The Veranda Trattoria

Went here for dinner with my husband last night. OMG ITS AMAZING. I'm from NY and have been having trouble finding good Italian food here in VA. Let alone actually finding fresh pasta. Well problem solved. We started with the bruschetta. It was heaven. The tomatoes were so fresh and soooo good. I had the lamb ragu. The pasta was PERFECT. Toothsome and al dente, the way pasta should be. Sauce was amazing. And I cannot believe how much lamb was in there for a $23 entree. My husband had the steak. He ate almost the entire thing, which says a lot because he usually regrets ordering restaurant steak because it ends up being too tough. I had a bite and it was delicious. I got panna cotta to go for a dessert. It's perfect. I love panna cotta and was not disappointed. Now let's talk service. Anastasia, our server, was amazing. Provided recommendations, which were spot on and perfect. She was so sweet and friendly and absolutely wonderful. I worked in service for six years and have high standards. She was perfect and the kind of server I would've loved to have in any restaurant I worked at. Owners if you're reading, give that girl a raise! The restaurant itself is beautiful. The bench with the pillows, REAL FLOWERS on the table, the beautiful plant wall. Everything from the minute you walk in just tells you "relax and enjoy." We couldn't have had a better experience. We'll be back. Many times. And if you're looking for actual Italian food that would be right at home on Mulberry St in NYC (Little Italy for those who don't know), come here. You won't regret it.

This spot has a very nice ambiance, perfect for a date night! It's not the most family-friendly though (they only had one high chair that was already being used). We started with the burrata which was delicious, but odd that it didn't come with bread (the plate was the cheese, prosciutto and tomato - it needed bread!). Bread was $2 which is annoying, especially when it only came with 4 small pieces that were just plain room temperature Italian bread, nothing fancy.My entree was lasagna which was tasty too, clearly homemade although I preferred my husband's dish of the lamb ragu. It was less heavy and I like a good shredded meat. I also tried my daughter's dish of buttered noodles which were also homemade and quite tasty. They clearly homemake their pasta which I appreciate! The lasagnas in our group made the dinner take a little long but that's to be expected when they make them to order. Definitely a good spot to come back to for a nice occasion!

Ambiance: 4 stars. Wish there is more seating available. Everything looks modern, only the bench cushions were a little less stylish as everything else . Service: 3 stars . The waiter came by once to take care of filling our water, although it's really self-service with a carafe of water left at each table. We weren't asked how things were for the entirety of our meal. They also charge a credit card fee when our bill was $80.Food: the only thing really noteworthy was the bruschetta appetizer. The lamb ragu was okay although the lamb leg was shredded. The steak was overly charred on the outside. The potatoes that came with the steak weren't seasoned well.

Since I don't have a tremendous about of time to write this fully out, I'll be short & sweet! Food: Impeccably GREAT!Drinks: I suggest you order wine. Why? I ordered a Moscow Mule & my beautiful friend had a Mojito. They were both lackluster, but to this establishments credit, they allowed her to swap her drink for a refreshing glass of Cabernet. Decorum: It's low lighting, romantic & fantastic ambiance. They only take reservations, unbeknownst to us; however, they'll allow you to seat at their bar to order food & drinks. We were lucky there were 2 open seats at the bar. *Caution, there's only room at the bar for 4*In conclusion, we found this place to be phenomenal! Great for a date night or small group of adults & the food isn't pricey. I would've given them 5 stars if it wasn't for the mixed drinks. We'll definitely return soon!

Another standout in the Norfolk area. This locally owned Italian restaurant has two employees. The owner chef's up authentic cuisine in view of the patrons as his partner manages the front of the house. Everything is housemade. Standouts include the Garlic Shrimp, Bolognese, and Lamb Chops. 4.4 stars

Absolutely lovely! Quaint setting, wonderful service & the food is so delicious!! Have been back several times, and always have the same great experience. The food is fresh, and so flavorful! My favorite dish is the salmon, but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu, and we have tried it all.

The Veranda is nestled in a corner of a small shopping center that can easily be missed. It's a small space but offers excellent home made pasta dishes. The carbonara was delicious but it was a little too salty over time due to the bacon. The rigatoni was delicious and had plenty of sausages which made for spectacular dish. The lamb ragú was also tasty. It's all about the pasta here plus paired with delicious sausages and meat makes for a phenomenal experience in a somewhat intimate setting. The panna cotta was a great ending to the meal. Finally, there is a credit card service fee and some may think the place is expensive. Nonetheless, this is a great place to try.

The food was excellent. And the service was good too. I would recommend you try it. Went with a girlfriend and had tasty cocktails and appetizers

We ventured to this place on a Friday night when the more "popular place" off Shore Drive had an hour and 45 minute wait for dinner. So glad we did! We called ahead to see how crowded they were (we were going to sit at the bar). When we arrived, they had a table saved for us!The place is small but tastefully decorated- like a country cottage. The pasta is homemade and amazing - even my no pasta eating husband loved it! However, there is no bread or salad served with the meal (we didn't ask for any). The service was great and attentive. The prices are right on track with other restaurants- dinner for 2 with alcohol was $125 - tip included. We will DEFINITELY drive past Shore Drive and head down Great Neck road back to this little gem. Side note- they also have coffees and breakfast.

Great ambience food and service! My favorite meal of all Italian restaurants in the area!