Officina Georgetown - Calumet-Norvelt

The food is delicious with big portions (as you can see). The service was 5 stars. The only thing I would say is that this restaurant is very small, very busy (esp if you go during dinner time) and much more casual then I expected. Part of the restaurant is a market too. This was not the ambiance that I was expecting but the food surpassed my expectations. Will definitely be back!

The place is pleasant and the service was really nice but the food was just ok.

The mushroom soup was excellent … The service was a bit slow… We were the only people in there and it took about a half hour to get our check… It is on the extremely expensive side as two soups and a salad with no drinks cost $71 plus a tip of $14. (which had already been added in unbeknownst to us … The Caesar salad had some strange red lettuce which was not really edible… There was an assortment of other kale like flaccid greens that were difficult to get on the fork…If I go there again it will be for a take out of the mushroom soup …I think half of the prices went to gratuities and taxes mandated by Georgetown …. We sat in the window seat which was enjoyable until I heard about Saturday’s runaway car crashing through a storefront just a half a block away. They have seating in the rear as well which may be preferable. Nice Italian products which you might be able to get cheaper at the Italian store in Arlington with free parking.

I am giving this restaurant 2 stars because it did not post prominently outside or on the menu that it automatically adds a 23% service charge to the bill. My husband paid the bill and didn’t think it was worth complaining, but I don’t plan on returning to this restaurant. The duty to pay a living wage to employees lies with the employer and policy makers; it should not be placed on customers through service charges only added on the bill after a meal and with no explanation. To all customers who find themselves in our situation, just know that you have a right to refuse to pay a service charge at a restaurant that doesn’t communicate that it exists either prominently on the premises or on the menu. That way, with full knowledge, you can decide whether you want to dine at that restaurant. You can’t be forced to pay undisclosed fees—that’s false advertising and violates consumer rights.

We sat outside in the evening and were then told the heating did not work. A tiny risotto for $27. What is going on?