Masseria, a one Michelin star restaurant in DC, aims to be an Italian oasis in the hardened Union Market area. It succeeds with its intrinsic charm and focus on exquisite Italian cuisine while also staying true to the area it is located. My wife and I decided to go here for our Valentine’s Day celebration and we immediately understood why this was awarded a Michelin Star, and felt the wonderful Italian vibe it has to offer. 

The night started with an assortment of bread and snacks. The bread was accompanied by a tomato spread while the snacks included a cream fill pastry capped on the end with truffles and a caviar cream bite. All of these were a great way to start the evening. The first appetizer was essentially a beet salad. The earthy flavor of the beet was paired nicely with a citrusy sauce, creating a well-balanced dish. The next dish was sea bass with crispy skin and a cream sauce. This light dish allowed the fish to shine and was not overpowered by the sauce. Overall, the dishes were well executed and provided a nice starting point before the entrée dishes.

This first dish was squid ink pasta accompanied by Maryland blue crab. The pasta was perfectly cooked and there was also a breadcrumb mixture over the top which added a nice textural compound. Next came the main star of the evening: pork loin with potato and oh-so-many truffles. This was our first time trying truffles and it did not disappoint. The best way I can describe the taste of truffle is musky and earthy. It added a great flavor to the pork loin and I can see why truffles are so prized in cooking.

Finally came the dessert which was a nice way to end our Valentine’s Day evening. This featured a circular-shaped ice cream with a heart on it. It was fruity and very refreshing.

Masseria is a wonderful restaurant worthy of a Michelin star. Its food was delicious and the staff were kind and attentive. They made our Valentine’s Day night one to remember and I highly recommend them on your next special occasion. Check out some photos of our meal in the Restaurant Gallery section of the website!