Lavagna Ristorante Italiano, located on Barracks Row, turned 1 year old Monday night. The celebration had all the ingredients of the best first birthday parties: proud parents, old friends and plenty of alcohol. In addition to serving up free celebratory food and beverages, the bistro premiered its new locally sourced menu. Offerings came from farms in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Patrons packed in the two-story establishment, which, despite a modestly sized storefront, houses the facilities to cure its own meat, brew its own booze and process its own preserves. A pork chop smoked on the sidewalk lured passersby, converting Eighth Street into an upscale block party. (more…)
