Assaggi Mozzarella Bar

Recently I joined a couple of girlfriends for dinner in Bethesda at Assaggi Mozzarella Bar. The menu concept is northern Italian and specializing in different mozzarella's paired with condiments. The menu is very traditional, with multiple courses.

For the first course, we split an assorted tray of cured meats and mozzarella di buffala. The cheese was very fresh and it was a great way to awaken our palates. I chose a beet and goat cheese salad for the next course. It was sweet and rich. I would have been happy with that as my meal.

After nibbling at our first and second courses and sipping our champagne cocktails, we ordered our entrees. I couldn't decide (shocker) between two pastas so they offered to give me two half orders. Done! I ordered the Bigolo-a thick spaghetti with a duck and porcini mushroom ragu- and the Orecchiette which had mild Italian sausage, green peas and Parmigiano Reggiano.  Both of these pasta dishes were quite delicious, although the Orecchette was by far my favorite. It was somehow rich and light at the same time, even though there was no sauce. The sauce was simply the oil from the sausage. The duck pasta was also delicious, however the thick spaghetti could have used just another minute in the water- a little too al dente for me. I would recommend either dish.

The food was really pretty good and the atmosphere...well...quiet. The service was excellent and we had a great time. If I were to go back, I would definitely stick to one course and take it easy on the drinks. The cocktails will drain your wallet at around $15 a pop and all of those courses add up. At around $270 for three girls, I would say keep this in mind when ordering and try not to listen too much to your grumbling stomach.