Trattoria da Lina

I visited Trattoria da Lina around Easter this year, and as an Italian, I can confidently say I will not be returning. The food was highly disappointing, and the service was just average. The orecchiette dish, in particular, stood out for all the wrong reasons. The sauce lacked flavor, and the dish was topped with what appeared to be fake parmesan cheese—more reminiscent of shredded paper than actual cheese.

Outstanding Italian food. Meatballs are excellent. They provide Italian bread for the table. Lamb chops were quite good. Even the spinach was good. Service was friendly and efficient. The ricotta dessert was superb. I also tried the chicken parmesan and it was tasty. The serving size was enough to share.

Regarding to the service, we are taken aback by the scene that the owner/ manager did to us when we had already left the restaurant. We didn’t want to tip that much as we found the food was not good enough, and also because we didn’t know (they never mention this) that we’re supposed to mandatorily give at least the 30% of the bill. Being said this, once we left the place, the owner/manager ran madly towards us and literally yelled at us in the middle of the street because he thought that it was an insult what we tipped. He adopted an humiliating attitude by trying to make us feel dumb for not wanting to tip the 30% of a food that was not even the best. If they are expecting people to pay whatever they want them to pay, they should be at least clear from the beginning. We do understand if he wanted to clarify what is expected in terms of tips in his restaurant. However, a rude show like that is not acceptable. And we felt humiliated with that scene, even some people walking around us were looking at that scene. I would not recommend to go to this place as the service and food are not good enough, and the manager is really disrespectful. There are way many and better options in the area which are going to value your money. Now, regarding to the food. We really expected better based on the comments, but unfortunately that’s fake. First of all, food was not the best. We ordered a carbonara,and it was more pasta than pancetta in a small portion. The tiramisú is so far the worst I have tried. I have had the opportunity to try original Italian restaurants, and trust me this is not good. Even if the owner (or whoever is the rude man who manages the place) is Italian, he might not be entitled to own an Italian restaurant. In addition, the place is expensive for what they offer.

Nice little Italian place in downtown Takoma Park. It's connected to the pizza place and does full Italian on either side of the restaurant. My wife and I went on Friday night for date night. The appetizer was a special for the night (I can't remember the name) and was absolutely delicious. I had the chicken Parm which was good, and my wife had the gnocchi which was also delicious.

Pretty disappointing, especially given the price of the meal. The calamari was tough and generally not very tasty. My partner got the Chicken Parmesan; just a thin slab of chicken completely over-breaded and doused with cheese on top. Everything from appetizers to drinks was way too overpriced. The service was great but the atmosphere could also use some work - granted, we went on a slow night mid-week, but everything from the dim lighting to the weird smell didn't make for a very enjoyable date night.

Really solid pizza! I got the vegetarian pizza (it had a wacky name) which was pretty tasty! Could've used more veggies on it for sure. I got takeaway but the atmosphere seemed friendly and chill! It's always a good sign when there are plenty of families at your restaurant!

Just had one of the best Italian meals in decades!! Our server (I believe his name was George), was friendly, made great suggestions and was very attentive. The food was authentic and the portions were large. We also asked for something not on the menu and they were able to accommodate the request. Just a great all-around meal. We also took a loaf of warm, fresh bread home!

I've been here several times and I'm completely in love. The wine selection is great. I always enjoy the Moscato or Rose. As for food, everything I have ever had has been amazing. But my absolute favorites are... Fresh Burrata, Basil & Heirloom Tomatoes - So fresh and light! Seafood Pasta Calamarata Style - The pasta is always al dente. Sauce is on point and flavorful while light. And the seafood is so fresh. Grilled Octopus - While this has always been a favorite. It gets better with each visit! The octopus is grilled to perfection. Fusilli Alla Norma (Eggplant, Basil, Smoked Mozzarella & Tomato Sauce) - I love the fresh cheese and smoky flavors. And the pasta is always al dente. I've also tried and enjoyed... Gnocchi Pesto - The pesto is on point. And the gnocchi is perfectly cooked. Fried Calamari - The last time, it had no zucchini. And it was all legs. I'm a leg girl, so I was super pleased about this! Grilled Branzino. - This fish is perfectly grilled and fresh. The only things I've tried and wasn't crazy about were.. Caesar Salad - Super salty for my taste. Huge portion though. Spaghetti & Meatballs - Meatballs are good. But the spaghetti was a little too soft, and the sauce isn't very flavorful. The complimentary bread is fresh and comes with this addicting sundried tomato oil. You have been warned. The desserts are also delicious. The Tiramisu is hands down the BEST. But the GF Chocolate Caramel Cake is lovely as well. The service is always fantastic. So warm, welcoming and attentive. The prices are SO reasonable. Especially for the quality. My favorite Italian in the city!

We made a reservation here for my husbands birthday because he loves Italian and we don't eat pork. This was about the only spot I could find with an all beef meatball and lasagna! The location is good, and there is an attached parking lot connected to the gelateria attached to the building, the cost is $5. Cash. The menu is not overly expansive in a way that makes clear they know where they shine and that is all they're willing to do. They do NOT have a kid's menu. We ordered off menu for appetizers and the chef gallantly made bruschetta that isn't on the menu, but definitely should be!! My husband went for pesto and chicken parmigiana which he said was well seasoned if a bit crispy. My boys did the spaghetti and meatballs which were a very European portion and honestly about the size of a US kid's meal smh. They ended up ordering a second order and eating a little over half of it. My oldest son had the salmon over white beans. The portion on that was massive- it looked like easily 8oz of salmon and I ordered the lamb shank. It was large, well cooked, swimming in mushrooms and served with wedge potatoes and asparagus. It was like 4 stalks of asparagus. But they were good lol. The lamb shank was pretty big - probably at least 6-7oz but there were two mega bones so probably 5-6oz or meat. If you enjoy shank it's worth it- I prefer (and probably should've ordered) chops. I still give it a solid 3.8/5 for what it was. My MIL is a vegan and I'd been told they have an eggplant pasta with their marinara and gluten free pasta. She said she enjoyed it. I'll hold on to that. Oh and my daughter enjoyed her lasagna, but it is definitely heavy on the ricotta (as well it should be). The service was impeccable. The icing on the cake is that, for a cake fee (that was disclosed up front)they cut, lit candles on and served my husband's birthday cake. They have desserts and this is definitely a place where I'd gladly try tiramisu but we were full of flan cake lol and couldn't even taste a single gelato flavor. But there's a reason to return!!! 5/5

Amazing authentic fresh food. Started with the broccoli and house salad ! I had the branzino special and it was so fresh . Service was great and there was a little cute gelato store that's connected next door. Amazing experience and being a New Yorker this was amazing Italian food !

So I've lived in the Takoma DC neighborhood for a few years and hadn't yet tried Trattoria Da Lina. My in laws were in town so decided to finally try it out! Now let me start by saying we lived in Northern Italy for quite some years so we know true Italian....Trattoria da Lina sends me back to my time in Italy! The food and the drinks were so authentic and I truly felt like I was in my towns local restaurant in northern Italy! The fried calamari was cooked to perfection, the meatballs were so moist and the Frutti di Mare was top notch! Not only that but the customer service was fab! I had a fussy infant and a cranky 6 year old with me and the waiter was so patient and understanding. The icing on the cake was that I inadvertently left my purse at the restaurant and didn't realize it until the next morning! I emailed and the manager responded immediately and confirmed he had my purse and let me pick it up before the store opened. This is just overall a good establishment with authentic Italian food! It's my new go to for Italian and I'm so happy it's in the neighborhood! Bravo, Trattoria Da Lina!!

I was a bit confused when I first arrived as they asked me if I was here for pasta pizza or both. Turns out it is connected to a pizza restaurant which is why they ask this so if you are coming for this location specifically, ask for the pasta! The servers were nice but the food was just ok. I got the spaghetti and meatballs and the gnocchi. The meatballs were above average but the noodles tasted cheap which is disappointing since it was quite pricey. The gnocchi was better but I wish they were bigger and had more bite instead of just being soft. Chewy still but borderline mushy. The sauce was very good though!

Great food and service. I had the house salad which was great with veal scallopini special. Loved everything and the waiter and service was great.

Service and ambiance is great but the food lacks flavor. They cook the pasta well but need to add more flavor to their pasta sauce. Visited years ago and had a way better meal here.

We found this place while heading from DC to Maryland for an event and were not disappointed. It's in a cute neighborhood area called Takoma Park. They served their bread with sunflower oil and sun-dried tomatoes, which was so good. I started with the caprese salad, which was simple and fantastic. I got the pollo alla Milanese, which was delicious. The chicken was perfectly crispy, and the arugula and grape tomatoes with fresh-squeezed lemon juice made it next-level. My SO got the rigatoni alla carbonara, which was also tasty. We took dessert to go; the tiramisu and cannoli were both great, as well. Simple dishes that are just so well done- that's what makes Italian food so good and that's exactly what we got here. Our service was excellent- very friendly and helpful staff. Overall, a great dining experience. I'm just sad we don't live close enough to become regulars.

Delicious authentic fresh Italian food in the DMA area. Brings me back to my honeymoon in Amalfi Coast. Definitely worth the trek over the river from McLean, VA. The Fusilli alla Lina with stewed eggplant really hit the spot! It was my favorite dish in Amalfi and never had a dish like that in the U.S. The chewy al dente Fusilli noodles were divine and unique as long twisted noodles like Gemelli rather the traditional corkscrew shape. It paired well with the fresh crispy chunks of eggplant stewing in marinara sauce and oozing with cheese. The Eggplant Parmesan was a generous serving with layers of fresh juicy fried eggplant (prepared earlier that shift) was scrumptious and delicious. If I had to pick between the pasta or the eggplant parm, I would go with the Fusilli because it also has eggplant, best of both worlds! I wasn't a big fan of the Tiramisu. While it was served in the traditional Italian form of a cup rather than the Americanized cake, the chocolate cake topped with a mound of whipped cream and cocoa powder really missed the mark. Where were the lady fingers soaked in expresso and mascarpone cheese? I threw in the towel 1/2 way through. Skip the dessert and save more room for the main course! The complementary bread was cold - would have been nice to serve it warm. The spicy olive oil was interesting, but didn't quite pair well and a side of olive oil and vinegar would have elevated the bread. It's a free app, so can't have too many complaints here! The staff was great and let me sample a Pinot Noir Impero and another Italian Nero red wine (don't remember the exact name) that was more fuller-bodied and flavorful with notes of spices. While I chose the Pinot Noir, I appreciated the recommendation to try the other wine. There's no outdoor table seating. You can get carry-out and sit outside at the small square tables, but there's no service. While it wasn't that busy on a bustling Sat night with people trickling in, I'm glad I made a reservation. Will definitely come back for the Fusilli with stewed eggplant- so delicious!

This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Silver Spring/Takoma Park. Great southern Italian cooking. The food is consistently delicious. Best Eggplant Parmesan in town. A delicious selection of wines. Moderately priced. Quiet atmosphere with an attentive staff. Highly recommended.

Went in last night with family for a quick dinner with family. The service was great and the staff was very kind! As far as the food and ambiance, all is well. The tagliatelle bolognese still rules, and the carbonara was excellent!

I've been coming to this restaurant since they first opened because the food, atmosphere & quality of service is some of the best in the area! If you're in the mood for true Italian, this is your spot. If you want pizza,...there's other places to pick from. I'm not saying their pizza isn't great, I'm just saying that's not a staple when you have true Italian dishes to pick from, save the pizza for someplace else & treat yourself here instead. It is worth it. If you're looking to entertain a small group of friends, this is excellent. If you're on a date, this is great, if you want to take your kids for real Italian, also great choice. I can't wait for my next dish because I will always rotate my choices when coming here, you should too! It won't disappoint.

I went here last week and don't know how I forgot to write this. I had the lasagna, the octopus, calamari and another dish. When I say... THE BEST. THE BEST FLAVOR... THE BEST SERVICE. I felt at home... The place, the people, the food ...MAGNIFICO! GRANDIOSO!!!! MAESTOSO!!! I feel like I discovered a hidden gem. Hidden from me no more !!! (It makes no sense why I didn't take pictures of all the food. I normally do but I started digging in and couldn't stop for photos !!) YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE!!!!

This place is located in a prime spot in takoma park. There is free one hour parking opposite to it. We got 1. Pollo alla Parmigiana (5/5) the taste of the chicken was amazing, fried well and tender. The sauce that comes with it was excellent. Only flip side though no pasta with it. 2. Tagliatelle alla Genovese (5/5) I am not a sea food fan, but this dish was amazing too. The pesto was light and the meat was very tasty. The fresh tomatoes add a great freshness to the dish. Overall an amazing place to go. We got to go due to covid. The hostess Kaite was amazing and friendly. If you crave for Italian food, definitely worth a try.

The location of this restaurant is in a quaint part of Takoma Park. There's a few tables outside you can sit at if you order carry-out , and lots of street parking around. We ordered Calamari, Octopus salad and Cavatelli Frutti di Mare and these were delicious. The warm complementary bread was a nice surprise too! Unfortunately, the Fusilini all Lina and Lasgana (overpriced for the size) was way too salty for our taste. Not sure if I'll trek my way out here again, but if you go, I would probably recommend sitting inside for the service and environment.

Delicious authentic italian food, courteous service, relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended!

My family and I went there for dinner and the food was good I ordered lamb chops by, it's was 4 little pieces very thin so it was more bone than meat that's the reason why I gave it 3 Star.

Had a quiet anniversary dinner together. Lina's did not disappoint. Great food - as always. Such a great place to go, eat super food and relax. The staff are always top notch. This is a place we come back again and again and again!

I wish I could give more than 5 stars! I wanted a special treat for my birthday this year. Since we can't eat out due to COVID-19 I did some research about great takeout. I love Italian food but have high expectations and am pretty picky about that cuisine. I am so glad I came across Trattoria Da Lina!! Everything is fresh and delicious! I went with the tagliatelle with tomatoes, a light pesto cream sauce and crab meat; so tender and full of flavor! My husband got the tagliatelle bolognese; I usually don't like red sauce because it often tastes so acidic but this particular sauce was delicate and creamy, I highly recommend this dish! I couldn't be happier and can't wait to come back when we can dine in and get the full experience!

A+ all the way! Service was friendly and excellent and efficient. Atmosphere was pleasant and, despite being 100% full, not a loud place. Our mixed greens salad was fresh and lightly dressed. My rigatoni carbonara was rich and creamy and delicious. My partner loved his pork loin entree. Our saffron cake dessert was unusual, minimally sweet, and absolutely delicious. We will definitely be back for another meal!

There are no pictures with this review because when my dish arrived, Pork Marsala, it seemed sacrilegious to take the time to photograph it. It was plated nicely, with a light translucent marsala sauce and covered fully in mushrooms. It smelled heavenly, and tasted that way as well. Pork was tender, mushrooms cooked just right, and the marsala sauce--one of the best that I have had. My daughter had the spaghetti and meatballs, and when she ordered, I was kind of like, "Really..spaghetti and meatballs? With everything else on the menu.." BUT they were delicious! I would tell you about the classico lasagne...but my husband didn't even share one bite of it. Seriously. I plan on coming back, and going from the appetizers to the insalata to the first and second courses and share family style. I am so looking forward to it...You have no idea! This place is a don't miss...drive the extra distance to get to it type of place. And it is pretty small and romantic to boot. Try to save room for desert---but even if you don't--get some anyhow!

Quiet, civilized restaurant with excellent food and service. Friendly and refined. Easy parking nearby in city lot.

Food is pretty good, but I'm not really sure how they can justify charging $26 for literally 6 pieces (exact count) of ravioli. Disappointingly overpriced which is a shame because I liked their food enough that I would've ordered from them regularly. Don't do it you'll drop $100 to still feel hungry at the end of the night.

Great place. Good food, reasonably priced and friendly service. Good vegetarian options. The tomato oil they serve with their bread is amazing.

Untrustworthy staff. My credit card information was stolen after I ate here. Be warned.

Lovely, lovely Italian restaurant. I absolutely loved the vibes there... I could've spent all day dining and chatting at Trattoria! It's a small restaurant with a cozy yet elegant interior. This restaurant is definitely a sight for sore eyes with its paintings, decorative dish ware, string lights, and holiday themed decorations. Our server was super attentive and kind, which is always an absolute plus. I got the carbonara as my entree and it absolutely hit the spot. It was creamy but not too heavy and I think their portions are perfect! Would totally want you guys to give this place a try if you're looking for some memorable Italian food.

I have been here twice so far. The food is good and the service is good. Whatever you do, don't ask for grated cheese on your seafood. They made a point that that is not a thing in Italy. I am looking forward to going back again.

The food was beyond disappointing. I had two appetizers, a pasta and an entree and nothing was very good at all. It was edible and the staff was friendly but would have just saved my money and enjoyed Ragu at home more.

Have now eaten here twice and am proud to call this my local/neighborhood Italian restaurant. The second time I'd say was even better than the first. First visit: - prosciutto and figs - not bad, maybe could have been a little fancier - orecchiette w/ sausage ragout - rich, full in flavor, very good! - saffron ricotta cake - light and very delicious! Second visit: - calamari in tomato stew w/ peas (special) - was amazing; well balanced and I really hope they have it again! - grilled salmon - was grilled perfectly and had a great char on the outside while medium and tender on the inside! - tiramisu - good, but too much cocoa powder on top; the only dish I'd criticize, but not enough to prevent 5 stars. Italian food is not overly fancy but it's done well and all the dishes were full of flavor. We will be coming back here many times :)

Lasagna was meh ( overcooked and definitely not fresh, probably was waiting a long time to be served) and portion was not great either, ambiance was ok, 2 stars.

the food was amazing. easily the best italian food in the area. I would skip desserts tho. my friend got the gnocchi in cream sauce and I got one of the specials - pasta in red sauce. so. good! and i'm usually not a big fan of tomato-based sauces. but this was truly excellent. highly, highly recommend.

My friends and I picked up dinner from here this past weekend. We ordered the fried calamari, grilled octopus salad, meatballs, cavatelli frutti di mari, orecchiette con salsiccia (sub linguini), tagliatelle alla Genoese....so basically everything lol! Everything was great! I really loved my linguini con salsiccia. The pesto cream sauce on the crab pasta was really good too. I had been to the restaurant once before so I knew it was good. Good to know it travels well too!

Well, 4.899! Please take shrimp tails off shrimp that are sauced! Otherwise, perfect in every way.

I've been eating at Lina since they opened. The food used to be so good! During Covid we felt that the quality had slipped a bit, and were wondering if the family was in Italy and had left others in charge. However, we have had two very bad take out experiences in March, and will not be returning. Chicken Marsala....the chicken had the texture of Linoleum. The servings were much smaller and all the dishes were inferior. As a resident of TP, we have a lot of choices and will not be returning here.

This is the first time I've been back since the pandemic, and I have to say it is just as good as it was before!!! Delicious meatballs. Great service. So glad this restaurant is in Takoma!

This is one of our go-to Italian eateries. We've dined several times and never been disappointed. Service is always very good, & food is always delectable. I highly recommend the gnocchi (20x over)! As a bonus for covid questioners, Trattoria has always done a great job having tables spaced so that you're distanced, and there is room to move around

I love Takoma Park -- the Berkeley of the East Coast, as they sometimes call it. One night, I was in the mood for some homey, cozy, traditional Italian food, and after a few Google searches, we ended up at Trattoria Da Lina. What a lovely surprise! The food is from the south of Italy (my favorite part), and it hits all of the adjectives I was looking for. One time we went at around 7 PM and it was packed, with guests waiting in the foyer to enter. Last night, we went at around 8:40 and there was no wait. The service was fast, and the food was delicious. We ordered the lasagna and the bolognese tagliatelle. Both were so delicious with unique spices that I could not put a name on (nutmeg? allspice?). I was worried the lasagna would be heavy as they sometimes can be, but it was perfect. Yes, perfect. Beautiful layers of meat and sauce. Not drowned in bechamel and not drowned in tomato sauce. Both the lasagna and the bolognese were generous with the beef. We ended the dinner by splitting the rich chocolate cake (it has cream cheese which really tones/complements down the chocolate in a beautiful way) and an espresso + cappuccino. Perfect meal and will obviously be back.

I had such a great time! I've decided to write a review immediately! If you're looking for a great date spot this is your place! My mother has been very sick and my aunt flew in from Peru to help take care of her, so I decided to take my two aunts out to say thank you and they were craving vodka sauce! (I know strange for Peruvians lol) Anyways we got lucky and parked right in front! Walked in with no reservation and were seated immediately, we were there around 8:30-9pm on a Saturday. It was relatively full, lively. Very nice atmosphere! Service was great, they were happy employees delivering quick service and they really met all our needs, let us sample wines gave us extra noodles, all awesome! Customer service was beyond inviting for first time guests, and for guests who didn't all speak the same language :) Food was phenomenal, we had the carbonara, lobster ravioli special (with the great vodka sauce) and I had their lamb (which seriously --you will dream of --very good) so good in fact I ordered ano one more lamb entree for my aunts who were jealous. We had dessert which was also yummy, tiramisu and chocolate salami, which we thought at first sight was a mistake but ended up being a bigger hit than the tiramisu! Shocking I know! All in all they were so friendly, it was an adorable restaurant food was great drinks were on point and the night was a success! Many thanks to the staff for helping make my aunts night! Will most definitely come again soon!

Do NOT -- repeat, not -- order from Trattoria Da Lina. I spent $90.42 last night on an Uber Eats order of caprese, meatball appetizer, and chicken parm. Caprese: ok, but certainly not worth $16.50. Meatballs: mediocre. Chicken parm: the absolute worst I've ever had, and I've had chicken parm all over. Overcooked and tasted like a rock. I had two bites and threw it out. This is all especially disappointing, because I've heard the place is cute inside, and it certainly has a great location. But, alas. Really, really bad experience.

Tried this restaurant while in town visiting. It is a small cute very casual restaurant. The food was good. My husband and i had the frutti di mare it was very good. My kids got orrecheitti which was very good and chicken Parmesan which was large portions but it didn't come with pasta. Dessert cannoli was ok filling wasn't that good. Would come again

I had dinner here with my boyfriend and wow the food did not disappoint. We live locally and will definitely be back! The calamari was melt in your mouth type good and not chewy at all and the red dipping sauce was simply amazing. For dinner he had the chicken Parmesan and the spaghetti with red sauce and it was delicious! I had the gnocchi and it was the best I've ever had. I would recommend this restaurant if you are looking for classic Italian flavors that are made to order.

The service was indifferent and rushed. The raw eggplant was heated unevenly in a microwave oven and garnished with an insipid sauce revealing small blots of cheese -- all of this conspired for the making of an unpalatable meal. And this munificence cost only $20.00!

I was craving lasagna, and I got lasagna...but like a 10 layer lasagna from Trattoria Da Lina. Hit the spot, listen bros, if your girl's got the cravings. Pick yourself up 2 lasagnas and maybe a bottle of cab (they got a take out special atm) from this place and you're all good. I should have taken a photo of the lasagna, but I smashed the entire thing before I thought of doing so. Can't wait to come back when they fully open. Will def be back for more.

Best Lasagna I've ever had in my life!!! Will be coming back here as soon as it's possible.

My girl friend and I had our date night here, and I loved it! The tables are small, crowded, and intimate under warm lighting, and the food was very good. Pastas run around ~$20 and for the amount of flavor and perfect portion, I would very pleased. I loved my rigatoni, very flavorful and generous amount of cheese, but would have loved to see more foie gras. For a Saturday night, it gets busy really quick and the queue goes out the door. Definitely recommend getting here early or making a reservation at peak hours. After we were done with our meal, the line was out the door and the staff was nice and didn't notice any pressure to leave, as we stayed a few minutes longer. I saw families, couples, and friends gathering around delicious foods. So I would say this restaurant is perfect for all occasions. I found some residential parking near the restaurant, but it looks like there is also a small parking lot around the corner. I would definitely come back and try out everything else, and it reminds me of all the great memories eating all the cozy trattorias in Italy!

Excellent quality pasta and steak. Appetizers had a kick too it and sufficed all 20-25 people. Irene was a fantastic server and took care of us real well. When you're here, request her and you'll be in good hands. Thank you , to all the staff for taking care of us! 5/5 / 10/10!

I picked this restaurant for my wedding rehearsal dinner and they did not disappoint. The owner, Marcelo,was amazing and helped me pick a tasty meal for 20-25 people in a stress free way. The food was amazing. I read reviews saying you get a taste of Italy at the restaurant and that is 100% true. The staff were amazing and took care of us so well. I would definitely recommend Trattoria Da Lina and will be coming back again

I am glad that the rest of my party of six enjoyed this place, but I was not in love with it. Granted, it has only been open for about six months and majority of the reviews seem very happy with it! That's great. The portions are on point. They are not overly large nor small - they are perfect sizes for a single serving and prices were perfect too. My particular dish was not what I was expecting. I had asked for a meal with white sauce and I got what I asked for, however, the mix of items in my dish were disastrous. The dish I replaced it with was quite flavorless too. I sucked it up and ate it, but not without complaining to myself I wouldn't order these dishes again. My bottom line - I think it is hit or miss. I think there are other options to be considered and next time I will. Like I said, maybe stick to the red sauce dishes instead of white sauce dishes!!

Blown away by this place! The food was incredible as was the service!!!! We are visiting from out of town and discovered this amazing Italian place right here on yelp! Thank you yelp From The sun dried tomato dipping sauce with crispy warm bread to the perfectly cooked meat balls and lamb chops! SHUT UP!!! we had lasagna, eggplant parm, fettuccini, steak and lamb chops...did I say lamb chops? Oh my gosh! Soooo delish! They were so nice too! The owner came to our table and we told him they need a tv show! They moved here from Naples Italy and we are so lucky! They even hooked us up with some dipping sauce to go!!! They should sell it in jars!!! The weather was perfect to sit just outside and enjoy some delicious mango sorbet and gelato! Mmmm I wish we were here longer...we would so come back again!!! People-you need to make sure you try out this wonderful gem in Takoma Park Washington DC I predict they will have their own TV show one day soon!!! You're welcome

I've been here several times and I'm completely in love. The wine selection is great. I always enjoy the Moscato or Rose. As for food, everything I have ever had has been amazing. But my absolute favorites are... Fresh Burrata, Basil & Heirloom Tomatoes - So fresh and light! Seafood Pasta Calamarata Style - The pasta is always al dente. Sauce is on point and flavorful while light. And the seafood is so fresh. Grilled Octopus - While this has always been a favorite. It gets better with each visit! The octopus is grilled to perfection. Fusilli Alla Norma (Eggplant, Basil, Smoked Mozzarella & Tomato Sauce) - I love the fresh cheese and smoky flavors. And the pasta is always al dente. I've also tried and enjoyed... Gnocchi Pesto - The pesto is on point. And the gnocchi is perfectly cooked. Fried Calamari - The last time, it had no zucchini. And it was all legs. I'm a leg girl, so I was super pleased about this! Grilled Branzino. - This fish is perfectly grilled and fresh. The only things I've tried and wasn't crazy about were.. Caesar Salad - Super salty for my taste. Huge portion though. Spaghetti & Meatballs - Meatballs are good. But the spaghetti was a little too soft, and the sauce isn't very flavorful. The complimentary bread is fresh and comes with this addicting sundried tomato oil. You have been warned. The desserts are also delicious. The Tiramisu is hands down the BEST. But the GF Chocolate Caramel Cake is lovely as well. The service is always fantastic. So warm, welcoming and attentive. The prices are SO reasonable. Especially for the quality. My favorite Italian in the city!

~don't cry because it's over, smile because It happened~ THAT is the kind of meal I had here FOOD: burrata- dreamily creamy and excellently seasoned Octopus- if octopus isn't cooked this way It shouldn't be cooked at all Fettuccine Alfredo- 4 cheeses nuff said Gnocchi- pasta pillows from heaven Tiramisu- perfect not too sweet end to a sweet evening Our server was so pleasant and charming, couldn't understand the special because of said charming accent but someone in my party ordered It anyways and the fish was DELICIOUS This place is so nice and cozy and warm and everything that came out of the kitchen was so good Tip: street parking after 630/730 some places is free The parking lot is $5 (at least on week nights)