Italian Restaurants

Since 1993, La Panetteria Ristorante has been a traditional, family-owned and operated Italian restaurant located in downtown Bethesda. New co-owners and long-time friends, Executive Chef Hector “Ettore” Playuk from Sicily, Italy and General Manager Fernando Martinez from Buenos Aires, Argentina, are fulfilling their dream of owning and managing an Italian restaurant with an Argentinian flare in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

In 1989, a family tradition was carried from the Tuscan village of Cercina to Washington D.C., combining the warmth of the traditional dining experience with signature famiy recipes from the original Trattoria I Ricchi. Over the past 14 years, Christianne Ricchi has recieveed numerous awards and the highest national ratings for her skilled and consistent management of the I Ricchi kitchen and dining room.

At Teatro Goldoni, Chef Fabrizio Aielli offers a dashy blend of fresh and delectable art founded on authentic Venetian styles inspired by his mother's Italian cooking. Aielli creates new mixtures of spices and sauces infused within his palatable delight every few months to ensure a fine, exciting menu.

For 18 years Galileo has been Chef Roberto Donna's showcase for his renowned and innovative Italian cuisine. Galileo's daily-changing menu offers traditional dishes and contemporary improvisations from Roberto's native Piedmontese roots. Dining at Galileo ranges from casual meals at the bar to elegant dining in the comfortable main dining room; the restaurant also offers numerous options for private dining including an intimate wine cellar, a rear dining room and an outdoor terrace.