Trattoria Alberto

Be forewarned that although visitors don’t come to Trattoria Alberto, congressional staffers do (but avoiding them is a different guide for a different day). The restaurant is a staple for those on the Hill looking for Italian food done right, think spaghetti and marinara, chicken parmesan, and a crème brûlée that’s almost worth sitting through long-winded conversations about congressional procedure. The best seats in the house are on the patio, but the restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so come early.

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo