Handmade pastas, inventive aperitivo, and famed olive-oil cake.


























"This Falls Church favorite for Italian pastas (and excellent desserts) expanded with an outpost in Old Town; its cacio e pepe gimlet made an early splash, and the restaurant has a daily aperitivo happy hour." - Tierney Plumb


"Katherine Thompson’s famed olive oil cake helped her earn a 2020 James Beard nomination for outstanding pastry chef; the same slice is still served at her NYC alma mater L’Artusi to this day. Open since 2019, the popular Italian restaurant she runs with her chef-husband Gabe Thompson also sends out a delicious rhubarb tiramisu with marsala sabayon and gingersnap crumbs. The Falls Church original was joined by a newer location in Old Town." - Tierney Plumb


"Apertivo hour at this glossy Italian restaurant born in Falls Church runs until 6 p.m. daily, with $10 cocktails." - Missy Frederick, Tierney Plumb

"Ordering the cacio e pepe gimlet felt gimmicky but worked: it was well-balanced and echoed the pepper-and-cheese notes of the fresh mafalde pasta and hearty pork Milanese I enjoyed — the garlic bread is excellent, too." - Eater Staff

"This Falls Church favorite for Italian pastas (and excellent desserts) just opened an outpost in Old Town; its cacio e pepe gimlet is already making a splash." - Missy Frederick, Eater Staff
