Ever since moving to Arlington from NY, I have not been able to find my go-to Italian restaurant. I'm looking for a place with big portions and great food. What is everyone else's go-to place? Thanks!
I like Casa Nonna, but that's in DC… I don't think there is one in Arlington. Is there?
G said:
Ever since moving to Arlington from NY, I have not been able to find my go-to Italian restaurant. I'm looking for a place with big portions and great food. What is everyone else's go-to place? Thanks!
Cafe Italia in Crystal City is good, so is Mom's Pizza on Columbia Pike. Both serve hearty, cheesy, red sauce Italian fare. My experience with people that move from New York is that they will never be satisfied with anything related to Italian or Pizza under the false presumption that everything is better in New York.
Thanks for the advice. I don't really care whether it's in Arlington or not. I'm actually from upstate NY, and the food at my favorite Italian place was better than anything I've had on my trips through Italy.
A Go-To Italian Restaurant? One run by actual Italians with a trained Italian cook? Sorry, Arlington has only faux Italian restaurants with very suspect food. They are so bad they are never reviewed by food critics.
I like Pulcinella in McLean.
http://www.pulcinellarestaurant.com/
Ignore the picture on the homepage of their site. The restaurant looks nothing like that. It's more of the checked vinyl tablecloth ilk than the white tablecloth.
I really like Il Radicchio despite some of the other reviews on yelp, http://www.yelp.com/biz/il-rad…..-arlington
Also, Village Bistro's claims to be French, but the normal menu has a lot of Italian options, andtheir specials which aren't always Italian at the core, are always amazing. http://www.villagebistro.com/
SoCo Resident said:
A Go-To Italian Restaurant? One run by actual Italians with a trained Italian cook? Sorry, Arlington has only faux Italian restaurants with very suspect food. They are so bad they are never reviewed by food critics.
It's a tough neighborhood; D.C. food in the mid-range is underwhelming when compared to places like New York, Seattle, Chicago, Portland, and Philly. However, perhaps a couple of suggestions for the OP. There's a new restaurant in Crystal City on 23rd Street, next to Bonsai Sushi (can't remember the name) that advertises the D.O.C. certification for a few of its pizzas. I tried some polenta, some salads, and some pizzas and… they were surprisingly good. Can't say that I know it translates into good pasta, but it's something.
Another suggestion for the OP would be Vapianos in Ballston. I know it's an odd suggestion and it's a European chain, but it might meet his/her criteria. I'm not going to say it's the greatest place ever, but it has a different atmosphere.
Vapiano is horrible. I can't believe they are still in business.
I second Pulcinella. Tutto Bene makes good food but they aren't cheap. I guess there really isn't the old family style Italian place anymore. We used to go to the Italian Oven in Courthouse that I think is what became Tutto Bene in Ballston. There were either two or the Italian Oven moved there and then became Tutto. The owner started as a cook there.
Try the Italian Cafe in Falls Church or Pistone's Italian Inn in Seven Corners.
+1 for Capri!!! Excellent food; good, quiet ambience.
Not so for Pulcinella based upon ambience, the few times I've gone there I've felt like I was sitting on top of the people next to me.
I agree w Capri.. TuTu Beni in ballston use to be pretty good too. Cafe Milano in gtown is a classic..little pricey
Best I've had in DC is Tiramisu in Dupont. Small place, really nice servers, and great food. If you want standard Americanized Italian, try Carmine's or Bucca di Bepo. Both are going to satisfy your desire for HUGE servings…
I myself grew up in New York, and have been in Arlington for close to 30 years, and miss really good italian food,
will keep an eye on this post hopefully will find something I like.
Tagolio on 23rd in Crystal City is pretty good.
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