When a retail space opened up just a few doors down from Carolyn and Massimo Papetti’s restaurant, I’m Eddie Cano on Connecticut Ave. NW, it was not set up to host a sit down restaurant or cafe. Narrow and without a back exit or space for a full kitchen, the former dry cleaner would not appeal to many for a coffee shop.

But when the Papettis laid eyes on it, they saw a standing-room-only espresso bar and cafe, just like those that dot the streets of Rome. “It’s an integral part of the culture,” Carolyn Papetti added. “It’s where people gather to socialize on a regular basis.” The Papettis know a thing or two about bringing authentic Italian culture to Washington.