Galileo - Overrated?
May 17, 2006 | 12:16 pm
#1
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Galileo - Overrated?
I am of of course talking about the Roberto Donna restaurant and not the 16th century astronomer. My wife took me there for my birthday. I thought the food was good, but not great. The decor was 
. They have the ever so classy drop ceiling and some blah so-so art. The service was very slow (especially considering the restaurant was only half full) and I thought the staff was pompous.
Did I just catch them on a bad day, or is this par for the course?
. They have the ever so classy drop ceiling and some blah so-so art. The service was very slow (especially considering the restaurant was only half full) and I thought the staff was pompous.Did I just catch them on a bad day, or is this par for the course?
May 17, 2006 | 12:37 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2006
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That pretty much mirrors my experience. I thought the food was terrific, but the atmosphere and service were pretty poor. My other issue was that we found the menu to be overwhelming and confusing (but we'd had a few drinks so that may have been a factor 
). We were rushed to make a selection and then abandoned.
). We were rushed to make a selection and then abandoned.
May 17, 2006 | 7:20 pm
#4
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Originally Posted by blueDC
I was so put off by my one experience at Galileo that I never went back... until I was dragged kickin' and screamin' ;-) to Laboratorio. Laboratorio is definitely worth it, IMHO.
May 18, 2006 | 9:18 am
#5
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The place got its' great rep from phyliss richmond(post reviewer a few years back), who gave great reviews to anyone who sucked up to her.
Now, much to my surprise, even Zagat still gives them a decent review. One can do much better in DC.
My current favorite Italian of the day, is Dino's on Conneticut.
Now, much to my surprise, even Zagat still gives them a decent review. One can do much better in DC.
My current favorite Italian of the day, is Dino's on Conneticut.
May 18, 2006 | 2:38 pm
#6
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Originally Posted by slawecki
The place got its' great rep from phyliss richmond(post reviewer a few years back), who gave great reviews to anyone who sucked up to her.
Now, much to my surprise, even Zagat still gives them a decent review. One can do much better in DC.
My current favorite Italian of the day, is Dino's on Conneticut.
Now, much to my surprise, even Zagat still gives them a decent review. One can do much better in DC.
My current favorite Italian of the day, is Dino's on Conneticut.
3435 Connecticut Avenue NW, Cleveland Park, Washington DC, 20008
www.dino-dc.com
May 20, 2006 | 12:25 pm
#7
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My one experience there was okay but as stated above not great. I would agree that it is over rated and over priced in my opinion.
Sep 9, 2006 | 2:31 pm
#8
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Galileo will close early this fall, for about a year, while the office building it inhabits is renovated, and the restaurant itself undergoes a redo. In the meantime, chef-owner Roberto Donna and his crew will open Bebo Trattoria in Crystal City, Virginia (location TBA), featuring moderately priced favorites from his osteria menu, including fried rabbit, housemade salami, grilled panini and pizzas.
Sep 10, 2006 | 4:47 pm
#9
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Originally Posted by slawecki
Now, much to my surprise, even Zagat still gives them a decent review. One can do much better in DC.
Sep 10, 2006 | 6:13 pm
#10
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Originally Posted by Sweet Willie
Galileo will close early this fall, for about a year, while the office building it inhabits is renovated, and the restaurant itself undergoes a redo. In the meantime, chef-owner Roberto Donna and his crew will open Bebo Trattoria in Crystal City, Virginia (location TBA), featuring moderately priced favorites from his osteria menu, including fried rabbit, housemade salami, grilled panini and pizzas.
They are going in the space currently occupied by Oyamel on Crystal Drive.
Sep 11, 2006 | 11:58 am
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Originally Posted by bck
They are going in the space currently occupied by Oyamel on Crystal Drive.
Sep 11, 2006 | 5:33 pm
#12
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Originally Posted by bck
They are going in the space currently occupied by Oyamel on Crystal Drive.
Edit: Never mind, I should Google before I post...it seems it may be moving downtown: link
Sep 11, 2006 | 7:24 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 408
Originally Posted by crhptic
Is Oyamel closing? or moving? I haven't heard.
Edit: Never mind, I should Google before I post...it seems it may be moving downtown: link
Edit: Never mind, I should Google before I post...it seems it may be moving downtown: link
I don't know if they will re-open downtown or just incorporate some of the menu into a new place.
Looking forward to trying out the new effort from Donna. I hope they meet with greater success than Oyamel did. Evenings and weekends still aren't busy times for the Crystal City area; it's tough to make it on the weekday lunch business - good as it is.