Carbonara

So immediately I will say first that we were influenced to try Carbonara from seeing it all over social media. So we go. Parking is plentiful nearby. The weather's decent for February and we arrive on time thankfully, after an hour and a half trek from the southern end of MD. Wait staff are convening outside hustling and bustling. The vibes are great. We had reservations, and we were immediately seated and offered prosciutto (no one seemed to mention that you're offered it, in their pics posts and videos from what I saw). That was a great welcome. It's pretty busy for a Wednesday, and everything seems to be managed well. We were escorted to our table and it was pretty small..although I understand why (it's just two of us), I really preferred something larger. I hesitated to ask for a booth because I understand the logistics of saving space for larger parties, but we came to eat. It was our first visit and we wanted to try all the things! In the end tho, our plates were always removed and our dishes were timed out so that we always had enough space and time to enjoy our food so that was a plus. And onto the food-in one word-phenomenal!!! At one point a gentleman came by and asked how everything was and all I could do was give him a look and he said that it was just the look that he was looking for lol. Our starters were the Prince Edward mussels and mozzarella in carrozza. Our mains were tortellini di Michael and hubby had king of the sea. For dessert we had the crème brûlée cheesecake and I ordered a French 75 cocktail. It was all magnificent. The food was flavorful and rich in the most perfect way. The tortellini dish consisted of brisket inside of the pasta and the mouthful and mouth feel of the pasta with nice actual pieces of brisket (not a puréed concoction) combined with the cream sauce and mushrooms were literally chef's kiss! I also indulged in some of my husband's dish and it was equally impressive with succulent seafood, the right amount of sauce and linguine cooked to perfection! My husband loved how perfectly cooked his pasta was (he loathes overcooked pasta) and he loved peas so this dish made him very happy. He loved mine too to be honest. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that they give you a nice bread basket with two dipping sauces to start your meal. I loved the bread (it was a little too herbaceous for my husband) and sauces. We both agreed that the marinara one was a problem, in the most positive way! We couldn't get enough of it. Also the wait staff was kind, efficient, offered suggestions for our meal and dessert since it was our first time and were that way with everyone. There was absolutely nothing that I could have asked more from this wonderful midweek date night meal. At the end of it all, we sat there over dessert, planning what we were going to have for our next visit..because that is definitely happening sooner rather than later. We also immediately rate our meal amongst ourselves after every date night and we both scored this one a 10/10! We can't wait to return.

We went on a wednesday night, and it was packed!! Thankfully, we had a reservation as were a group of 9 - but the table was really tight. It seemed like they wanted to squeeze us in a table that normally fits 8. The food itself was pretty good! The texture of the pasta was chewy with a nice bounce. The bread was fresh. Both the bread and pasta were a little bit on the blander side, however. And my favorite was the arancini! It was perfectly seasoned and nicely crispy! The service was quick and friendly!

After waiting quite a while for a reservation, perhaps our expectations were too high. While I see many posts praising the food and service, a few "foodies" say the place was "underwhelming." I'm a foodie. Listen to the foodies.First, the ambiance of the place feels a bit off. A bit, dare I say, morbid. Very few smiles and laughter from staff and guests. The waiter and food runners barely engaged. The floor plan with its myriad of dividers and walls and tiny coffee-shop two tops makes it feel very cramped. I felt uncomfortable for others.As far as the food. Presentation was nice, but superficial. Their "table-side prepared" Bucatini Carbonara is brought to you on a utility cart. They pour some alcohol into the cheese wheel and light it! Wow. It's almost like a fresh Cacio e Pepe and looks like they are cooking something. But look under the cart, and you'll see the pre-prepared pasta. The Buratta al la Caprese is pretty, but served with no hot bread. While the Orrechiette was largely flavorless, the Rigatoni Allá Vodka was better as was the Pollo Picatta.As far as the service. As I mentioned, it was uninspiring. Great service can make the food taste better and lead to repeat customers. Carbonara certainly wants to put on an air of sophistication. But it misses here too, as service was underwhelming. When food comes to the table, the food runner is lost and asking which guest had what dish. Ladies first? Nope. This points to management's lack of training and focus on the little things. For the price, expect better. Foodies think these little things are big things. Listen to the foodies.

Where We Bout To Eat At @carbonara_va Arlington, Virginia This place is absolutely stunning!!! The service was impeccable and the FOOD...AMAZING!!!I could eat here again and again and again!- Bucatini Carbonara (prepared table side)- Chicken Parmigiana w/ Vodka Sauce (DIVINE)- Crème Brûlée Cheesecake - Campari Italian Cocktail If you're looking for an amazing dining experience, this place is for you!!!

Perfect Valentine'a Day dinner!There's few words to describe how good everything was here, I just know I need to come back ASAP.The fried mozzarella was the best I've had in my life. It was difficult to choose just one thing because everything coming out of the kitchen looked and smelled amazing.I had the pasta carbonara with the flaming cheese wheel and it was very cool! Drinks were perfect.Staff was great and they put on a perfect show for the holiday!

Idk if we came on a bad day but both I and my gal pal were really underwhelmed by this experience. I'm sad about it still. As a foodie, I've had so many amazing spots blow me away and this one just never quite got there. Idk if the quality has gone down or if it's all hype from the start. It misses Italian comfort food by a lot. I'd been seeing this spot all over the gram, from friends, and on Yelp and not so patiently awaited my moment with the cheese wheel!!!! Even in Italy this summer I wasn't able to secure a cheese wheel dish and couldn't WAIT. I walked in at 12 for their first seating on Sunday. Service was prompt and the restaurant quickly filled up. I opted for the bucatini carbonara (of course) and my friend got the meat pasta with the lasagna like noodles. The cheese wheel pasta was already prepared on its own dish and once the cheese was warmed up with some kind of flammable liquid (idk what exactly) it was tossed in and mixed around a bit. It was hardly prepared "tableside" , the flame left a Smokey flavor I didn't care much for. The dish was very one note, I understand carbonara is in and of itself quite basic but when done well the flavors are in sync and delightful. The noodles were overcooked and the flavor was lacking. I needed plenty crushed red pepper to compensate. If you are looking for a great carbonara go to Ciao osteria in Gainesville. Now that is authentic. I can say that because I hate to play the card but I had the legit carbonara in Roma this summer and this missed the mark entirely.My friend didn't finish hers either, I noticed her plate just had one giant lasagna noodle in it hardly even chopped up to bite sized pieces. She said it was "ok". The complimentary bread was yummy and the vodka sauce with it was too. No more bread was offered once we finished it.We ended the meal with the "pistachio affogato". In quotes for a reason because this was NOT affogato. I got a scoop of some very good pistachio gelato (points for the pistachio gelato because it wasn't green and had legit pieces of nuts in it and was good). I could make better affogato at home and I have, with legit espresso. I was served a floating ball of ice cream in drip coffee covered in liquor for $15. It was honestly inedible. For the price, quality, and everything this spot is not worth it nor deserving of the ratings. I'm disappointed as a consumer. The ambiance was a quick in and out type. We won't be returning.

Their espresso martinis are wonderful. I got the s'mores and the ferror Roche. We got the Aracini, the rigatoni, the tortellini, and the gnocchi chicken Parm. The chicken Parm was great and the quality of the rigatoni was to die for. Overall great experience, wonderful staff, and the live music was wonderful. Give this place a try!

A true white cloth restaurant with an extensive Italian-American menu. Although the presentation is beautiful and the ingredients are excellent, on our Monday visit someone was heavy handed with the salt. The minestrone soup was overpowered by the salt and we had to send it back. I would prefer to taste the ingredients that were meticulously selected. The waiter was gratuitous and attentive and we were able to get a better balanced dish.

Yummy food very good and good environment. The parpadelle was really good and is the best i've ever had in the area

that carbonara was the best I have ever tasted. the service was exceptional and the servers were very polite. but the best part was the live singer, he had the whole place go quiet from how elegantly he sang "my way." if i could give six stars I would.