The past decade has not been kind to the southwest corner of Norfolk and St. Elmo avenues. Ever since the Restaurant in Bethesda closed, one eatery after another has stayed a year or two and then shut its doors. He now offers food of Italy, France, and Germany. The decor is simple yet pleasing. Walls are peach, banquettes are black.
Fresh flowers grace each table.
The window facing the street is not only large but in warm weather can be opened to let the outside in. A wood-burning pizza oven in the corner blazed brightly in February. The cooking has been mixed, but there are more than enough successes. Stracciatella soup was underseasoned, while the leathery tomatoes served with mozzarella and basil should have been taken off the menu until summer. Simply prepared spaghetti and capellini with tomatoes and basil were fine.