Rather than read annonymous one liners on this forum, check out donrockwell.com-- these are serious "foodies" (hate the term) and you can read pages upon pages of reviews of these places. It is annoymous, but you have to have a screen name to post. Most of the members are very credible.

Don't kid yourself. DonRockwell is the DCUM of industry people.

I love the food at Tosca and enjoy the atmosphere because it is quiet. There are so many restaurants where I feel like I am screaming all night to be heard above the noise; Fiola is one of those restarants. The Source is good for a nice meal.

Anonymous wrote:Skip Fiola. They could care less about their customers. The chef's wife is the hostess, and is a complete B&@?H. Food is over priced, which is fine at some places that have great service, and where you leave with a positive feeling about the place. You will not have that with Fiola.
I won't bore you with my two experiences there that led me to this position, but I will tell you I am a seasoned DC foodie, and I tell all my friends to avoid Fiola.

Not sure if she is "B&@?H". She simply seems like a star-f*cker. So if you are a average couple looking for a special evening, don't expect to be treated especially well. They spend time and attention on regulars or individuals that they deem important - at least that is how it appeared to me. Food is fine, but I agree with all of the above posters. It does not make up for the weak service and poor attention to detail. Our waiter was absent throughout most of the meal. Oh, but he suddenly became friendly and talkative when delivering our bill. A napkin was never folded when one of our diners left the table to use the restroom. Our finished plates were not cleared, but were left unattended at our table for an uncomfortably long time. I certainly wouldn't recommend for a special event unless you are "important"

I am the first PP to respond, saying Fiola was overpriced. I forgot to add that our waiter was very surly. It kills me to pay lots of money and have the wait staff act as if they're doing you a favor by serving you.

I tried really hard to like Fiola and wanted to support the owners since I used to like Maestro. I was very disappointed in the food....and outraged at the price. The only thing I enjoyed was the decor.
I would much rather blow that money without a blink at Komi, Blue Duck Tavern, Bourbon Steak or J & G Steakhouse.
I would not go back unless it was a power lunch.

I went to Fiola for my DH's law firm event. I was so excited to go - and I was completely underwhelmed by the food. The apps at the bar were great, but the entrees were not. Maybe it was because they were serving 100 people at once, but I was surprised by the mediocrity. I would never go back there on my one dime.

I love Blacksalt - I've probably been a dozen times for lunches and dinners. Only once had a dish (a skate prepration that was not on the menu) that wasn't terrific. I think it is reliably wonderful. I've never tried the chef's table - that might make it seem different & special.

Skip Fiola. They could care less about their customers. The chef's wife is the hostess, and is a complete B&@?H. Food is over priced, which is fine at some places that have great service, and where you leave with a positive feeling about the place. You will not have that with Fiola.
I won't bore you with my two experiences there that led me to this position, but I will tell you I am a seasoned DC foodie, and I tell all my friends to avoid Fiola.

i went to fiola for lunch just once and thought it was good but not GREAT.

This was my reaction too. I've heard the lunch at the bar is great--an entree and a glass of wine for $15. But sitting in the dining room, with a $28 fish entree--well, the fish was good, no doubt, but kinda small, and for a $70 lunch for two with no drinks, I didn't want to still be hungry when I left.

I just ate at Fiola last week, and I think it's too expensive for the service and the food. The meal was lovely - we did the chef's tasting menu with wine pairing, but the price was nearly that of CityZen, and I think more than Komi. I still remember the impeccable service at CityZen and much of the meal (that was in April), and I can't say the same for Fiola. If you are going to spend big bucks on a meal, I would save it for a different restaurant.

Anonymous wrote:I would look at Proof or Elisir.

I've had two perfectly nice meals at Fiola (dinner and lunch) and I definitely thought they were more expensive than the food warranted.

I've never had a less than perfect meal at Proof.

I have. I think Proof is fine but not amazing by any stretch.


Rather than read annonymous one liners on this forum, check out donrockwell.com-- these are serious "foodies" (hate the term) and you can read pages upon pages of reviews of these places. It is annoymous, but you have to have a screen name to post. Most of the members are very credible.

I would look at Proof or Elisir.

I've had two perfectly nice meals at Fiola (dinner and lunch) and I definitely thought they were more expensive than the food warranted.

I've never had a less than perfect meal at Proof.

Anonymous wrote:I am lucky enough to have a large expense account. Would definitely recommend Blacksalt over Fiola.

Wanna take me to lunch?

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you do a dry run at Fiola for lunch? I have been for lunch for their "power lunch" special. I think there's a lighter lunch for $20 something and the heavier lunch for $30 something. It's 3 courses.

I did the $30 something lunch and it was wonderful. But I don't know how I'd feel if it cost 3-4x that at dinner.

Ditto.

Have you been to Komi or Obelisk (since you mentioned Italian)?