Al Dente

I went here for restaurant week. It's tucked away on this cool patio are near AU's campus. Overall, I'd highly recommend! It was $25 for a three course meal. We started with some bread for the table (included) and some olive oil to dip it in. For the appetizer, I got smoked salmon with capers and arugula. For the entree, I got the mezzi rigatoni (GET THIS FRFR ITS THE SHIT). For dessert, I rounded out third and finished with a scoop of vanilla gelato. Overall a great experience. The water was flowing, the food was great, and it was a great deal with RW!

Al Dente isn't necessarily bad by any means, but it is on the lower spectrum for Italian food in DC. The pricing is kind of absurd for what you're getting. Fettuccini in a bolognese is $20 which seems a bit much for a dish that could be easily replicated at home for significantly less. The red sauce is fine, nothing super special. The rigatoni is a good portion, but again, $25 is quite steep. The dish tasted alright, but lacked some flavor and salt. The pasta was cooked perfectly though (a nice al dente!! Haha). But there are so many better places in the DC area that have more interesting combinations for pasta. A red sauce and pasta just isn't worth it--in my personal opinion. The portion sizing is good, but the taste is really mediocre. Service was great and ambiance was nice, but I wouldn't really ever recommend this place to anyone. It's just very convenient to get to.

Al Dente is my new neighborhood restaurant! The service is friendly and professional. Happy hour is the best deal in town! Pizzas are 6 large pieces and every choice is delicious! Drinks during happy hour are great.We've also enjoyed regular - non happy hour - meals...the menu is excellent. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

I placed an order for pickup via DoorDash during a late afternoon lunch period. The order was ready upon arrival and the pickup process was a breeze. I loved the sauce used for the gnocchi. I would have given a 4/5 stars if it wasn't that the actual gnocchi itself was extremely mushy and gummy. It had the texture and consistency of a soaked bread. Oddly spongy and plain old gross. My friend loves eating at Al Dente so I wouldn't mind trying other items. Perhaps ordering in person would render better tasting results.

Today, my family and I had lunch at Al Dente, an Italian restaurant near American University. It was such a nice day to sit on the patio. I liked how each table had an orange-colored umbrella. For drinks, my mom and I enjoyed Arnold Palmer's, which was made with a lavender tea. We shared two appetizers (e.g., Baked Eggplant Parmesan and Fried Zucchini Flowers), two salads (e.g., Roasted Beets and Spinach), and a Formaggi pizza (without Oregano). Between the two appetizers, I enjoyed the Baked Eggplant Parmesan more. I liked how it was gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly. Unlike most Baked Eggplant Parmesan I've had, it resembled a gratin, which was a plus! The Fried Zucchini Flowers consisted of three fried zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and mint and fried zucchini sticks served with lemon. It tasted like a flower and there was too much cheese in it. I enjoyed dipping them into leftover marinara sauce. I liked how the Roasted Beets Salad and Spinach Salad contained a combination of fresh ingredients and dressed evenly. The Formaggi Pizza had great herb and garlic flavor as well as a nice blend of cheeses (including mozzarella, provolone, parmigiano reggiano, and smoked mozzarella.

I was highly disappointed. The food was subpar at best. My meat was served tough and the sauce lacked flavor having the consistency of water more than a red sauce. The staff were somewhat friendly so I give them an extra star for that. The restaurant was kept clean and that's a bonus too. I won't be back though because the quality coming out of the kitchen. Fix that and this location has the potential to be a success.

We went for the happy hour, which is honestly one of the BEST deals out there in the DMV area!!! Pizza is 50% off, and they boast quite a few delicious other menu items and drinks on the happy hour menu! The calamari as an appetizer was AMAZING, such a lightly coated breading and tons of squid, jalapeños. The marinara sauce wasn't as flavorful as I would've wanted for the calamari! The veal was delicious and had a thick red wine reduction sauce. It also came with portobello mushrooms! We tried two pizzas, both had a great dough and chewy crust - cheese amount was perfection. The star of the dinner was the Farro Tagliatelle Pasta!!! What a lovely homemade sauce, and you could tell the pasta was made fresh! Lots of seafood as well. For parking, there is a garage right next door and street parking. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available! There's also seating around the bar! Service was exceptional, and it wasn't crowded either!

Al dente was a great experience from start to finish! The ambience in there is lovely! Nice and romantic so great for a date night! I was able to park with ease. Food- I cannot complain! I got the lasagna and cauliflower, and my friend got one of the pasta and I believe fried zucchini. I forget the cocktails we got both both were fantastic! I would definitely go back again! Server was kind as well and they were always clearing off the dirty dishes. I also love a place that comes with bread :)

Takeout was completed in 7 mins. Ordered pepperoni pizza, meatballs, and bolognese. Name is mispelled on the bag that was scooted to me on an empty table (no other take out orders on a saturday night- yikes!) and the pizza reflects an equal amount of effort. I'd recommend your local pizza chain over this restaurant for items that pack more flavor, look more appetizing, and leave more money in your pocket.

We ordered three dishes for takeout plus one dessert and one insalata caprese, total over $120.00. Food was basically inedible: eggplant parm goopy mozzarella with globs of red sauce, veal scaloppini(after they realized I had NOT ordered salmon) was in murky brown gelatinous sauce. The fettuccine with ragú was edible but not good. The caprese tomatoes were the cardboard kind. With all the wonderful ripe tomatoes available right now, these were a disgrace. Needless to say , we will never order from Al Dente again.