Fresh food, lovely desserts. A little pricey, but it's understandable when everything is so fresh and good. I love the baguettes especially.

Finally a delicious, wonderful authentic baguette - just the right amount of crispness on the outside, just he right amount of softness on the outside. Just because it is long and thin, it doesn't mean it is a baguette. This alone is worth the trip - but the almond croissants are stupendously good (if they have any left, that is!) - again, all the different pieces that come together to make a truly delicious baked good are in place (the degree of roast of the almonds, the thinness and sweetness of the icing, the texture of the croissant, the not overpowering sweetness of the almond filling). It is hard to find a great almond croissant - it is such a test of baking prowess . Plus the owner is a great guy, making sure the place has a really nice friendly, welcoming feel. read more

Best Black and White cookies ever! They are brought in from New York on a very frequent basis. Always taste fresh and soooooo addictive. Find myself buying 6 at a time, lol. The rest of the store has fantastic finds, specialty items and also fresh bread and cookies. A favorite of mine when I'm in town. The owner is often the one manning the store and he has been super kind in helping me! read more

Absolutely delicious, authentic Italian food. One of the best sandwiches I've had. The owner was extremely helpful and friendly; let us try the meats before we added them to our sandwiches. Will definitely be back next time I'm in Bethesda! read more

Wonderful deli with delicious authentic Italian sandwiches, desserts and dry goods. Always our first pick for lunch. They also make fresh pastas, we can't wait to try them! read more

This is Sandy's wife talking... I pace myself visiting this wonderful store or I'd weigh 3,000 pounds. Everything is beyond perfect. I have a very strong addiction to the cookies....all the varieties are delicious. They have a very distinctive texture which adds to their appeal....could eat them forever. The pasta, sandwiches, deli, and nougat (that is to die for) are too good to be true. My dream is to have overnight privileges and taste eveything in the store. read more

This place is a GEM. Sandwiches are gourmet style and unrivaled around DC and Bethesda. Awesome imported Italian food and ingredients. Go here, you won't be sorry. We need more places like this in Bethesda. read more

cute little deli.. like a piece of italy in bethesda. good sandwiches made on french baguette with great quality meats plus lots of other treats. enjoy some coffee and a cannoli read more

Really sweet little Italian shop with lovely sandwiches served on crusty Italian bread. This place is very authentic. Took away one star because the bakery items are stale and taste old. read more

vry good italian grocery and pastry shop (limited). i cant comment much outside of what i had and experienced. i walked in after store hour. cause the door was open and i didnt know the hour. i had a latte and a some kinda cookie with almond. coffee was ok not fabulous but just ok but it could have been due to the hour. the cookie was awesome. we had a free treat of truffle on the house. the owner was kind to explain to us what the cookie is made of and how to eat em. i sure want to go back for its kindness and quality of the food. definite two-thumbs up!!! read more

Lovely gourmet grocery with delicious pastries, good coffee, and other tasty treats. Espresso drinks can take a while, since they're made one at a time. And there aren't many seats. But the proprietor is very friendly. read more

I came on Friday afternoon to pick up about 100 Italian cookies for my engagement party. The gentleman at the shop was incredibly helpful and sweet (I'm not sure if he was the owner). I told him how many cookies I needed and he gave me a cake box and said take as many of each as would I like (they're all the same price and charge by weight). He even said open up any boxes if there's some you want from those. The cookies were amazing. My mother is Italian and was very pleased with the quality and assortment that I picked up. The cookies were gone in 10 minutes at the party so I'd say they were a hit! The shop is cute with lots of specialty groceries which I know we will be coming back for. There is an enormous selection of specialty ravioli and a number of specialty sandwiches. The sandwiches are made fresh and there is a small seating area to eat. I was super impressed with the shop and it's selection of Italian goods so I see myself becoming a frequent shopper. We're looking to provide a Venetian hour at my wedding and the gentleman said they can accommodate large orders (he said he's made 400 cannoli for events before!). Can't wait to come back! read more

The owner is awesome. Really nice guy that works hard to run a great business. Authentic food is even better to eat when you know the owner deserves every bit of your dollar! read more

What a surprise to have found this little gem. Enjoyed some delicious sandwiches with the freshest ingredients. Yum!!! And the cookies, OMG!! I am still regretting not buying a pound of them. Definitely bookmarking this place for future visits. read more

I grew up in bethesda, and when I am homesick, this is the food I miss most. the hot capicola sandwich is my favorite-- simple and flavorful with heat from the meat, mild and earthy cheese, and sweet balsamic. the coffee is rich and delicious, as is the impressive dessert selection. worth the splurge and the wait that others have mentioned-- every time. thank you, Ibo. read more

My sandwich (Italian pastrami)was good and different. A little expensive. Selection was somewhat limited as a number of the selections were crossed out. read more

Order the fresh mozzarella sandwich and felt I was eating a salad sandwich instead. Very chintzy on the cheese. Not keen on the idea of the cookies exposed out in the open where there may be flies or bugs that land or people coughing/sneezing in the area. read more

Wonderful little place near Imagination Stage. It has become our regular stop after my daughter's theater class. The owner is always tempting you with samples of the wonderful deli items. The olives are so yummy and smell great. The Sfogliatelle has become a Sunday night dessert staple. My daughter always walks out with a bag of Italian candies compliments of the owner. read more

I love this litte Italian grocery store and lunch spot. The food is amazing, and you feel as though you are actually in Italy when you walk through the front door. It's worth a trip for the ambiance alone! In addition to all the other delicious foods that have already been mentioned, I have to recommend the cakes which you can order through this store. We have ordered them three times and they are the most beautiful, amazing, delicious, cakes you can imagine. Try the Spanish Fruit Torte (exquisite) or the chocolate cake (divine)... they are expensive but that's because they are definitely special occasion creations and worth every penny. We have purchased them for New Year's Eve, a 50th birthday party, and similar occasions. You can't go wrong with them! read more

Delicious fresh sandwiches. Was a tad pricey and their Italian cookies are good but not worth what they charge.

The sandwiches were great, the staff incredibly nice. But most importantly, probably the best black and white cookie I've had outside of New York. read more

Maybe the sandwiches are great, but the tempting sfogliatelle sold at the counter aren't. While beautiful, the "leaves" (layers) of pastry were crispy to the point of shattering and the ricotta filling was hard as a rock. Totally inedible. There was no way for the consumer to know that they were stale, and at $3.99 each, were an expensive lesson. I don't think I'll be back for that or for the overpriced dried pasta or canned Italian tomatoes. Maybe there's a good experience to be had in that store but I doubt I'll ever know. read more

Several times in the last couple of weeks we have tried to stop by for supplies, but they always seem to be closed. Have they sold? Anyone know what is up? read more

A really great Italian deli! Wonderful sandwiches, pastries, pastas, oils and definitely the place to find all those interesting specialty items such as chestnut flour, 00 grade soft wheat flour, delicious olives and delicacies. The owner is very helpful - he runs the store himself so closes when he travels - that is why you might find it closed for a few weeks at a time. But make sure you go when he is open - you will be inspired and definitely not disappointed! read more

Like walking into a piece of Italy right in Bethesda--this small Italian shop sells the freshest sandwiches, baked good and offers lasagnas, pastas and other take out dinner meals. The owner came from Italy a little over a decade ago and he prepared our sandwiches as though he was creating a work of art. All ingredients were freshly prepared in house (expect the fresh baked French bread brought in daily) including the roasted red pepper, grilled portabella mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, pestos etc and the balsamic vinegar was impeccable. What a great find tucked away on Norfolk Ave. I just hope that as Bethesda continues to grow that there will always be room/rents affordable to these small shopkeepers who really make Bethesda so special. read more

I've been going to this place for years and can't believe I haven't written a review yet. Great sandwiches, wonderful deserts, and a wonderful selection of gourmet goodies from pastas to chocolates, cookies and even unusual drinks. If you are in the area and haven't tried this place out definitely give it a try! read more

I was for the first time there today. It was too expensive. I payed 32,00$ for the four sfogliatellas and the five biscuits.