Pasta Mia, Here We Go Again

Known around the District for its Penne Carbonara and massive serving sizes, Pasta Mia is the place to go to bask in some comfort food, get two meals for the price of one, and/or share an inexpensive carafe of wine. Be prepared to wait for an extended period of time to squeeze into a cavern of the small and homey space.  And don’t think that you’re going to make any substitutions.  Specific sauce to specific pasta:  we respect the tradition.  But on the bright side, the wait will help burn up an appetite for massive dishes and you won’t want to think long enough to make substitutions.

Spinach and Cheese Ravioli with Pesto and Tomato Sauce

Pasta Mia shines most, we think, in its non-penne dishes.  While the penne carbonara is delicious and the penne amatrice is a personal favorite, the pasta in those dishes is lack-luster.  The ravioli? Smothered in pesto, tomato sauce, and parmesan; the pasta finishes cooking on the plate to an ideal consistency.  The bites of spinach and ricotta add just the right amount of richness.

Pesto Gnocchi

Saying we like gnocchi is an understatement. Homemade gnocchi? A fabulous date night and delicious. Homemade gnocchi made by an Italian professional with love? Exquisite.

Linguine with clams

 The pitcher of water in the picture of the linguine really puts the size of the plate and amount of pasta into perspective. And the amount of clams. While the clam to pasta ratio is strongly tilted towards the pasta, there is an ample amount of the briney treats from the sea to mix into the acidic white wine coated linguine. The linguine is cooked to a perfect al dente. And there just seems to be more and more and more pasta.

The bottom line:  we are always satisfied leaving Pasta Mia, maybe too satisfied, but we are never blown away.  Are we still on the search for the best pasta in DC?  Oh yes.  Will Pasta Mia certainly hit the right notes to leave us satisfied? It certainly will. And also for lunch the next day.