Photos By Armando Gallardo, Words By Brandon Wetherbee
Glover Park. Huh. Interesting.
That was our initial response to Chef Michael Schlow’s Casolare. Glover Park is very nice, quaint perhaps, but probably not where you think of going for a great meal, especially one from Schlow. But the man behind TICO, The Riggsby, Alta Strada and Conosci is now slightly north and slightly west.
Casolare is on the first floor of the brand new Glover Park Hotel. It does not feel like a hotel restaurant. The space, designed by Edit Lab, looks and feels different than the hotel. Full of wood and paintings by Adrienne Schlow, the restaurant feels lived in, more like a living room than a business.
Maybe it’s because of the feel, maybe it’s because of the cuisine, whatever it is, Casolare may be best enjoyed in a large group. The coastal Italian fare is great for sharing, especially the seafood, salads and crudos. The meatless meatballs and every piece of seafood were highlights. I preferred the grilled octopus, our photographer’s favorite was the shrimp and there were no leftovers on either dish.
It’s unlikely Glover Park will blossom into a foodie mecca, but that’s fine. Casolare should be a welcome addition to an already very nice neighborhood.
Casolare, on the first floor of the Glover Park Hotel, 2505 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., opens today, July 11, for dinner. Breakfast, lunch and brunch is scheduled to begin soon.
