It was raining & we ducked into Paradiso on a Friday at 7pm. We were the only diners in the place. Instinct said«Run! Run like our hair’s on fire!» We stayed & were pleasantly surprised. Started with the house Chianti which was fine. I ordered the mussels. They were large, tasty & tender. The broth was a delicious combination of wine, garlic, spices & olive oil. My wife’s garden salad had more dressing than she likes. She had the pasta with pesto. Homemade pasta was light & the sauce was excellent. I had stuffed veal shoulder. It was flavorful and cooked to ideal tenderness. The staff were attentive(we were the only customers after all). The background music was a bother as it was a constant barrage of 70s era fusion that I find unappetizing. Nonetheless, We left fed, happy, and wondering what misfortune had befallen the place.
Sue L.
Évaluation du lieu : 1 San Diego, CA
Seafood Risotto was grainy and not properly cooked. Wait staff did not speak great English(Spanish speaking) so trying to figure out if dessert had nuts was difficult
Marshall B.
Évaluation du lieu : 1 Champaign, IL
It is fairly difficult to screw up Chicken Parmesan. These guys, though… I have had Chicken Parm served over a number of things, but«atop a puddle of grease» is a new one. Despite being one of the more expensive dishes on the menu, it really failed to deliver. I couldn’t finish the pasta – I swear I’ve had better instant noodles. The ambiance is alright, the beer selection is okay, but I wouldn’t come back here.
Eric h.
Évaluation du lieu : 2 Walnut Creek, CA
The food was pretty good, however the service, at least from our waitress, was terrible. I do not know if she was distracted or if it was the fact that we were not drinking. We had to stop several other waitstaff to receive basic services. They all seemed very nice. Overall, the service for a $ 60 meal was less than satisfactory. We will not be back.
Rakhi K.
Évaluation du lieu : 1 Raleigh, NC
I came here specifically to try some seafood for dinner as it had been recommended from a friend who most likely had to have had a one-off experience eating here. The wait staff(especially the one female, didn’t catch her name) was completely incompetent. She messed up our orders and had a huge attitude! The kitchen had run out of several dishes including potatoes! What restaurant runs out of potatoes! incredible! Never ever going back again! (A foodie!)
Maria P.
Évaluation du lieu : 2 Dyer, IN
Meal was ordinary and overpriced — the four cheese pasta was very«one note» and the sausage rigatini was flavorful but very little food for price.
Sally N.
Évaluation du lieu : 2 Washington, DC
Wish my risottos would be softer. I think it’s still undercook. I ordered Cabernet and I got Pinot noir instead until I told my waitress that my wine doesn’t taste like it’s a Cabernet that I ordered. Our appetizer was a bit too salty :(
Julie H.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Madison, OH
We got seated on the patio right away. The staff were attentive. There were some nice choices and a few specials. The artichoke ravioli was slightly bitter. The seafood pasta looked amazing and I was told it was good.
Joe P.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Charlotte, NC
Cozy Italian restaurant in Woodley Park that serves up terrific pasta, a great selection of wine and decent desserts at a price that won’t break the bank. We brought in a group of 10 one night during an annual conference at the Marriott, and found the service for our large party to be both friendly and prompt. I ordered the excellent Veal Saltimbocca, and finished off the meal with a pair of decent cannoli. All told, Café Paradiso is a solid spot for good pasta in Northwest D.C.
Iko M.
Évaluation du lieu : 2 New York, NY
Overpriced menu. I had a chicken Parmesan it was good but not the best. My friend had linguine gritty di mare. It’s not worth 20 $ for sure. Tasted nothing like shrimps or mussels. I would not go back
Katie B.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Washington, DC
Went back for dinner and I was definitely wrong about this place! When we sat at the bar, there was a very limited wine list. Not so at the tables– I had a delicious Chardonnay. The artichoke ravioli in pesto sauce was INCREDIBLE. My dad had the seafood linguine and he said that was delicious, too. A little pricey for pasts, but the staff is charming, and I definitely recommend a visit!
Jose M.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Washington, DC
Bad reviews be damned — it’s not some fancy modern fusion cuisine place but I liked it, and I’d go back. Went here with my family. The acoustics are a bit loud, but it’s a good place to take family, friends, or a date. The décor is simple and nice. Their laminated menu though needs a classier touch. The waiter indicated pastas are all homemade. My mom had the salmon and my dad the chicken parm, and both really liked their meals. I had rigatini romano and it was very good, if a bit under seasoned. I posted a picture of it.(I love cheese so I added lots of cheese. That is optional and they add it upon request.) Wine and beer selection were standard fare; I’m not a big wine drinker so I tend not to notice the wine list. Cappuccino at the end was a tad bitter. Service was extremely prompt and friendly. Really loved how they went to great lengths to accommodate us. It just felt like they wanted and appreciated our business. I would recommend the restaurant try an innovative dish or two once in a while, got newer menus, and revamped the tacky website.
Paul H.
Évaluation du lieu : 2 Arlington, VA
Mediocre food served in a pleasant room by incompetent servers. Waited Waaay too long for our entrées, in spite of the waiter’s volunteering that our food was«coming right now.» It was only okay. The homemade pasta is GOOD. Then he brought the check before asking if we wanted dessert or coffee, came back and asked if we would like to see dessert menus! Never again.
Samuel S.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Falls Church, VA
I’ve eaten here on multiple occasions, and have consistently had terrific service and meal quality. It’s a bit pricey, but I have been really impressed with Café Paradiso over the years. Love this little Washington DC gem!
Cathy R.
Évaluation du lieu : 1 Arlington, VA
Extremely slow service. Took 20 min to have orders taken. Took thirty minutes to get food. Took literally 20 minutes, with several back-and-forths, to split our checks(there were three of us). And at the end, when we complained, the manager told us he couldn’t take anything off our bill. Also the food is okay, but way overpriced. Would not recommend.
Steve M.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Flint, MI
I’m not a big fan of Italian food, but I was booked here on a business dinner with clients. Overall, the food was all very good, and the staff was excellent. My administrative aid called ahead for appetizers and wine, which were delivered upon arrival without any hitches. While not my favorite style of food, I was satisfied, and my guests seemed very pleased with the results.
Rachel B.
Évaluation du lieu : 1 Great Falls, VA
I don’t think the service could have been any worse. We(me and my two friends) went here for Valentine’s Day. There was a special, overpriced menu with run of the mill Italian options, largely. But that wasn’t really the problem. First, we didn’t get to place our order until 30 minutes had passed into sitting in the restaurant. We put in our order, only to have to wait another 20 minutes for the appetizer and another 20 for the entrée so we had spent over an hour just waiting for our main course. We timed it. We spent a grand total of 9 minutes eating. Not because the food was particularly good – honestly it tasted to pre-prepared frozen dishes – but because we were so damned hungry. But it wasn’t over. We asked for our bill and had to wait yet again. The bill was split wrong. Try again. After waiting another 15 minutes I flagged down the manager. Shit had just gotten ridiculous. All we got was an extensive over explanation. No real apologies. Certainly no reduction to the bill. Amazingly, the bill was not split right a second time. I flagged down the manager again. He tried to explain that the system was broken, but what he failed to understand was that his restaurant’s service had already put us in a bad mood. No reduction. Period. We paid and left. Never, ever again.
Jennifer E.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Cranford, NJ
Staff bends over backwards to accommodate all your needs, from seating, to allergies to likes and dislikes. The bar is small, but will make just about any mixed drink. The wait staff checks in often, but doesn’t interrupt. The food is good. The marinara is drinkable its so yummy!
Dee B.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Washington, DC
I am such a Unilocaler that I trust when my fellow Unilocalers give a place a low review. Such was the case at Café Paradiso. While trying to decide what to order I looked at the Unilocal reviews for recommendations. Since there were no recommended dishes I went the safe route and stuck with the apps and salads. The spinach soup would have been so much better if it was a cream of spinach soup. Instead it was a runny cup of green. I didn’t finish it. I also ordered the Caesar salad which was basic and the shrimp prosciutto app which was on the salty side. I also tried the Tiramisu which again was just ok. All in all it was ok. Nothing more nothing less. Was disappointed. I was expecting more. I was seated in the back and the ambiance was nice. I also lucked out with my server who attentive. Still looking for a place in Woodley that knocks my socks off.
Michelle S.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 McLean, VA
I think this place could have been a better experience if I came for hh or dinner. Lunch was decent, I just bet/hope the feel is better under a sunset or moon. Was on the patio for lunch. There seemed to be plenty of gentlemen working with few people seated inside so our water glasses were kept full and there was always someone nearby if we needed something. I ordered the tomato mozzarella salad which was pretty much just tomato and mozzarella slices. Tried to ask for a plate of greens to come w it but the server wasn’t quite understanding what I was asking for. No worries, ordered it anyway. It was refreshing with a tasty dressing and not overfilling, which is exactly what I wanted. The interior was beautiful. Small bar at the front and the dining room really was decorated nicely. My one complaint: the bathroom. First it was a little creepy in the very quiet upstairs section(but there’s a great room for a private party)…I just figured the bathroom would be a little more put together. A large hole in the wall, dirty floors, and seriously, the sink counter practically over the toilet? Food and atmosphere were good but the bathroom could use a lift. Might go back for evening drinks if I’m in that area again but not a huge rush.