A new Italian dining experience with a touch of goth aesthetic is set to open in Washington, D.C. Renowned restaurateur and sommelier Elli Benchimol is ready to debut Ellizabetta La Strega in Foggy Bottom on Tuesday, September 8 (2401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW). This establishment will replace the storied Marcel’s and will offer a unique blend of dining, bar ambiance, and private dining spaces, with lunch and dinner services available from day one.
Benchimol, who developed her culinary skills in Northern California’s wine country, previously opened the Champagne-and-caviar bar Apéro in Georgetown, along with the innovative tasting space La Bohème. With numerous awards including the prestigious Wine Spectator accolades and Rammy awards, she has established a solid reputation in the culinary scene. The name Ellizabetta pays homage to her grandmother, while La Strega, which translates to “witch,” reflects a personal and affectionate title bestowed by Benchimol.
“Ellizabetta La Strega operates on cycles – reflecting the moon, the seasons, the moods, meals, and nights,” remarks Benchimol, illustrating the restaurant’s ethos.
This new venture represents a pivotal moment for executive chef Jenn Castaneda-Jones and her husband, chef de cuisine Stephen Jones, who previously ran the kitchen at Marcel’s – a fine dining restaurant that shuttered in 2024 after 25 years. Following their time there, they joined Apéro and La Bohème. The couple also welcomed their first child, who is now 19 months old. Now, they’re returning to the kitchen space that once held significant memories for them.
Castaneda-Jones shares that the motto guiding their culinary approach is “Italian with a little piece of magic.” She explains, “We’re taking traditional flavors and adding a fun twist.” Ellizabetta does not represent one specific region of Italy, allowing for flexibility, creativity, and interpretations of iconic Italian dishes with an American flair. For example, their porchetta sandwich offers a Philly-inspired take on the classic Italian favorite.
Diners can expect an array of house-made options such as garlic confit and rosemary focaccia, fresh crudos, and various pasta dishes. A standout is the Meyer lemon tagliatelle served with caviar, crème fraîche, and a lemon-butter sauce, which is also featured at Apéro. They also offer a creative carbonara dish that features tortellini stuffed with ricotta and mozzarella, complemented by a traditional egg and Parm sauce.
Intriguingly, the restaurant offers a vegan version of Bolognese made with a meat substitute, roasted mushrooms, and an abundance of wine. “I am particularly excited about this dish – it mimics the flavor of meat beautifully,” she notes. Even the staff was surprised during a recent tasting, which is precisely the intention—to create a dish that all patrons will enjoy.
For salads, expect classic Italian chopped dishes along with a lively radicchio and nectarine salad—seasonal ingredients will rotate to incorporate apples, pumpkins, and pears as autumn arrives. The Venitian mussels are available as a lunch entree and as part of the small plates menu for dinner. “We’ve crafted a delicious smash burger as well, topped with provolone and sun-dried tomato aioli,” she adds.
The menu also features hearty offerings, including Wiccan chicken Milanese with citrus gremolata and crispy Berkshire porchetta paired with porcini sauce, potato puree, and broccolini. Dishes intended for sharing include a whole-roasted branzino served with salmoriglio and blistered tomatoes or a rib-eye steak infused with rosemary, olives, and gremolata.
After an initial lease for Ellizabetta fell through, Benchimol discovered the renowned space of Marcel’s was available again. The transformation has entirely redefined the 170-seat venue, which now showcases deep sage, olive hues, and matte-black archways. A unique glass wall partition with delicate frosted fleur-de-lis patterns stands as one of the few remnants of Marcel’s former identity.
“I felt it was important to keep a small part of it as a tribute to its legacy for the patrons,” Benchimol declared.
A delightful feature of the restaurant is the discovery of a fairy tale-like stone floor in the kitchen area, which has been revived to create a polished black-tiled pass. The space bursts with character, featuring hanging copper cookware, dramatic chandeliers composed of squiggly black and gold discs, alongside soft Chartreuse-hued booths and warm wooden accents. The back of the restaurant opens up to a private dining area named Bella Ciao, inspired by the classic Italian song made popular in the Netflix hit Money Heist.
As part of La Strega’s unique take on the traditional Italian aperitivo hour, patrons can enjoy the Witching Hour, which occurs from Tuesday to Thursday between 3 and 5 p.m., and on Sundays from 4 to 5 p.m. During this special time, cocktails are served alongside cicchetti, or small Venetian tapas that are updated weekly. The bar also showcases an impressive selection of Italian sparkling wines, Champagne, and an array of wines hailing from both well-known and obscure Italian regions. Seasonal cocktails and spritzes will be presented in charming orange goblets in the shape of owls.
The bathrooms feature whimsical decor, with “Dramatic exit” signage, “Blessed Be” neon lights beneath eclipsed wall fixtures, and framed tarot cards displayed. In an exciting twist, the restaurant will also host tarot card-reading events this fall.
Benchimol is not only a culinary expert but also a talented artist who meticulously curated the restaurant’s design. The dining room features striking acrylic portraits of approximately ten of her friends adorned with flowers, a project she managed to complete at the pace of one portrait monthly due to construction delays. Other unique artistic features include glass coasters that encapsulate Champagne caps.
Photography throughout the venue is by the accomplished Steve Parke, known for his work as Prince’s personal photographer and for recent cover photos in Rolling Stone and Billboard. In a curated display above the hostess stand, black-and-white prints showcase stylish retro-chic women on surfboards donning spiky witch hats alongside a historical scene from the suffrage movement in front of the White House.
Located on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, a stretch of street experiencing a revival this summer, Ellizabetta joins the ranks of exciting new venues, including top-rated Ayat, a popular Palestinian restaurant from NYC, and the newly refreshed Bourbon Steak by chef Michael Mina. Above Ellizabetta, plans are underway to transform the office space into upscale apartments; once the scaffolding is down, a 25-seat patio will also be unveiled.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 3, for an Eater-hosted Dinner Party at Ellizabetta La Strega with Capital One.
