RPM Italian

After three months in quarantine, dealing with personal stresses while working full time, and the sadness of what is going on in our country weighing so heavily on us, it was all starting to take a toll. So, when I received an email from RPM Italian announcing they were finally accepting reservations for al fresco dining…

I made a reservation for Joshua and I right away and I’m so glad I did! If you’re not already familiar, RPM Italian is part of the RPM Restaurant Group, with power couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic as part-owners. They are based in Chicago but, luckily for us, they opened a DC location a few years ago and it is my favorite Italian restaurant in the city. Giuliana is first-generation Italian and most of the dishes are inspired by her family’s recipes. I love that you get authentic Italian food but with a unique and modern take that you can’t get anywhere else. In addition to having the most DELICIOUS food, the space is incredibly chic and their customer service is always above and beyond.

Dining with them during this unusual time was no exception. I wasn’t sure how the experience would be but it couldn’t have been better. When we arrived, we were escorted to our seats on the patio right away. They had three distinct patio spaces and all the tables were spread apart, allowing for ample social distancing but, not SO far away that we felt isolated. Although we missed the ambiance of their indoor dining space, the patio was just as nice and the weather was perfect.

The staff did wear masks but it didn’t detract from the service or experience. Once we were seated, we received a ‘touchless’ menu. All we had to do was scan the QR code and the menu pulled right up on our phones. If you are an old fashioned drinker like Joshua, you know they are usually served in short whiskey glasses. However, his was served in a tall glass this time and the server explained that this was so they could hold the glass at the bottom, away from the rim. Small changes like these put us at ease and showed how much thought was given to ensure customers felt safe and comfortable while still providing the level of service they are known for.

We ordered the truffled garlic bread as our appetizer and it was even better than I remembered! For our entrees, I ordered my usual, the eggplant parmesan, and Joshua chose the spicy king crab which was served with squid ink spaghetti. For dessert, we shared the RPM cheesecake which is served with blueberry compote on a graham cracker crust. It was all perfect! It was so nice to put on real clothes, get out of the house, enjoy a nice meal, and, for a moment, forget about the craziness that we have all been living through these last few months.

However, on our post-dinner stroll, we came across this mural that was a beautiful reminder that although times are tough right now, better days are ahead. As you begin to venture back out again, I can’t recommend RPM Italian enough. And to the RPM staff, thank you for one of the most enjoyable nights we’ve had in a very long time. We WILL be back!

Short Version:

That Place We Went To: RPM Italian

Location: Mt Vernon Square, DC

Best For: Happy Hour; Dinner; Couples; Groups; Special Occasions

Price: $$$

Vibe: Upscale; Fine Dining

Noteworthy: If you are in Chicago, be sure to stop by the original RPM Italian location or check out the other RPM restaurants — RPM Steak and RPM Seafood

Pro tip: 1) Definitely make reservations; and 2) After dinner, you must grab a night cap across the street at the Morris!