Rafagino Italian Restaurant

We are long time (~1994) patrons of Rafagino. Can't believe I haven't reviewed them before this.The owners have become friends over the years and we love pretty much everything on the menu. Among our favorites -- bocconcini, mussels, carpaccio (beef, tuna or swordfish if available), tuna tartare, arugula salad, veal picatta al limone, veal chop, ossobuco, salmon al forno, linguini al frutti di mare and carbonara. No dinner is complete without a bottle of wine from their great offerings and finish with the best tiramisu we have ever found.Service is always excellent. Great place for a romantic dinner for two or a nice dinner with friends.

Pretty solid little date night spot. Nicer atmosphere than most of your NOVA strip mall Italian places. Service was fantastic and the food was solid. Would recommend and will dine there again.

I never expected to find a fine dining Italian restaurant in a local neighborhood strip mall, but Ragafino exceeds all expectations. They serve excellent Italian cuisine with outstanding service. The owner seems to remember every customer, creating a welcoming and familiar atmosphere every time we visit, and we've been coming here for years. While we haven't tried everything on the menu, we've thoroughly enjoyed most of the dishes we've had. Recently, we tried their paella, and it was among the best I've ever had--packed with fresh, flavorful seafood. We always make it a point to sample their appetizer specials, which change from time to time, and we save room for dessert because their selection is fantastic. Ragafino has become a staple in our regular rotation for amazing Italian food.

I had the osso bucco (lamb shank) special and enjoyed it immensely. It was fork tender and dressed in a delightful sauce. The salad was fresh and one could taste the slight hint of anchovies in the Caesar dressing. Service was excellent and the atmosphere cozy. A hidden gem in a nondescript strip mall. Quality food at high, but reasonable prices.

This place is a rare find. Service has been impeccable , food delivery with grace and the food temperature and portion size was perfect . Service was excellent and the ambience of the place makes you feel as though you're somewhere else. We will be back. What a wonderful birthday dinner.

The service was excellent and the meal was delicious. The venue itself is very cozy and quaint.

My favorite things about authentic italian dining are the food and how special the restaurant makes you feel for choosing to dine there. Rafagino's absolutely nails both. It is a lovely little spot tucked away in Burke and your experience starts the moment you step through the door. The owner makes sure to greet and interact with every table and he's a wonderfully kind person. He even personally helped me retrieve a retainer I left behind after hours!Make sure you call and leave a message for a reservation and try their Ravioli di Manzo!

Always wonderful food, service and a feeling of being home. They always provide a wonderful meal. My wife and I have celebrated several milestones with them and plan to have many more. Best Italian food around.

My mother requested we check out this local family owned restaurant for her birthday. It's great to know that there are high quality, service-driven restaurants in the area and that we don't always have to travel to DC or Alexandria to experience high-end dining! Our dinner began around 6:20 and while initially I was somewhat confused with the "slow " service, I realize that it may be intentional so as to allow patrons to really enjoy and digest their meals.My mother requested sangria, and while that is not on the menu, the host gladly made that happen for her. it was delicious. The rest of us enjoyed red wine by the glass.We started off with the baked calamari, which was delicious, but certainly not enough for four people, and that is at no fault of the restaurant.My sister and I ordered the exact same thing, the seafood pasta with white sauce, and a side Caesar salad. The salad comes before the food and is delicious and same with the pasta. They did not skimp on the seafood and the taste was delicious. Actually, I may go with the red sauce next time to add a bit more flavor.My father ordered the branzino and my mother ordered a different fish but both were pleased with their dishes. They ordered theirs with the house salad and were so delighted by them that they ordered additional salads and even bought a bottle of their vinaigrette. We ordered tiramisu and carrot cake and coffee and cappuccino to top it all off. Everything was amazing and three hours and $300 later we left, happy and full.

I started coming here when they first opened, almost 30 years ago. I moved away and made a special trip 24 years later for an anniversary dinner.Wow! Just wow. Food was delicious, varied, creative and sensational. The mix of great Italian classics, new takes on old themes and Portuguese influence is unique. Service was excellent.Rosa, owner and chef is from Bari Italy. Paolo, owner and greeter, is from Lisbon, Portugal. A perfect blend to create hospitality, food and ambience unmatched in this area. It is no wonder they are still in business after all these years. People recommend Rafagino's and seek them out. The restaurant is small and cozy, tucked away in a corner of a Burke shopping plaza. People seek it out for that occasion when only the finest food and wine are sought.I grew up in a NY Italian neighborhood. We did not have food this good. My guests were very well traveled foodies. They were amazed. We were greeted as if we had never left the area. You will be too. My highest recommendation. Enjoy.