Food: ☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

Must try: Salumi, Roasted Mushrooms with Cavolo Nero

Lupa is Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s Osteria Romana – a casual Italian restaurant.

The cuisine at Lupa is inspired by area of the Lazio which is the region of Italy centered around Rome. The menu consists of simple dishes using fresh, locally sourced and sustainable ingredients.

The food is not outstanding but is certainly good. Certain items are a must try at Lupa. One of those is the house-cured meats (Salumi) as is the delicious rosemary focaccia. Others such as the Octopus with Farro & Salsa Verde was really disappointing.

The waiters are adorable and have that Italian charm that will knock your socks off!! It also helps that they know the menu really well and are more than willing to offer suggestions on what you should order. The best thing about Lupa is its affordability.

Lupa is another winner by the dynamic duo of Batali and Bastianich.

Here is some of what we ate:

Salumi – Speck

Octopus with Farro & Salsa Verde

Roasted Mushrooms with Cavolo Nero & Ricotta Salata

Parppadelle with Chicken Ragu

Spaghetti alla Carbonara