Ristorante Luigino Closing On Monday

Unfortunately, I am afraid this will not be the last. In the long run all will be fine, but in the short run I suspect there will be a number of businesses closing up shop.

I heard a rumor that Le Paradou will also be closing….not sure when. Any truth to that?

Also, the Crime and Punishment Museum isn’t doing very well.

I have to wonder how much zoning influence these closures. Isn’t it harder to fill up a 100+ seat restaurant every night than, say, two 50 seat bistros? It seems like office blocks are geared more towards the larger restaurants, when smaller intimate places might have a better chance of survival. Because now you have one big empty restaurant where you might have two smaller ones, and only one files for bankruptcy.

DC has a serious Italian restaurant shortage! Could PQ post some advice on where to go while we wait for Vapiano to open?

I realize the economy ain’t so great, but Luigino’s demise was almost certainly the result of its awful food and careless service. It had been going downhill for years, so I certainly hope it’s not a harbinger for decent, well-run restaurants in the area.

You’re kidding, right? DC’s lousy with Italian places. Now decent, cheap Italian places, there’s pretty much just Famous Luigi’s and Bistro Italiano.

I attended the closing party at Lugino. It was fabulous. Very intimate, classy and delicious. We enjoyed Chef Marzano’s signature dishes as we were serenaded by US Army Tenor, Antonio Giuliano. The pasta and the warm atmosphere of Luigino’s will be missed by many. A family-owned restuarant is hard to come by in Penn Quarter today. You can visit the chaf at hist new website http://www.carminemarzano.com.

I really liked Luigino’s. But I admit, I hadn’t been in awhile. Just too pricey. I often make a dish I had there — the endive salad with pine nuts, golden raisins and blue or goat cheese, splashed with some nice vinegar. Simple but delish.