Phase 1 of CityCenterDC’s next big opening is complete, as Centrolina opened its market this week. The offerings make cooking an impressive meal at home practically foolproof: fresh and dry pasta, produce, meat, cheese and select prepared foods like pesto. The staff jokes that they’ll sell toilet paper so customers don’t have to waste time at Walgreens. The market shelves are integrated into the dining space rather than being secluded to one area, creating a Union Market meets Europe feel. There’s also an espresso counter with strong coffee and sweet pastries that morphs into a cocktail bar come evening.
Chef/Owner Amy Brandwein’s next step is to start serving lunch on June 1 and dinner on June 5. We snapped her in front of her wood-burning oven. Expect to start a meal with antipasti like creamy burrata before moving on to wood fired meat and fish, and finally pasta. We’re already drooling over her sheep’s milk ricotta raviolo with runny egg and ramp pesto and a charred calamari dish with bright accompaniments like arugula and lemon. Watch Amy in action at the table for four that looks into the kitchen. It’s the best seat in the house.
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