Our Story

From Our Georgetown Family to Yours

Welcome to Dai Tre Fratelli, Georgetown's first-ever student-run pasta bar, where our mission is to offer a slice of home through our authentic, home-cooked Italian dishes. Our journey began with a simple yet ambitious idea between friends to provide a comforting culinary alternative for Georgetown students craving quality Italian cuisine without the hefty price tag.

At Dai Tre Fratelli, we're more than just a pasta bar. We're a team of four passionate individuals with diverse international backgrounds united by our love for exquisite pasta. Our founders, Jacopo Cardinali, Dragan Wilms, Marcelo Gigliani, and Jasper Shi, each bring their unique flair to our kitchen, creating dishes that resonate with the essence of Italian home cooking while embracing our global influences.

Our culinary adventure starts in our humble kitchen at the Arrupe 1st Floor Kitchen, where every dish is a testament to our commitment to quality and authenticity. From our signature cacio e pepe to our innovative paccheri alla norma, each recipe is crafted with carefully sourced ingredients, ensuring that every bite delivers a burst of genuine Italian flavor.

Our mission at Dai Tre Fratelli is to warm hearts and bellies with our food, creating a sense of community and belonging for Georgetown students. We strive to offer an inviting space where friends can gather, share a meal, and create lasting memories. Join us every Friday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Arrupe Kitchen and experience the warmth and joy of our pasta bar. Whether you're missing the comfort of home-cooked meals or simply craving a delicious pasta dish, Dai Tre Fratelli is here to welcome you with open arms and a plate full of goodness.

Meet the Team

Co-Founder

Jacopo Cardinali

Being originally from Milan, Italy, when I first arrived at Georgetown University, I couldn't help but notice the absence of authentic Italian flavors that reminded me of home. Exploring the D.C. food scene, I discovered my love for food and started my own food and restaurant review blog.

By reflecting on each meal, I realized that simplicity often triumphs over extravagant presentations in creating memorable and pleasant dining experiences. This has been brought to Dai Tre Fratelli. With a focus on quality ingredients and genuine flavors, and by keeping things simple and emphasizing great-tasting food, rather than hyper-luxurious locations and extreme costs, we're on a mission to redefine Italian dining in Georgetown and D.C.

Co-Founder

Dragan Wilms

I have been in the kitchen since I have been able to hold a fork in my hand. Having grown up on the Mediterranean coast as well as in Singapore has given me an incredibly rich and diverse understanding of global cuisine, and quite simply, what makes a good dish, and what doesn't.

I have always loved to cook. More importantly, I have always loved to cook for the people I love. In doing so, I think I developed a genuine sense of compassion, pride, and yes, love into my process.

That is the secret ingredient. How lucky we are to share it with those important to us.

Co-Founder

Jasper Shi

My culinary journey began at the Pancake Club during my junior year at Loomis, which is where I truly realized the power of food in fostering a community. Additionally, having lived in four countries—Canada, China, the USA, and the U.K.—and visited over twenty others, these experiences have taught me in the universal language of cuisine, particularly the comfort it offers when you're miles away from home.

As an international student and avid foodie, I identified a gap in authentic, affordable Italian cuisine at Georgetown. Motivated by this, my friends—Jaco, Dragan, and Marcelo—and I founded Dai Tre Fratelli, aiming to bridge this gap and unite people.

For me, every plate we serve at Dai Tre Fratelli is not just a meal; it embodies friendship, culinary passion, and the joy of bringing people together through the love of good Italian food.

Co-Founder

Marcelo Gigliani

I've grown up around Spanish and Mediterranean flavors since before I can remember, so when we came up with the idea for an authentic and affordable Italian experience for Georgetown, it was hard not to jump at the opportunity. While pasta might not seem like the natural path for my Spanish background, I look forward to blending our various Mediterranean culinary experiences to create the best tasting food for all to enjoy.

I've always loved cooking and will be forever trying to be half as good as my grandmother, forever longing for that heavenly smell wafting out from the kitchen.

Every dish we serve is homage to our upbringing, to our European experiences, and an attempt to keep a taste of home with us.