Came here for a Saturday brunch with my family and we all had a lovely time. Even though I had made…read morea reservation, the restaurant wasn't very crowded, which made for a calm and relaxed atmosphere and great for conversation. Our server was friendly and efficient, which I appreciated. One small suggestion would be to offer a separate coffee menu when guests are seated, alongside the brunch menu, since I was not really looking for alcoholic or sweeter drink options. The food was thoughtfully prepared and overall very enjoyable. I ordered the Morning Market Board, which included a frittata, salad, and hearth bread. The frittata was simple with caramelized onion but still quite flavorful. The burrata paired nicely with the grilled bread, and I especially liked the grilled asparagus in the refreshing salad. My partner had the Sunday Night Lasagna, which was rich, cheesy, and satisfying. The only minor issue was that a spoon would have been helpful for a saucy dish like that since it is a bit tricky to manage with just a fork and knife. My cappuccino was average but still enjoyable. Overall, this is a pleasant brunch spot with a quieter vibe than expected, making it a nice place to relax and catch up. I would definitely come back to try more dishes.

Enjoyed a 2026 Winter Restaurant Week lunch with a friend here this past weekend. Love how the…read moreregular and RW menu is flexible letting you swap in gf pasta or veg noodles for a few dollars. Chicken parmigiana was nice and crispy, and the carrot noodles I ended up getting as a sub actually went really well with the main because the sauce had a kick to it that balanced the sweetness of the carrots. My friend and I both started with the arugula and fennel salad, which is super crisp and light and a good portion. Also appreciated the mocktail selection as we both stick with Dry January.

Nestled along Old Dominion Drive, The Italian Oven is the kind of neighborhood trattoria that…read moretrades culinary theatrics for something far more enduring--warmth, familiarity, and a deeply satisfying sense of Italian home cooking. The restaurant describes itself as a place "where guests feel like family," and that ethos permeates the entire experience, from the convivial dining room to the hearty, classic dishes that arrive at the table. This is unapologetically a family-style local Italian restaurant, the sort where dishes are generous, conversations linger, and regulars greet the staff like old friends. The menu leans toward comforting Italian standards--pasta, seafood, and classic parmigiana dishes--prepared with an emphasis on simplicity and satisfying flavor rather than modern reinterpretation. The Oyster Chowder makes for a particularly inviting beginning. Velvety and indulgently creamy, the soup carries a gentle brininess from the oysters that balances the richness of the broth. It is the kind of starter that quietly sets the tone for the meal--comforting, generous, and thoughtfully seasoned. Among the entrées, the Eggplant Parmigiana stands out as one of the finest renditions in town. The eggplant is delicately breaded and cooked to a tender, almost silky consistency before being layered with marinara and melted Italian cheeses. The result is deeply satisfying without feeling heavy, a classic executed with admirable restraint. Equally impressive is the Calamari Marinara. The calamari itself is remarkably tender--no small feat in a dish where rubbery textures are all too common. Here, the seafood is perfectly cooked, lightly crisp where it should be, and paired with a bright marinara that adds just the right acidity. To conclude, the pistachio gelato offers a gentle, elegant finish. It leans toward the creamy side with a subtle pistachio fragrance and only a restrained sweetness--refreshing rather than cloying, and an ideal palate cleanser after a hearty Italian meal. In an era when many restaurants chase novelty, The Italian Oven succeeds by doing something far more meaningful: delivering dependable, soulful Italian comfort food in a welcoming neighborhood setting. It may not strive for haute cuisine, but its warmth, consistency, and well-executed classics make it a quietly cherished staple of McLean's dining scene. If anything, the experience feels less like dining out and more like being invited to a generous Italian family table--exactly the kind of restaurant every neighborhood hopes to have.

I first heard of The Italian Oven around the time that the owner of Esposito's restaurant in…read moreFairfax was being forced to close her restaurant. This was due to the landlord telling her she had two weeks to close her place, as he intended to put a car wash in its spot. I kept an eye on this story. That's how I discovered that Maria Esposito ended up working at her cousin's restaurant, The Italian Oven. Thus, the place had been on my radar, and finally, we got there. We were here on a Saturday for an early dinner. The place was almost empty at the time, so we were told to pick whichever table we wanted. We chose a booth that was by a window. The place does have an Italian restaurant ambiance, complete with checkered green and white tablecloths. Our server was prompt in getting to us. We gave him our drink orders. I had water while my husband had a Heineken Zero. At that time, we placed our appetizer order, which was fried zucchini. Their menu is overwhelming. It was tough trying to figure out what to try. Finally, I decided to try their spaghetti aglio e olio, and my husband had spaghetti with Italian sausage. We both chose to have side salads. The salads had a nice creamy, garlicky dressing. However, they also had an overabundance of button mushrooms, as well as pickled beets. I'm no fan of either of these items, so my husband gladly took them from my salad. As for the zucchini, we got spoiled after all those years of having it at Esposito's. The Italian Oven's version was a close second to Esposito's. My spaghetti aglio e olio was well seasoned. It contained plenty of sautéed garlic, just enough olive oil, and a sprinkle of black pepper. The spaghetti was cooked al dente. My husband liked his dish.

A Modo Mio offers many food specials. For example, on Tuesdays, that's when we stopped there for…read moredinner, all their pasta dishes are 1/2 price. However, given that they ranked 32nd among this country's top 50 Pizza restaurants, I had to order a pizza. And I'll get to my pizza after I discuss some other things, because it all plays together. Also, during my visit, I kept drawing comparisons between this place and Pupatella, a local Neapolitan pizza juggernaut. The Big Question to answer is why A Modo Mio got a spot on the Top 50 while Pupatella didn't even make the cut. Access is easy, and parking is good. There are lots of spaces that wrap around the restaurant. That's in contrast to Pupatell, which has limited parking and where I always wind up using the Safeway lot across the street. The restaurant is clean and spacious, with plenty of comfortable seating. It also has a long, well-stocked bar where you can sit to enjoy a beverage or a meal. Pupatella doesn't have any of that. When you arrive, you're greeted by a host who shows you to your seat. A very short while later, a waiter shows up and does all the things waiters do. At Pupatella, you wait in line to place your order, then find an open table. TLDR: Your dining experience, outside of the food, is much more civilized and relaxing at A Modo Mio. The pie that earned their 32 out of 50 ranking was the Sicilia. But I ordered a 12" Casertana because I'm not crazy about eggplant and like sausage. The pie arrived a short while later, piping hot and loaded with sausage. The taste was sublime and delicious. My only complaint was that the basil was added before baking, and I prefer that herb when it's not reduced to ash. So back to The Big Question, is the A Modo Mio pizza *that* much better than Pupatella that it earned a spot amongst the Top 50 while the other one didn't even make the cut? Frankly, it's not. It is good pizza... possibly great pizza. But that's also true of the other place. What sets A Modo Mio apart from that other place, and the answer to the Big Question, is that the criteria for generating the Top 50 list included more than the pizza. It also took into account: - Hospitality and Service - Ambiance - Beverage Program. Beyond the pizza, A Modo Mio has those things in abundance, while the other place pretty much has none. TLDR: Comparing pizzas side by side, the two places are on par. However, if you take into account the entire dining experience, you will be much happier with your pizza here, as opposed to that other place or most other pizza restaurants in the DMV area.

I had the opportunity to have New Year's Eve dinner here and I was able to score a 7:30 PM…read morereservation using the Rezi app several weeks ago. There's so much parking in this area and they have indoor and outdoor seating. One of the things I really liked is that they seem to have specials three or four days a week if I remember correctly, I think Mondays are half off wine bottles. Tuesdays are 30% off the menu or maybe that was happy hour Monday through Friday and then Wednesdays is half off pizzas and then Thursdays was a sale on cocktails. One of the disappointing things right off the bat was that they took my 7:30 PM reservation and even texted me at 7 PM to make sure I was still coming at 7:30 but nobody ever mentioned that they would close the kitchen promptly at 8 PM, which meant my New Year's Eve dinner was extremely rushed. By 745 I already had to put in my drinks, appetizer, entrées, and desserts. Had I known that they were going to close the kitchen at 8 PM I either would have gone to another place or asked to change my reservation for an earlier time. At 8 PM most of the restaurant was empty, but they still had about four tables, including ours still filled along with two or three folks at the bar. Another thing to note is that they will automatically add 20% gratuity to your bill so please keep that in mind. As far as the food goes, I will say that the pizzas were really good and a small pizza comes with four big slices and a large pizza comes with eight big slices. Personally, I really enjoyed the dough and it was very flavorful, but slightly undercooked. They are known for their Neapolitan style pizzas, and it really shine through. I also got the opportunity to try the lasagna Bolognese, which came sizzling and what seemed to be a mini cast-iron pot. It was evident that this was pre-cooked though and reheated in this pot/pan but what was disappointing was that the bottom layers were sizzling hot but the top layers were room temperature and unfortunately, since the kitchen was closed, I didn't have the opportunity to get that taken care of. I would definitely come back and give them a shot especially because they have weekly deals, but it was truly a disappointment that they took a 730 reservation weeks ago, knowing that they intended on closing at 8 PM. As we were leaving, we got the opportunity to meet one of the restaurant partners and they were so kind; it's evident that this restaurant has regulars and I look forward to my next visit and seeing what it's like when I have more time to eat and enjoy.

"Carbonara in Arlington absolutely delivered. The atmosphere was upscale but still welcoming, and…read moreevery dish looked as good as it tasted. The lobster pasta was rich, creamy, and packed with flavor -- the lobster was tender and the pasta cooked perfectly. The appetizers were just as impressive, especially the crispy bites topped with creamy filling and caviar that added a nice touch of luxury. Service was attentive throughout the night, and the presentation of each plate made the experience feel elevated without being overdone. Definitely a great spot for date night, birthdays, or just treating yourself to a quality Italian dinner. I'll definitely be back to try more from the menu."

It was a very nice place to have meals. The parking could be a small issue but we were lucky to…read morefind 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.

This is my second time here and every time I leave, I always dream of how good this food is. The…read moreservice is always top-notch and they make you feel like family. I love the mouth feel of the linguine. Perfectly cooked and the sauce is perfection! The bread is also so fresh and the balsamic and olive oil are right on the table so you can mix it to dip your bread in. I suggest this place to all of my friends for an amazing gem in the Arlington area.

Came here as a large party of 20 for my birthday celebration. Italian cuisine holds a special place…read morein my heart, and I loved the cozy interior (arched windows, beautiful lighting fixtures) when I walked in for the first time. The night of our dinner reservation, we asked if there was any way we could shift our reservation up (most of us were super hungry after just doing a yoga class), and they were able to accommodate us! Once we arrived, our server attended to our group with grace and warmth. My friends enjoyed their food, from the pizza to the chicken parmesan to the pasta. I usually eat chicken Alfredo, but tried the shrimp Alfredo and it was delicious! Toward the end of the meal, I was able to choose a complimentary dessert, and went for my server's recommendation, the pistachio cake. As the meal wrapped up, we were stunned when the lights went out (a few of us thought the power went out). However, it was a dramatic transition into me being surprised with cake and song! The cake was layered beautifully, fragrant and fluffy, and not too sweet. I passed it down the table for each of my friends to try, and they all offered words of praise. I'm looking forward to returning when I'm craving traditional Italian food again! Thank you for helping to create a special memory.

Best authentic Italian food for a great price. Fast and excellent service. Family ran restaurant…read morethat made me feel right at home. Strongly recommend!

I found pappardelle at Dal Grano's once and that says all you need to know. Papardelle are wide,…read moresoft, flat pasta noodles that I first had in Rome decades ago. Growing up Italian stateside, I never knew about this light, wavy pasta dish. So pappardelle pasta is like some rare delicacy and I love it. This pasta dish is not easy to find unless it has been popularized in the Italian dining scene, recently. How can I explain this pasta? Papardelle are not thick like butter noodles, but instead they are thin yet wide. And at Dal Grano's, they must be experienced to be savoured. Do call ahead, because they might just have them made. Dal Grano's is a neighborhood place. We love how when you are dining, they actually talk to you and are friendly. There are a few other places around Mclean proper which I wish were more overtly warm and hospitable, in this way. All of Dal Grano's pasta is homemade and delicious. It's definitely great for carryout pasta or a diner-style environment with a homemade pasta lunch or dinner. I don't think they deliver or work with any of the delivery services. You just call and pickup. The butternut squash ravioli is tender and flavorful. We have probably have gotten different versions of their ravioli every time. Outside of the papardelle, I'm all in for their rich squid ink pasta when it's made. I don't go there enough to know if it's always available. They have over 50 homemade pasta combinations to choose from and a big freezer case of food to take home. My biggest issue with Dal Grano's is when I see all of the pastas in the serving bowls presented to order and cook, I want to buy them all at once. I know it sounds tacky, but they make me yearn for a pasta buffet there just so that I can taste all of the variations. Alas, if we were in town more we'd just need to go more often to taste all of their selection. There's only one other restaurant that does Italian this well and it's around 15 minutes away in Falls Church. But even that fabulous Italian restaurant does not compare with the amount and selection of homemade pastas at Dal Grano's.

I ordered the margarita pizza which is from what I thought was their specialty. I ordered and paid…read morefor extra basil as that is my daughter favorite. This is what I received and it was disappointing for $20 pizza is essentially a plain cheese and was just average

We recently had an Easter lunch there and were very impressed with the food, service, and…read moreatmosphere. The food was fresh and served hot; the owner is gracious and welcoming. We had Penne Siricusa, Pasta Pomedoro, burrata mozzarella with salad, fried mozzarella, margherita pizza, and various desserts such as tiramisu, mud pie, and ricotta cheesecake. The cuisine was excellent, and portions were generous. The owner gave us the tiramisu for free. We would go back there.

My favorite Italian restaurant of all time!!! If you live…read more"far" from Clifton, this hidden gem is absolutely worth the drive. Where do I even begin? Whether I'm there for brunch, lunch, or dinner, I have to order the mussels in garlic white wine sauce every single time. I still haven't found mussels that beat Trattoria's, and I've tried quite a few, even in Maine. If you're indecisive about your entrée, don't worry. I promise, no matter what you order, you're going to love it. The pasta is freshly made, and you can truly taste the difference. Their espresso martinis are also one of a kind. The staff is always attentive, welcoming, and makes the whole experience feel special. From the outside, the restaurant may look small, but once you're inside, there are different rooms, multiple floors, and even an outdoor dining area that feels like it transports you straight to the streets of Sicily. This place is truly Italy on a budget, and if you get addicted like I did, don't say I didn't warn you.

This place is local for us, we live about 5 minutes down the road. Grabbed some lunch yesterday…read morewith the family and a friend. When I called, they were not super busy and the hostess easily reserved us a table for our arrival. I ordered their signature dish, the homemade tagliatelle with Bolognese...I have to say that I was disappointed by the Bolognese. It wasn't made with the traditional beef/veal/pork mixture. It was made with an Italian spiced sausage. The flavor of the Italian sausage dominates the dish. It's too strong. I hope management reads this and possibly makes a change. The rest of the food was good as usual. Our server did a good job.

Terrible service and an incredibly small portion--just five ravioli, and not even jumbo-sized…read more Meanwhile, everyone else at the table received generous, overflowing portions of dishes like cavatelli, capellini, and chicken parmesan. With about 30 seconds of chewing per bite, my entire meal was gone in about two and a half minutes. The waiter seemed to be doing his best, but he was clearly stretched too thin with too many tables. The service felt disorganized--we were first asked for drinks (which is standard), then only appetizers. After finishing those, we had to flag him down just to place our dinner order. The most disappointing part was the ravioli di carne. The portion was not only inadequate but honestly felt insulting--both to me as a customer and to the restaurant itself.

Nothing bad to say, definitely worth a try & I would revisit. It's not pictured, but the Caesar…read moresalad was delicious and the calamari was fresh & not over battered. The place is larger inside than it seems if you just walk by.

I give l'ardente 5 stars and the 3 g's: Gorgeous, glamorous , and glorious. I was solo dining and…read morefelt so well taken care of. The waitress I had was so sweet and their guest service coordinator constantly checked in with a warm attitude. I got the focaccia and was between the girasoli and spaghetti pomodoro. I am so glad I went with my waitresses recommendation and got the girasoli! It was unlike any pasta I've ever had. Similar to a ravioli, but has a veggie puree opposed to cheese on the inside. The leek and lettuce within the lemon butter sauce was to die for, and the girasoli itself was pleasant and unforgettable. The focaccia was also SO FLUFFY. The outer crust was not too crunchy and just right. The inside is so glamorous but also feels Italian. Very clean, nice and spread out, and overall a fabulous vibe. If I'm ever back in DC, this is on my list of restaurants to be coming back to!

I think I am in "my finally" season - trying all of the things I have been meaning to get to…read more Ever since L'Ardente opened in 2021, I've wanted to try it. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to while I lived in DC, because to be honest, I never got in an Italian mood. Now that I no longer reside in the DC area, I use every visit to eat my faves and occasionally a new spot. So, after another popular (and cheaper) Italian place closed before I could finish my delivery order, I spotted L'Ardente. I ordered the famous Lasagna - their 40-layer specialty - with short rib sugo, truffle mornay, and Sottocenere Cheese. The truffle mornay added a smooth, melty, creamy cheese sauce. It is good, but I am not sure if it is worth the hype at $40 lagnasa. I think the cost is built into the work but not the flavor profile. I think the meal is better without the sauce - it made it too salty with it.