Take-out pizza is good, and jarred pasta sauce will get the job done at dinner time. But when you’re ready for an authentic Italian meal, turn to Capa Tosta. This newly opened restaurant in the Columbia Heights neighborhood has real, classic Italian food, prepared with fresh ingredients and utilizing tried-and-true recipes. The hard decision will be choosing what to order. Between appetizers like crispy artichokes, fennel salad, and arancini, and entrees of freshly made pan pizza or handmade pastas, you have plenty to choose from. Try to bring a few friends so that you can order a few dishes, and possibly have room for dessert. The tiramisu, cannoli, and bomboloni are as delicious as any you’d get in the heart of Rome. 

Find Capa Tosta on Sherman Avenue NW, with operating hours from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, or a bit earlier for lunch service at 11 a.m. on weekends.