Graffiato; Washington, DC (Rest.)

*****
Known to reference his Italian grandma’s cooking on Top Chef: Las Vegas and All-Stars, Mike Isabella now pays tribute to her Sunday suppers at Graffiato. The minimalist spot serves pastas as small plates, including a version of nonna’s hand-cut spaghetti with cherry tomatoes; it also turns out fantastic, wood-grilled pizzas. Isabella recently opened the Mexican-themed Bandolero, which nods to his experience cooking at Philadelphia’s El Vez with a mescal-heavy cocktail list and offerings like shrimp cocktail with charred tomatoes, and crispy short rib nachos. http://graffiatodc.com ; http://bandolerodc.com