My family surprised me with a birthday lunch to Carbonara. Every meal our waitress Caitlyn recommended was in point . The impeccable service and delicious food made my special day perfect. From the fried mozzarella in whatever that special sauce was to the chicken parm, everything was EXCEPTIONAL. read more

Carbonara - Complimentary Birthday treat - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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the octopus appetizer was fantastic.....!!! service was excellent, a must try if you are in the mood for Italian read more

I live less than a mile from Carbonara and I'm a huge Italian fan, yet today was my first time going. I came for lunch with my mom and it was delicious and filling! Alex, our server, was knowledgeable and attentive without swarming. Everything came out at good timing and we were able to eat without feeling rushed. I'd love to sit countertop service one day! read more

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Terrible pasta, annoying flies landed on us, sticky utensils and greasy tablemats...not even the complimentary bread was good! My expectations were high because of all the accolades they have, but this was so disappointing. The bacon wrapped shrimp oreganata was bitter and lacked dimension - all I tasted was salty bacon. The carbonara was also one-dimensionsal and over-salted. While I appreciated the sauce's velvety texture, I couldn't finish the pasta because of how undercooked it was. Some pieces were straight up hard and inedible. I was underwhelmed by the presentation, too. My experience was made worse with all the huge flies flying around us. I had to swat away flies every few minutes. Super uncomfortable. The one star is for the service - they were kind and attentive, but I wouldn't come back and do not recommend. read more

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Two Haiku Review: Finally tried here, Ordered the bolognese and The calamari, Really liked the squid! Great vibe and not too pricey. Service was good too. read more

So many places to eat at Arlington but this is a MUST. Went for lunch and the food was amazing. We started with the clams, which were brought to your table steaming. Then we had the chicken parmigiana, which was seasoned perfectly. We also had the pasta made at your table side with the cheese wheel. Everything was amazing. Alex was our server, and he made our experience even better. It's a not a huge place, but the ambiance is quaint. Highly recommend. read more

On my birthday month, we went here to celebrate! The interior was nice and I enjoyed the complimentary pastrami by the entrance. They provided bread which was a nice starter. My favorite was the pasta that came fresh made in the cheese wheel and my girlfriend's favorite was the seafood pasta. We ordered the lava cake ice cream dessert and the staff gave us complimentary birthday tiramisu which was sweet. read more

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Amazing food and great experience! Our family had a great time trying out the chicken parmigiana, spaghetti and meatballs and seared octopus. Service was good. And the decor was nice too. I'd definitely recommend it. read more

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Omgggg this was amazing!! We had the fettuccine bolognese which was so so flavorful, and the chicken parm with gnocchi which was out of this world. The chicken was so crispy and perfectly cooked. Portions were huge!! The chicken parm came with two big cuts of chicken, and I only ate half my fettuccine. They also bring out delish bread with some sauce options while you wait! read more

Carbonara - Bread - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Once again I find myself here. After a month married, my wife and I wanted to do a mini celebration. What better place than the best restaurant in our neighborhood. We head over around 6p, no res. Seated immediately outside. I double up this time...tortelloni di michael AND the bucatini carbonara. I've gotten both items before but you know, when in Ballston. As always, amazing service, amazing people, amazing food, amazing vibes. We had a small chat with the outside manager and he was great too. Our server even tossed us a tiramisu on the house to celebrate the occasion. Love this place and can't wait to go back. read more

Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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First time dinning at Carbonara. We were seated at the first table, in full view of the kitchen and prep area which made for an interesting experience. To watch all the chefs and their support staff working together preparing the incredible dishes was an exciting prelude to enjoying a perfect dinner. Everything our group ordered was excellent- meatball parmigiana egg rolls for an appretizer, spaghetti and meatballs, Pollo piccata, etc. The staff was the best, one of the managers (Victor) circulating the room and interacting with patrons. Our waitress (Gizem) asked if this was a special occasion, it was Kevin's birthday and surprised us with a "Happy Birthday" slice of cake, candle and all! Amazing way to end a very special dining experience. Thank you Carbonara! read more

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Carbonara is one of the hottest reservations since they opened a few years back and you can never get a resy on short notice. The wife reserved a few months back so we were finally able to make it. Love the vibe with old school Frank Sinatra tunes being played. There is also patio dining and an open bar area for al fresco dining/drinking. You must order the Chicken Parm and the Bucatini Carbonara. We are big Chicken Parm fans and their rendition is legit...the chicken is pounded thin and fried nicely and then they pour the cheese and sauce over it tableside. Nice show. The Bucatini is an even better show as they roll over the cheese wheel and light the cheese on fire...then take perfectly cooked Bucatini pasta and coat it with cheesy sauce in the wheel. Fire... Carbonara reminds me of the old school, red sauce joints of my childhood in Brooklyn. Solid, tasty Italian American dishes without the pretentiousness of more "fancy" Italian restaurants. We plan on being regulars...assuming we'll be able to get a reservation. read more

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Loved it! Went for happy hour and just got a seat at the outside bar. The vibes were perfect! Their happy hour menu is actually great. No so many cocktails but many spritz's and a good amount of food. The meatball eggrolls were fantastic. And then the chicken parm tenders were good, the sauce being the best part. The espresso martini flight is super fun too! read more

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Carbonara was put on my radar by a close New York friend who said we should check out this Italian restaurant for its viral vodka sauce chicken parm. We had the pleasure of being served by Cody who really knew the menu in and out and was really helpful in making our dining experience outstanding. We started with mussels in white wine which were terrific, they were clean tasting with a rich and delicious sauce. We had the "viral vodka chicken parm" for our entree. They serve a plate table-side with a naked crispy chicken cutlet and your pasta and then they pour à la vodka sauce with melted cheese over the chicken. It's really a terrific presentation and the dish is nicely presented. The chicken cutlet was thick and juicy, the crust was crispy and the sauce was thick and delicious. If you want to be part of the hype then give it a try for yourself. read more

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FINALLY got to try Carbonara after quite some time! Initially, we tried to get a reservation for dinner but could only find lunch availability due to popularity. We were seated quickly and brought bread to munch on while looking over the menu. We found the bread to be hard and lacking flavor unfortunately. We both had a Spritz to sip on. I had the lavender lemon and it was beautiful and delicious! My friend had the Aperol Spritz and she enjoyed it! Followed by my meal the spicy rigatoni, which was to die for!!! We finished with a dessert espresso martini. The waitress told me that their s'mores espresso martini was a favorite so I selected that. The presentation was wonderful! My biggest complaint would be how small the table was, and how close you are sat to others. read more

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We started with the fritto misto and meatballs, and both were delicious. For our mains, we ordered the spinach agnolotti, lobster pasta, tortellini, and the restaurant's famous bucatini carbonara. Every pasta dish was outstanding. You can truly see and taste the care that goes into making the pasta from scratch. Honestly, I couldn't find a single flaw with any of them. The bucatini had the perfect chewy, springy texture, while the tortellini was rich, decadent, and coated in a beautifully flavorful sauce. Each dish felt thoughtfully prepared and well-balanced. The restaurant is understandably very popular, so it gets quite busy. The indoor dining room has an interesting layout but feels a bit cramped for the number of guests. If you're visiting on a pleasant summer day, I'd definitely recommend requesting an outdoor table--it makes for a much more enjoyable dining experience. Our server was incredibly patient while we took our time looking through the menu and deciding what to order, which we really appreciated. read more

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This time when I went back it was Wine Wednesday where they had either a red or a white bottle for $35. The red was a blend and not worth the money so if you do go for Wednesday opt for the white. I also got the tortelloni di michael and while it was great with the tasty meat, the portion itself was small and was not filling. I would go with another dish if you are hungry. read more

After a demanding work week, the last thing I felt like doing was going out. Sensing I needed a lift in spirits, my date suggested we try, once again, to get into Carbonara. He joked that the fourth try would be the charm, and even though I didn't believe we'd actually get seats, I went along with the idea. The restaurant was bustling when we arrived. Walking in was a treat in itself. I loved seeing the fresh pasta being made and watching beautiful plates of food being whisked past us to eager diners. Then, to my surprise, we found two seats at the bar! Once we settled in, I began to relax and enjoy the smooth sounds of a singer performing classic Frank Sinatra standards. It created the perfect atmosphere. The drinks were excellent, and refreshingly not tiny. Our bread basket arrived soon after, and the focaccia I had with olive tapenade was chewy, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. My date ordered the spicy rigatoni alla vodka with chicken, which was delicious. But I have to say, I out-ordered him with my chicken parmigiana alla vodka. The preparation was impressive: the chicken had a beautifully crispy sear, the mozzarella was melted separately, and then the molten cheese was poured over the chicken tableside. Watching it happen made the dish feel even more special--and it tasted incredible. My only disappointment is that I wanted to try the meatballs and the Bucatini Carbonara but both had pork in them. It would be nice if the restaurant offered pork-free versions of those dishes. The food was amazing, the vibe was lively, and the whole evening turned my mood completely around. I skipped dessert only because I had happily eaten so much of my dinner. Five stars all the way! A wonderful experience and absolutely worth the wait. read more

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Such a great great great Italian spot. The restaurant offers indoor/outdoor seating as well as indoor/outdoor bar. Food portion was generous and great value vs price. Although we got creamy dish, the food wasn't too heavy though fresh and hearty. Staffs were all friendly and attentive with their service. Such a wholesome Italian spot and cannot wait to come back again. read more

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Carbonara is not just a restaurant to eat excellent food but an experience. We were able to snag a last minute reservation as we wanted to try the Bucatini Carbonara Table Side as that is a dish the are know for. Started with the Meatball Parmigiana Egg Rolls which were good but the best app was the Baked Clams. Our table ordered the Carbonara, Bolognese and Ziti Primavera. Each dish is made with fresh pasta which steps this place apart. During the meal the Manager Ethan ensured we were enjoying ourselves and if we needed anything else. We throughly enjoyed the dishes and moved onto a dessert of Cannoli's & Cookies & Cream Gelato. The restaurant is very modern and from our entry through dessert we were treated like family. Highly recommend make reservations in advance as Carbonara is very busy. read more

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The staff was very attentive. The food was yummy. There was a live singer performing Frank Sinatra. Overall, a great vibe. read more

Carbonara - Espresso Martinis - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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There are winter nights when stepping outside feels like a negotiation with the wind. And then there are nights when you land at Carbonara snag an outdoor table, and realize you have outwitted the season. The heat lamps were working overtime, wrapping the patio in a soft halo of warmth. The service was impeccable. I truly wish I could remember our server's name because he deserves a standing ovation. His enthusiasm while describing the specials was not rehearsed or rushed. It was thoughtful, almost storytelling. You could tell he believed in every dish he mentioned. He was juggling a lot of tables, yet somehow made each one feel like the only one. And the support staff moved with speed and grace, refilling, clearing, checking in. The whole team functioned like a well tuned orchestra. You can absolutely tell this place cares about service. Now the food. Stunning. The crab ravioli was rich and delicate at once, almost like a luxurious crab cake tucked into silk. The clams were briny and bright, the kind that demand extra bread so nothing goes to waste. ANNNND they had a delicious mocktail menu!!! I loved the espresso martini sans booze. But the true spectacle was the carbonara. It arrived with a massive cheese wheel that was set aflame, a brief, theatrical burst of firelight that turned heads across the patio. Then the pasta was swirled directly inside, soaking up all that molten, nutty goodness. It was dinner and a show, and the flavor absolutely delivered on the drama. Warm patio, flawless service, unforgettable pasta. Winter can keep trying. We will be back. read more

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This place is a 10 out of 10 -- but definitely book a reservation ahead of time! Everything we had was so good. We started with the espresso martini flight (s'mores, pistachio, and tiramisu). The s'mores was our least favorite, but the pistachio and tiramisu were delicious. For appetizers, we got the calamari. I personally would've liked it a little crispier, but my date thought it was great. Of course, we had to order the chicken parm -- and wow. They pour the alla vodka sauce tableside straight from the pan, which makes the whole experience even better. It was truly amazing. I ordered the King of the Sea linguine. It had huge chunks of lobster, which was impressive. The shrimp wasn't super flavorful on its own, but it was good dipped in the sauce. For dessert, we tried the cheesecake crème brûlée. It was alright -- I was really hoping to crack into that crème brûlée top myself! Shoutout to our server, Cepheus. We were very indecisive, and he was extremely helpful, giving great insight and personal recommendations that really helped us choose. Also -- the portions may look small in pictures, but they are actually huge! We will definitely be back! read more

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I was a bit skeptical going to Carbonara because it has been all over Instagram, but it was actually incredible. To start the dinner they offer you a piece of prosciutto before walking to your table. They give you free bread for the table that was so good, I had to stop eating it so I'd have space for the meal. I went with a group, so we shared a bunch of items. I loved the chicken parmigiana, which they topped with cheese at the table. The spicy rigatoni was one of the best that I've had, it had a good kick while also having good flavor. The Caesar salad had chunks of Parmesan and pancetta, definitely an elevated Caesar salad. The service was great, and the food came out quickly. Highly recommend making a reservation early because they book out. I will be back! read more

Carbonara - ITALIAN CRÈME BRÛLÉE CHEESECAKE - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I've been wanting to try this restaurant for a couple of years, and after a few twists and turns, we finally made it--and it was absolutely worth the wait. We attempted to come back in January, but my birthday reservation was accidentally booked for the wrong weekend, so we had to pivot and make other plans. Fast forward to now, and the long-anticipated visit exceeded every expectation. The parking lot was full, so we parked in a nearby garage and took a quick three-minute walk to the restaurant. As soon as we arrived for our 2 p.m. reservation, we were warmly greeted and promptly seated. The restaurant was buzzing with happy diners, and everywhere you looked there were beautiful plates of pasta making their way through the room. Our server, Julia, was fantastic--attentive, knowledgeable, and happy to explain the menu and offer recommendations since it was our first visit. We started with the mozzarella in carrozza, and wow. This was hands down the BEST fried mozzarella I've ever had. Each piece was massive, perfectly fried, and the vodka sauce took it to another level. For my entrée, I went back and forth between the viral chicken parmigiana alla vodka and the tableside bucatini carbonara, but the chicken parmigiana won--and it did not disappoint. It was absolutely delicious, packed with flavor, and looked just as good as it tasted. My boyfriend ordered the spicy rigatoni alla vodka and cleaned his plate completely. We finished with the pistachio ricotta dusted cake for dessert. It was light yet rich, and the perfect palate cleanser after all that vodka sauce goodness. Overall, 10/10 experience. Social media did not deceive us--amazing food, amazing service, and a meal we'll be thinking about for a long time. We will definitely be back. read more

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Yummy, yummy!!! Saw this place on Tik Tok and made a reservation for myself and my date to experience! Service was top tier! Warmers upon entry which is so nice with this extremely cold weather! Pasta is all homemade and your plate comes out piping hot and fresh! Sooooo good!! We had a pleather of options! Apps consisted of arancini balls and the bacon wrapped shrimp oreganata! Both were good, especially those shrimp! We of course grabbed the chicken parm and I had the king of the sea linguine cardinale which was packed with fresh seafood! Scallops, mussels, shrimp and lobster! The sauce was so good and not too heavy, which is what I was looking for! Definitely plotting to revisit when back in the area! Thank you, Carbonara!! read more

Carbonara - CHICKEN PARMIGIANA ALLA VODKA King of the sea linguini cardinale - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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This is a really great classic Italian spot! They have a lot of standard pastas and the portions are solid. We got the chicken parmesan, meatballs and the arancini. The meatballs and arancini were both delicious and the red sauce is perfect. The sauce on the chicken parm was cheesier than I preferred but still a very solid dish overall! Would recommend this place if you're looking for a family restaurant type atmosphere read more

Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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First time here and the food was pretty good. I wasn't too hungry so I didn't get anything crazy. The service was okay. There is a lot of seating inside and some outside. It's a nice spot in Ballston to grab some pasta if you're craving it. The lemonade was pretty sour. read more

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Personally I'd probably give the food 3.5 stars. I did do take out so possibly the presentation is better in the restaurant. Things they did well: frito misto was very tasty, had a good crunch and calamari was soft and tender. The chicken parm was very good. Great portion, tender chicken and I did like the pasta that came alongside. The broccolini was a highlight. Tender and flavorful. Negatives: The pasta sauce was very basic. I was hoping for something better than say Maggiano's but unfortunately it's just all right. Meatballs were not good at all. To be honest, they basically tasted like frozen meatballs you can get anywhere. And finally the arancini was also a bust. I've had arancini from Palermo, Sicily so maybe I'm biased but this is not made correctly and also is not flavorful at all. None of it made sense- the inside mixture, peas too hard, and barely any Arborio rice? It just tasted like cornmeal. Would skip it. I guess I was just expecting more after reading some of the reviews. So I guess I'm still searching for a better than ever Italian place in Northern Virginia.... Search goes on! read more

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Carbonara exceeded all of our expectations. After booking a table for nearly a month out (large party), we were so excited when the day finally came. You start off with some fresh prosciutto upon entry as well as bread brought to the table. We had three appetizers: the arancini, the Brooklyn Caesar salad, and the arancini. The salad was truly a must get, and I also loved the arancini. We split a bunch of entrees but you of course need the table side carbonara and the chicken parmigiana. The spicy rigatoni is also a can't miss. Service was fast and friendly, our water glasses were never empty. Lots of Tupperware and individual bags brought out for leftovers. I'd recommend splitting an app and entree if you go, or just bringing a large group and sharing a ton. We WILL be back! read more

It was a very nice place to have meals. The parking could be a small issue but we were lucky to find one spot. Dishes were great. We were very excited when we saw our pasta burning inside the huge round cheese! But I wish it had more flavor, salt and black pepper. It really was plain and the pasta was a bit over cooked. Other dishes like salad, calamari and fish were good. We especially liked the calamari. It was with some paprika and was tasty! Inside decoration was very nice, comfortable seats. Our server was friendly too. read more

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I love this place. I've been twice and the food and drinks are really good. The decor is also super cute and zero complaints about the service. One of my favorite Italian options in the area. Highly suggest checking it out. read more

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If you're looking for amazing Italian food that also comes with experience this is the spot! I attempted to make reservations but it was fully booked so took our chances walking in and was accommodated! I don't believe they have parking so plan to find street parking or maybe a garage. Located in the Ballston area of Arlington. When walking in we discovered the restaurant was decked out in Christmas decor, super nice! It was perfect for photos and I loved that and you can find it throughout the restaurant creating a festive vibe. We ordered a new appetizer which was fried calamari, shrimp, and scallops. We had the famous Chicken parmigiana à la vodka. It was crispy, flavorful, and cheesy! They put the hot cheese with sauce on top of the chicken at the table so you know it was served hot. We added shrimp to it which paired really well! It was a nice serving of chicken and pasta. We also had the bucatini pasta which came with ham which was crispy and salty. It was finished with a flame cheese wheel at our table. Our server was attentive, friendly, and helpful. Will definitely be returning to this one and add it to your list for a nice dinner experience! read more

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Food 4.0/5.0 Service 3.5/5.0 Value 3.5/5.0 Decor 3.5/5.0 Overall 4.0/5.0 Very good spot. The pasta is pretty legit, the carbonara is good, and the chicken parm is good. The tiramisu was the only item that didn't really work... it's a decent concept to try to create a little show by 'making' the product in front of you, but the reality is that you really do need to soak the ladyfingers for a tiramisu to be a tiramisu -- they should change this. Wouldn't go out of my way to eat there, but wouldn't have an issue going back if in the neighborhood. read more

Went for a birthday dinner and had a wonderful experience. Server was exceptional and made us so comfortable while giving us space to enjoy the night. Food: - Aranchini- one of the best I've ever had. Comes with 4 pieces. - Bucatini Carbonara comes with a cheese wheel performance haha. Incredibly cheesy yet clean. - Pappardelle Amalfi was the perfect balance of rose sauce, with great noodles and sauce. Highly recommend making a reservation, as they do get busy especially for dinner. Street parking along the back of the restaurant and in an alley across the street read more

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I've been waiting to try this place for a while, but it's hard to get a reservation! A group of us went early Saturday night and the food was delicious, the service was great, and someone came to sing and play the piano at night. For a new place that has a lot of reservations, I didn't feel rushed to leave which I really appreciated. I would go again! read more

Carbonara - Chicken parm - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Amazing meal! Lived up to the hype. The tableside carbonara was as good as the presentation. The short rib lasagna was phenomenal as well. Caitlin, our server, was very friendly, attentive, and made great recommendations. read more

This place is a MUST try. It's great if you're a foodie, or looking for a date spot, or just want to grab nice drinks before an event. I got the charred chicken savoy--it was to die for. The chicken was moist, the sauce was a great addition, all around great dish. When I'm back in the area I want to try their pastas though. My friend for the spicy vodka pasta and loved it. Their espresso martinis were great because they have an espresso machine, so fresh espresso = good espresso martini! They also gave us some delicious bread and we ordered meatballs as an appetizer. The service was also good. The place was crowded--no surprise, but we were constantly checked up on regardless. This place lives up to the hype! read more

Carbonara - Espresso martini - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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I will endeavor to give this review a fair and unbiased opinion. 4000 plus reviews may dispute me but I know my food/restaurants thoroughly on top of cooking Italian food from scratch at home including my sauces. Having been to both Italy and traveled all over the US, I have experienced dining at both incredible and terrible Italian eateries. My wife is also from New York City and we are there frequently with at least one Italian dinner on the itinerary so both of us are well versed with the cuisine. Recently on a trip to Mexico City I stumbled across an Italian restaurant which matched the quality of what I have had in Europe which is a rarity so the mark or expectation for me is always high. When I see a restaurant with 4.8 stars, my immediate reaction is okay let's see what this is all about and this was my wife's birthday dinner to compound the expectation. We arrived at the restaurant and expected a brief wait which was no problem because I anticipated it owing to its popularity on social media and Google. After being seated, the customary water found its way to our table. This is where things started to go downhill because it took almost 15 minutes for a server to show up at our table and I usually decide my tip right at the outset of how long the initial service takes. Now I won't fault the server because he was incredibly nice but service was definitely lagging from the beginning. Appetizer - we ordered the burrata to share and I wanted to try the octopus. A burrata salad is part of every Italian meal I cook so I was judging and my verdict is that it was boring. Burrata cheese is supposed to be rich in flavor paired with the right tomatoes and balsamic glaze and olive oil and this simply didn't hit the mark. The octopus however was well prepared although it was a case of Ursula drowning in red sauce and bell peppers. Less is more but nonetheless the main star was good. The bread was just meh cold and where was my olive oil and vinegar? Entrees - eggplant Parmesan for my wife, baked ziti for the kids and I went for the king of the sea linguine cardinale which if I am not mistaken, was one of the most expensive dishes on the menu. Eggplant Parmesan according to my wife was soggy and the breading was lost in the thickness of the cheese and she ended up barely eating it. Ziti the kids enjoyed but it doesn't take a lot to please two toddlers especially when it's pasta and tomato sauce gravy à la Paulie Walnuts Gaultieri (for the Sopranos fans). The king of the sea linguine cardinale featuring some of the cast of The Little Mermaid was disappointing for being such a pricy dish. The dish lacked salt, pasta was a little watery and aside from the lobster and shrimp being decent (I wasn't aware there was a shortage of shellfish considering I counted 3 shrimp and 4 small lobster pieces), the scallops and mussels were substandard. I grew up on the shores of the Indian Ocean and have been eating seafood since I was 5 so I can't be fooled on seafood quality. The dish certainly isn't worth $49. Again, the server was incredibly nice but brought the incorrect bottled water and when I am paying extra for a bottle, I don't expect a careless mistake. It also took ages for us to get the crushed red pepper and salt and drinks. The meal was $193 plus tip and in my opinion it wasn't worth it. I've dined at eateries in DC and paid a fraction of the price for better food. My wife put it perfectly - Carbonara is a dart board without a bullseye to make a mark and inspire one to return which we won't unfortunately. read more

Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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