The Italian Place — Restaurant in Virginia

My 92 year-old mother was excited about this place moving to Mosaic so we went today. I honestly have no idea why their other spot is so “famous”: She got Minestrone soup that was “served” lukewarm in a cardboard container and a plastic spoon like you’d find in an elementary school. The spoon made it hard to eat and it was unremarkable. I got an Italian sub that was served on a store-bought roll, very stingy on the meat and the only pepper option was banana peppers, not the nice cherry or other sliced peppers any Italian place offers. I got a few lettuce crumbs from the white, hard center of a lettuce head. I’d say the meats were slightly better than subway but everything else was below even that low bar, and it’s PRICEY. Even their soda machine was just the usual afterthought that solely offers Coke products so they can make a few extra cents on each soda instead of offering actual choices to their customers. They do have a small Italian food shop with high prices and very small selections. They play Italian 50s/60’s music at a loud enough volume to make it hard to hold a conversation. I can’t imagine this place lasting...

Update: Another sandwich - still 3 stars - chicken parm. Sandwich was ready quickly, added hot peppers and that was an up-charge (Ive never seen that before for a sandwich). have a strong suspicion they used frozen tenders to make this sandwich, I'm very skeptical of the quality after past visits. Their large sandwiches are so small. Mosaic was really lacking a good sandwich spot and unfortunately this place doesn't really fit the bill for me. I'd really love to have Taylor Gourmet back. Looking forward to Pupatella.

I've eaten here a couple of times so far. Based on my experience I can recommend the sandwiches. I've had a cold cut and a meatball and both were delicious, the bread was fresh and the meats and toppings were also fresh and delicious. Today I added a side salad to my order and was pretty disappointed by what I received - soggy bagged lettuce mix which was not even romaine, its iceberg with purple cabbage and carrots. I put the salad in the trash because I'm not eating soggy lettuce - soggy like 2-day old leftover chopped salad.

I'll follow back up if quality improves in...

Not a great experience. Pizza is mediocre and dry. Cheese was not really melted all the way, and dough was blah. Plates and napkins are cheap. Probably also tells me their ingredients are too. Staff is lazy talking amongst each other, with limited assistance. I am the only person in line, and they want me to order through the touch screen. I am very savvy, with monitors and touch screens, but why do I need to do this, when you have your team that can do it, especially with no line. Took me a good 4-5 minutes to order. Then they have the nerve to ask for a tip on the touch screen. I still did anyways with 20% but why? They didn't even bring my food to my table. They just called my name to come get it. I had to throw all my trash away. Don't ask for tip, if there is no assistance anywhere in the place. No help at all. If I was a betting man, this place will not be here in 2 years. Putpettela will put it out of business. Actually was going to go there, but they were not open, due to still training. Retrain your lazy staff. Buy better plates...