Etrusco shuttered without fanfare at the end of 2008, saddening many
bec fins and fans of owner Vince MacDonald. In 1980, MacDonald opened Vincenzo, an Italian off Dupont Circle, and “single-handedly reinvented what an Italian restaurant was in DC,” says Peter Pastan, who was inspired to open nearby Obelisk some years later. “It was a revelation, perfect seafood, simple, authentic Italian preparations,” explains Mark Furstenberg (creator of Bread Line and Marvelous Market).
“He had a true passion for making recipes authentically, and true to their origins, and he was equally passionate about finding great ingredients,” explains former White House chef Frank Ruta, who worked for MacDonald before opening Palena. He remembers that Vince would drive to NYC for the high-quality fish he would cook and serve whole, and for other ingredients, including brick oven–baked bread.
Vincenzo became Trattoria al Sole, then Sostanza and most recently Etrusco – all in the same space, and all showcasing top-quality ingredients in classic Italian preparations. Through it all, MacDonald has remained a potent force in the DC food establishment, as evidenced by Furstenberg: “Vince has never stopped
believing that perfection is attainable and has never compromised his
commitment to it…I hope that Vince will be back on the scene soon. I
think many people feel that way.”
– Olga Boikess