2 MD Restaurants Named To Best Pasta Places Around D.C.: Eater DC

MARYLAND — Two Maryland restaurants are considered standouts in the area's dining scene and worth the trip to eat there, according to a recently refreshed list compiled by Eater DC.

The November 2024 list of "Best Pasta Places Around D.C." included Caruso’s Grocery, 11820 Trade St. in North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose, plus Little Coco’s, 3907 14th St. NW in D.C., which serves its pastas at its sister restaurant, Charley Prime Foods, 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., Suite L9, in Gaithersburg’s Rio.

Here is what Eater DC had to say about these tasty pasta places:

Little Coco’s (Charley Prime Foods): Here's what the editors said about the newer Gaithersburg sibling dining spot Charley Prime Foods: "Charley Prime Foods’ broadened menu combines its love for steaks and homemade pastas (a la Little Coco’s). The carbs corner showcases spicy rigatoni with marinara and Calabrian chiles and a squid ink tagliatelle dotted with Hawaiian shrimp and spicy ‘nduja crumbles. Little Coco’s customers in Petworth will recognize its elbow-noodle riff on cacio e pepe and goat cheese ravioli that switches its ingredients with the season.

Chef and partner Adam Harvey leads the kitchen with Little Coco’s chef de cuisine Russell Pike. Opening hours are 5 p.m. to midnight daily, with brunch debuting the following weekend at 10 a.m. and lunch coming in June.

Caruso’s Grocery: "Matt Adler’s decidedly unmodern tribute to classic red sauce joints delivers dishes heavy on nostalgia, quality ingredients, and technique, all served in a red banquette, vintage photo-laden dining room. Adler’s kitchen makes its own gnocchi, fettuccine, ravioli, and bucatini topped with a spicy Neapolitan ragu. His personal favorite pasta is penne alla vodka with peas and prosciutto."

Click here to see the full Eater list.