Opened in April 2001,
Tosca is the culmination of shared ideas between Cesare
Lanfranconi (formerly of Galileo) and owner Paolo Sacco.
From the first conversation, Chef Lanfranconi and Mr. Sacco spoke of
opening an upscale Italian restaurant together. Mr. Sacco's experience
in managing the dining room, combined with Chef's imaginative talent in
a kitchen were a perfect match. Tireless planning and attention to
detail meant that it took the restaurant a few years to open its doors
in downtown Washington DC. But in that time, every detail—from the
dining room to the layout of the kitchen—was perfectly planned and
executed.
Today, Tosca's kitchen is headed by Executive Chef Massimo Fabbri. Chef
Fabbri, whose extensive training include noted restaurants in Italy,
London, and the United States, has been developing his technique since
the age of 14, when he enrolled in the hotel school at the Alberghiera
F. Martini. Chef Fabbri's style is strongly influenced by his native
Tuscany in Central Italy. He blends the freshness of locally grown
organic ingredients with the unique flavors of imported products from
selected purveyors in his native region. Ristorante Tosca's seasonal
menu consists of a variety of signature dishes, and creative desserts.
The design team of Michael Marshall Architecture, Lilly Gray Rubin
Associates and Designer Associates Lighting Consultants, have created a
sleek environment of neutral monochromatic tones, interplaying with
luxurious, richly colored fabric with contrasting textures. The
designers successfully meshed the opulent modernity of the Arnold and
Porter building, an elegant monument of pale marble and steel, with the
ambiance of a sumptuous club.
Since its 2001 opening, Tosca has been noted in newspapers and magazines
all over the northeast and was named the "trendy new Italian restaurant
in Downtown Washington" by the Washington Post. Combining their
expertise, owner Paolo Sacco and Chef Fabbri continue to develop the
concept of Tosca to offer the finest in quality contemporary Italian
cuisine with efficient and personable service. |