Critical Acclaim

Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj, is recognized by both press and patrons. He is considered the top restaurateur in DC, earning coveted James Beard Foundation nominations for providing guests with exceptional dining experiences at his restaurants which include Rasika, 701, The Oval Room, Bombay Club and Ardeo/Bardeo.

"In the front lounge, we could linger for hours over spiced-pear-and-vodka cocktails and tiny snacks such as roasted dates with pancetta, crisp arancini with tomato sauce, and buffalo-milk ricotta done up with rose honey and almonds." – Washingtonian Magazine (January 2011)

"The secret to all good cooking is care, and that's what Stefanelli delivers, whether in the form of grilled Mediterranean sardines or cavatelli grano arso (burned grain) with fennel sausage, broccoli rabe, and chile. And the prices are fair, which allows the lobbyists to splurge a little on the highly splurgable wine list." – John Mariani in Esquire magazine’s Best New Restaurants 2010

“Top 100 Very Best Restaurants” – Washingtonian Magazine (2010)

“Chef of the Year” – DC Modern Luxury Magazine (June 2010)

“Rising Star Chef of the Year” – Rammy Awards (June 2010)

"If you need proof that practice makes perfect, or something approaching that state, allow me to introduce you to Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca." - Tom Sietsema, Washington Post 2009

"The good news is that the newest offering by DC restaurant mastermind Ashok Bajaj dazzles as an authentic celebration of rich Italian cuisine."
-Mary Beth Albright DC Modern Luxury November 2009

"And it's no wonder executive chef Nicholas Stefanelli exudes a certain air of slightly rumpled yet edgy excitement: His kitchen and his food have hit a D.C. home run." - Alexandra Greeley, Washington Examiner 2009

"What comes out of Mr. Stefanelli's kitchen is not only perfectly cooked, but each dish is also composed of the freshest ingredients, simply prepared but invariably interesting and surprising. " - Corinna Lothar, Washington Times 2009

"Euro-glam mirrors, city murals, metal chandeliers (inspired by pasta ribbons) and Nicholas Stefanelli sending out small plates, antipasti, black spaghetti with crab, Muscovy duck with grilled peaches, veal cheek Milanese." - Where Washington D.C. - 2009

"Top Italian Flair at Wallet-Friendly Prices" - by Tom Sietsema Washington Post September 23, 2009

"Bask in Bibiana" - Zagat September 2009

"Of the fairest in the land, none compare to fair Bibiana." - Daily Candy Washington D.C., 2009

"His newest endeavor-downtown DC's Bibiana-serves up rustic Italian dishes in a Milano-chic dining room. It's Bajaj's seventh restaurant in the area." - Jessica Sidman, Washingtonian 2009