Came for a celebratory dinner with our closest friends. Overall, everything was fantastic. The…read moreonly complaint was my husband wished the pasta had sauce on it and most of our dishes were just a bit over salted. That said, I would definitely come back.

We (a party of 4) decided to check out The Veranda for the first time recently. We made a…read morereservation and this is a *must*, this is a very small dining room and every table was full during our visit (on a Saturday evening). We started with a round of cocktails that proved to be tasty and well-made. Our waitress was friendly and attentive and indulged our really chatty table's need for more time, over and over- whoops. We skipped an appetizer but the options on the menu looked delicious! The wine list was fairly modest but hit all the necessaries and we settled on a few bottles of chianti. Yep, a few bottles. It was one of those nights! As we awaited our entrees, we could see into the kitchen and there was a chef back there making pasta by hand- they are not lying about that! The mood in the restaurant was friendly, a bit low lit for ambiance but still bright enough to see your neighbors. I would call the vibe "neighborhood bistro" and it had this REALLY warming effect on a chilly, rainy evening. Tables were all full but no one was seated right on top of each other, there was plenty of room to stretch and converse privately. Because I am a masochist and am avoiding gods favorite food (pasta) I ordered the steak. It was served along side roasted potatoes and a rocket salad. The steak arrived at perfect temperature and was seasoned magnificently. I'll admit I am a salt girl- I did not not have add a speck of salt or pepper, it already tasted amazing. I certainly did not feel like I'd missed out by not getting the pasta, even if it did look incredible. My husband got a pasta dish with sausages, and he kept raving about how much sausage was in it and how delicious the sauce was. Our friends got a copy of my husbands dish and the salmon with lemon sauce pasta except my friend requested chicken be substituted and the chef indulged her request! They were equally enamored with how well their dishes turned out. All in all, this was an unexpected delicious find and we WILL be back again!

FARM TO TABLE! I just love it when I hear local restaurants support local farmers to give you the…read morefresh and healthy dishes! It was my first time, it doesn't look like much on the outside, but definitely when you step you feel transported. Reminds you of cute small bistro you would find in Europe, but we're lucky we have one here! The furniture is modern and the decore is cute with a coastal feeling. I couldn't wait to try the breakfast platter, and I am so happy I did! Look how healthy and beautiful my platter is (see pics). I had the balsamic vinegar on the side. Also, just a tip.. if you do not want salt preadded to your eggs or anything else just let them know. The pic I took is the owner and local farmer that supplies the fresh eggs! So folks you know it's fresh and delicious! If you want to support both your local restaurant and farmer this is the place! You will love it! I can't wait to go back and try their other dishes.

I came in recently to order a half tray of penne alla vodka for a party, and I'm so glad I chose…read morethis spot. From the moment I walked in, the owner was incredibly kind, welcoming, and genuinely helpful. You can tell right away that this is a place run with heart and pride. While placing my order, I had time to browse, and wow! this place is a little Italian dream. They offer a variety of handmade biscotti and classic pastries like napoleons, tiramisu, berry tarts, and rich chocolate cakes that all looked straight out of a bakery in Italy. Everything felt authentic and thoughtfully curated, not mass produced. They also carry Italian imported olive oil and a beautiful selection of deli meats, including capocollo, mortadella with pistachio, prosciutto crudo, ham, salami, and sopressata, plus cheeses like mozzarella di bufala and stracchino. It's the kind of place where you can build the most incredible antipasto board or grab specialty items you can't easily find elsewhere. If you have time to linger, they also offer a variety of Italian wines by the glass or bottle, representing different regions of Italy. It makes the space feel even more like a neighborhood market meets cafe, perfect for picking up catering, desserts, or just treating yourself. The penne alla vodka was a hit at the party! It was creamy, flavorful, and clearly made with quality ingredients. Everyone kept asking where it was from. I can't wait to have it again Between the warm service, authentic offerings, and standout food, this place is a gem. I'll absolutely be back, whether it's for catering, pastries, or just to browse and grab a glass of wine!

Decided to do a date night & Dined in at 7:30pm on a Sunday night. Our server was welcoming,…read moreprofessional & attentive. She was patient, answered all of our questions, knowledgeable about everything on the menu. We received Great service tonight! Our food was delicious, huge portions & came out quickly! We ordered and shared a Caprese salad. The ingredients were so fresh! We loved it! We ordered the Pollo Marsala and their Spaghetti with Meatballs. These entrees came with bread and butter. Everything was great but we didn't have enough room for dessert! We will have to try & save room for it next time! Thank you for not making us feel rushed!

Food was just okay. The $10 meatballs were absolutely not worth it. They tasted frozen, lacked any…read morereal flavor, and were basically oversized Chef Boyardee meatballs--which is honestly an insult to Chef Boyardee. The restaurant itself also had some issues. The ceiling tile above our table was literally falling out and looked like it was one bump away from landing on someone. On top of that, it was uncomfortably hot inside. Considering how hot it was outside, it seemed like the air conditioning either wasn't working or wasn't turned on. The biggest disappointment was the service and how the restaurant handled multiple mistakes. We had a party of eight, and our checks were completely messed up--including one check that somehow had a 42% gratuity added. That's the kind of error that should have been easy to correct. Things only got worse from there. One person's leftovers were taken to be boxed up and never came back. When we asked about them, they returned with a steaming hot container of broth and tomatoes... except the original meal was seafood with shrimp, mussels, and fish. It was obvious the food had been lost and hastily replaced. Another friend had his leftover pizza dropped in the kitchen. To make up for it, they offered him a complimentary dessert... then actually charged him for it. The final straw was the interaction with the "manager." When one of our friends politely questioned her bill, he immediately became aggressive and said, "How can I fix this problem? I'm not a mind reader." Instead of listening, he became defensive from the start. He first offered about $80 worth of desserts, then agreed to remove part of the bill instead. A short time later, he returned and claimed he couldn't do anything because "the manager wasn't in yet"--despite presenting himself as the manager moments earlier. The entire interaction was rude, unprofessional, and completely unnecessary. The only bright spot of the evening was our waitress. She was kind, attentive, and clearly doing her best despite everything going wrong around her. Mistakes happen, but she handled herself with professionalism and kindness all night. Unfortunately, between the mediocre food, the multiple service failures, and the way management treated our group, this was not an experience I'd want to repeat.

This is our number one favorite place in Virginia Beach…read more It's actually one of the main reasons we go Virginia Beach, so we ended up going twice over Memorial Day weekend. The lasagna and meatballs are absolutely fantastic

Over the top! We are here for track so obviously pasta is a must! We visited on a cold night and…read moreupon arrival I knew it would be good--it had that Pasta feel. We were going to dine in but changed our mind and ordered at the counter. The staff BROUGHT our meal to the car without being asked!!! Above and beyond. The food was yummy and the bread was to die for! We may just be back tomorrow and maybe Saturday too!

We have been here on many occasions. In most cases we were…read morefully satisfied with the service and meals. It's a go back to restaurant for us. It's a cute place with Italian overtones.

After running around to different stores we decided to get something to eat. When we saw lightning…read moreand stormy clouds in the sky we went to a place nearby. We stepped into Reginella's to wait out the storm. We were greeted by Jackie our waitress and given ample time to choose our items. Jackie was wonderful! It's always funny to run into someone with the same name. I got fried ravioli, pizza, and spaghetti with meatballs, and gelato. The atmosphere was very quiet and calm. Once we finished our meal we thanked Jackie and packed up our leftovers. Everything was delicious and when the storm settled we made our way back home. We would definitely visit here again.

We took a family friend for her birthday to Baladi Mediterranean; they were closed Sunday evening…read more Then we went to Azar's Greek restaurant around the corner --closed. Cobalt Grille was next--you guessed it, they were closed too. We drove around and stumbled upon Gaston's. Not being able to eat at those other restaurants was the BEST thing that could have happened to us that day! The ambiance and the gentle vibe you get when you walk in this place is palpable. And the food lives up to the ambiance too. My party haslamb chops, cowboy steak, asparagus and a myriad of sides that came with these meals. I heard lots of "oohs" and "this is delicious" from my family. Unfortunately, I am a vegan and the choices were virtually nonexistent for me--but in Gaston's defense, they are an Italian steakhouse (they never said they catered to vegans). This evening was for the birthday girl--and she loved lamb chops. Simply put, this restaurant exceeded her expectations.

I was really excited to try Gaston's Italian Steakhouse because I'd been looking forward to having…read morea great steak. Our first impression was very good. We were greeted immediately, seated right away, and our waitress was attentive and friendly throughout the evening. Before ordering, I actually spoke with the owner, Gaston, because I wanted his recommendation for the best steak on the menu. He confidently recommended the Cowboy Ribeye, assuring me that it was one of their signature steaks. I ordered it medium rare with a little char, exactly the way I enjoy it. I also asked if I could substitute the mashed potatoes and broccoli for another side since I don't eat either of those. I was told substitutions were not allowed. For a $60 steak, I found that disappointing. I wasn't asking for anything extravagant--just a different vegetable or a simple side salad. When my steak arrived, it was much smaller than I expected for the price and didn't resemble the Cowboy Ribeye I was anticipating. It was cooked slightly over medium rare, and while it wasn't terrible, the flavor was only average and had a slightly off taste, almost as if the broiler hadn't been cleaned recently. To make matters worse, the mashed potatoes and broccoli I had specifically asked to leave off the plate were served anyway. To be fair, the service was excellent. Our waitress handled everything professionally and even apologized for the sides, explaining the kitchen had plated them before she could stop it. The chicken scallopini ordered by someone else in our party was very good, and the other chicken entrées were also enjoyed. Unfortunately, I came for the steak, and that's where the experience fell well short of expectations. At this price point, I expected a high-quality cut of beef, some flexibility with side dishes, and an overall experience that matched the cost. Instead, it felt like every effort was made to minimize portions and avoid accommodating a simple request. I always try to support local restaurants, and I don't enjoy leaving negative reviews. But when you're paying premium prices, the food should reflect it. Based on my experience, I can't recommend the steaks here.

Sirena Serious Eat Italian - Overhyped & Disappointing Experience…read moreThis restaurant was recommended during a wine tasting by someone who is very knowledgeable and well-traveled when it comes to food and wine, so I went in expecting a really elevated Italian experience. I made a reservation right away because we were told it was necessary -- but when we arrived there were plenty of open tables. It didn't feel like reservations were needed at all, which was confusing. The host even seemed surprised that we had one. We were seated at a very small two-person table tucked into a corner by the window, despite there being more open space available. It felt cramped and not very thoughtful in terms of seating. Service was another challenge. Our server was polite, but there was a clear language barrier that made it difficult to understand menu explanations or get recommendations. With a smaller, more curated menu, that guidance really matters -- and we didn't get it. We ordered the Tagliatelle Bolognese, which was decent but not memorable. For a place that's described as "top-notch" and made-from-scratch, I expected more depth and wow factor. The best part of the meal was honestly the bread, which was excellent -- we even bought a loaf to take home. Dessert was the Tartufo al Caffè and while it wasn't what I initially expected, it was enjoyable and a nice finish to the meal. Overall, this experience didn't live up to the hype. Between the unnecessary reservation requirement, cramped seating, communication issues, and food that didn't stand out, it just wasn't worth it for us. We both agreed we wouldn't return.

Sirena was highly recommended so my friend and I were very excited to stop in and try it out. As…read moresoon as we walked in, we stood at the counter for a while, waiting to be greeted. The restaurant was small but absolutely beautiful, I loved the decor. After a few minutes, the owner walked over and asked my friend, "Can I help you?". Can I help you lol?!? I thought that was such an odd question to ask! He didn't look at me at all when he asked the question. She mentioned to him that we had a 6:30pm reservation, which he then proceeded to look around the restaurant to find us a table. Mind you, the restaurant was practically empty. He found us a table tucked in the corner of the restaurant. There were a plenty of other open tables that we could have been seated at but he sat us at a very tight, 2-person table literally tucked in a corner. Our server brought us the menu and explained that we needed to order everything all at once. Unfortunately, she was a tad bit hard to understand so we had to ask a few follow up questions for clarity! I ordered the Calamari Fritti as my starter. The owner brought it out and practically tossed the plate in front of me. Since my friend mentioned that she can't eat seafood, he snatched the small plates from our table and told us we didn't need it. It was just very odd. The calamari was very fresh and tasted great though! Our entrees were brought out shortly after. I decided on the Tagliatelle Bolognese. It was pretty good but nothing to write home about; however, it paired well with my Cabernet Sauvignon. We ended the evening with some dessert. I ordered the Cannolis "to go" and my friend tried the Tartufo al Caffé, which was a chocolate truffle paired with a shot of espresso. It was actually very tasty. Overall, I wish I can say I had a better experience. The service made me feel slightly unwelcome and the food was good but I don't plan on returning.

I've lived in CoVa nearly my entire life, but I've never dined at Aldo's. At the same time, the…read morelast time my mom dined there was with my dad (R.I.P.). So I figured it would be nice to take her there for Mother's Day. She can reminisce about dinners with dad while I could finally get to experience Aldo's for myself. Aldo's isn't normally open for lunch, but for Mother's Day they were (for obvious reasons). I made a reservation about a month in advance and we arrived about 10-15 minutes early. Aldo's happened to have our table ready, so we were seated in no time. We were seated at a two-top near the piano, and were greeted quickly by our server, John. He was kind, pleasant, helpful and especially courteous towards my mom (I really appreciated that). Personally, John could've ignored me, as long as he made my mom feel at home. He did that with ease and his service was a clear highlight during our visit. We went ahead and ordered some appetizers - mom got a cup of the she crab soup, and we split an order of calamari. At other establishments, the calamari tends to be salty, but Aldo's calamari is spot-on since it was perfectly salted. I would order calamari each time I visit Aldo's - theirs is the best I've had locally. Since John brought us some bread, I used that to try mom's she crab and it was delicious. I would've ordered one myself, but I was content with the calamari. We didn't do strictly noodles for our entrees - mom had the Lamb Rosmarino (6 grilled lambchop lollipops, honey rosemary dijon marinade, parmesan polenta cake, sauteed zucchini, roasted red pepper, fig balsamic), which she described as fantastic. I had the Costoletta di Vitella Ripiena (12 oz. butterflied veal chop stuffed with sauteed spinach and mozzarella, served with linguine aglio olio) - this was perfection. I finished my entire plate, while mom had leftovers after having all her soup and a good amount of calamari. We shared a dessert, a Ferrero Roche cheesecake that was decadent without being overly sweet. It was the perfect closer to our meal. In addition, Aldo's was clean and organized. Its decor reflected an Italian influence, but it was still homely. The tables looked/felt to be very close together (their bar is small), though, especially since they were at near-capacity. But that's not a big issue, unless people start bumping into each other. This was a 5-star experience. Aldo's is perfect for special occasions and any time you want to be pampered a little for dinner. Since it was Mother's Day, I'm happy that my mom was happy. Thank you, Aldo's! JV

As much as I love Aldo's and have enjoyed them over the years I'm gonna hold at 4 stars. Solid…read moreanniversary dinner, but in my opinion to many small missteps on service. Reservations made on Open Table which I recommend. They will send reminders. My wife and I were seated around 10 minutes early by the host with menus. The table was prepared for our arrival, but up front by the door where it can be more noisy. Not where I preferred, but I almost never complain about table and rarely have asked for a change. Our waitress introduced herself about 5 minutes, or so later. Drinks ordered. Wife house Cabernet and me an Orange Julius mocktail after discussing their Old Fashioned. The waitress could not tell me the house bourbon. She later did tell me it was McKenna, I passed. It took little time to bring our beverages and we ordered apps & main. Focaccia bread is a fave and a must! I enjoy the beat salad. My wife main chicken Parmesan and me the Pasta Special which is a claw & knuckle lobster with a calamarata pasta. Drinks were tasty, especially my mocktail which was surprisingly refreshing. Food pushed out in less than 15 minutes and looked appetizing. My wife often orders chicken Parmesan and thought it was very good. My special was underwhelming for $39. Decent amount of lobster, but I did not care for the pasta and pushed most away. Our waitress was close to the table a few times, but never checked in until we were well into the meals. No complaints, I typically don't. We did not expect anything for our anniversary. But our deserts did have writing of "Happy Anniversary". I ordered the peach cobbler and wife chocolate cake. We both enjoyed, but I must say the cobbler is not traditional with a pastry. My cappuccino was mistaking made decaf. The order corrected with a change to black regular coffee. A to go box was prepared with the bill. I always tip 20% regardless. Still recommend, but probably won't rush back for a bit after a few missteps

So good! I brought my 92 year old mother here for dinner on a Sunday afternoon. It's small with a…read morefew 4 low tops, a few 2 high tops and a 4 high top. The kitchen is open. It looks like they do quite a bit of take out. We were sat immediately and our waitress was very helpful. We got the small basilico salad and spaghetti with meat sauce. Everything was delicious. The sizes were recommended and they were huge and more than enough!! I love the build your own pasta so you literally pick your pasta, sauce, protein and veggies. It's like a family style and I would love to go with a group and we all share. They also have a happy hour. I will definitely be back. Now....my 92 year old mothers complaints. 1. It was too cold. We were going to move but they had a big fan blowing and they turned it away from her. Now take that with a grain of salt because the heat in her room is set to 76 and it's April. 2. It was too loud. Since the kitchen is open you can hear the cooks doing cook things. She was irritated by the noises coming from the kitchen but once again....grain of salt. The volume on her TV is at 80 and she can't hear it but can hear the kitchen noises. 3. The seat was too hard. Once again....grain of salt. She is skin and bones but I will bring her something to sit on next time. She actually did enjoy the food but I got the leftovers. :) We will be back.

Was at a coffee shop nearby and decided last minute to try this Italian spot a few doors down--so…read moreglad I did. The salad was amazing, with fresh greens and perfectly seasoned steak. The happy hour apps were a really nice surprise, and the staff were attentive and welcoming the whole time. Definitely a great spontaneous find

Always appreciate the higher quality items of The Fresh Market. But the higher price point has me…read morenot as a regular shopper. The wine selection is strong and reason alone to shop them. I personally think they have the strongest meat market in the area. I enjoy browsing the store with a $1.99 cup of coffee. Oh did I forget to say their coffee beans selection rocks! Sign up for rewards for weekly deals.

I enjoy coming to this Fresh Market because it is close to my place of employment and there is…read morealways something new to try. I especially love their selection of fruit, so good. They even have a section of candy and snacks that are pay by the pound. My go to is their Turkey, Brie and apple spinach wrap.