It seems that some reviewers have had bad experiences at Arucola, but I went here tonight with three friends and we had a good dinner and good service. I got gnocchi with veal ragu’ — the sauce was flavorful and the gnocchi well cooked(i.e. not mushy and not too firm). I started with an endive salad with balsamic vinegar, tomatoes and goat cheese and that was a tasty combination. A friend had cheese ravioli with butter and sage. and they were homemade and again quite good. I am Italian and a tough judge of pasta dishes, but this restaurant was much better than I remembered at my last visit. If I were you, I’d give it a try if you’re in the neighborhood. Maybe they are upping their game since there is competition from Macon and Blue 44? Two more notes: Service was very good, but the restaurant was not full. The pasta special was overpriced at $ 27.
Alexandra P.
Classificação do local: 5 Naples, FL
Went to dinner here last night. Wow. Fantastic homemade food. Starting off with the bread and oil so fresh and warm with perfect flavors! We had to request another basket. We had the calamari and shrimp app which was lightly breaded and had a zing to it served with a great marinara for dipping. Again absolutely delicious. Then my pork lasagna came out. I would say I’m a lasagna snob I order it everywhere I go and usually I’m unimpressed. Well not last night. The cheese to meat to noodle ratio was perfect. Not overly saucy. Just great. My boyfriend had the quail which was also really good. For dessert we had tiramisu and a pistachio chocolate coconut cake. Both of those were also delicious. This place is a must stop if your looking for great HOMEMADE authentic Italian food. Ps. The food was so good that I didn’t even have time to stop eating and take a picture. They also have wine on draft! How cool!
Stephen C.
Classificação do local: 4 Washington, DC
We’ve been going to Arucola for over 20 years and the food is excellent which makes me puzzled over recent negative reviews which claim the food had become«greasy» or not flavorful since one of the owners left to open another restaurant. Hmm. Try the veal lasagna, or chicken milanese. Never better. Arucola isn’t gourmet but it among the best neighborhood restaurants in upper NW or Chevy Chase. We’re going there tonight!!!
Nery G.
Classificação do local: 1 Fort Lauderdale, FL
I was visiting my daughter and went here for dinner on Saturday night because it looked nice from the outside and we were starving and thought it would be a good neighborhood option. Unfortunately, I read the reviews too late after sitting down at the table. The food was terrible and a little over-priced. I don’t mind paying if the food is good. Can’t even make a decent pizza. Waste of money. Eat here only as a last resort.
Mario D.
Classificação do local: 5 Washington, DC
Great place. I come in, over and over for the food and staff. Very friendly restaurant, great staff, good choices and fast service. Check it out when you are in the area. Tanya very nice and treats you like family. Good wine selection and menu. Great place for a date or catch up with friends.
Yulia C.
Classificação do local: 1 Washington, DC
This place seems to have gone downhill. I came here with a friend about a year ago and it was amazing. Today, I ordered the same exact dish(pasta with mushrooms) and it was unimpressive. Our other dish was a special, also mediocre. The antipasto dish was good, as was the wine. We got a brand new waitress who did not know what she was doing. This was understandable, but there was no one helping her and making sure the customers get an acceptable experience(they were not)
Linda K.
Classificação do local: 1 Bethesda, MD
We have been here many times– this evening’s experience was the worst. Waited for about an hour for our main dishes. Asked for the bill and could not get the waiter to return. Food was good except for carpaccio that came w sour onions. Will probably NEVER return.
Kelly C.
Classificação do local: 1 Fulton, MD
Came out for a girls night, just looking for a nice glass of wine and a quality Italian meal. Walking in the door, the décor and black and white uniforms from the wait staff signify that you’re about to experience a high end Italian cuisine experience. Eager to try the special, I ordered the chicken lasagna. Unfortunately, my first bite was of a cold piece of lasagna with only two small pieces of chicken. Immediately, I knew my meal was not freshly prepared but a leftover reheated in the kitchen microwave. Signaling the waiter to take the dish back to be reheated… I waited approximately 5 minutes to receive a new piece of lasagna, which at best was lukewarm. I’m no restaurant owner, but I know that a establishment should pride itself in producing not only quality customer service but more importantly a product that will have customers coming back. If you’re looking for a delicious Italian meal, Id advise to go elsewhere.
Kelly M.
Classificação do local: 4 Rockville, MD
Antipasto for lunch was awesome. Hubby’s Caesar would have been better tossed, but great flavor. Will be back to try pasta for lunch.
Autumn N.
Classificação do local: 5 Arlington, VA
One of my favorite neighborhood restaurants to visit for a sit down meal or to grab a few apps accompanied by a glass(or bottle) of wine at the bar. Between the fantastic food and friendly ambiance you can’t go wrong with Arucola. I especially love the selection of fresh pasta dishes and pizzas. I highly recommend stopping by on ½ price wine night and having a few apps or dinner.
Mario U.
Classificação do local: 5 Washington, DC
I love their food and service.
A. F.
Classificação do local: 3 Washington, DC
This place is really hit-or-miss. My husband and I had a fantastic dinner and a month later brought some out-of-town guests here. That dinner turned out to be pretty mediocre. I would recommend this place for a last minute neighborhood dining option, but not if you really want great food. That being said, the service is great.
Max L.
Classificação do local: 5 Washington, DC
The host immediately sat us down and made me feel welcome. The food was delicious. Perfect place for a first date. I will be coming again soon!
Terry S.
Classificação do local: 1 Washington, DC
We just moved to the neighborhood and was excited that there was an Italian restaurant within walking distance. What a let down!!! The waiter asked if we wanted bread that never materialized. When the food came out we were asked if we wanted cheese and pepper, I assumed they meant fresh parmesan and freshly ground pepper. A couple of greasy containers of pepper flakes and powdered parmesan were slammed down on the table. We had to remind the waiter to bring our wine before our dinner was consumed. The food itself was indescribably bland and pedestrian. The price REALLY pissed me off. I don’t mind paying for a good meal but this was an insult. Don’t go there.
Susan M.
Classificação do local: 5 Bethesda, MD
Had a fabulous dinner here last week! It took me back to Lake Como in Italy! The Prosciutto and Burata was spectacular, and the Bronzino was perfectly cooked and presented. And the desserts… well, out if this world. Our waiter was delightful, as always. We are so lucky to have a little slice of Italy just around the corner. our favorite neighborhood restaurant!
Portia M.
Classificação do local: 5 Atlanta, GA
I’ve been coming to Arucula for years. It has wonderful staff and good food always. The arugula salad is fantastic. The lamb shank special is AMAZING! And you can’t go wrong with pasta. I lived in Italy and this pace is pretty darn authentic. I recommend Arucula very highly.
Mel M.
Classificação do local: 2 SUNNYSIDE, NY
We had the veal and the vegetarian roasted entrée. The vegetarian dish was bland and I am not a vegetarian but just found it awful that there really was no real thought in the dish. What made it awful was no seasoning at all, they didn’t trip the asparagus so the end tasted like tough straw and the sticker in the vegetable was still on! Did not bother with telling them as finesse was seriously lacking in the food and for 18 bucks it was just not worth it. The veal was ok. Would not recommend the restaurant if you want great food and value for money. Average food too expensive.
Hassan S.
Classificação do local: 1 Orlando, FL
The worst restaurant in the Chevy Chase area. The food is horribly bad, and expensive for the quality you get. SERVICE The service is mediocre at best. It took the server about 10 minutes to acknowledge us, even when the restaurant was nearly empty. FOOD The ingredients in the food are definitely low quality. But what really caught us off guard was the lack of flavor and attention to detail on the dishes. I had to return my dish after two bites… The second dish was a bigger let down than the first, if you think it is impossible to mess up a pasta dish in a Italian restaurant, then you haven’t been this place. PRICE My husband and I don’t mind paying for expensive food if the experience and quality justifies it. We spent $ 91 for two dishes and a glass of wine. Definitely overpriced for the food you get. Not worth it.
Carl n.
Classificação do local: 3 Tizimín, Mexico
2.75 stars. I like my pizza thin and not too greasy so this is not exactly my cup of tea. Still, with that said, it was as good as any«mid range»(it was not thin, but not Chicago thick) pizza could be that was a bit on the greasy side. Service was okay. But with so many better options in the city, including Petes pizza not too far away, I can not imagine myself coming back. This is about what you would expect for a pizza pie in this area.
Mike H.
Classificação do local: 3 Houston, TX
I stopped here for lunch with a bunch of family. They were very good accommodating the large group and found us plenty of room. The staff was very friendly. I started with the minestrone soup which was very tasty. I got the cup and I wish I had ordered the bowl. It was a cold day and it really warmed me up. For my main course I had the calzone. It was giant! Seriously, it could easily be split between two people. There was a ton of cheese, and even though it was pretty black on the bottom I still enjoyed it. The food here was good, but there were two drawbacks. First the prices. My calzone was around $ 15 and the tiny cup of soup was five or six dollars as well. I thought it was pricey for lunch. Secondly, I kept asking for a refill on my diet coke which was empty before my food arrived and did not get refilled until after I was done eating. The waiter kept saying, «I’ll bring it next time,» but next time took forever. I will not go out of my way to go back.