Rasika's Ashok Bajaj bets big on downtown with new Italian spot
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Rosselli Ristorante serves modern Italian fare — with upscale flair. Photo: Courtesy Rosselli
Rasika restaurateur Ashok Bajaj just opened a glitzy new Italian spot downtown: Rosselli.
Why it matters: Bajaj is going big in a longtime restaurant space near CityCenter — formerly Modena, and before that, Bibiana — with a fresh look and a Michelin-ranked chef.
Dig in: The kitchen is led by Carlos Cardona, fresh off a stint at the two-Michelin-starred Noi in Hong Kong.
- His menu leans modern Italian: homemade focaccia with bone marrow butter, artful crudos, fresh pastas, and burrata flown in twice weekly from Italy.
- Rustic mains include osso buco with lemony risotto and branzino al forno.
The vibe: "Comfortable yet sophisticated," Bajaj says — from the food to the design, inspired by historic apartments in Rome and Milan.
The intrigue: Bajaj says he nearly walked away from the space after closing Modena, which struggled amid downtown's post-pandemic slump.
- But a favorable deal with the landlord — and signs of a neighborhood rebound — convinced him to reinvest after more than 17 years at 1100 New York Ave. NW.
- "I would be lying to you saying that downtown is booming," says Bajaj. "But if we all walk away and stop investing in downtown, downtown will go down. So I'm hoping I'm playing my part."
If you go: Rosselli Ristorante. 1100 New York Ave. NW. Open for dinner, Mon-Sat (lunch coming soon).