When Rare Sweets closed down last year, it was no surprise Amy Brandwein snatched up that spot in a heartbeat. With her famed Italian restaurant Centrolina less than 10 steps away in City Center DC, she could open up a second venue without having to run all over town to manage them both and expand the market section of Centrolina to the new venue, allowing for more dining space in Centrolina. This week, the adorable new counter-service venue, aptly named Piccolina, “little one” in Italian, opened, complete with a coffee bar, wood fire oven, and outdoor seating.
The Breakfast Fare
The baked goods at Piccolina at City Center DC will tempt you whether you have a sweet tooth or not! The dishes I am obsessed with right now are the savory items coming straight from the wood-fired oven. For breakfast, that includes grapefruit drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt and then roasted until the top is caramelized, wood-fired flatbreads topped with avocado and tomatoes, a cheese-stuffed crepe, and an egg on brioche sandwich.
The grapefruit may become her signature dish: it is sweet and salty and bitter and warm all at once; a total roller coaster for your taste buds. The egg on brioche sandwich is one of the most popular items at Piccolina and why not – it’s egg and melted cheese on a buttery brioche roll fired up in the oven. Each bite literally melts in your mouth.
The All-Day Menu
As the day wears on, the menu just keeps getting better and better. The crepe and egg sandwich are still available, with the addition of the Chef’s epic eggplant parmesan, which is a dreamy combination of melted cheese, eggplant, and fresh tomato sauce. The spinach lasagna is also a delicious comfort food sigh. My recommendation: kick off with an egg on brioche for breakfast, come back for the eggplant parmesan at lunchtime, and then cap your day with another egg on brioche – breakfast for dinner.
The Details
Cheerful and cute, Piccolina is the spot you want to visit at City Center DC. Nothing costs over $14.50 and some items, like the crepe, are a steal at $5. Soon there will be a selection of freshly baked bread available for sale as well. Aperol spritzes are always available and should be consumed with all meals. What more do you need?
The Verdict
Amy Brandwein can do no wrong!
Piccolina da Centrolina, 963 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC; Website
