Pines of Rome

Some of my favorite pizza on earth - thin crust kind of like crispy foccacia. Instead of sauce, they have big chunks of canned tomatoes with the cheese (it's fantastic - really fun take on it). It might not be for everyone, but I love it and always will. Again, this is NOT typical pizza or NY style at all, nor is it like regular thin crust. It's something different.

This makes the 40th year I've been going to the Pines of Rome. Both the old location and now the new one on Cordell AvenueThis restaurant is what I would call a comfort food restaurant.. By that I mean, the food is good, the atmosphere is always hectic, the wait staff has been there for decades, and you always leave the Pines feeling full, satisfied, and fortunate to have a place that's lasted all these years still be open and still have the same remarkable food and ambienceThe Pines isn't fancy: when you ask for wine, they say " red or white", We've brought our kids here since they were babies, now they have children and we bring our grandchildren here also.My son who lives in Brooklyn when he comes home to visit us, the first thing he says is "let's go to the Pines." It's just a comforting place to go.OK enough rambling now about the food.We almost always order their antipasti and their house salad. The antipasti is loaded with fresh Italian deli meats: salami, prosciutto, capicola with a host of pickled and fresh vegetables, olives, and feta. The house salad reminds me of going to a local New Jersey diner 60 years ago with my parents and getting a tossed salad of iceberg lettuce, large chunks of tomato, huge slices of cucumber , onions and olive oil and vinegar dressing, that is simple but also delightful. for main courses, I most always order the pasta with red sauce. It's very simple, but the al dente pasta with large pieces of tomatoes in a thick and pleasant sauce always hits the mark.My son always orders the pasta carbonara, and a cannoli along with his salad .He seems to finish it before we even get started. Often times we have to order him a second helping. My wife mostly orders the fresh fish. They serve a whole fish, it's cooked to perfection. Seasoned well with salt, pepper and lemon.My wife, sometimes gets the veal scallopini, which is both visually pleasing and tender with just enough seasoning to bring out the complexity of the veal. As far as wine, you can get a reasonably priced red and/or white in a carafe. It's funny after all these decades. I never asked what the red was. We just like it.The Pines has been a fabulous experience for us over many years.it's just a tradition in our family

I have no idea why anyone would eat here. The food is bland, the pizza is mediocre and the service was odd. And my eggplant,it was served cold. The place also looks very run down.

They've been around for a long time, and I wanted to like it here. It's been hit or miss over the years, but the last visit was especially bad. The fettuccine alfredo and lasagna were barely hot and tasted like it was a microwaved frozen dinner. It wasn't busy at all, only one other party of 3. Server wasn't even trying. Acted like he didn't want us to be there. No water refills. No bread. Zero stars.

I've been going to Pines of Rome since I was born, and my parents have been going since they were kids. This place is the best restaurant for genuine Italian food. Regardless of my history with pines of Rome, I can confirm that this is comparable to the amazing meals I had while in Italy. Each dish is well thought out and feels made with love. They are generous portions, and make wonderful leftovers. The white beans are impossible to replicate- and we've tried- and the white pizza is the perfect levels of garlicky and cheesy. Their cake is delicious. The restaurant has multiple levels and beautiful photos of Italy, and while there are many tables, you don't feel cramped. This is the first restaurant I think of when I come home to Maryland, and the one place I know I will take my kids as well. The servers are quiet but attentive and kind. Writing this makes me want to go back already.

White pizza was delicious, shrimp parmigiana was delicious, the pork loin chop was tender and delicious! The spicy shrimp was ok; just the same marina sauce with red pepper, nothing special and very spicy. This still remains a very good Italian restaurant in Bethesda. The service is good and the ambiance is ok. It hasn't changed in 20 years.

Having lived in Italy for several years growing up, this eatery is a classic. It's been present in the Bethesda area for 20+ years and recently moved locations. The indoors is fast paced with multiple levels, bustling tables and a kitchen that produces food FAST.Highly suggest the white cheese pizza with fontina cheese, sliced into squares that can easily be shared. Get the mixed salad with peppers and tomatoes - you'll feel like you're back at home being served with some real home cooking. The eggplant parmigiana has a huge portion size with side of pasta (and peeled tomatoes), all delicious. The owner is from northern Italy, Marco, and many of the waiting staff has remained intact for 15+ years. That immediately tells you the kind of loyalty present inside the walls of "POR."

The best in town. Bethesda needs more establishments like this. I did however prefer the old location and would like to see them return at some point

Lovely classic Italian place. Great service. Delicious food. Met up with friends. Very accommodating.

I remember the old location and it was really run down but food was good Its been years since they moved to this location and now this place is also dirty and run down Food was terrible and my waitress was not very friendly. I will never go back