Carbonara

We came here for lunch to celebrate our anniversary and had such a great experience. Our waiter, Taylor, was friendly and gave us great recommendations. We started with the Mozzarella in Carroza, then had the carbonara and chicken parm, everything was delicious. For dessert we ordered the crème brûlée cheesecake, and they even surprised us with tiramisu for our anniversary, which was so thoughtful. We really enjoyed our meal and would definitely come back!

Absolutely delicious!!!!! By far one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the DMV area! The service was excellent. Loved the calamari! The eggplant parm, chicken parm and carbonara was so yummy! You could share a meal because of of the portion sizes or just know you'll have leftovers. The fresh focaccia bread was fluffy! The blueberry mocktail was fantastic! And you have to try the pistachio ice cream. Just make room for dessert in general, there are so many options! All in all, there are soooo many options to choose from and you will not be disappointed.

Taylor was top-notch. The kind of waiter who makes you feel like you’re the only table in the room, even though we watched him so graciously manage multiple. Taylor was attentive without hovering, naturally funny, and anticipated our requests. The house made pasta and desserts were delicious. The bartender was quite obviously a master of their craft. The managers were attentive. Taylor turned our meal into an experience, and we will definitely be back.

The food is not only delicious but also everything about the food is also a performance. There's so much to watch that's happening around you in how they serve the food. Plus there was live music and the singer was fantastic. There's an outdoor bar and indoor and outdoor seating. We were inside and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The food was also delicious. And our service was great! I can't wait to go back.

Our first time eating at Carbonara and was very surprised. Catching the restaurant on a great weather evening and sitting on the patio started the dinner off right. The linguine and clams was really put together well and the portion sizes are enough to feed two people. The menu has a great variety of selections so it would take a while to feel like you're eating the same old thing. The service is very friendly and attentive. Highly recommend the table side tiramisu.

I had dinner at this restaurant tonight and while everything was solid across the board, one team member truly made the evening special in the most unexpected way. The food was good and our server Moe provided excellent service throughout the meal. The entire staff seemed professional and attentive, creating a pleasant dining atmosphere. However, what really stood out was the exceptional service from Don, the busboy. In a role that often goes unnoticed, Don was absolutely remarkable. He was incredibly friendly and personable, bringing a warm energy to our table with every interaction. His efficiency in keeping our table clean and decluttered was impressive - he seemed to anticipate our needs before we even realized them ourselves. What struck me most was his genuine politeness and professional manner. Despite not being in the primary service role, Don’s attention to detail and courteous demeanor elevated our entire dining experience. It’s rare to encounter someone who takes such pride in their work and goes above and beyond in what might be considered a supporting role. Don’s service was so outstanding that it became the highlight of our evening. His friendly attitude and exceptional work ethic are exactly the kind of qualities that make a restaurant truly memorable. While Moe and the entire team deserve credit for a great overall experience, Don’s exceptional service as a busboy proves that outstanding hospitality can come from any member of the staff. This young man is clearly an asset to the restaurant and deserves recognition for his outstanding work. I’ll definitely be returning, and I hope to see Don’s continued excellent service. Restaurants are fortunate to have team members like him who understand that every role matters in creating a memorable dining experience.

This place was amazing when we first entered, we were greeted and Immediately seated, our waitress was Niyalei She was very attentive and super sweet. She explained the menu very thoroughly, giving her honest opinion as to how she thinks the food taste. I myself ordered chicken Parmesan. My mother accompanied me for this outing because it was her birthday, which she ordered the chicken Alfredo. We also had the meatballs As our appetizers. At the end, they gave my mom a complementary cheesecake which was exquisite as we proceeded to leave. The two managers went outside to take a picture with my mom which made her feel super special.. We get this place a 10 out of 10 and we will definitely be back. Thank you for your customer service and kindness. 10/10

First time visit and the food and drinks was delicious. Exactly what I hoped it would be. Service was great. Table was bussed as appetizer was complete. Management touched each table to ensure quality. Free tiramisu was brought out for my best friends birthday and our food was packaged up swiftly . 10/10 with no complaints .

Brian (the GM) gave us a comedy show that was as good as the food. The service was amazing along with the ambiance. Definitely going to try the lobster ravioli and Manhatten next time! Everything was made in house (non frozen). 10/10

Very solid new Italian restaurant in Arlington. Here's my breakdown of the night: Ambiance - Inside definitely was loud especially with the music and the open kitchen but we were still able to hear each other. Singer was very good singing Italian classics and the table settings were nice. They did a nice job with the construction of the place, it has a very metropolitan feel but still has some of that intimacy of the family Italian restaurant. Would like to sit at the bar next time as it looked very nice with a view of the outside. Food - Simple Italian classics done well. While it was good, we still felt like it left a little bit to be desired so hence the 4 stars. Half of the bread in the breadbasket seemed freshly made, seasoned and buttered nicely, whereas the rest seemed like it was store bought. Arancini were terrific. Chicken parm was very good but definitely not the best we've ever had. Vodka sauce felt like it was missing something and very heavy on the butter. Spicy rigatoni also very good but didn't blow us away. Didn't have time for desert but will definitely will have to next time around. Wine selection is also great although pricey. Service was terrific with very attentive staff and we didn't have to wait long for our food at all. Although, the table side cheese wheel pasta feels a little gimmicky. Will definitely be giving this place another shot.

Outstanding food and atmosphere. The apperitizers were delicious. The display of the food was stunning. The service was friendly.

The best italian place in Arlington! The service, the food and the drinks were all top notch. It's like dinner and a show, would goa agin tomorrow if I lived in the area. Make a reservation because they were Al booked up. We could only get a 4:30 pm dinner reservation on a Tuesday The Ferrero rocher espresso martini was good but I would just go for the normal one if I went again The service was great they put on a show and filled the waters as soon as you took some sips

We had a reservation for 8:30, but we got there at 8 and was seated promptly. Inside the restaurant: Cute! Very loud inside and hard to hear others if you wanna come here to chat LOL. Not sure if it was where I sat, but cell signal is weak and spotty. Food: AMAZING! For starters we chose the beef carpaccio and bacon wrapped shrimp oreganata. Presentation was nice and flavors were there! And for our entrees we got the tableside carbonara, lasagna bolognese, and the fettucine posillipo. Pasta was cooked to perfection but the seafood in the fettucine was a little tough and chewy. We had to leave early, but good sized portions though, had to take the rest home because I was so stuffed. Will def come back again!

I went to dinner here with a few friends. We all loved our experience at Carbonara! We got the spicy vodka pasta, table side carbonara and baked ziti. Every dish had a generous portion size and was delicious! I also got the Brooklyn Cesar salad which tasted really fresh & the dressing wasn't too heavy. The bread they started the meal with was delicious and served warm. The tableside carbonara process was really fun to watch! Baked ziti was the standout for me but everything was fantastic. Good service. Recommend making a reservation because it was busy!

New Italian restaurant only a couple blocks away from where I live! When they were still constructing the restaurant, I was expecting it to be an Italian fast-casual (since that's all there is in Ballston) restaurant like Piada. But hey, I'm glad to be proven wrong. The interior is pretty big with a lot of seating and is quite elegant/grand. There's also some tables outside, too. Given that it's new and there's not a whole lot of impressive Italian restaurant in Arlington, it's quite poppin', so I'd highly recommend making a reservation in advance because walk-in may be difficult. My friend and I stopped by this past Wednesday evening for a fancy dinner. For how much you get, the pricing is quite good. The portions are huge and we both had more than enough to take home for lunch the next day. There's complementary baguettes here with marinara sauce and a olive oil based sauce that was pretty good. The baguettes were way too soft and didn't have much flavor or texture, but both dips were solid. ARANCINI BALLS - 13 Each order comes with three large fried balls sitting on top of marinara (?) sauce. These were so tasty. The exterior was perfect crispy but the inside was gooey and cheesy that completely melted in my mouth filled with the delicious blend of bolognese meat and peas. The marinara sauce on the side were really good and I wish I had a spoon to enjoy it. We'd highly recommend these! They're a great appetizer item to share with a couple others. BUCATINI CARBONARA TABLE SIDE - 29 We were excited to try this because we saw other tables ordering this and the whole demonstration of cooking the bucatini in a flaming cheese wheel. However, the server did not position the cheese wheel in a good spot where my friend and I could see and he didn't mix the bucatini in the cheese for that long. We were pretty disappointed with the demo, but still looked forward to the pasta. The pancetta bits were delicious but there wasn't a whole lot, and I felt like the pasta was pretty bland, despite it being super creamy and dense. Definitely not my favorite and I would be hesitant to get it again since it was just OK. PAPPARDELLE AMALFI - 25 OK OK, this is where I got excited. I'm a huge fan of the pappardelle here because it was chewy and almost like that stringy, cheesy like texture (only qualm I had is that each piece was so long and thick that it was hard to enjoy with out breaking the pasta and sauce would kind of splatter everywhere). The rose cream sauce was a good balance of "not too creamy, but still pretty creamy." The mushrooms is what takes this pasta home. The earthiness of the mushrooms was very well mixed into the rose cream sauce that made me wanting to take another bite even though I was extremely stuffed. The ground Italian sausage was nice, but felt like it was more of a garnish than an actual topping since there wasn't a whole lot. Regardless, this pasta definitely made our dining experience a lot better this evening and I was excited to enjoy it as a leftover the next day. Overall, 4.5/5 but will bump to a 5/5 on Yelp. Big portions and two out of the three things we ordered were delicious and I'm still thinking about it while I'm writing this review, so... yeah. Glad to have Carbonara nearby me!

Busy new spot in Ballston. It is a little thrown together and gives off suburban strip mall Italian vibes, but it's fun and the food is great.

I don't even know where to begin with this review. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. There were 7 of us and we knew due to the lovely weather outside, there was a high chance of us not getting a table here. To our surprise, the bar had JUST cleared out so we were all able to sit together there - best decision ever. We were able to watch Kat and David (loveliest people) work hand in hand perfecting every single cocktail ordered all the while watching to see what our next order would be. Each person in my group decided to order something different and we were able to try one another's dish. Every dish I tried - I basically want to go back and order it for myself because gosh dang, it was heaven in each bite. I'll attach a few pictures and videos for reference!

Carbonara is the perfect addition to the Ballston neighborhood! The food is consistently delicious. I have been there three times and everything I've ordered from the carbonara to the flatbread has been a delight! Highly recommend for fast Italian food in Nova. On top of good food carbonara has excellent service! Ashton was the best waiter! He was super attentive, patiently answered our a million and one questions, and made sure that we had the best experience! During our time at the restaurant, a man had a medical emergency and had to be taken by ambulance. Staff were extremely caring ensuring that the party in distress had everything they needed during that scary moment. Definitely reflective of the type of people that work at carbonara. Only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is where we were seated was a little chaotic. It was right in front of the bathroom and waiter stand. Several things were spilled, the live music was a little loud and made it difficult to hear conversation at the table. Overall ambience isn't always my favorite, but good food and service definitely help boost my experience.

Please take my opinion with a grain of salt. As I overheard another server mentioning the "dinner" menu is better than the "lunch"-- which is still not a good look (IMO). The decor was fresh and beautiful, with friendly and attentive staff. They have outdoor seating options too. I thought it was interesting as I was walking up the street, you smelled cigars which was coming from the gentleman's puffing outside. So, yes, theres a cigar "lounge" and if that is your thing, here you go. Luckily, I was able to grab an RSVP for a Saturday/Early Mother's Day lunch celebration. The moment I walked in, I was greeted as my kids were in tune watching the kitchen staff making ravioli- as it's faced right in front of the host area. After being seated, and looking through the menu, I was happy that the menu wasn't too overwhelming with options, its straight to the point and simple. What I had ordered: carbonara (duh), spaghetti with meatballs, arancini balls, and their famous chicken parm with spaghetti in vodka sauce. Here's my opinion: 1. Everything we had was really bland. I know we're not in Italy, but our dishes had little to no taste- no flavor yet very buttery and very creamy. Sadly, I asked for salt and pepper, and crushed peppers in hopes to enhance my dishes but it still didnt do any justice for me. 2. My kids ate well which was a plus. The noodles were cooked just perfect. 3. Fave part at least, was the bathroom wall paper. I typically dont look at the bathroom decor as my heart is racing to see if the stalls are clean or not. But the moment you walk in, the feels of Venice comes in mind which was nice since Italy was my honeymoon (Venice, we did visit). Given the fact that they just opened, MAYBE I'll make another trip since it's so close, but we shall see. As for may fave Italian spots, thats for another post. :)

They are still working out some kinks but drinks, food and service were good during a recent happy hour at the bar (which is around the corner when you enter). Will come back for a proper sit down dinner soon.

I love the addition of having more sit down restaurants in the Ballston area and this one is certainly a great place to sit out on the patio and relax! Food wise the portions here are massive, you can easily split this into two or split with someone else. I ordered the carbonara which comes served in a flaming cheese wheel. The table side service is cool but the dish was oddly lukewarm which was so odd considering that they toss it in hot cheese right before serving. The spicy rigatoni was honestly so disappointing, it was tasty but so so mild. I had to ask for extra red pepper flakes, it was so bland to the point that I thought they got the order wrong (they didn't I checked the receipt). Seriously no need to worry about the heat level on this dish when you're ordering it. On a side note, in the beginning they ask you what type of water you would like to drink - make sure to order tap! The still water here is $10.

First, three stars is not a bad review (see my past comments on Yelp star inflation), especially for a new restaurant and our first visit. We believe that this is a nice addition to Ballston with clear potential. I do think a big reason that Carbonaro is so busy is that Ballston has a shortage of decent table-service restaurants. Service is kind and attentive (but based on our visit servers and support staff are very inexperienced). We are always looking for more of a knowledgeable shepherd to guide us who understands the menu and wine than just someone to take an order and bring the food. On this past visit, the winning dish for us was the fettucine posillipo. For the price, the quality was good. It had a nice amount heat to bring out the seafood. Also, the marinara sauce was mild enough not to overpower the seafood. Finally, the seafood was generous. For the wine, we had a bottle of the Montecore Primitivo Puglia. Since we had a plate of meats (charcuterie) for our antipasti, a marinara-based pasta dish, and the veal marsala, the primitivo was a nice compromise. We agreed at $49 that the bottle was a fair value. At this price point, we do not expect the moon, and it was a nice balance of fruit and a little earth working best with the cold cut starter (although the "Antipasto Misto for Two" was not our favorite). For the total value analysis, considering food/ wine quality, service, and price, we think Carbonara is a fair value. We ordered the antipasto misto for two, the fettuccine posillipo, the veal marsala, and a bottle of the Montecore Primitivo Puglia. The total price with tax and 20% tip (for effort) was $197.60. We are not quite ready to add this to our regular rotation of restaurants, but it was a decent experience and possibly worth another visit to test the waters. It may take a little time to see if the service kinks untangle.

We only got a 9pm reservation. Would have loved to have gone about 7:30 or 8pm. When the 3 of us showed up, there were at least 10 empty tables. Maybe they don't have the staff? Service by Mo was attentive. The bread and sauce and olive tapenade were delicious. We decided to split the clams, arancini (which all Italian restaurants will be judged), and the burrata. For my main I got the bucatini carbonara table side. Clams chewy. Arancini ok. Burrata good but tomatoes meh. Carbonara ok. This is much more typical Italian American rather than Italian food one would have in Italy. Desserts were good. I got the ice cream. All portions were generous. I think this place will be a hit.

Carbonara is really good - and is exactly what bAllston, Arlington VA needed! The vodka sauce is decadent - creamy deliciousness packing a great flavor. However, the chicken served with the vodka sauce pasta was very thin and dry. I'm not sure why they even put the chicken in there - they should just stick with the pasta, it can definitely stand on its own! I've been here a bunch and love it! My advice would just be to know what to order. Fried mozzarella, vodka sauce pasta - those are the things.

A great addition to the Ballston neighborhood. I had a good experience my first time here. The restaurant is definitely a bit loud with the open kitchen and busy with a lot of staff but it creates an exciting dining experience. Service was super friendly and efficient. The food is good but not the best Italian ever. The bread basket for the table had some less than fresh pieces. The carbonara was good and the whole cheese wheel presentation was a nice touch. Overall, a good experience and worth a try if you live in the area. I'll probably come back and just go to sit at the bar and try their happy hour bites.

I've been here twice now and both experiences have been great. Luckily I'm in the neighborhood so I walk, but if you're not have fun finding street parking. There is a small parking lot at the small shops near the golds gym but I don't know if they tow. Our waiter was great and knew what dishes to advise. I forgot her name (Sharron?) but realized I snapped her accidentally in one of my pictures. All the food tasted great. As you can see in the order we ordered quite a lot. I am a fan of the meat sauce pasta, but all the others are good as well. The meat balls tasted really great, though my favorite was the crab mushroom appetizer. You can tell they use real crab meat here. I highly advise getting some wine especially if you're sitting on the deck, definitely adds to the ambience. Lastly both my friends and I ordered the Carbonara which they come out with a wheel of cheese and put your pasta in it coat the pasta in cheese. The only thing is they put both our servings and mixed it up together. I was among friends, that being said not sure I would like someone to eyeball my portion if I was having a business meal.

A great Italian Restaurant in Arlington! It is located on the northeast corner of North Pollard Street and Wilson Blvd. on the day we went there there was street parking available. There are at least 10 parking areas/garages within 4 blocks of this location. I would recommend reservations as it is a popular restaurant and can get very busy. Our party visited at first lunch seating and, since it was a beautiful day, decided to sit outside on the upper deck. The inside and out are very nicely done. Even if you sit outside, I would recommend looking at the inside as it has some very nice touches like the liquor shelf above the bar, the open kitchen, and the wine rack seating separators. The waiter was efficient and knowledgeable. We ordered an array of food to include the pasta cooked in the cheese wheel. I tried the pasta made in the wheel and Tortelloni Di Michael. Both came out quickly with the pasta being mixed in the cheese bowl close to the tableside. The dishes I tried were excellent. Seating, as with many higher-end restaurants, is tight with tables close to each other. Each main item was between $25 and $30. It was pleasant outside but might try the inside for the next visit. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience that I would highly recommend for people wanting a great dining experience in the Arlington area.

We are always on the hunt for a classic Italian spot in the area that has it all, especially when it comes to amazing pasta and appetizers. It's been hard to get a reservation so we were happy to grab one on a Thursday night. We were sat quickly and were facing the kitchen with a nice view. They do have people quite close to you so the ambiance is a bit NYC in that sense. We started off with two cocktails- the Manhattan and the ciao Bella- both were fantastic in presentation and taste. The table bread was ok but the dips were a great addition. I cannot give more praise to the crab stuffed mushrooms- they used so much crab I was surprised. The Caesar salad was ok, I would definitely try something else next time on the appetizer menu instead. For our mains we went with the table side carbonara and the chicken parm alla vodka. The presentation of both was gorgeous and we both really enjoyed the food- it was a large portion too so plenty for leftovers. My only criticisms were the carbonara could use a bit of cracked pepper and I would prefer to add the spicy alla vodka sauce on top. Otherwise the chicken was perfectly crispy and thin. We ended the night with the espresso martini flight and the Italian crème brûlée cheesecake. The cheesecake was light but flavorful and the espresso martinis used great quality coffee so they weren't too sweet. We loved the service and the food and hope to be back soon to try some more items!

Easily my new favorite Italian restaurant! Came here just for the cheese wheel carbonara that I've heard so much about, and it lived up to the hype. They wheeled a cheese wheel over to my table side, torched that baby up, and tossed my delicious bucatini carbonara in the melted cheese. This had me drooling immediately!!! The spicy vodka rigatoni was also soooo good. It was the perfect amount of cream and spice for me. The arancini balls were super cheesy and delicious as well. I was pleasantly surprised at how quick the service was. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful and modern and even the bathroom has cute wallpaper. The outdoor patio area is really nice too, and I would have loved to sit outside if it wasn't too hot the day I came. Guess I'll just have to come back!

Amazing new restaurant! Came here for my birthday on a Tuesday night and the place was packed. The atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful and well thought out, and the service was top-notch. We got a sample of prosciutto while walking to our table, and were served bread and dips immediately. We ordered the calamari to start and the portion was huge! Couldn't go without ordering the table-side carbonara, definitely an Instagram moment but it was also sooo tasty! We also ordered the chicken parm which was absolutely delicious. We received a complementary tiramisu for my birthday which I really appreciated, great way to top off an amazing evening. Highly recommend this place!

We came here for our anniversary dinner and I will say the service was exceptional. The environment is small town/ strip mall chique which I do enjoy. the famous chicken parm! The chicken cutlet was cooked absolutely perfectly however, my boyfriend and I both felt the vodka sauce was lacking. I didn't taste much tomato or flavor, it tasted mostly like cream. The portions are huge so for the price, you get enough to take home leftovers or even split an entree. My boyfriend ordered Veal Francese which is one of our favorite dishes and was extremely good. They didn't let us sub out pasta for potatoes which was a little weird for an Italian place. However the flavor was on point. Our favorite dish was probably the arancini which isn't pictured but was very very tasty and unique.

Came here for a girlfriend's birthday, which we booked about a month in advance. You're greeted with prosciutto which was a treat as you walk into the restaurant. We had the mama Mia and ferrero espresso martini which were delish! I unfortunately, was disappointed because I thought the chicken parm was more of a traditional one and it's not. I unassumingly thought chicken parm is with a marinara sauce (as to why it's my go to). just a warning it's not a marinara sauce and honestly a vodka sauce heavy & I mean heavy on the cream. I actually can't have cream sauce (stupid GI issues) and ate the chicken (which I asked to not have cheese a ton on it) and it was well seasoned and crispy. I had some of the pasta, as I didn't want to be rude with my friends at a new place on a special night, but boy am I in pain now. Again not the restaurants fault, just wish the chicken parm was with the traditional marinara sauce!

We went here last night for date night and omg it was sooooo good! They had a great singer singing Italian songs. Reminded us of Frank Sinatra type music. The calamari was great! Loved the peppers and zucchini's also fried. We would have preferred if the calamari rings were half the thickness. Table side carbonara was sooooooo good. My only complaint is I don't think it got hot enough or retained the heat well enough? I took down the whole plate soooo Husband got the porcini crusted rib eye and omg. So good!! We kept raving about it after each bite. We took it home and just reheated it (in a sauté pan) for breakfast this morning. Yum!!!! My 3yo and I kept asking him for bites of his steak We will be back! Fair warning. This restaurant is very loud with the customers and the singing. It's very hard to have a conversation with the person across from you. I'm hard of hearing so my hearing aids do a fab job of filtering out the background noise, but my husband is ADHD and had a hard time hearing me without leaning over the table (He wears apple AirPods for noise cancellation). As we get older I am realizing we prefer quieter restaurants ‍. My Apple Watch alerted me that the decibel level in the restaurant was 90+. And yes my husband was a server in his past life and I know having a loud restaurant helps turn the tables over faster.

Sorry about not having more pictures. The food was good, very good and rich flavors in general. The service was good too, everyone was very attentive and helpful. The portions are slightly on the smaller side but pretty acceptable. My only problem was that the burrata salad came without the basil and had parsley instead (see picture). When I asked the waiter he took the plate and said he was going to check what happened. Two minutes later he came back with the same plate and told us that the cook said that the salad did not come with basil leaves and that what was sprinkled on top of the cheese was chopped basil. I had already tasted the herb and knew it was parsley, not only for the flavor but also because of the shape and color of the herb. I told the waiter that I knew it was not basil and he kept on insisting that the cook said it was. I had to tell him thar I was a chef and was 100% sure that the salad had no basil whatsoever and that what was sprinkled over the burrata was parsley. He took that plate once again and told us that he would make it better. He kindly came back with a new dish with fresh chopped basil and basil leaves on top. He apologized and we didn't talk about the issue anymore. For me it was not about the presentation of the basil, whether it came in leaves or chopped was the same to me. The thing is that usually burrata salad has tomato, basil, balsamic and burrata and the first salad simply didn't have basil and that's the flavor I wanted to have in my salad. What bothered me is that whoever the cook was could have just admitted their mistake from the beginning and sprinkled some chopped basil on the plate instead of making their coworker and me go through the back and forth and the uncomfortable moment. I stayed because I was with a coworker and didn't want to make things bigger. Thankfully the food was good so the experience was not completely tainted by the basil thing.

10/10 will come again! Carbonara is where you'll receive an unparalleled dining experience culminated through authentic old school Italian cuisine, a captivating ambiance, and service that makes guests feel as if they're visiting their grandmother's home! Hosted my graduation meal here, all guests locally & from abroad shared that this was one of the best meals they've had! My uncle even said he'd consider moving here to visit Carbonara regularly. We tried the Brooklyn Ceasar Salad, Trio Baked Clams, and Nona's Classic Meatballs for appetizers. Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka Sauce, Lasagna alla Bolognese, and Grandma's Chicken Cutlet Parmigiani for entrees. Sautéed Broccolini and Roasted Rosemary Potatoes for sides. ALL of which were phenomenal - Bravo Zulu to Chef Mike Cordero & the entire team! I can assure you that any visit to Carbonara will be an exceptional experience to remember. Do yourself a favor, schedule time in for a phenomenal memory with your loved ones at Carbonara!

I went in with low expectations - I live in the neighborhood so had driven/walked by often while Carbonara was under construction, and it didn't look that impressive from signage or press. The good news is I was pleasantly surprised at my first visit and will likely go back. The bad news is that won't be soon or often, due to a critical lack of vegetarian options. Should I be surprised at this, given the name "carbonara"? No, and it was part of my expectation just based on the name. But with only two appetizers and two entrees edible to vegetarians on the menu (and one of the two entrees is the most basic pasta/tomato sauce/cheese, which I can make at home in 10 minutes; the other has a cream sauce, which can be very hit or miss), I am not very motivated to return. Lacking vegetarian options is such a disappointing gap given they're trying to sell themselves as a "red sauce Italian" place, plus their urban locale (vegetarian is not an outlier in NoVA!) Positives are that the pasta itself had decent taste/texture, and the cocktail menu was intriguing - my two spritzes were both great. The patio outside was enjoyable on a nice day, can't comment on the interior.

Everything about this place is great! This is the perfect spot for date night or with a group of friends. I wouldn't recommend bringing young kids here because it is quite noisy and busy. The dishes are huge and great to share for the table (not to mention absolutely delicious). The focaccia that comes to the table is amazing and perfect with the marinara or some olive oil. I have been twice now and both times I've gotten the beef carpaccio which is absolutely amazing. I had the viral chicken parm which holds up to the pictures in taste. I also tried the spicy rigatoni which was good but paled in comparison. The cocktails are amazing also! I love the lavender spritz or the fun twists on espresso martinis. 10/10 recommend!

Simply incredible! A can't miss spot right in the heart of Ballston for traditional Italian food and drinks that don't miss. By far my new favorite Italian restaurant in the DMV! Chef Mike Cordero has truly created an innovative and one of a kind dining experience unrivaled within the area. The atmosphere inside gives a vibe of refined elegance while also remaining warm, inviting, and informal. The decor is modern, but also has rustic touches that make you think of old world Italian roots. I also loved the open kitchen concept as the myriad of entrancing aromas hit you as soon as you walk in the door into the main dining area. Speaking of - another thing I liked was the size of the place. Not too big - probably 30 or so tables plus a bar area - which to me means 2 things: 1) they aren't trying to overdo it and compromise quality by trying to serve too many people and 2) this creates a more intimate setting that makes guests feel more catered to. The cocktails were very unique and featured bold flavors that you wouldn't ordinarily think go together, but somehow they work. My wife got the Ferrero Rocher Martini; and I got the Stella di Limone. Both were fantastic in their own rite. For starters, we got the Nona's famous meatballs and the mozzarella in carrozza. Let me tell you how serious I am when I say that NEVER in my life have I tasted a meatball that packed that much flavor. The texture was perfect too - not too dry, yet not soggy and greasy either. Also pro tip - you've GOT to dip the meatballs in the red sauce they're served with. The mozzarella in carrozza was amazing as well - crispy on the outside, with gooey decadent cheese on the inside. Also, that vodka sauce that comes with them was TO DIE FOR! We both ordered the Chicken Parmigiana Alla Vodka. The portions were HUGE - but still maintained that visual appeal and was not sloppily plated at all. Also, there was a little bit of a show as they slid the cheese/sauce to top the chicken right off the skillet (this also helped avoid the chicken cutlet from getting soggy with a bunch of cheese sitting on top of it for 25ish minutes). This was served with the same vodka sauce as the mozzarella in carrozza from earlier. I don't know what magic recipe they're using to make that sauce - but it hits on so many different levels. It's creamy without being too rich or thick, it's the perfect balance of sweet and savory. And the spaghettini - you can really tell they make their pasta fresh in-house every day. For dessert my wife had the Italian creme brûlée cheesecake and I had the tiramisu. What I tried of the cheesecake was good, but my tiramisu particularly grabbed my attention and had me going in for more. Now mind you - typically I'm not a tiramisu guy - I generally find it dry, tough to get all the flavors together in a way that makes sense because of the consistency and texture. But this tiramisu? COMPLETELY different. Moist and decadent that bore many similarities to the texture of a tres leches cake - with the bitterness of the espresso contrasting perfectly and breaking up the sweetness and richness of the lady fingers and marscapone. We're already looking for more excuses to come here again and take friends and family to this amazing spot. Cheers to you Carbonara and Chef Cordero; and here's to many more!

The food and service were simply fabulous! Sat inside at a reserved table for three on Thursday. To start - instant water (filtered)) immediately poured (and continuously refilled without having to ask). Welcome bread is complimentary -- the foccacia and tapanade are excellent. The place was packed at 6PM! Our order highlights were the Frito Misti and the clam trio. Both could not be fresher and more flavorful! The biggest hit among the entrees was the brisket stuffed tortellini -- so freakin' good!!! (Though a little too salty) Everything from start to finish was so robust in flavors! We LOVE a kitchen that is NOT afraid to amp up spices. No salt on the table because none was needed. Love that the fresh grated parm is offered not just once, but twice! Little touches like the chicken parm being placed, then immediately followed by a second staff attendant placing hot melted cheese on the meat. Little touches mean a lot. And our server (Arlington native Ashton) was simply spectacular! He was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the menu -- super attentive -- and really fun! Only minor recommendation -- acoustics need to be addressed. The volume is at a 10 out of 10. Hard to hear my table mates often. Suggest adding some draping between sections from the ceiling to soften the resonance of the customers.

Excellent Italian spot in Arlington. They had unlimited prosciutto as soon as you walked in that was amazing!! This is everything I ordered: Drinks: Aperol spritz Cabernet Appetizer: Arancini Entrees: Tableside carbonara Chicken parm

For a new restaurant, this place is already working like a well-oiled machine! The service was amazing and the food was fantastic. We went on a Friday evening and there was an entertainer singing Frank Sinatra and it was such a vibe. The tried the Clams and Mussels (in white sauce) as an appetizer and loved them both. My husband has the table side carbonara, which was not only perfectly Instagram-able, but he said was delicious, cooked al dente and very filling. I tried the Chicken Piccata and it was juicy and very flavorful. We can't wait to go back and try more from the menu!

The food was amazing Fresh warm bread with olive tapenade or sauce to dip in is served when you're seated The Arancini balls were delicious I had the pasta cheese wheel carbonara prepared table side Delicious!! They make their own pasta You can watch while they make it Service was very friendly

This is an authentic Italian Restaurant. It serves food and there's no fluff, no gimmicks, no extra stuff that keeps you from experiencing Italian cuisine. The Lobster Risotto is 5 stars The Cheese cake is 5 starts If I could give 10 stars I would. Service was superior!

Great restaurant... came with friends. Hard to choose what to eat after walking through the dinning area seeing everybody's meal. Great, authentic atmosphere. Frank Sinatra cover singer made me believe the stereo was on at first. Great service. Very personable staff and very accommodating. Food was outstanding. 10/10... I will definitely be returning.

I don't want to dictate your plans, but if I were to suggest a place, I'd recommend Carbonara in Arlington, VA. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Delicious and very filling. Food was very fresh and the drinks were tasty. I would definitely go back.

Updating my review to five stars. My second visit was beyond my expectations. They were able to accommodate my changes to the Mozzarella in Carrozza and it was delicious!! I also tried the Tortellini all Boscaiola and it was great, too. The service was as impeccable as last time.

We heard that when the chef was not there the food is iff. This proved true. Ordered chicken parm, it was smothered in a beer cheese flavored sauce despite me telling them when they arrived to not pour it over and keep on side. Ive had better chicken parm at home or at Pi-tanza for half the price. I really want it to be amazing. Calamari was ok. Again, pricy for not wow this is amazing. Wife's dish was not really edible. The spaghetti with braised beef tortellini felt like not italian and weird. Noodles were way overcooked like mush. How hard is it to get noodles to be al dente? (After response) we definitely will try again! It's brand new and kinks to work out. Will update review accordingly.

I did really love this place but need to go back with a reservation. Came in on a Friday night around 6:30 and it was already jammers. We decided to take a seat at the bar instead of put our name on the hour and a half wait list. Bar and the main bartender .... Who I believe is also a manager ( going off her stylish outfit and everyone else was literally in black garb) was great. There were two other bartenders but neither seemed that friendly and she did seem to be doing the heavy lifting throughout the night. Everything we ordered from drinks to food was very good. It was a bit noisy but there was also a fantastic singer and a lot of talking going on at the bar so not sure it is the experience the diner at the tables has. All and all I will certainly be coming back to try more and evidently I was in too big a rush to eat the chicken parmigiana we ordered I didn't even get a picture. But trust everything I saw looked fantastic

Food and service were great. Had the Stella cocktail, eggplant Parmesan, and the bread was delicious.

From the moment we walked in, Jennifer, the hostess, greeted us warmly and seated us promptly. Our waitress, Sharron, was fantastic! She was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and made excellent recommendations. For our appetizer, we shared a plate of their delicious meatballs. They were perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. We then decided to try something special and opted for the BUCATINI CARBONARA TABLE SIDE. It was a truly unique experience to watch the dish prepared right in front of us. The chef did an amazing job, and the carbonara itself was phenomenal - rich, flavorful, and absolutely divine. My wife couldn't resist the FAMOUS CHICKEN PARMIGIANA ALLA VODKA, and it certainly lived up to its name. The chicken was crispy and juicy, the sauce was perfectly balanced with a hint of vodka, and the pasta was cooked al dente. To top it all off, we shared a MARTINI flight - a great way to sample different flavors. Each martini was expertly crafted and delicious. Overall, our experience at Carbonara was exceptional. The food was outstanding, the service impeccable thanks to Sharron the atmosphere was inviting. We highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be back next time we are in town. We are from Boston, MA, and always eat in the famous North End neighborhood and I can say Carbonara is top 3 and they ain't number 2 or 3. When we return I will make sure to ask for Sharron as our waitress.

Unbelievable. Still here and ordering more food post entree. 10/10, highly recommend. Frank Sinatra cover singer playing, Orioles baseball playing at the bar, staff is incredible

This is an incredible place to eat. The service was awesome and the food was even better. The pasta was fresh. The portions were perfect and the tiramisu martini was the best.

We didn't have reservations and they made it. Attention, service and food really good. My kid love the spaghetti with red sauce and all the staff very friendly (Stefan's recommendation on point) and the manager cool guy !! Definitely we are coming back with the familia

Really nice addition to the Ballston area. I tried the Campari spritz which was the right amount of bitter. We shared some meatballs that were good but wouldn't necessarily get again. They were very spongy. Would like to try the arancini next time. The bread comes with marinara and olive tamponade. Would appreciate the option of butter or olive oil. The chicken parm was really delicious. The vodka sauce is great and the chicken was super crispy. The pasta was good too. We also tried the orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe. The sauce and pasta was delicious. I didn't love the flavor of the sausage it was kind of bland and I think a spicy sausage would go better with the rich sauce. Portions were large and we had leftovers to bring home. I'm sure we'll be back and glad that I can walk to get solid Italian food!

Carbonara is the new go-to spot in Arlington! The staff is warm, welcoming & very attentive. The restaurant has a comfortable upscale vibe whether you are at the beautiful bar or in the dining are. The food is immaculate! My favorites are the Bucatini Carbonara Table Side and the Tortelloni Di Michael. Highly recommend!

Lucked out on a last minute reservation at Carbonara. We ordered a mixed green salad, carbonara and spicy vodka pastas. The salad was quite good and very large. Glad we decided to split it! The spicy vodka pasta was a bit too spicy. I personally would prefer a non spicy version because the actual pasta noodles were delicious. My husband had the carbonara pasta, and said it was excellent. The restaurant is a bit small and cramped but there is outdoor seating. Looking forward on visiting Carbonara again and trying some other dishes!

I've been to carbonara a few times now and each has been full of great food, service, and atmosphere! This is the perfect place to come with your friends for a birthday, date night, and so on. Highly recommend this if you're craving Italian in the Arlington area