good example of window use)

Also, lets hope they use some of that space outside for planters, etc. like LeBar does across the street, which to me, seems a perfect example of what do to with sidewalk space, adding variety, color, etc.