Carbonara
Italian restaurant · Virginia Square ·
Spaghetti, crab ravioli, espresso martinis, outdoor patio
Spaghetti, crab ravioli, espresso martinis, outdoor patio
"For chicken Parmigiana alla vodka, a server theatrically slides a blanket of gooey, melty cheese and sauce onto the plate right at the table, keeping the breaded chicken extra crispy under its molten cover." - Adele Chapin
"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
"In Ballston Mike Cordero’s nostalgia‑driven Carbonara channels The Godfather with a rustic menu of homemade pastas, hearty Sicilian pizzas, beef carpaccio, eggplant rollatini, cioppino stew, chicken cacciatore over ziti, tiramisu, and stuffed cannoli, and the 4,000‑square‑foot space evokes a throwback scene with circular booths, big banquettes, violin strummers, and Sinatra on loop for seating up to 150." - Tierney Plumb
"Returning to his roots, Northern Virginia restaurateur Mike Cordero is opening a red-sauce, Godfather‑inspired spot in Ballston called Carbonara: Old School Italian & Wine Bar, set to open next summer in the rotunda-shaped, 4,800-square-foot corner that formerly housed Next Day Blinds. The 40-year culinary vet — who began making meatballs in New York as a teen — is leaning into a rustic redesign and a menu of comforting classics: homemade pastas, hearty Sicilian pizzas, beef carpaccio, eggplant rollatini, cioppino stew, chicken cacciatore over ziti, tiramisu, and the stuffed cannoli made famous by the film. Italian wines will join Negronis and prosecco-topped bellinis, Puccinis, and spritzes at a 24-seat bar, while circular booths, big banquettes, violin strummers, and crooners will create a throwback scene for about 150 guests; the Cordero Hospitality group will run it as a family affair with his sons Nick and Anthony." - Tierney Plumb
"I noticed Cucina Al Volo is part of the Ballston food hall’s curated lineup of dining options." - Tierney Plumb
