La Cucina — Restaurant in Virginia

I read a review of the carbonara, and had my mouth set on that dish when I walked in - today (Saturday lunchtime). As I browsed the menu, I didn’t see it listed. Referring back to the review, I realized it was offered as a special. When the server (incredibly friendly and helpful - ALSO 5 stars) came and asked what I wanted to order, I explained what had brought me in. She offered to ask the chef if he could accommodate my request, since they weren’t too busy.

To my delight, he made it for me, and it was DELICIOUS. Full disclosure, when I make carbonara at home, I don’t follow the recipe for the classic dish - for one, I use bacon. The true dish calls for guanciale, which has a different flavor (though not unlike bacon). It is a … deeper saltiness, a subtler taste than crisped bacon (I love that too!).

All that to say, bravo! For taking the time to make the dish for me when it wasn’t on special or on the menu, for offering to ask, for wonderful service… ALL WONDERFUL.

A little sad that I live an hour and a half away, but I...

The food is good, BUT… The two of us ate outside. The flies were a real nuisance and the waitress confirmed that they were exceptionally bad this day. We ordered our meals and two glasses of wine. The flies were a real bother throughout dinner. At some point I noticed that the restaurant had hung up two plastic bags filled with water and some pennies. The waitress explained they were makeshift fly repellent somehow meant to scare them away; however, afterwards when I went to reach for a second sip of my wine I discovered a fly floating in it. We brought it to the waitress’ attention and she asked if I would like another glass. I said yes please. Later we saw that we were being charged for the refill. I retold her what happened expecting the duplicate charge would be removed and she agreed, but after her explanation to the manager he/she decided to still charge me half price for the glass. That’s simply poor business practice and NOT RIGHT. I don’t fault the waitress. In fact, we left her a nice tip, but we don’t plan...

We moved to Powhatan VA which is a food desert in and of itself. We are foodies from Philly SO for the past few months we have searched for a place to eat something other than fast food, of which we don't partake. On a whim we drove 45 min to this strip mall gem. It was Sat. afternoon and the place was nearly empty. The owner greeted us and sat us and the delicious food journey began! Granted it was a panini on focaccia bread and a personal Italiana pizza BUT I felt like I was back home in Philly where fresh ingredients rule and Italian cooking is made with love. I can't understand why the place next door (specializes in wings?) was so busy and this gem was almost deserted but we can't wait to go back to sample dinner and dessert. This is the real deal folks and it is not expensive. Wonderful friendly service, delicious food and understated yet refined atmosphere in a strip mall. Believe me the 45 min each way was worth every mouthful. Did I mention the portions are huge so...