best food within walking distance of senate. bistro italiano is a hidden gem on capitol hill. located in a rowhouse behind schneider's liquor store, this restaurant has the complete mom and pop feel. they probably only have 30-40 seats in the whole place so plan to come early.
the food is excellent. they have authentic pastas for ($6-12) from linguini to tortelli. their pizzas are also high quality and cheap ($12+). bistro even has an expansivekidsmenu. i've only had their table wine, but i thought it was very good, especially for the price.
at lunchtime, this restaurant is often packed with senate staffers and other dc types from federal agencies who want a sit-down meal. because of it's popularity, seating can be a problem between the hours of 11:30 and 1:30 on weekdays. it's almost always worth the wait. at dinner, i've been able to walk in and get a table without a problem.
enjoy some authentic italian food here. for the price, it simply cannot be beat.