Food was good and wait staff friendly. Does feel like a "local" trattoria. Very small so perhaps a weekend reservation is a must. It's an Italian restaurant so I'm thinking bread should be part of the meal or at least offered. Some tables got some, we did not, nor was it listed on the menu as an extra charge nor was it mentioned in any way to us. Also, please make sure your diners know before ordering (or include this on the menu) what comes w/a main course: starch choice, veggie choice etc.
All that being said, we'd certainly return.

Everything is made like granma from scratch in the kitchen. From soup to dessert, I could order anything gluten free. Our server made our experience extra special. The quaint atmosphere was pleasant and homey.

I went with family and my father loved it, so that was important. The staff was very friendly. Probably the best part was the piano player who took requests, so we kept him going during our dinner. Natalya was our server and she was very kind and friendly.

It was good

Very small lovely little restaurant with a welcomng fireplace. Quite romantic, really, although we had our 12 yo with us. Simple traditional food. Gnocchi was too heavy with too much unadulterated tomato sauce. Husband's carbonara was very good. My foodie 12 yo thought her spinach was too salty, and so was my veal dish. And we like salt and I have a heavy hand with it when cooking. So ask them to go light on the salt. I liked the statement on the menu that the menu was only a guide, just ask for what you want. Very small wine list, nothing very special about it. Great little neighborhood restaurant for a casual meal. The food was good, not special.

Great variety of food and wine.

We looked for a family owned restaurant in Old town and found this little gem to celebrate our daughters sweet 16 birthday. As we arrived the owner greeted us and wished her happy birthday. We sta by a warm fireplace and piano. The following amazed and delighted everyone. A patron got up and sang a special song to out daughter the piano player was delightful. The food was made to order and fabulous. Then the owner sang a few Italian songs. The ending was the best. The owner brought out the Birthday cake and singing right along with the entire restaurant. It was a wonderful evening and not to forget the Chianti was just as fabulous as the rest. Can't wait to go back.

This converted house may not stand out but it is outstanding. The food is great and the portions perfect. It is cozy, especially by the fire in the stove. More than worth the trip and finding parking.
Cheers

We were customers of this restaurant 20 years ago. I made reservations for 5 people about two weeks before New Years Eve. We were very excited to have dinner here. This is how it unfolded: 1) We were seated by the kitchen so there was a constant flow of waiters within inches of our table. 2) Franco kept yelling at his help, so the meal was not relaxing 3) We did not receive water or drinks until we asked for them, yet we were rushed when ordering. 4) Of the 5 meals, 2 were good, 2 were mediocre and dry and 1 was inedible. The lamb was all gristle with a scant two potato pieces on the plate. We requested two ceasar salads without dressing (for vegetarians) and two regular Ceasars. Two arrived without dressing, the other two didn't come. Finally after asking the other two arrived, no dressing, no shaved parmesan, yet we were told the salad had been dressed. There was no vegetarian option on the menu, a special meal was prepared but it was bland and dry. Wine, which was marked unlimited on the menu, was only given when we asked. And even then we were expected to wait. When the bill arrived it was over $500. They adjusted the bill, but this was a ripoff on all fronts.

The food was fantastic, the staff friendly and on top of things but not over bearing, they had a pianist who played fun music (show tunes, classics, etc.), but the abmiance is what brought it all together. You walk in and see pictures of the owner with lots of people, some you might recognize, some you might not. Then he greets you and takes you to your table. The whole time he's walking around making sure everyone is happy. We each had something different and everyone loved their food! We went for New Year's Eve and even though there was a prix fixe menu it worked great for us (some have dairy restrictions and some were vegetarian). It was a delightful experience.

THis Restaurant was recommended and looked nice in pictures. We arrived and the Pictures did it just with the look and a nice atmosphere. Was disappointed with servings: $7.00 for a mediocre salad, $17 for small serving of Lasagna, $17 for Tortellini with no flavor ecept the nutmeg on top. We were never offered a drink except wine (more than once). One surprise that did us the BIG Price!

Our party of six had a wonderful Saturday evening dinner at Trattoria da Franco. The restaurant is relatively small and intimate and the interior decoration feels like a restaurant in Italy. The restaurant has an excellent Italian menu; we particularly appreciated the selection of fish in addition to the customary pasta, veal, and chicken dishes. The wine menu is excellent - with a range of pricing points. We enjoyed the friendly and attentive service throughout our meal. The restaurant is conveniently located on Washington Street about two blocks south of King Street.

We were in National Harbor and just before 5 we decided we wanted dinner.... all the nearby restaurants and the ones we called in National Harbor had more than an hour wait... at 5 in the evening they were already full. So a quick search led us to this which was a mile and half away. While the parking was tough, everything else was excellent. We took our 3 children (10,8,4) and they loved the food. Large portions for kids but even the 4 year old ate half the dish. Great experience and we will go back.

My husband and I decided to take a friend with us to Trattoria da Franco for a nice evening out. We hadn't been there in over 15 years (because we had moved away for so long), and our friend had never been there. And yet, they far exceeded our expectations!! We made a reservation, and they had our table ready as soon as we arrived. The ambiance was great. There was a piano player playing in the main area of the restaurant. The menu is great because there are so many choices, and then there were some great specials. We all loved our meals. The food is definitely homemade and well prepared. The wine recommendation was spot on. And the staff was friendly and courteous. The owner himself came over to chat with us. The desserts were also out of this world. This is truly an authentic Italian restaurant, and you feel like you are sitting in a restaurant right in Italy. I would highly recommend this restaurant to friends and families. I am so glad we went back. It was an enjoyable evening.

This is an old, neighborhood restaurant loved by the locals. The food was good but our pre-theater dinner took 1 1/2 hours - and we only had 2 courses. Perhaps because it is so crowded, it was very slow.

This is an older restaurant. Walking up to it - eh. Umbrellas, twinkly lights, flags...okay. Sat outside on a beautiful night. A little rough to start - skip the salad, skip the garlic bread (texas toast I think) and get straight to the entrees. Pasta carbonara - yum! Others had veal or chicken specials - all thumbs up.

Loved the food, the service was great (especially an actual Italian) and the menu/wine list was very comprehensive. You could get any pasta you want with any dish. It was perfect weather and we had a nice spot outside. The traffic on the street ruins the atmosphere a little, but I was glad it was relatively quiet otherwise. I wish there was a little more room to manuever since all the tables were kind of close to each other. Other than that, everything was great. Will definitely come back!

Delicious food, good service until it was time for the check and we had to wait 30 min for it and it was hot. They would def benefit from AC, however I'd endure the heat for the delicious food again.

We had a nice dinner before going to the theatre. The bread was fresh but next time we will not have the garlic bread upgrade as it was not worth it. The gnocchi was fine but the lobster ravioli was outstanding. The cheesecake was delicious. The service was attentive and very friendily. They had a live piano player singer who was really good. In the end, we will eat here again.

This place really reminded me of being in Italy from the food to the atmosphere. It's homey and quaint and very Italian. I loved the service and the lasagna was really good!

The food was delicious. it is small but intimate. Did I mention that the food was delicious!

Wonderful service from beginning to end. The food was delicious! Fresh garlic bread, homemade pastas, fresh, flavorful sauces, and the most amazing cannolis I've ever had. If you're looking for a place that's quiet and low key with dishes that are sure to please all of your senses, and don't care about fancy decor, this is the place for you!!!

Excellent Valentines Day dinner!

Food was excellent, the hostess didn't have our opentable reservation but was able to accommodate us immediately, although not in the best of tables. The atmosphere was perfect for a valentines dinner.

We have often gone to La Tratoria, but this evening was more special due to the great entertainment of pianist Darryl Ott. The food was great, and Natalia was a very considerate server. It was my daughter and son-in-laws first visit and they were so thoroughly charmed with the food, ambience and music that we returned after we had been to the theater for after dinner drinks and more of the wonderful music.

Food was very good. A bit pricey ($130 for two appetizers, two dinners and a bottle of wine). But otherwise excellent.

A quiet and quaint place with great food and wine. The chef will make dishes to your liking and the staff is very pleasant and helpful. Definitely one of my favorites in the area and THE best Italian food.

They had no record of my Open Table reservation. They did find a table for us next to a window with an air conditioner installed in it. There was a steady cold breeze blowing through it. Service was very poor. We had to continually ask for bread, wine, water. The food was fair. I cannot recommend this place.

In general, I liked Trattoria. But, the New Year's Eve experience they put on was an amazing rip off. It came out to $300 for three people. It was to include a salad, an entrée and a dessert with bottomless champagne or house wine. That would be acceptable if we had any kind of service. We only saw our waiter once. We never received our salads, and when we at least asked for our dessert, we were told "Hey, I brought you some wine. You should be happy. We are busy." I, and the four other people at my table, were dumbfounded we actually heard that out loud. That comment alone will keep me from coming back. Happy New Year.

A bit small inside, but that adds to the charm. Very cozy. Menu is substantial enough but the kitchen will make adjustments or take requests.
We'll definitely be back soon.

The restaurant was small and intimate like you were sitting in someone's home. The food was good, portions a bit small and service was good. Prices were high and we didn't like that the waitress added in her own tip.

I love this restaurant. This is a special place. I love the ambiance, food, and selection. It is intimate, offers unique entertainment, and is very relaxing.

I will start this by saying my boyfriend is a professional chef, has grown up around Italian foods his whole life, owning 3 restaurants. So he is very picky on Italian food. Sadly, not one ounce of our meal were appealing. Zero flavor. My scallops tasted horrible, very fishy. His lasagna was bland with way to much sauce. The wine list was only orders by the bottle, unless you want house wine. So we were forced to agree on a bottle. The restaurant is very small and on a Friday night had a piano player with some sort of karaoke happening. Maybe this restaurant is suited more for the locals who go all the time and know each other. It is never a place i would take friend from out of town. Olive Garden has better Italian food.

A friend recommended that we go to the Trattoria da Franco for a quiet dinner since we needed to talk, and have a decent meal too! The Trattoria turned out to be an excellent choice. The food was delicious, the service great (a family-owned business) and it was intimate and quiet. They have around 30-35 tables there, and an upstairs section they use for "Opera Night." They also have other entertainment from time to time.
They have house wines as well as a good list of wines for that restaurant size. Highly recommended for a dinner such as we had, as well as for a special occasion or romantic dinner too. It's right on Washington Street near the center of town.

Best Italian food we have ever eaten. Very attentive wait staff. Prices reasonable for the quality of food served. Wonderful!

ate here for the first time for dinner one sunday night. had a restaurant.com voucher which was redeemed without a problem. this reservation was found with no problems also. inside the restaurant on the main floor is very tight and untidy. the upstairs was packed for opera night and buffet. we ate outside and it was great! food was delicious. food and drink items were a bit pricy - we were very surprised the bill was $210 for 4 people! not all of us had alcohol or drinks and each person had 1 appetizer and 1 entree. no desert. overall very good - pasta ++++

Food was great. Atmosphere was very nice as well.

We did not know that Friday nights are open mic night. Great entrainment and friendly staff. Our entrees were delicious.

We have a light lunch before a meeting, the ambiance was quiet, the food was delicious, and it was a very pleasant experience overall.

Great menu and ambiance. The best red sauce I've ever tasted. Service is friendly or helpful, but can be a little infrequent.