Incorporated in 1874, Fairfax, Virginia, is just 16 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Roughly 4 percent of the city's more than 24,000 residents described themselves as Italian as of July 2009, making it the fourth largest European ethnic group in the city, according to City-Data.com. Fairfax is home to numerous Italian restaurants, which serve both lunch and dinner and range from casual to upscale ristorantes.
Dolce Vita has served the city of Fairfax since its opening in May 1995. The restaurant held "Zagat" dining guide ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food and service and "good to very good" for its decor as of September 2010. Pizza is the specialty of the house, and the restaurant serves 16 specialty pies, such as the allegra, topped with grilled chicken, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, roasted red peppers and fresh garlic. The wine list features more than 40 selections, the majority of which are Italian. Dolce Vita serves lunch Mondays through Saturdays and dinner nightly. Reservations are taken by phone. Business casual attire is recommended. Outdoor seating is available on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, weather permitting.
Dolce Vita
10824 Fairfax Blvd.
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-385-1530
dolcevitafairfax.com
Bellissimo Ristorante is located along Fairfax's Main Street. Ten appetizers lead the dinner menu, including the beef carpaccio, fried calamari and Northern Italian sausage with cannellini beans. The signature pasta dish is the linguine Bellissimo, which consists of diced shrimp, cherry tomatoes, portobello mushrooms in olive oil. Meat lovers may opt for the filetto di manzo, beef tenderloin served in a barolo wine with shiitake mushrooms and polenta. The restaurant also features a nightly tasting menu for two people. Bellissimo Ristorante is open for lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays and for dinner Mondays through Saturdays. The restaurant closes Sundays. Reservations are recommended and accepted over the phone. Business casual attire is appropriate.
Bellissimo Ristorante
10403 Main St.
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-293-2367
bellissimorestaurant.com
Established in October 2007, Villa Mozart Restaurant specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. As of September 2010, the restaurant held "Zagat" ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food, service and decor. The restaurant offers nine appetizers, such as the speck ham, cantaloupe melon, pistachio, aged ricotta salata cheese and marinated radicchio. The signature dinner is the house-made raviolli, produced from rye dough and stuffed with cheese, baby leaf spinach and chives. The wine list features 45 selections, including 18 bottled Italian reds and whites. Villa Mozart Restaurant serves lunch Mondays through Fridays and dinner Mondays through Saturdays. The restaurant is closed on Sundays. Reservations are highly recommended and taken by phone. Business casual attire is suggested. The restaurant offers outdoor seating on its rooftop during nice weather.
Villa Mozart Restaurant
4009 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-691-4747
villamozartrestaurant.com
