Meet Me in DC for Olli Meat

Why drive 214 miles round trip for dinner?

To enjoy the alluring and satisfying company of a DC foodie friend.

To eat the amazing and local Olli Berkshire prosciutto (with buffalo Quadrello bleu cheese) and brag to the staff that I just drove up from the same place from which it comes.Melt-in-your-mouth lovely.

To try a new restaurant, Fiola by Fabio Trabocchi, from a small table by a large window looking out on an unhurried plaza as a light breeze waffed in.

To use my compact mirror to watch the couple behind us make out at their table, she in his lap, both oblivious to the rest of the world.

We ate ourselves silly. To give you an idea of the sheer quantity of food we shared, the feast began with an amuse bouche, so to speak; each of us was served four raw oysters with lemon juice and mint. Yes, four. Our bouches were highly amused.

The rolls were basically croissants in roll shapes (the excellent olive oil was extraneous with these butter-filled beauties), the carpaccio of wild cod, frisee and  blood orange.was a tad tough in places, but flavorful, and the spaghetti with jumbo lump Maryland crab meat and Catalina sea urchins kind of confusing (rustic with upscale ingredients).

The chickpea flour pappardelle with royal trumpets and mushrooms in a morel sauce paired simple ingredients but resulted in a  a decadently rich dish. And the Shenandoah Valley roasted leg of lamb  porcehtta style for two resting on some tasty collards could have served four.

The chef came out to solict commentary (or perhaps hear compliments) from us and we spent the whole time talking about Olli and its meats. He said it took one bite to fall in love with Olli's meats. Don't I know it.

Dessert was a trio of gelatos, the most interesting of which was a fennel (sublime when it softened) as well as a Gianduja torte, leading to a discussion of the Italian obsession with hazelnuts.

The pleasures of sharing so much food and conversation with a passionate eater and talker can not be overstated (although he'd probably enjoy it if I tried). Especially one who can guess my Myers Briggs personality type off the top of his head.

The smart ones will get you every delicious time.