Bibiana

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Address:
1100 New York Avenue, NW (Corner of 12th and H St)
The corner of H St. and 12th
Washington, DC 20005

Neighborhood:
Downtown

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Cuisine:
Italian

Price: $30 and under

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Bibiana Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.bibianadc.com
Phone: (202) 216-9550
Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm; All Day Menu: Monday - Friday: 2:30pm - 5:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Wednesday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm, Thursday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 11:00pm; Late Night Menu: Friday & Saturday: 11:00pm - 12:00am
Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Italian
Executive Chef: Nicholas Steffanelli
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Smoking Area, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar

Getting there

Cross Street: 12th and H street
Public Transit: Metro Center is the closest metro stop, it is located at 12th and G street and our front door is one block away at the corner of 12th and H street.
Parking: Valet
Parking Details: We offer Valet parking for dinner only.

A word from Bibiana

Upon opening in September 2009, Bibiana instantly became one of Washington’s most popular hot spots.

Nick Stefanelli’s regional Italian fare features a variety of well executed small plates, antipasti and standouts including his whole roasted fish.

His cuisine helped earn Bibiana a glowing… review and two-and-a-half stars from food critic Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post, and four stars from DC Modern Luxury critics. It also secured a place on Washingtonian’s list of the top one hundred restaurants in the nation’s capital. In June 2010 Bibiana was a finalist for “Best New Restaurant” and Nick Stefanelli won the “Rising Star Chef” from The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. In October 2010, Stefanelli was also announced as the winner of StarChefs.com “Rising Star” award and Bibiana was named to Esquire’s exclusive list of 20 “Best New Restaurants 2010.”Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Diner Reviews

"Having moved out of DC, I come downtown less that I used to and had not been to Bibiana for 2 years. The wine list is expanded and less expensive than many; extensive too and arranged geographically...very nice! The four of us sampled one another's plate...all delicious! We are coming back, soon too! The food seemed more sure handed than I recall, really a treat! P.S. because of the (nice) weather we sat outside, so ambience was noisier and the service slightly less attentive (just because of geography) than had we been inside. Still, a 5-star experience!"
Dined on 7/19/2014
" The section of the restaurant we sat in was freezing. Great presentation but food was mediocre. We had a new server that was too shy to attend our table as we would have expected For example we had to ask for a drink (pre dinner cocktail)"
Dined on 7/18/2014
"My husband and I visited Bibiana for the second time for our anniversary this year. Five stars! The service was excellent - attentive and personable without being overbearing. The food was fabulous. The ambiance was perfect for such a romantic occasion. We love Bibiana and plan to go back for future special occasions!"
Dined on 7/18/2014
"Bibiana is a wonderful restaurant and I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience."
Dined on 7/17/2014
"Great pasta selection, great service, nice selection of wine, great espresso! Would definitely go back! Must try the squash blossoms!"
Dined on 7/17/2014
"Bibiana' cibo is consistently superb. The young chef from Sicily and the osteria are surprisingly underrepresented in the Washington, DC scene. The most authentic Italian osteria in DC by far!!"
Dined on 7/9/2014
"The food and service were both very good, close to excellent. Three of the four of us ordered the fixed-price "tomato special" for $35, and were very pleased with the quality of the cuisine served. I noticed that the portion served of the one diner for the main course was substantially more copious than the main course of the fixed-price special, but I thought the amount served was fine. I would accent the quality of the cuisine and the service, plus the excellent ambiance. Also, the bathroom is really nicely decorated!"
Dined on 7/5/2014
"Inventive ingredient combinations, selections suitable for meat eaters and vegetarians. Gluten free pasta also available. Service was attentive and well informed. Dessert is a must."
Dined on 6/30/2014
"Despite the reviews, for those prices I expect near perfection. My beet salad was both over and under cooked (hard and mealy beets). A fellow diner complained to the manager about the "fishy" taste to his lobster risotto and nothing was done about it. Just disappointed! Everyone else likes their meals just fine."
Dined on 6/28/2014
"The food was good but the chef has a heavy hand with using salt. I sent the soup back and asked that they please make sure that the remainder of the courses be less salty. The remainder of the courses were less salty than the soup but still too salty. I would hesitate to come back because of the salt."
Dined on 6/28/2014
"We dined at Bibiana on our first night in DC and had a momentous experience! Great food, wine, atmosphere and the staff is extraordinary!"
Dined on 6/28/2014
"One of the best restaurants I have been to in quite a while. The rock fish, Rabbit and flank steak was ridiculously delicious. Everyone in our party of 4 was impressed. The waiter recommended a delicious wine and the the food and service was top notch. The menu is creative and a nice change from the often unimaginative offerings at some expensive restaurants. The food presentation was equally impressive. I highly recommend Bibiana."
Dined on 6/27/2014
"We're one of those couples who eat out when we're just to tired to cook, about three times a week, at places where we expect good food, fair value and a quiet ambiance so we can talk. We'd been to Bibiana before, even taken our adult kids, so were surprised when on this visit the food was really not tasty. Husband's sweetbread appetizer was fine but the sauce so tart it tasted off. My soft shell crab was awful, the crab was moist but it tasted strongly as if it had been sauteed in old grease. Ugh. We both had the rabbit and were underwhelmed, cooked moist but the flavors not anything you'd want to come back for. Wish we'd gone to Tortino -- better food, warmer service. We will not be back - too expensive for it to be that off."
Dined on 6/27/2014
"I recently had lunch at Bibiana with my parents to celebrate my birthday. Even with the World Cup playing at the bar, the waiter was very attentive and friendly. It wasn't too noisy - a woman next to us was reading a book while eating alone and on our other side was a large group having a business lunch. I ate the risotto and it was absolutely delicious. The lobster was tender and cooked perfectly while the risotto was very creamy. Definitely a great dining experience and I would be happy to eat there again."
Dined on 6/25/2014
"We have enjoyed two great meals here. They serve classic yet inventive modern Italian cuisine. All ingredients are top quality."
Dined on 6/21/2014
"it was wonderful from beginning to end - welcoming staff, attentive and caring service, elegant ambience and creative, well executed menu"
Dined on 6/19/2014
"Outstanding restaurant which continues to make delicious food"
Dined on 6/18/2014
"I have two favorite Italian restaurants in DC: Acqua al 2 on Capitol Hill for more typical trattoria-style food, and Bibiana for more upscale and creative versions of Italian cuisine. Have been to Bibiana on several occasions and have always had a great experience. Tried two new items on this visit--crispy soft shell crab with artichokes for an appetizer and then braised rabbit with pureed root vegetables and tangy grilled spring onions. The rabbit was moist and tender and beautifully complemented by the accompanying sides. Another home run for Bibiana! Don't spend your time looking elsewhere in DC for better Italian food!"
Dined on 6/17/2014
"I went for dinner with a friend. The venue is great and the food was excellent. But the waier was a bit of a put off. He had an off putting sense of humor that didn't quite work and bordered on the offensive. "You must drink alcohol, it's Friday." "I can ask the chef to start cooking everything on the menu for you..." "You must have dessert - walk around the block and then dessert." That it happened every time he came to our table seriously eroded what was a great gastronomic experience. While I truly enjoyed the food, I've been out off enough to favor other options over this one."
Dined on 6/13/2014
"Fairly priced for the area. Food was bland and under flavored."
Dined on 6/12/2014
"We dined at Bibina for the second time in 6 months and were a bit disappointed. The first time the food was vibrant and tasted like some of the best dishes we have had in Rome. This outing, the antipasta were dull and lacked the fresh, just made, taste. The pasta were bland by comparison to our previous meal and lacked excitement. The restaurant uses excellent ingrediants but the prep is falling short of our expectations."
Dined on 6/9/2014
"Nice, but far from fantastic. Would not recommend for a special meal, as was the cause for our celebration. Service was a bit impersonal, white wine was served at room temperature (which when we raised the issue, we were given an odd look as a response), appetizers were on the skinny side, and saltimboca was served dry and overcooked."
Dined on 6/7/2014
"The Calamari stuffed with potatoes is excellent and I would highly recommend it. "
Dined on 5/28/2014
"We ate here about a month ago and across the board had a excellent meal. A number of dishes, like the pasta with duck ragu were really special. Because of that experience we took guest there this Saturday night and were greatly disappointed. Most of our dishes were mediocre and the veal terrine was awful, One of our tests of restaurant is consistency and Bibiana failed badly."
Dined on 5/24/2014
"This used to be one of my favorite lunch spots. The pastas are excellent especially the black spaghetti with crab and the paccheri with cauliflower. But it will be hard decision whether to go back. Service was terrible. Server never checked back after we received our food, then bolted after dropping off dessert menus. Took another 15 minutes to return to see if we wanted dessert. But that time we had to get back to office. Then when I asked that the iced tea I ordered but never got be removed from the bill, I got an eye roll. No apologies. Wow. Really? I hope this is an anomoly. Diners deserve better than this."
Dined on 5/23/2014
"Upon arrival we were given the old "wait at the bar until your full party is here" shuffle, even though our table was waiting, and they obviously had no reservations, or walk-ins, for afterwards. They could have seated us. The food was high quality, but the service was very slow. Overall, we were enjoying conversations with our friends, so we didn't mind the wait -- but the delay in taking and getting us our original drink orders was unforgivable. This restaurant gets high ratings by the W. Post, but based on our experience, probably not on the return list."
Dined on 5/16/2014
"Service was a little slow but it was more than worth the wait. Each dish was made to order, which meant the chef was able to make the soup with a vegetable broth and was even willing to make a vegetarian version of the risotto. The food was fantastic, including the complimentary bread which arrived warm from the oven. Highly recommended (unless you are in a rush)."
Dined on 5/15/2014
"Incredible food! Loved the salad with dandelion greens, as well as the pasta with pine nuts, raisins and cauliflower. What amazing taste combinations! This is beyond even the best Italian restaurants. However, the server was a bit stiff and indifferent. He was technically fine but never smiled, never seemed enthusiastic, and never seemed to care."
Dined on 5/12/2014
"Went here for a Mother's Day meal with the family. The food was quite good, very fresh ingredients and some unusual pairings. Two critiques: It was listed as "$$", and it's really more like "$$$" or higher, it was not cheap. Second, they tend to use a heavy hand with the oil on most items, I left feeling a little weighed down. But I will say it seems like good Italian food."
Dined on 5/11/2014
"We booked Bibiana as a recommendation from Tripadvisor. Though a bit expensive, the food was amazing."
Dined on 5/10/2014
"The food at Bibiana is simply wonderful. We ordered the fresh trout, checken breast, and vegtable salad. Fantastic! The waiter was very unhappy that we asked him to split our salad int he kitchen. Otherwise, delightful experience."
Dined on 5/9/2014
"Disappointing. We had a terrific experience 2 yrs ago at this restaurant but it was all downhill this time"
Dined on 5/7/2014
"Bibiana - conveniently located near many hotels, ideal for business entertainment. Decor is trendy, clean,inviting. Wait staff was cold, seemed more out for themselves than for the customers. Server suggested inordinant # of appetizers for 8 people. When questioned, he said it's ok they're very small. It was clear he guided us this way to run up our bill vs. what a group of 8 could reasonably eat for appetizers. Several ordered drinks & then wine with dinner. When wine was uncorked, server immediately wanted to pour into everyone's glasses even though some preffered to wait to have it poured w/dinner. Server insisted. Server suggested same high # of desserts but we held firm. Several ordered decaf tea but got black tea, were told was decaf!"
Dined on 5/6/2014
"Had a great meal at Bibiana! It was a special occasion with a former colleague and everything was perfect. The server made some excellent recommendations and we were very pleased. "
Dined on 5/6/2014
"No one in DC does authentic Italian food better than Chef Nicholas Stefanelli. All of his dishes are pure and simple correct Italian just like you get in Italy, not doctored up Italian found at Washington assortment of "Italian" restaurants. The salami made in house is delicious as are the fresh grilled artichoke hearts. The brasiola was excellent and the pastas are superior. Homemade pastas are delicious and perfect to the teeth and the Chef uses only the finest dried pastas from Gragnano, Italy. Pastas from this region near Naples are the best in the world! You won't find Barilla in this kitchen. We had pasta w clams-wonderful, pasta amatrichiano-fantastic! the seafood, a trout filet was delicious, simple and light, the lamb cooke"
Dined on 5/6/2014
"For a small restaurant, the decor is absolutely fabulous. The food is delicious. If you have a problem with your food, they are quick to remedy the problem. My small complaint is that my waiter did not check on me to see if I was okay. Besides that, I had a good time, and I would dine there again."
Dined on 5/3/2014
"The food was outstanding - particularly pasta with golden raisins and cauliflower - sounds like and unusual pairing, but it was just delicious. Roasted beet salad with red and golden beets was also excellent. I had dinner with two girlfriends. Quiet enough to talk, great food. Very reasonable price. "
Dined on 5/2/2014
"The food here was amazing. I don't think I've ever had such high quality olive oil. That sounds silly to me but everything was such high quality. I had stuffed, grilled (not breaded) calamari and I can't wait to go back and have it again. Impeccable service. Felt leisurely and lovely but still fit it in during my one hour lunch. Mwah!"
Dined on 4/30/2014
"After several good meals at Bibiana, we were surprised at the very limited menu with several unusual entrees and few "standard" items. One entree was dry and not particularly tasty. The other entree, soft shell crabs, was good. There was a very large and loud party next to us--they apologized when they left. Waiter was a bit brusk and uninterested. Bottom line--after nice experiences in the past, this trip was disappointing. Not likely to go back soon. "
Dined on 4/26/2014
"Fine Italian dining in the DC area in a well appointed restaurant. The food is excellent and very well presented. The wine list is also excellent highlighting specialties from various regions of Italy. Desserts were delightful and followed by an excellent selection of after dinner drinks including a really good selection of Amara. Perhaps one of the highlights of the evening was the excellent service - prompt, informative and polite. Overall, a great evening and excellent dining experience."
Dined on 4/26/2014

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