Retrobottega – Italian
Stepping into Retrobottega feels like discovering a hidden Roman gem where the air is thick with the savory scent of sizzling arrosticini and golden, crisp fritto misto. Guests gather over shared plates of molten mozzarella in carrozza and tender carciofi, immersing themselves in a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates the soulful, sun-drenched flavors of authentic Italian small plates.
2435, 18th Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20009-2044 +12024505219 https://www.retrobottegadc.com/0Cuisine: Italian
Price range: $$
Dietary options: high-protein, keto, low-carb, gluten-free, nut-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, vegan, mediterranean, diabetic, sugar-free, pescatarian, whole30, paleo, heart-healthy, plant-based, low-fat, atkins, south-beach, clean-eating, anti-inflammatory, weight-watchers, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, raw-food, aip, volumetrics, tlc, detox, alkaline, candida, lectin-free, slow-carb, mayo-clinic, pegan
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 17:00+
Menu
Cicchetti (Bar Menu)
Italian small plates meant to be shared.
- Arancini - $10: Fried risotto, ground beef, fontina cheese Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Carciofi - $10: Fried artichoke hearts, caper aioli Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber
- Polpette - $10: All beef, marinara, shaved parmesan Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Mozzarella in Carrozza - $10: Fried mozzarella, truffle oil Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Calamari - $10: Grilled, romesco, Salmoriglio Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic, Candida
- Arrosticini - $10: Grilled lamb skewers, pinzimonio Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Paleo, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, AIP, Slow-Carb, Candida, Lectin-Free
Antipasti
- Chef’s Antipasto - $20: Pecorino, taleggio, speck, finocchiona, pickled vegetables, crostini Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Mediterranean
- Fritto Misto - $20: Calamari, Shrimp, Fish, Zucchini, Garlic Aioli, Pomodoro Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Bruschetta - $14: One crostino with baby heirloom tomato, basil, and balsamic; one crostino with homemade sausage and Taleggio Dietary tags: Nut-Free, Mediterranean
- Insalata Della Casa - $14: Mixed greens, tomatoes, fennel, lemon dressing Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Raw-Food, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Pegan, Candida
- Caprese Salad - $16: Heirloom tomatoes, balsamic, basil Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Low-Cholesterol, Raw-Food, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic
- Charred Octopus - $20: Romesco, fingerling potatoes, fennel salad, grilled octopus Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic
- Carpaccio di Manzo - $18: Raw beef tenderloin, shaved Parmigiano, fennel, capers, arugula Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Raw-Food, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Prosciutto e Polenta - $16: Thinly sliced Prosciutto San Daniele, polenta fries, paprika aioli Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
Homemade Pasta
- Ravioli - $24: Burrata filling, creamy vodka sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Cavatelli - $26: Rabbit, white wine, fava beans, breadcrumbs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Sugar-Free
- Pappardelle - $23: Wild mushrooms, black pepper butter Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Tagliarini - $26: Duck, marinara, red wine, marjoram Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Lasagna - $24: Bolognese, ricotta, mozzarella Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Gnocchi - $24: Pork sausage, broccolini, stracchino cheese Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Tortelloni - $25: Stuffed pasta with spinach and ricotta, marinara, sautéed spinach Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, High-Fiber, Mayo-Clinic
- Pappardelle Beef Short Rib - $28: Whole stewed beef short rib, bone in, beef stock Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Basil Fusilli - $26: Basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, Mayo-Clinic
- Bucatini Carbonara - $24: Guanciale, sharp pecorino, black pepper, egg yolk Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Rigatoni Bolognese - $24: Slow-braised ragu of ground beef, red wine, and tomato Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Seafood Chitarra - $28: Squid ink pasta, shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams, salmon in a seafood sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Spaghetti with Clams - $26: Little neck clams, white wine, garlic, cherry tomatoes Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
Main Courses
- Lamb Shank - $32: Braised Lamb Shank, creamy polenta, gremolata Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Branzino - $28: Branzino filet, bright fennel sauce, sweet potato gnocchi Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, Detox, Mayo-Clinic
- Pork Ossobuco - $32: Braised pork ossobuco, truffle mushroom risotto, lemon and parsley gremolata Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Duck Confit - $29: Radicchio and Gorgonzola risotto, crispy duck confit, demi-glaze Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
Brunch Tigelle
Flatbreads from Emilia-Romagna stuffed with cured meats and cheeses.
- Speck and Taleggio Tigelle - $8: Flatbread stuffed with speck and taleggio cheese Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Mortadella and Sottocenere Tigelle - $8: Flatbread stuffed with mortadella and sottocenere cheese Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Capocollo and Robiola Tigelle - $8: Flatbread stuffed with capocollo and robiola cheese Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Tigelle Flight - $20: Selection of three tigelle
Brunch Panini
- Porchetta Panino - $10: House made porchetta, arugula, salsa verde Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Polpette Panino - $10: Beef meatballs, provolone, marinara Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Parmigiana Panino - $10: Breaded eggplant, provolone, marinara Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
Brunch Classics
- Two Eggs Any Style - $16: Eggs, roasted potatoes, sausage or bacon Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Omelette of The Day - $16: Choice of toppings: Tomatoes, roasted peppers, mushrooms, spinach, onions, olives, cheddar, mozzarella Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach
- Polenta with Short Ribs - $20: Creamy polenta, braised short ribs, poached egg Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
Desserts
- Tiramisu - $10 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Molten Lava Cake - $10: Chocolate fondant cake with vanilla gelato Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Apple Tart - $10: Crispy pastry with spiced apple filling, vanilla gelato and caramel sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Almond Galette - $10: Almond cake, vanilla gelato Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
Beverages
- Espresso - $3
- Americano - $3
- Latte - $4
- Cappuccino - $4
- Tea - $4
- Classic Negroni - $14: Spring Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth
- Gin Tonic - $14: Spring Gin, Rosemary, Tonic
- Retro Spritz - $14: Prosecco, Casoni aperitivo
- Penicillina - $14: Home made ginger beer, rye, lime
- Lambrusco Spritz - $14: Lambrusco, Prosecco, orange
- Retro Passion - $16: Passionfruit liqueur, Ilegal mezcal, lime
- Peroni Pilsner - $7
- Hellbender Ignite IPA - $8
- Menabrea Amber Ale - $9
Amari
Bitter, herbal liqueurs enjoyed with or without dessert.
- Cynar - $12: Artichoke based
- Ramazzotti - $10: Burnt orange & cola
- Averna - $12: Anise, citrus, rosemary & sage
- Casoni Originale - $12: Caramel, orange & cardamom
- Braulio Amaro Alpino - $16: Clove, dried fruit, cola, liquorice and bitter bark
- Nonino Amaro - $16: Caramel, vanilla and allspice