We went to Luigino because we wanted good pizza. Wood-fired, the real kind. Our hotel had a recommended restaurant list, and Luigino looked like a good fit: moderate price, casual clothing. While waiting for the Metro I looked it up in the AAA guide. AAA seemed to think it was pretty good, two diamonds, they did note the occasional rude service during lunch. I’m paraphrasing of course. So the bad news, Luigino’s rude service doesn’t end at 2 p.m. because we were brusquely seated at 8 p.m. between the exit door and the restroom. Our amazingly rude waitress hardly looked at our table, and we practically begged for someone to take our money so we could leave. The busboy cleared our table in a timely manner and bagged up our leftovers for us in record time. The waitress however had to be cajoled into even bringing us wine, and practically rolled her eyes at us when we inquired about vegetarian options. My husband made a substitution on his order and must have repeated it three times. The waitress seemed indignant that he would prefer a spicy tomato sauce on his ravioli. She seemed pained to have to return to our table to tell me that the kitchen was out of the sun-dried tomatoes I had requested on my pizza.
All that being said, the house merlot ($15.00 a half carafe) was delightful, and the food was superb. The pizza ($10.50) was excellent, the crust thin and crisp. Although billed as a serving for one, I could only finish half, and I noticed at least one other diner with the same problem (if you want to call breakfast for the next day a problem). The cheese was excellent, pine nuts fresh and rich. My husband’s Ravioli Magro ($15.25) was also excellent. The spicy tomato sauce he chose to substitute, oh my goodness, if that wasn’t some of the best marinara I have had in a long, long time. The breadsticks were adequate, and the loaf bread was put to work sopping up the delightful leftover marinara. I’m not sure I could do the sauce justice, it was a beautiful, beautiful thing. Full and vibrant, rich and savory, it had to have been made by someone who has a great palate.
But by the end of the night I felt guilty that I was somehow responsible for ruining this waitresses night, and my husband felt burdened by having to tip this woman. Food so lovely, tasty and poetic, with service like a 14 year old who has been dragged to a distant cousin’s bar mitzvah–perhaps that could be Luigino’s new motto.
- Luigino (Luigino.com)
- 1100 New York Ave NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 371-0595