Absolutely amazing! From the ambiance to the food, it was a delightful and delicious dinner. The…read morebread rolls were some of the best I've ever had in my life. Fresh and warm, they had a crispy crust and a soft interior. They resembled mini ciabattas and were scrumptious with the butter. The salmon en croute blew me away! It was of the best dishes I've ever had. The salmon melted in my mouth, and the puff pastry was still crisp. I loved the flavorful sauce; it made the dish even better. The steak frites were just ok. The steak was cooked to my preference, but it was bland. The fries were amazing, though. Crunchy yet fluffy. I wish the steak came with a sauce, like the one served with the salmon en croute. The service was good overall, and they were attentive. The ambiance was lovely - cozy and romantic. I can't wait to come back for the rolls and the salmon en croute, and to try their other dishes! Highly, highly recommend La Bonne Vie!

I still can't believe this place! I made a reservation for 6:30 Monday evening, fully expecting the…read morerestaurant to be packed. Instead, I walked into what felt like a scene straight out of Ratatouille--an intimate Parisian French Bistro escape hidden in plain sight. Everything was exceptional: the ambiance, the service, and especially the food. Candlelit tables and soft French music from the 1950s and '60s filled the room, creating one of the most romantic settings I've experienced in a long time. The only thing missing was my beautiful wife! I couldn't believe I had the restaurant almost entirely to myself. I'm certainly not complaining--it made the evening feel even more special. Like Anton Ego discovering that unforgettable plate of ratatouille, every bite reminded me that truly memorable food doesn't require a professional critic's approval. It simply needs to make you feel something--and this meal absolutely did. From the incredible food and attentive service to the charming, romantic atmosphere, this restaurant earned a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. If you haven't been yet, bring someone special and experience it for yourself. You won't regret it!

We came here recently with some family friends and sat outside on the back deck on a warm September…read moreevening. The space has both an indoor and outdoor seating area, along with an accessible ramp if you have any parties that need to use it. We were sat quickly and live music was playing on a Saturday night. The table had bread already with a few different types of bread and we started off with appetizers, including the smoked salmon and the bacon wrapped scallops. Both were fantastic, particularly the bacon wrapped scallops. Whatever sauce they were cooked in felt next level and it was both decadent and rich without being overly filling. I also split a caesar salad and they were able to split it for us. For our mains we got the chicken parm and the lamb chops - both were spectacular. The chicken parm was thin and not overcooked and the sauce used was fabulous. Lamb chops were succulent and cooked to order. For drinks we got dirty martinis and ultimately an espresso martini. They made the dirty martinis perfectly to order and I loved the glasses they came in. We also tried the tiramisu which was pretty good as well. Service was 5/5, food was classic Italian you'd love, and easy parking, clean restrooms, etc. Definitely will be back.

If you ever find yourself in Dante's Ristorante with eight of your closest industry colleagues and…read morea healthy appetite, do yourself a favor: lean in and trust the "super secret specials." We rolled in as a group of nine--never an easy feat for any restaurant--and somehow everything felt smooth, relaxed, and just the right amount of lively. Bonus points for the private room, which gave us the illusion that we were both very important and very well-behaved (jury's still out on the second part). Now, about those specials. "Super secret" makes it sound like you need a password and a wink--but really, you just need good judgment. I went with the fried veal chop, which arrived looking like it had its own zip code. Crispy, massive, and absolutely worth the internal debate about leftovers (there were none). I also got a taste of the pesto pasta with chicken--bright, flavorful, and the kind of dish that makes you question your own order for a brief moment. Drinks were on point, the ambiance hit that perfect balance between upscale and comfortable, and while there were a few pauses between courses, it honestly just gave us more time to enjoy the company (and pretend we weren't eyeing the next plate coming out of the kitchen). Bottom line: great food, great setting, and a place that can handle a big group without breaking a sweat. We'll definitely be back--if only to crack the code on more of those "secret" specials.

Jery made my little sisters night unforgettable. Today was…read morehis second day, and if that's an indication of the rest of his time here, they are very very lucky to have him. If you want a 5 experience in Herndon, Ask for Jery

update 7/26 While working in Herndon VA we looked on Yelp…read morefor the beat Italian restaurant near us and found this gem. Made a reservation on open table and went to this lovely resturant in the downtown area. We were seated by a very pleasant gentleman, and within seconds, the staff came to the table to check on what we wanted in water choices and anything from the bar. Minutes later the bread showed up on the table with olive oil. After reviewing the menu we ordered the Fried Calamari and zucchini. Followed by a Chicken Parmigiana for me with a pink sauce over the linguine. The meal was delicious and the pink sauce was just perfect over the fresh made pasta. The sauce was made perfectly and enhanced the chicken. My friend loved his Veal cutlet parm. Just the perfect end of a week of work with delicious food. Only thing was the bread could have been warm. The staff was amazing and could not have been more attentive.

We wanted to find a nice French restaurant near Falls Church to celebrate my husband's birthday,…read moreand my search landed on Cafe Renaissance. I was a little hesitant at first because of some of the reviews, but I've been around long enough to know that there are some on this platform who provide reviews that are unfair and just plain nasty. So here it goes. I would describe this restaurant as a place to have amazing French food with a very engaging wait staff. Saeed himself waited on us, and he is very warm, charming, and very appreciative. I can tell by the clientele dining there, that Cafe Renaissance draws repeat customers who have come back not only for the good food but for the warm service. The room was very ornate, decorated with gold guilded pictures. Tables were adorned with fresh flowers and white linen. The cutlery was beautiful. The food too was amazing. First, the bread was to die for! It came out warm, crusty on the outside, and chewy on the inside, like french bread should be. A table next to us recommended the duck confit appetizer, and yes, it did not disappoint. The duck fell off the bone, and the depth of flavor was mouth-watering. The sauteed cherries and raisin/almond rice were the perfect accompaniment. My husband order foi gras, and yes, it was the lobe - not a terrine, not a tourchon. It was paired beautifully with poached pear and I believe some aged balsamic vinegard. For someone who loves foi gras, this took us back when more restaurants served just the sauteed lobe. My husband was not too fond of the carrots that were served with it, but he doesn't like carrots so that's that. We couldn't decide on the halibut or the scallops so Saeed offered to do the halibut with a scallop on top for us to try. What a nice idea. We both weren't into the scallop (I think maybe it was a little overdone, but it was tasty) but the halibut was the star, especially in the lemon/butte sauce. For dessert, Saeed recommended some simple berries, flambe'd tableside, with a side of ice cream. That was perfect, and again, Saeed indulged us with a small glass of port and slice of chocolate cake. Everything was amazing. So, if you want great French food and a warm and engaging staff, come to Cafe Renaissance. It's what I would call, APPROACHABLE fine dining without the pretence and snootiness. Thank you Saeed for making Christopher's birthday a special one. Can't wait to come back to try your other dishes on the menu.

What a great place in the end of a strip mall. Exceptional service, delightfully decorated…read more Serving French cuisine this was a total surprise for me. The location will have to doubting yourself but once you walk in it is delightful. Attentive service, great wine menu and daily specials ensure there is something for everyone. Had the mushroom soup and French onion soup. Both very good. I've had better French onion soup but this was very good. Mains were Parmesan crusted cod and fettuccine with vegetables. Both very good. Portion size was just right. Free dessert of chocolate mouse and raspberry cake was welcome and added a nice touch to the meal. I would definitely come here again and think it's a great place to enjoy if you want upscale at a very reasonable price.

Love this spot. First they have valet parking! You can pay and see when your car's ready before…read moreleaving the table. A necessity if on a first date. It's more popular during the week but nicely filled whenever you go. I like to walk into the hotel lobby then through their awesome hallway to the front desk. Every table is wonderful but towards the back by the window near sundown is my favorite. Service is impeccable, professional and with great suggestions. I love that they clear the crumbs and baby wipe before desert. They did it unobtrusively. Food is great but I wish they had lighter fare options. I love the Cesar salad but needs much less dressing. Just a light mix would be great. Hush puppies were a great hit.

The ambiance and service were fantastic. Cocktails were fine…read more The food was beyond disappointing. We came here twice for dinner; once as a couple, and another time with another couple who said their food was also really disappointing. First time, I got muscles and they didn't taste fresh; I did not finish. Second time could've been great, but simple things from pairing foods together in thoughtful and tasty ways to preparing sauces so they don't separate... and appropriately seasoning foods... these things missed the mark. The food should measure up better for what they're selling and the price tag.

Nice restaurant that has been around for a while. They just renovated and connected their wine bar…read moreto the main restaurant creating a casual pizza dining room with a separate cozy wine room dinning area. The grilled octopus with artichoke and garlic potatoes top with chopped basil is absolutely delicious. The flavor really comes together very nicely and the octopus is grilled perfectly. It is The Best grilled octopus in Nova. Highly recommend getting it . Another favorite appetizer is the fried calamari, fried mozzarella, and the mussels. The osso buco is to die for! It is tender veal shank braised with Chianti and vegetables on top of saffron risotto. Cioppino is delicious served on pasta. The lasagna was delicious and the seafood pasta was also very tasty. They're rotating menu or chef special menu as always very good. You can also have variety of pasta made your way with different style options and protein options. We like the chicken piccata which is packed with flavor. The sauce with the capers is really delicious. We tried the chicken marsala which is light in flavor. We would have liked the flavor to be a little more flavorful. They also have great cocktails. The margaritas, espresso martini, pama smash, and the limoncello martini are great cocktails. They have rotating cocktail menu and happy hour specials. The dessert, mixed berry crisp is delicious with a scoop of ice cream on top! We've been back since and had their pizza which is also delicious! Their rotating specials menu featured a lobster pasta with spicy tomato sauce which was delicious and loaded with large pieces of lobster which is probably equivalent to an entire lobster! The tomato sauce was slightly spicy with just the right amount of acidity. There was a robust amount of lobster in the pasta. They do not skimp here! Absolutely delicious! If you like spicy pasta you will like the penne arrabbiata with sausage added. The flavor is really good with capers and olives in a spicy tomato sauce. The New York strip is really flavorful. We were pleasantly surprised at how good the flavor was with the broccoli and roasted potatoes. The braised lamb shank is delicious, it is fall of the bone tender and delicious. They have a beer battered large soft shell crab appetizer on top of spicy tomato sauce. This is very flavorful and delicious.

Thank you to the entire team at Dolce Vita for hosting my mother's 70th birthday! The vibes were…read moreflowing, the wine was pouring and the great food, friendly staff, and wine cellar ambiance made for a great and memorable evening. Special shout outs go to the events manager Heather for working with us on a last minute reservation and for day of manager Erin for being super communicative with some questions we had after the event. Great food and drink is wonderful but it is the people who go above and beyond service that really set a business for long term success (it's no wonder Dolce Vita has been around for over 25 years). Best dishes of the night included the arancini, fileto al pepe and the pesto grilled salmon. And the cannolis .... well I am still dreaming about them! I definitely need to figure out which bakery they source their sweets from because I've never had cannolis or Italian cookies as good as theirs.

Mack was a great bartender at Open Road. Made our evening out great! We will definitely be back!read more

Everything at Open Road is awesome! Mac is always so great the first to take your order as are…read moreSpencer and the rest of the team! They make it one of my favorite places and sports bars.

Wow solid 4.5 and what a gem! A family friend who's a regular here and has been following this chef…read morearound for 30 years and we could see why. The quality and executions of the pastas were super high end and authentic. It said Italian semolina and based on not having a crazy gluten reaction to it- it seems legit!! The bread basket is one of the most abundant and generous baskets I've seen in a long long while. My branzino was perfection and the Ceasar salad a MUST! It's charming inside and honestly just dinging a half star because it felt a little warm and stuffy and airless - but it was busy and obviously a sought out spot! We'll be back!

My wife and I wanted some quality Italian and realized we'd never tried Roberto's, even though it's…read moreclearly passed the test of time--so we decided to give it a go for a date night. We started with the Insalata al Parmigiano and Polipo Piccante, then had the Pappardelle Bolognese di Cinghiale, Carre Vitello Arrosto, and finished with Tiramisu. Overall, we were happy with our dishes, though we avoided the trend of having pasta tossed in the parm wheel and went for a twist on the pappardelle instead. The roasted veal loin chop was solid, but some dishes felt unnecessarily deconstructed--like the tiramisu, which caught us off guard since the staff didn't explain the twist. All in all, it was a fun experience that makes us want to come back--some dishes we'd get again, others we'd skip. Is it the best Italian in the area? Far from it--but the food in Vienna is good, and it's better than most nearby options.