i Ricchi

Twenty-nine years ago, Ristorante i Ricchi opened as the first Tuscan restaurant in DC.  With constantly evolving food trends and Instagram eats, we are not afraid to continue to pay tribute to the classics of Italian cuisine.  Dining with us is an opportunity to stop and savor the tastes of your memories.  Chef Ricchi was born in New York but spent nearly twenty formative years in a little kitchen in Tuscany. The dishes we serve here in DC are reminiscent of her time in Italy – her upbringing as a chef and her love of Italian cuisine. Consider our Rigatoni Strascicate made with a classic Tuscan 12-hour sugo that could easily have been made by your Nonna.  Our savory Ribollita (pictured) with autumn vegetables, Tuscan black kale, cannellini beans, layered with bread and parmigiano is an ode to a simpler time when soups simmered on the back of the stove for hours.

We make our own pasta from scratch – a tradition that is fading even in Italy today. Our Tortelloni with butter and fresh sage (pictured) is the epitome of classic Italian cuisine.  Step back into your childhood – or back to your last visit to Italy – when you dig into our Pici All’Aglione – thick Tuscan spaghetti with tomato, basil and garlic topped with whipped ricotta (pictured). Feeling particularly nostalgic? Then come early and watch us pull our fragrant foccaccia (Tuscan schiacciata) out of the oven. There is nothing that spurs food memories like the fragrance of freshly baked bread.

Dessert is our sweet finale. What’s more Italian than gelato or tiramisu or cannoli all made here in our DC kitchen. We serve these classics together with a revolving list of other Italian sweets.  In our opinion, the test of a true authentic Italian dining experience is the coffee! It isn’t easy to make that perfect espresso or cappuccino. Our barista, Eric, has been doing it beautifully for the past fifteen years! Check out our menu to see all the tantalizing options!

For those of you who have been visiting i Ricchi through the years, we appreciate your business.  Never been?  We welcome you to dine with us!  See the event page for a special gift card offer for to show our appreciation.

The American first lady has a critical position in supporting and influencing the president as he carries the weight of the office to a large and diverse nation. Our history has been shaped in many ways by these unsung heroes. Over the course of the last few administrations, Anita McBride has witnessed the ever-changing role, where the first lady approaches her duties in a very personal manner.  With her experience of working within the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, Anita brings a unique perspective of the inner workings of the White House, its personnel and the complicated position of first lady. Read more about her here.

You will have the opportunity to dine with this Washington insider who has been an adviser on four presidential transitions and who is a frequent news commentator on the operations and history of the White House and its occupants.  Don’t miss our Need to Know Dinner with Anita McBride: The Role Without a Rulebook – America’s First Ladies and Their Legacies, next Monday, November 6 at 7 pm.  Because each first lady was unique, I thought it would be interesting to prepare a menu that showcased some of their favorite recipes. It will be an eclectic dinner, highlighting the style and tastes of different eras. For example, imagine dining on Jackie Kennedy’s French inspired Chicken in White Wine together with Rosalynn Carter’s down home recipe for southern hushpuppies! We’ll feature Martha Washington’s famous crab soup alongside Michelle Obama’s modern chopped salad with pecans and tarragon dressing. Try President Truman’s favorite dessert, Ozark Pudding, a dessert that his wife, Bess reportedly prepared for him when he was depressed and missing home. Get your tickets now for this intimate, informative gathering.

Variety is the spice of life, right?  We like to appeal to all of our customers, so we’ve created 3 events in September that promote community and enjoyment of great food and drink in addition to our ever popular and on-going Pop-Up Parties from 5-8 pm every Friday (except September 22).

Our Cigar Smoker & Dr. Stoner’s Vodka and Whiskey tasting Wednesday, September 13 from 5-10 pm promises to be a flavor-filled party for your taste buds! Dr. Craig Stoner spent hours crafting just the right herbal flavor combinations for these unique 84-proof spirits that have just been introduced in our market. His fresh herb vodka (pictured below) has “primary aromas of piney hoppy herbal scents [and] secondary tastes of natural citrus and fresh botanical essences.” His whiskey has a unique artisanal smoky herb taste. We’ll have free samplings as well as cocktails using these unusual “Crazy Good” spirits.  Savor them as you puff your own cigar, or enjoy one courtesy of JR Cigars.

The crisp morning air lately reminds us Fall is just around the corner.  We loved ushering in Summer at our Cena Bianca and want to give you the chance to greet Fall during our Autumn Equinox Dinner, Friday, September 22 at 7 pm. We are featuring two dishes with succulent wild game – Handmade pappardelle with wild boar and Mushroom & truffle stuffed quail in a potato nest with roasted root vegetables – for you to relish as you dine communally under the stars and twinkling lights.  Buy tickets now!

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected recently by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.  There are so many organizations out there helping those who are displaced that it can be hard to choose.  Here is a list of places to consider when you donate.  If you desire to physically go and serve, be sure to check out the All Hands Volunteers, Americares and Habitat for Humanity Web sites to find out how you can join with them.

• All Hands Volunteers:  Volunteer-powered disaster relief
• American Humane:  Aids displaced animals
• Americares:  Responds to medical needs
• Habitat for Humanity:  Rebuilds after hurricane
• Red Cross:  Overall disaster relief
• Save the Children:  Provides for displaced children

Bob Springli submitted the winning picture for our Dog Days of Summer Photo Contest of his puppy Lucie taking his much larger dog Lexie for a walk.  He has graciously decided to donate his gift certificate to a local shelter, and we chose Humane Rescue Alliance since they recently took in animals affected by Hurricane Harvey. We appreciate his generosity that will aid these displaced pets.