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(Saahiti Kiran Chamala/Fourth Estate)

(Saahiti Kiran Chamala/Fourth Estate)

BY SAAHITI KIRAN CHAMALA, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Walking into L’Ardente in Washington, D.C., feels like entering a space designed for celebration. From the moment the doors open, the restaurant welcomes guests with an energy that is both elegant and warm, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience. The crowd was dressed in everything from chic evening wear to stylish business attire, signaling that L’Ardente caters to a range of occasions — romantic dinners, celebratory nights or professional gatherings.

The restaurant is thoughtfully divided into three distinct areas, each with its own character. The dining room is the first space visitors encounter upon entering. The lounge, located adjacent to the bar, offers table seating with full service and is noted as a particularly popular choice for groups. Finally, the galleria opens into the lounge but provides a more intimate atmosphere.

Our reservation was perfectly timed, and despite the restaurant’s bustling atmosphere, we were quickly guided to our table. The staff’s attentiveness made the experience feel seamless from the start, setting the tone for an evening that balanced sophistication with comfort. 

“Ambience walking in, but comforting. Upon stepping foot into the establishment, my soul felt electric. I [could] already envision the food I was about to indulge in,” said Mason junior Mohamed El Hadj Sidi. 

The menu at L’Ardente features cicchetti, antiasti, pizza, pasta and per la tavola all crafted with fine-dining sensibilities. We began with the housemade focaccia served alongside a classic Caesar salad. The focaccia, accompanied by rosemary, tomato tapenade and fleur de sel, was fragrant and flavorful. The Caesar was crisp, well-seasoned with anchovy dressing and preserved lemon and served with mint breadsticks. Together, they offered a perfect introduction to the meal.

For the main dishes, we sampled several standout options. The 40-layer lasagna was a culinary showstopper, featuring short rib sugo, truffle mornay and Sottocenere cheese — a dish that is both rich and complex at $38. We also tried the pappardelle pasta — a mix of white veal ragù, mushrooms, green chili and parmigiano — and the linguine ai frutti di mare, which included crab, scallops, prawn, squid, spicy pomodoro and breadcrumbs.

Mohamed described the start of the meal: “It should indeed be a crime to serve food that good without a warning of addiction … The focaccia was incredible, the lasagna’s life-changing, the Caesar impeccable, and the pasta — words are not enough. Run to L’Ardente.”

Desserts at L’Ardente are equally memorable. We sampled the pavlova alle pesche, a vegetarian and gluten-free creation made with macerated peaches, fior di panna gelato, raspberry and pistachio. Its light, refreshing taste provided a perfect contrast to the richness of the main courses. 

(Saahiti Kiran Chamala/Fourth Estate)

The tiramisu was a theatrical highlight, presented under a chocolate dome that was lit tableside, revealing layers of ladyfingers, espresso, mascarpone, passionfruit and rum. The presentation was as impressive as the flavor, leaving a lasting impression.

Faris Madani, another junior, described his experience with the lasagna: “40 layers of emotions entered my mouth,” he said. 

He added that the focaccia with chili aioli was “electrifying,” and the Pavlova dessert was “a perfect end to the night.”

What sets L’Ardente apart is its versatility. The restaurant manages to balance elegance with warmth and sophistication with comfort. Every detail, from candlelit tables to the curated menu and thoughtfully designed rooms, contributes to an experience that feels special yet approachable. Whether celebrating a milestone, enjoying a romantic evening or hosting a professional dinner, L’Ardente’s ambiance adapts to fit the occasion.

(Rithvik Hari/Fourth Estate)

BY RITHVIK HARI, STAFF WRITER

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, in partnership with College of Humanities and Social Sciences, hosted former U.S. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith for the 2025 Roger Wilkins Lecture at the Harris Theatre. 

Attendees passed through security screenings, with noticeable police presence  providing an added layer of security. Smith, a controversial political figure, has received death threats related to his work as a special prosecutor. In the wake of the recent death of political commentator Charlie Kirk at a college campus in Utah, universities nationwide have looked to increase security at political events and large gatherings. 

The Lecture drew a packed audience of Mason faculty, staff and students from across many majors and backgrounds. Mark Koyama, professor of Economics and Spencer Crew, a Robinson Professor of American History, African American History and Public History, introduced Smith before his address.

Smith’s lecture focused on the Rule of Law and his decades-long career as a prosecutor at the state, federal and international levels. He emphasized that public servants are non-partisan; calling it “a bold face lie that public servants are secret[ly] partisan.” Reflecting on his career, Smith talked about his perspective of the Trump administration’s treatment of public servants — specifically those who worked in the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation .

“The heart of the Rule of Law is treating people equally under the rule of law.” Smith added, “Good prosecutors do not care about politics. They bring cases that are supported by facts.”

Smith underscored what he called escalating attacks on the Rule of Law. He cited the dismissal of the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the refusal to investigate leaks of classified information through unencrypted methods, and the dismissal of 17 inspectors general by the current administration as concerning examples. 

Concluding the lecture he urged people to challenge government leaders with the question: “Will they stand up for what they believe in?”

Following his lecture, Smith sat down for a conversation with Steven Pearlstein, professor of Public Affairs at Mason and former Washington Post columnist. Smith discussed the dangers of questioning the motives of federal justices, stressing that regardless of personal opinion, Americans must abide by court decisions “Questioning the motives of justices won’t end well,” Smith said. He concluded the conversation by commending Mason President Gregory Washington for his response to the Trump administration’s lawsuits against the university. 

An audience Q&A session followed. Smith expressed sympathy for federal employees dismissed under the Trump administration, encouraging aspiring public servants not to be discouraged. 

There are plenty of opportunities in which you can serve the public at the local and state levels,” he said.

When asked about his role in the dismissal of the federal cases against President Donald Trump, Smith said “Current DOJ policy is to not prosecute a sitting president. My job was not to set policy in the department.” 

Smith concluded by encouraging the crowd to value integrity, speak out against wrongdoing and hold elected officials accountable. 

Freshman Tyronne Mitchell said his biggest takeaway from the lecture was the importance of impartiality.“Staying true to what you know is true and being disciplined and knowing that you’re doing what’s right,” he said.

Following the public event, Smith joined faculty and students for a private dinner. Freshman Aaron Yoo shared that he was seated near Peter Carr, the former head of media relations during the special counsel investigations. 

“[It] was interesting to hear [about] how things operated on the media side of things,” Yoo said. 

Yoo added that his biggest takeaway was having an actual awareness that the world does not operate in a black or white state, but runs in a grey area, constantly.