Ristorante Bonaroti — Restaurant in Vienna

Had been here a handful of times now, and it's been satisfactory for the Vienna area. We had dinner there last Saturday night, and it was most likely our last meal there.

First, we made a reservation for 7:30, and got there on time. We waited 15 minutes still. Nobody was being seated before us, so not much traffic in the front. We just stood by the podium as they said it would be a minute. On our walk to the table, the restaurant was NOT busy, and tables were available everywhere. I believe they had us wait , so the owner could walk us to our table? For us, waiting to have him walk us to our table is not necessary.

For drinks/food. The vodka martini straight up I ordered was bad. The problem I tasted, it must have been shaken in a shaker previously used to make a lemon drop (or other citrus drink)...terrible taste, and I could not drink it. I ended up sending it back, and ordering a bourbon (that was good). Usually with Italian food, I look forward to a straight up vodka martini ($15), so I was off to a bad start when they couldn't get the basic drink correct.

I had the seafood linguini, which was ok, but for $28, I expect a bit more. My wife had the gnocchi, and she felt it was over cooked - she ate a few before she called it a night. Food-wise, I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 still.

So the food was ok, but it may have been the atmosphere that played a role in our bad experience. A table 15-20ft away kept face timing people throughout our meal, and it could clearly be heard by everyone. A majority of the Facetime conversations were in Italian, so I could not say what it was about - but it was very loud and carried all throughout the room we were in. When the waiter approached the table to offer them wine at one point, we thought he was on a mission to shut down the loud Facetime call as he briskly walked over...but he didn't. He let them be. A few other tables were eyeing these folks as well in hopes they'd get off the phone. I felt, and probably others, if we approached them and tried to shut them down, it may not have been 'smooth' sailing. Once we were done with our meal, we quickly asked for our bill so we could get out.

When you're spending $150 for dinner, you really shouldn't have to play cop, and ask someone to respect your time and space by taking the call outside - it should have been done by the restaurant.

Upon leaving, people were sitting at a table just a few feet outside the door smoking. This means, walking out of the restaurant after your meal, you had no choice but to walk through cigarette smoke. Bad start, bad ending - so a disappointing evening. Again, maybe much of it was atmosphere related. Some folks can deal with that, but for us, we were very annoyed most of the meal as it isn't necessarily cheap to eat there. Hopefully for others, they don't run into this type of scenario when dining there - this could have...

This is a review for my visit on 8/3/15. Ristorante Bonaroti is a class act, they have waiters who are attentive, well-mannered, helpful, basically everything a waiter should be.

To start you're given warm focaccia served with butter, sundried tomato spread, & olive tapenade, along with being offered the usual olive oil and balsamic. Both spreads were delicious and the bread as well although I was somewhat intimidated by how much bread was given to two people in a single basket.

We began the meal with an Appetizer of Carpaccio di Filetto, while the waiter reminded us three times that it was served raw. I thought that was acceptable given people may not realize what they're ordering if they aren't familiar with carpaccio. They served the appetizers on separate plates, which I appreciated as carpaccio can be a fairly hard thing to split off of a single plate due to the delicate texture of the raw meat. It was amazing, the lemon gives it a nice acidity without being overbearing, and the Parmesan was delicious (even though I'm not particularly fond of it.)

For entrees we ordered the Fettuccine con Funghi ($23.95) and Bocconcini Di Vitello "Bonaroti" ($24.50). At first bite of the fettuccine I thought they could've added salt but I would much rather be served something under salted than over salted. After sparingly adding the salt myself, this dish was amazing, the Porcini mushrooms and cream sauce stole the show, well so did the fettucine, and the truffle oil. Well I guess every aspect of this dish was a win.

On to the Bocconcini Di Vitello "Bonaroti," I had a bit of dining envy after trying my mamma's dish because it's spectacular. I don't know who was behind the concept of stuffing veal with more veal but I am completely behind it. The Marsala sauce was amazing, and the risotto was perfect.

Our meal ended with homemade tiramisu and a gratis plate of biscotti, which after telling our waiter how much we loved it, we were given a complimentary box to take home with parting words of "you'll enjoy that with coffee in the morning."

TL;DR: Bonaroti is an amazing Italian place for a night out when you don't mind...

Ristorante Bonaroti in Vienna, VA, is an absolute culinary treasure! From the moment you step inside, you are transported to the heart of Italy with its warm and inviting ambiance.

The food at Ristorante Bonaroti is simply divine. Each dish is prepared with love and passion, using authentic Italian recipes and the freshest ingredients. The flavors are rich and comforting, reminiscent of home-cooked meals enjoyed in Italy.

The pasta dishes are a standout, with perfectly cooked noodles and delectable sauces that leave you wanting more. The seafood and meat options are equally impressive, with tender cuts and a wonderful blend of herbs and spices.

The service is exceptional, with a staff that treats you like family. The waiters are knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings, ensuring that every aspect of your dining experience is seamless and enjoyable.

The wine selection is extensive, offering a variety of Italian wines that perfectly complement the meal.

The desserts are the perfect way to end the meal on a sweet note. The Tiramisu is a must-try, and their gelato is simply heavenly.

The attention to detail and dedication to authenticity truly set Ristorante Bonaroti apart. It's evident that the owners and chefs take great pride in their establishment and are committed to delivering an unforgettable dining experience.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a taste of Italy, Ristorante Bonaroti is the place to be. Prepare to be delighted by the scrumptious food, warm hospitality, and the feeling that you've found a little piece of Italy right here in Vienna....