My brunch club has struck gold again. I’ve loved Lupo Verde for its decadent pastas, fantastic pizzas, and impeccable wine list, and now, I love it for its brunch fare.
The brunch deal that the venue offers is hard to match: $35 a person for a starter, side dish, two entrees and a bottle of sparkling wine. No shitty over-juiced mimosas here. Just a dry Prosecco with a trio of lovely juice purees so you can make your own mimosas at your table.
The choice of dishes to share with you dining partner are plentiful and frankly, you can’t go wrong with any of them: ricotta pancakes with berries, French toast with sweet pear jam, gorgeous fresh pasta tossed with pesto and green beans, cacio e pepe pasta (my favorite), avocado salad, eggs in tomato soup, asparagus omelet, fried potato fritters (which are insanely crispy and addictive), served with a rustic tomato sauce, and eggs made to order with grilled bread and cheese. The list goes on and on.
If for some reason you have room for dessert (or you are just drunk from the Prosecco and think you have room for dessert) order the coppa del nonna: a coffee and cocoa semifreddo that is loaded with Nutella. It is one of my favorite desserts in D.C.
One other recommendation. During August and September Lupo Verde is donating $2 from every Pizza Capitano, with tomatoes, eggplant, red peppers, smoked scamorza cheese, olives and oregano, and every Lupo Alberto drink (rye, fennel bitters, tonic) sold to the Defenders of Wildlife (whose logo is also a wolf like Lupo Verde), so if you come for dinner or decide not to do the brunch special, be sure to get this pizza and beverage to support this wonderful organization.
Lupo Verde is great at any time of day; the atmosphere is relaxing and cozy, and when it’s not too hot or cold, you can enjoy the lovely patio. And staff, from owner Med Lahlou to managing partner Antonio Matarazzo to Chef de Cuisine Domenico Apollaro’s to the servers, are warm, charming, and helpful. Chances are if you come for brunch, you’ll stay for dinner.
