Cafe Italia Ristorante

Café Italia Ristorante is located on 23rd Street in Crystal City Arlington, VA.  Crystal City is a suburb of Washington, DC.  Café Italia Ristorante is my absolute favorite Italian Restaurant world wide.  It is a small place that provides a nice Italian setting, and if you prefer, you can sit next to the window overlooking the sidewalk.  It has been visited by many dignitaries.  Famous people and dignitaries that have visited Café Italia Ristorante have their names on small brass plaques mounted on the walls throughout the Restaurant.  I can’t possibly name all of the famous people who have these little plaques displayed in there, but I have seen names like Al Gore, George H.W. Bush, Newt Gingrich, and the list goes on and on.

Although the small brass plaques are interesting, this is not the reason why I call Café Italia Ristorante my favorite Italian Restaurant.  I have many reasons I like to eat there. First, is their attention to detail and customer service. The Café Italia staff treat you with courtesy and are attentive to the customer throughout the meal.  Second, the food is prepared fresh on the premises.  Third,  they have a very nice wine selection, and last but not least, the taste of the food is wonderful.  I usually get a bottle of Chianti and order the Chicken Parmigiana when I go there.  It is served with a side of pasta and a small diner Salad.  The Marinara Sauce is very tasty, and to let you in on a little secret - they add a pureed carrot to the recipe. All dinners are also served with Italian Bread. I love the Bread.  It is soft and chewy and has sesame seeds on the crust.  I usually will end my meal with some Spumoni.  Spumoni is an Italian layered Ice Cream with candied fruit and nuts in it.   Occasionally I will have an Espresso or Cappuccino with the Spumoni.

I highly recommend Café Italia Ristorante if you are going to Washington, DC.  If you like authentic Italian food, then be sure to check out Café Italia Ristorante in Crystal City.