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    Aventino Cucina

    3.9 (160 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Order Aventino Cucina Takeout or Delivery

    Aventino Cucina Photos

    AVENTINO CUCINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Aventino Cucina

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    Rigatonis and Bucatini
    Ale A.

    Excellent customer service! Maria, our server recommended so many delicious items. Looking forward to visit this location again.

    Cute setup
    Michelle H.

    Aventino is a great spot if you're looking for an upscale Italian dining experience with good service and a beautiful atmosphere. The pasta was definitely the highlight of the meal. Freshly cooked, mine is with lamb~ it was rich, flavorful, and well-balanced without being overly heavy. The restaurant itself has a sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance, making it a great choice for date nights, celebrations, or a nice evening out with friends. Their happy hour drinks are worth checking out. I wish they offered a few more food options during happy hour. Overall, Aventino delivers delicious Italian food, excellent service, and a classy atmosphere. I'll be back for pasta

    Steak
    Ruchi S.

    We went here with two couples, one of whom has been here before. It was definitely beautiful and very noisy inside and service started out great. We ordered cocktails after flagging someone down and everyone enjoyed them. My friend ordered the flatbread app and it was basically bread with some tomato sauce on it. For dinner my hubby and another friend had the veggie ravioli and it was amazing! But there were 6 pieces of it (looked more like gnocchi) and both of them were hungry after eating. My other friend and I got the steak and it was also a small portion and mine had SO many chewy pieces that I had to spit out! I don't expect that at all for a $60 entree! The pieces I had tasted good but I would much rather have had a well cooked, better cut of steak. My other friend had the special pasta with truffle for $70...wow! Again, not a big portion at all and I felt so bad even trying a bite of hers (but I did...nothing special). Dinner was very disappointing as far as portions vs prices go! We ordered 3 desserts and the only one that was great was the almond cake...so good we ordered another one! Overall I was not impressed with this restaurant. There are much better authentic Italian places in the area that don't break the bank. They really should lower their prices, add more options to the menu and change their steak cut. Just my opinion I doubt I'd go here again unless I wasn't very hungry and wanted to spend a lot of $$. All of us went home and ate more since we left hungry.

    Expresso martini
    Michelle K.

    We stopped by for drinks and upon recommendation, we ordered the ricotta with chickpea "panelle". The bartender was friendly and attentive. The space has a chic, modern vibe, perfect for unwinding with good conversation and cocktails. I recommend trying their espresso martinis. Definitely a spot I'll be returning to!

    Pesche - Swordfish
    Philip L.

    I would say the interior and location for a nice sit down restaurant is the appeal here. The inside is nice and clean and spacious. Having a larger table is definitely not the issue at this location. The service was impeccable as we were the only large table. They were attentive and always filling up water and checking in. I would say that the food is the one that leaves you wanting more. The food was okay in my opinion, but the amount and the seasoning of the dishes do leave you with a feeling of not really being full. For the ones who enjoy smaller portions, this works for them, but for me, it ends up being harder to justify getting appetizers and an entree and then considering another entree because I didn't eat enough. As for the seasoning, I would probably lean into adding a bit more spice into the dishes or fresh cracked pepper for some spice. The salt levels were fine, but a bit more black pepper would have given the dish more oomph.

    Pizza rossa
    Justine K.

    Best Italian restaurant in the DMV!! We continue to come back for the excellent service and the quality of the food. All the dishes are shareable, although not large portion size. We noticed the meat entrées keep changing put everyone we've tried was delicious. We celebrated our 10 year anniversary in the restaurant made us feel very special. The last time we dined, we had a pork prime rib style dish that was tender and flavorful. The pasta dishes are also unforgettable and delicious. Oh, and I forgot to mention their cocktails are always super satisfying. The lighting in the restaurant sets the mood just right.

    Jasmine G.

    3.5 stars. Came here for Sunday lunch with some friends. Friendly service and cute aesthetics inside. Brunch / lunch menu is a bit limited, and food portions & cocktails were small as well. I ordered the seafood spaghetti (Manila clams) for my entree & the peach palazzo cocktail, and both were good but not amazing.

    Emily P.

    Had the most magical pesto gnocchi with truffles here- it was fluffy and gorgeous. The staff here is warm and welcoming and the amaro program is really fun for first timers and experienced tasters alike!

    Trout
    Peiling C.

    We chose to dine at Aventino Cucina for a girl date due to the cute interior. The food and drinks were decent, no complaints but also nothing spectacular; small menu. We went on a Sunday afternoon at 1pm and there were only 3 parties there but they sat us right next to another couple. Did wish they spaced us out a bit since the entire restaurant was available.

    Seasonal tart with pomegranate seeds and pine nuts
    Marisa H.

    We went here for a late Sunday brunch/lunch. This was a treat. Our table got a mix of pasta and brunch items. The spaghetti Alle vongole was so good with just a hint of red pepper. The cacio e peppe was perfect. My omelette was a perfect French cook with delicious fontina cheese and mixed mushrooms. I love the mixed greens salad. It seemed to have a kumquat dressing which was light and a great complement. The desserts were great as well. We will definitely be back for dinner! It's such a restaurant and I love the green decor. The staff and prompt and professional, while also friendly. Very clean restrooms as well. Free parking across the street on the weekends!

    Crudo
    Sheridan S.

    I really enjoyed my evening at Aventino! The atmosphere is chic and timeless, and I immediately was impressed by the decor. Everything we had was delicious, and I loved how gluten free friendly their menu is. My friend and I also did the amaro tasting, which was such a unique and special experience we really enjoyed, and we found some lovely amaros we would never have otherwise known about! The staff's knowledge was such a meaningful touch that really brought the experience from a normal dinner out to a memorable one.

    Susie W.

    When my family came to town, I finally had the opportunity to try out Aventino! Pretty spacious inside, with a massive bar in the middle and cool modern decor. They were busy in a Friday night, but the manager stepped up to help take our drink orders and ensure we were not forgotten or slowed down! I was surprised to learn that there were not too many protein options on the menu - or the options that did have meat they were very light. However, we all thoroughly enjoyed our pasta choices. The classic cacio e Pepe "Tonnarelli" was a hit, the "Pappardelle" with mushrooms was delish, and the "Lumache" hit the spot! Serving sizes were just right - not too big, just enough to get us full! Excited to come back and try more of the appetizers and pizzas on this menu!

    SALTIMBOCCA veal with sweet potato crema
    Jennifer R.

    We had dinner at Aventino Cucino tonight and we had an amazing experience from the food, service, to the ambiance. We ordered several dishes and all of them were excellent. The food was great quality and authentic Italian dishes. We tried the pizza rossa, PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA which was sweet and savory flavors with the prosciutto and pineapple with focaccia bread. We had also PAPPARDELLE which had wild mushrooms and it was delicious. We also tried the SALTIMBOCCA with veal loin and sweet potato crema. We even ordered their special dessert which was the Opera cake, which was perfect with the fior di latte gelato. The ambiance was very classy, upscale, and modern. We enjoyed it even with our kids. The service was excellent as well. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, and precise. From the friendly greetings from the hostesses as you enter into the restaurant. You are welcome and greeted with a smiling face. We definitely had a great experience and would return to try other dishes.

    Rigatoni

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    Ask the Community - Aventino Cucina

    Do they have gluten free pasta?

    I am not sure. I did not notice any gluten free pasta options on the menu. That being said; not sure if they could have a separate menu. Sorry!

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    Olazzo

    Olazzo

    4.1
    (837 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    What an amazing lunch!…read more I'll start by saying I have been to Olazzo before, but today's lunch was special. I was introducing my girlfriend and my mom to each other. The host was so friendly and helped get us seated in a booth, and very shortly after seating we were greeted by our server Josh. Josh was very polite, and I felt good vibes before the food ever hit the table. He recommended their special, a trout on pasta dish. The entree had a very generous portion of fish, and our server made sure to drop off everything we needed to accompany our food, extra cheese, water refills, he was attentive and took great care of us. Next time I dine at Olazzo, I'm going to be looking for Josh!

    Sunday February 15th 4:00pm…read more I normally don't include personal feelings when reviewing. This is an exception. We were in the area and decided to try this spot. Hostess, gentleman who seated us, and our server were wonderful. The food wasn't the best ever but it was good. We decided to give it a shot despite low customer ratings. We are Black Americans. When we walked in I picked up on a negative vibe but dismissed it. When you walk into a small establishment and it get's quiet or you get the looks turn and no one speaks turn around and leave. There were a few people at the bar chatting up staff (regulars). As we walked by the bar headed to the table I glanced over to the what clearly was the person in charge. I smiled no response. We eat, I head to the ladies restroom. I passed the same gentleman who, again looked directly at me, I smiled and he turned his head. I passed by him on the way back to the table. I specifically looked him the face and smiled. He looked at me and again turned his head blatantly. We are aware of prejudice so I didn't let him get under my skin. I smile and speak to anyone and am happy to do so whether it is reciprocated. It takes negative energy to be mean spirited. Willing to take our money but refuse to acknowledge us as paying customers. We spent quite a bit for two people. I will not recommend this place if it was the last Italian restaurant. To the owners- I could not tell if you were the person I encountered today or a manager. Either way- Just Wow.

    Photos
    Family
    Family
    Olazzo
    The view

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    The view
    Caruso's Grocery

    Caruso's Grocery

    3.9
    (217 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    I had no idea they had a location in Bethesda, which is perfect because this spot has been on my…read morelist to try! This time, I didn't dine in--I placed a to-go order, and the young lady at the front was super nice and welcoming. I ordered the Caruso Alfredo, which is made with truffle butter. I tried it in the car and was immediately disappointed that I didn't dine in because WOW--the pasta was fresh, and the truffle butter was a hit! It's such a simple dish, but it has so many amazing flavors packed into it. Easily a 10/10 and definitely going to be my go-to order, especially as someone who is semi-picky. The restaurant has plenty of seating, along with an outdoor bar and seating area. Everything was clean, and I loved the old-school, unique pasta-house feel of the restaurant. I definitely can't wait to go back--and next time, I'll be dining in!

    This was a classic Italian spot with traditional décor in a modern setting. The menu had a good…read morenumber of options to choose from. The service was very friendly and appreciated. I had the Gnocchi Alla Genovese ($24.25). They were ricotta dumplings tossed in a pesto cream and toasted pignolis. I never saw gnocchi so small. They were very tiny and cooked nicely. The pesto cream was generous and appetizing while the toasted pignolis added a much-needed crunch factor. I also tried the drunken veal parmigiana and carbonara special which were both specials I believe. The veal was topped with vodka sauce with a side of pasta. This was solid. The vodka sauce was flavorful but could have been a little spicier. The veal was tender but there needed to be more seasoning present. The pasta was tasty too. The carbonara had shrimp that were cooked ideally and was just a well put together dish. Again, the pasta was cooked to my liking. Will I go back? I would.

    Photos
    Christmas tree
    Christmas tree
    Leave the gun, take the cannoli.
    Leave the gun, take the cannoli.
    Nutella Cannoli

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    Nutella Cannoli
    Il Pizzico

    Il Pizzico

    4.3
    (851 reviews)
    9.2 mi
    $$

    6.24.26 It had been…read morewell over a decade, possibly two, since I last dined here. The restaurant had been on my list to revisit, and I finally made it back. It was long overdue! The food was scrumptious, and the service was top-notch. I loved the chocolate mousse, the paccheri pancetta, and the complimentary bread. The attention to detail was impressive. Our server checked on us throughout the meal, another staff member repeatedly refilled my friend's water, and another stopped by to brush the bread crumbs from our table. Parking in the lot directly in front of the restaurant is limited, but there is additional parking available behind the building. I highly recommend this restaurant and would love to return to try more of the menu.

    Il Pizzico was such an outstanding experience. From the outside, it's tucked away in the most…read morerandom little area in Rockville, so we honestly weren't expecting much walking in, but once you step inside, it completely transforms. The restaurant is beautiful with a warm, romantic, old Italian vibe. The food was great and surprisingly reasonably priced for how nice the restaurant feels. I wouldn't say it's the most mind-blowing Italian food I've ever had, but it tasted like a truly delicious homemade Italian meal. The wine prices were also fair. On top of that, our server was incredibly attentive and friendly throughout the night. Overall, such a lovely dinner and definitely a place we'll be back to again. One note: you have 2 hour limit so just be aware you may be a little rushed!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Appetizer special - Croquettes w/cod - 2025
    Appetizer special - Croquettes w/cod - 2025
    Another view of dessert.

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    Another view of dessert.
    L'Ardente

    L'Ardente

    4.5
    (1.6k reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$$$

    It's wonderful when a restaurant actually lives up to the hype. We went for the viral 40 layer…read moreshort rib lasagna and it was without a doubt the best tasting and highest level of execution lasagna I've ever had. The meat was melt in your mouth tender, pulled and thin so it worked with the thin layers of pasta and cheese. The truffle mornay was delicious. For apps we had the burrata and focaccia which were both flawless. Along with the arancini and polpette meatballs. I really liked the blend of beef and pork in the meatballs, they had a nice snap to them almost like a pork/beef blend hotdog. The pepperoni pizza was solid but nothing to really write home about. I'd recommend skipping pizza here to save room for the great apps and house made pastas. Service was amazing, our server was a tall guy who didn't rush us and offered multiple good recommendations. The decor is classy but not overstated. They do a good job of making you feel comfortable if you're in a suit or a tee shirt. Desserts were delicious as well, we got the strawberry pavlova and the blueberry panna cotta. I preferred the panna cotta myself but both were great.

    Went here for a lunch. Loved absolutely everything. We had…read moreCavolfiori, Whole Grilled Branzino, Americana pizza. As a desert we had Tiramisu Flambé and Crostata di Celiegie. Every single dish was perfect. Also great service and ambiance.

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Soft Serve - Vanilla Fior di Panna Gelato (v,gf) | Mango-Passion Fruit Sorbet (v+,gf) |
    Soft Serve - Vanilla Fior di Panna Gelato (v,gf) | Mango-Passion Fruit Sorbet (v+,gf) |
    Cavolfiori| Fried Cauliflower | Chili-Garlic Aioli (v,df)

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    Cavolfiori| Fried Cauliflower | Chili-Garlic Aioli (v,df)
    Fontina Grille

    Fontina Grille

    4.2
    (716 reviews)
    10.1 mi
    $$

    Everything was fantastic! Our server, Sophie, was lovely. Very helpful, attentive, and friendly…read more The pasta portions were big; both of us had leftovers. The salads that come with the pastas are the perfect size! Not so big that we weren't hungry, but enough that we felt satisfied with the salad. We ordered the Penne Ala Vodka and the Capellini D' Angelo, with blackened chicken. They were both delicious. The tiramisu was yummy and the Peanut Butter Bomba was wonderful! Would definitely go back to try more.

    Updating my review after a visit this evening where we enjoyed two different entrees. I had the…read moreGrilled Salmon and Shrimp over Spinach with Asparagus and my partner got the Chicken Marsala. Both entrees came with a cold, fresh side salad with a tangy Italian dressing. The entrees were very good. The salmon had a nice char, but was moist and flavorful. If you like salmon with a sauce, you'll be disappointed. I like mine simple, and this is a well-prepared salmon. The shrimp (3 large) were good. The spinach had a nice garlic flavor and the asparagus was well prepared - not mushy. The chicken Marsala also was good. The Marsala was light (not thick) and somewhat sweet. Very good. Honestly, the bread service was pretty disappointing. Our last visit the bread was fine, but this basket was pretty dried out and almost seemed stale. The oil accompanying the bread had almost no cheese in it. Essentially, you dipped tasteless bread into oil. Really disappointing. I'm not going to reduce my overall restaurant score for this one thing (because the entrees were very good), but the bread service was not good. The service was good.

    Photos
    Fontina Grille
    Fresh focaccia
    Fresh focaccia
    Peanut Butter Cheesecake

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    Peanut Butter Cheesecake

    Aventino Cucina - italian - Updated August 2026

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