Legendary comedian and former late-night television host Jay Leno made a stop at one of the Washington area’s most iconic Italian restaurants this week, dining at Filomena Ristorante in Georgetown while in town for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony.
The restaurant shared photos of Leno’s visit, writing, “Look at who’s dining at Filomena! Jay Leno, the celebrated comedian, writer, and former late-night host, is scheduled to be a guest speaker at the Kennedy Center, presenting Bill Maher with the esteemed Mark Twain Award for American Humor. He thoroughly enjoyed his lunch today and left a sweet note for JoAnna Filomena. For many years, JoAnna has been a great fan of his.”
Leno was in Washington to take part in the ceremony honoring fellow comedian Bill Maher, who received the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Fans in the region will have another chance to see Leno later this year when his stand-up tour makes a stop at the Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown this September.
Filomena has been a Georgetown institution since opening its doors on May 23, 1983. The restaurant was founded by JoAnna Filomena, who returned to Washington after living in New York City with a vision of creating an Italian restaurant where dining was more than just a meal.
Inspired by family dinners prepared by her mother, Filomena, JoAnna designed the restaurant to recreate the warmth and hospitality of her childhood home. She filled the space with her mother’s furniture, antiques, family heirlooms, and décor, including a dining room modeled after her family’s own, complete with a large oak table and an ornate Murano glass chandelier.
The menu also traces its roots to the Abruzzi region of Italy, where JoAnna’s family originated. Many of the restaurant’s signature dishes were inspired by her mother’s traditional recipes, adapted from generations of family cooking.
More than four decades later, Filomena remains one of the Washington area’s best-known Italian restaurants, recognized for its homemade pastas, generous portions, elaborate seasonal decorations, and longstanding tradition of making guests feel like family.
