Michael Schlow’s Third DC Dining Destination: Alta Strada

A neighborhood Italian restaurant is coming to Mt. Vernon Triangle’s City Vista!

Award-winning chef Michael Schlow will open his third DC location, Alta Strada, on Tuesday (March 22).  Alta Strada will offer dishes from Schlow’s experiences working and traveling in Tuscany, Piedmonte, Emilia-Romagna, and Campania.  (And here’s some dish: A separate crudo bar, Conosci, is coming in April!)

“It’s important to me that we be respectful when it comes to the origins of these dishes,” says Schlow in a written statement. “This type of restaurant appeals to us on so many levels. I’m excited to be opening in such a vibrant neighborhood, and my hope is for Alta Strada to become everyone’s local, go-to place.”

Guests will find a wide variety of antipasti, house-made pastas, pizzas, and authentic entrees. Highlights include dishes such as grilled octopus with chickpeas, Calabrian chiles and lemon; an authentic version of tagliatelle Bolognese (which Schlow learned in Bologna); maltagliati with rabbit and fresh fava beans, and pollo al mattone. The open kitchen will produce light, airy pizzas which Schlow calls a cross between New York, Rome and Naples, with varieties ranging from a classic margherita, to soppresata and hot chiles, to Schlow’s personal favorite, the pizza bianco, made with homemade ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, rosemary, and hot pepper. Playful desserts such as the “Mascaporeos,” the restaurant’s Italian riff on already unscrewed Oreos®, made with dark chocolate shortbreads, mascarpone with whipped cream, vanilla and cinnamon will round out the menu.

Veteran bartender Anthony Marlowe will oversee a cocktail menu of classic Italian drinks, such as an Americano on draft, and the restaurant’s take on an Aperol Spritz with Aperol, gin, Prosecco and lavender bitters, alongside his own unique creations such as the Kiss the Ring, made with blended scotch, Nardini Mandorla and Angostura Bitters. Assistant General Manager Eric DiNardo, who lived in Italy for several years, has selected an extensive all-Italian wine list, with a wide selection of wines by the glass. The menu will also feature Amaros, Italian liqueurs as well as Italian craft beers. 

Alta Strada opens first for dinner service only.  Look forward to checking out the inviting space, which evokes a vibrant, urban Italian trattoria.

*Images courtesy Alta Strada.