"Northern Virginia restauranteur Mike Cordero returned to his roots this spring with a new red-sauce joint for Ballston. The 40-year culinary vet, who kicked off his career making meatballs in New York in his teens, took tips from cult crime drama The Godfather to build a menu full of comforting Italian classics. Its namesake creamy carbonara is not to miss, with noodles theatrically tossed in a carved-out Parmigiano Reggiano wheel framed in flames." - Tierney Plumb, Mekita Rivas
