Carrabba's Italian Grill — Restaurant in Dale City

First off, Chicken Trio was great. Drink was an experiment that was alright, but I probably wouldn't get it again. My server seemed nervous for some reason, but she was trying her best, and was quite helpful and wanted to make sure I had a good experience.

What really dinged the experience was the restaurant itself, the structure, the vibes.

I used to go here pretty often with my parents back when this place first opened, and for awhile afterwards, but they slowly started chipped away at the things which gave it distinctive charm. The main thing I remembered from the last time I visited, before the interior retrofit, was that bread was no longer brought out in baskets with warm cloth napkins, as when they opened, but rather crudely wrapped wax paper in wire bakets, and this is still the case unfortunately. I don't know what costs are being saved by doing this, because the bread, herbs, etc. Are all the same and quite good (maybe the bread got smaller? Wouldn't be surprised). The presentation is just lacking. Also, they put a weird ball in the oil pourer so I had to right the olive oil several times to actually get enough oil to swirl the spices. Another cost saving measure, I'm sure, probably helps prevent messes as well. However, a process which should take 5 seconds took a minute.

The food and service were still great (maybe a few dollars too expensive?) But I do NOT like the new (dunno how new, new to me) look of the restaurant. I dunno how long it's looked this way, but I don't dig it. The wood used to be darker, I feel, and I think there was greenery of some sort? The layout and wall decorations were WAY different. The bar area still looks nice. I think the two parts I did like in this new look were the interlaced dark and light woods on the floor and a chandelier over one table in the back corner. And the music was on in the front of house but not back of house where I was seated, by myself.

If a friend wanted to come here, I would shrug and say sure. I'd definitely rather come here than Olive Garden, but there is a lot of competition these days and Carabba's being stingy with bread baskets and olive oil, when their food is already a dollar or two too expensive, doesn't put them...

We received a warm welcome and were taken to our table promptly and that is the best thing i can say. We waited for over 8 minutes before the server came to our table. We placed our beverage order and when she returned with the beverages we placed our food order. We received our food and began to eat when a member of our party of 5 realized that his steak was tough and mostly gristle and fat, not a $20 steak. And another member of our group had ordered the stuffed pork chops and only received one pork chop instead of the 2 described. When the server finally came back to our table she was ask to return the steak due to the unsatisfactory quality, she took the plate and returned to the kitchen and told us she would bring the 2nd pork chop that was left off. The manager brought the same steak back to our table and ask that it be checked to assure it had been cooked to order. We explained that it wasn't the temperature but the quality (we knew it was the same steak as a portion had been cut into small bites before it was originally sent back and they were still on the plate). The manager took the plate back to the kitchen again and returned later with a decent cut of meat. While the manager was there we took the opportunity to point out the stuffed porkchop was not cooked done as it was still pink. The manager noted that it's hard to get pork meat done close to the bone. I would not recommend this restaurant, but if you do go, beware of the pork as they apparently are not able to cook it properly. We didn't receive a discount for the inconvenience and the fact that everyone else had finished their food before the problem with the steak was corrected leaving 1 person to rush eating his meal. The manager was not friendly and seemed more agitated that we had problems than concerned with offering good...

I cannot sing enough praises for Sandra, the exceptional server who made our dining experience at Carrabba’s unforgettable! From the moment we were seated, Sandra greeted us with the warmest smile and an energy that instantly made us feel at home. She didn’t just provide service; she delivered an experience.

Sandra’s knowledge of the menu was impressive. She guided us through the selections with such enthusiasm, offering insightful recommendations that proved to be absolute perfection. Her attention to detail was flawless—our drinks never ran empty, and every dish arrived perfectly timed and exactly as ordered. Sandra even anticipated our needs before we could ask, which made us feel so well cared for.

What truly set Sandra apart was her genuine kindness and charisma. She effortlessly balanced professionalism with friendliness, connecting with us in a way that felt natural and heartfelt. It was clear that she takes immense pride in her work, and that dedication shone through in every interaction. Sandra went above and beyond, ensuring every moment of our meal was delightful, from start to finish.

Her ability to make everyone at the table feel special was unmatched. Whether it was her attentiveness to dietary preferences, her quick wit and humor, or the little touches like checking in at just the right time, Sandra turned an ordinary night out into a truly memorable occasion.

Carrabba’s is lucky to have such a phenomenal individual on their team. If you have the pleasure of dining here, do yourself a favor and ask for Sandra. She’s not just a server—she’s an artist in hospitality. We left with full stomachs and full hearts, and it’s all thanks to Sandra’s extraordinary care. A true gem in every sense...