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.
Address
1120 Maine Ave SW
-
Richard Prince recontextualises archival advertisements in TexasThe artist unites his ‘Posters’ – based on ads for everything from cat pictures to nudes – at Hetzler, Marfa
-
Pierre-Yves Rochon celebrates ‘the great tradition of Italian design’ in Four Seasons Hotel Milano refreshThe sophisticated hotel’s 118 rooms and suites have been redesigned by the acclaimed designer and long-time collaborator of the brand
-
How Bureau Betak transformed the runway showPioneering production company Bureau Betak has masterminded some of the most inspiring runway sets of the last 30 years, dazzling both real-life guests and an ever-growing virtual global audience. Hugo Macdonald meets the people behind the magic
-
Why everyone in LA is talking about Café TondoHelmed by chef Valeria Velásquez and designed by Aunt Studio, this new spot delivers Latin American buzz all day long
-
Size doesn’t matter at Now Now, a micro-hotel for solo travellers in New YorkCan you pack style into 32 square feet? We find out
-
At this LA dining hotspot, go Spanish or Japanese as you pleaseA dual-concept dining destination designed by the Rockwell Group brings Mediterranean warmth and Japanese precision to Century City
-
The Benjamin’s chic new upstairs bar is Hollywood’s hottest hideawayAt Bar Benjamin, speakeasy mystique meets elevated snacks, cocktails and views
-
More is more at Bar Issi, a maximalist new dining destination in Palm SpringsFettle studio fuses eco-conscious materials with bold design gestures in this playful space inside the new Thompson Hotel
-
Do luxury hotels need a farmer-in-residence?From Ibiza to Indonesia, hospitality brands are cultivating a new travel experience, where wellness begins in the soil and ends at the table
-
A local’s guide to AtlantaDrawn by the city’s diversity and queer community, life coach and writer Cator Sparks returned to Atlanta after 25 years away. He shares his favourite haunts
-
Philadelphia’s ‘Grande Dame’ reopens with a dazzling French twistThe Bellevue Hotel has been restored to its former glory through a stylish renovation by design studio Ward + Gray
