Chaine on the Edge Dinner at Mamma Lena’s Trattoria Napoletana
13507 Clopper Rd, Germantown, MD 2087
The Bailliage of Greater Washington invites members and guests to a Chaine on the Edge dinner at Mamma Lena’s Trattoria Napoletana in Germantown, Maryland, on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 5:00 pm. Known for its authenticity and warm hospitality, this genuine Italian restaurant is a favorite among the staff of the Italian Embassy in Washington, who enthusiastically praise its traditional flavors.
The evening begins with a sparkling reception and passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a multi-course dinner with expert wine pairings selected by owner Giovanni Varriale. Chef Lena Borello, who trained and cooked in Italy before opening the restaurant in 2015, prepares heartfelt, accessible dishes that showcase fresh, well-balanced flavors rooted in true Italian tradition.
Mamma Lena’s is a 24-seat jewel box of a restaurant, offering an intimate and informal setting that quickly makes guests feel like part of an extended Italian family. Reviewers, including Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post, have praised its authenticity and lamented not discovering it sooner.
For this exclusive, one-night-only event, the Bailliage will have the restaurant entirely to itself. With just 24 seats available, space is extremely limited. Registration will close on October 5, 2025, or when sold out—whichever comes first.
This special dinner offers a warm, Neapolitan-inspired evening that transports guests to Italy—no passport required.
