Must dine here
I hosted a luncheon at noon and ordered the Insalata Di Stagione, just the most wonderful salad loaded with chunks of crabmeat, shrimp, tuna, hearts of palms and avocados. It was so wonderful I then suggested to our out-of-town guests that we should dine there for dinner that same evening! We were seated outside and Chef Vittorio created a special evening for us.    [17 Jul 2003 09:42:14]

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Recommended Dishes: Mozzarella Casalinga (chesse made on premise), Insalata Di Stagione

     ­Anonymous   

Minus one star: La Perla of Washington DC
Being Italian and having a palate for good food I found the pesto pasta dish one of the worst I ever tasted. The pasta (primo piatto) seem to be pre-cooked, mushy; the pesto had no basil taste but rather a bitter taste of parsley. The fish (secondo piatto) was of inferior taste and the presentation was extremely poor. The owner had the audacity to sit next to me for a half hour trying to "explain" why his first pesto dish was so poorly made (his second dish of pesto pasta was more like parsley soup). He said if I would have called him ahead of time, he would have prepared something very original/special just for me. What kind of a good restaurant owner would offer good food to "special" clients and poor food/presentation to most other clients?
In my opinion, The waiter was very attentive but the food served at this restaurant is not worth two lire or a cent.    [24 Oct 2003 14:48:23]

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     ­Anonymous   

The Pearl of La Perla
We have eaten there four times in the last year and have never been disapppointed by the food or the service. The food is always fresh and the staff helpful and the chef, who visited us at the table is a true European gentleman    [30 Aug 2005 11:15:18]

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     ­Marty   

exceptional italian food at an reasonable price
The food is delicious. the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the owner chef makes you feel like you are his most special guest. In a town where most chef's are getting to big for their britches and the food is overpriced for dishes you could make at home from a cookbook, La Perla is a refreshing deparure from the overhyped under achieving restuarants that make up the DC scene these days.    [09 Sep 2005 12:15:08]

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Recommended Dishes: The fresh homemade sausage and shrimp

     ­Anonymous   

Awesome food. Perfect sauces. All the dishes I tried were fresh and cooked as I requested. The Owner/Chef comes out to greet his guests. Perfect place for any occasions.    [22 Jan 2006 18:20:43]

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Recommended Dishes: Linguini Vittorio, Parpadello Presidente

     ­Robert   

Best Italian Dining in DC
Being a transported NY'er who is also Sicilian, I often found the Italian cuisine dining experience in DC to be disappointing -- that was until I found La Perla. Vittoria (Chef - Owner) is an incredible artist who really delivers a consistent culinary experience reminiscent of my mothers' and Nonna's Sunday dinners - the freshness of his ingredients -- attention to detail and the warm embrace of the staff make visiting here a must. Eat here often and always bring friends, family and business colleagues. See you there    [06 Oct 2007 01:20:35]

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Recommended Dishes: Lady of Italy and the Rack of Lamb are my Favorites! Don't miss the Presidential Antipasto either!

     ­Paul