Officina restaurant - Washington DC, USA

Following its unveiling last year, Washington DC’s revitalised wharf continues to tantalise tastebuds, with the opening of Officina, a three-floor Italian food and drink emporium from chef Nicholas Stefanelli of Michelin-star Masseria. Taking its cues from the dynamic din of a mercato you might find in Rome or Puglia, Officina is comprised of many different parts: on the first floor is a marketplace plying Italian delicacies and an all-day bar and cafe; the second floor is split between a trattoria serving classic Italian fare and a bar dedicated to amaro; while, the third is a vibrant and lush rooftop lounge with stunning views of the water. 

With no walls separating each section, local design outfit, Grupo 7, has smartly inserted sharp but subtle shifts in the decor that clearly identifies each area while creating a natural flow without sacrificing style continuity. Playing with a medley of art deco and midcentury inflections, millwork and wood panelling throughout is dotted with furnishings like the quirky explosion of glass orbs that make up the the Viaggio Chandelier by Tech Lighting and the wingback Kardiel loveseat upholstered in a blend of cashmere and wool. The yellow-cushion custom Morelato chairs scattered across the trattoria are, according to the restaurant, the only ones of their kind in the United States.

You can easily spend a day at Officina, but after stocking up on the essentials at Mercato, head to Trattoria to sample rustic classics from braised veal ravioli to grilled Mediterranean octopus at a window seat, where you can watch the bustle of the wharf outside. §