Dining in DC: The Italian Café Loved by the Obamas, and Many More

Perfect bipartisanship only happens at one place in Washington DC, and that’s among the dining tables at Cafe Milano in Georgetown, where in the name of pasta, everyone can agree. Here, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Republican or Democrat; consensus is unanimous – on both the genuine Italian cuisine and the venue’s interior, designed to give you the feeling of being in a stylish Milan boutique. This DC institution for “power dining,” where patrons schmooze in a comfortable and friendly environment, opened on the fateful day of November 3^rd, 1992, when Bill Clinton was first elected president, and for more than a quarter of a century, Cafe Milano has remained a place where powerful elites gather to hold court. Bill Clinton himself was a regular. But the list of notable people is long. 

Dubbed the “second White House cafeteria” by Page Six, Cafe Milano meets favor with the Obamas, Joe Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci, John Kerry, Bono Vox, Clint Eastwood, Rex Tillerson, Newt Gingrich and many more. Their secret? Apart from good food, privacy matters at Cafe Milano where high-profile visits are handled with aplomb. “We make our guests feel comfortable, at ease. Their privacy is safe and safeguarded here. Making people feel good is our priority and our lips are sealed. In fact, we never leak any info to press or photographers when we have someone important at Cafe Milano,” explains owner Franco Nuschese.

A native of Minori on the Amalfi Coast, Nuschese began his career in London, followed by some time in Las Vegas, where he managed restaurants for Caesar’s Palace. After becoming the Caesar World Inc.’s Assistant Vice President for their Europe and Middle East operations, Nuschese opened Cafe Milano in 1992. And Café Milano’s second location opened in 2016 at Abu Dhabi’s Four Seasons Hotel, in the vibrant atmosphere of the Al Maryah Island waterfront. Nuschese continues: “The name Cafe Milano comes from a concept dedicated to fashion, and of course, Milan is the place for fashion.” Framed designer scarves adorn the walls, and the ceiling features hand-painted murals of Milan’s subway system map, while another room features a portrait of Placido Domingo hanging on the wall – an homage to the famed opera singer. As a plus, the restaurant also features outdoor seating on their sidewalk patio.

Nuschese’s photo album deserves its own exhibit in a museum for the number of notable people he’s met at the restaurant, but you won’t find any images of him with VIPs or celebrities on the restaurant’s walls. The atmosphere is rather dolce vita style with a subtle nod to the fashion capital of the world. The restaurateur has hundreds of anecdotes to tell: For instance, he says that Clinton considered him a lucky man because ‘his term doesn’t expire,” unlike US presidents that can only be elected twice. 

The Obamas visited Cafe Milano on several occasions, including a dinner for Michelle’s 49th birthday and for a post-graduation celebration when Malia graduated from Sidwell Friends School. "The Obamas eat very simple meals – they go for salmon and salads. Bill Clinton also eats simple, and mostly vegan, while Hillary eats everything,” says chef Franco Sangiacomo.

“Capellini (angel hair pasta) and cotoletta alla milanese (breaded veal) are the top dishes at our restaurant – and in general, everybody is happy with pasta,” added Chef Sangiacomo, who joined Cafe Milano in 2015. “For instance, during an event with Bono Vox, former Secretary of State John Kerry ordered five types of pasta. Even Vice President Mike Pence likes pasta, and so does Clint Eastwood.” Sangiacomo – a former alum of Michelin-starred chef Gaetano Trovato – explains that top-quality ingredients are key at the restaurant, sourced from farmers in Italy.

And even if President Trump doesn’t dine at Cafe Milano, his family does – especially Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Sangiacomo explains: “The president’s daughter and her kids like pizza and pasta al pomodoro (pasta with tomato sauce), while her husband likes pasta e piselli (pasta with peas).”

Want to know what it’s like to serve a president? Sorry, you can’t. According to Nuschese, no one can serve the president; only the Secret Service can. “When the Obamas were here, an agent was in the kitchen to check the preparation of the order. Once ready, another agent would bring the plate to the president and his family,” says Nuschese.