Il Porto Restaurant
245 Muddy Branch Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878
Il Porto Restaurant Menu
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Address :
245 Muddy Branch Rd
Gaithersburg, MD, 20878 - Phone (301) 590-0735
- Website https://www.ilportorestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Klaus V.
We used to go to Il Porto regularly when my daughter was younger, so I thought I'd give it a try again with a take out order earlier this week. Although the place was almost deserted on a weeknight, the simple order of lasagna and salad took 45 minutes to show up, with me standing at the bar for 30 minutes. The lasagna must have been forgotten in the kitchen because five minutes after I paid for it and sat down to dinner, it was cold. Also, vaguely unpleasant tasting, different from what I remembered. Not sure if the ownership has changed or if it was just a very off night. Here's hoping that my previous positive experiences at Il Porto are not a thing of the past!
(2)Karen K.
Good food and good service sum up our visit last night to Il Porto. Our waiter, Oscar, was excellent and also kudos to the support staff for keeping our water glasses full and general attention to removing plates, bring more bread, etc. Try the roast veal or the veal chop if they are specials. Delicious.
(4)Olchik B.
I went there a few times for late dinner and lunch... This place has really very tasty pizza!!! Pretty good service. I like decorating and real Italian atmosphere. Its looks like family place for quiet dinner and good for lunch.I like it)
(4)Karen W.
This our family's favorite Italian place and I can't imagine going anywhere else for comforting, laid back Italian food. The staff here is incredible, the food is delicious and the prices are great. We come here for every occasion - birthdays, anniversaries, etc. We love Il Porto!
(5)Mark L.
Good food, family style and very friendly, very reasonable prices. Crowded the Saturday we ate there, with correspondingly slow service. In fact, wait staff seemed completely overwhelmed.
(2)Andrea P.
We always have a great meal with friendly service. Any day of the week, lunch and dinner. Chicken parm, eggplant parm, spaghetti bolognese are our family's favs
(5)Salsabil M.
I am only giving this place one star because that is the lowest I can select. I read reviews about this place and decided to order carry out. Never again will we come back here. They completely messed up our order and when we tried to resolve the issue, offered no alternatives or gave any apologies. In fact, Jairo argued about the order and claimed that they made no mistakes and that we were the ones in the wrong. Oh and did I mention there were no other people in the restaurant, so it couldn't have been because it was crowded. Never tried the food, and will never go back there again. Very poor service! Especially since I used to be in the service industry so I know what is acceptable and unacceptable. Don't go here, there are plenty other Italian places around here that have far better service and probably far better food.
(1)Clara F.
We just met friends here for dinner and loved it. The food was great. We ordered the clams casino app, and I had the manicotti and my husband had the pizza. He said the caprese app, which he did not love but that's because no one should order raw tomatoes in the middle of winter and expect them to be amazing! Overall, a solid choice - and they even had Spumoni! Also, very extensive wine selection. It's not 5 stars because this is not a 5 star place - but I would come back anytime for a fantastic 4 star dinner.
(4)C J.
Pretty good place. Good Italian food. Service was good too. Gnocchi was decent. Lasagna and pizza too. I'd go again.
(3)John K.
We had heard good things about this place and went once on a Sat night. Worst lasagna we ever had, made a TV dinner look like a better choice. We will never go back.
(1)Kristen H.
I went here to celebrate various things one night with my boyfriend who had been here several times before and I had never been. From what he said the place is always packed because of their good food, and he was right. There probably wasn't an empty table in the joint when we got there. If you do want to give this place a try around dinner time, 'd advise making a reservation as we did. Started off sharing a bottle of red wine and calamari, delicious. I then decided to go all out and get the Ciopinni (lobster tail and shrimp linguine) with whole grain pasta. My god was that good! The sauce they used for it was just creamy enough and definitely had some good flavor. The lobster and shrimp were also cooked perfectly. My boyfriend got spaghetti and meatballs which was also very fulfilling. My only qualm is that with it being so busy, the wait staff lack that customer service flare. Otherwise I am definitely coming back, maybe around lunchtime though haha.
(4)Ranteg R.
Amazing food and service, must try if you are looking for good Italian food in the area.
(5)John M.
Food was OK, but the service was slow as can be. Dinner took two hours! That's OK for an event dinner but this is a low key neighborhood place. Of the four diners one loved their dish (veal) two thought theirs were alright and the fourth did not like his at all.
(2)Phi N.
Best white pizza I've ever had! Actually, it's the only good white pizza I've ever had... I had always heard these myths about good white pizza, but they were always just fantasies to me. Now, I can proudly say, I've busted this myth. . . . Yeah, I'm weird, haha. They start you off here with bread served with olive oil and parmesan cheese. What a fantastic idea! bc we all know that the olive oil alone isn't salty enough nor is it fatty enough for us Americans... As our meal, we split lobster soup, calamari, artichoke hearts, caeser salad and obviously the white pizza. The lobster soup was kind of like a cream of lobster soup without the lobster... just the taste. I threw on paresan cheese on my salad to make it taste better; the dressing wasn't cutting it. The calamari could have been crispier, and the artichoke hearts were pretty boring. So my only real recommendation here is to get the white pizza with extra cheese. They make it perfect, extra cheese, greasy, and a good amount of sodium. In the end, the white pizza got a 4 or maybe even a 4.5 star, but everything else on the menu I tried was a 3.
(3)LaTanya GeminiondaRise J.
Went to IL Porto for the first time yesterday for a group business dinner. It's a nice quaint little restaruant. The ambiance is very nice. Our group tried several appetizers the Calamari, sauteed mushrooms, tomatoes & mozzarella, fried eggplant. First let me say I only tried 2 of the apps the calamari was delicious and the fried eggplant which is cut like julienne potatoes but nicely fried and delicious. I had the encrusted parmesean rockfish with lump crab on top and sauteed spinach on the side totally delicious. The house Merlot and the Moscato delicious. For dessert had the cannoli which it came with 2 instead of one. The tiramasu is made in house and really light and delicous. The sugar free chocolate gelato was delicious was not a fan of the chocolate mousse cake. Not that it wasn't good I'm just not a fan of mousse desserts. The service was nice and I would definitely go again. This place is a hidden gem and now i'm glad I went.
(4)Diana C.
The white Fontana cheese pizza it delish. Crisp and tasty. The lamb roast was so tender you didn't need a knife. The salmon in apricot sauce was a surprise. Very tender and we'll prepared. Nice combinations of favors.
(5)Taylor F.
I love this place! Come here all the time when I want Italian food. chicken parm cannot be beat along with any other dish. very nice and friendly owner and the place is well managed. can get crowded, especially Thursday night, so go early. started coming here when almalfi in Rockville went down the tubes.
(5)Anita C.
3.5 stars for food, 2 stars for service. Came here on a Saturday night with friends. We were horrifically neglected by our waiter - rushed to order with a cursory greeting. We had to ask two different waiters FOUR times in order to get our water cups refilled. And yet again, multiple times to get the bread basket refilled. We noticed that much better attention and service was being given to tables around us - and that only fueled my irritation. As for the food, we tried: 1) Calamari - decent, but the breading was not crispy enough. 2) Small white pizza ($9.99) - my favorite item of the evening. Gooey, greasy, and nicely thin-cut. The portions were rather small for $10 though. 3) Chicken parmigiana - looked like it could've come from the frozen food aisle. 4) Seafood platter ($18.50) - Shrimp, clams, mussels, and king crab cooked in noodles and a white sauce. I liked the generous portions of seafood in this dish and light flavor of the white wine sauce, but wished the noodles were handmade. While eating, I tried to not let the quality of service sour my taste buds, but unfortunately it did. Il Porto is much better than your average Olive Garden, Buca di Beppo, or That's Amore. However, for a small mom and pop shop type that I love, the service highly disappointed. If you want better service and better food, head to Ill Pizzico in Rockville for stellar service, delicious flavors, and handmade noodles.
(3)Emily T.
My friends suggested to me try the Italian restaurant in muddy branch and it was the most atrocious experience of my life. Poor lighting, my food was cold, the music was ridiculously loud, and there was poor customer service. I ordered a chicken dorratti and it smelled awful, and seriously looked disgusting. The waiters there were seriously rude and some what disrespectful, they did not want to help explain something on their menu and turn down the music. After I had my dinner at Il Porto I was beginning to have stomaches and felt nausea. This was the worst dining experience of my life. Even if they have pretty reasonable coupons and it looks classy. Please don't waste your time, money, or appetite. If you want Italian food go somewhere else, we all deserve better!!!!
(1)Henry M.
Crystal and I went back with daughter and son-in-law. I don't really know how their dishes were, but the appetizer beans, and the lobster soup were both fine, but didn't knock me out. Neither did Crystal's to-few-layered lasagna or my veal picatta. So one star off for disappointing us, but we'll be back. I've heard the seafood dishes are good, and if that veal chop is still on the specials menu, I wouldn't mind having that again.
(4)Claire M.
My husband and I went here, even though there are mixed reviews. I should have know better. The service was excellent. Our server was incredibly attentive, if a little awkward. The food was ok, but I can make food like that at home. It just wasn't that special. The prices are pretty reasonable, but the decor is super dated and dusty. Also we had noisy cell phone grandma at the table next to us, which was a bit annoying. Nothing seemed fresh, even the salads were just iceberg with onion and a couple of tomato wedges tossed on top. It was so blah, that I can't even get excited about writing this review. This is not what Italian should taste like.
(2)Kayden T.
So I decided to try different food instead of going to my vietnamese place next door. Me and my wife will be adventure this time and try some Italian food. No comment on the place, just another normal family-owned style restaurant...I order the small white pizza, calamari, a lobster soup, grilled chicken salad! Well! the pizza was just ok, nothing so special about it(rather pick California Kitchen Pizza), lobster soup with hardly find any lobster meat in it (does it blend in with the soup for flavor??); and Ohhh the grilled chicken salad that my wife ordered was so hard and dry....When we're, they are hosting a big party or something, so things for us was just terrible at services!!! I don't want to brag about but this was just......baddd.
(2)Donna J.
I love Il Porto. The bread is delicious and their salad is great. It's not fine Italian cuisine, but it's good enough. I like the atmosphere, too.
(4)Stephen K.
The white pizza is amazing, so if you're going just for appetizers and a glass of wine then sure, and get that.. everything else is pretty much run of the mill Italian food, I've had a few entrees but none stick out, and for $12-20 I feel I can make the same if not better at home. For the area I should give it 4 stars because everything else in that shopping center is garbage but I'm sticking to my guns on the 3 since there's a lot of choices in Montgomery County for Italian
(3)Ian K.
First visit will lead me to come back again. Was good, not great, but a far far cry better than Italians Pines nearby. With white tablecloths and candles, muted lighting and friendly service, all seemed good from the start. The lobster soup was really boring and mild in taste; didn't finish and wouldn't order again. The Caesar salad wasn't too seasoned and pretty limp on the plate. From the entree perspective, we were pleased. The shrimp diavolo was tasty with tender shrimp and the eggplant parm was good. No kids menu but can order half orders of pasta. The afredo was good for my son. We'll come back and try some other dishes, skip the soup and try a different app.
(3)Richard B.
App bread was cold, butter almost frozen, mozzarella sticks were obviously cooked by chef mike, and while we ate there was someone in the kitchen who was making vomiting sounds than laughing. Happened twice and definitely not something you want to hear while eating your meal. Definitely will not return or recommend.
(1)Lauren B.
This place is the best! The food is always amazing, served hot and the service is top notch (family run!). I went with a party of 28 and we reserved the side room near the bar area. Everything was amazing and the food came out hot at the same time!! That never happens at a restaurant and I was very impressed.
(5)Naomi D.
This review is long, but it needs to be said. Have you ever eaten ramen noodles, creamy chicken flavor? If you have, you'll notice the food at Il Porto tastes precisely like a ramen noodles creamy chicken flavor packet. My family and I dined at this restaurant on New Year's Eve and a special NYE menu was established, but there weren't any prices included. So, here's a rundown on how our night went: First, we received our bread, which was cold. The waiter arrived about 10 minutes later to take our order. He never took our drink order or explained their special menu for the evening. So, we had to run the show and put in our drink orders and ask him what the prices were for the special menu. He said the prices varied, so I decided to ask him the price of two of the items. He noted each over $25 apiece and that they were a la carte. Not satisfied with the special menu options, we decided to order from the regular menu. The following is the breakdown of our food: Minestrone - this soup was white minestrone and was lacking on the vegetables. I swore it was pasta fagioli. The broth tasted exactly like creamy chicken ramen noodle soup. Salad - the house salad was crisp iceberg lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. The waiter told us the only dressing they had was Italian. I didn't try the salad, so I have no comment here other than the apparent lack of dressing variety. When our food came out it each dish was all the exact same light brown color. The sauce had layered over, which made it obvious the plates were sitting under a heating lamp for quite some time. None of our dishes came with any vegetable sides. The menu doesn't say the dinner items are a la carte, but that's how they were served. No broccoli, no asparagus, nothing. The menu doesn't have a section for sides, so you would never know you needed to order any. Shrimp & Scallops Alla Panna - this was my dish. It was awful. The seafood was served on top of linguini which was swimming in sauce - that creamy chicken ramen noodle seasoning packet. There were a few overcooked mushrooms thrown in, but other than that there weren't any vegetables. The scallops were small and overcooked. Veal Piccata - this also tasted like ramen noodles creamy chicken seasoning packet. The meat was dry and the breading was soggy. There was a side of linguini with marinara, which tasted like a can, but really, ever heard of serving vegetables? Why does the food have to be swimming in sauce? Chicken Marsala - this dish was overly sweet and didn't have any mushrooms. Mushrooms are a staple in chicken marsala. This dish had a side of linguini with marinara. No vegetables. For dessert we ordered a tiramisu. It was covered in a thick layer of cinnamon, had virtually no custard filling, the lady fingers were dry and it tasted like the freezer. In closing, I do not recommend this restaurant. The food was not fresh and it tasted like it was all flavored with artificial flavoring. Usually you have garlic breath after eating at an Italian restaurant, but not at this place. They don't use fresh seasonings. Not even parsley. The waiter didn't know the menu, didn't take his time to explain things, and was quick to get us out. I regret that we went to this restaurant for our special NYE dinner and am very surprised how many good reviews it has, which is why we tried it out. Gaithersburg doesn't seem to have any decent restaurants. If you want to stay out of the city for dinner, stick with Rockville or Bethesda. We won't be back to this place.
(1)Sayeh A.
Leave the diet... Take the cannoli (and the chicken parm)
(5)Nils H.
Went to this Italian restaurant for lunch few times and I like it. Depends on what you order, food is average to very good. Decor is average, service is hit and miss. But for the affordable price, I won't complaint. Bread even served warm :) My fav is their White cheese pizza, and the Zuppa di clam in white sauce which is an appetizer so I order a side linguine to go with it. I will not recommend their Lasagna which is done all wrong.
(5)Bedelle M.
Went here on a Friday night with a friend. Needless to say I wasn't impressed. When I walked up there was no warm welcome feeling by the gentleman standing outside. He didn't hello Maybin seat you or anything. He looked as though me and friend were lost. I see older couples normally go here. I am the complete opposite. I sat outside and he seemed annoyed by Mr choosing to enjoy the weather. The flower arrangements are nice but brings the flies and bees! The bread they serve as a appetizer was good but not warm. I ordered the stuffed flounder I did not care for the taste at all. The marina sauce was ok with the noodles. I won't be returning to this restaurant.
(1)Beth P.
This was my first time at this location. My boyfriend has been to this location before. First, the patio was fabulous. Beautiful and relaxing. The music was entertaining at times and not intrusive. Second, the food was fabulous and delicious. We ordered salads and split an entree based upon my boyfriends experiences. There was plenty of food for the two of us. The bread was good and a good quality But, the service was slow. No one checked on us about refills and needs during the meal and the service when requested was very slow. We ran out of drinks twice and had to delay eating due to a lack of beverage. In addition we asked for the check and were brought the desert menu and not the check. So yet another unnecessary deal.
(3)Bob G.
Phenomenal, superb, excellent - what else can I say about Il Porto. We frequent the restaurant often and everything is always excellent - food, service, price. I have never had a dish less than great. This past weekend I had a surprise party for my wife with 60 guests. Everyone's food came out correct, all meals were hot, and the service was top notch. They were even able to accommodate my one guest with gluten intolerance. Il Porto is the anchor tenant of Muddy Branch and a must go to for all!
(5)C W.
I had a chance to try the crab stuffed flounder and the capellini pomodoro. Both were well executed. I've been there several times and would also recommend the spaghetti bolognese. Friendly staff. Outdoor seating is beautifully decorated and shaded.
(4)Antonio P.
And now here you can experience some authentic Italian food a large variety to choose from excellent quality excellent chef great atmosphere romantic and pleasant
(5)Leo Y.
Found this place on yelp, I didn't think there would be a good restaurant on muddy branch! This place exceeded my expectations! I ordered the white pizza with cheese and sautéed red pepper. It was great, I try the Roast Veal and it was the best I have had ! The pasta was good, service was average, maybe it was weekend and they were packed! Anyway gave this place my recommendation!
(4)Swatee G.
Walked in on Sunday Night for a later dinner with my sister about 30 minutes before closing time. As we entered, we could see the decor was so Italian, and we saw at least 3 different Italian families sitting to have dinner. Their conversations were animated and passionate :) and made for great dinner room banter! :) I had a glass of the house Merlot, which was great. We started off with the Calamari app - I was ok with it (I am just usually not a fan of calamari), but my sister loved it, and I think the marinara was pretty good. For my entree, I had the sea bass with a side of spaghetti and marinara and some grilled veggies. The fish was very well done, and perfectly seasoned. My sister had the gnocchi and she liked it. I had a bite from her plate, and though I do believe it could be fluffier in texture, I am not complaining - it was pretty alright! The highlight of the visit was their dessert menu, in addition to the traditional Italian desserts like the tiramisu, they had a tarffuto on their menu. Think of 2 melded flavors of ice cream in a scoop, with chopped up cherries in between, all nestled in an amazingly tasty chocolate shell. I think it was VERY homey, delicious, different and VERY very Italian at the same time! Will love to be back!
(4)Jill S.
Hands down the best white pizza I've ever had. All of the fish specials are amazing, too - crispy flounder, salmon, sea bass. The atmosphere is great - especially the newly extended patio out front. The service is unbeatable and the consistency of the food has kept us coming back for over a decade.
(5)Sandra T.
I'm giving them 2 stars for the fact I like their clams casino. We were there for Father's Day and wanted to try some place new. There was absolutely no thought or presentation put into their food. I was so disappointed. Mamma Lucia is soooooooo much better. We had Chicken Marsala, Veal Marsala and Chicken Dattoli. the Dattoli was better. Both chick and veal marsala was the thinnest pieces of chicken put on a plate with sauce. VERY skimpy looking. No mushrooms, no nothing. Just 3 very small thin pieces of chicken in sauce. On the side...the most basic, non-interesting bowl of pasta with marinara. None of us were full and my husband even came home and started eating again because the meal was so lifeless and small. I expected so much more looking at the appearance of the restaurant. Will not be going back.
(2)Brandon L.
il Porto is a great local Italian restaurant with delicious food, excellent service and an impressive wine-list! The description on its website is accurate; I couldn't agree any more: Honored as one of the 100 Best Bargain Restaurants by Washingtonian magazine; il Porto offers fresh and delicious Italian food at very reasonable prices along with impeccable service. You will not find a more friendly and welcoming atmosphere. A slight disappointment with the appetizer, the fried zucchini, for which If I could, I would have only deducted a half-star. It was plain, not quite as tasty and elegantly served as the fried zucchini at another Italian restaurant favorite. However, the entrees, deserts and wine were excellent and the service, impeccable, which more than made-up for the appetizer. Further, I didn't have to travel far to enjoy delicious Italian food! il Porto has become a date-night favorite...
(4)Jake R.
Delicious homemade pasta and great ambiance. I have eaten here countless times. I have never once been disappointed. The food, the service, the atmosphere -- all are fabulous.
(5)Afshin D.
Things to expect and not to expect about this restaurant: Do expect an italian server or owner or possibly even a cook. Dont expect a lot of food. Generally small portion. On a peak time expect delay to be seated. expect O.K to Good tasting food. expect to pay a lot of money for what you eating. Other than that, I generally like the service and the food, even though its not much. What can I say, either is this place or big chain store and this is the closest you can get to a (Mom's & Pop store) in Rockville, Gaithersburg area. I would have given them 4 starts if the portions were a bit more generous or were matching the prices that they are charging.
(3)William S.
I took my wife there for her birthday and they gave her better than Morton's caliber service. She had the veal chop which was excellent. Simply the best gaithersburg has to offer in terms of service and taste.
(5)Weldyn C.
I wish I could write something positive. I went there on a Saturday night with my girlfriend. We ordered calamari to start off.Tthe calamari was good, not great but we both enjoyed it. After our appetizer, I ordered Chicken Marsala and my girlfriend ordered the pasta carbonara. Both came out and I was taken back by the taste, my chicken tasted liked frozen chicken that was microwaved, and my girlfriends pasta was really greasy. When I asked to talk to the manager, he told me I was a liar and no one has ever complained about the food. He asked me to leave and never come back. I was astounded by how angry and offensive he became. The food was low quality and the manager left a horrible taste in my mouth. No professionalism at all. I hope everyone that reads this stays away.
(1)Denise S.
This has to be the best Italian restaurant in Maryland!!!! I've hit lots of them (That's Amore/Maggiano's/Mamma Lucia's/Timpano's, etc) on a regular basis and finally found Il Porto a few months ago. It's my friend Jen's favorite spot so we went and I've been going back with others ever since. The food is fantastic and VERY reasonable price wise. The portions are great and I always have leftovers no matter what I get. So far I've tried the mussels in wine sauce, the veal marsala, veal piccata, pasta with shrimp, and eggplant parmesean. My favorite by far is the veal picatta. It's great the next day too. Oh and the lemon something or other (like an icy sherbert) for dessert was heavenly! They just recently expanded which is a plus because no matter what night you go it's always crowded. The waitstaff is all very friendly and attentive but the kitchen may be too small for the newly expanded space as I noticed that on Friday and Saturday nights it takes twice as long to get your food. If you want a coupon check out CouponClipper.com and you can usually find one for 1/2 off your 2nd entree for lunch or dinner but it's only applicable Mon-----Thurs nights and not on holidays.
(5)Peter P.
I have to update this place from 4 to 5 stars now. We have been dining at Il Porto's since the 90's, and we can sum it up in three sentences. - Excellent food - Outstanding Service - Reasonable Prices If that's no enough, these guys will bend over backwards to give you whatever you want. You don't want pasta as a side dish? No problem. You want Pesto? No Problem. Carbonara? No Problem. Capellini? Garlic & Oil? No Problem. Whole wheat? No Problem. You want your chicken "Florentine" No Problem! You want your eggplant grilled instead of breaded? SURE. I've even seen them make a customer a broiled steak with an egg on it. When I read reviews like "the sauce was canned", or "the bread came from next door", I can't help but think these are the words of an envious competitor. Are they the BEST italian food ever? Sorry - that distinction goes to my 4 grandparents :-) But considering none of them are around any longer, I'll stick with Il Porto. I can tell you that I'll choose Il Porto over Buca, or Miletto, or Italian Pines. I've also seen the owner gracefully handle some of the most difficult, demanding, and unreasonable customers with civility and respect - I mean unreasonable to the point that I've actually asked him how he can do it. So when I hear someone report that the owner was rude?.... Wow i can only imagine the situation. Yikes!
(5)Sharon W.
We were looking for a restaurant for lunch in/near Gaithersburg on Sunday so I did a Yelp search. Had Chinese the day before so wasn't interested in Asian food but Italian sounded good. We arrived at Il Porto around 12:30 and as expected on a holiday weekend it was pretty quiet. The restaurant was fairly attractive with white table cloths and a pleasant ambiance. A really nice owner/manager? greeted us and asked if we wanted to sit by the window. Perfect, a quiet corner. Our seats also allowed us a peek at the fitness center next door, but that didn't deter us from ordering hot, cheesy, fattening food anyway. Our waiter came to take our drink order--me "do you have white zif?", answer was yes; me "do you have half carafes?", answer was yes. So right away I'm liking Il Porto. Husband ordered a sauteed spinach appetizer. It was good, though a little short on garlic/seasoning but a spoonful of the parmesan cheese provided solved that problem. Bread was served with butter and olive oil infused with rosemary. Husband ordered a small white pizza; granddaughter went with a small tomato cheese pizza; and I ordered chicken parmesan. The pizzas had very thin crusts, more "cracker-like" than bready. They were delicious and husband and granddaughter were most happy. My chicken parmesan was pounded out very thin, just the way I like, and covered with a chunky tomato sauce and cheese and with a side of spaghetti. It was really good, tasted perfect to me and generous enough portion to share with husband. As my granddaughter happily ate her pizza she asked if they have carry-out and the answer was, yes, they do. Granddaughter finished up her meal with a gelato. Our service was fine, the food was good, and they have half carafes of wine!
(4)Peter K.
Great Italian food in the suburbs! I had to travel to Gaithersburg for work. Unfortunately, most of Gaithersburg seems to be your typical suburban culinary wasteland but there must be a few exceptions--I think Il Porto must be one of them. I had the bread dip, house salad, linguine with mussels and tiramisu. The bread dip was just okay--not as flavorful as I was expecting. The house salad is your typical house salad. Linguine with mussels (with red sauce) was amazing; I don't like it when the sauce is too thick. Sauce was really light yet flavorful. The tiramisu was really good... not too rich; subtle and beautiful. Prices are pretty good (my entire meal plus a glass of chianti was around $35 including tip and tax). Ambiance is homey but not too casual which makes it a great place to go for a date for a significant other who you're comfortable with.
(4)Tiffany D.
Il Porto is amazing, I've been coming here for more than 10 years. Some MUST TRY things: White Pizza Chicken Parm Chicken Marsala Fagioli Beans Eggplant Soft Shell Crabs (when in season) I almost think anything you get here will be delicious. Honestly the BEST italian food in the area. If you know good italian you will love this place. The prices here are very reasonable and the service is always great.
(5)Toni F.
Delicious and what a bargain! Quality food for a great prices. We ate here on a Friday afternoon. It was surprisingly crowded, but that just shows it's popularity. Best advise: make a reservation! That being said, we did not have one, but the host was still very accommodating. Had to wait about 10 mins while they sat people with reservations and moved some tables around. On to the food... The fresh bread with parm and olive oil was very yummy! We ordered the calamari and white pizza. Calamari was lightly breaded and fresh. You can tell quality, homemade calamari from cheap ones that come pre- breaded and frozen. The white pizza was AMAZING! Yum yum yum. Want to go again to try some other dishes, but afraid that I'll just end up getting the white pizza cuz it's so good :) It's a small restaurant, but has a very homey feel. You can tell that most are people are loyal patrons. We were probably the youngest couple there, but that didn't take away from the experience.
(5)Monkee C.
I had high expectations for IP since (A) it was packed and (B) it has pretty good reviews on yelp, but the most I can muster up is a 2/5. Service was good despite the restaurant being busy, so it was the food that brought the average down for me. Perhaps I came on an off night? I had the sausage and eggplant as my entree, the eggplant parm was easily the best thing I had all night, easy 4/5. The sausage however was odd, too many fighting flavors and an odd texture that reminded me (unfortunately) of vienna sausage. The pasta with marinara on the side was also just ok. I'll probably give IP another shot, but will definitely be trying other items on the menu. Service: 3/5 Food: 2/5
(2)Kaylan L.
My husband and I went last night (Sunday night during a holiday weekend). We were looking for somewhere new to try, but nothing crazy, and after reading the reviews on Yelp, we decided to give Il Porto a try. I am a fettucine alfredo person - I think I've tried it everywhere, and I have become somewhat of a good judge of a restaurant based on this. The fettucine here was awesome. The thin, homemade noodles balance perfectly with their sauce, which is very light and creamy. It was almost exactly the right amount of food for me - I couldn't quite finish it! My husband had the lasagna, which he really enjoyed. He's a big eater, and the portion was exactly the right amount for him (so he says... I think he could have eaten more). We will definitely go back!
(4)Sjoerd C.
If looking for an nice Italian, you found one!
(5)Geoff G.
My late Grandfather said it best when he told me as a kid, "Geoff, the most popular cuisine in America is Italian. People go batty over it but if life has taught me one thing, it is that there is no inbetween when it comes to Italian food. You either know how to cook Italian, or you butcher the hell out of the meal trying." Well, my wife and I were extremely happy when we called il Porto last night and they said they could fit us in at a table around 7:30pm. I read so many great reviews of il Porto and very few unfavorable ones. One person caught my eye in his review when he said "If you don't rate this place high than it must mean you are a competitor." Well, I am definitely no competitor but I'm thinking of going into the restaurant business if the best I would have to compete with is a restaurant like il Porto. I am absolutely speechless. There was not one single item (besides the bottle of Chianti Classico) that I enjoyed yesterday evening. I started out with a bowl of pasta fagioli (white bean soup) that was from a can. To make the soup taste like it wasn't from a can the cook (because I can't imagine this restaurant actually has a chef) chopped up some fresh garlic and put it in the soup. The soup had absolutely no flavor to it. My wife ordered a caesar salad and got a house salad instead. She sent it back, and a caesar salad came out right away but it too had no flavor. No cheese and it hardly had any dressing. The dressing it did have was out of a jar.... which is fine, but it is extremely easy to make caesar dressing and it would actually be cheaper if they made their own rather than buying jarred dressing. To top off things off, someone mentioned the bread as being "hot and fresh" and they claim to make their own bread. The bread they served us was the closest thing to soda bread I have ever tasted. It was ice cold and not enjoyable. Even if an Italian restaurant doesn't know the first thing about Italian food, Italian bread should still be a no brainer. I still held out hope that this place was going to turn it around and our entrees would make us want to come back in the near future. Alas, I was wrong. I was debating between their version of Chicken Piccata (sauteed chicken cutlet with wine, butter, capers, and lemon) or the Linguine with Alaskan King Crab and Shrimp. I was in the mood for seafood, and I have been on a huge King Crab kick lately, so I decided to go with the seafood pasta dish. My wife ordered the Veal Parm..... because you can't screw that up, right? Wrong! The Veal Parm came out deep fried.... I've only seen veal parm cooked this way if you were making a sub. Traditional Italian way to cook Veal Parm is to pan fry/saute the Veal. The breading they used had no spices or herbs in it. The Veal was completely bland. She subbed the linguine for baked ziti. Her dish came out with linguine, she sent it back to get baked ziti as her side and she got penne pasta with a scoop of sauce and about 1/16 of a cup of crumbled parmesan cheese that wasn't even melted. Last time I checked, the key ingredient for Baked Ziti was Ricotta Cheese..... so how do you explain this mishap? Their menu should say penne pasta with canned tomatoes instead of claiming to know how to make Baked Ziti. For as bad as the Veal Parm was, my Crab and Shrimp over linguine was even worse. The King Crab was disgusting and had the worst fish flavor I have ever tasted before in King Crab. The Shrimp were actually delicious. They were large gulf shrimp and had a very nice flavor. The pasta was not linguine.... maybe capellini, but was way to thin to be linguine. The pasta was cooked perfectly but this entire dish was ruined with the sauce. I use the term sauce lightly. More like water with canned crushed tomatoes. The sauce had absolutely zero flavor to it and the entire dish tasted like expired seafood (I assume because of the king crab.) For someone to call this place "authentic Italian" is a disgrace to my heritage. I would rather put ketchup on my pasta than eat il Porto's sauce ever again. I have yet to be blown away by Italian food in Maryland. There is a small chain of restaurants in Annapolis that are very good, some good restaurants in Baltimore's Little Italy, and il Pizzico in Rockville used to be great and is now hit or miss. So my only conclusion as to why the reviews are so great is because Maryland just doesn't know what they are doing when it comes to Italian cuisine. For what it is worth, the Chicken Dorrati (which is what I was thinking of ordering) looked pretty decent when I saw a guy next to me eating it.
(1)Omid A.
The food is great. Can't go wrong with the veal or chicken parm. Don't forget to leave room for the cannoli & the tiramisu. By far the best Italian food in the dc metro area.
(5)Steve G.
White pizza, Veal parm yes, cheese ravioli no, Rockfish was EXCELLENT! This is my new favorite Italian place in Montgomery County. Huge portions.
(5)Lauren H.
Our first time eating at this restaurant and it was wonderful. It's a traditional Italian restaurant that's clean and lovely. I had the Salmon with Lemon sauce and it was the best Salmon I've had out in years. It was cooked perfectly with slightly crisp edges and tender inside. The lemon garlic sauce was delicious. The dish came with a huge serving of gorgeous fresh broccoli and carrots that piping hot and seasoned just right. The linguine with tomato sauce that was included was fine too. Husband had Eggplant Parmesan which he gave an 8 out of 10. The wait staff is FANTASTIC. Professional, attentive and kind. This was a great discovery and we will definitely be back.
(5)S C.
Came here Saturday for lunch. My bf's coworker suggested this place. We got there right when it opened so we were the first customers. The decor was nice. There was a pretty mural on the wall. We started off with the tomato and mozzarella. That was delicious. I liked how he also gave us a bottle of balsamic vinegar in case we wanted some. Their home made bread was good too. I loved the crust, but the inside was pretty dense. I ordered the Chicken Marsala because that's my fav Italian dish. Very well made. The chicken was very tender. It also came with a side of linguine in red sauce. The texture was good, but could be a lil more flavorful. My bf ordered calamari with linguine. I thought it was okay. I would definitely go back for the chicken marsala!! =)
(4)Cookie B.
Time for an update. Il Porto continues to be a consistently good (and sometimes great) neighborhood spot. So many people have found out about it (and are now regulars) that they had to expand and open a new room last year. The portions are generous. The service is friendly and Alberto goes out of his way to make sure things are good. Favorites continue to include the white pizza with fontina and garlic, the spaghetti bolognese, and eggplant parmesan. Fish is fresh and cooked to order. They keep trying new and diverse entrees but I can never seem to order anything but the bolognese. What a nice "go to" place to have around.
(4)myra f.
It is always a good meal. Take out works slightly better as restaurant is dated.
(4)Mel M.
dont show up here on a friday or staturday evening w/o a reservation. this place is BUMPING.....came because of the good reviews and was told there was 45 min wait for table for two...there was a line out the door. been living in g-burg for 6 years and always pass this place...I had no idea how popular it is. it's located in a pretty dead shopping center. gonna make a reservation and try another weekend. 2015 UPDATE I finally ate here in APRIL...omg worst Italian EVER. I would never go here or recommend. It's overpriced for the quality. Believe me, save a buck and go to Mama Lucia.
(1)J T.
Amazing food, attentive service, excellent authentic Italian food. Had the roast veal off the special menu, was absolutely the best veal I have ever had, hands down. Seasoned with fresh rosemary and garlic, slow roasted and even came with a side of spaghetti. This has to be one of the best Italian restaurants around, highly recommended.
(5)Megan M.
My parents and I have been going to Il Porto since it first opened. I don't remember how we discovered it in that small shopping center, but it's really been a blessing. The food and service are excellent. My dad and I swear by their veal parmesan. It's crispy, melts in your mouth with delicious homemade marinara sauce and al dente pasta. The homemade bread dipped in the leftover sauce is the perfect end note to a fabulous meal. For an appetizer I always get the white pizza-- I'm not even a big cheese lover, but the combination of cheeses and garlic and oil they use is to die for! I can't live without their dessert either. The cream in the cannolis is so light and fluffy and delicious. You can't go there without consuming a lot of calories, but boy is it worth it. And if the food weren't already great, the prices are extremely low. You'd think the low prices would be indicative of bad food, but you'd be wrong. WIthout drinking, I've eaten there with my boyfriend for as low as $35, with shared appetizers and dessert. Not to mention, you can get their great meals to go! On nights when my dad comes home late, he'll call Il Porto, place his order, and pick it up to go so when he gets home, he can have a really comforting delicious meal. Go! It's much better than some of the terrible Italian restaurants in Kentlands.
(5)Katie T.
I went there a couple years ago and went there again last night. I feel the need to update my review. I really am not a fan of this place. We had reservations on Valentines day but we got there and it seemed like at least 6 groups of people were still waiting on their 8 o'clock reservation. So we went somewhere else. I know that Valentines day is the craziest restaurant day of the year so we went back last night to try it again. I got chicken doratti and a side of fettuccine Alfredo. Both things were basically flavorless and our wine tasted old. My husband got meat cannelloni and he is not a picky person. He likes almost any food but he didn't like this. He thought it tasted really bland. The meat was just mushy and flavorless and the sauce was almost like canned ravioli. I completely agreed with him him. When we went a couple of years ago I got veal parmigiana and it was overcooked and chewy and the lasagna was again flavorless. I really don't like to leave negative reviews that often but sometimes I just really need to share our negative experiences. The restaurant itself was cute and the service was attentive. The bread was also good. I wish we liked this place but we won't be going back.
(1)Bella S.
Solid 3 stars. We were seeking a well priced Italian-American (emphasis on the AMERICAN) meal that wasn't from some awful, overly processed chain and we found it. There's usually a coupon for it in the ValuPak. I got pork chops and they had a nice sear. Also, it was a ton of food. If you are seeking an authentic Italian meal, do some research and go somewhere else. This is definitely a neighborhood spot with stripped down food. We are thinking of going back soon.
(3)Dak F.
Dear Yelpers, You done us wrong, compadres. My wife and I were lost and famished in the dark underbelly of the I-270 Technology Corridor and decided to seek Yelp to point the way. Il Porto had great reviews. We went there. Here's my shitty review; 1) The restaurant was freezing. A back door was continuously opened and closed. We ate with our jackets on. First circle. 2) The Italian bread, I would guess, came from the vaguely "pan-international" grocery store next door. Second circle. 3) The entrees (cheese ravioli and liguini with clam in white sauce) were both terribly bland and seemed primarily thawed or brought in from outside sources, perhaps from that Italian town named d'Ragu. Third circle. 4) Both my wife and I were filled with dyspeptic regret the rest of the evening. Fourth circle. 5) We left Ill Porto in Wrath and Sullenness. Fifth Circle. Sure, we've had worse. But honestly, as much as it pains me to say it, the red sauce at California Pizza Kitchen blows the doors off of IlPorto.
(2)Vanessa K.
Interesting place. After I went there the first time around I loved it! However, after going back a second time and ordering the same thing food and service were both okay. They do have 1/2 price wines on Mondays (which is nice). I feel like it's hit or miss. We ordered the same thing that knocked our socks off the first time around and disappointed the second time around. Although the food is decent the second experience didn't leave my anxious to go back.
(3)Michele N.
I've been here several times. It's packed on the weekends, so aim for a weekday lunch or dinner for a less chaotic experience. The service is hit or miss, but you can tell they really try, so I'm not too hard on them for it. Besides, the food makes up for it anyway. I typically get the same thing: calamari to share, caesar salad, and then either the veal parmigiana or sausage and eggplant on linguine. I always make a point to get the caesar salad, the lettuce is cold and crispy and the dressing is delicious! The portions are pretty big so I usually end up taking home half of my entrée. Actually, this is probably because we have the table bread, appetizer and salad beforehand haha. I love the linguine here, it's buttery and cooked perfectly. There are two dining rooms, so it's nice for large groups and parties. It always cracks me up that this place is located smack dab in the middle of a shopping center next to Planet Fitness, by the dollar store. But Il Porto has a casual dining atmosphere, cozy and intimate with candles on the table to make you forget all that. Great place if you're in the mood for a local casual Italian place.
(4)Jason L.
Either I came on an off night or the people of Gaithersburg are a bit too generous in their Yelps of this place. Definitely not a four stars in a my book. We wanted some Italian and decided to head here due to the good reviews. The place was packed on a Tuesday night but luckily we only had to wait for a table for about 5 minutes. The first thing you notice is how chaotic the dining room is. It doesn't seem that any of the tables had a dedicated waiter and random people come to your table to either take your order or fill up your drinks. They all seem nice enough and its obvious this is a family run establishment. The service was very spotty throughout the night but I only counted 3 people waiting the entire floor. The tables are also quite close to each other which makes dining a bit more intimate than I would like. The prices here are very reasonable and I should have suspected that you could not get good gnocchi for $9.99. We ordered the fried zucchini as an appetizer which was completely uninspired . All they did was cut up a zucchini and lightly bread it while throwing it in the deep fryer. I could do this at home and probably much better. Since I love gnocchi I decided to order their gnocchi with marinara even though a little voice in the back of my head told me not too. I would later discover that this was not a voice in my head but my stomach trying to spare itself a flavorless dish. The gnocchi was cooked al dente and was not good. Probably some of the worst I have ever tasted. I have eaten better gnocchi from Target and Trader Joe's (not an exaggeration). To compound the issue the marinara sauce was completely flavorless. I have had better Chef Boyardee sauce and I am not saying that to be mean, I am saying it because its true. I tasted the sig-o's Sausage with Eggplant which was only slightly better. The eggplant was done nicely but the sausage had so many flavors going on it was not enjoyable. I brought 3/4 of my gnocchi home and I will have to try and salvage it tomorrow with some spices since I abhor wasting food. Maybe this was an off night and we will come back but it will be a long time. They only get one more chance though.
(2)Andrew W.
We have been here twice in the past month after being steered here by Yelp. Though not as classy as Il Pissico, the food is on par and the wait staff is great. The spinach raviolis are especially good! The place gets very busy and the noise level is pretty high, but it's the sound of a crowd of happy people:-)
(4)Thi T.
Love it. Believe it's a family-owned restaurant so you get personal care. Italian-sized portions (read it as won't be able to finish the entree so you bring it home). Their tiramisu ... is a must have ... it's home-made!
(4)Barry S.
This is a great comeback story for me ... where I went ten years ago ... thought it was average ... but enough reviews told me to "come back." This place is very, very good for the style of food it serves. There is no doubt that if I'm "feeling italian" in Gaithersburg this is the joint we'll go to.
(4)Allison A.
So I guess the boy and I have a thing for Italian. We went here on a Sunday evening, around 5 pm, and there were only about 4 other people in the restaurant. By the time we left it was filling up though. This place is tucked into a strip mall in Gaithersburg, right next to Gold's Gym...with a parking lot! This excites me because as a recent export from small-town Virginia I feel warm and fuzzy when I can actually park near my destination. Cons (had to rack my brain for these): -Some of the tables are too close together -If you're one of those people that doesn't like candlelit dinners then this is a no-go because it was kind of dark in there -The house salad utilized iceberg lettuce and I am a lettuce snob Pros: -The staff was SO nice -Instant service from the moment we entered until when we left -The owner or manager came by to ask us how things were -The restaurant seemed clean and smelled good, mmmm -Delicious food and moderately priced ($10-$15) -The portions weren't GIGANTIC, which I see as a pro but you may consider it a con? -I ordered the lasagna and ate the leftovers the next day and it was even more delicious SO...we will probably go back.
(4)talia r.
Atmosphere is a great family dining experience. it isn't a large room, but with all the dining chatter and lovely frescoes on the wall it would remind you of home. Well home if were of Mediterranean descent or had a penchant for drawing large murals on your dining room walls. So far I can only recommend the Veal Parm, which by the way was so delicious I didn't have time to think about the horrible connotations with what I as eating. I was too busy stuffing my face. The red sauce is sweet, so if you are not into that you won't hate it but you won't love it. As far as the white sauce, I didn't have any of the alfredo but it kind of looked like those cheap bagged ones you can find in the grocery store, very very cheesy. But who knows, looks are often deceiving. Portions are very good sized, price fits accordingly, but you get the better end of that deal, and the service really is tops. They are attentive without being overbearing. I am semi-infatuated with tiramisu and am kicking myself for not trying it. But then again, with the amount of bread and food I ingested, it was probably for the best. All in all it is a very welcoming, friendly atmosphere that will help you forget you are eating in relatively podunck Gaithersburg. With a hankering for Italian, this is the place.
(4)Tom K.
I grew up eating Italian food in New York and this is one of the few places around that provides a similar feel and experience to an Italian neighborhood casual dining experience. Have never been disappointed- they actually prepare meats properly in Italian style, outstanding sauces. Portions are a bit small and the decor needs a rehab, but I'd otherwise recommend it to all!
(4)Michael D.
Went last night based on all the reviews and how great the white pizza is. All i can say is nobody has any idea how Italian food or pizza should taste. The white pizza has no ricotta cheese which is what a white pizza is. What it lacked in crucial ingredients it made up for in oil..had more on the pizza than i do in my car. Being from ny originally i Never usually listen to locals about pizza cause im convinced marylanders dont know itialian food...it appears i am correct...dont go if u dont want to waste ur money.
(1)Christy T.
OMG. First review?! I don't know why that makes me happy, except that I get to hype my favorite, undiscovered, hole-in-the-strip-mall gem. They've been around for years, and definitely don't cater to the "hip" crowd (more to people my parents' ages), but the food is phenomenal. It's a bit of a destination spot, as well, but don't be afraid. It's totally worth it. And there's a giant mural of Venice. Awesome! In addition to the truly rad fare, which is very reasonably priced and very tasty, Italian comfort food, there are the people. Everyone here is so genuinely nice. It's rarely crowded at lunchtime (which is when I usually end up here), so the servers let you sit wherever you like. They are very prompt and are just so freakin' friendly! I always get warm smiles and a, "How have you been?" whenever I'm here. My dad is on a friendly basis with a number of the servers, since he's such a regular customer. And the food. Wow. It's simple--nothing avant guard or experimental. But sometimes I just want comforting food and a place I know has plenty of vegetarian options. And while there is plenty of osso bucco and clam sauce to go around, there is also a wide variety for the veggies in the group. I love the eggplant Parmesan, myself. I also love a number of the appetizers-- I recommend getting a few to share for the table to start (or even as the main event!). My personal favorites are the fried zucchini, the white beans (an almost-stew with thyme, onions and garlic--yum!), and the white pizza, which comes out piping hot and cut into manageable little squares. Again, the prices are very reasonable, and for very generous portions. The tiramisu will have you speaking in tongues. I can't stress how solid the food is here. I've been coming here for years and will be back again and again. Delightful.
(5)Selica O.
I've been seriously disapointed with the Italian restaurant in my area but thought I'd give this place a try based on the YELP reviews. First of, it's true, don't be decieved by the locaiton. It really is like a mom and pop place which is why I loved it. I ordered the Chicken Doratti which was prepared perfectly and really delicious. For my pasta I asked for a lemon-butter sauce instead of the marinara and they happily accomidated me. My fiancee got a ceaser salad and the meat lasagne and was very happy. We also had one order of garlic bread which was actually cheese garlic bread. Not great and will pass on it next time since the regular bread is just fine. I kept complimenting the waiter and when I said I'd pass but next time would get the tirimisu he brought one out on the house. Possibly the best I've had outside of Italy. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Craig S.
Love this place. Alberto does an amazing job remembering all of his clients who come in regularly. Also Coup moved the Frederick location and that is amazing too. Always get the white pizza, it is other worldly. The Alfredo sauce is also to die for.
(5)Elizabeth W.
Great food and excellent service!! The cioppino special with lobster tail and shrimp was superb!! Janet was an absolute dream for a waitress, I can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Linda F.
This is the best neighborhood restaurant in the Moco suburbs by far. I'm from NY so I've had some good Italian food, but Alberto and his staff do the customers and the paisanos proud.
(5)Red F.
I really, REALLY like this place. I've only ever gotten take out, but every time I go, the place is packed. It seems like the place to be if you want good Italian food in Gaithersburg. Do you like Lobster bisque? I do. They call theirs Lobster soup, which I actually think sounds better anyways, and it is GOOD. Oh man. It's good. Dip some of their delicious bread in there and seriously, it's pretty much like eating happiness. Also, their sauteed mushrooms are yumtastic. Sometimes I'll get the Lobster soup, and the mushrooms, and it lasts me a couple days. A couple wonderful days. My boyfriend always gets their pizza, and he says it's delicious. It's thin, which I really like. And last, but NOT least, is their bread dip. Holy Cow! It's that good. It's garlic, cheese and olive oil, and I think theres some other stuff in there too. It's CRAZY good. Num num num!
(4)Tina W.
Had a very enjoyable dinner here this evening. Decided to give the place a try after a nearby family-style Italian restaurant was not able to accommodate our group of nine at 4:30 (!), and I'm very glad we did. I started with the calamari, which is the best I've had in some time. As others have said, the marinara sauce here is fantastic...very fresh tasting. I found the caesar salad with anchovies to be quite good - the lettuce was very crisp with the perfect amount of dressing. I ordered the gnocchi, which was delicious. Two in the party ordered the rockfish topped with crabmeat, one of the evening's specials. I sampled this and it was excellent - the fish was cooked to perfection. I also tasted the veal chop, another hit. We tried several of their desserts - tiramisu, chocolate mousse cake, limoncello flute, and a couple of flavors of gelato. All of them were wonderful. The limoncello flute may have been my favorite - limoncello gelato served in a champagne flute. It had an excellent lemon flavor without being overly sweet. The service was extremely attentive throughout our meal. I am looking forward to dining here again.
(5)