I don't get it

Why wait in line for poor service and acceptable food? Go elsewhere, eat and drink just as well if not better, and get decent service. This place survives only because people think "I waited that long, this MUST be good!"

Lived In Napoli

Reality check...Good Italian food in great spots in Italy come with personality-driven chefs and house staffs. More importantly, a good meal includes the patience for a meal of food itself, but also the company (guests at the meal), but also the discussion, and the food. Granted, if the food is truly lousy, then all is lost. But if you lack good company, or are in a hurry, then you aren't prepared to enjoy a truly Italian meal. Relax...and enjoy the situation...whatever it is...It's the Italian way.

a real mixed bag

Well...our pasta dishes, once they arrived, were good to very good, but it was quite an annoying wait: Policies like cash-onl and a $14 minimum per person whether you share a dish or order your own(even for our 3 year old daughter!), a long wait while servers randomly removed items from our table to give to other customers without even a "do you mind?" Ridiculoulsy sized entrees--really they could serve 2 or 3 people and would be plenty to share, which would make it a reasonably priced place--if only you were allowed to. We won't be returning, which won't affect them as they have lines day and night for some reason. DC must be full of masochists.