Bottom line- expensive for small portions, but everything is delicious. We really enjoyed our meal…read more The atmosphere is cozy and small, so reservations fill up fast. Bar seating is first come, first serve. The complementary focaccia & the meatball appetizers were good, but the roasted heirloom carrots stole the show for appetizers. We got the two menu specials for dinner, and they were really good. I love homemade pasta, and you can taste that everything is made with fresh ingredients. Like I said, the portions aren't very large for the price you're paying. There are other really good Italian restaurants in the area where you can get more homemade pasta for less money, but we left satisfied. The quality of food plus the ambiance makes Thompson a great place for a date night. Overall, it was a lovely dinner, and we'll definitely be back.

It's a cute spot in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. I came here on a Wednesday evening to celebrate…read moremy brother's birthday, and the place was definitely busy--the bar was full and most of the tables were occupied. They offer a solid menu with weekday specials and discounts, which is a plus. We started with appetizers: the Caesar salad was good, but the meatballs were a miss. They came in a white sauce instead of the traditional red, were very small, and lacked flavor. For my entrée, I ordered the rigatoni. It looked great and arrived hot, but the flavor just wasn't there. The pasta was slightly chewy and not quite al dente. I added cracked pepper and ate some, but ended up taking most of it home hoping it might improve with a little extra seasoning the next day. My brother had the chicken parmigiana, and my sister ordered the branzino--both said their meals were just okay. None of us were particularly impressed. That said, the restaurant has strong reviews, so this may have just been an off night. One last note: please turn up the lights. The dim, moody lighting might be trendy, but at 7 PM on a weekday--especially with a crowd that's largely over 40--it just felt too dark. When guests are using their phone flashlights to read the menu, it's a bit much. Overall, a decent experience, but not one that wowed us.

I am remiss that I never created a review for Aldo's Italian Kitchen, because this is one of my…read morefavorite hidden gems in the DMV area. Locked away in a comforting space within an office building, it always feels like I stepped into a mom and pop style restaurant. The hosts, servers, chefs, and owner are just incredible- super friendly, knowledgeable, and they really treat you like family here. Now the food. The food is so delicious here. Some of my s/o and my favorite dishes are the cheese pizza (you seriously cannot beat the price), and gnocchi, which is covered in a creamy tomato sauce with chunks of onion and warm tomatoes, and the chicken pesto pasta. Honestly, I've never had a bad meal here. Everything is portioned perfectly, and I swear you never leave hungry here. They also went viral for their chicken caesar wrap too, and I can attest that it's yummy! I'd ask for extra sauce on the side if possible though, but that's because I'm a caesar lover! I'd highly recommend everyone checking out Aldo's. The owner is the sweetest, most caring man and he really is so appreciative of all the customers. If you have a craving for some italian food, go here! And also, don't leave without trying their tiramisu or walk out with their rainbow cookies!

Located outside the Old Town area in an office park setting, this shop is serving…read more Fantastic homemade Italian fare to a good mix of locals and visitors to the area. The Lasagna is made-to-order and is served with generous portions of house marinara sauce and cheese. Pepperoni pizza has a great ingredients from the crust to sauce to the pep. So many great items on the menu to try on my next visit. Service team is excellent and friendly. The ambiance is very office park Italian but it works. Outdoor seating on a nice day will let you enjoy great food with your dog.

We made quick reservation at this quaint Italian restaurant in the Del Rey area of Alexandria. Not…read moremany people on a Wednesday, but arrived in time to enjoy a few Happy Hour treats (330-630pm), the fried zucchini were tasty and crispy and the marinara dipping sauce was excellent. The wife enjoyed a nice soup and salad, and ravioli, My Piccata Chicken was pan seared, with capers, olives, spinach was delicious. To finish off a great meal the wife ordered the Spumoni that was chocolate dipped, strawberry, pistachio ice cream which was unbelievable great. Staff was super friendly as we enjoyed an intimate dinner.

Cannot wait to go back to this place! (I'll confess, I considered gatekeeping this one lol)…read more Everything is made freshly in-house, including the pasta! The staff is friendly and attentive; sort of felt like dining in the dining room at your Italian besties house lol Freshly grated parmesan cheese tops off a deliciously plated pasta dish. Fresh garlic bread accompanies your meal. & THE COCKTAILS (mocktails in my case) were PERFECT! Caio for now! But I'll be back soon for pasta, expresso martinis, and a cannoli.

I came here with my team and able to get a day of reservation for a large group. Once we arrive the…read moregroup size grew, and they were still very accommodating! I'd return based off that alone, but our sever also did a tremendous job and handled our large group very well! Kudos to him (I forgot his name). Now for the food and drinks. Neither disappointed and the whole group enjoyed their meal (which is hard to come by often). I had the Pasta alla Veneziana, which came with lobster, shrimp, and salmon), and it was very good! It was a tad pricy, but I'd order it again. Extra shout out for removing the tails from the shrimp (my coworker also noticed). I love a Smoked Old Fashioned, so ordered one as well, and it did not disappoint. I'll be back to drink and dine on the patio when the weather cools a bit.

I want to begin by acknowledging that I chose to dine out on Mother's Day, fully aware that it is…read moreone of the busiest days of the year for restaurants. I expected longer wait times for seating and food, and I was prepared to be patient. However, what I did not anticipate was a complete breakdown in both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Having worked in the restaurant industry, it was clear that the issues extended beyond the kitchen. A back-of-house "crash" of this magnitude is typically the result of broader operational failures, including front-of-house management. It appeared that reservations were significantly overbooked without adequate planning for the volume. On a day like Mother's Day, full capacity should be expected, and systems should be in place to manage that demand effectively. At a minimum, there should have been proactive communication with guests regarding delays, allowing them the option to adjust their plans. Additionally, basic service standards--such as keeping water glasses filled and bread baskets stocked--were not maintained. The serving staff seemed overwhelmed and unsupported, which ultimately reflects a lack of clear direction from management. During our visit, we even observed a large party leave due to the experience. I genuinely felt for our server, who appeared to be doing their best under difficult circumstances. Without directly requesting specific items and even ordering from the bar myself, the experience would have been significantly worse. Unfortunately, the food did not meet expectations either. The seafood pasta, in particular, was underwhelming in both quality and presentation--featuring minimal seafood and inconsistent preparation. At the price point, I would expect a much higher standard. The chicken Parmesan felt like cardboard and was just as thin. The cod with peas tasted exactly like the frozen cod I get from Costco. Calamari never came, which we had no idea about. No option to get anything else. If the restaurant does not have the infrastructure to handle high-volume days at a consistent level of quality, it may be worth reconsidering reservation limits or adjusting service expectations accordingly. While I understand the desire to maximize business on a busy holiday, the long-term impact of disappointed guests may outweigh the short-term gains. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as no guest should have the experience we did. And no we did not accept any free dessert, which I felt was a completely tone def to the experience we had.

Good food and vibe, but they did asked 5$ per person on the table to cut the cake for my birthday…read morewhich was kinda a weird and higher than the price of cake.

Seen on TikTok decided to check it out on their Monday $15 pasta and they did not disappoint!…read moreEverything and everyone was amazing! Service and food 10/10 I WILL BE BACK *I also loved the fact they asked me was it my first time because I think all restaurants should just to make sure you get the best experience

Visited my daughter in DC and found this place on YELP…read more We were looking for a good pizza spot and this recommendation came up. (I was a little confused with the name and how it linked to Pizza, but read the reviews and everyone raved about the pizza.) So glad I made a reservation! Beautiful spot- loved the ambience, great vibe - very lively. Here's what we ordered : Spinach artichoke dip - 9 out of 10 Wings - 10 out of 10 Caesar salad- 8 out of 10 Margherita Pizza - 10 out of 10 Meatball Pizza - 9 out of 10 Chicken parmesan and spaghetti - 8 out of 10 Penne vodka pasta- 9 out of 10 Definitely will be back, HIGHLY RECOMMEND - 10 out of 10 for me. Enjoy!

Walking in and it's instantly an immersion of all your senses. Mere steps into the main dining…read moreroom, my son and I glanced at one another with our mouths wide open in amazement. Lighting? Immaculate. Energy and vibes? Outstanding. Attention to details? Superb. We were there as a family celebrating my daughter's birthday. We felt like we were in DC, enjoying a night on the town. Logistics. Parking seems like it can be a bit tight. There is valet and self parking with a smaller garage underground. You walk a few steps to the restaurant and take the elevator up to the loft. Ample seating/ table options throughout. It seems like no decorative detail was left out in planning and creating our own Havana in Del Ray. Drinks. Our party had a glass of rose, pineapple mojito, and the honey badger. All were refreshing and delicious. Food. There is an Italian menu and the Cuban menu. We all opted for the Cuban options. We ordered the ropa vieja( stewed beef with rice and plantains) Presentation was great but was a bit salt heavy. The rice helped counter it, which was good. Birria tacos. 10 out of 10. Portion, delivery and taste were excellent. They are served with a side of guac and pico. I would go back there all the time for those alone. Cuban sandwich. This was a bit on the salty side too but the fries that they served with it were incredible. Thick cut, fried to perfection with sprinkling of salt. They saved the dish for me. Lastly we had the mojo roasted chicken. Excellent portion, chicken was succulent and delicious. Served with rice and beans which complemented perfectly. We ended the night with a surprise of complementary cannolis for the birthday girl. All and all a wonderful evening. We will be back for sure.

Great service. Lovely staff…read more From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere makes you feel like you've been transported to Italy. There's such a warm and welcoming vibe that really sets this place apart. One of the highlights was an older lady on the staff who was incredibly sweet and attentive. While all the servers were kind and professional, she especially made the experience feel personal and comforting, like being at home. It's rare to find that kind of genuine hospitality. Overall, a wonderful dining experience with great service, a cozy ambiance, and people who truly care about making you feel welcome. we'll definitely be coming back.

Recently, we were treated to Sunday brunch buffet at Fratelli's by friends…read more We had actually been here a couple times previously, but that was a few years ago, so this review is based solely on this Sunday brunch. It was a very good experience. What stood out to me was the excellent service by the professionally dressed servers, especially with the water, champagne and coffee refills. The dishes were all well-prepared, even if the buffet isn't huge. And actually, there was a chicken in cream sauce that was ultra ultra delish. But I understand that Fratelli's rotates dishes in their buffet, so the chicken dish may or may not be in future buffets. The buffet included your typical waffle station. It also included a dessert table, which was cake and pie. Yeah, we'd come back to Fratelli's buffet again.

The food and ambiance of this place is absolutely wonderful and they have a great happy hour with…read morewonderful food specials. We received some free focaccia and pesto on the side. I ordered the mushroom ravioli, which was wonderful and my friends ordered other varieties of pasta dishes. I would definitely come back for a happy hour at some point. The issue for this place was the service. Some of my friends who were sharing received their eggplant Parmesan quickly but then none of our food came out and they already finished their meal and we still didn't receive our food. There was little to no apology and we weren't even offered any extra bread even to compensate us. They did have a large party and places are understaffed, but we could have been checked up on, even for a minute. Overall, I'd come back for happy hour, but not for dinner.

I came specifically for the Winter Restaurant Week experience, which was a 3 course menu that was…read more$40/pp. I got calamari for the appetizer and it was average. The batter was soggy and not light and crispy enough but I did enjoy the two sauces that were paired with it. Of the ones that our table got and sampled, the best appetizer was the Polpettine di Carne meatballs. For the main, I got the Fusilli Salsiccia. The pasta was slightly overcooked and the sauce was watery but overall I enjoyed how the flavor of the pork and sage complimented the pasta, but it wasn't anything to write home about. My friend got the carbonara which was unfortunately disappointing, as it was watery, overly salty and the opposite of what a good carbonara should be. In addition, the carbonara had what looked like pieces of cubed ham instead of pancetta or guanciale, which really downgraded the dish. Chocolate mousse was a good way to end the meal, I would've liked less whipped cream but it wasn't too sweet, which I preferred. Service wise, food came out within a reasonable but towards the end of the meal (and their closing time), they started turning off the lights in the dining area and it felt like we were being rushed and kicked out, which also lended to the lower review. Unfortunately, an overall disappointing restaurant week experience. I had really high expectations given the high reviews on both Google and Yelp, but I would not recommend coming back here (at least for Restaurant Week).