Image: Pre-pandemic pasta photo.
Last Updated: July 2023
Overview:
By now, people have gotten past the playful name. I’m Eddie Cano established itself as a good option for Italian in a neighborhood that has had a slowly rising tide of good options added over the last few years.
The name (meant to be a homonym for Americano) leans into the classics of both Italian and Italian-American cooking. The menu is divided between Americano and Italiano columns of options. The Americano side includes choices like spaghetti and meatballs, Caesar salad, fried zucchini (which gets raves all around) and chicken Milanese. The Italiano side is still pretty familiar with Panzanella, Bolognese, and eggplant parmigiana among the options. It is no-frills, solid cooking at a decent price point. The pastas shine brightest.
In 2022, the team opened Italian Bar on the same block that serves in-house gelato. The dessert list at Eddie Cano also leans into classics, Tartufo, pannacotta, tiramisu, but don’t sleep in the gelato option that is also served here. Or take a stroll down the street.
The cocktail list sticks mostly to classics. The wine list is Italian, with three each by the glass and about a dozen each of white and red by the bottle at price points that match a neighborhood spot – all under $100, many under $50.
The space is also pretty straightforward. A large open room with the post-industrial chic exposed ceiling. Large pictures of Sophia and Marcello adorn the walls. There is a large communal table down the middle and a small bar in the back.
If you live around here, you already know about the place. If you find yourself in this neck of the woods, add it to the list of places to consider.
Summary:
Cuisine: Italian
Neighborhood: Upper NW
Address: 5014 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Website: https://imeddiecano.com/
Reservations: Walk-in
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: Tom thinks this place is a charmer and has held it at 2.0 stars consistently.
Washingtonian: Preview
Lori (Been There Eaten That) No post on her site, but her comment on DonRockwell was that, “I’m not compelled to rush back, but I enjoyed the food and the retro Italian-American ambiance is fun.”
Rick Eat DC: He is one of many who likes the fried zucchini.
Michelin: Made the list in 2020, but has since dropped off.