There are culinary people whose careers are worth keeping an eye on. On my list of foodies to follow is Janet Cam, one of the restaurant world's really good general managers - warm but professional, with a great wine palate to boot. And she's about to be back on the floor of a new Washington restaurant in whose kitchen you'll find Roberto Donna's once right-hand/left-hand executive chef, Amy Brandwein.

11 years managing director and co-owner with her then husband chef Yannick Cam of the capital's legendary Le Pavillion, Janet Cam moved on, when Le Pavillion closed, to run Lutèce in New York, then returned to DC to go into restaurant consultancy. There aren't many eateries in Washington that she hasn't had some kind of impact upon, if only, in some, as a very glamorous diner.

Amy Brandwein worked for yonks for Roberto Donna as Galileo's executive chef. She supervised the launch of his Osteria del Galileo, the Galileo 'Grill', Laboratorio del Galileo, then opened his Bebo Trattoria in Arlington. So her Italian cooking credentials couldn't be more impeccable. Why these two sparkling women would volunteer to be described as Nonne (Italian for 'grandmothers') is probably more to do with the authentic style of Italian food Amy will be preparing than a reflection on their appearances.

Casa Nonna opens soon at 1250 Connecticut Ave NW, part of the BLT Steak group, with  rustic Roman and Tuscan dishes, pastas served by weight as they are in Rome, and a pizza bar with wood-fired stove.

If, like me, you're ticked off at having some juvenile waiter asking (I've had this at some really high-end spots) "if you little ladies are having fun", I'll bet you won't get that from Janet Cam and her crew.

Casa Nonna, 1250 Connecticut Ave NW.

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