Photo: BizBash
With
the famed Galileo closed for
renovations, restaurateur and chef Roberto
Donna took the opportunity to open Bebo Trattoria in Crystal City
in October. The former home of Mexican restaurant Oyamel, the 140-seat dining room retains its bright and casual
decor (thanks to design firm Adamstein and Demetriou), with high ceilings,
red-cushioned booths, dark-wood tables, and a wall of windows overlooking the
street. Red and orange cloth panels separate the 45-seat semiprivate room from
the bar area, which overlooks the dining room from an elevated dais. Taking
inspiration from the restaurant’s name (“Bebo” is Donna’s childhood nickname),
the chef created a menu of classic Italian comfort foods, including fried
zucchini, fresh sausages served with green herb sauce, and meatball-laden
wedding soup. Pizza will be added to the menu with the planned installation of
an imported wood-fired oven. Galileo is slated to reopen in late 2007.
