Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Italian Newcomer Lupo Marino Debuts an Aperitivo Menu for Summer

Communal Table & Bar at Lupo Marino (Photo: Lupo Marino)

From our friends at Lupo Marino...

Lupo Marino, the newly opened Southern Italian “street food” concept located at 40 Pearl Street, SW, within The Wharf development situated in the Southwest Waterfront, is pleased to debut a new Aperitivo menu. Aperitivo is an Italian tradition of enjoying a pre-dinner drink/snack to whet the appetite. At Lupo Marino, guests can nibble on a variety of fried small plates available exclusively at the 18-seat bar, 12-seat communal table as well as the 12 patio tables that are available along Pearl Street (standing room only) Monday through Wednesday, from 3 PM to 6 PM. This new menu is perfect for those seeking a snack after work, or an afternoon pick-me-up before dinner. Prepared by Executive Chef Todd Sprik, standout dishes from the aperitivo menu include Fritto Misto with calamari, sardines and head-on prawns, served with burnt lemon; Crocché di Patate with baccala and lemon aioli; Carciofi with bagna cauda; Arancini, acquerello rice balls stuffed with beef ragù and smoked scamorza, as well as Polpettini, beef & pork meatballs with marinara. Dishes are priced at $5 each, ideal for pairing with a rotating list of house red, white, rosé and sparkling wine as well as assorted draft beers, which are also available for $5.

Additionally, a diverse list of Italian sparkling wines is also available for guests of Lupo Marino. “Italian bubbles are an ideal match with fried food because their crisp acidity cuts through the richness,” says General Manager and Sommelier Mitzi Taylor. “Often citrus forward and rich in minerality, their refreshing character make Italian bubbly and fritti the perfect allies.” Nine sparkling wines are available at the restaurant with prices ranging from $11 to $13 by the glass, and from $40 to $65 by the bottle. A list of suggested pairings is listed below:


• Cantina del Taburno "Folius" Falanghina ($50) to pair with the Fritto Misto. The crisp lemon notes of this extra dry sparkling wine go beautifully with the delicate batter on the fresh shellfish. A squeeze of burnt lemon over the seafood brightens up the dish and compliments the citrus notes of this sparkling wine from Campania.

• Penisola Sorrentina "Gragnano" ($45) to pair with the Polpettini & Arancini. This unique, naturally frizzante red wine is unlike any other sparkling on our list. Known as the perfect match for pizza, this distinctive vino is best enjoyed with a slight chill, and is an ideal companion with our polpettini and arancini. Notes of raspberry punch and cherries with ripe currants are a reminiscent of Lambrusco.

• Maniscalco Prosecco ($45) to pair with the Carciofi & Crocche di Patate. Notes of green apple and crisp minerality stand up to the unique flavor of artichoke. Citrus aromas compliment the briny baccala fritters. This prosecco has delicate bubbles that make it a perfect aperitivo.

Lupo Marino is located within The Wharf development of the Southwest Waterfront at 40 Pearl Street, SW, Washington, D.C 20024. It’s situated just three blocks from the Waterfront-SEU Metro accessible on the Green Line. The restaurant is open daily, from 11 AM to 11 PM. For additional information, please call the restaurant directly at (202) 506-1306 or visit www.lupomarinodc.com.