Filomena Ristorante

Filomena Ristorante is an Italian restaurant located in the historic neighborhood of Georgetown in Washington, D.C. It has been a popular D.C. Metro Area dining destination since 1983 when it first opened its doors along Washington’s C&O Canal. The establishment is set in a garden atmosphere and serves old-world regional Italian specialties and European desserts made by an in-house bakery. Filomena’s "‘Pasta Mamas’" prepare fresh pasta in a quaint storefront kitchen, greeting patrons as they enter the restaurant.

Décor:

The décor has been described as everything from overdone to wonderfully warm and reminiscent of going home to grandma’s. The marble statues, traditional art work, large plants, and antique furnishing convey an ambiance of old world experience. For holidays, the restaurant is elaborately decorated, including a huge floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree with thousands of lights and ornaments.

Patrons:

The restaurant is frequently visited by U.S. Presidents including Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, foreign leaders, government officials, stars of stage and screen, as well as world class athletes.

On March 26, 1993, President Bill Clinton welcomed German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to the White House. In a conversation between the two leaders during a photo opportunity in the Oval Office, Kohl stated: "“Every time I come here [U.S.] , I usually arrive in the evening, so I go to the Filomena.” " The Chancellor continued to say, "“Perhaps when I come back, we could do it the two of us, because you seem to like that cuisine too, don’t you?”" "“Yes I do!”" President Clinton responded. "“Too much.”" [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE2D61330F934A15750C0A965958260 New York Times, March 27, 1993, "And on Kohl's Agenda (or Was It Menu?)"] ] On January 31, 1994, President Clinton and Chancellor Kohl conducted a working lunch at Filomena Ristorante. They discussed developments in Russia, Central Europe, the Middle East, as well as decisions made at a recent NATO summit [ [http://archives.clintonpresidentialcenter.org/?u=020194-statement-by-press-secretary-on-kohl-lunch-at-filomena-restaurant.htm The White House: Statement by the Press Secretary on Kohl Lunch at Filomena Restaurant, January 31, 1994] ] Both leaders met again for dinner at the restaurant on June 3, 1997. [ [http://www.freechina.net/pfdc/newsreport/PFDC1.REC Reuters Daybook for June 03, 1997] ] Helmut Kohl has been a regular visitor since the restaurant opened in 1983. [ [http://thehill.com/italian/filomena-1999-04-19.html The Hill, Italian Restaurants, April 19, 1999] ]

Awards:

Filomena Ristorante has won numerous awards.

AOL City's Best readers voted it "“City’s Best Italian Restaurant” for Washington, D.C." [ [http://citysbest.aol.com/washington-dc/best-dining/italian-restaurants/ AOL City's Best readers vote "City's Best Italian Restaurant" for Washington, DC] ]

Zagat Survey named it one of the "Top 1000 Italian Restaurants" in the United States and

Washingtonian magazine a "“Top 3 Italian Restaurant in Washington” and "Best Pasta."

References:

External links:

* [http://www.filomenadc.com Filomena Ristorante website]

* [http://www.ClintonPresidentialCenter.org Clinton Presidential Center website]

* [http://citysbest.aol.com/washington-dc/ AOL City's Best-Washington, D.C. website]

* [http://www.zagat.com Zagat Survey website]

* [http://www.washingtonian.com Washingtonian magazine website]