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    Al Dente

    3.1 (356 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Al Dente Takeout or Delivery

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    AL DENTE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Al Dente

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    Reviews With Photos

    Oliver J.

    I just went there for a second time within a couple months since they have a reasonable happy hour with food. I ordered three pizzas. Our two five year old boys wanted different things so we said plain cheese on one side and olives and basil on the other. They charged for the olives but all the pizzas are $14 for happy hour. This is literally a Quattro Stagioni with most ingredients removed. They auto charged 20% tip for a group of four. I would have just otherwise taken the olives out on the tip. I brought up the olive situation and he said "it's happy hour" which doesn't make any sense. I just won't go again.

    Spicy penne
    Liv W.

    Al Dente isn't necessarily bad by any means, but it is on the lower spectrum for Italian food in DC. The pricing is kind of absurd for what you're getting. Fettuccini in a bolognese is $20 which seems a bit much for a dish that could be easily replicated at home for significantly less. The red sauce is fine, nothing super special. The rigatoni is a good portion, but again, $25 is quite steep. The dish tasted alright, but lacked some flavor and salt. The pasta was cooked perfectly though (a nice al dente!! Haha). But there are so many better places in the DC area that have more interesting combinations for pasta. A red sauce and pasta just isn't worth it--in my personal opinion. The portion sizing is good, but the taste is really mediocre. Service was great and ambiance was nice, but I wouldn't really ever recommend this place to anyone. It's just very convenient to get to.

    Chicken Parmesan
    Maya M.

    The happy hour penne arrabbiata is the star! Recommend going for happy hour instead of actual dinner. Service is friendly and extremely quick. The restaurant itself is pretty nice with a typically lively central bar area.

    Jed R.

    I went here for restaurant week. It's tucked away on this cool patio are near AU's campus. Overall, I'd highly recommend! It was $25 for a three course meal. We started with some bread for the table (included) and some olive oil to dip it in. For the appetizer, I got smoked salmon with capers and arugula. For the entree, I got the mezzi rigatoni (GET THIS FRFR ITS THE SHIT). For dessert, I rounded out third and finished with a scoop of vanilla gelato. Overall a great experience. The water was flowing, the food was great, and it was a great deal with RW!

    Gnocchi
    Sylvie C.

    I placed an order for pickup via DoorDash during a late afternoon lunch period. The order was ready upon arrival and the pickup process was a breeze. I loved the sauce used for the gnocchi. I would have given a 4/5 stars if it wasn't that the actual gnocchi itself was extremely mushy and gummy. It had the texture and consistency of a soaked bread. Oddly spongy and plain old gross. My friend loves eating at Al Dente so I wouldn't mind trying other items. Perhaps ordering in person would render better tasting results.

    meatballs

    Ordered the chicken alfredo. The chicken was so overcooked and tough, I couldn't eat it. It had zero flavor as if they boiled it or something. Very bland and disappointing. Calamari (not pictured) was great, meatball a little dry, though.

    Veal Scaloppini
    Rebecca C.

    We went for the happy hour, which is honestly one of the BEST deals out there in the DMV area!!! Pizza is 50% off, and they boast quite a few delicious other menu items and drinks on the happy hour menu! The calamari as an appetizer was AMAZING, such a lightly coated breading and tons of squid, jalapeños. The marinara sauce wasn't as flavorful as I would've wanted for the calamari! The veal was delicious and had a thick red wine reduction sauce. It also came with portobello mushrooms! We tried two pizzas, both had a great dough and chewy crust - cheese amount was perfection. The star of the dinner was the Farro Tagliatelle Pasta!!! What a lovely homemade sauce, and you could tell the pasta was made fresh! Lots of seafood as well. For parking, there is a garage right next door and street parking. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available! There's also seating around the bar! Service was exceptional, and it wasn't crowded either!

    Pepperoni pizza. Polpette. Fettuccine Alla Bolognese

    Takeout was completed in 7 mins. Ordered pepperoni pizza, meatballs, and bolognese. Name is mispelled on the bag that was scooted to me on an empty table (no other take out orders on a saturday night- yikes!) and the pizza reflects an equal amount of effort. I'd recommend your local pizza chain over this restaurant for items that pack more flavor, look more appetizing, and leave more money in your pocket.

    Prosciutto di Parma
    Min Z.

    Service was acceptable and good enough. Outdoor was nice and quiet, price reasonable. Most food was great. Desserts were only different flavors of ice-creams. It's not worth it. Dishes we tried and ratings I gave: Appetizers: 5*Fried calamari: mixed with fried zucchini, jalapeno, red pepper, and red spicy sauce. Fried Calamari crispy and amazing. 5*Prosciutto di Parma: fresh and delicious. 4*Roasted beets : fresh, clean and healthy 3*Romaine: the usual salad, nothing special. Second course: 4*Calamarta: Seafood was per average, enhanced by the great authentic sauce. 4*Salmon: tender inside and crispy outside, an excellent and healthy dish. 4*Grilled Branzino filet: very tender, came with spinach. excellent and healthy. 3*Duck agnolotti with mushroom sauce: gravy was on the salty and heavy side, otherwise was a good dish.

    Ambience
    Chelsea A.

    Al dente was a great experience from start to finish! The ambience in there is lovely! Nice and romantic so great for a date night! I was able to park with ease. Food- I cannot complain! I got the lasagna and cauliflower, and my friend got one of the pasta and I believe fried zucchini. I forget the cocktails we got both both were fantastic! I would definitely go back again! Server was kind as well and they were always clearing off the dirty dishes. I also love a place that comes with bread :)

    Calamary
    Alp B.

    We had a very lovely experience and recommend this place to everyone who visits Washington. The staff was extremely welcoming and attentive. We had the table completely covered with food and Wine. I love this restaurant. Everything is nice, neat and the staff was very friendly. Food quality and the ambiance was amazing which is very rear both together. We are definitely going back. I can suggest it to all my friends.

    the dining area of a restaurant
    Renoir V.

    The room is lovely. Beautifully designed space. Centered with the huge hearth pizza oven that was getting warmed as I arrived about 11:45. abut fifteen minutes early for a twelve noon lunch date. My lunch partner chose this restaurant as it was convenient to her work at American University. There were no other diners and I suppose they open at noon because they seemed to still be doing some side work. I was greeted warmly and given two menus. I looked mine over waiting for my lunch partner to arrive. And it became instantly clear. The cash in strategy. The approach here is to "a la carte" you out of more dollars per item. Like what supermarkets are doing with green peppers. In the old days any visit to anyone Italian restaurant is to come to a table of bounty. Instant warm bread for example - I had to ask for that and olive oil plus balsamic as it wasn't automatically offered. They brought me small warm rolls that were delicious, if small, and only four in the basket. Eventually my friend arrived and we each ordered a glass of red wine. My partner knew what she wanted and ordered it. As for me it was the Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. The only way it comes if you want protein. To cut to the chase. When my dish arrived it was almost soupy, not creamy and sticky to large noodles as the classic white sauce is prepared with Parmesan and cream. These noodles seemed smaller and weren't "al dente" at all. Overcooked, and the water from the pasta must have thinned the cheese based sauce. Because it was liquidy not thick. Beyond that the chicken seemed like pieces taken from a can of Kirkland chicken from Costco ground into little tiny nuggets. The waiter didn't offer to sprinkle more fresh Parmesan nor fresh cracked pepper as is customary when serving this dish at a fine Italian eatery. And again, those disappointing "modern" bread rolls designed for little elves not Italian men mopping up the fettuccini sauce after lunch with. Or with olive oil and balsamic upon seating. I literally decided to refuse the dish. I'm done being given poor substandard quality while paying a stiff price. This place is not $$ as shown here, but more like $$$$. If your dropping ten bucks for their glass of the cheapest house red, and an additional 10.95 if you dare want a portion of salad greens with your entree. The larger is like 12.95, I think. Either way that would make the 18.95 "fettuccini Alfredo" with salad 10.95 (30 already) and add a glass of wine and youre at 40 bucks for a basic lunch. I got the pock eye from management when I returned the dish but I didn't much worry. I will not be back.

    the entrance to a wine shop
    Aisha F.

    We love a good pizza moment. Al Dente's pepperoni pizza was delicious! Simple, classic, yummy.

    Eggplant Parmesan Appetizer

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    Page 1 of 9

    Al Dente Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Al Dente

    Does anyone know when the parking garage closes at night and what's the rate?

    It seems to close with the gate open, so who cares. But in terms of payment ... they validate parking.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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