Whether you call him a nine-lived cat, steadfast elephant or indestructible cockroach, this week's latest blow to D.C. chef Roberto Donna may send him to the abattoir. Chief U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled Friday that Donna must pay nearly $527,000 to 12 former employees over unpaid wages, attorney fees and damages. Judge Lamberth found that Donna and his companies failed to pay overtime and minimum wage requirements, misstated worked hours, and rarely paid workers -- mostly waiters and bussers -- completely or in a timely manner. In all, Donna was found personally liable for paying restitution to his former employees from Galileo and Bebo Trattoria, both having closed in 2006 and 2009 respectively. More of the not-so-sexy details, unless you're a tax lawyer, can be found in the WaPo piece summarizing the 46-page ruling. more ›

Clockwise from top left: Comet Ping Pong, Red Rocks, 2 Amys, Bebo There are many factors that affect a pizza. The type of flour used for the dough. The temperature of the oven. The quality of the toppings. The skill and hands of the maker of the dough. The vigilance of the pizzaiolo (the person manning the oven). D.C. may not be known as much of a pizza town, but a few of the... more ›

Written by DCist Contributors Gayle S. Putrich and Mike Roscoe Awards season: long gone in Hollywood; just getting started for D.C.'s restaurants. If you don't believe us, just ask Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve, Eamonn's, and the forthcoming Majestic. Armstrong has been named a contender for two awards in as many days: Best Mid-Atlantic Chef from the James Beard Foundation on Monday and now Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.... more ›

Walking into the hastily opened Bebo Trattoria in the revitalized and almost pedestrian friendly Crystal Drive area in Crystal City (aka close-in Arlington), I thought: "Hey, this looks just like Oyamel. It's still vertical and orange, but they're serving pasta." When Roberto Donna realized he couldn't stand to be without a kitchen for a few months while Galileo's building is renovated, his pal Jose Andres came to the rescue. Andres wanted to move Oyamel to... more ›