Mia's Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in Alexandria

DO NOT RECOMMEND. The overall experience was horrible, the behavior of the staff was way out of line. We got there before 9, took a couple of minutes and then we were kind of taken to be sat. I say it that way because when your hosts went to sit our party I guess they were trying to sit another larger party at the same time so our group got split up (some in the front, the large party in the middle, and the rest in the back.) It was confusing and neither hosts communicated or apologized for the confusion. After being sat, it only took a few minutes for the server to grab our drinks but took the server from 9 until just after 9:30 to grab a diet Coke and said she forgot. Took a very long time to take our order, which she did apologize for but she was also stocking and doing other things like standing by the pos system just waiting (she never even asked how our drinks nor appetizer was. She inquired one time out of the the almost hour dinner we were there, how it was and if she can get us something else.) Ordered a pizza along with other things. Pizza came out first, we explained that we would like to eat together. She said it comes from another part of our kitchen (weird thing to say we thought) so one of our guests told her, not really our problem, the food should come out together or very close to it and if it can be kept warm until then? It was not long after the food came so we asked for our pizza, the server said she refired the whole thing, which even though it was a nice gesture and she was trying to do the right thing, she literally put us right back in the same situation that we just had an issue with. Waited a few minutes but then ended up cancelling the pizza all together. Had our food, got our check and headed for the door.

NOW HERE'S THE KICKER AND I DID THIS IN CAPS SO OTHERS CAN SEE AND HOPEFULLY NOT EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING. WHEN WE WERE SAT, WE FOUND OUT ONE OF OUR GUESTS SAID SOMETHING UNSAVORY ABOUT THE HOST IN REGARDS TO THE SITTING SITUATION. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR GUESTS ADDRESSED IT BUT NOT ALL OF OUR GUESTS KNEW ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THEN YOUR HOSTESS THOUGHT IT WAS A BRIGHT IDEA TO GO TELL THE HOST WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS SAID. HERE'S WHERE IT GETS WORSE. AS WE LEFT YOUR SERVERS AND HOSTS WERE ALL CONGREGATED AT THE HOST STAND. OUR GUEST ASKED FOR A BAG. YOUR HOST, IN FRONT OF YOUR STAFF, TRIED TO CONFRONT THE SITUATION WITH OUR GUEST THAT DIDNT HAVE A CLUE HAS TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING BUT WAS BEING QUESTIONED(IN FRONT OF THE REST OF YOUR STAFF) ABOUT SOMEBODY SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT HIM BECAUSE THATS WHAT THE HOSTESS TOLD HIM. HOW WILD? I'VE WORKED IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY FOR OVER 15 YEARS. NOT ONLY HAVE I NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS, IF I DID, THAT STAFF WOULD NO LONGER BE EMPLOYED BY ME. THERE WAS 100 OTHER WAYS I COULD GIVE, TO HOW THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED. FIRST AND FOREMOST GETTING A MANGER INVOLVED IF THEY TRULY FELT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. EVEN MORE SO, OUT OF SAFETY. Your food is really good but your staff and the experience over shadowed that. I would not have mentioned the poor service or experience because the food was so good but because of the gossip, drama and embarrassment I felt I had no choice. Unfortunately we probably will never be back and wouldn't recommend anyone to go there. Hope this information isn't...

4.75 Stars

Why not 5 stars:

Service a bit slow starting out. It was New Years Eve though.

Second, one of the cooks wore his mask, since we arrived until we left, on his chin while everyone else complied with proper safety standards.

3rd, Steak was almost perfectly cooked, just a minute and half to two minutes over cooked getting very, very close to well done. We asked for medium well.

FOOD

STEAK:

As stated, almost perfectly cooked The flavors jumped out and the hint of the different seasonings were subtle but noticeable and on point. Well balanced.

Garlic Brocollini was a bit on the cold side. I would have preferred it on the warmer end of the spectrum.

Fettuccine Ai Funghi:

I hate with a passion mushrooms, but this dish, added with shrimp, I wouldn't mind eating over and over. That's how good it was.

Moist, not salty and beautiful array of wholistic flavors. A wonderful combination.

I bow for the cooks and head Chef!! BRAVO!

Salumi & Formaggi Board

Awe, where to start... This cemented the expectation for what was to come. The selection of Italian meats (our board was BLIND regarding the pickles. No where to be found) cheeses and other items were near perfect. But next time, they should include everything they say in the menu (pickles). Yet, it didn't hurt the plate.

Cannoli

interesting combination of flavors very good but the orange peel was a bit on the bitter side. Would i buy it again? 😒.... After I eat a dozen or more, I'll let you know.

SERVER:

She made us feel as she knew us for years. And once she got to us she got everything to us in a timely fashion, even though it was New Years Eve.

She was fun, professional and very knowledgeable. Cudos to her and the wonderful team that made possible such a great experience!

BATHROOMS

Clean, but please ensure to empty out the waste basket more often, the paper towels were almost falling on the floor.

Prices:

For the quality of food, perfecto!

All in all, a MAGNIFICO experience.

Best Italian restaurant I have visited in Northern VA.

Return Factor 100%

Recomend a Friend Factor 100%

WILL DEFINITELY SEE YOU AGAIN IN 2021, 2022, 2023 AND...

I visited on a Friday afternoon to eat lunch with family. As inviting as the outdoor seating looked, we sat inside near a window and enjoyed the clean, unpretentious atmosphere. The noise level was relatively quiet which allowed us to have a pleasant conversation without any trouble. I ordered The Wallop as my drink, the stuffed hot peppers appetizer, chicken cacciatore main, and tiramisu and vanilla gelato as dessert. Our server proved helpful if a tad inconsistent during our meal. The timing of our dishes was well-controlled and dishes were explained well in terms of portion size and spice level. We did need to remind him about drinks still on order and ask for a dessert menu when our check arrived. Overall we felt well attended and reflected our satisfaction for his service in our tip.

My drink needed a substitute for the aperol which they did not have. The drink was quite summery in taste — light and citrusy without too much strength in the alcohol that replaced the aperol. The hot peppers were as advertised with an assertive but not aggressive spice level and a satisfying balance between the sausage, peppers, and sauce. I particularly enjoyed the marinara sauce which I finished in both this dish and the next. The star of my main dish had to be the chicken — thighs cooked respectfully and delicately that the meat pulled apart with my fork. Still slightly juicy, the chicken stood on top of a still steaming hot pile of pasta which still had an al dente feel with just enough sauce for the generous portion. I have rarely felt as though I got this much value for this dish at other places. Dessert proved satisfying as well with the soft sponge cake and the well balanced coffee and cocoa flavors. The gelato had a good taste even if I was not necessarily as strongly reminded of my visit to Italy like I had hoped. Other dishes we sampled that met the approval of the table included the burrata, beef carpaccio, pizza diavola, and spaghetti carbonara.

We could absolutely come back for another visit to enjoy this concept of Italian food in Old...