Filomena Ristorante
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Filomena Ristorante is an Italian restaurant located in the historic neighborhood of Georgetown in Washington, D.C. It opened along Washington’s C&O Canal in 1983. The establishment is set in a garden atmosphere and serves old-world regional Italian specialties and European desserts made by an in-house bakery. Filomena’s ‘Pasta Mamas’ prepare fresh pasta in a quaint storefront kitchen, greeting patrons as they enter the restaurant.
Décor
The décor has been described[citation needed] as everything from overdone to wonderfully warm and reminiscent of going home to grandma’s. The marble statues, traditional art work, large plants, and antique furnishing convey an ambiance of old world experience.[citation needed] For holidays, the restaurant is elaborately decorated, including a huge floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree with thousands of lights and ornaments.
Patrons
The restaurant is frequently visited by dignitaries such as former presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, former Vice President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, foreign leaders, government officials, stars of stage and screen, world class athletes, as well as all-American heroes like airline captain Chesley Sullenberger.[citation needed]
On March 26, 1993, President Bill Clinton welcomed German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to the White House. In a conversation between the two leaders during a photo opportunity in the Oval Office, Kohl stated: “Every time I come here [U.S.], I usually arrive in the evening, so I go to the Filomena.” The Chancellor continued to say, “Perhaps when I come back, we could do it the two of us, because you seem to like that cuisine too, don’t you?” “Yes I do” President Clinton responded. “Too much.”[1] On January 31, 1994, President Clinton and Chancellor Kohl conducted a working lunch at Filomena Ristorante. They discussed developments in Russia, Central Europe, the Middle East, as well as decisions made at a recent NATO summit[2] Both leaders met again for dinner at the restaurant on June 3, 1997.[3] Helmut Kohl has been a regular visitor since the restaurant opened in 1983.[4]
Awards
Zagat Survey named it one of the "Top 1000 Italian Restaurants" in the United States[citation needed] and Washingtonian magazine a “Top 3 Italian Restaurant in Washington” and "Best Pasta."[citation needed]