La Bettola Italiano — Restaurant in Arlington

We went here during our trip to Arlington the first night, we ended up going back a second time because it was beyond amazing the first night. Service: We were sat immediately both the first and second night despite them being busy they found a spot for our party of 5. They brought fresh bread out right away and when they noticed we needed more they brought it out promptly. Water glasses were never more than half empty without getting a refill. Plates were cleared promptly and they made an effort to never reach over us. Very patient when we were finish conversation to ask us a question about our food, order, drinks, etc. To say the service was amazing and well above anywhere we have been is an understatement. Food: Everything is made fresh including the mozzarella cheese, we come from a family of dairy farmers so naturally we asked about where they got the cheese because it was so good. The chicken parm was one of the best I’ve had. Their pesto shrimp dish was some of the best pesto we’ve ever had. The calzones were soft and rich in both flavor and quantity in them. We knew once we had those dishes that we had to come back a second time to try their mozzarella sticks, they did not disappoint at all. Their pizza was delicious as well and you could tell everything on it was fresh. We ended up getting desserts our second night and had high hopes from the food being so good that the desserts would be as well. Desserts were a bit disappointing as none of them were like extraordinary, just like “yep, it’s a key lime pie” and unfortunately the tiramisu was still frozen inside when we got it. I’m hopeful that was just a mistake cause it really did take away from that second night experience. Pricing is beyond fair for the main dishes, mozzarella sticks do feel a bit expensive for the amount you get, 6 sticks for $12. And the desserts were definitely expensive for the quality. Atmosphere: Friendly, welcoming, enjoyable, clean and beyond anything I have experienced. Music was always playing but it wasn’t extremely loud and it was a very pleasant choice of song, not just a radio station turned on or a playlist of “most popular songs” never heard the same song twice, or if I did I...

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE!! I spoke with two people claiming to be the manager, the last one finally gave me his name as "Jay". I ordered two entrees and an appetizer to be delivered, an order of garlic bread, shrimp scampi, and chicken piccatta. I did not mind the price of $42 if the food was good- when it arrived it leaked all over the drivers bag as it was poorly packed... he suggested I call- I was not that concerned so just took the order. Upon opening I could not believe it- first and foremost, the chicken was grossly overcooked and did NOT taste of piccatta- the shrimp was the same...BOTH dishes were served with a side of pasta that was mush from being overcooked and a red sauce! Both dishes should have come with the sauce that the dish was cooked in (and to be sure I annotated online). The red sauce tasted like picante! Yes...it was grotesque- and NOT Italian. The garlic bread was not even toasted- you could see the pieces of sliced (yes sliced!) cheese on the bread. I called immediately- and after going through two individuals was told "I would like to work with you, how about 15% off your next order?" WHAT! I told him MANY times I would never order again, I would like my money refunded, we did not eat it---- the smell alone!!! Finally, the more heated I got "Jay" said he would pick my food up and give me credit. What a liar! He never came; I left the food with my concierge on my brief stint to get food (after an hour), and he begged me to take it from the smell- it sat outside my apartment door all night! The restaurant "manager" would not speak to me again- DO NOT VISIT THIS LOCATION! Not only is the food abhorrent, but the management/owners did not...

What a find!!! We took a chance after seeing several Italian restaurants in the area near our Airbnb. La Bettola Italiano delivered! We arrived early and found the place empty (which is always a little suss) but we were greeted and seated by our server Byron quickly. When asked, he suggested the Baked Salmon Angelica so that was my selection. My three dinner companions had Lasagna, Spaghetti & Baked Meatballs, and Spaghetti Fra Diavolo. The fresh bread came right out of the oven—spectacular! My dish, featuring fresh wild-caught salmon, was maybe the best dish I’ve ever had in any Italian restaurant! The sauce was intoxicating!! Even the side of veggies were perfection! Our server Byron was excellent (attentive but not overbearing at all) and he was joined in service by Said B. who stopped by to answer our questions and indicated EVERYTHING was scratch made. He was a delightful host! I rarely order dessert but the entree had been so amazing, I took a risk on the spumoni gelato dessert. FANTASTIC! Imagine a chocolate Easter egg full of pistachio, chocolate and cherry gelato with chocolate sauce and whipped cream!! MAGNIFICO!! I’m a big foodie—and love all kinds of food—but this meal was epic to me! For four entrees, four glasses of wine and four beers, it came to just over $150 (tip was an additional $30) and I’d do that again, again and again given the quality and service we enjoyed. Don’t hesitate to try it!! Viva La...