Pasta Mia

I’ve lived in DC now for about six years. In that time there have been a lot of good restaurants. I’ve discovered a few gems and eaten at some of the classics. But I have not eaten at ALL of the best restaurants in the city. As a college student for four of those years, that was a practical impossibility. But there have always been a few restaurants that have been on peoples’ must try list. Most of those I have crossed off. You have read about many of them here. But one that had eluded me, until today, was Adams Morgan’s Pasta Mia.

It wasn’t lack of trying that kept me from Pasta Mia. I went a number of times to find massive waits. Even this time fate conspired against me. The first thing you need to know is that Pasta Mia is cash only. I learned this the extra hard when I tried to go and had no cash and then walked to the ATM to discover I had no debit card (I later recovered it). But I pressed ahead, and boy was it worth it.

that's a lot of ravioli

First off, whoa you get a lot of pasta. My dinner companions and I tried to estimate how much you got. A box to a box and a half was the running guess. I went with the Grilled Chicken and Cheese Ravioli. A word to the wise, Pasta Mia loves cheese. There was grated parmesan on top of my chicken and cheese ravioli. Every dish comes with a great big helping of cheese on top, so those of you that are lactose intolerant, take note. The cream sauce with a little bit of tomato was exquisitely fresh and surpassingly light despite the ingredients. I love it. And with the quantity you’re guaranteed two meals worth. I unfortunately lost power before I got the chance to enjoy my leftovers.

Most entrees run you about $20, so you’re looking at a good size meal for not that much money. Bring some friends and enjoy a few different dishes, or maybe take a date and split an entree and some of their tantalizing appetizers. Don’t forget to order yourself a carafe of wine. And most importantly, don’t forget cash.