Best Sunday brunch in town! They've got a great selection of entrees and desserts. Their pizza and gnocchi are excellent. There's something for everyone here! The staff were very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is casual and light-spirited. If you're planning on taking a group of four or more people for Sunday brunch, I suggest getting there before noon, when it fills up with a lot of people coming from church. The brunch buffet offers a wide selection of foods, which they keep well-stocked, and it's always easy to find a plate full of good things to eat!
(5)
Matt W.
Nice ambiance. Clean and smelled wonderful walking in. Then we sat down. Couldn't understand the server. He had broken English and spoke very soft and fast. He made us feel rushed. Annoyed. He tells us the specials. Ooh, fish. Cool, I'm on Weight Watchers for Fat Fucks, so I go with it. $30! Special? For dried up fish! Tasted "pretty good," but not for $30. Rip off. The 2 Calzones our table ordered were bready and overdone. My wife makes them better with our pizza stone. And no side marinara or something to combat your carbed up piece of shit? #ugh Beers were expensive. $4 for a small 12-ounce glass of bud light. Geez, please don't give me a pint, I would hate to actually feel a buzz after 3 beers. Whatta joke. Salad was eh...coulda used more dressing for that price too. Side salad for $8? The thing was small and you're charging $8? You out ya damn mind! You can't just have one for $4 with the same size? I mean God forbid we actually feel full after spending $75 for 2 of us! What else? Oh yeah, I'll never go back. Place is a joke.
(1)
Andrew M.
We went here last weekend and I was pleasantly surprised. We've been to their sister establishment in downtown Silver Spring a couple times, so I've had their pizza before... and Pacci's does a decent Neapolitan style pizza (I still think 2 Amy's is better!). I like the ambiance at this location better than their more sleek and modern pizzeria downtown, plus they have lots of parking around (check out their website for all the places to park after 5pm). The restaurant is surprisingly spacious and has a very very cute interior. There were some kids here, though it mostly seemed to be groups of 50+ adults... something I'm not so used to seeing in DC or downtown Silver Spring (we brought our 3 year old and he enjoyed his pizza). We got the caesar salad; it was ok, but I wouldn't be quick to order it again. We also got the eggplant appetizer, which was nice. For mains we had pizza and calzones -- though next time I'm getting their pasta... the super-wide tagliatelle looked awesome! Also, their mixed appetizer board looked great (and we'll be getting that as well next time!). For dessert, we got the cannolis; super delicious. Prices aren't cheap here, but they aren't outrageous either; it's a good place for a family dinner. My only complaint was that the service seemed a little spotty/slow. Not sure if they were short a waiter or what when we were there. The place was busy, but is pretty spacious, so at least we were seated promptly. It also looks like they have a nice enclosed sun-porch out back. Also, despite someone saying they thought the portions weren't generous... I thought they were quite adequate (and I'm a big eater) -- we definitely took home some leftovers.
(4)
Priscilla Y.
Pacci's is a cute, cozy restaurant with great pasta. They also make pizza and calzones. We started off with the Piatone di Pacci's, which is the appetizer sampler. It came with bruschetta, artichoke, smoked salmon, prosciutto wrapped in cantaloupe, arugula, and mozzarella and tomatoes. Not a bad app to start with. They also give free bread. I really like their Tagliatelle Boscaiola. It is fettucine noodles in light cream sauce with sausage and mushrooms. It was delicious. I was not too crazy for the Bucatini Carbonara. This had pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan. It was too cheesy and did not have too much flavor. The pasta was like spaghetti pasta with a hollow center so it was kind of weird eating it. My friends all seemed to really enjoy their pasta dishes (Pollo Alla Milanese, Lasagna Napoletana, and a penne dish). I also tried their Limoncello shortcake, which was really good. It was light in lemon flavor so it was not too sour. The cake was moist. Big enough to share with another person. Service was excellent. Our server was really attentive. It looks like they have limited parking, but they recently added more parking behind the "castle". The restaurant is not that easy to find. You can easily drive past it so make sure you have your GPS on. It really is a hidden gem!
(4)
Glen F.
Went to their other restaurant and they told us about the brunch at this place so we decided to try it. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Food was plentiful, fresh and hot. Lots of variety also. Would definitely come back.
(4)
Alec U.
It just seems that either most complaints here are not about food, or done by folks who know little about food. Yep, parking sucks, and fish is expensive, welcome to DC area. The bottom line is that pasta dishes are authentic unlike the Americanized versions served by other local chains. This place reminds me more of the primi selections in Tuscony. Wine selection is great and reasonably priced. Deserts are excellent. Service has been consistently great, although there is no "formal hostess podium," as was so helpfully noted by one reviewer. But then again, if hostess podiums is your key measure of a place, Ruby Tuesdays is just probably more to your liking.
(5)
Libby F.
$20 AYCE brunch. It's all that and more! Love Pacci's pizza? You got it. And more. Their Belgian waffles are light and fluffy. They have CRAB MEAT to add to your made to order omelet! Crab legs? Yup. Mussels and clams? Yup. Yup. It was missing nothing this non red meat eater desired. There's even poached salmon. The homemade blueberry muffins are great too! There are even cheesecake and chocolate petit fours. And..... unlike other AYCE places coffee/tea/soda is included! It was sooooo delicious that I will probably be back this Sunday before my friend flies back across the Atlantic.
My wife and I ate here opening weekend (of Hurricane Irene...). The place had just a few tables full and I could tell that they had just opened and some people were still in training. We didn't know that the restaurant was not allowed to serve wine just yet (end of October)...and we didn't think twice after digging into our meal. Here's what we shared: Appetizer: Arancini di Roso - delicious...and I didn't feel like I was eating something greasy and fried La Pasta: Pappardelle alla Boscaiola - a perfect combination of al dente pasta (made in the kitchen 15 feet away). It has a perfect combination of italian sausage and mushrooms. Its a very warm dish and it didn't feel heavy Secondi: Scaloppina al Limone - succulent, soft, breaded veal with the right mix of cherry tomatoes and rosemary to balance the salt and sweet. If you're familiar with the Pacci Pizzeria, then you probably know that the owner (Spiro Gioldasis) partnered with a truly authentic chef from Naples Italy (Rosario Granieri) to create an authentic Italian dining experience. Locals know that there is no compromise on fresh, quality ingredients and doing it "right". I proudly say that Pacci's Trattoria and Pasticceria is a continuation of an honest restaurant that is back to the basics of quality dining. The executing chef (Antonio Ciotola) knows exactly what he's doing and our first meal with him was memorably delicious. Honestly - everything was delicious. For the price...I would say this is actually on par and you know your'e getting an authentic meal. It wasn't "expensive" considering the quantity and quality of what we ate. The place is beautiful. If you ever saw pictures of the old restaurant, you wouldn't recognize it now. Everything is warm, colorful, and very open. You can see the staff cooking in the open kitchen, which is a great feature and is just fun to watch. The seating is done well enough that it would be comfortable if the place was full or empty and/or if you're with a family or a date. We had such a great dinner. We even had the lemon cake, which was another hit. I highly recommend. Honestly, I felt like I didn't eat at a "restaurant" as odd as that sounds. I felt like we ate at a family's home that welcomed us in. The food was fantastic and I think they are really good about hiring warm people to complement the atmosphere. We saw Antonio making dinner for the workers that night and it was really nice to see the way everyone that works there gets fed really good food too...and they were enjoying it as much as we were enjoying it. I think it speaks a lot for a family owned restaurant. I can't wait to go back. Its a great place and a gem to downtown Silver Spring.
(5)
Brit B.
Hidden gem. The atmosphere is perfect. The food is tasty. The wait staff is spotty, but not enough to taint my opinion of the place. Try the ravioli! Yum! My one negative--parking.
(4)
Molly C.
Went here last sat night , for light dinner . Had trouble finding a parking space , asked to sit outside , since a lovely evening . Waiter / service very poor . Food was mediocre , salad was very small , calamari was also small , not enough for 2 for price . Waiter , forgot our wine , we had to ask . Also for condiments , ended up getting them from nearby table . Not sure we'd go again
(2)
S C.
So waitress horribly trained. Read that before But the food, terrible! Ravioli was stuffed with fresh mozzarella, but was 2-3 days old and I could smell the sour as It was delivered. Two bites and that was it. Caesar, dressing was thin and had no zing to it. If it was homemade it needed more garlic and Dijon. Rice Balls- uck! Overcooked risotto rolled beyond death. You couldn't even recognize the rice grains (try filomenas!). The meatballs were good. But overpriced for 5 gumball sized bites. The quality of the meatballs got them the 2nd star. The worst: We got this pasta that was a papperdelle. BONE DRY, and undercooked. Yes it was fresh, but unedible. Will make a sauce at home and reheat pasta in. Cant be worse. Server understood nothing we ordered or said. Asked for our food to be boxed up..... to go..... take home..... (still a blank stare) "you want another one?" need I say more? boo....
(2)
Kim R.
Came here twice, once with the kids, once for a lunch with a friend. They have been very clear that they welcome kids and I loved the kids menu, as did both girls. I had pollo Milanese which was very good. There were definitely some growing pains - pastry chef didn't have any of the dessert I ordered, no coffee or tea (they do have both now), but our waiter was gracious throughout. Liquor license isn't clear yet, but that will be nice. At lunch I had the also good carbonara. Meatballs in someone else's plate needed more seasoning. Only complaints is that the lunch menu didn't have lunch prices or specials. We will definitely go back - and hopefully all the kinks are getting ironed out each day. -Update: have gone back several times and the growing pains were indeed ironed out (plently of coffee, wine and dessert to be had), the dishes all seem slightly improved, carbonara, for instance is creamier and there are lunch specials now!
(4)
Kathy S.
This review is for the take-out pizza. It was soggy and undercooked. Take-out pizza from Pacci's in Silver Spring far superior - 4 stars.
(2)
Blsc R.
I would say 3.75, would have been 5 but recent service dropped my opinion. We have been here easily a dozen times in the past 6 months. It's been our favorite. The food is good. The pizza and calzone additions are great and mirror the other location. I recommend the Marsala which is my favorite meal these days and limoncello cake. If they have eggplant parm as the special, also good too. The location has some parking issues but never had to wait for a table and the porch is great. If you have little kids, you occasionally see a train roll by and the kids like that. However, it seems they recently had some server turnover and this new batch just does not cut it. Slow and inattentive. Frustrating as the food is worth the wait. Really hope these new folks are as irresponsible in life as they are with serving and pull some no shows and get canned. Downtown SS is also great and fantastic patio, but a little wait each time there
(4)
Aaron G.
After many happy lunches and dinners at the pizzeria in Silver Spring, I stopped by the trattoria during their first week to take it for a spin. First impressions: Like the pizzeria the restaurant makes good use of a narrow space. The dining room is open and bright, dominated by an open kitchen on one side, nicely decorated if not a bit sterile. Service was friendly but slightly awkward, not surprising given the soft opening status. Ordered the Scialatelli with homemade sausage, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Food was very fresh, hot, tasty and hearty Italian comfort food. Pasta was perfect al dente Can't wait to explore more of the menu. Bottom line: very good food and lots of potential, especially once they get their liquor license and can roll out the beer/wine list, which the waiter said would be just a few weeks away. Will post another review after the next visit.
(4)
Annie T.
I was super excited to try this restaurant out! Pacci's Trattoria was Week 3 Yelp's Hidden Gem! Pacci's is right next to a "castle" and while there is ample parking, parking is very tight. I sat down at a table with some friends. The waiter informed us that we could get 1/2 priced Bruschetta Capri; sundried tomato tapenade bruschetta and mussels as our hidden gem prize. Also there was a pizza deal $8 each vs $12 originally. That totally pushed me to try their pizza. I ordered the Tartufo truffle pizza, and we also got the Marinara (no cheese), and Naninella; imported buffalo mozzarella,cherry tomatoes, arugula, parmesan, and basil. The bruschetta app had a very strong sundries tomato flavor which I loved, but other people might think it's a bit much. The mussels were also tasty. I wish it came with bread to dip into the sauce. So I asked the waiter for bread and we were dipping like crazy. All the pizzas were tasty when they came out. I liked my truffle pizza the best. It had a good truffle flavor. I loved how the Parmesan was freshly grated and I sprinkled it on top of my pizza like crazy! Haha the Naininella was very fresh tasting, but had a light flavor. The Marinara no cheese pizza had a good strong flavor. At the end we wanted to try the limoncello cake, but were too full. We got our gems and paid. I would love to come back and try their unlimited brunch buffet one of these Sundays, it's $20 per person! I love supporting mom & pop places! Everything seemed to be made fresh and you could see the store owners cooking. I would love to come back!
I can sum up my experience in one word: LEGIT. Right down to the Italian music playing in the background. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is an extremely authentic take on Neapolitan pizza. I know this because I've had it...and it's AMAZING! Perfectly cooked crust that isn't too thin or thick, with just the right amount of sauce...and the cheese...WOW...the freshness is incredible. I had the pleasure of dining here during lunch, and I don't remember there being any pasta dishes offered on the menu. This particular establishment closes at 2:30pm, and reopens at 5. The lunch menu includes salads, pizza, subs, and a few other items. We ordered the cherry tomato salad, which was a very generous amount considering the $8 price. It came with sliced cherry tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella and surrounded by sliced cucumbers. The vinaigrette was PERFECT and the sliced basil tasted like it just came off a plant. I couldn't believe how good it was. After sharing the salad, our pizza arrived...and the wait was definitely worth it! I ate the entire personal cheese pizza which was the size of a large plate. The entire thing...and I'm not ashamed. Oh no, in fact I was thrilled. I even tried my coworkers Tartufo pizza...MMMMM. There's no sauce, but it doesn't need it. Garlicky with mushrooms and just the right amount of spices made it a delicious choice. The absence of food coma afterwards is a clear indication of how fresh the ingredients are...which is why you shouldn't get put off by the prices! It's not the cheapest place to dine for lunch (or dinner), but it's only because they use top of the line ingredients. The mozzarella in my salad tasted imported. It felt like I was back in Italy again. I sh*t you not. After our meal, the owner surprised us with fresh gelato in a little cup to finish it off. I don't even like gelato. Seriously, I'm one of those women that likes savory desserts, like cheesecake and sfogliatelle...but this was good. Better than good. Delicious. Like I was chomping on a vanilla bean soaked in cream. Final verdict? Do yourself a favor, and come back for dinner with a date. Or a group of friends, but given the relaxed romantic ambience I'd go for the date.
(5)
Emma W.
Can you say dessert! Yes!!!! Tried two, the tiramisu and cheesecake... oh so good. To be honest I just had dessert and would go again just for dessert. Friendly service but this place needs a GPS to find. You will miss it if you're not looking for it. The restaurant is next to a castle, but maybe not for long since the castle is for sale... The parking lot is, well, a little tricky get right. But there is space.
(4)
Omid A.
Best pizza in town. Perfect crust good toppings and fast to go service. I called my order in and it was ready to go by the time I was there 10 minutes later. They were ready to hand off the pizza to me 10 seconds after I walked in. I haven't tried the other goodies at this location but if it's anything like their downtown location, I'm sure it'll be great.
I finally went here after putting it off for months because I always opted for the other Pacci's location (which is one of my favorite restaurants ever!). The restaurant is in a wonderful location! It's right next to the train tracks in forest glen a mile or so off of Georgia Avenue. We sat on the back porch which was nice, but I found that the decor and service were not as impressive as at their other location. Our waiter was nice, but all he told us about the specials were "cheese ravioli and salmon"--no prices, no description. The inside was minimally decorated and there was really nothing special about the restaurant. Parking is also strange as it is next to a "castle" with a very small lot. As at the other location, the wine list is fantastic. This location also has a fair beer selection and a pretty good cocktail list. They have the same pizzas as the other location (try the la diavola!) but they also offer pasta dishes. I had the gnocchi alla sorrentina which was good, but I'd like to try something else next time. Overall, I was pleased but I like Pacci's Neopolitan Pizzeria better.
(4)
Piero Q.
The restaurant offers a quaint ambiance. The food was splendid; the freshness and quality of the ingredients was detected with every bite. The sangria was on point. The service, however, was OK. The staff tended to loiter at (not by) the bar, which in turn left the guest unattended for irregular periods of time. Definitely a place to try. The food will not disappoint, however be mindful that the service will be less than average.
(4)
Hue K.
For $20 all you can eat italian/seafood/waffle/omelet buffet, you might get the best deal here for quality and quantity. I was very impressed with variety of food offered at Pacci's for brunch. Fresh fruit, real cesar salad with freshly shaved parmasan, pacci's famous pizza (at least 3-4 kinds), great made-to-order waffle and omelet (with crab meat) and egg's benedict (with salmon) and mussels/clams/peel&eat shrimp.. Everything was very fresh and good quality and refilled frequently. Beverages are included as well. I'll go back every Sunday if I live here. Solid 5 star brunch! PS: Don't miss in-house baked muffin. I loved the bluberry muffin the chef made...
(5)
Michael S.
First time to Pacci's but we will definitely be back to sample the menu again. Overall the food was very good and I admittedly found myself looking across the room at other orders - from salads to pizzas - that all looked fantastic. Decor - Small, quaint and very comfortable. Food - Lunch for three included a shared Nonna's Polpette (meatball) appetizer which was excellent followed by penne with butter (for my 10 year-old), spaghetti with shrimp and gnocchi with white sauce. All very good. I had the gnocchi and found the white sauce to be a nice balance of cream, mozzarella/Parmesan cheese and a hint of garlic. For desert my son had the tiramisu and the adults had cappuccinos. Service - Despite a very large (~18 people) family birthday party and another large party (10 people) being served concurrently with our party I thought the staff hustled and was very good. This is not a large restaurant so I was impressed with how the staff handled the concurrent volume of diners. Other than a slight delay with our main course meal and having to ask twice for a lemon we really didn't have any issues. A very strong 4 stars for Pacci's!
(4)
Dan H.
The portions here are not only incredibly generous, they are incredibly tasty. Great prices, and clearly care goes into the food. Only thing I would add is italian sodas or something similar for non-alcohol drinkers. But damn, this place is great. Any of the Tagliatellas are fantastic. The Calamari to start is tasty too. This is an out of the way place that is a must visit.
(5)
Alan S.
The food at Pacci's is very good. The service is impeccable. The noise in the main dining room is horrible. Not from the customers but from the kitchen. The kitchen is open and there is constant banging of dishes. The kitchen area should be closed off from the dining area. Sit in a different area.
(4)
Emma B.
All I know is the pizza. After we vacationed in Sardinia, we were looking for something that would nearly replicate the incredible pizza. This is the closest we've found. The space has always been wonderful, though the upstairs indoor is a bit echoey. We've never had bad service here, but again, we've only ever been for dinner. Would give its four, but the three is for the parking issues. Tear down that weird wall already.
(3)
Sara M.
Found this hidden gem through Mike B.'s scavenger hunt, and I'm glad I did - I don't think I would've stumbled upon it otherwise! It's tucked away off Forest Glen Road near the intersection with Seminary Road, in a cute little building. It's next to a weird castle building and shares their parking, which is a little confusing. The menu breaks down into three significant categories: small dishes (antipasti, salad), pasta, and pizza. So many tempting dishes! They offer multiple kinds of bruschetta, not just the classic tomato kind. We tried the Bruschetta Capri, which had an olive-tomato tapenade, pine nuts, and cheese - so good, even my olive-hating dinner partner enjoyed it! We also tried the mussels, which were plump and juicy in a delicious broth with tomatoes and leeks. I wanted to soak up all of that broth with the table bread, which was crusty and flavorful itself. We debated between pizza and pasta, and ended up going with the Tagliatelle Boscaiola. This pasta dish has big fat noodles in a creamy sauce with homemade sausage and mushrooms. They offered fresh-ground pepper and parmesan, which we gladly accepted. Very tasty, though not exceptional. We were glad that we'd split two appetizers and an entree, which left room to sample the extensive dessert menu. We picked out two. The Limoncello Shortcake was a lovely citrus-y take on a shortbread, topped with succulent fruit and fresh whipped cream. And we finished the meal with the Sfogliata - you should Google that word just to see the crazy phyllo dough creations that we got! These were filled with a custard and were very unique in appearance and flavor. All in all, a terrific meal. Service was very friendly and attentive. I'm looking forward to trying their sister restaurant in Silver Spring!
(4)
Suzanne A.
Love this little neighborhood gem. It is our go-to weeknight dinner spot when we have visitors, especially now that we have a toddler. I'm always so impressed with the servers - so attentive and great with my kid. We've also been going to Pacci's in downtown Silver Spring for years and know their pizza menu well; it's hard not to order a pizza appetizer in addition to our pasta entrees. I recommend the diavolo if you like spice. The regular pasta entrees are fantastic, but so are the specials. I find myself deliberating on my order here more than anywhere else, and I've never tried the same thing twice here. They especially do seafood and shellfish well. Try to leave room for dessert!
(4)
Paul S.
Awesome Sunday brunch! A wide variety of breakfast, Italian, and seafood dishes; definitely something for everyone. The pizzas and gnocchi really stood out as my favorites. Too long to wait for the cooked-to-order waffles, but everything else was very well stocked, including the snow crab legs and shrimp. Service was pretty attentive and will definitely be back soon.
(4)
Stephanie S W.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. If I could eat here every day, I would, but I would also be the size of a car... so I'll opt for a salad once in a while. This old, cozy home-turned-restaurant is perfect for an intimate meal with friends or family. Everything on the menu is tasty and you can't go wrong with classic spaghetti and meatballs. Check in on yelp for 50% off appetizer deal.
(5)
Janet H.
Pretty good!! This place was a little hidden, it's to the right of a white building (the castle). Parking was interesting... kinda cool, parking lot was small, encircled by stone walls. There's more parking behind the white building, but I think it's free only after 5pm tho and you have to wiggle between the 2 buildings. Had dinner with fellow elite yelper (shout-out to Annie T). There wasn't a wait, was seated right away on a Wednesday night. They seem to really love garlic and aren't afraid to use a lot of it, but mainly on dishes that explicitly said there's garlic. Their table bread was also very delicious, very soft and savory, very flavorful on its own, definitely didn't need butter. We did have to ask for this, our appetizers came out before we got the bread. And their pizza dough was also great, a little on the dry side but that's how I like it, chewy :-) especially great when paired with the abundant amount of toppings. They know how to make/bake their dough! Things we ordered: Impepata di cozo (mussels) - which had a little bit of a spicy kick and garlicky bruschetta capri - the sundried tomatoes definitely outshined the mild eggplant flavor Naninella- seemed more like an arugula salad on top of the delicious pizza dough, delicious, but wished something made it seem more cohesive as a pizza. I should've read the menu closer as it clearly stated online that ingredients are added post-oven :-P Marinara pizza - lots of garlic, not complaining because it was good but the garlic flavor was dominating the tomato based marinara and a few leaves of basil Tartufo pizza - my favorite of the 3 pizzas, packed with flavor without being overwhelming, nor greasy The service was great and the price was actually less than I thought it would be (~$33!!! Total!!! For all that food!!!!), but I think that's mainly due to yelp deals, so check in!! But remember to tip on the original price. I'd come back to try their pastas, especially their homemade marinara :-) oh and I want to try their limoncello cake. And they have unlimited brunch Sunday's. Ok, it's decided, I'm coming back.
(4)
Samantha D.
This is hands down the BEST brunch buffet I have ever been to! Delicious! Everything was amazing: fruit salad, handmade desserts (cheese cakes & cream puffs), bacon, eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles, bbq pork, meatballs, crab legs, mussels, oysters, clams, and last but not least vegetable gnocchi! Little tiny pillows covered in a delectable tomato sauce! Mmmmmmm nom nom nom! The food is not the only thing that is great, service is attentive and polite as well. The atmosphere is small but inviting! I thought I wouldn't comment or rate at all as to keep this a secret place but I couldn't resist giving it credit! I'm still not sharing this wonderful experience with my family and friends though, only my boyfriend :) Only downfall is parking, but it's not impossible just inconvenient and small. DON'T LET THAT TURN YOU AWAY!
(5)
Bennett T.
Fantastic brunch on Sunday's for a great price - $20. They offer a veritable cornucopia of food options from fresh seafood to a waffle bar. The service is acceptable but could honestly be a bit better. They used to offer bottomless mimosas for an additional $10 but no longer do so. The location is extremely charming, and it's a perfect spot for a long, lazy Sunday brunch.
(4)
Jerry S.
The unusual configuration of the quaint building makes sense when you know that it was once a post office. In the "lobby" there's a four stool marble bar, and a few tables. The tiny room next to it was probably the postmaster's office. The space downstairs would have been for receiving and sorting. I got off to a good start with the artisanal Italian bread and good quality olive oil (already on the table) to dip it in. The check in offer was for the Bruschetta Capri and the app sized mussels. The sun dried tomato and olive teppanade was pretty assertive, and delicious. The mussels were fresh and juicy, with a lovely leek and tomato broth and maybe a little more heat than they needed. I needed more bread to yum up all the sauce. I noted a wood fired oven in the basement on my way out, which bodes well for their pizza. I'm going to have to try that and the entrees before considering a fifth star, since Pasta Plus sets a very high bar, but I'm optimistic based on this excellent lunch. Update 1/4/15 Just came from the amazing Sunday Brunch. Excellent lox, plump briny oysters, top notch crab legs, steamed clams and mussels, creamy eggs Benedict (was that panchetta?) jumbo shrimp steamed with Old Bay, tender made to order waffles with fresh fruit topping, pizza as good as any I didn't pay for with Lira, crisp bacon, poached salmon, succulent braised lamb, scallops, choice of pork or turkey sausage links, bite sized pastries so you can try more than one without feeling too piggish, very good coffee, frequent refills. I did not have room to try the pasta, carved roast beef, or omelet station. Excellent service. Crazy good value at $20, coffee included. Slam dunk 5 *****.
(5)
Monte M.
This restaurant is a gem. The atmosphere is definitely not stuffy and comfortable but it's the food that makes or breaks a restaurant. The food is fantastic and reliable, the wait staff on the top of their game, and it is reasonably priced. Were I single, I'd be very comfortable bringing a date here. Being married with a family, i can say that everyone leaves satisfied. From the appetizers to the entrees to the finely prepared deserts, everything is prepared and presented at its best. We've come to really love eating at this restaurant. Recently, we went to the Sunday brunch buffet and that's what inspired me to move beyond "promising to review" to "actually reviewing." I don't think I've ever had a better lunch buffet - and again very reasonably priced. The traditional foods - omelets, waffles, egg dishes, etc. - are all there. On top of that it seems like the whole menu is presented for your eating pleasure - pizza, shrimp and other sea fish dishes, meats, and an ever-changing array of fresh, delicious deserts. And again, the cost was not exorbitant. This is fine Italian food that caters to a variety of tastes and succeeds on all fronts. There is nothing stuffy about the place and I would say it's my favorite place to take my family. We've also taken guests there on numerous occasions and everyone leaves satisfied. It's in a bit of an isolated area - but Kensington, Silver Spring and Wheaton are all just a very short drive away and I wouldn't let that deter you from enjoying a great meal at this establishment. Just a little extra planning. Glad this restaurant is so close by.
(5)
Mary L.
Great place for brunch that isn't outrageous in price. It's $20 which includes coffee. Most places in the DMV doesn't include ANY beverages. They have a somewhat wide verity but still staying within the Italian cuisine. The carving station can be hit or miss. The first time I went the roast beef was on point, this time it was very dry. They have a wide variety of pizza that I still haven't tried. They also serve shrimp and crab legs which seems to always be the first people gravitate to. Word of caution Parking can be a total pain. I suggest going as soon as they open at 10:30am to beat the church crowd.
(4)
SJ In B.
Had Sunday Brunch there today after an email I got from Yelp with a list of restaurants that serve brunch! Ohhh my God! The food was delicious! I had eggs Benedict's with home fries bacon and sausage. Then I moved to the crab legs, mussels, scallops, salmon and shrimp... So many options! The iced tea was actually brewed unsweetened so that was good. I can't wait to go again! All for $20 a person!
(5)
Alan S.
Cozy intimate setting, like eating dinner at grandparents house. Service was great. Got the app sampler (prosciutto melon, artichoke, salmon, tomato mozzerella, bruschetta capri) to share, perfect amount for 4 ppl. Chicken Milanese was delicious, lightly breaded and fried chicken breast over a bed of lightly buttered spaghetti and arugula salad. Limoncello shortcake is a must try. Will come back again. Parking is limited be aware.
(4)
CJ T.
Sorry Pacci's Trattoria. Took my daughter to lunch and the food was barely ok. We shared a Caesar Salad, Fried Calamari and a Pizza Margherita with prosciutto. - The Caesar Salad was just ok and overpriced. Nothing special. Could get the same salad at any national chain restaurant and be equally satisfied. - Pizza Margherita was not just wet in the middle, it was like a pool of tomato water and barely warm. You need to crank up or recalibrate the pizza oven. Barely edible and I understand Neoplitan pizza is sometimes "wet" in the middle but the cheese wasn't even melted thru but the basil leaves on top were burned. The place wasn't that busy at 1:00 in the afternoon so there really is no reason for not receiving good pizza. Prosciutto was so salty you could not taste the earthy meat flavor. - Calamari was the highlight but the dipping sauce was bland. Really loved this place and has now dropped down to visiting due to its convenience.
(2)
Alina B.
Delicious place to go for a great dinner. Accessible to park, good prices and good service. Very close from Forest Glen metro station and from Downtown Silver Spring.
(5)
Bryony B.
Went here this past weekend with my little nieces and nephew who are 8, 6 and 4. They had a lot of people there but we were sat down right away and our server came over very fast. They brought over bread (with olive oil for dipping) and waters (including plastic cups with lids and straws for the kids) lickety split. After ordering the food arrived promptly and our waiter checked on us numerous times. We got calamari, a red pizza with artichokes, mushrooms, olives and basil, and the nutella pizza for dessert. It was all very tasty. In the end our waiter didn't charge us for a couple of things - not sure if that was on purpose, but I'll take it! Lastly, the place is kinda cute and the view is crazy out the window, since you're right on the edge of this curvy road there. A happy place all in all :)
(4)
Joy B.
Nestled from view, but located right off Georgia Avenue,Pacci's Trattoria is worth setting your GPS for. The restaurant resembles a small,cozy home. The decor is warm and inviting. The staff is warm and friendly. Our waitress spent lots of time giving us her favorites and explaining dishes we were interested in ordering. This week, the Yelp specials can not be beat. We started our meal with the mussels and bruschetta. The bruschetta had eggplant, which was a new ingredient. It was very good. The mussels were perfectly cooked, but I found the broth a little spicy for my taste. I am sure it would not bother most customers. I ordered the pizza. My pizza came in 4 sections. Each part had a different topping. It had mushrooms, salami, ham, and red peppers. The crust was baked to perfection. It was a thin crust with no tomato sauce, but a generous amount of cheese. I really liked the four toppings. It was like getting four pizzas in one. My friend had a pizza which had the tomato sauce and cheese. There are many varieties to chose from. She really enjoyed her pizza. The tiramisu was heavenly. Light, sweet, with a hint of expresso, it was the star of the night skies. It had freshly whipped cream and blackberries that added another taste dimension to an already exquisite dessert. I said I was only going to eat half, so someone must have gobbled up the other half. I can not tell a lie, I ate the whole thing in 2 minutes and it was worth every calorie. The pizzas are on a Yelp special this week from $13 to $8 dollars. Next time, I want to try the homemade pastas. Go early if you can, it was really crowded on a weeknight by 7 o'clock. You can tell the food and the service was great.
(4)
Daenia P.
I came here for my engagement brunch. The food was great. The waiter told us it was a bottomless brunch; however, when the bill came, the management did not honor the bottomless mimosa brunch. That was extremely disappointing.
(2)
Sharon W.
We were craving pizza last evening but wanted something different from our usual favorites. Husband suggested we try Pacci's for carry out. I wasn't sure how their pizza would stand up to carry out but my concern was unfounded, it was delicious! We ordered a 4 cheese white pizza and a plain cheese and tomato. They actually sat for a while in our kitchen before we were ready to eat but I don't think the flavor suffered at all from the wait. They were yeasty and cheesy and the crust was charred perfectly to a delicious crisp. I did pop them in a super hot oven for a few minutes to warm them back up. This is the kind of pizza I know I will get a craving for so they have been added to the "regular favorite" list.
(5)
Will B.
Best. Brunch. Around. Their weekend breakfast is $20/person but that includes Gnocchi (excellent!) oysters, smoked salmon, assorted desserts, eggs benedict, steamed shrimp, crab legs, etc...it was all delicious! I will definitely be coming back here. They go all out with the quality of their food. They even had different pizzas on the buffett!
(5)
Ari A.
True Italian corner. Desserts are really good, waiters are kind. Food is really nice tho, price performance ratio is 9/10
(5)
Vanessa G.
Pacci's is our go-to restaurant. Their Sunday brunch is one of the best deals in town. For $20 you get unlimited buffet with typical breakfast food but the best part is they also have pizza, spaghetti, shrimp, crab legs, and so much more! It can get loud because of the small space but staff are friendly and quick.
(4)
Bruce M.
The one on Seminary Rd. The best spaghetti, ever! The best dessert, ever! The best service, ever! The only server ever to deserve 25%! BWM
(5)
Bent B.
Pasta better then most places around, cool setting, awesome deserts. Everything is really fresh and good quality.
(4)
David B.
Nice atmosphere, but while the food may be to someone's taste, it wasn't mine. THe pizza was basically a cracker with the toppings awkwardly dumped on top. Not cheap (nor inexpensive), it gave the impression that this was a restaurant too upscale to roll its sleeves up and make a real pizza. Service variable. Parking exceedingly awkward.
(2)
Tianna S.
We enjoyed the brunch buffet VERY much at Pacci's in Forest Glen this past Sunday. Freshly prepared omelets, fresh and tasty seafood, fruit, salad, pasta, etc. All the great fixings of a top notch buffet. They can compete with the brunch buffet at Sequoia for sure and at $20, it was a great price. 7/13/14 - Went back for Brunch with the in-laws and it was still fabulous. They were very impressed foodies.
(4)
Lillian C.
Continuing on the mediocre pizza / entree trend, their calzone is pretty depressing as well. They put a dab of red sauce on top and shove the inside with really wet ricotta and mozzerrella. A few slices of italian sausage here and here and a rare mushroom. When I order a calzone / stromboli I'm thinking of a glorified inside out pizza, not a giant cheese dumpling. I think I'll quit trying to find that "winning" dish in their entree section and stick to appetizers. I was finally able to try their 13$ app assortment (prosciutto wrapped melon, olives, arugula, artichokes, bruschetta, caprese salad) which was fantastic. The punch with the sambucca is excellent as well. Ps: don't sit outside during the summer. It's next to the dumpsters so unless you like smelling trash while you eat I'd suggest an indoor seat.
(3)
Lynn R.
Great place tucked away in a quiet neighborhood area. Expanded seating areas creates a little more space for diners but it has an fairly open kitchen so if you are in the main seating area it will be a bit noisy and busy. If you want a bit quieter and calmer, ask to sit in one of the enclosed porches. Food is very good and reasonably priced.. Good wine selection. I chose a salad and the appetizer meatballs and my friend had salmon. With the fresh bread brought to the table and the portion sizes, we had food to take home. Staff pleasant and attentive. Parking can be a challenge sometime but it is worth the effort!
(5)
Kyle R.
I've been going to this small Italian restaurant since I moved into the area a few years ago, starting at their Downtown Silver Spring location and then switching to this location when I moved less than a quarter mile away. My fiance and I dine in or get take out around once a month, and they are firmly intrenched in our "rotation" of usual spots. I'm a big fan of the Classico Calzone (with mozzarella, ricotta, salami), the Diavola Pizza (same as the calzone, but in pizza form), the Tartufo pizza (provola, truffle oil, mushrooms) and the Bucatini Carbonara. The pizzas are even better as take out, so you can crisp up the crust a bit more at home on your pizza stone. The only reasons they don't get five stars is that the service isn't always as good as the food, and they almost always forget special requests on carry out orders (extra marinara on the side, for my fiance... she likes it saucy!) All-in-all, it's a great little neighborhood place.
(4)
Frederick W.
My wife and went to dinner here a couple of weeks ago. We had the Caprese DOP salad (sliced mozzarella with tomato slices), fried calamari, and either the Diavola or the Padrino pizza (we can't remember now). I had the Tiramisu for desert. The parking situation is fine, seemed to be plenty. We were seated quickly (it was New Year's Eve, so maybe less busy than usual), and had quick, attentive service the entire evening; we'd call it very good. The calamari was tasty, but possibly a little dry. The Caprese salad was good, though the tomato could have had a bit more taste. The pizza was somewhere between good and very good; the crust was good, as w're the sauce and other toppings. The tiramisu had an interesting presentation and was topped with sliced strawberries; it was good, tasty, but could have been a bit more moist. All in all, we were glad we went, we'll go again, and would recommend it to others.
(4)
Lenore G.
We called ahead to see if we could just order from a menu rather than get the full all-you-can-eat buffet on Sunday. The person we talked to had a hard time understanding this concept, but then agreed we could get just salads. At least that's what I thought. When we arrived, our waiter said we couldn't order from the menu. He shrugged his shoulders. Nothing I can do. You can talk to the chef, he said. No apologies. Not my problem. We talked to the chef. Maybe you called the other restaurant. In other words, couldn't be their fault. Meanwhile, I identified the young woman I had talked to on the phone. She said nothing but finally acknowledged I had spoken with her. Still no apology or consideration. My first online review. As much as I have enjoyed the food here in the past, I will not return. Service is important.
(2)
Tom B.
This is small Italian eatery. The staff is excellent. The food is incredible. I would look at the specialty pizzas. The owner assisted me and took me back in show me how he they make their ice coffee.
I went here the other night with a friend for dinner. We were both looking forward to a girls night out and that is exactly what we got. My liver was still hurting from vacation so I skipped having wine or a drink. My friend enjoyed the Neroli cocktail and it was delicious- truly the perfect summer drink. Since Yelp has made it so easy to enjoy the mussels and the bruschetta capri, we started off with that. The bread was perfectly toasted on the bruschetta and the mussels were outstanding. I would definitely come back just for those mussels. We each ordered a pasta dish (buccatini for her and gnocchi for me). I was a little disappointed that they don't make all of their pastas, but we both enjoyed our dishes. Even though they don't make their gnocchi, they were light, delicious, and had a ton of fresh mozzarella (yum!). The setting is adorable and I love that you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere even though we were just outside of DC. I definitely look forward to returning in the future.
(4)
Ray R.
Had been really excited about trying out Pacci's since moving to the Forest Glen/Silver Spring area, so the wife and I finally checked it out on Saturday, 2/8. All in all Pacci's is a great spot and I look forward to taking friends and family back, especially to try out the Sunday brunch buffet. The chicken marsala is one of the best I've had, and the cozy atmosphere of a once neighborhood post office will definitely bring us back. A couple issues though: 1) Probably the biggest issue of all is the service. There were a number of servers floating around, chatting, and they all were cordial, but after being a waiter in high school and going to thousands of restaurants, you expect a certain level of attention. Bread was brought to the table, but after waiting for the server to return with the olive oil, I finally went and picked up a bottle off of a table that was still waiting to be bused. Additionally, our water glasses were never refilled--I had to drink my pregnant wife's water, after realizing that the cup was likely never going to be refilled. 2) Our food was excellent. Want to reiterate, the mains were excellent and we really enjoyed it. We did get an appetizer of Polpette (meatballs). The red sauce was delicious, but the meatballs clearly tasted like something you would buy from Aramark or the Murray's frozen meatballs you can buy at the grocery store--probably the case. They likely don't want to spend time rolling homemade meatballs, but that's definitely something to avoid. Will definitely be back for the Sunday brunch. Hopefully, the servers will be a bit more attentive the next time we stop by.
(3)
Columbia S.
Ok I live In the Apartments at National Park Seminary which is an Historical Building and it is in walking distance to Pacci's . I love this place and yes at first I had a little problem with the Chicken Marsala in which the chicken was not cooked thoroughly, but they corrected that, but the desert was to die for. I have been back twice and the service is good and the waiters and waitresses are very pleasant. It is a nice, but quaint place. I've only eaten inside, but I've notice from some of the post it's nice outside. I hope the Brunch is Great I would definitely like to try it.
(4)
Roxsana S.
We don't live to far from Pacci's and always wanted to try it out. The food was good and is a very casual Italian dinning. I had the bruschetta napoletana as an appetizer and chicken Marsala as my entree. The garlic sauce on the spaghetti was good.
(3)
Roy S.
I really liked this place, the decor was really nice. Had the pesto chicken and the fromagia sandwich. Both were excellent and came out quickly. The servers were friendly and for lunch the prices were excellent. I will be back...
(4)
Michelle A.
Got take out from here at lunchtime today- two pizzas split between three people. The feedback was mixed- my sister has had this pizza before and really likes it. She esp likes the sausage and broccoli rabe pizza, but she had a few pieces of the eggplant pizza too. My mother didn't like either pizza- she said the crust was bland and the pizza itself didn't have enough flavor either. I liked the eggplant pizza the best of the two... the sausage pizza had thin overcooked slices of sausage instead of loose sausage, and I'm not sure the sausage was actually traditional italian sausage... it tasted like some sort of chicken sausage based on the consistency... overall, I don't know that I'd go back to this place, but if I did, I'd get a regular margarita pizza to see if that's any better...
(3)
Glenn J.
I give Paccis 3.7 stars. I usually order the Pacci salad and arugula and proscutto pizza. Very good. Not quite 4 stars but very good. I give these guys 4 stars after having their brunch .yummy, many great items to choose from. Dinner, hmmm.
(4)
Val A.
Parking is a challenge but the place serves great Italian food. I had the calzone, it was fresh and delicious though I have had better (but a bit higher cost). The bread is made fresh, the staff was friendly and it was an ok experience for a lunch hour. I would come back for their Sunday buffet since lots have raved about it.
(4)
Ella G.
Just like their downtown Silver Spring location, Pacci's Trattoria didn't disappoint. Great food and reasonably priced. We will definitely come back!
(5)
Natalie F.
I like this place; it has a lot of character. The building is very unique and not your run of the mill place in a strip mall. The menu is good. Attentive and friendly service. Food is well presented. I definitely plan to go back to try the other menu items. There is plenty of parking too.
(5)
Michael B.
Great small italian restaurant in an out of the way location. Very good food! I would recommend it to anyone!
(5)
Ros A.
Been here several times, but this review is for the new BRUNCH buffet, which is excellent. All the food options were fresh and very tasty, from the salads to the pastas, to the smoked salmon and meats and the pastries and breads and fruit salads. My carnivore husband was happy with all the meat options, which included prime rib and fresh baked ham, and I liked that there were lovely salads, cooked veggies, tasty pastas and melt in the mouth eggs benedict... I tried pretty much everything though couldn't find any room for the omelette station or french bread, so will have to try those next time:) And, all for $20, it's an amazing deal and the staff are really nice.
(5)
Anita W.
Went to Pacci's Trattoria in Silver Spring for the first time last night. I was enticed there by the promise of homemade pasta, but at least half of the pasta dishes on the menu were spaghetti! I got something that turned out to be a thick, chewy, fettuccini-like noodle with sausage, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatos, but the dish was bland and flavorless, and the price high for the portion ($18, I think, and salad is extra). The kid's spaghetti was $9 a serving, but at least the staff was welcoming of children, unlike Sergio's. Pricing was closer to Olazzo's, but without the generous portions, included salad, and lower kids prices. My husband liked his raviolli, but felt the portion was too small, as well. I'm sorry to say it, but Sergio's still is the winner in the local (Silver Spring) pasta joints for value and quality in my opinion, and Olazzo is still my 2nd-best, even though their pasta is not home-made. The ambiance at Pacci's Trattoria is nice, though - a converted older house a mile or so from the Forrest Glen Metro, tucked into an older neighborhood. Lots of natural light, though the walls are still bare. Nice for a date-night, if you don't mind overspending. Pacci's Pizzeria is still the #1 pizza place around here in my opinion.
(3)
Linda J.
Love the food - fresh, light, innovative. The location is good because there's not much else around there. The building is old and needs some work on a/c and heat. The front door needs to be weighted to close automatically. But the lasagna is true comfort food. The chicken marsala is light and tasty. The limoncello (desert) is a favorite with everyone we take there.
(4)
Kim K.
So beyond mediocre. There were 4 of us who had 4 separate pasta dishes. They were all so under-sauced and the pasta was over-cooked. For example, my gnocchi was rubbery with cheese melted over it. There was a teenage kid cooking the food alone in the kitchen. It is too bad because we chose here to celebrate a special occasion and out of town guests after enjoying this place several times in the past.
(2)
Raj G.
Silver Spring, MD. Very good pasta dishes. Good service. A bit noisy if busy. Friendly service. Have been here twice.
(5)
Brett M.
My girlfriend and I walked in only to have the people that walked in behind us led to a table first. We were seated by a hostess who never said a word and looked like she was angry to have to deal with us. Once seated there were three tables that arrived after us that were served apps and drinks before we even got our water. Our waiter was MIA and only saw him when we gave him our order (decided to order everything at once so we wouldn't need to sleep there) the rest of the time we waived down two other waiters to help us and get the check. We considered leaving cash for the drinks and walking out if we weren't so hungry but will not be returning.
(1)
Gertrude G.
I was inclined to try this place because I LOVE the pizzeria in downtown SS. Pros: -Warm, fresh bread which kept coming as we emptied baskets. -Nice atmosphere. Maybe they have worked on the lighting given some of the other reviews. It's distinct but complimentary with the other Pacci's. -My gnocchi was cooked well and the tomato sauce was fantastic. Cons: -CHEESE. You ask, how can cheese be under "cons"? I wondered the same thing! My gnocchi was *covered* in cheese. Someone else picked around their cheese a bit, and the whole bottom of their plate was covered in it. People were twirling their cheese around their forks like it was pasta. Someone else couldn't finish his calzone because of the excessive amount of ricotta cheese, and I had to agree with him. And believe me, I am a big lover of cheese. -It's been said, but parking is a mess. Overall, I'll probably stick with the pizzeria, but I'd be willing to go here again and try something else.
(4)
Mark V.
Not sure what happened with Brett M., but we have been there a number of times. Not only has the service been spot on, but they have gone out of there way to be helpful. And as for Gertrude G., I can understand if the cheese was too much (never had that problem myself or people I have eaten with, and I limit my cheese intake), you should have sent it back if it wasn't to your liking. They would have given you no trouble. Great food, great service, and the off-list wines are quite good, and priced more than fairly. You just have to know to ask. (and no, I am not related to - and never worked for Pacci's)
(4)
Ditch G.
Pacci's is a great Italian bistro in Kensington, MD near Forest Glen. Favorites on the menu include the Lasagna made with a bright fresh marinara; the salmon with sauteed spinach; and the ravioli. The lemoncello cake is the standout on the dessert menu. The wine list is "meh" but blame Mont. Co.'s inane liquor laws.
(4)
Kristina M.
Pacci's trattoria is located in small cozy house in an out of the way location. You sit down to a basket of warm, surprisingly delicious white bread and a plate of very good olive oil, a great start to the meal. Knowing that Pacci's makes it's own pasta, that was exactly where I was headed. I ordered the buccatini alla carbonara and my partners in crime ordered the veal scallopini and the papparadelle. Both pastas were simple and satisfying. The carbonara was authentic with the creaminess being derived solely from the delicious combination of eggs and cheese with a very generous amount of pancetta. The papparadelle was topped with spicy sausage. The veal was cooked well with the perfect amount of capers and very, very good potatoes on the side. Alas, we were too stuffed for dessert. I enjoyed pacci's and would love a return visit.
(4)
MaJ C.
This is never a fault of the establishment, Yet parking her is miserable. Once you get up to the door, and open it inside, there is really no waiting room, and no one asks you if you want to get put on a list, you have to actually grab someone. Small, artistically challenged decor of a spot ( blank walls ) Rather boring, actually. A basket of bread laid on the table, without any oil, that was a bit odd, as well as the parm/oregano shaker on the table. Am I in a pizza hut, or a Trattoria? The service started well, yet the poor thing got weeded quick. Food was bland, and not many veg/fish items to pick from. I could see this place being great for the neighborhood, yet not for anyone who has to drive here. Would I go back? Only if my friends said they'd pay :)
(2)
Dona G.
I REALLY wanted to like this place, because I do love Pacci's Pizza, which is also in Silver Spring. It's hard to find a good Italian restaurant in the area, but since I love Pacci's Pizza, I figured this place was a sure hit. Unfortunately, it wasn't. First of all, the decor needs some work. We sat in a little alcove behind the women's bathroom, and the over-head light was sooooo bright! We felt like we were being interrogated, or something. They really need a dimmer on that light, or a lower wattage bulb. It sounds silly, but it really made our meal uncomfortable. The whole place needs a bit of a "freshen up" in terms of decor. There was also a strong odor of cleaning chemicals. I think the dish-washing area is downstairs, and the smell was wafting up to us. I really don't want to eat while smelling that. But, most importantly, the food...my pasta and my husband's gnocchi were undercooked. Believe me, I understand the concept of "al dente", but this was just plain undercooked. I'm willing to try them one more time, when the weather is nice, because they do have outdoor seating, which we enjoy. We went when it was too cold to sit outside. So, you've got one more chance, Pacci's...
(2)
Lynn V.
We had dinner, and the homemade pasta was great! It really makes a difference. Bread was fresh and warm, saw that we were not the only ones that asked for a second basket. Service was good, but not fabulous, felt uneven. Around a little too much at the beginning and not enough towards the end of meal....but it's still a great place, and very friendly. Got two desserts to share, which was a mistake as they were huge portions. The limoncello strawberry shortcake was delicious!
(4)
Stephan S.
Let me start by saying that I am a very big fan of Pacci's Pizza. I believe they have one of the best pizzeria's in all of DC. Unfortunately the love didn't carry over to the Trattoria. Maybe they're still working out the bugs of opening a new place but the food was just not that great. Perhaps a few things that they could fix: I had a fair idea of where the restaurant was located but there was no signage telling us that we had found the right place when we got there. Beer, wine, and coffee were missing from the experience. This needs to be fixed pronto. The bussers were far too zealous with water glasses and empty plates. The bread in the bread baskets should be fresh. For food we ordered the Pacci's salad with arugula, red onions and pecans. This salad was good but it was loaded with way too many red onions and dare I say not enough dressing. My wife ordered the gnocchi which was very light and tender but contained too much raw garlic in the sauce. I ordered the fried veal cutlet. It was not tender. It was barely seasoned and was a bit overcooked. We did rather enjoy the lemoncello shortcake for dessert. Very nice tart lemon curd with vanilla frosting and perfect white cake. The restaurant has good potential and I wish them all the best. I think they will need to improve on a few things if they want to duplicate the success of the pizzeria.
(2)
Wm H.
Excellent! If you are expecting a run of the mill Italian eatery, this is not it! It is a very good, the food is great. If you are coming for ambiance and decor, don't bother, but if you want good food, yep for sure this is the place. From the first course to the good STRONG European coffee and tasty after dinner treats! They make their own pasta here, you have never had such good pasta. Try out the meatballs as well, yum! Looking forward to going back for lunch and for dinner.
(4)
Corinne D.
Great outdoor seating in a wooded setting. Nice neighborhood place!
(4)
Gerri B.
Oy. So disappointing. My Campagnola salad (a favorite from Pacci's pizzeria) was satisfying, if overdressed. But my spaghetti with clams was a DISASTER. The clams were flavorless, and the sauce tasted like they opened a can of Chef Boyardee and threw in some grape tomatoes. (It conjured up childhood memories of Spaghetti-Os. Yuck.) It was described on the menu as a white wine and cherry tomato sauce, and classically should have had some garlic in it, but it had no hint of wine, garlic, or any other seasoning. It was awful. And a good tomato sauce is not that difficult to make. Not sure I'll give it another chance -- that was so egregiously bad.
(1)
Daphne W.
I drive by Pacci's several times a week, but hesitated to go in because of the mediocre reviews on this site. I finally went in today, though, and was quite pleased. I had one of the lunch specials -- pasta with chicken and pesto -- and it was delicious. The bread and oil was good, too. The Pacci salad had great ingredients, but it was drenched in a vinaigrette sauce that was too sweet -- and this from someone who LOVES sweet. It was just too much! I told the waitress about this, and she immediately said she'd tell the chef. I asked her why the restaurant seemed overall so much better than the Yelp reviews, and she said that the reviews came earlier on, when the restaurant was still having 'growing pains' and the cooks were still uncomfortable with the menu. Other than the salad dressing, I loved this place: sunny and bright and friendly. Good, honest food. I'll be back
(4)
Tim M.
This is a real step up from the prior 'Country Store' in the same location. The food is quite good and reasonable. It's usually not too crowded and so it's quiet enough to talk. I've lunch their a couple of times and the panini is good. I think the pasta is fine, not exceptional, but the service is pleasant and fast. You can do much worse in this area.
(3)
Laura B.
I went to Pacci's Trattoria last Friday for lunch with a friend. The whole experience was lovely from start to finish. The restaurant is charming, airy and fresh. My friend ordered the chicken and penne dish, which was delicious and plentiful. I ordered the spaghetti with chicken and pesto, which was also excellent, although a little more chicken a few more pine nuts would have made it sheer perfection. The pesto sauce was fresh and bright, without being oily. The spaghetti was perfectly cooked. Our server brought us some delicious fresh bread and olive oil, to enjoy with our glasses of Pinot Grigio. The wine was wonderful, too---cold and crisp. It was the perfect accompaniment to our pasta dishes. If you are skeptical about trying this restaurant, drop in for lunch. The lunch menu offers several pasta options for $9 each and large, delicious looking sandwiches for $7. You will enjoy yourself immensely and you'll want to go back again and again. Our server was friendly and attentive, without being intrusive. We sat there dining and chatting for hours and never felt rushed. This is a lovely little restaurant and definitely worth visiting. They offer a full menu at lunch as well, but the lunch menu was just right. Give these guys a chance. You'll be glad you did. I am a huge fan of Pacci's Pizzeria and this little restaurant did not disappoint either. I can't wait to go back with my husband.
(4)
E. P.
I wanted so badly to like Pacci's Trattoria, because the location and the interior are so charming, and the region desperately needs a cute spot with stellar food. I was disappointed to be so disappointed! We waited 40 minutes for 1 house salad. We had to ask for it twice. It finally arrived, with my husband's entree. My entree (the gnocchi) was missing in action, arriving 25 minutes later, after my husband finished his dinner. The reasons for it all just felt like excuses. The house salad was autumnal and filling-- maybe over-dressed (which is the opposite of other reviews here, in which there wasn't enough dressing -- so it sounds like consistency is needed). The chicken marsala deserved a sauce made with a more robust white wine, as the flavor was just a smidge above imperceivable. As it arrived with nothing else but chicken and mushrooms, we ordered a side of spaghetti, which was thick and bland. My gnocchi was fresh yet flavorless and had the density of wads of gum chewed for an hour -- glutenous and solid like the weights you put on the end of fishing lines. It definitely had too much flour and/or was kneaded too long -- and when I brought this up to the server serving as manager that evening, she hesitantly offered that perhaps it was just al dente. It clearly wasn't prepared with the careful attention gnocchi warrants, and I also suspect the kitchen rushed to finish it since my meal was forgotten. The sauce it came in, however, was lovely enough to eat on it's own. Thank goodness for it. Given how our rather simple order on a non-busy night got screwed up, I certainly expected to see at least the gnocchi comped. Nope. We were charged in full. The server/manager offered us dessert after we had paid the bill and were ready to leave -- a little too little too late. I'll wait until I see consistently better reviews on Yelp before I return, if I do.
(2)
Jason L.
We went during the soft opening when they were still working out the logistics so I can't speak for the service yet, but the staff was very friendly. I had spaghetti and lasagna. The food here was all fresh--the sundried cherry tomato sauce had a very rich taste. They were generous with the meat on the lasagna which I liked. The spaghetti pasta was cooked to a perfect Al Dente! The grated parmesan cheese was served on a small bowl and had the authentic taste you don't get from the grocery store kind. The cheese and basil worked to complement the tomato sauce very well. The atmosphere made for a cute cottage style dining experience. Giving it 5 stars based on the freshness of the ingredients, taste, and atmosphere. Can't wait to come back again and try some of the other dishes!
(5)
Heidi R.
After visiting (and enjoying) Pacci's Pizza in downtown Silver Spring, I decided to give their pasta location a chance when the craving for good pasta struck. The location has a lot of charm, and the service was friendly, if a little lacking in refinement. Unfortunately the food just didn't live up to my expectations. My husband and I ordered the Pacci Salad, Arancini, Ravioli Bolognese, and Pasta Rosario. The pasta was unfortunately a bit clunky, and their Bolognese sauce, while tasty, was not quite there. There were large chunks of halved grape tomatoes hanging out in a sauce that basically tasted like sauteed ground beef in tomato puree. It didn't have any of the depth of flavor that one expects from a traditional bolognese, which is based on onion, celery, and carrot, with only a small amount of tomato. The Rosario pasta (sausage, mushrooms, sun-dried tomato, fresh mozzarella, truffle oil) was incredibly rich - so rich that my husband, a bottomless pit of a man, couldn't even eat half of it. The ingredients didn't really come together in this dish either; the sausage was a bit flabby and the fresh mozzarella had all melted into large globs. For the prices charged here, I'll stick to making my own pasta when the urge hits. And I'll definitely be back to Pacci's Pizza location!
(2)
Lina N.
Pacci's is a welcome addition to the Silver Spring area. I think a lot of restauranters can learn from Pacci's in terms of creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The atmosphereis very quaint and feels like a family-run restaurant. The little nooks and crannies with hidden tables is romantic, although I think the restaurant could up the romance factor while keeping it kid-friendly and trattoria-style by slightly dimming the lights in the evening and adding candles on the tables. They might already have the candles, but I may have not noticed because the lights were pretty bright in there. The chairs were nice and comfy and everything looked very clean and new. I was expecting the open kitchen to be louder than it was, but I didn't notice at all that people were working back there until our food came out. The outside back patio seems like a great use of space as well. As for the food, we shared the rice balls (with fresh tomato sauce), pasta pappardelle and the veal. Pasta was perfect - cooked al denta and perfectly flavored - would not change a thing and have been craving it since that day. The rice balls were also fried perfectly crispy without being too greasy, but I would have preferred the cheese and rice to be more mixed together, instead of biting into first the rice, then the cheese in the middle. Veal was good, although it was my first time having veal so I can't provide an educated review. It was breaded and fried, but again, not greasy which I appreciated. My one complaint is that it wasn't obvious to me from the facebook page that they didn't yet have their liquor license. Not a big deal, but I do like sipping a little wine with my dinner. No problems with the service - Mark (from Pacci's pizza) was our server and he was sweet as always.
(4)
Megan A.
Walking in, just the amazing smell had me excited. Excellent Italian food in a cozy environment. They have a good peppery olive oil and fresh bread for starters. My gnocci was perfectly cooked and sauced. The pappardelle pasta had good bite and a rich, eggy flavor.
(4)
Danielle R.
The fantastic: The gnocchi is out of this world! It is so perfectly made. I cannot wait to try more! The Not-so-Great ... but hoping its because they are brand new: The service. Our server didn't seem to understand English very well and it took a while to get our food. All we ordered was two pastas so it should have been very quick. And no alcohol license yet but this is coming very soon! The Bad: The bread was awful and stale. I expect Italian restaurants (especially when they also own a pizza place) to have delicious and fresh bread. I'm hoping that the service is due to their being brand new and they will work through this quickly and I cannot wait to try more of the homemade pasta!
(4)
Milee T.
This is the best place for Italian food! I highly recommend it! The tiramisu is the best!
(5)
Heather S.
We really like Pacci's Pizza and wanted to try the new restaurant. I understand it's only been open a couple of weeks so I'm hoping things get better, because I think it has the potential to be a really great little place. I'll break down the good and the bad: Good -Quaint cozy home feeling place -Gnocchi - really yummy, tender, amazingly good sauce. -Arancini - came out quickly (nice when you have a little one with you) and hot - the dipping sauce was really good. The filling was kind of bleh, there is a little meat and peas in there, but they didn't really stand out, sort of mushed in with the rest of it - but still yummy. - The food is fresh, the pasta is fresh, the sauces are light. It's better than any chain italian place. Bad -The wait staff does not have their act together. I'm not even sure who our waiter was - it seemed that we just had to flag down anyone passing by. At the table was my husband, myself and our 2 yr old daughter. They forgot a water for my husband, a plate for my daughter, and a fork for her. We had to ask for all these things more than once. Husbands water showed up after the appetizer with my daughters plate. Basket of bread showed up after the appetizer as well. They never did bring her a fork. -The bread - bland, blah texture -The Carbonara - I might be spoiled, I spent a week last fall in Rome and ate a lot of carbonara - I was hoping for a taste of that. Eh not so much - textures were right, pasta was really good, cooked perfectly, but the pancetta tasted like bacon. -They were most attentive when we had finished eating - they cleared the table quickly so they could seat the next folks. - Parking and signage - you can't see the place if you are coming across the intersection. Even when you drive past, you can't really see the sign from the road.
(3)
Stephen B.
THE BLOOM IS OFF THE ROSE!!!! I should have known something was amiss when this past Saturday night my wife and I showed up at 7:30 for dinner and were able to be seated immediately. There used to be a 45 minute wait at that time of night. The restaurant recently had some minor renovations and, frankly, nothing was done to make the restaurant feel warmer or more inviting. A marble bar was built at the entrance where, presumably, people will eventually be able to sit before dinner and have a glass of wine, but that will only make an already cramped restaurant even more cramped. For whatever reason, the restaurant always seems in need of a thorough cleaning. I'm not claiming that the restaurant is dirty, but all the woodwork needs re-finishing, the floors need to be re-done and staring into the side-view of the kitchen where all the servers enter is quite unappealing as all you can see are plates, platters, pot and pans stacked mile-high. The.open front kitchen concept is fine, but the side view takes your appetite away. The restaurant simply lacks atmosphere. The quality of the food has gone dramatically downhill UNLESS you happen to be there on an evening when Spiros, the owner, is manning the kitchen.He is a wonderful chef and, after interacting with him on several occasions while frequenting the restaurant, I guarantee that he would be mortified if he knew that there was such a dramatic falloff between his cooking and that of the other chefs in his absence. Was the food terrible? Of course not. But it is definitely lacking that certain something that made us crave Spiros' dishes in the past. As for the staff, they are some of the nicest and friendliest in the area. Everyone from the servers to the bus people are incredibly cordial and friendly. Please do not give a lesser gratuity if you, like I, feel that the food quality has gone downhill--it is not the staff's fault. One suggestion for the restaurant: you need to add some better wines and more selection to the wine list. Offering one of each varietal is not enough, and the ones being offered are quite pedestrian. Yes, the wine prices are very fair for the very marginal selection, but many people want to drink better than marginal wine.
(2)
Holly K.
I would rate Pacci's inconsistent/average - hope it gets better as it matures. Our table was near the open kitchen area - too noisy from both diners and kitchen activity along with heat/grease. Tables in the back seemed much better. No beer/wine yet as noted by other reviewers. Service is not the best. Our main dishes arrived before we were half done with our appetizer. Water glasses filled too often, interrupting the meal... The server could not describe dishes other than pointing to them on the menu and seemed unable to make specific reccomendations. Brushetta Capra appetizer (brushetta with ricotta, grilled peppers and goat cheese) was OK but heavy and a bit on the oily side. Pastas are listed as made in house. Spaghetti with meatballs (homemade) had fresh basil on top. Husband reported the Bucatini alla Carbonara was very good. Limoncello shortcake is listed on the menu as "topped with fresh strawberries" but arrived with one lonely strawberry used for garnish. We will give them a second chance because they are close to where we live.
(2)
Emily V.
I'm a patron of the Pacci's in on Georgia Ave and live in the neighborhood of the new Pacci Trattoria, so I was eager for it to open. We went a few days after the opening. It's a cute place in an interesting historic location that feels like a rural area in the city...very different for a Washington restaurant...and suitable for a trattoria. I like to cook so I am perhaps a tough critic, but I think the place has potential and would like to see it become great. As it is, it's worth a try. The Caesar Salad was above average, with that hint of anchovy that makes it authentic tasting, the tomato bruschetta was o.k. with very hard bread that made it difficult to eat. Garlic and better bread would help! The Calamari were nicely fried, but could use a spicier sauce, or even a choice of sauces. I like a garlicky aioli-type sauce, myself. For the rest, I ordered the Eggplant Parmagiana and was unpleasantly surprised that there were bread crumbs on the eggplant that dominated the flavor, and that it needed more cheese. The cherry tomato sauce was yummy and sprightly, but still the dish was only so-so. I use Egglant Parmagiana as on of my standard bearers to a good Italian restaurant, and this one still needs work. Finally, the Lasagna tasted mostly of tomato sauce, the meatballs were not very tender or flavorful. There was also not enough cheese. Other menu items sounded appealing, so I'm sure I'll go back and give it another try.
(3)
Ari A.
True Italian corner. Desserts are really good, waiters are kind. Food is really nice tho, price performance ratio is 9/10
(5)
Vanessa G.
Pacci's is our go-to restaurant. Their Sunday brunch is one of the best deals in town. For $20 you get unlimited buffet with typical breakfast food but the best part is they also have pizza, spaghetti, shrimp, crab legs, and so much more! It can get loud because of the small space but staff are friendly and quick.
(4)
Bruce M.
The one on Seminary Rd. The best spaghetti, ever! The best dessert, ever! The best service, ever! The only server ever to deserve 25%! BWM
(5)
Bent B.
Pasta better then most places around, cool setting, awesome deserts. Everything is really fresh and good quality.
(4)
David B.
Nice atmosphere, but while the food may be to someone's taste, it wasn't mine. THe pizza was basically a cracker with the toppings awkwardly dumped on top. Not cheap (nor inexpensive), it gave the impression that this was a restaurant too upscale to roll its sleeves up and make a real pizza. Service variable. Parking exceedingly awkward.
(2)
Tianna S.
We enjoyed the brunch buffet VERY much at Pacci's in Forest Glen this past Sunday. Freshly prepared omelets, fresh and tasty seafood, fruit, salad, pasta, etc. All the great fixings of a top notch buffet. They can compete with the brunch buffet at Sequoia for sure and at $20, it was a great price. 7/13/14 - Went back for Brunch with the in-laws and it was still fabulous. They were very impressed foodies.
(4)
Lillian C.
Continuing on the mediocre pizza / entree trend, their calzone is pretty depressing as well. They put a dab of red sauce on top and shove the inside with really wet ricotta and mozzerrella. A few slices of italian sausage here and here and a rare mushroom. When I order a calzone / stromboli I'm thinking of a glorified inside out pizza, not a giant cheese dumpling. I think I'll quit trying to find that "winning" dish in their entree section and stick to appetizers. I was finally able to try their 13$ app assortment (prosciutto wrapped melon, olives, arugula, artichokes, bruschetta, caprese salad) which was fantastic. The punch with the sambucca is excellent as well. Ps: don't sit outside during the summer. It's next to the dumpsters so unless you like smelling trash while you eat I'd suggest an indoor seat.
(3)
Lynn R.
Great place tucked away in a quiet neighborhood area. Expanded seating areas creates a little more space for diners but it has an fairly open kitchen so if you are in the main seating area it will be a bit noisy and busy. If you want a bit quieter and calmer, ask to sit in one of the enclosed porches. Food is very good and reasonably priced.. Good wine selection. I chose a salad and the appetizer meatballs and my friend had salmon. With the fresh bread brought to the table and the portion sizes, we had food to take home. Staff pleasant and attentive. Parking can be a challenge sometime but it is worth the effort!
(5)
Kyle R.
I've been going to this small Italian restaurant since I moved into the area a few years ago, starting at their Downtown Silver Spring location and then switching to this location when I moved less than a quarter mile away. My fiance and I dine in or get take out around once a month, and they are firmly intrenched in our "rotation" of usual spots. I'm a big fan of the Classico Calzone (with mozzarella, ricotta, salami), the Diavola Pizza (same as the calzone, but in pizza form), the Tartufo pizza (provola, truffle oil, mushrooms) and the Bucatini Carbonara. The pizzas are even better as take out, so you can crisp up the crust a bit more at home on your pizza stone. The only reasons they don't get five stars is that the service isn't always as good as the food, and they almost always forget special requests on carry out orders (extra marinara on the side, for my fiance... she likes it saucy!) All-in-all, it's a great little neighborhood place.
(4)
Frederick W.
My wife and went to dinner here a couple of weeks ago. We had the Caprese DOP salad (sliced mozzarella with tomato slices), fried calamari, and either the Diavola or the Padrino pizza (we can't remember now). I had the Tiramisu for desert. The parking situation is fine, seemed to be plenty. We were seated quickly (it was New Year's Eve, so maybe less busy than usual), and had quick, attentive service the entire evening; we'd call it very good. The calamari was tasty, but possibly a little dry. The Caprese salad was good, though the tomato could have had a bit more taste. The pizza was somewhere between good and very good; the crust was good, as w're the sauce and other toppings. The tiramisu had an interesting presentation and was topped with sliced strawberries; it was good, tasty, but could have been a bit more moist. All in all, we were glad we went, we'll go again, and would recommend it to others.
(4)
Lenore G.
We called ahead to see if we could just order from a menu rather than get the full all-you-can-eat buffet on Sunday. The person we talked to had a hard time understanding this concept, but then agreed we could get just salads. At least that's what I thought. When we arrived, our waiter said we couldn't order from the menu. He shrugged his shoulders. Nothing I can do. You can talk to the chef, he said. No apologies. Not my problem. We talked to the chef. Maybe you called the other restaurant. In other words, couldn't be their fault. Meanwhile, I identified the young woman I had talked to on the phone. She said nothing but finally acknowledged I had spoken with her. Still no apology or consideration. My first online review. As much as I have enjoyed the food here in the past, I will not return. Service is important.
(2)
Tom B.
This is small Italian eatery. The staff is excellent. The food is incredible. I would look at the specialty pizzas. The owner assisted me and took me back in show me how he they make their ice coffee.
I went here the other night with a friend for dinner. We were both looking forward to a girls night out and that is exactly what we got. My liver was still hurting from vacation so I skipped having wine or a drink. My friend enjoyed the Neroli cocktail and it was delicious- truly the perfect summer drink. Since Yelp has made it so easy to enjoy the mussels and the bruschetta capri, we started off with that. The bread was perfectly toasted on the bruschetta and the mussels were outstanding. I would definitely come back just for those mussels. We each ordered a pasta dish (buccatini for her and gnocchi for me). I was a little disappointed that they don't make all of their pastas, but we both enjoyed our dishes. Even though they don't make their gnocchi, they were light, delicious, and had a ton of fresh mozzarella (yum!). The setting is adorable and I love that you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere even though we were just outside of DC. I definitely look forward to returning in the future.
(4)
Ray R.
Had been really excited about trying out Pacci's since moving to the Forest Glen/Silver Spring area, so the wife and I finally checked it out on Saturday, 2/8. All in all Pacci's is a great spot and I look forward to taking friends and family back, especially to try out the Sunday brunch buffet. The chicken marsala is one of the best I've had, and the cozy atmosphere of a once neighborhood post office will definitely bring us back. A couple issues though: 1) Probably the biggest issue of all is the service. There were a number of servers floating around, chatting, and they all were cordial, but after being a waiter in high school and going to thousands of restaurants, you expect a certain level of attention. Bread was brought to the table, but after waiting for the server to return with the olive oil, I finally went and picked up a bottle off of a table that was still waiting to be bused. Additionally, our water glasses were never refilled--I had to drink my pregnant wife's water, after realizing that the cup was likely never going to be refilled. 2) Our food was excellent. Want to reiterate, the mains were excellent and we really enjoyed it. We did get an appetizer of Polpette (meatballs). The red sauce was delicious, but the meatballs clearly tasted like something you would buy from Aramark or the Murray's frozen meatballs you can buy at the grocery store--probably the case. They likely don't want to spend time rolling homemade meatballs, but that's definitely something to avoid. Will definitely be back for the Sunday brunch. Hopefully, the servers will be a bit more attentive the next time we stop by.
(3)
Columbia S.
Ok I live In the Apartments at National Park Seminary which is an Historical Building and it is in walking distance to Pacci's . I love this place and yes at first I had a little problem with the Chicken Marsala in which the chicken was not cooked thoroughly, but they corrected that, but the desert was to die for. I have been back twice and the service is good and the waiters and waitresses are very pleasant. It is a nice, but quaint place. I've only eaten inside, but I've notice from some of the post it's nice outside. I hope the Brunch is Great I would definitely like to try it.
(4)
Roxsana S.
We don't live to far from Pacci's and always wanted to try it out. The food was good and is a very casual Italian dinning. I had the bruschetta napoletana as an appetizer and chicken Marsala as my entree. The garlic sauce on the spaghetti was good.
(3)
Roy S.
I really liked this place, the decor was really nice. Had the pesto chicken and the fromagia sandwich. Both were excellent and came out quickly. The servers were friendly and for lunch the prices were excellent. I will be back...
(4)
MaJ C.
This is never a fault of the establishment, Yet parking her is miserable. Once you get up to the door, and open it inside, there is really no waiting room, and no one asks you if you want to get put on a list, you have to actually grab someone. Small, artistically challenged decor of a spot ( blank walls ) Rather boring, actually. A basket of bread laid on the table, without any oil, that was a bit odd, as well as the parm/oregano shaker on the table. Am I in a pizza hut, or a Trattoria? The service started well, yet the poor thing got weeded quick. Food was bland, and not many veg/fish items to pick from. I could see this place being great for the neighborhood, yet not for anyone who has to drive here. Would I go back? Only if my friends said they'd pay :)
(2)
Wm H.
Excellent! If you are expecting a run of the mill Italian eatery, this is not it! It is a very good, the food is great. If you are coming for ambiance and decor, don't bother, but if you want good food, yep for sure this is the place. From the first course to the good STRONG European coffee and tasty after dinner treats! They make their own pasta here, you have never had such good pasta. Try out the meatballs as well, yum! Looking forward to going back for lunch and for dinner.
(4)
Dona G.
I REALLY wanted to like this place, because I do love Pacci's Pizza, which is also in Silver Spring. It's hard to find a good Italian restaurant in the area, but since I love Pacci's Pizza, I figured this place was a sure hit. Unfortunately, it wasn't. First of all, the decor needs some work. We sat in a little alcove behind the women's bathroom, and the over-head light was sooooo bright! We felt like we were being interrogated, or something. They really need a dimmer on that light, or a lower wattage bulb. It sounds silly, but it really made our meal uncomfortable. The whole place needs a bit of a "freshen up" in terms of decor. There was also a strong odor of cleaning chemicals. I think the dish-washing area is downstairs, and the smell was wafting up to us. I really don't want to eat while smelling that. But, most importantly, the food...my pasta and my husband's gnocchi were undercooked. Believe me, I understand the concept of "al dente", but this was just plain undercooked. I'm willing to try them one more time, when the weather is nice, because they do have outdoor seating, which we enjoy. We went when it was too cold to sit outside. So, you've got one more chance, Pacci's...
(2)
Lynn V.
We had dinner, and the homemade pasta was great! It really makes a difference. Bread was fresh and warm, saw that we were not the only ones that asked for a second basket. Service was good, but not fabulous, felt uneven. Around a little too much at the beginning and not enough towards the end of meal....but it's still a great place, and very friendly. Got two desserts to share, which was a mistake as they were huge portions. The limoncello strawberry shortcake was delicious!
(4)
Stephan S.
Let me start by saying that I am a very big fan of Pacci's Pizza. I believe they have one of the best pizzeria's in all of DC. Unfortunately the love didn't carry over to the Trattoria. Maybe they're still working out the bugs of opening a new place but the food was just not that great. Perhaps a few things that they could fix: I had a fair idea of where the restaurant was located but there was no signage telling us that we had found the right place when we got there. Beer, wine, and coffee were missing from the experience. This needs to be fixed pronto. The bussers were far too zealous with water glasses and empty plates. The bread in the bread baskets should be fresh. For food we ordered the Pacci's salad with arugula, red onions and pecans. This salad was good but it was loaded with way too many red onions and dare I say not enough dressing. My wife ordered the gnocchi which was very light and tender but contained too much raw garlic in the sauce. I ordered the fried veal cutlet. It was not tender. It was barely seasoned and was a bit overcooked. We did rather enjoy the lemoncello shortcake for dessert. Very nice tart lemon curd with vanilla frosting and perfect white cake. The restaurant has good potential and I wish them all the best. I think they will need to improve on a few things if they want to duplicate the success of the pizzeria.
(2)
Corinne D.
Great outdoor seating in a wooded setting. Nice neighborhood place!
(4)
Molly C.
Went here last sat night , for light dinner . Had trouble finding a parking space , asked to sit outside , since a lovely evening . Waiter / service very poor . Food was mediocre , salad was very small , calamari was also small , not enough for 2 for price . Waiter , forgot our wine , we had to ask . Also for condiments , ended up getting them from nearby table . Not sure we'd go again
(2)
Ravi K.
My wife and I ate here opening weekend (of Hurricane Irene...). The place had just a few tables full and I could tell that they had just opened and some people were still in training. We didn't know that the restaurant was not allowed to serve wine just yet (end of October)...and we didn't think twice after digging into our meal. Here's what we shared: Appetizer: Arancini di Roso - delicious...and I didn't feel like I was eating something greasy and fried La Pasta: Pappardelle alla Boscaiola - a perfect combination of al dente pasta (made in the kitchen 15 feet away). It has a perfect combination of italian sausage and mushrooms. Its a very warm dish and it didn't feel heavy Secondi: Scaloppina al Limone - succulent, soft, breaded veal with the right mix of cherry tomatoes and rosemary to balance the salt and sweet. If you're familiar with the Pacci Pizzeria, then you probably know that the owner (Spiro Gioldasis) partnered with a truly authentic chef from Naples Italy (Rosario Granieri) to create an authentic Italian dining experience. Locals know that there is no compromise on fresh, quality ingredients and doing it "right". I proudly say that Pacci's Trattoria and Pasticceria is a continuation of an honest restaurant that is back to the basics of quality dining. The executing chef (Antonio Ciotola) knows exactly what he's doing and our first meal with him was memorably delicious. Honestly - everything was delicious. For the price...I would say this is actually on par and you know your'e getting an authentic meal. It wasn't "expensive" considering the quantity and quality of what we ate. The place is beautiful. If you ever saw pictures of the old restaurant, you wouldn't recognize it now. Everything is warm, colorful, and very open. You can see the staff cooking in the open kitchen, which is a great feature and is just fun to watch. The seating is done well enough that it would be comfortable if the place was full or empty and/or if you're with a family or a date. We had such a great dinner. We even had the lemon cake, which was another hit. I highly recommend. Honestly, I felt like I didn't eat at a "restaurant" as odd as that sounds. I felt like we ate at a family's home that welcomed us in. The food was fantastic and I think they are really good about hiring warm people to complement the atmosphere. We saw Antonio making dinner for the workers that night and it was really nice to see the way everyone that works there gets fed really good food too...and they were enjoying it as much as we were enjoying it. I think it speaks a lot for a family owned restaurant. I can't wait to go back. Its a great place and a gem to downtown Silver Spring.
(5)
Brit B.
Hidden gem. The atmosphere is perfect. The food is tasty. The wait staff is spotty, but not enough to taint my opinion of the place. Try the ravioli! Yum! My one negative--parking.
(4)
S C.
So waitress horribly trained. Read that before But the food, terrible! Ravioli was stuffed with fresh mozzarella, but was 2-3 days old and I could smell the sour as It was delivered. Two bites and that was it. Caesar, dressing was thin and had no zing to it. If it was homemade it needed more garlic and Dijon. Rice Balls- uck! Overcooked risotto rolled beyond death. You couldn't even recognize the rice grains (try filomenas!). The meatballs were good. But overpriced for 5 gumball sized bites. The quality of the meatballs got them the 2nd star. The worst: We got this pasta that was a papperdelle. BONE DRY, and undercooked. Yes it was fresh, but unedible. Will make a sauce at home and reheat pasta in. Cant be worse. Server understood nothing we ordered or said. Asked for our food to be boxed up..... to go..... take home..... (still a blank stare) "you want another one?" need I say more? boo....
(2)
Kim R.
Came here twice, once with the kids, once for a lunch with a friend. They have been very clear that they welcome kids and I loved the kids menu, as did both girls. I had pollo Milanese which was very good. There were definitely some growing pains - pastry chef didn't have any of the dessert I ordered, no coffee or tea (they do have both now), but our waiter was gracious throughout. Liquor license isn't clear yet, but that will be nice. At lunch I had the also good carbonara. Meatballs in someone else's plate needed more seasoning. Only complaints is that the lunch menu didn't have lunch prices or specials. We will definitely go back - and hopefully all the kinks are getting ironed out each day. -Update: have gone back several times and the growing pains were indeed ironed out (plently of coffee, wine and dessert to be had), the dishes all seem slightly improved, carbonara, for instance is creamier and there are lunch specials now!
(4)
Kathy S.
This review is for the take-out pizza. It was soggy and undercooked. Take-out pizza from Pacci's in Silver Spring far superior - 4 stars.
(2)
Blsc R.
I would say 3.75, would have been 5 but recent service dropped my opinion. We have been here easily a dozen times in the past 6 months. It's been our favorite. The food is good. The pizza and calzone additions are great and mirror the other location. I recommend the Marsala which is my favorite meal these days and limoncello cake. If they have eggplant parm as the special, also good too. The location has some parking issues but never had to wait for a table and the porch is great. If you have little kids, you occasionally see a train roll by and the kids like that. However, it seems they recently had some server turnover and this new batch just does not cut it. Slow and inattentive. Frustrating as the food is worth the wait. Really hope these new folks are as irresponsible in life as they are with serving and pull some no shows and get canned. Downtown SS is also great and fantastic patio, but a little wait each time there
(4)
Aaron G.
After many happy lunches and dinners at the pizzeria in Silver Spring, I stopped by the trattoria during their first week to take it for a spin. First impressions: Like the pizzeria the restaurant makes good use of a narrow space. The dining room is open and bright, dominated by an open kitchen on one side, nicely decorated if not a bit sterile. Service was friendly but slightly awkward, not surprising given the soft opening status. Ordered the Scialatelli with homemade sausage, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Food was very fresh, hot, tasty and hearty Italian comfort food. Pasta was perfect al dente Can't wait to explore more of the menu. Bottom line: very good food and lots of potential, especially once they get their liquor license and can roll out the beer/wine list, which the waiter said would be just a few weeks away. Will post another review after the next visit.
(4)
Daphne W.
I drive by Pacci's several times a week, but hesitated to go in because of the mediocre reviews on this site. I finally went in today, though, and was quite pleased. I had one of the lunch specials -- pasta with chicken and pesto -- and it was delicious. The bread and oil was good, too. The Pacci salad had great ingredients, but it was drenched in a vinaigrette sauce that was too sweet -- and this from someone who LOVES sweet. It was just too much! I told the waitress about this, and she immediately said she'd tell the chef. I asked her why the restaurant seemed overall so much better than the Yelp reviews, and she said that the reviews came earlier on, when the restaurant was still having 'growing pains' and the cooks were still uncomfortable with the menu. Other than the salad dressing, I loved this place: sunny and bright and friendly. Good, honest food. I'll be back
(4)
Tim M.
This is a real step up from the prior 'Country Store' in the same location. The food is quite good and reasonable. It's usually not too crowded and so it's quiet enough to talk. I've lunch their a couple of times and the panini is good. I think the pasta is fine, not exceptional, but the service is pleasant and fast. You can do much worse in this area.
(3)
Milee T.
This is the best place for Italian food! I highly recommend it! The tiramisu is the best!
(5)
Laura B.
I went to Pacci's Trattoria last Friday for lunch with a friend. The whole experience was lovely from start to finish. The restaurant is charming, airy and fresh. My friend ordered the chicken and penne dish, which was delicious and plentiful. I ordered the spaghetti with chicken and pesto, which was also excellent, although a little more chicken a few more pine nuts would have made it sheer perfection. The pesto sauce was fresh and bright, without being oily. The spaghetti was perfectly cooked. Our server brought us some delicious fresh bread and olive oil, to enjoy with our glasses of Pinot Grigio. The wine was wonderful, too---cold and crisp. It was the perfect accompaniment to our pasta dishes. If you are skeptical about trying this restaurant, drop in for lunch. The lunch menu offers several pasta options for $9 each and large, delicious looking sandwiches for $7. You will enjoy yourself immensely and you'll want to go back again and again. Our server was friendly and attentive, without being intrusive. We sat there dining and chatting for hours and never felt rushed. This is a lovely little restaurant and definitely worth visiting. They offer a full menu at lunch as well, but the lunch menu was just right. Give these guys a chance. You'll be glad you did. I am a huge fan of Pacci's Pizzeria and this little restaurant did not disappoint either. I can't wait to go back with my husband.
(4)
E. P.
I wanted so badly to like Pacci's Trattoria, because the location and the interior are so charming, and the region desperately needs a cute spot with stellar food. I was disappointed to be so disappointed! We waited 40 minutes for 1 house salad. We had to ask for it twice. It finally arrived, with my husband's entree. My entree (the gnocchi) was missing in action, arriving 25 minutes later, after my husband finished his dinner. The reasons for it all just felt like excuses. The house salad was autumnal and filling-- maybe over-dressed (which is the opposite of other reviews here, in which there wasn't enough dressing -- so it sounds like consistency is needed). The chicken marsala deserved a sauce made with a more robust white wine, as the flavor was just a smidge above imperceivable. As it arrived with nothing else but chicken and mushrooms, we ordered a side of spaghetti, which was thick and bland. My gnocchi was fresh yet flavorless and had the density of wads of gum chewed for an hour -- glutenous and solid like the weights you put on the end of fishing lines. It definitely had too much flour and/or was kneaded too long -- and when I brought this up to the server serving as manager that evening, she hesitantly offered that perhaps it was just al dente. It clearly wasn't prepared with the careful attention gnocchi warrants, and I also suspect the kitchen rushed to finish it since my meal was forgotten. The sauce it came in, however, was lovely enough to eat on it's own. Thank goodness for it. Given how our rather simple order on a non-busy night got screwed up, I certainly expected to see at least the gnocchi comped. Nope. We were charged in full. The server/manager offered us dessert after we had paid the bill and were ready to leave -- a little too little too late. I'll wait until I see consistently better reviews on Yelp before I return, if I do.
(2)
Jason L.
We went during the soft opening when they were still working out the logistics so I can't speak for the service yet, but the staff was very friendly. I had spaghetti and lasagna. The food here was all fresh--the sundried cherry tomato sauce had a very rich taste. They were generous with the meat on the lasagna which I liked. The spaghetti pasta was cooked to a perfect Al Dente! The grated parmesan cheese was served on a small bowl and had the authentic taste you don't get from the grocery store kind. The cheese and basil worked to complement the tomato sauce very well. The atmosphere made for a cute cottage style dining experience. Giving it 5 stars based on the freshness of the ingredients, taste, and atmosphere. Can't wait to come back again and try some of the other dishes!
(5)
Heidi R.
After visiting (and enjoying) Pacci's Pizza in downtown Silver Spring, I decided to give their pasta location a chance when the craving for good pasta struck. The location has a lot of charm, and the service was friendly, if a little lacking in refinement. Unfortunately the food just didn't live up to my expectations. My husband and I ordered the Pacci Salad, Arancini, Ravioli Bolognese, and Pasta Rosario. The pasta was unfortunately a bit clunky, and their Bolognese sauce, while tasty, was not quite there. There were large chunks of halved grape tomatoes hanging out in a sauce that basically tasted like sauteed ground beef in tomato puree. It didn't have any of the depth of flavor that one expects from a traditional bolognese, which is based on onion, celery, and carrot, with only a small amount of tomato. The Rosario pasta (sausage, mushrooms, sun-dried tomato, fresh mozzarella, truffle oil) was incredibly rich - so rich that my husband, a bottomless pit of a man, couldn't even eat half of it. The ingredients didn't really come together in this dish either; the sausage was a bit flabby and the fresh mozzarella had all melted into large globs. For the prices charged here, I'll stick to making my own pasta when the urge hits. And I'll definitely be back to Pacci's Pizza location!
(2)
Lina N.
Pacci's is a welcome addition to the Silver Spring area. I think a lot of restauranters can learn from Pacci's in terms of creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The atmosphereis very quaint and feels like a family-run restaurant. The little nooks and crannies with hidden tables is romantic, although I think the restaurant could up the romance factor while keeping it kid-friendly and trattoria-style by slightly dimming the lights in the evening and adding candles on the tables. They might already have the candles, but I may have not noticed because the lights were pretty bright in there. The chairs were nice and comfy and everything looked very clean and new. I was expecting the open kitchen to be louder than it was, but I didn't notice at all that people were working back there until our food came out. The outside back patio seems like a great use of space as well. As for the food, we shared the rice balls (with fresh tomato sauce), pasta pappardelle and the veal. Pasta was perfect - cooked al denta and perfectly flavored - would not change a thing and have been craving it since that day. The rice balls were also fried perfectly crispy without being too greasy, but I would have preferred the cheese and rice to be more mixed together, instead of biting into first the rice, then the cheese in the middle. Veal was good, although it was my first time having veal so I can't provide an educated review. It was breaded and fried, but again, not greasy which I appreciated. My one complaint is that it wasn't obvious to me from the facebook page that they didn't yet have their liquor license. Not a big deal, but I do like sipping a little wine with my dinner. No problems with the service - Mark (from Pacci's pizza) was our server and he was sweet as always.
(4)
Megan A.
Walking in, just the amazing smell had me excited. Excellent Italian food in a cozy environment. They have a good peppery olive oil and fresh bread for starters. My gnocci was perfectly cooked and sauced. The pappardelle pasta had good bite and a rich, eggy flavor.
(4)
Gerri B.
Oy. So disappointing. My Campagnola salad (a favorite from Pacci's pizzeria) was satisfying, if overdressed. But my spaghetti with clams was a DISASTER. The clams were flavorless, and the sauce tasted like they opened a can of Chef Boyardee and threw in some grape tomatoes. (It conjured up childhood memories of Spaghetti-Os. Yuck.) It was described on the menu as a white wine and cherry tomato sauce, and classically should have had some garlic in it, but it had no hint of wine, garlic, or any other seasoning. It was awful. And a good tomato sauce is not that difficult to make. Not sure I'll give it another chance -- that was so egregiously bad.
(1)
Danielle R.
The fantastic: The gnocchi is out of this world! It is so perfectly made. I cannot wait to try more! The Not-so-Great ... but hoping its because they are brand new: The service. Our server didn't seem to understand English very well and it took a while to get our food. All we ordered was two pastas so it should have been very quick. And no alcohol license yet but this is coming very soon! The Bad: The bread was awful and stale. I expect Italian restaurants (especially when they also own a pizza place) to have delicious and fresh bread. I'm hoping that the service is due to their being brand new and they will work through this quickly and I cannot wait to try more of the homemade pasta!
(4)
Heather S.
We really like Pacci's Pizza and wanted to try the new restaurant. I understand it's only been open a couple of weeks so I'm hoping things get better, because I think it has the potential to be a really great little place. I'll break down the good and the bad: Good -Quaint cozy home feeling place -Gnocchi - really yummy, tender, amazingly good sauce. -Arancini - came out quickly (nice when you have a little one with you) and hot - the dipping sauce was really good. The filling was kind of bleh, there is a little meat and peas in there, but they didn't really stand out, sort of mushed in with the rest of it - but still yummy. - The food is fresh, the pasta is fresh, the sauces are light. It's better than any chain italian place. Bad -The wait staff does not have their act together. I'm not even sure who our waiter was - it seemed that we just had to flag down anyone passing by. At the table was my husband, myself and our 2 yr old daughter. They forgot a water for my husband, a plate for my daughter, and a fork for her. We had to ask for all these things more than once. Husbands water showed up after the appetizer with my daughters plate. Basket of bread showed up after the appetizer as well. They never did bring her a fork. -The bread - bland, blah texture -The Carbonara - I might be spoiled, I spent a week last fall in Rome and ate a lot of carbonara - I was hoping for a taste of that. Eh not so much - textures were right, pasta was really good, cooked perfectly, but the pancetta tasted like bacon. -They were most attentive when we had finished eating - they cleared the table quickly so they could seat the next folks. - Parking and signage - you can't see the place if you are coming across the intersection. Even when you drive past, you can't really see the sign from the road.
(3)
Emily V.
I'm a patron of the Pacci's in on Georgia Ave and live in the neighborhood of the new Pacci Trattoria, so I was eager for it to open. We went a few days after the opening. It's a cute place in an interesting historic location that feels like a rural area in the city...very different for a Washington restaurant...and suitable for a trattoria. I like to cook so I am perhaps a tough critic, but I think the place has potential and would like to see it become great. As it is, it's worth a try. The Caesar Salad was above average, with that hint of anchovy that makes it authentic tasting, the tomato bruschetta was o.k. with very hard bread that made it difficult to eat. Garlic and better bread would help! The Calamari were nicely fried, but could use a spicier sauce, or even a choice of sauces. I like a garlicky aioli-type sauce, myself. For the rest, I ordered the Eggplant Parmagiana and was unpleasantly surprised that there were bread crumbs on the eggplant that dominated the flavor, and that it needed more cheese. The cherry tomato sauce was yummy and sprightly, but still the dish was only so-so. I use Egglant Parmagiana as on of my standard bearers to a good Italian restaurant, and this one still needs work. Finally, the Lasagna tasted mostly of tomato sauce, the meatballs were not very tender or flavorful. There was also not enough cheese. Other menu items sounded appealing, so I'm sure I'll go back and give it another try.
(3)
Stephen B.
THE BLOOM IS OFF THE ROSE!!!! I should have known something was amiss when this past Saturday night my wife and I showed up at 7:30 for dinner and were able to be seated immediately. There used to be a 45 minute wait at that time of night. The restaurant recently had some minor renovations and, frankly, nothing was done to make the restaurant feel warmer or more inviting. A marble bar was built at the entrance where, presumably, people will eventually be able to sit before dinner and have a glass of wine, but that will only make an already cramped restaurant even more cramped. For whatever reason, the restaurant always seems in need of a thorough cleaning. I'm not claiming that the restaurant is dirty, but all the woodwork needs re-finishing, the floors need to be re-done and staring into the side-view of the kitchen where all the servers enter is quite unappealing as all you can see are plates, platters, pot and pans stacked mile-high. The.open front kitchen concept is fine, but the side view takes your appetite away. The restaurant simply lacks atmosphere. The quality of the food has gone dramatically downhill UNLESS you happen to be there on an evening when Spiros, the owner, is manning the kitchen.He is a wonderful chef and, after interacting with him on several occasions while frequenting the restaurant, I guarantee that he would be mortified if he knew that there was such a dramatic falloff between his cooking and that of the other chefs in his absence. Was the food terrible? Of course not. But it is definitely lacking that certain something that made us crave Spiros' dishes in the past. As for the staff, they are some of the nicest and friendliest in the area. Everyone from the servers to the bus people are incredibly cordial and friendly. Please do not give a lesser gratuity if you, like I, feel that the food quality has gone downhill--it is not the staff's fault. One suggestion for the restaurant: you need to add some better wines and more selection to the wine list. Offering one of each varietal is not enough, and the ones being offered are quite pedestrian. Yes, the wine prices are very fair for the very marginal selection, but many people want to drink better than marginal wine.
(2)
Holly K.
I would rate Pacci's inconsistent/average - hope it gets better as it matures. Our table was near the open kitchen area - too noisy from both diners and kitchen activity along with heat/grease. Tables in the back seemed much better. No beer/wine yet as noted by other reviewers. Service is not the best. Our main dishes arrived before we were half done with our appetizer. Water glasses filled too often, interrupting the meal... The server could not describe dishes other than pointing to them on the menu and seemed unable to make specific reccomendations. Brushetta Capra appetizer (brushetta with ricotta, grilled peppers and goat cheese) was OK but heavy and a bit on the oily side. Pastas are listed as made in house. Spaghetti with meatballs (homemade) had fresh basil on top. Husband reported the Bucatini alla Carbonara was very good. Limoncello shortcake is listed on the menu as "topped with fresh strawberries" but arrived with one lonely strawberry used for garnish. We will give them a second chance because they are close to where we live.
(2)
Michelle A.
Got take out from here at lunchtime today- two pizzas split between three people. The feedback was mixed- my sister has had this pizza before and really likes it. She esp likes the sausage and broccoli rabe pizza, but she had a few pieces of the eggplant pizza too. My mother didn't like either pizza- she said the crust was bland and the pizza itself didn't have enough flavor either. I liked the eggplant pizza the best of the two... the sausage pizza had thin overcooked slices of sausage instead of loose sausage, and I'm not sure the sausage was actually traditional italian sausage... it tasted like some sort of chicken sausage based on the consistency... overall, I don't know that I'd go back to this place, but if I did, I'd get a regular margarita pizza to see if that's any better...
(3)
Glenn J.
I give Paccis 3.7 stars. I usually order the Pacci salad and arugula and proscutto pizza. Very good. Not quite 4 stars but very good. I give these guys 4 stars after having their brunch .yummy, many great items to choose from. Dinner, hmmm.
(4)
Val A.
Parking is a challenge but the place serves great Italian food. I had the calzone, it was fresh and delicious though I have had better (but a bit higher cost). The bread is made fresh, the staff was friendly and it was an ok experience for a lunch hour. I would come back for their Sunday buffet since lots have raved about it.
(4)
Ella G.
Just like their downtown Silver Spring location, Pacci's Trattoria didn't disappoint. Great food and reasonably priced. We will definitely come back!
(5)
Natalie F.
I like this place; it has a lot of character. The building is very unique and not your run of the mill place in a strip mall. The menu is good. Attentive and friendly service. Food is well presented. I definitely plan to go back to try the other menu items. There is plenty of parking too.
(5)
Michael B.
Great small italian restaurant in an out of the way location. Very good food! I would recommend it to anyone!
(5)
Ros A.
Been here several times, but this review is for the new BRUNCH buffet, which is excellent. All the food options were fresh and very tasty, from the salads to the pastas, to the smoked salmon and meats and the pastries and breads and fruit salads. My carnivore husband was happy with all the meat options, which included prime rib and fresh baked ham, and I liked that there were lovely salads, cooked veggies, tasty pastas and melt in the mouth eggs benedict... I tried pretty much everything though couldn't find any room for the omelette station or french bread, so will have to try those next time:) And, all for $20, it's an amazing deal and the staff are really nice.
(5)
Anita W.
Went to Pacci's Trattoria in Silver Spring for the first time last night. I was enticed there by the promise of homemade pasta, but at least half of the pasta dishes on the menu were spaghetti! I got something that turned out to be a thick, chewy, fettuccini-like noodle with sausage, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatos, but the dish was bland and flavorless, and the price high for the portion ($18, I think, and salad is extra). The kid's spaghetti was $9 a serving, but at least the staff was welcoming of children, unlike Sergio's. Pricing was closer to Olazzo's, but without the generous portions, included salad, and lower kids prices. My husband liked his raviolli, but felt the portion was too small, as well. I'm sorry to say it, but Sergio's still is the winner in the local (Silver Spring) pasta joints for value and quality in my opinion, and Olazzo is still my 2nd-best, even though their pasta is not home-made. The ambiance at Pacci's Trattoria is nice, though - a converted older house a mile or so from the Forrest Glen Metro, tucked into an older neighborhood. Lots of natural light, though the walls are still bare. Nice for a date-night, if you don't mind overspending. Pacci's Pizzeria is still the #1 pizza place around here in my opinion.
(3)
Linda J.
Love the food - fresh, light, innovative. The location is good because there's not much else around there. The building is old and needs some work on a/c and heat. The front door needs to be weighted to close automatically. But the lasagna is true comfort food. The chicken marsala is light and tasty. The limoncello (desert) is a favorite with everyone we take there.
(4)
Kim K.
So beyond mediocre. There were 4 of us who had 4 separate pasta dishes. They were all so under-sauced and the pasta was over-cooked. For example, my gnocchi was rubbery with cheese melted over it. There was a teenage kid cooking the food alone in the kitchen. It is too bad because we chose here to celebrate a special occasion and out of town guests after enjoying this place several times in the past.
(2)
Raj G.
Silver Spring, MD. Very good pasta dishes. Good service. A bit noisy if busy. Friendly service. Have been here twice.
(5)
Brett M.
My girlfriend and I walked in only to have the people that walked in behind us led to a table first. We were seated by a hostess who never said a word and looked like she was angry to have to deal with us. Once seated there were three tables that arrived after us that were served apps and drinks before we even got our water. Our waiter was MIA and only saw him when we gave him our order (decided to order everything at once so we wouldn't need to sleep there) the rest of the time we waived down two other waiters to help us and get the check. We considered leaving cash for the drinks and walking out if we weren't so hungry but will not be returning.
(1)
Gertrude G.
I was inclined to try this place because I LOVE the pizzeria in downtown SS. Pros: -Warm, fresh bread which kept coming as we emptied baskets. -Nice atmosphere. Maybe they have worked on the lighting given some of the other reviews. It's distinct but complimentary with the other Pacci's. -My gnocchi was cooked well and the tomato sauce was fantastic. Cons: -CHEESE. You ask, how can cheese be under "cons"? I wondered the same thing! My gnocchi was *covered* in cheese. Someone else picked around their cheese a bit, and the whole bottom of their plate was covered in it. People were twirling their cheese around their forks like it was pasta. Someone else couldn't finish his calzone because of the excessive amount of ricotta cheese, and I had to agree with him. And believe me, I am a big lover of cheese. -It's been said, but parking is a mess. Overall, I'll probably stick with the pizzeria, but I'd be willing to go here again and try something else.
(4)
Mark V.
Not sure what happened with Brett M., but we have been there a number of times. Not only has the service been spot on, but they have gone out of there way to be helpful. And as for Gertrude G., I can understand if the cheese was too much (never had that problem myself or people I have eaten with, and I limit my cheese intake), you should have sent it back if it wasn't to your liking. They would have given you no trouble. Great food, great service, and the off-list wines are quite good, and priced more than fairly. You just have to know to ask. (and no, I am not related to - and never worked for Pacci's)
(4)
Ditch G.
Pacci's is a great Italian bistro in Kensington, MD near Forest Glen. Favorites on the menu include the Lasagna made with a bright fresh marinara; the salmon with sauteed spinach; and the ravioli. The lemoncello cake is the standout on the dessert menu. The wine list is "meh" but blame Mont. Co.'s inane liquor laws.
(4)
Kristina M.
Pacci's trattoria is located in small cozy house in an out of the way location. You sit down to a basket of warm, surprisingly delicious white bread and a plate of very good olive oil, a great start to the meal. Knowing that Pacci's makes it's own pasta, that was exactly where I was headed. I ordered the buccatini alla carbonara and my partners in crime ordered the veal scallopini and the papparadelle. Both pastas were simple and satisfying. The carbonara was authentic with the creaminess being derived solely from the delicious combination of eggs and cheese with a very generous amount of pancetta. The papparadelle was topped with spicy sausage. The veal was cooked well with the perfect amount of capers and very, very good potatoes on the side. Alas, we were too stuffed for dessert. I enjoyed pacci's and would love a return visit.
(4)
Riley L.
Best Sunday brunch in town! They've got a great selection of entrees and desserts. Their pizza and gnocchi are excellent. There's something for everyone here! The staff were very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is casual and light-spirited. If you're planning on taking a group of four or more people for Sunday brunch, I suggest getting there before noon, when it fills up with a lot of people coming from church. The brunch buffet offers a wide selection of foods, which they keep well-stocked, and it's always easy to find a plate full of good things to eat!
(5)
Omid A.
Best pizza in town. Perfect crust good toppings and fast to go service. I called my order in and it was ready to go by the time I was there 10 minutes later. They were ready to hand off the pizza to me 10 seconds after I walked in. I haven't tried the other goodies at this location but if it's anything like their downtown location, I'm sure it'll be great.
(5)
Matt W.
Nice ambiance. Clean and smelled wonderful walking in. Then we sat down. Couldn't understand the server. He had broken English and spoke very soft and fast. He made us feel rushed. Annoyed. He tells us the specials. Ooh, fish. Cool, I'm on Weight Watchers for Fat Fucks, so I go with it. $30! Special? For dried up fish! Tasted "pretty good," but not for $30. Rip off. The 2 Calzones our table ordered were bready and overdone. My wife makes them better with our pizza stone. And no side marinara or something to combat your carbed up piece of shit? #ugh Beers were expensive. $4 for a small 12-ounce glass of bud light. Geez, please don't give me a pint, I would hate to actually feel a buzz after 3 beers. Whatta joke. Salad was eh...coulda used more dressing for that price too. Side salad for $8? The thing was small and you're charging $8? You out ya damn mind! You can't just have one for $4 with the same size? I mean God forbid we actually feel full after spending $75 for 2 of us! What else? Oh yeah, I'll never go back. Place is a joke.
(1)
Andrew M.
We went here last weekend and I was pleasantly surprised. We've been to their sister establishment in downtown Silver Spring a couple times, so I've had their pizza before... and Pacci's does a decent Neapolitan style pizza (I still think 2 Amy's is better!). I like the ambiance at this location better than their more sleek and modern pizzeria downtown, plus they have lots of parking around (check out their website for all the places to park after 5pm). The restaurant is surprisingly spacious and has a very very cute interior. There were some kids here, though it mostly seemed to be groups of 50+ adults... something I'm not so used to seeing in DC or downtown Silver Spring (we brought our 3 year old and he enjoyed his pizza). We got the caesar salad; it was ok, but I wouldn't be quick to order it again. We also got the eggplant appetizer, which was nice. For mains we had pizza and calzones -- though next time I'm getting their pasta... the super-wide tagliatelle looked awesome! Also, their mixed appetizer board looked great (and we'll be getting that as well next time!). For dessert, we got the cannolis; super delicious. Prices aren't cheap here, but they aren't outrageous either; it's a good place for a family dinner. My only complaint was that the service seemed a little spotty/slow. Not sure if they were short a waiter or what when we were there. The place was busy, but is pretty spacious, so at least we were seated promptly. It also looks like they have a nice enclosed sun-porch out back. Also, despite someone saying they thought the portions weren't generous... I thought they were quite adequate (and I'm a big eater) -- we definitely took home some leftovers.
(4)
Dan H.
The portions here are not only incredibly generous, they are incredibly tasty. Great prices, and clearly care goes into the food. Only thing I would add is italian sodas or something similar for non-alcohol drinkers. But damn, this place is great. Any of the Tagliatellas are fantastic. The Calamari to start is tasty too. This is an out of the way place that is a must visit.
(5)
Alan S.
The food at Pacci's is very good. The service is impeccable. The noise in the main dining room is horrible. Not from the customers but from the kitchen. The kitchen is open and there is constant banging of dishes. The kitchen area should be closed off from the dining area. Sit in a different area.
(4)
Priscilla Y.
Pacci's is a cute, cozy restaurant with great pasta. They also make pizza and calzones. We started off with the Piatone di Pacci's, which is the appetizer sampler. It came with bruschetta, artichoke, smoked salmon, prosciutto wrapped in cantaloupe, arugula, and mozzarella and tomatoes. Not a bad app to start with. They also give free bread. I really like their Tagliatelle Boscaiola. It is fettucine noodles in light cream sauce with sausage and mushrooms. It was delicious. I was not too crazy for the Bucatini Carbonara. This had pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan. It was too cheesy and did not have too much flavor. The pasta was like spaghetti pasta with a hollow center so it was kind of weird eating it. My friends all seemed to really enjoy their pasta dishes (Pollo Alla Milanese, Lasagna Napoletana, and a penne dish). I also tried their Limoncello shortcake, which was really good. It was light in lemon flavor so it was not too sour. The cake was moist. Big enough to share with another person. Service was excellent. Our server was really attentive. It looks like they have limited parking, but they recently added more parking behind the "castle". The restaurant is not that easy to find. You can easily drive past it so make sure you have your GPS on. It really is a hidden gem!
(4)
Glen F.
Went to their other restaurant and they told us about the brunch at this place so we decided to try it. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Food was plentiful, fresh and hot. Lots of variety also. Would definitely come back.
(4)
Alec U.
It just seems that either most complaints here are not about food, or done by folks who know little about food. Yep, parking sucks, and fish is expensive, welcome to DC area. The bottom line is that pasta dishes are authentic unlike the Americanized versions served by other local chains. This place reminds me more of the primi selections in Tuscony. Wine selection is great and reasonably priced. Deserts are excellent. Service has been consistently great, although there is no "formal hostess podium," as was so helpfully noted by one reviewer. But then again, if hostess podiums is your key measure of a place, Ruby Tuesdays is just probably more to your liking.
(5)
Emma B.
All I know is the pizza. After we vacationed in Sardinia, we were looking for something that would nearly replicate the incredible pizza. This is the closest we've found. The space has always been wonderful, though the upstairs indoor is a bit echoey. We've never had bad service here, but again, we've only ever been for dinner. Would give its four, but the three is for the parking issues. Tear down that weird wall already.
(3)
Mary L.
Great place for brunch that isn't outrageous in price. It's $20 which includes coffee. Most places in the DMV doesn't include ANY beverages. They have a somewhat wide verity but still staying within the Italian cuisine. The carving station can be hit or miss. The first time I went the roast beef was on point, this time it was very dry. They have a wide variety of pizza that I still haven't tried. They also serve shrimp and crab legs which seems to always be the first people gravitate to. Word of caution Parking can be a total pain. I suggest going as soon as they open at 10:30am to beat the church crowd.
I was super excited to try this restaurant out! Pacci's Trattoria was Week 3 Yelp's Hidden Gem! Pacci's is right next to a "castle" and while there is ample parking, parking is very tight. I sat down at a table with some friends. The waiter informed us that we could get 1/2 priced Bruschetta Capri; sundried tomato tapenade bruschetta and mussels as our hidden gem prize. Also there was a pizza deal $8 each vs $12 originally. That totally pushed me to try their pizza. I ordered the Tartufo truffle pizza, and we also got the Marinara (no cheese), and Naninella; imported buffalo mozzarella,cherry tomatoes, arugula, parmesan, and basil. The bruschetta app had a very strong sundries tomato flavor which I loved, but other people might think it's a bit much. The mussels were also tasty. I wish it came with bread to dip into the sauce. So I asked the waiter for bread and we were dipping like crazy. All the pizzas were tasty when they came out. I liked my truffle pizza the best. It had a good truffle flavor. I loved how the Parmesan was freshly grated and I sprinkled it on top of my pizza like crazy! Haha the Naininella was very fresh tasting, but had a light flavor. The Marinara no cheese pizza had a good strong flavor. At the end we wanted to try the limoncello cake, but were too full. We got our gems and paid. I would love to come back and try their unlimited brunch buffet one of these Sundays, it's $20 per person! I love supporting mom & pop places! Everything seemed to be made fresh and you could see the store owners cooking. I would love to come back!
I can sum up my experience in one word: LEGIT. Right down to the Italian music playing in the background. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is an extremely authentic take on Neapolitan pizza. I know this because I've had it...and it's AMAZING! Perfectly cooked crust that isn't too thin or thick, with just the right amount of sauce...and the cheese...WOW...the freshness is incredible. I had the pleasure of dining here during lunch, and I don't remember there being any pasta dishes offered on the menu. This particular establishment closes at 2:30pm, and reopens at 5. The lunch menu includes salads, pizza, subs, and a few other items. We ordered the cherry tomato salad, which was a very generous amount considering the $8 price. It came with sliced cherry tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella and surrounded by sliced cucumbers. The vinaigrette was PERFECT and the sliced basil tasted like it just came off a plant. I couldn't believe how good it was. After sharing the salad, our pizza arrived...and the wait was definitely worth it! I ate the entire personal cheese pizza which was the size of a large plate. The entire thing...and I'm not ashamed. Oh no, in fact I was thrilled. I even tried my coworkers Tartufo pizza...MMMMM. There's no sauce, but it doesn't need it. Garlicky with mushrooms and just the right amount of spices made it a delicious choice. The absence of food coma afterwards is a clear indication of how fresh the ingredients are...which is why you shouldn't get put off by the prices! It's not the cheapest place to dine for lunch (or dinner), but it's only because they use top of the line ingredients. The mozzarella in my salad tasted imported. It felt like I was back in Italy again. I sh*t you not. After our meal, the owner surprised us with fresh gelato in a little cup to finish it off. I don't even like gelato. Seriously, I'm one of those women that likes savory desserts, like cheesecake and sfogliatelle...but this was good. Better than good. Delicious. Like I was chomping on a vanilla bean soaked in cream. Final verdict? Do yourself a favor, and come back for dinner with a date. Or a group of friends, but given the relaxed romantic ambience I'd go for the date.
(5)
Emma W.
Can you say dessert! Yes!!!! Tried two, the tiramisu and cheesecake... oh so good. To be honest I just had dessert and would go again just for dessert. Friendly service but this place needs a GPS to find. You will miss it if you're not looking for it. The restaurant is next to a castle, but maybe not for long since the castle is for sale... The parking lot is, well, a little tricky get right. But there is space.
(4)
Libby F.
$20 AYCE brunch. It's all that and more! Love Pacci's pizza? You got it. And more. Their Belgian waffles are light and fluffy. They have CRAB MEAT to add to your made to order omelet! Crab legs? Yup. Mussels and clams? Yup. Yup. It was missing nothing this non red meat eater desired. There's even poached salmon. The homemade blueberry muffins are great too! There are even cheesecake and chocolate petit fours. And..... unlike other AYCE places coffee/tea/soda is included! It was sooooo delicious that I will probably be back this Sunday before my friend flies back across the Atlantic.
I finally went here after putting it off for months because I always opted for the other Pacci's location (which is one of my favorite restaurants ever!). The restaurant is in a wonderful location! It's right next to the train tracks in forest glen a mile or so off of Georgia Avenue. We sat on the back porch which was nice, but I found that the decor and service were not as impressive as at their other location. Our waiter was nice, but all he told us about the specials were "cheese ravioli and salmon"--no prices, no description. The inside was minimally decorated and there was really nothing special about the restaurant. Parking is also strange as it is next to a "castle" with a very small lot. As at the other location, the wine list is fantastic. This location also has a fair beer selection and a pretty good cocktail list. They have the same pizzas as the other location (try the la diavola!) but they also offer pasta dishes. I had the gnocchi alla sorrentina which was good, but I'd like to try something else next time. Overall, I was pleased but I like Pacci's Neopolitan Pizzeria better.
(4)
Piero Q.
The restaurant offers a quaint ambiance. The food was splendid; the freshness and quality of the ingredients was detected with every bite. The sangria was on point. The service, however, was OK. The staff tended to loiter at (not by) the bar, which in turn left the guest unattended for irregular periods of time. Definitely a place to try. The food will not disappoint, however be mindful that the service will be less than average.
(4)
Hue K.
For $20 all you can eat italian/seafood/waffle/omelet buffet, you might get the best deal here for quality and quantity. I was very impressed with variety of food offered at Pacci's for brunch. Fresh fruit, real cesar salad with freshly shaved parmasan, pacci's famous pizza (at least 3-4 kinds), great made-to-order waffle and omelet (with crab meat) and egg's benedict (with salmon) and mussels/clams/peel&eat shrimp.. Everything was very fresh and good quality and refilled frequently. Beverages are included as well. I'll go back every Sunday if I live here. Solid 5 star brunch! PS: Don't miss in-house baked muffin. I loved the bluberry muffin the chef made...
(5)
Michael S.
First time to Pacci's but we will definitely be back to sample the menu again. Overall the food was very good and I admittedly found myself looking across the room at other orders - from salads to pizzas - that all looked fantastic. Decor - Small, quaint and very comfortable. Food - Lunch for three included a shared Nonna's Polpette (meatball) appetizer which was excellent followed by penne with butter (for my 10 year-old), spaghetti with shrimp and gnocchi with white sauce. All very good. I had the gnocchi and found the white sauce to be a nice balance of cream, mozzarella/Parmesan cheese and a hint of garlic. For desert my son had the tiramisu and the adults had cappuccinos. Service - Despite a very large (~18 people) family birthday party and another large party (10 people) being served concurrently with our party I thought the staff hustled and was very good. This is not a large restaurant so I was impressed with how the staff handled the concurrent volume of diners. Other than a slight delay with our main course meal and having to ask twice for a lemon we really didn't have any issues. A very strong 4 stars for Pacci's!
(4)
SJ In B.
Had Sunday Brunch there today after an email I got from Yelp with a list of restaurants that serve brunch! Ohhh my God! The food was delicious! I had eggs Benedict's with home fries bacon and sausage. Then I moved to the crab legs, mussels, scallops, salmon and shrimp... So many options! The iced tea was actually brewed unsweetened so that was good. I can't wait to go again! All for $20 a person!
(5)
Alan S.
Cozy intimate setting, like eating dinner at grandparents house. Service was great. Got the app sampler (prosciutto melon, artichoke, salmon, tomato mozzerella, bruschetta capri) to share, perfect amount for 4 ppl. Chicken Milanese was delicious, lightly breaded and fried chicken breast over a bed of lightly buttered spaghetti and arugula salad. Limoncello shortcake is a must try. Will come back again. Parking is limited be aware.
(4)
Sara M.
Found this hidden gem through Mike B.'s scavenger hunt, and I'm glad I did - I don't think I would've stumbled upon it otherwise! It's tucked away off Forest Glen Road near the intersection with Seminary Road, in a cute little building. It's next to a weird castle building and shares their parking, which is a little confusing. The menu breaks down into three significant categories: small dishes (antipasti, salad), pasta, and pizza. So many tempting dishes! They offer multiple kinds of bruschetta, not just the classic tomato kind. We tried the Bruschetta Capri, which had an olive-tomato tapenade, pine nuts, and cheese - so good, even my olive-hating dinner partner enjoyed it! We also tried the mussels, which were plump and juicy in a delicious broth with tomatoes and leeks. I wanted to soak up all of that broth with the table bread, which was crusty and flavorful itself. We debated between pizza and pasta, and ended up going with the Tagliatelle Boscaiola. This pasta dish has big fat noodles in a creamy sauce with homemade sausage and mushrooms. They offered fresh-ground pepper and parmesan, which we gladly accepted. Very tasty, though not exceptional. We were glad that we'd split two appetizers and an entree, which left room to sample the extensive dessert menu. We picked out two. The Limoncello Shortcake was a lovely citrus-y take on a shortbread, topped with succulent fruit and fresh whipped cream. And we finished the meal with the Sfogliata - you should Google that word just to see the crazy phyllo dough creations that we got! These were filled with a custard and were very unique in appearance and flavor. All in all, a terrific meal. Service was very friendly and attentive. I'm looking forward to trying their sister restaurant in Silver Spring!
(4)
Suzanne A.
Love this little neighborhood gem. It is our go-to weeknight dinner spot when we have visitors, especially now that we have a toddler. I'm always so impressed with the servers - so attentive and great with my kid. We've also been going to Pacci's in downtown Silver Spring for years and know their pizza menu well; it's hard not to order a pizza appetizer in addition to our pasta entrees. I recommend the diavolo if you like spice. The regular pasta entrees are fantastic, but so are the specials. I find myself deliberating on my order here more than anywhere else, and I've never tried the same thing twice here. They especially do seafood and shellfish well. Try to leave room for dessert!
(4)
Paul S.
Awesome Sunday brunch! A wide variety of breakfast, Italian, and seafood dishes; definitely something for everyone. The pizzas and gnocchi really stood out as my favorites. Too long to wait for the cooked-to-order waffles, but everything else was very well stocked, including the snow crab legs and shrimp. Service was pretty attentive and will definitely be back soon.
(4)
Stephanie S W.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. If I could eat here every day, I would, but I would also be the size of a car... so I'll opt for a salad once in a while. This old, cozy home-turned-restaurant is perfect for an intimate meal with friends or family. Everything on the menu is tasty and you can't go wrong with classic spaghetti and meatballs. Check in on yelp for 50% off appetizer deal.
(5)
Janet H.
Pretty good!! This place was a little hidden, it's to the right of a white building (the castle). Parking was interesting... kinda cool, parking lot was small, encircled by stone walls. There's more parking behind the white building, but I think it's free only after 5pm tho and you have to wiggle between the 2 buildings. Had dinner with fellow elite yelper (shout-out to Annie T). There wasn't a wait, was seated right away on a Wednesday night. They seem to really love garlic and aren't afraid to use a lot of it, but mainly on dishes that explicitly said there's garlic. Their table bread was also very delicious, very soft and savory, very flavorful on its own, definitely didn't need butter. We did have to ask for this, our appetizers came out before we got the bread. And their pizza dough was also great, a little on the dry side but that's how I like it, chewy :-) especially great when paired with the abundant amount of toppings. They know how to make/bake their dough! Things we ordered: Impepata di cozo (mussels) - which had a little bit of a spicy kick and garlicky bruschetta capri - the sundried tomatoes definitely outshined the mild eggplant flavor Naninella- seemed more like an arugula salad on top of the delicious pizza dough, delicious, but wished something made it seem more cohesive as a pizza. I should've read the menu closer as it clearly stated online that ingredients are added post-oven :-P Marinara pizza - lots of garlic, not complaining because it was good but the garlic flavor was dominating the tomato based marinara and a few leaves of basil Tartufo pizza - my favorite of the 3 pizzas, packed with flavor without being overwhelming, nor greasy The service was great and the price was actually less than I thought it would be (~$33!!! Total!!! For all that food!!!!), but I think that's mainly due to yelp deals, so check in!! But remember to tip on the original price. I'd come back to try their pastas, especially their homemade marinara :-) oh and I want to try their limoncello cake. And they have unlimited brunch Sunday's. Ok, it's decided, I'm coming back.
(4)
Samantha D.
This is hands down the BEST brunch buffet I have ever been to! Delicious! Everything was amazing: fruit salad, handmade desserts (cheese cakes & cream puffs), bacon, eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles, bbq pork, meatballs, crab legs, mussels, oysters, clams, and last but not least vegetable gnocchi! Little tiny pillows covered in a delectable tomato sauce! Mmmmmmm nom nom nom! The food is not the only thing that is great, service is attentive and polite as well. The atmosphere is small but inviting! I thought I wouldn't comment or rate at all as to keep this a secret place but I couldn't resist giving it credit! I'm still not sharing this wonderful experience with my family and friends though, only my boyfriend :) Only downfall is parking, but it's not impossible just inconvenient and small. DON'T LET THAT TURN YOU AWAY!
(5)
Bennett T.
Fantastic brunch on Sunday's for a great price - $20. They offer a veritable cornucopia of food options from fresh seafood to a waffle bar. The service is acceptable but could honestly be a bit better. They used to offer bottomless mimosas for an additional $10 but no longer do so. The location is extremely charming, and it's a perfect spot for a long, lazy Sunday brunch.
(4)
Jerry S.
The unusual configuration of the quaint building makes sense when you know that it was once a post office. In the "lobby" there's a four stool marble bar, and a few tables. The tiny room next to it was probably the postmaster's office. The space downstairs would have been for receiving and sorting. I got off to a good start with the artisanal Italian bread and good quality olive oil (already on the table) to dip it in. The check in offer was for the Bruschetta Capri and the app sized mussels. The sun dried tomato and olive teppanade was pretty assertive, and delicious. The mussels were fresh and juicy, with a lovely leek and tomato broth and maybe a little more heat than they needed. I needed more bread to yum up all the sauce. I noted a wood fired oven in the basement on my way out, which bodes well for their pizza. I'm going to have to try that and the entrees before considering a fifth star, since Pasta Plus sets a very high bar, but I'm optimistic based on this excellent lunch. Update 1/4/15 Just came from the amazing Sunday Brunch. Excellent lox, plump briny oysters, top notch crab legs, steamed clams and mussels, creamy eggs Benedict (was that panchetta?) jumbo shrimp steamed with Old Bay, tender made to order waffles with fresh fruit topping, pizza as good as any I didn't pay for with Lira, crisp bacon, poached salmon, succulent braised lamb, scallops, choice of pork or turkey sausage links, bite sized pastries so you can try more than one without feeling too piggish, very good coffee, frequent refills. I did not have room to try the pasta, carved roast beef, or omelet station. Excellent service. Crazy good value at $20, coffee included. Slam dunk 5 *****.
(5)
Monte M.
This restaurant is a gem. The atmosphere is definitely not stuffy and comfortable but it's the food that makes or breaks a restaurant. The food is fantastic and reliable, the wait staff on the top of their game, and it is reasonably priced. Were I single, I'd be very comfortable bringing a date here. Being married with a family, i can say that everyone leaves satisfied. From the appetizers to the entrees to the finely prepared deserts, everything is prepared and presented at its best. We've come to really love eating at this restaurant. Recently, we went to the Sunday brunch buffet and that's what inspired me to move beyond "promising to review" to "actually reviewing." I don't think I've ever had a better lunch buffet - and again very reasonably priced. The traditional foods - omelets, waffles, egg dishes, etc. - are all there. On top of that it seems like the whole menu is presented for your eating pleasure - pizza, shrimp and other sea fish dishes, meats, and an ever-changing array of fresh, delicious deserts. And again, the cost was not exorbitant. This is fine Italian food that caters to a variety of tastes and succeeds on all fronts. There is nothing stuffy about the place and I would say it's my favorite place to take my family. We've also taken guests there on numerous occasions and everyone leaves satisfied. It's in a bit of an isolated area - but Kensington, Silver Spring and Wheaton are all just a very short drive away and I wouldn't let that deter you from enjoying a great meal at this establishment. Just a little extra planning. Glad this restaurant is so close by.
(5)
CJ T.
Sorry Pacci's Trattoria. Took my daughter to lunch and the food was barely ok. We shared a Caesar Salad, Fried Calamari and a Pizza Margherita with prosciutto. - The Caesar Salad was just ok and overpriced. Nothing special. Could get the same salad at any national chain restaurant and be equally satisfied. - Pizza Margherita was not just wet in the middle, it was like a pool of tomato water and barely warm. You need to crank up or recalibrate the pizza oven. Barely edible and I understand Neoplitan pizza is sometimes "wet" in the middle but the cheese wasn't even melted thru but the basil leaves on top were burned. The place wasn't that busy at 1:00 in the afternoon so there really is no reason for not receiving good pizza. Prosciutto was so salty you could not taste the earthy meat flavor. - Calamari was the highlight but the dipping sauce was bland. Really loved this place and has now dropped down to visiting due to its convenience.
(2)
Alina B.
Delicious place to go for a great dinner. Accessible to park, good prices and good service. Very close from Forest Glen metro station and from Downtown Silver Spring.
(5)
Bryony B.
Went here this past weekend with my little nieces and nephew who are 8, 6 and 4. They had a lot of people there but we were sat down right away and our server came over very fast. They brought over bread (with olive oil for dipping) and waters (including plastic cups with lids and straws for the kids) lickety split. After ordering the food arrived promptly and our waiter checked on us numerous times. We got calamari, a red pizza with artichokes, mushrooms, olives and basil, and the nutella pizza for dessert. It was all very tasty. In the end our waiter didn't charge us for a couple of things - not sure if that was on purpose, but I'll take it! Lastly, the place is kinda cute and the view is crazy out the window, since you're right on the edge of this curvy road there. A happy place all in all :)
(4)
Joy B.
Nestled from view, but located right off Georgia Avenue,Pacci's Trattoria is worth setting your GPS for. The restaurant resembles a small,cozy home. The decor is warm and inviting. The staff is warm and friendly. Our waitress spent lots of time giving us her favorites and explaining dishes we were interested in ordering. This week, the Yelp specials can not be beat. We started our meal with the mussels and bruschetta. The bruschetta had eggplant, which was a new ingredient. It was very good. The mussels were perfectly cooked, but I found the broth a little spicy for my taste. I am sure it would not bother most customers. I ordered the pizza. My pizza came in 4 sections. Each part had a different topping. It had mushrooms, salami, ham, and red peppers. The crust was baked to perfection. It was a thin crust with no tomato sauce, but a generous amount of cheese. I really liked the four toppings. It was like getting four pizzas in one. My friend had a pizza which had the tomato sauce and cheese. There are many varieties to chose from. She really enjoyed her pizza. The tiramisu was heavenly. Light, sweet, with a hint of expresso, it was the star of the night skies. It had freshly whipped cream and blackberries that added another taste dimension to an already exquisite dessert. I said I was only going to eat half, so someone must have gobbled up the other half. I can not tell a lie, I ate the whole thing in 2 minutes and it was worth every calorie. The pizzas are on a Yelp special this week from $13 to $8 dollars. Next time, I want to try the homemade pastas. Go early if you can, it was really crowded on a weeknight by 7 o'clock. You can tell the food and the service was great.
(4)
Daenia P.
I came here for my engagement brunch. The food was great. The waiter told us it was a bottomless brunch; however, when the bill came, the management did not honor the bottomless mimosa brunch. That was extremely disappointing.
(2)
Sharon W.
We were craving pizza last evening but wanted something different from our usual favorites. Husband suggested we try Pacci's for carry out. I wasn't sure how their pizza would stand up to carry out but my concern was unfounded, it was delicious! We ordered a 4 cheese white pizza and a plain cheese and tomato. They actually sat for a while in our kitchen before we were ready to eat but I don't think the flavor suffered at all from the wait. They were yeasty and cheesy and the crust was charred perfectly to a delicious crisp. I did pop them in a super hot oven for a few minutes to warm them back up. This is the kind of pizza I know I will get a craving for so they have been added to the "regular favorite" list.
(5)
Will B.
Best. Brunch. Around. Their weekend breakfast is $20/person but that includes Gnocchi (excellent!) oysters, smoked salmon, assorted desserts, eggs benedict, steamed shrimp, crab legs, etc...it was all delicious! I will definitely be coming back here. They go all out with the quality of their food. They even had different pizzas on the buffett!
(5)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :6 Post Office Rd
Silver Spring, MD, 20910
Takes Reservations : No 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 : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Riley L.
Best Sunday brunch in town! They've got a great selection of entrees and desserts. Their pizza and gnocchi are excellent. There's something for everyone here! The staff were very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is casual and light-spirited. If you're planning on taking a group of four or more people for Sunday brunch, I suggest getting there before noon, when it fills up with a lot of people coming from church. The brunch buffet offers a wide selection of foods, which they keep well-stocked, and it's always easy to find a plate full of good things to eat!
(5)Matt W.
Nice ambiance. Clean and smelled wonderful walking in. Then we sat down. Couldn't understand the server. He had broken English and spoke very soft and fast. He made us feel rushed. Annoyed. He tells us the specials. Ooh, fish. Cool, I'm on Weight Watchers for Fat Fucks, so I go with it. $30! Special? For dried up fish! Tasted "pretty good," but not for $30. Rip off. The 2 Calzones our table ordered were bready and overdone. My wife makes them better with our pizza stone. And no side marinara or something to combat your carbed up piece of shit? #ugh Beers were expensive. $4 for a small 12-ounce glass of bud light. Geez, please don't give me a pint, I would hate to actually feel a buzz after 3 beers. Whatta joke. Salad was eh...coulda used more dressing for that price too. Side salad for $8? The thing was small and you're charging $8? You out ya damn mind! You can't just have one for $4 with the same size? I mean God forbid we actually feel full after spending $75 for 2 of us! What else? Oh yeah, I'll never go back. Place is a joke.
(1)Andrew M.
We went here last weekend and I was pleasantly surprised. We've been to their sister establishment in downtown Silver Spring a couple times, so I've had their pizza before... and Pacci's does a decent Neapolitan style pizza (I still think 2 Amy's is better!). I like the ambiance at this location better than their more sleek and modern pizzeria downtown, plus they have lots of parking around (check out their website for all the places to park after 5pm). The restaurant is surprisingly spacious and has a very very cute interior. There were some kids here, though it mostly seemed to be groups of 50+ adults... something I'm not so used to seeing in DC or downtown Silver Spring (we brought our 3 year old and he enjoyed his pizza). We got the caesar salad; it was ok, but I wouldn't be quick to order it again. We also got the eggplant appetizer, which was nice. For mains we had pizza and calzones -- though next time I'm getting their pasta... the super-wide tagliatelle looked awesome! Also, their mixed appetizer board looked great (and we'll be getting that as well next time!). For dessert, we got the cannolis; super delicious. Prices aren't cheap here, but they aren't outrageous either; it's a good place for a family dinner. My only complaint was that the service seemed a little spotty/slow. Not sure if they were short a waiter or what when we were there. The place was busy, but is pretty spacious, so at least we were seated promptly. It also looks like they have a nice enclosed sun-porch out back. Also, despite someone saying they thought the portions weren't generous... I thought they were quite adequate (and I'm a big eater) -- we definitely took home some leftovers.
(4)Priscilla Y.
Pacci's is a cute, cozy restaurant with great pasta. They also make pizza and calzones. We started off with the Piatone di Pacci's, which is the appetizer sampler. It came with bruschetta, artichoke, smoked salmon, prosciutto wrapped in cantaloupe, arugula, and mozzarella and tomatoes. Not a bad app to start with. They also give free bread. I really like their Tagliatelle Boscaiola. It is fettucine noodles in light cream sauce with sausage and mushrooms. It was delicious. I was not too crazy for the Bucatini Carbonara. This had pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan. It was too cheesy and did not have too much flavor. The pasta was like spaghetti pasta with a hollow center so it was kind of weird eating it. My friends all seemed to really enjoy their pasta dishes (Pollo Alla Milanese, Lasagna Napoletana, and a penne dish). I also tried their Limoncello shortcake, which was really good. It was light in lemon flavor so it was not too sour. The cake was moist. Big enough to share with another person. Service was excellent. Our server was really attentive. It looks like they have limited parking, but they recently added more parking behind the "castle". The restaurant is not that easy to find. You can easily drive past it so make sure you have your GPS on. It really is a hidden gem!
(4)Glen F.
Went to their other restaurant and they told us about the brunch at this place so we decided to try it. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Food was plentiful, fresh and hot. Lots of variety also. Would definitely come back.
(4)Alec U.
It just seems that either most complaints here are not about food, or done by folks who know little about food. Yep, parking sucks, and fish is expensive, welcome to DC area. The bottom line is that pasta dishes are authentic unlike the Americanized versions served by other local chains. This place reminds me more of the primi selections in Tuscony. Wine selection is great and reasonably priced. Deserts are excellent. Service has been consistently great, although there is no "formal hostess podium," as was so helpfully noted by one reviewer. But then again, if hostess podiums is your key measure of a place, Ruby Tuesdays is just probably more to your liking.
(5)Libby F.
$20 AYCE brunch. It's all that and more! Love Pacci's pizza? You got it. And more. Their Belgian waffles are light and fluffy. They have CRAB MEAT to add to your made to order omelet! Crab legs? Yup. Mussels and clams? Yup. Yup. It was missing nothing this non red meat eater desired. There's even poached salmon. The homemade blueberry muffins are great too! There are even cheesecake and chocolate petit fours. And..... unlike other AYCE places coffee/tea/soda is included! It was sooooo delicious that I will probably be back this Sunday before my friend flies back across the Atlantic.
(5)Gail R.
Quaint little restaurant in the Forest Glen area of Silver Spring. I discovered this place partaking in a Yelp Scavenger Hunt. Little did I know this place was here especially since I like Italian food. It is located off of Capitol View Avenue and even though it is near a metro, it is not metro accessible. When I first got there, I saw a very small parking lot (facing the restaurant) and I thought to myself - this is crazy...this can't be the parking lot. The spots were minimal and it was very hard to maneuver within the area. As I tried to get my bearings, I saw a white building next to the restaurant and there were a lot of available spaces (bigger parking lot). I still was not sure if I could park there (since I entered it using an exit gate). Luckily, one of the staff informed me that it was okay for me to park there...after 5pm. As I walked in the door, I saw the tall bottle of Yelp Gems and I knew I was in the right place for this Scavenger Hunt (Wk3). I came with Yelper Joy B and so we were seated facing the entrance to the restaurant. I was looking forward to eating and I made sure to have a light lunch that day. Once we checked in using our Yelp app, I saw that we would get 50% off Bruschetta Capri and Mussels. Our waitress also let us know that if we ordered any pizza, we could get it for $8. So we decided to try everything that had a discount with it. These great discounts ended on Sun 7-13-14. I have never really tried Mussels, but decided why not...it was 50% off. So we ordered the Bruschetta Capri (sundried tomatoes, tapenade, eggplant, pinenuts and grana padano) and the Impepata di Cozze (sautéed mussels, cherry tomatoes, shallots, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley and hot peppers). The Bruschetta Capri was okay (price was $3.50 down from $7). I was enjoying it until I found out it has eggplant and since I don't like eggplant, I couldn't eat any more of it. The mussels were great although I didn't take the opportunity to try dipping the bread in the sauce. Can't beat 50% off (price went from $10 to $5). For pizza, I got the Margherita (tomato, mozzarella, parmesan, basil, extra virgin olive oil) and it was very delicious. Sauce was light and so was the cheese and the pizza overall was thin crust. Nothing was left in my plate afterwards. For drink I wanted to try the Neroli (Prosecco, limoncello, liquor, lime soda, oranges and mint). There was a picture of one on the Yelp page that looked like it had several fruits in it, so when I received what looked like seltzer water, I asked the waitress what exactly did I order and she said a Neroli. Our waitress said that the Neroli in the picture was made by the owner of the restaurant and he added his own items to the drink (more like a special drink). So even though my Neroli looked nothing like the one in the picture, it still tasted great - a very light drink. One of the things I always order at all Italian restaurants (for dessert) is Tiramisu. This one had espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, topped with cocoa powder. It is called the heavenly dessert and for good reason. At this place it is home-made and it is among the top 3 in my book (Maggiano's Little Italy in Tysons Corner, VA is #1 for me). Very light, very tasty and it is topped with some berries. Yummy!!! Great end to a great evening.
(4)Ravi K.
My wife and I ate here opening weekend (of Hurricane Irene...). The place had just a few tables full and I could tell that they had just opened and some people were still in training. We didn't know that the restaurant was not allowed to serve wine just yet (end of October)...and we didn't think twice after digging into our meal. Here's what we shared: Appetizer: Arancini di Roso - delicious...and I didn't feel like I was eating something greasy and fried La Pasta: Pappardelle alla Boscaiola - a perfect combination of al dente pasta (made in the kitchen 15 feet away). It has a perfect combination of italian sausage and mushrooms. Its a very warm dish and it didn't feel heavy Secondi: Scaloppina al Limone - succulent, soft, breaded veal with the right mix of cherry tomatoes and rosemary to balance the salt and sweet. If you're familiar with the Pacci Pizzeria, then you probably know that the owner (Spiro Gioldasis) partnered with a truly authentic chef from Naples Italy (Rosario Granieri) to create an authentic Italian dining experience. Locals know that there is no compromise on fresh, quality ingredients and doing it "right". I proudly say that Pacci's Trattoria and Pasticceria is a continuation of an honest restaurant that is back to the basics of quality dining. The executing chef (Antonio Ciotola) knows exactly what he's doing and our first meal with him was memorably delicious. Honestly - everything was delicious. For the price...I would say this is actually on par and you know your'e getting an authentic meal. It wasn't "expensive" considering the quantity and quality of what we ate. The place is beautiful. If you ever saw pictures of the old restaurant, you wouldn't recognize it now. Everything is warm, colorful, and very open. You can see the staff cooking in the open kitchen, which is a great feature and is just fun to watch. The seating is done well enough that it would be comfortable if the place was full or empty and/or if you're with a family or a date. We had such a great dinner. We even had the lemon cake, which was another hit. I highly recommend. Honestly, I felt like I didn't eat at a "restaurant" as odd as that sounds. I felt like we ate at a family's home that welcomed us in. The food was fantastic and I think they are really good about hiring warm people to complement the atmosphere. We saw Antonio making dinner for the workers that night and it was really nice to see the way everyone that works there gets fed really good food too...and they were enjoying it as much as we were enjoying it. I think it speaks a lot for a family owned restaurant. I can't wait to go back. Its a great place and a gem to downtown Silver Spring.
(5)Brit B.
Hidden gem. The atmosphere is perfect. The food is tasty. The wait staff is spotty, but not enough to taint my opinion of the place. Try the ravioli! Yum! My one negative--parking.
(4)Molly C.
Went here last sat night , for light dinner . Had trouble finding a parking space , asked to sit outside , since a lovely evening . Waiter / service very poor . Food was mediocre , salad was very small , calamari was also small , not enough for 2 for price . Waiter , forgot our wine , we had to ask . Also for condiments , ended up getting them from nearby table . Not sure we'd go again
(2)S C.
So waitress horribly trained. Read that before But the food, terrible! Ravioli was stuffed with fresh mozzarella, but was 2-3 days old and I could smell the sour as It was delivered. Two bites and that was it. Caesar, dressing was thin and had no zing to it. If it was homemade it needed more garlic and Dijon. Rice Balls- uck! Overcooked risotto rolled beyond death. You couldn't even recognize the rice grains (try filomenas!). The meatballs were good. But overpriced for 5 gumball sized bites. The quality of the meatballs got them the 2nd star. The worst: We got this pasta that was a papperdelle. BONE DRY, and undercooked. Yes it was fresh, but unedible. Will make a sauce at home and reheat pasta in. Cant be worse. Server understood nothing we ordered or said. Asked for our food to be boxed up..... to go..... take home..... (still a blank stare) "you want another one?" need I say more? boo....
(2)Kim R.
Came here twice, once with the kids, once for a lunch with a friend. They have been very clear that they welcome kids and I loved the kids menu, as did both girls. I had pollo Milanese which was very good. There were definitely some growing pains - pastry chef didn't have any of the dessert I ordered, no coffee or tea (they do have both now), but our waiter was gracious throughout. Liquor license isn't clear yet, but that will be nice. At lunch I had the also good carbonara. Meatballs in someone else's plate needed more seasoning. Only complaints is that the lunch menu didn't have lunch prices or specials. We will definitely go back - and hopefully all the kinks are getting ironed out each day. -Update: have gone back several times and the growing pains were indeed ironed out (plently of coffee, wine and dessert to be had), the dishes all seem slightly improved, carbonara, for instance is creamier and there are lunch specials now!
(4)Kathy S.
This review is for the take-out pizza. It was soggy and undercooked. Take-out pizza from Pacci's in Silver Spring far superior - 4 stars.
(2)Blsc R.
I would say 3.75, would have been 5 but recent service dropped my opinion. We have been here easily a dozen times in the past 6 months. It's been our favorite. The food is good. The pizza and calzone additions are great and mirror the other location. I recommend the Marsala which is my favorite meal these days and limoncello cake. If they have eggplant parm as the special, also good too. The location has some parking issues but never had to wait for a table and the porch is great. If you have little kids, you occasionally see a train roll by and the kids like that. However, it seems they recently had some server turnover and this new batch just does not cut it. Slow and inattentive. Frustrating as the food is worth the wait. Really hope these new folks are as irresponsible in life as they are with serving and pull some no shows and get canned. Downtown SS is also great and fantastic patio, but a little wait each time there
(4)Aaron G.
After many happy lunches and dinners at the pizzeria in Silver Spring, I stopped by the trattoria during their first week to take it for a spin. First impressions: Like the pizzeria the restaurant makes good use of a narrow space. The dining room is open and bright, dominated by an open kitchen on one side, nicely decorated if not a bit sterile. Service was friendly but slightly awkward, not surprising given the soft opening status. Ordered the Scialatelli with homemade sausage, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Food was very fresh, hot, tasty and hearty Italian comfort food. Pasta was perfect al dente Can't wait to explore more of the menu. Bottom line: very good food and lots of potential, especially once they get their liquor license and can roll out the beer/wine list, which the waiter said would be just a few weeks away. Will post another review after the next visit.
(4)Annie T.
I was super excited to try this restaurant out! Pacci's Trattoria was Week 3 Yelp's Hidden Gem! Pacci's is right next to a "castle" and while there is ample parking, parking is very tight. I sat down at a table with some friends. The waiter informed us that we could get 1/2 priced Bruschetta Capri; sundried tomato tapenade bruschetta and mussels as our hidden gem prize. Also there was a pizza deal $8 each vs $12 originally. That totally pushed me to try their pizza. I ordered the Tartufo truffle pizza, and we also got the Marinara (no cheese), and Naninella; imported buffalo mozzarella,cherry tomatoes, arugula, parmesan, and basil. The bruschetta app had a very strong sundries tomato flavor which I loved, but other people might think it's a bit much. The mussels were also tasty. I wish it came with bread to dip into the sauce. So I asked the waiter for bread and we were dipping like crazy. All the pizzas were tasty when they came out. I liked my truffle pizza the best. It had a good truffle flavor. I loved how the Parmesan was freshly grated and I sprinkled it on top of my pizza like crazy! Haha the Naininella was very fresh tasting, but had a light flavor. The Marinara no cheese pizza had a good strong flavor. At the end we wanted to try the limoncello cake, but were too full. We got our gems and paid. I would love to come back and try their unlimited brunch buffet one of these Sundays, it's $20 per person! I love supporting mom & pop places! Everything seemed to be made fresh and you could see the store owners cooking. I would love to come back!
(4)Mike B.
My sister recently moved a distance that I'm sure could easily be measured in "feet" away from Paccis Trattoria in Forest Glen. I decided to hop in and pick something up for myself and the busy mom. Bringing my notepad to get some work done while the order was being made was surely in vain. They were just too quick! - Caesar Salad - Appetizer Meatballs - Bruschetta Capri - Al Tartufo Pizza After I put in the order, it was ready in record time. It was probably done 6-8 minutes after I started a conversation with a kind woman at the bar who decided to try putting a single garlic clove in her wine for fun and experimentation. The Caesar salad was great. I think it could have used a little bit more dressing, but that's completely personal preference. The Bruschetta Capri was delicious and exactly what I had remembered it being the last time I ate it. Closely inspired by a Greek dish i know to be "Imam Baildi" which is a half of a roasted eggplant stuffed with chopped eggplant, pine nuts, and tomato. I love that dish, it brings me back to my first real job of working in a Greek kitchen in Potomac. The Meatballs were flavorful, soaked in enough marinara, and had the distinct flavor of being a few different types of meat... I believe. The Al Tartufo Pizza which is a white pizza with mushrooms, truffle oil and provolone is wonderful. I love how they sauté the mushrooms and season them before throwing them on the pizza to cook. It makes all the difference in the world. A wonderful meal with lots of leftovers for my brother in law to come home to. I wouldn't hesitate to order from there again. Spiro, the owner, has definitely got something special there.
(5)Maria P.
I can sum up my experience in one word: LEGIT. Right down to the Italian music playing in the background. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is an extremely authentic take on Neapolitan pizza. I know this because I've had it...and it's AMAZING! Perfectly cooked crust that isn't too thin or thick, with just the right amount of sauce...and the cheese...WOW...the freshness is incredible. I had the pleasure of dining here during lunch, and I don't remember there being any pasta dishes offered on the menu. This particular establishment closes at 2:30pm, and reopens at 5. The lunch menu includes salads, pizza, subs, and a few other items. We ordered the cherry tomato salad, which was a very generous amount considering the $8 price. It came with sliced cherry tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella and surrounded by sliced cucumbers. The vinaigrette was PERFECT and the sliced basil tasted like it just came off a plant. I couldn't believe how good it was. After sharing the salad, our pizza arrived...and the wait was definitely worth it! I ate the entire personal cheese pizza which was the size of a large plate. The entire thing...and I'm not ashamed. Oh no, in fact I was thrilled. I even tried my coworkers Tartufo pizza...MMMMM. There's no sauce, but it doesn't need it. Garlicky with mushrooms and just the right amount of spices made it a delicious choice. The absence of food coma afterwards is a clear indication of how fresh the ingredients are...which is why you shouldn't get put off by the prices! It's not the cheapest place to dine for lunch (or dinner), but it's only because they use top of the line ingredients. The mozzarella in my salad tasted imported. It felt like I was back in Italy again. I sh*t you not. After our meal, the owner surprised us with fresh gelato in a little cup to finish it off. I don't even like gelato. Seriously, I'm one of those women that likes savory desserts, like cheesecake and sfogliatelle...but this was good. Better than good. Delicious. Like I was chomping on a vanilla bean soaked in cream. Final verdict? Do yourself a favor, and come back for dinner with a date. Or a group of friends, but given the relaxed romantic ambience I'd go for the date.
(5)Emma W.
Can you say dessert! Yes!!!! Tried two, the tiramisu and cheesecake... oh so good. To be honest I just had dessert and would go again just for dessert. Friendly service but this place needs a GPS to find. You will miss it if you're not looking for it. The restaurant is next to a castle, but maybe not for long since the castle is for sale... The parking lot is, well, a little tricky get right. But there is space.
(4)Omid A.
Best pizza in town. Perfect crust good toppings and fast to go service. I called my order in and it was ready to go by the time I was there 10 minutes later. They were ready to hand off the pizza to me 10 seconds after I walked in. I haven't tried the other goodies at this location but if it's anything like their downtown location, I'm sure it'll be great.
(5)Sisley C.
I had a sour taste in my mouth the moment I walked in. There's no clear host/hostess podium so I was waiting at the door... For about 7-8 minutes before someone helped me. Mind you, there was no one else waiting besides us. I think the owner or manager was behind the bar chuckling away with one of the servers for a few minutes - clearly not busy with anything important enough to not greet a CUSTOMER. I was on the verge of leaving honestly within a minute until someone finally came to help us. Are you kidding? Our server was nice and prompt(!) though. He brought the complimentary bread over pretty quickly and I started chomping away! We ordered the bruschetta al pomodoro (chopped tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil) and that was seriously delicious. Wow. It was loaded with stuff on top! I ordered the spaghetti al vongale, which was spaghetti in a white wine and cherry tomato sauce with your choice of clams or mussels... Or a mix of both! I got a mix of both and really enjoyed it. It was flavorful and came with A LOT of clams and mussels. Normally, restaurants give you like 8 and that's it but I had way more than that (see picture). My guests both ordered the pollo alla milanese - sautéed breaded chicken breast and spaghetti with lemon vinaigrette, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and onions. They liked it, but I thought it was A-okay. A bit plain jane in my honest opinion. We ordered the tiramisu for dessert - good but really small for the price. Not sure if I would order it again because of that. Overall, I would come back since it's really close to me. I'm still bitter about my wait in the beginning though!
(3)Rhianna B.
I finally went here after putting it off for months because I always opted for the other Pacci's location (which is one of my favorite restaurants ever!). The restaurant is in a wonderful location! It's right next to the train tracks in forest glen a mile or so off of Georgia Avenue. We sat on the back porch which was nice, but I found that the decor and service were not as impressive as at their other location. Our waiter was nice, but all he told us about the specials were "cheese ravioli and salmon"--no prices, no description. The inside was minimally decorated and there was really nothing special about the restaurant. Parking is also strange as it is next to a "castle" with a very small lot. As at the other location, the wine list is fantastic. This location also has a fair beer selection and a pretty good cocktail list. They have the same pizzas as the other location (try the la diavola!) but they also offer pasta dishes. I had the gnocchi alla sorrentina which was good, but I'd like to try something else next time. Overall, I was pleased but I like Pacci's Neopolitan Pizzeria better.
(4)Piero Q.
The restaurant offers a quaint ambiance. The food was splendid; the freshness and quality of the ingredients was detected with every bite. The sangria was on point. The service, however, was OK. The staff tended to loiter at (not by) the bar, which in turn left the guest unattended for irregular periods of time. Definitely a place to try. The food will not disappoint, however be mindful that the service will be less than average.
(4)Hue K.
For $20 all you can eat italian/seafood/waffle/omelet buffet, you might get the best deal here for quality and quantity. I was very impressed with variety of food offered at Pacci's for brunch. Fresh fruit, real cesar salad with freshly shaved parmasan, pacci's famous pizza (at least 3-4 kinds), great made-to-order waffle and omelet (with crab meat) and egg's benedict (with salmon) and mussels/clams/peel&eat shrimp.. Everything was very fresh and good quality and refilled frequently. Beverages are included as well. I'll go back every Sunday if I live here. Solid 5 star brunch! PS: Don't miss in-house baked muffin. I loved the bluberry muffin the chef made...
(5)Michael S.
First time to Pacci's but we will definitely be back to sample the menu again. Overall the food was very good and I admittedly found myself looking across the room at other orders - from salads to pizzas - that all looked fantastic. Decor - Small, quaint and very comfortable. Food - Lunch for three included a shared Nonna's Polpette (meatball) appetizer which was excellent followed by penne with butter (for my 10 year-old), spaghetti with shrimp and gnocchi with white sauce. All very good. I had the gnocchi and found the white sauce to be a nice balance of cream, mozzarella/Parmesan cheese and a hint of garlic. For desert my son had the tiramisu and the adults had cappuccinos. Service - Despite a very large (~18 people) family birthday party and another large party (10 people) being served concurrently with our party I thought the staff hustled and was very good. This is not a large restaurant so I was impressed with how the staff handled the concurrent volume of diners. Other than a slight delay with our main course meal and having to ask twice for a lemon we really didn't have any issues. A very strong 4 stars for Pacci's!
(4)Dan H.
The portions here are not only incredibly generous, they are incredibly tasty. Great prices, and clearly care goes into the food. Only thing I would add is italian sodas or something similar for non-alcohol drinkers. But damn, this place is great. Any of the Tagliatellas are fantastic. The Calamari to start is tasty too. This is an out of the way place that is a must visit.
(5)Alan S.
The food at Pacci's is very good. The service is impeccable. The noise in the main dining room is horrible. Not from the customers but from the kitchen. The kitchen is open and there is constant banging of dishes. The kitchen area should be closed off from the dining area. Sit in a different area.
(4)Emma B.
All I know is the pizza. After we vacationed in Sardinia, we were looking for something that would nearly replicate the incredible pizza. This is the closest we've found. The space has always been wonderful, though the upstairs indoor is a bit echoey. We've never had bad service here, but again, we've only ever been for dinner. Would give its four, but the three is for the parking issues. Tear down that weird wall already.
(3)Sara M.
Found this hidden gem through Mike B.'s scavenger hunt, and I'm glad I did - I don't think I would've stumbled upon it otherwise! It's tucked away off Forest Glen Road near the intersection with Seminary Road, in a cute little building. It's next to a weird castle building and shares their parking, which is a little confusing. The menu breaks down into three significant categories: small dishes (antipasti, salad), pasta, and pizza. So many tempting dishes! They offer multiple kinds of bruschetta, not just the classic tomato kind. We tried the Bruschetta Capri, which had an olive-tomato tapenade, pine nuts, and cheese - so good, even my olive-hating dinner partner enjoyed it! We also tried the mussels, which were plump and juicy in a delicious broth with tomatoes and leeks. I wanted to soak up all of that broth with the table bread, which was crusty and flavorful itself. We debated between pizza and pasta, and ended up going with the Tagliatelle Boscaiola. This pasta dish has big fat noodles in a creamy sauce with homemade sausage and mushrooms. They offered fresh-ground pepper and parmesan, which we gladly accepted. Very tasty, though not exceptional. We were glad that we'd split two appetizers and an entree, which left room to sample the extensive dessert menu. We picked out two. The Limoncello Shortcake was a lovely citrus-y take on a shortbread, topped with succulent fruit and fresh whipped cream. And we finished the meal with the Sfogliata - you should Google that word just to see the crazy phyllo dough creations that we got! These were filled with a custard and were very unique in appearance and flavor. All in all, a terrific meal. Service was very friendly and attentive. I'm looking forward to trying their sister restaurant in Silver Spring!
(4)Suzanne A.
Love this little neighborhood gem. It is our go-to weeknight dinner spot when we have visitors, especially now that we have a toddler. I'm always so impressed with the servers - so attentive and great with my kid. We've also been going to Pacci's in downtown Silver Spring for years and know their pizza menu well; it's hard not to order a pizza appetizer in addition to our pasta entrees. I recommend the diavolo if you like spice. The regular pasta entrees are fantastic, but so are the specials. I find myself deliberating on my order here more than anywhere else, and I've never tried the same thing twice here. They especially do seafood and shellfish well. Try to leave room for dessert!
(4)Paul S.
Awesome Sunday brunch! A wide variety of breakfast, Italian, and seafood dishes; definitely something for everyone. The pizzas and gnocchi really stood out as my favorites. Too long to wait for the cooked-to-order waffles, but everything else was very well stocked, including the snow crab legs and shrimp. Service was pretty attentive and will definitely be back soon.
(4)Stephanie S W.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. If I could eat here every day, I would, but I would also be the size of a car... so I'll opt for a salad once in a while. This old, cozy home-turned-restaurant is perfect for an intimate meal with friends or family. Everything on the menu is tasty and you can't go wrong with classic spaghetti and meatballs. Check in on yelp for 50% off appetizer deal.
(5)Janet H.
Pretty good!! This place was a little hidden, it's to the right of a white building (the castle). Parking was interesting... kinda cool, parking lot was small, encircled by stone walls. There's more parking behind the white building, but I think it's free only after 5pm tho and you have to wiggle between the 2 buildings. Had dinner with fellow elite yelper (shout-out to Annie T). There wasn't a wait, was seated right away on a Wednesday night. They seem to really love garlic and aren't afraid to use a lot of it, but mainly on dishes that explicitly said there's garlic. Their table bread was also very delicious, very soft and savory, very flavorful on its own, definitely didn't need butter. We did have to ask for this, our appetizers came out before we got the bread. And their pizza dough was also great, a little on the dry side but that's how I like it, chewy :-) especially great when paired with the abundant amount of toppings. They know how to make/bake their dough! Things we ordered: Impepata di cozo (mussels) - which had a little bit of a spicy kick and garlicky bruschetta capri - the sundried tomatoes definitely outshined the mild eggplant flavor Naninella- seemed more like an arugula salad on top of the delicious pizza dough, delicious, but wished something made it seem more cohesive as a pizza. I should've read the menu closer as it clearly stated online that ingredients are added post-oven :-P Marinara pizza - lots of garlic, not complaining because it was good but the garlic flavor was dominating the tomato based marinara and a few leaves of basil Tartufo pizza - my favorite of the 3 pizzas, packed with flavor without being overwhelming, nor greasy The service was great and the price was actually less than I thought it would be (~$33!!! Total!!! For all that food!!!!), but I think that's mainly due to yelp deals, so check in!! But remember to tip on the original price. I'd come back to try their pastas, especially their homemade marinara :-) oh and I want to try their limoncello cake. And they have unlimited brunch Sunday's. Ok, it's decided, I'm coming back.
(4)Samantha D.
This is hands down the BEST brunch buffet I have ever been to! Delicious! Everything was amazing: fruit salad, handmade desserts (cheese cakes & cream puffs), bacon, eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles, bbq pork, meatballs, crab legs, mussels, oysters, clams, and last but not least vegetable gnocchi! Little tiny pillows covered in a delectable tomato sauce! Mmmmmmm nom nom nom! The food is not the only thing that is great, service is attentive and polite as well. The atmosphere is small but inviting! I thought I wouldn't comment or rate at all as to keep this a secret place but I couldn't resist giving it credit! I'm still not sharing this wonderful experience with my family and friends though, only my boyfriend :) Only downfall is parking, but it's not impossible just inconvenient and small. DON'T LET THAT TURN YOU AWAY!
(5)Bennett T.
Fantastic brunch on Sunday's for a great price - $20. They offer a veritable cornucopia of food options from fresh seafood to a waffle bar. The service is acceptable but could honestly be a bit better. They used to offer bottomless mimosas for an additional $10 but no longer do so. The location is extremely charming, and it's a perfect spot for a long, lazy Sunday brunch.
(4)Jerry S.
The unusual configuration of the quaint building makes sense when you know that it was once a post office. In the "lobby" there's a four stool marble bar, and a few tables. The tiny room next to it was probably the postmaster's office. The space downstairs would have been for receiving and sorting. I got off to a good start with the artisanal Italian bread and good quality olive oil (already on the table) to dip it in. The check in offer was for the Bruschetta Capri and the app sized mussels. The sun dried tomato and olive teppanade was pretty assertive, and delicious. The mussels were fresh and juicy, with a lovely leek and tomato broth and maybe a little more heat than they needed. I needed more bread to yum up all the sauce. I noted a wood fired oven in the basement on my way out, which bodes well for their pizza. I'm going to have to try that and the entrees before considering a fifth star, since Pasta Plus sets a very high bar, but I'm optimistic based on this excellent lunch. Update 1/4/15 Just came from the amazing Sunday Brunch. Excellent lox, plump briny oysters, top notch crab legs, steamed clams and mussels, creamy eggs Benedict (was that panchetta?) jumbo shrimp steamed with Old Bay, tender made to order waffles with fresh fruit topping, pizza as good as any I didn't pay for with Lira, crisp bacon, poached salmon, succulent braised lamb, scallops, choice of pork or turkey sausage links, bite sized pastries so you can try more than one without feeling too piggish, very good coffee, frequent refills. I did not have room to try the pasta, carved roast beef, or omelet station. Excellent service. Crazy good value at $20, coffee included. Slam dunk 5 *****.
(5)Monte M.
This restaurant is a gem. The atmosphere is definitely not stuffy and comfortable but it's the food that makes or breaks a restaurant. The food is fantastic and reliable, the wait staff on the top of their game, and it is reasonably priced. Were I single, I'd be very comfortable bringing a date here. Being married with a family, i can say that everyone leaves satisfied. From the appetizers to the entrees to the finely prepared deserts, everything is prepared and presented at its best. We've come to really love eating at this restaurant. Recently, we went to the Sunday brunch buffet and that's what inspired me to move beyond "promising to review" to "actually reviewing." I don't think I've ever had a better lunch buffet - and again very reasonably priced. The traditional foods - omelets, waffles, egg dishes, etc. - are all there. On top of that it seems like the whole menu is presented for your eating pleasure - pizza, shrimp and other sea fish dishes, meats, and an ever-changing array of fresh, delicious deserts. And again, the cost was not exorbitant. This is fine Italian food that caters to a variety of tastes and succeeds on all fronts. There is nothing stuffy about the place and I would say it's my favorite place to take my family. We've also taken guests there on numerous occasions and everyone leaves satisfied. It's in a bit of an isolated area - but Kensington, Silver Spring and Wheaton are all just a very short drive away and I wouldn't let that deter you from enjoying a great meal at this establishment. Just a little extra planning. Glad this restaurant is so close by.
(5)Mary L.
Great place for brunch that isn't outrageous in price. It's $20 which includes coffee. Most places in the DMV doesn't include ANY beverages. They have a somewhat wide verity but still staying within the Italian cuisine. The carving station can be hit or miss. The first time I went the roast beef was on point, this time it was very dry. They have a wide variety of pizza that I still haven't tried. They also serve shrimp and crab legs which seems to always be the first people gravitate to. Word of caution Parking can be a total pain. I suggest going as soon as they open at 10:30am to beat the church crowd.
(4)SJ In B.
Had Sunday Brunch there today after an email I got from Yelp with a list of restaurants that serve brunch! Ohhh my God! The food was delicious! I had eggs Benedict's with home fries bacon and sausage. Then I moved to the crab legs, mussels, scallops, salmon and shrimp... So many options! The iced tea was actually brewed unsweetened so that was good. I can't wait to go again! All for $20 a person!
(5)Alan S.
Cozy intimate setting, like eating dinner at grandparents house. Service was great. Got the app sampler (prosciutto melon, artichoke, salmon, tomato mozzerella, bruschetta capri) to share, perfect amount for 4 ppl. Chicken Milanese was delicious, lightly breaded and fried chicken breast over a bed of lightly buttered spaghetti and arugula salad. Limoncello shortcake is a must try. Will come back again. Parking is limited be aware.
(4)CJ T.
Sorry Pacci's Trattoria. Took my daughter to lunch and the food was barely ok. We shared a Caesar Salad, Fried Calamari and a Pizza Margherita with prosciutto. - The Caesar Salad was just ok and overpriced. Nothing special. Could get the same salad at any national chain restaurant and be equally satisfied. - Pizza Margherita was not just wet in the middle, it was like a pool of tomato water and barely warm. You need to crank up or recalibrate the pizza oven. Barely edible and I understand Neoplitan pizza is sometimes "wet" in the middle but the cheese wasn't even melted thru but the basil leaves on top were burned. The place wasn't that busy at 1:00 in the afternoon so there really is no reason for not receiving good pizza. Prosciutto was so salty you could not taste the earthy meat flavor. - Calamari was the highlight but the dipping sauce was bland. Really loved this place and has now dropped down to visiting due to its convenience.
(2)Alina B.
Delicious place to go for a great dinner. Accessible to park, good prices and good service. Very close from Forest Glen metro station and from Downtown Silver Spring.
(5)Bryony B.
Went here this past weekend with my little nieces and nephew who are 8, 6 and 4. They had a lot of people there but we were sat down right away and our server came over very fast. They brought over bread (with olive oil for dipping) and waters (including plastic cups with lids and straws for the kids) lickety split. After ordering the food arrived promptly and our waiter checked on us numerous times. We got calamari, a red pizza with artichokes, mushrooms, olives and basil, and the nutella pizza for dessert. It was all very tasty. In the end our waiter didn't charge us for a couple of things - not sure if that was on purpose, but I'll take it! Lastly, the place is kinda cute and the view is crazy out the window, since you're right on the edge of this curvy road there. A happy place all in all :)
(4)Joy B.
Nestled from view, but located right off Georgia Avenue,Pacci's Trattoria is worth setting your GPS for. The restaurant resembles a small,cozy home. The decor is warm and inviting. The staff is warm and friendly. Our waitress spent lots of time giving us her favorites and explaining dishes we were interested in ordering. This week, the Yelp specials can not be beat. We started our meal with the mussels and bruschetta. The bruschetta had eggplant, which was a new ingredient. It was very good. The mussels were perfectly cooked, but I found the broth a little spicy for my taste. I am sure it would not bother most customers. I ordered the pizza. My pizza came in 4 sections. Each part had a different topping. It had mushrooms, salami, ham, and red peppers. The crust was baked to perfection. It was a thin crust with no tomato sauce, but a generous amount of cheese. I really liked the four toppings. It was like getting four pizzas in one. My friend had a pizza which had the tomato sauce and cheese. There are many varieties to chose from. She really enjoyed her pizza. The tiramisu was heavenly. Light, sweet, with a hint of expresso, it was the star of the night skies. It had freshly whipped cream and blackberries that added another taste dimension to an already exquisite dessert. I said I was only going to eat half, so someone must have gobbled up the other half. I can not tell a lie, I ate the whole thing in 2 minutes and it was worth every calorie. The pizzas are on a Yelp special this week from $13 to $8 dollars. Next time, I want to try the homemade pastas. Go early if you can, it was really crowded on a weeknight by 7 o'clock. You can tell the food and the service was great.
(4)Daenia P.
I came here for my engagement brunch. The food was great. The waiter told us it was a bottomless brunch; however, when the bill came, the management did not honor the bottomless mimosa brunch. That was extremely disappointing.
(2)Sharon W.
We were craving pizza last evening but wanted something different from our usual favorites. Husband suggested we try Pacci's for carry out. I wasn't sure how their pizza would stand up to carry out but my concern was unfounded, it was delicious! We ordered a 4 cheese white pizza and a plain cheese and tomato. They actually sat for a while in our kitchen before we were ready to eat but I don't think the flavor suffered at all from the wait. They were yeasty and cheesy and the crust was charred perfectly to a delicious crisp. I did pop them in a super hot oven for a few minutes to warm them back up. This is the kind of pizza I know I will get a craving for so they have been added to the "regular favorite" list.
(5)Will B.
Best. Brunch. Around. Their weekend breakfast is $20/person but that includes Gnocchi (excellent!) oysters, smoked salmon, assorted desserts, eggs benedict, steamed shrimp, crab legs, etc...it was all delicious! I will definitely be coming back here. They go all out with the quality of their food. They even had different pizzas on the buffett!
(5)Ari A.
True Italian corner. Desserts are really good, waiters are kind. Food is really nice tho, price performance ratio is 9/10
(5)Vanessa G.
Pacci's is our go-to restaurant. Their Sunday brunch is one of the best deals in town. For $20 you get unlimited buffet with typical breakfast food but the best part is they also have pizza, spaghetti, shrimp, crab legs, and so much more! It can get loud because of the small space but staff are friendly and quick.
(4)Bruce M.
The one on Seminary Rd. The best spaghetti, ever! The best dessert, ever! The best service, ever! The only server ever to deserve 25%! BWM
(5)Bent B.
Pasta better then most places around, cool setting, awesome deserts. Everything is really fresh and good quality.
(4)David B.
Nice atmosphere, but while the food may be to someone's taste, it wasn't mine. THe pizza was basically a cracker with the toppings awkwardly dumped on top. Not cheap (nor inexpensive), it gave the impression that this was a restaurant too upscale to roll its sleeves up and make a real pizza. Service variable. Parking exceedingly awkward.
(2)Tianna S.
We enjoyed the brunch buffet VERY much at Pacci's in Forest Glen this past Sunday. Freshly prepared omelets, fresh and tasty seafood, fruit, salad, pasta, etc. All the great fixings of a top notch buffet. They can compete with the brunch buffet at Sequoia for sure and at $20, it was a great price. 7/13/14 - Went back for Brunch with the in-laws and it was still fabulous. They were very impressed foodies.
(4)Lillian C.
Continuing on the mediocre pizza / entree trend, their calzone is pretty depressing as well. They put a dab of red sauce on top and shove the inside with really wet ricotta and mozzerrella. A few slices of italian sausage here and here and a rare mushroom. When I order a calzone / stromboli I'm thinking of a glorified inside out pizza, not a giant cheese dumpling. I think I'll quit trying to find that "winning" dish in their entree section and stick to appetizers. I was finally able to try their 13$ app assortment (prosciutto wrapped melon, olives, arugula, artichokes, bruschetta, caprese salad) which was fantastic. The punch with the sambucca is excellent as well. Ps: don't sit outside during the summer. It's next to the dumpsters so unless you like smelling trash while you eat I'd suggest an indoor seat.
(3)Lynn R.
Great place tucked away in a quiet neighborhood area. Expanded seating areas creates a little more space for diners but it has an fairly open kitchen so if you are in the main seating area it will be a bit noisy and busy. If you want a bit quieter and calmer, ask to sit in one of the enclosed porches. Food is very good and reasonably priced.. Good wine selection. I chose a salad and the appetizer meatballs and my friend had salmon. With the fresh bread brought to the table and the portion sizes, we had food to take home. Staff pleasant and attentive. Parking can be a challenge sometime but it is worth the effort!
(5)Kyle R.
I've been going to this small Italian restaurant since I moved into the area a few years ago, starting at their Downtown Silver Spring location and then switching to this location when I moved less than a quarter mile away. My fiance and I dine in or get take out around once a month, and they are firmly intrenched in our "rotation" of usual spots. I'm a big fan of the Classico Calzone (with mozzarella, ricotta, salami), the Diavola Pizza (same as the calzone, but in pizza form), the Tartufo pizza (provola, truffle oil, mushrooms) and the Bucatini Carbonara. The pizzas are even better as take out, so you can crisp up the crust a bit more at home on your pizza stone. The only reasons they don't get five stars is that the service isn't always as good as the food, and they almost always forget special requests on carry out orders (extra marinara on the side, for my fiance... she likes it saucy!) All-in-all, it's a great little neighborhood place.
(4)Frederick W.
My wife and went to dinner here a couple of weeks ago. We had the Caprese DOP salad (sliced mozzarella with tomato slices), fried calamari, and either the Diavola or the Padrino pizza (we can't remember now). I had the Tiramisu for desert. The parking situation is fine, seemed to be plenty. We were seated quickly (it was New Year's Eve, so maybe less busy than usual), and had quick, attentive service the entire evening; we'd call it very good. The calamari was tasty, but possibly a little dry. The Caprese salad was good, though the tomato could have had a bit more taste. The pizza was somewhere between good and very good; the crust was good, as w're the sauce and other toppings. The tiramisu had an interesting presentation and was topped with sliced strawberries; it was good, tasty, but could have been a bit more moist. All in all, we were glad we went, we'll go again, and would recommend it to others.
(4)Lenore G.
We called ahead to see if we could just order from a menu rather than get the full all-you-can-eat buffet on Sunday. The person we talked to had a hard time understanding this concept, but then agreed we could get just salads. At least that's what I thought. When we arrived, our waiter said we couldn't order from the menu. He shrugged his shoulders. Nothing I can do. You can talk to the chef, he said. No apologies. Not my problem. We talked to the chef. Maybe you called the other restaurant. In other words, couldn't be their fault. Meanwhile, I identified the young woman I had talked to on the phone. She said nothing but finally acknowledged I had spoken with her. Still no apology or consideration. My first online review. As much as I have enjoyed the food here in the past, I will not return. Service is important.
(2)Tom B.
This is small Italian eatery. The staff is excellent. The food is incredible. I would look at the specialty pizzas. The owner assisted me and took me back in show me how he they make their ice coffee.
(4)Stephen B.
On our two visits my wife and I have enjoyed the gnocchi, lasagna, tagliatelle and the stratataille (something like that, basically a house made spaghetti like pasta but thicker) The quality and freshness of the food is felt in the flavor of all the dishes. The goat cheese laced in with the ricotta in the lasagna is a suttle twist that enhances what would normally be considered "boring" or "run of the mill" The gnocchi was very solid with lots of fresh basil and sautéed cherry tomatoes bursting in nearly every bite. The tagliatelle with sausage in a mushroom cream sauce was also solid. The only house made dessert is the tiramisu which was very well done. The staff is willing, helpful and friendly. (Be patient, it's harder to run a slower restaurant with a small staff then it is to run a big busy dinning room) All in all, Pacci's serves very good Italian food(which is hard to find in this area) it won't blow you away, but it will fulfill the need for pasta at a reasonable price in a warm inviting environment.
(4)Shira S.
I went here the other night with a friend for dinner. We were both looking forward to a girls night out and that is exactly what we got. My liver was still hurting from vacation so I skipped having wine or a drink. My friend enjoyed the Neroli cocktail and it was delicious- truly the perfect summer drink. Since Yelp has made it so easy to enjoy the mussels and the bruschetta capri, we started off with that. The bread was perfectly toasted on the bruschetta and the mussels were outstanding. I would definitely come back just for those mussels. We each ordered a pasta dish (buccatini for her and gnocchi for me). I was a little disappointed that they don't make all of their pastas, but we both enjoyed our dishes. Even though they don't make their gnocchi, they were light, delicious, and had a ton of fresh mozzarella (yum!). The setting is adorable and I love that you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere even though we were just outside of DC. I definitely look forward to returning in the future.
(4)Ray R.
Had been really excited about trying out Pacci's since moving to the Forest Glen/Silver Spring area, so the wife and I finally checked it out on Saturday, 2/8. All in all Pacci's is a great spot and I look forward to taking friends and family back, especially to try out the Sunday brunch buffet. The chicken marsala is one of the best I've had, and the cozy atmosphere of a once neighborhood post office will definitely bring us back. A couple issues though: 1) Probably the biggest issue of all is the service. There were a number of servers floating around, chatting, and they all were cordial, but after being a waiter in high school and going to thousands of restaurants, you expect a certain level of attention. Bread was brought to the table, but after waiting for the server to return with the olive oil, I finally went and picked up a bottle off of a table that was still waiting to be bused. Additionally, our water glasses were never refilled--I had to drink my pregnant wife's water, after realizing that the cup was likely never going to be refilled. 2) Our food was excellent. Want to reiterate, the mains were excellent and we really enjoyed it. We did get an appetizer of Polpette (meatballs). The red sauce was delicious, but the meatballs clearly tasted like something you would buy from Aramark or the Murray's frozen meatballs you can buy at the grocery store--probably the case. They likely don't want to spend time rolling homemade meatballs, but that's definitely something to avoid. Will definitely be back for the Sunday brunch. Hopefully, the servers will be a bit more attentive the next time we stop by.
(3)Columbia S.
Ok I live In the Apartments at National Park Seminary which is an Historical Building and it is in walking distance to Pacci's . I love this place and yes at first I had a little problem with the Chicken Marsala in which the chicken was not cooked thoroughly, but they corrected that, but the desert was to die for. I have been back twice and the service is good and the waiters and waitresses are very pleasant. It is a nice, but quaint place. I've only eaten inside, but I've notice from some of the post it's nice outside. I hope the Brunch is Great I would definitely like to try it.
(4)Roxsana S.
We don't live to far from Pacci's and always wanted to try it out. The food was good and is a very casual Italian dinning. I had the bruschetta napoletana as an appetizer and chicken Marsala as my entree. The garlic sauce on the spaghetti was good.
(3)Roy S.
I really liked this place, the decor was really nice. Had the pesto chicken and the fromagia sandwich. Both were excellent and came out quickly. The servers were friendly and for lunch the prices were excellent. I will be back...
(4)Michelle A.
Got take out from here at lunchtime today- two pizzas split between three people. The feedback was mixed- my sister has had this pizza before and really likes it. She esp likes the sausage and broccoli rabe pizza, but she had a few pieces of the eggplant pizza too. My mother didn't like either pizza- she said the crust was bland and the pizza itself didn't have enough flavor either. I liked the eggplant pizza the best of the two... the sausage pizza had thin overcooked slices of sausage instead of loose sausage, and I'm not sure the sausage was actually traditional italian sausage... it tasted like some sort of chicken sausage based on the consistency... overall, I don't know that I'd go back to this place, but if I did, I'd get a regular margarita pizza to see if that's any better...
(3)Glenn J.
I give Paccis 3.7 stars. I usually order the Pacci salad and arugula and proscutto pizza. Very good. Not quite 4 stars but very good. I give these guys 4 stars after having their brunch .yummy, many great items to choose from. Dinner, hmmm.
(4)Val A.
Parking is a challenge but the place serves great Italian food. I had the calzone, it was fresh and delicious though I have had better (but a bit higher cost). The bread is made fresh, the staff was friendly and it was an ok experience for a lunch hour. I would come back for their Sunday buffet since lots have raved about it.
(4)Ella G.
Just like their downtown Silver Spring location, Pacci's Trattoria didn't disappoint. Great food and reasonably priced. We will definitely come back!
(5)Natalie F.
I like this place; it has a lot of character. The building is very unique and not your run of the mill place in a strip mall. The menu is good. Attentive and friendly service. Food is well presented. I definitely plan to go back to try the other menu items. There is plenty of parking too.
(5)Michael B.
Great small italian restaurant in an out of the way location. Very good food! I would recommend it to anyone!
(5)Ros A.
Been here several times, but this review is for the new BRUNCH buffet, which is excellent. All the food options were fresh and very tasty, from the salads to the pastas, to the smoked salmon and meats and the pastries and breads and fruit salads. My carnivore husband was happy with all the meat options, which included prime rib and fresh baked ham, and I liked that there were lovely salads, cooked veggies, tasty pastas and melt in the mouth eggs benedict... I tried pretty much everything though couldn't find any room for the omelette station or french bread, so will have to try those next time:) And, all for $20, it's an amazing deal and the staff are really nice.
(5)Anita W.
Went to Pacci's Trattoria in Silver Spring for the first time last night. I was enticed there by the promise of homemade pasta, but at least half of the pasta dishes on the menu were spaghetti! I got something that turned out to be a thick, chewy, fettuccini-like noodle with sausage, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatos, but the dish was bland and flavorless, and the price high for the portion ($18, I think, and salad is extra). The kid's spaghetti was $9 a serving, but at least the staff was welcoming of children, unlike Sergio's. Pricing was closer to Olazzo's, but without the generous portions, included salad, and lower kids prices. My husband liked his raviolli, but felt the portion was too small, as well. I'm sorry to say it, but Sergio's still is the winner in the local (Silver Spring) pasta joints for value and quality in my opinion, and Olazzo is still my 2nd-best, even though their pasta is not home-made. The ambiance at Pacci's Trattoria is nice, though - a converted older house a mile or so from the Forrest Glen Metro, tucked into an older neighborhood. Lots of natural light, though the walls are still bare. Nice for a date-night, if you don't mind overspending. Pacci's Pizzeria is still the #1 pizza place around here in my opinion.
(3)Linda J.
Love the food - fresh, light, innovative. The location is good because there's not much else around there. The building is old and needs some work on a/c and heat. The front door needs to be weighted to close automatically. But the lasagna is true comfort food. The chicken marsala is light and tasty. The limoncello (desert) is a favorite with everyone we take there.
(4)Kim K.
So beyond mediocre. There were 4 of us who had 4 separate pasta dishes. They were all so under-sauced and the pasta was over-cooked. For example, my gnocchi was rubbery with cheese melted over it. There was a teenage kid cooking the food alone in the kitchen. It is too bad because we chose here to celebrate a special occasion and out of town guests after enjoying this place several times in the past.
(2)Raj G.
Silver Spring, MD. Very good pasta dishes. Good service. A bit noisy if busy. Friendly service. Have been here twice.
(5)Brett M.
My girlfriend and I walked in only to have the people that walked in behind us led to a table first. We were seated by a hostess who never said a word and looked like she was angry to have to deal with us. Once seated there were three tables that arrived after us that were served apps and drinks before we even got our water. Our waiter was MIA and only saw him when we gave him our order (decided to order everything at once so we wouldn't need to sleep there) the rest of the time we waived down two other waiters to help us and get the check. We considered leaving cash for the drinks and walking out if we weren't so hungry but will not be returning.
(1)Gertrude G.
I was inclined to try this place because I LOVE the pizzeria in downtown SS. Pros: -Warm, fresh bread which kept coming as we emptied baskets. -Nice atmosphere. Maybe they have worked on the lighting given some of the other reviews. It's distinct but complimentary with the other Pacci's. -My gnocchi was cooked well and the tomato sauce was fantastic. Cons: -CHEESE. You ask, how can cheese be under "cons"? I wondered the same thing! My gnocchi was *covered* in cheese. Someone else picked around their cheese a bit, and the whole bottom of their plate was covered in it. People were twirling their cheese around their forks like it was pasta. Someone else couldn't finish his calzone because of the excessive amount of ricotta cheese, and I had to agree with him. And believe me, I am a big lover of cheese. -It's been said, but parking is a mess. Overall, I'll probably stick with the pizzeria, but I'd be willing to go here again and try something else.
(4)Mark V.
Not sure what happened with Brett M., but we have been there a number of times. Not only has the service been spot on, but they have gone out of there way to be helpful. And as for Gertrude G., I can understand if the cheese was too much (never had that problem myself or people I have eaten with, and I limit my cheese intake), you should have sent it back if it wasn't to your liking. They would have given you no trouble. Great food, great service, and the off-list wines are quite good, and priced more than fairly. You just have to know to ask. (and no, I am not related to - and never worked for Pacci's)
(4)Ditch G.
Pacci's is a great Italian bistro in Kensington, MD near Forest Glen. Favorites on the menu include the Lasagna made with a bright fresh marinara; the salmon with sauteed spinach; and the ravioli. The lemoncello cake is the standout on the dessert menu. The wine list is "meh" but blame Mont. Co.'s inane liquor laws.
(4)Kristina M.
Pacci's trattoria is located in small cozy house in an out of the way location. You sit down to a basket of warm, surprisingly delicious white bread and a plate of very good olive oil, a great start to the meal. Knowing that Pacci's makes it's own pasta, that was exactly where I was headed. I ordered the buccatini alla carbonara and my partners in crime ordered the veal scallopini and the papparadelle. Both pastas were simple and satisfying. The carbonara was authentic with the creaminess being derived solely from the delicious combination of eggs and cheese with a very generous amount of pancetta. The papparadelle was topped with spicy sausage. The veal was cooked well with the perfect amount of capers and very, very good potatoes on the side. Alas, we were too stuffed for dessert. I enjoyed pacci's and would love a return visit.
(4)MaJ C.
This is never a fault of the establishment, Yet parking her is miserable. Once you get up to the door, and open it inside, there is really no waiting room, and no one asks you if you want to get put on a list, you have to actually grab someone. Small, artistically challenged decor of a spot ( blank walls ) Rather boring, actually. A basket of bread laid on the table, without any oil, that was a bit odd, as well as the parm/oregano shaker on the table. Am I in a pizza hut, or a Trattoria? The service started well, yet the poor thing got weeded quick. Food was bland, and not many veg/fish items to pick from. I could see this place being great for the neighborhood, yet not for anyone who has to drive here. Would I go back? Only if my friends said they'd pay :)
(2)Dona G.
I REALLY wanted to like this place, because I do love Pacci's Pizza, which is also in Silver Spring. It's hard to find a good Italian restaurant in the area, but since I love Pacci's Pizza, I figured this place was a sure hit. Unfortunately, it wasn't. First of all, the decor needs some work. We sat in a little alcove behind the women's bathroom, and the over-head light was sooooo bright! We felt like we were being interrogated, or something. They really need a dimmer on that light, or a lower wattage bulb. It sounds silly, but it really made our meal uncomfortable. The whole place needs a bit of a "freshen up" in terms of decor. There was also a strong odor of cleaning chemicals. I think the dish-washing area is downstairs, and the smell was wafting up to us. I really don't want to eat while smelling that. But, most importantly, the food...my pasta and my husband's gnocchi were undercooked. Believe me, I understand the concept of "al dente", but this was just plain undercooked. I'm willing to try them one more time, when the weather is nice, because they do have outdoor seating, which we enjoy. We went when it was too cold to sit outside. So, you've got one more chance, Pacci's...
(2)Lynn V.
We had dinner, and the homemade pasta was great! It really makes a difference. Bread was fresh and warm, saw that we were not the only ones that asked for a second basket. Service was good, but not fabulous, felt uneven. Around a little too much at the beginning and not enough towards the end of meal....but it's still a great place, and very friendly. Got two desserts to share, which was a mistake as they were huge portions. The limoncello strawberry shortcake was delicious!
(4)Stephan S.
Let me start by saying that I am a very big fan of Pacci's Pizza. I believe they have one of the best pizzeria's in all of DC. Unfortunately the love didn't carry over to the Trattoria. Maybe they're still working out the bugs of opening a new place but the food was just not that great. Perhaps a few things that they could fix: I had a fair idea of where the restaurant was located but there was no signage telling us that we had found the right place when we got there. Beer, wine, and coffee were missing from the experience. This needs to be fixed pronto. The bussers were far too zealous with water glasses and empty plates. The bread in the bread baskets should be fresh. For food we ordered the Pacci's salad with arugula, red onions and pecans. This salad was good but it was loaded with way too many red onions and dare I say not enough dressing. My wife ordered the gnocchi which was very light and tender but contained too much raw garlic in the sauce. I ordered the fried veal cutlet. It was not tender. It was barely seasoned and was a bit overcooked. We did rather enjoy the lemoncello shortcake for dessert. Very nice tart lemon curd with vanilla frosting and perfect white cake. The restaurant has good potential and I wish them all the best. I think they will need to improve on a few things if they want to duplicate the success of the pizzeria.
(2)Wm H.
Excellent! If you are expecting a run of the mill Italian eatery, this is not it! It is a very good, the food is great. If you are coming for ambiance and decor, don't bother, but if you want good food, yep for sure this is the place. From the first course to the good STRONG European coffee and tasty after dinner treats! They make their own pasta here, you have never had such good pasta. Try out the meatballs as well, yum! Looking forward to going back for lunch and for dinner.
(4)Corinne D.
Great outdoor seating in a wooded setting. Nice neighborhood place!
(4)Gerri B.
Oy. So disappointing. My Campagnola salad (a favorite from Pacci's pizzeria) was satisfying, if overdressed. But my spaghetti with clams was a DISASTER. The clams were flavorless, and the sauce tasted like they opened a can of Chef Boyardee and threw in some grape tomatoes. (It conjured up childhood memories of Spaghetti-Os. Yuck.) It was described on the menu as a white wine and cherry tomato sauce, and classically should have had some garlic in it, but it had no hint of wine, garlic, or any other seasoning. It was awful. And a good tomato sauce is not that difficult to make. Not sure I'll give it another chance -- that was so egregiously bad.
(1)Daphne W.
I drive by Pacci's several times a week, but hesitated to go in because of the mediocre reviews on this site. I finally went in today, though, and was quite pleased. I had one of the lunch specials -- pasta with chicken and pesto -- and it was delicious. The bread and oil was good, too. The Pacci salad had great ingredients, but it was drenched in a vinaigrette sauce that was too sweet -- and this from someone who LOVES sweet. It was just too much! I told the waitress about this, and she immediately said she'd tell the chef. I asked her why the restaurant seemed overall so much better than the Yelp reviews, and she said that the reviews came earlier on, when the restaurant was still having 'growing pains' and the cooks were still uncomfortable with the menu. Other than the salad dressing, I loved this place: sunny and bright and friendly. Good, honest food. I'll be back
(4)Tim M.
This is a real step up from the prior 'Country Store' in the same location. The food is quite good and reasonable. It's usually not too crowded and so it's quiet enough to talk. I've lunch their a couple of times and the panini is good. I think the pasta is fine, not exceptional, but the service is pleasant and fast. You can do much worse in this area.
(3)Laura B.
I went to Pacci's Trattoria last Friday for lunch with a friend. The whole experience was lovely from start to finish. The restaurant is charming, airy and fresh. My friend ordered the chicken and penne dish, which was delicious and plentiful. I ordered the spaghetti with chicken and pesto, which was also excellent, although a little more chicken a few more pine nuts would have made it sheer perfection. The pesto sauce was fresh and bright, without being oily. The spaghetti was perfectly cooked. Our server brought us some delicious fresh bread and olive oil, to enjoy with our glasses of Pinot Grigio. The wine was wonderful, too---cold and crisp. It was the perfect accompaniment to our pasta dishes. If you are skeptical about trying this restaurant, drop in for lunch. The lunch menu offers several pasta options for $9 each and large, delicious looking sandwiches for $7. You will enjoy yourself immensely and you'll want to go back again and again. Our server was friendly and attentive, without being intrusive. We sat there dining and chatting for hours and never felt rushed. This is a lovely little restaurant and definitely worth visiting. They offer a full menu at lunch as well, but the lunch menu was just right. Give these guys a chance. You'll be glad you did. I am a huge fan of Pacci's Pizzeria and this little restaurant did not disappoint either. I can't wait to go back with my husband.
(4)E. P.
I wanted so badly to like Pacci's Trattoria, because the location and the interior are so charming, and the region desperately needs a cute spot with stellar food. I was disappointed to be so disappointed! We waited 40 minutes for 1 house salad. We had to ask for it twice. It finally arrived, with my husband's entree. My entree (the gnocchi) was missing in action, arriving 25 minutes later, after my husband finished his dinner. The reasons for it all just felt like excuses. The house salad was autumnal and filling-- maybe over-dressed (which is the opposite of other reviews here, in which there wasn't enough dressing -- so it sounds like consistency is needed). The chicken marsala deserved a sauce made with a more robust white wine, as the flavor was just a smidge above imperceivable. As it arrived with nothing else but chicken and mushrooms, we ordered a side of spaghetti, which was thick and bland. My gnocchi was fresh yet flavorless and had the density of wads of gum chewed for an hour -- glutenous and solid like the weights you put on the end of fishing lines. It definitely had too much flour and/or was kneaded too long -- and when I brought this up to the server serving as manager that evening, she hesitantly offered that perhaps it was just al dente. It clearly wasn't prepared with the careful attention gnocchi warrants, and I also suspect the kitchen rushed to finish it since my meal was forgotten. The sauce it came in, however, was lovely enough to eat on it's own. Thank goodness for it. Given how our rather simple order on a non-busy night got screwed up, I certainly expected to see at least the gnocchi comped. Nope. We were charged in full. The server/manager offered us dessert after we had paid the bill and were ready to leave -- a little too little too late. I'll wait until I see consistently better reviews on Yelp before I return, if I do.
(2)Jason L.
We went during the soft opening when they were still working out the logistics so I can't speak for the service yet, but the staff was very friendly. I had spaghetti and lasagna. The food here was all fresh--the sundried cherry tomato sauce had a very rich taste. They were generous with the meat on the lasagna which I liked. The spaghetti pasta was cooked to a perfect Al Dente! The grated parmesan cheese was served on a small bowl and had the authentic taste you don't get from the grocery store kind. The cheese and basil worked to complement the tomato sauce very well. The atmosphere made for a cute cottage style dining experience. Giving it 5 stars based on the freshness of the ingredients, taste, and atmosphere. Can't wait to come back again and try some of the other dishes!
(5)Heidi R.
After visiting (and enjoying) Pacci's Pizza in downtown Silver Spring, I decided to give their pasta location a chance when the craving for good pasta struck. The location has a lot of charm, and the service was friendly, if a little lacking in refinement. Unfortunately the food just didn't live up to my expectations. My husband and I ordered the Pacci Salad, Arancini, Ravioli Bolognese, and Pasta Rosario. The pasta was unfortunately a bit clunky, and their Bolognese sauce, while tasty, was not quite there. There were large chunks of halved grape tomatoes hanging out in a sauce that basically tasted like sauteed ground beef in tomato puree. It didn't have any of the depth of flavor that one expects from a traditional bolognese, which is based on onion, celery, and carrot, with only a small amount of tomato. The Rosario pasta (sausage, mushrooms, sun-dried tomato, fresh mozzarella, truffle oil) was incredibly rich - so rich that my husband, a bottomless pit of a man, couldn't even eat half of it. The ingredients didn't really come together in this dish either; the sausage was a bit flabby and the fresh mozzarella had all melted into large globs. For the prices charged here, I'll stick to making my own pasta when the urge hits. And I'll definitely be back to Pacci's Pizza location!
(2)Lina N.
Pacci's is a welcome addition to the Silver Spring area. I think a lot of restauranters can learn from Pacci's in terms of creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The atmosphereis very quaint and feels like a family-run restaurant. The little nooks and crannies with hidden tables is romantic, although I think the restaurant could up the romance factor while keeping it kid-friendly and trattoria-style by slightly dimming the lights in the evening and adding candles on the tables. They might already have the candles, but I may have not noticed because the lights were pretty bright in there. The chairs were nice and comfy and everything looked very clean and new. I was expecting the open kitchen to be louder than it was, but I didn't notice at all that people were working back there until our food came out. The outside back patio seems like a great use of space as well. As for the food, we shared the rice balls (with fresh tomato sauce), pasta pappardelle and the veal. Pasta was perfect - cooked al denta and perfectly flavored - would not change a thing and have been craving it since that day. The rice balls were also fried perfectly crispy without being too greasy, but I would have preferred the cheese and rice to be more mixed together, instead of biting into first the rice, then the cheese in the middle. Veal was good, although it was my first time having veal so I can't provide an educated review. It was breaded and fried, but again, not greasy which I appreciated. My one complaint is that it wasn't obvious to me from the facebook page that they didn't yet have their liquor license. Not a big deal, but I do like sipping a little wine with my dinner. No problems with the service - Mark (from Pacci's pizza) was our server and he was sweet as always.
(4)Megan A.
Walking in, just the amazing smell had me excited. Excellent Italian food in a cozy environment. They have a good peppery olive oil and fresh bread for starters. My gnocci was perfectly cooked and sauced. The pappardelle pasta had good bite and a rich, eggy flavor.
(4)Danielle R.
The fantastic: The gnocchi is out of this world! It is so perfectly made. I cannot wait to try more! The Not-so-Great ... but hoping its because they are brand new: The service. Our server didn't seem to understand English very well and it took a while to get our food. All we ordered was two pastas so it should have been very quick. And no alcohol license yet but this is coming very soon! The Bad: The bread was awful and stale. I expect Italian restaurants (especially when they also own a pizza place) to have delicious and fresh bread. I'm hoping that the service is due to their being brand new and they will work through this quickly and I cannot wait to try more of the homemade pasta!
(4)Milee T.
This is the best place for Italian food! I highly recommend it! The tiramisu is the best!
(5)Heather S.
We really like Pacci's Pizza and wanted to try the new restaurant. I understand it's only been open a couple of weeks so I'm hoping things get better, because I think it has the potential to be a really great little place. I'll break down the good and the bad: Good -Quaint cozy home feeling place -Gnocchi - really yummy, tender, amazingly good sauce. -Arancini - came out quickly (nice when you have a little one with you) and hot - the dipping sauce was really good. The filling was kind of bleh, there is a little meat and peas in there, but they didn't really stand out, sort of mushed in with the rest of it - but still yummy. - The food is fresh, the pasta is fresh, the sauces are light. It's better than any chain italian place. Bad -The wait staff does not have their act together. I'm not even sure who our waiter was - it seemed that we just had to flag down anyone passing by. At the table was my husband, myself and our 2 yr old daughter. They forgot a water for my husband, a plate for my daughter, and a fork for her. We had to ask for all these things more than once. Husbands water showed up after the appetizer with my daughters plate. Basket of bread showed up after the appetizer as well. They never did bring her a fork. -The bread - bland, blah texture -The Carbonara - I might be spoiled, I spent a week last fall in Rome and ate a lot of carbonara - I was hoping for a taste of that. Eh not so much - textures were right, pasta was really good, cooked perfectly, but the pancetta tasted like bacon. -They were most attentive when we had finished eating - they cleared the table quickly so they could seat the next folks. - Parking and signage - you can't see the place if you are coming across the intersection. Even when you drive past, you can't really see the sign from the road.
(3)Stephen B.
THE BLOOM IS OFF THE ROSE!!!! I should have known something was amiss when this past Saturday night my wife and I showed up at 7:30 for dinner and were able to be seated immediately. There used to be a 45 minute wait at that time of night. The restaurant recently had some minor renovations and, frankly, nothing was done to make the restaurant feel warmer or more inviting. A marble bar was built at the entrance where, presumably, people will eventually be able to sit before dinner and have a glass of wine, but that will only make an already cramped restaurant even more cramped. For whatever reason, the restaurant always seems in need of a thorough cleaning. I'm not claiming that the restaurant is dirty, but all the woodwork needs re-finishing, the floors need to be re-done and staring into the side-view of the kitchen where all the servers enter is quite unappealing as all you can see are plates, platters, pot and pans stacked mile-high. The.open front kitchen concept is fine, but the side view takes your appetite away. The restaurant simply lacks atmosphere. The quality of the food has gone dramatically downhill UNLESS you happen to be there on an evening when Spiros, the owner, is manning the kitchen.He is a wonderful chef and, after interacting with him on several occasions while frequenting the restaurant, I guarantee that he would be mortified if he knew that there was such a dramatic falloff between his cooking and that of the other chefs in his absence. Was the food terrible? Of course not. But it is definitely lacking that certain something that made us crave Spiros' dishes in the past. As for the staff, they are some of the nicest and friendliest in the area. Everyone from the servers to the bus people are incredibly cordial and friendly. Please do not give a lesser gratuity if you, like I, feel that the food quality has gone downhill--it is not the staff's fault. One suggestion for the restaurant: you need to add some better wines and more selection to the wine list. Offering one of each varietal is not enough, and the ones being offered are quite pedestrian. Yes, the wine prices are very fair for the very marginal selection, but many people want to drink better than marginal wine.
(2)Holly K.
I would rate Pacci's inconsistent/average - hope it gets better as it matures. Our table was near the open kitchen area - too noisy from both diners and kitchen activity along with heat/grease. Tables in the back seemed much better. No beer/wine yet as noted by other reviewers. Service is not the best. Our main dishes arrived before we were half done with our appetizer. Water glasses filled too often, interrupting the meal... The server could not describe dishes other than pointing to them on the menu and seemed unable to make specific reccomendations. Brushetta Capra appetizer (brushetta with ricotta, grilled peppers and goat cheese) was OK but heavy and a bit on the oily side. Pastas are listed as made in house. Spaghetti with meatballs (homemade) had fresh basil on top. Husband reported the Bucatini alla Carbonara was very good. Limoncello shortcake is listed on the menu as "topped with fresh strawberries" but arrived with one lonely strawberry used for garnish. We will give them a second chance because they are close to where we live.
(2)Emily V.
I'm a patron of the Pacci's in on Georgia Ave and live in the neighborhood of the new Pacci Trattoria, so I was eager for it to open. We went a few days after the opening. It's a cute place in an interesting historic location that feels like a rural area in the city...very different for a Washington restaurant...and suitable for a trattoria. I like to cook so I am perhaps a tough critic, but I think the place has potential and would like to see it become great. As it is, it's worth a try. The Caesar Salad was above average, with that hint of anchovy that makes it authentic tasting, the tomato bruschetta was o.k. with very hard bread that made it difficult to eat. Garlic and better bread would help! The Calamari were nicely fried, but could use a spicier sauce, or even a choice of sauces. I like a garlicky aioli-type sauce, myself. For the rest, I ordered the Eggplant Parmagiana and was unpleasantly surprised that there were bread crumbs on the eggplant that dominated the flavor, and that it needed more cheese. The cherry tomato sauce was yummy and sprightly, but still the dish was only so-so. I use Egglant Parmagiana as on of my standard bearers to a good Italian restaurant, and this one still needs work. Finally, the Lasagna tasted mostly of tomato sauce, the meatballs were not very tender or flavorful. There was also not enough cheese. Other menu items sounded appealing, so I'm sure I'll go back and give it another try.
(3)Ari A.
True Italian corner. Desserts are really good, waiters are kind. Food is really nice tho, price performance ratio is 9/10
(5)Vanessa G.
Pacci's is our go-to restaurant. Their Sunday brunch is one of the best deals in town. For $20 you get unlimited buffet with typical breakfast food but the best part is they also have pizza, spaghetti, shrimp, crab legs, and so much more! It can get loud because of the small space but staff are friendly and quick.
(4)Bruce M.
The one on Seminary Rd. The best spaghetti, ever! The best dessert, ever! The best service, ever! The only server ever to deserve 25%! BWM
(5)Bent B.
Pasta better then most places around, cool setting, awesome deserts. Everything is really fresh and good quality.
(4)David B.
Nice atmosphere, but while the food may be to someone's taste, it wasn't mine. THe pizza was basically a cracker with the toppings awkwardly dumped on top. Not cheap (nor inexpensive), it gave the impression that this was a restaurant too upscale to roll its sleeves up and make a real pizza. Service variable. Parking exceedingly awkward.
(2)Tianna S.
We enjoyed the brunch buffet VERY much at Pacci's in Forest Glen this past Sunday. Freshly prepared omelets, fresh and tasty seafood, fruit, salad, pasta, etc. All the great fixings of a top notch buffet. They can compete with the brunch buffet at Sequoia for sure and at $20, it was a great price. 7/13/14 - Went back for Brunch with the in-laws and it was still fabulous. They were very impressed foodies.
(4)Lillian C.
Continuing on the mediocre pizza / entree trend, their calzone is pretty depressing as well. They put a dab of red sauce on top and shove the inside with really wet ricotta and mozzerrella. A few slices of italian sausage here and here and a rare mushroom. When I order a calzone / stromboli I'm thinking of a glorified inside out pizza, not a giant cheese dumpling. I think I'll quit trying to find that "winning" dish in their entree section and stick to appetizers. I was finally able to try their 13$ app assortment (prosciutto wrapped melon, olives, arugula, artichokes, bruschetta, caprese salad) which was fantastic. The punch with the sambucca is excellent as well. Ps: don't sit outside during the summer. It's next to the dumpsters so unless you like smelling trash while you eat I'd suggest an indoor seat.
(3)Lynn R.
Great place tucked away in a quiet neighborhood area. Expanded seating areas creates a little more space for diners but it has an fairly open kitchen so if you are in the main seating area it will be a bit noisy and busy. If you want a bit quieter and calmer, ask to sit in one of the enclosed porches. Food is very good and reasonably priced.. Good wine selection. I chose a salad and the appetizer meatballs and my friend had salmon. With the fresh bread brought to the table and the portion sizes, we had food to take home. Staff pleasant and attentive. Parking can be a challenge sometime but it is worth the effort!
(5)Kyle R.
I've been going to this small Italian restaurant since I moved into the area a few years ago, starting at their Downtown Silver Spring location and then switching to this location when I moved less than a quarter mile away. My fiance and I dine in or get take out around once a month, and they are firmly intrenched in our "rotation" of usual spots. I'm a big fan of the Classico Calzone (with mozzarella, ricotta, salami), the Diavola Pizza (same as the calzone, but in pizza form), the Tartufo pizza (provola, truffle oil, mushrooms) and the Bucatini Carbonara. The pizzas are even better as take out, so you can crisp up the crust a bit more at home on your pizza stone. The only reasons they don't get five stars is that the service isn't always as good as the food, and they almost always forget special requests on carry out orders (extra marinara on the side, for my fiance... she likes it saucy!) All-in-all, it's a great little neighborhood place.
(4)Frederick W.
My wife and went to dinner here a couple of weeks ago. We had the Caprese DOP salad (sliced mozzarella with tomato slices), fried calamari, and either the Diavola or the Padrino pizza (we can't remember now). I had the Tiramisu for desert. The parking situation is fine, seemed to be plenty. We were seated quickly (it was New Year's Eve, so maybe less busy than usual), and had quick, attentive service the entire evening; we'd call it very good. The calamari was tasty, but possibly a little dry. The Caprese salad was good, though the tomato could have had a bit more taste. The pizza was somewhere between good and very good; the crust was good, as w're the sauce and other toppings. The tiramisu had an interesting presentation and was topped with sliced strawberries; it was good, tasty, but could have been a bit more moist. All in all, we were glad we went, we'll go again, and would recommend it to others.
(4)Lenore G.
We called ahead to see if we could just order from a menu rather than get the full all-you-can-eat buffet on Sunday. The person we talked to had a hard time understanding this concept, but then agreed we could get just salads. At least that's what I thought. When we arrived, our waiter said we couldn't order from the menu. He shrugged his shoulders. Nothing I can do. You can talk to the chef, he said. No apologies. Not my problem. We talked to the chef. Maybe you called the other restaurant. In other words, couldn't be their fault. Meanwhile, I identified the young woman I had talked to on the phone. She said nothing but finally acknowledged I had spoken with her. Still no apology or consideration. My first online review. As much as I have enjoyed the food here in the past, I will not return. Service is important.
(2)Tom B.
This is small Italian eatery. The staff is excellent. The food is incredible. I would look at the specialty pizzas. The owner assisted me and took me back in show me how he they make their ice coffee.
(4)Stephen B.
On our two visits my wife and I have enjoyed the gnocchi, lasagna, tagliatelle and the stratataille (something like that, basically a house made spaghetti like pasta but thicker) The quality and freshness of the food is felt in the flavor of all the dishes. The goat cheese laced in with the ricotta in the lasagna is a suttle twist that enhances what would normally be considered "boring" or "run of the mill" The gnocchi was very solid with lots of fresh basil and sautéed cherry tomatoes bursting in nearly every bite. The tagliatelle with sausage in a mushroom cream sauce was also solid. The only house made dessert is the tiramisu which was very well done. The staff is willing, helpful and friendly. (Be patient, it's harder to run a slower restaurant with a small staff then it is to run a big busy dinning room) All in all, Pacci's serves very good Italian food(which is hard to find in this area) it won't blow you away, but it will fulfill the need for pasta at a reasonable price in a warm inviting environment.
(4)Shira S.
I went here the other night with a friend for dinner. We were both looking forward to a girls night out and that is exactly what we got. My liver was still hurting from vacation so I skipped having wine or a drink. My friend enjoyed the Neroli cocktail and it was delicious- truly the perfect summer drink. Since Yelp has made it so easy to enjoy the mussels and the bruschetta capri, we started off with that. The bread was perfectly toasted on the bruschetta and the mussels were outstanding. I would definitely come back just for those mussels. We each ordered a pasta dish (buccatini for her and gnocchi for me). I was a little disappointed that they don't make all of their pastas, but we both enjoyed our dishes. Even though they don't make their gnocchi, they were light, delicious, and had a ton of fresh mozzarella (yum!). The setting is adorable and I love that you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere even though we were just outside of DC. I definitely look forward to returning in the future.
(4)Ray R.
Had been really excited about trying out Pacci's since moving to the Forest Glen/Silver Spring area, so the wife and I finally checked it out on Saturday, 2/8. All in all Pacci's is a great spot and I look forward to taking friends and family back, especially to try out the Sunday brunch buffet. The chicken marsala is one of the best I've had, and the cozy atmosphere of a once neighborhood post office will definitely bring us back. A couple issues though: 1) Probably the biggest issue of all is the service. There were a number of servers floating around, chatting, and they all were cordial, but after being a waiter in high school and going to thousands of restaurants, you expect a certain level of attention. Bread was brought to the table, but after waiting for the server to return with the olive oil, I finally went and picked up a bottle off of a table that was still waiting to be bused. Additionally, our water glasses were never refilled--I had to drink my pregnant wife's water, after realizing that the cup was likely never going to be refilled. 2) Our food was excellent. Want to reiterate, the mains were excellent and we really enjoyed it. We did get an appetizer of Polpette (meatballs). The red sauce was delicious, but the meatballs clearly tasted like something you would buy from Aramark or the Murray's frozen meatballs you can buy at the grocery store--probably the case. They likely don't want to spend time rolling homemade meatballs, but that's definitely something to avoid. Will definitely be back for the Sunday brunch. Hopefully, the servers will be a bit more attentive the next time we stop by.
(3)Columbia S.
Ok I live In the Apartments at National Park Seminary which is an Historical Building and it is in walking distance to Pacci's . I love this place and yes at first I had a little problem with the Chicken Marsala in which the chicken was not cooked thoroughly, but they corrected that, but the desert was to die for. I have been back twice and the service is good and the waiters and waitresses are very pleasant. It is a nice, but quaint place. I've only eaten inside, but I've notice from some of the post it's nice outside. I hope the Brunch is Great I would definitely like to try it.
(4)Roxsana S.
We don't live to far from Pacci's and always wanted to try it out. The food was good and is a very casual Italian dinning. I had the bruschetta napoletana as an appetizer and chicken Marsala as my entree. The garlic sauce on the spaghetti was good.
(3)Roy S.
I really liked this place, the decor was really nice. Had the pesto chicken and the fromagia sandwich. Both were excellent and came out quickly. The servers were friendly and for lunch the prices were excellent. I will be back...
(4)MaJ C.
This is never a fault of the establishment, Yet parking her is miserable. Once you get up to the door, and open it inside, there is really no waiting room, and no one asks you if you want to get put on a list, you have to actually grab someone. Small, artistically challenged decor of a spot ( blank walls ) Rather boring, actually. A basket of bread laid on the table, without any oil, that was a bit odd, as well as the parm/oregano shaker on the table. Am I in a pizza hut, or a Trattoria? The service started well, yet the poor thing got weeded quick. Food was bland, and not many veg/fish items to pick from. I could see this place being great for the neighborhood, yet not for anyone who has to drive here. Would I go back? Only if my friends said they'd pay :)
(2)Wm H.
Excellent! If you are expecting a run of the mill Italian eatery, this is not it! It is a very good, the food is great. If you are coming for ambiance and decor, don't bother, but if you want good food, yep for sure this is the place. From the first course to the good STRONG European coffee and tasty after dinner treats! They make their own pasta here, you have never had such good pasta. Try out the meatballs as well, yum! Looking forward to going back for lunch and for dinner.
(4)Dona G.
I REALLY wanted to like this place, because I do love Pacci's Pizza, which is also in Silver Spring. It's hard to find a good Italian restaurant in the area, but since I love Pacci's Pizza, I figured this place was a sure hit. Unfortunately, it wasn't. First of all, the decor needs some work. We sat in a little alcove behind the women's bathroom, and the over-head light was sooooo bright! We felt like we were being interrogated, or something. They really need a dimmer on that light, or a lower wattage bulb. It sounds silly, but it really made our meal uncomfortable. The whole place needs a bit of a "freshen up" in terms of decor. There was also a strong odor of cleaning chemicals. I think the dish-washing area is downstairs, and the smell was wafting up to us. I really don't want to eat while smelling that. But, most importantly, the food...my pasta and my husband's gnocchi were undercooked. Believe me, I understand the concept of "al dente", but this was just plain undercooked. I'm willing to try them one more time, when the weather is nice, because they do have outdoor seating, which we enjoy. We went when it was too cold to sit outside. So, you've got one more chance, Pacci's...
(2)Lynn V.
We had dinner, and the homemade pasta was great! It really makes a difference. Bread was fresh and warm, saw that we were not the only ones that asked for a second basket. Service was good, but not fabulous, felt uneven. Around a little too much at the beginning and not enough towards the end of meal....but it's still a great place, and very friendly. Got two desserts to share, which was a mistake as they were huge portions. The limoncello strawberry shortcake was delicious!
(4)Stephan S.
Let me start by saying that I am a very big fan of Pacci's Pizza. I believe they have one of the best pizzeria's in all of DC. Unfortunately the love didn't carry over to the Trattoria. Maybe they're still working out the bugs of opening a new place but the food was just not that great. Perhaps a few things that they could fix: I had a fair idea of where the restaurant was located but there was no signage telling us that we had found the right place when we got there. Beer, wine, and coffee were missing from the experience. This needs to be fixed pronto. The bussers were far too zealous with water glasses and empty plates. The bread in the bread baskets should be fresh. For food we ordered the Pacci's salad with arugula, red onions and pecans. This salad was good but it was loaded with way too many red onions and dare I say not enough dressing. My wife ordered the gnocchi which was very light and tender but contained too much raw garlic in the sauce. I ordered the fried veal cutlet. It was not tender. It was barely seasoned and was a bit overcooked. We did rather enjoy the lemoncello shortcake for dessert. Very nice tart lemon curd with vanilla frosting and perfect white cake. The restaurant has good potential and I wish them all the best. I think they will need to improve on a few things if they want to duplicate the success of the pizzeria.
(2)Corinne D.
Great outdoor seating in a wooded setting. Nice neighborhood place!
(4)Molly C.
Went here last sat night , for light dinner . Had trouble finding a parking space , asked to sit outside , since a lovely evening . Waiter / service very poor . Food was mediocre , salad was very small , calamari was also small , not enough for 2 for price . Waiter , forgot our wine , we had to ask . Also for condiments , ended up getting them from nearby table . Not sure we'd go again
(2)Ravi K.
My wife and I ate here opening weekend (of Hurricane Irene...). The place had just a few tables full and I could tell that they had just opened and some people were still in training. We didn't know that the restaurant was not allowed to serve wine just yet (end of October)...and we didn't think twice after digging into our meal. Here's what we shared: Appetizer: Arancini di Roso - delicious...and I didn't feel like I was eating something greasy and fried La Pasta: Pappardelle alla Boscaiola - a perfect combination of al dente pasta (made in the kitchen 15 feet away). It has a perfect combination of italian sausage and mushrooms. Its a very warm dish and it didn't feel heavy Secondi: Scaloppina al Limone - succulent, soft, breaded veal with the right mix of cherry tomatoes and rosemary to balance the salt and sweet. If you're familiar with the Pacci Pizzeria, then you probably know that the owner (Spiro Gioldasis) partnered with a truly authentic chef from Naples Italy (Rosario Granieri) to create an authentic Italian dining experience. Locals know that there is no compromise on fresh, quality ingredients and doing it "right". I proudly say that Pacci's Trattoria and Pasticceria is a continuation of an honest restaurant that is back to the basics of quality dining. The executing chef (Antonio Ciotola) knows exactly what he's doing and our first meal with him was memorably delicious. Honestly - everything was delicious. For the price...I would say this is actually on par and you know your'e getting an authentic meal. It wasn't "expensive" considering the quantity and quality of what we ate. The place is beautiful. If you ever saw pictures of the old restaurant, you wouldn't recognize it now. Everything is warm, colorful, and very open. You can see the staff cooking in the open kitchen, which is a great feature and is just fun to watch. The seating is done well enough that it would be comfortable if the place was full or empty and/or if you're with a family or a date. We had such a great dinner. We even had the lemon cake, which was another hit. I highly recommend. Honestly, I felt like I didn't eat at a "restaurant" as odd as that sounds. I felt like we ate at a family's home that welcomed us in. The food was fantastic and I think they are really good about hiring warm people to complement the atmosphere. We saw Antonio making dinner for the workers that night and it was really nice to see the way everyone that works there gets fed really good food too...and they were enjoying it as much as we were enjoying it. I think it speaks a lot for a family owned restaurant. I can't wait to go back. Its a great place and a gem to downtown Silver Spring.
(5)Brit B.
Hidden gem. The atmosphere is perfect. The food is tasty. The wait staff is spotty, but not enough to taint my opinion of the place. Try the ravioli! Yum! My one negative--parking.
(4)S C.
So waitress horribly trained. Read that before But the food, terrible! Ravioli was stuffed with fresh mozzarella, but was 2-3 days old and I could smell the sour as It was delivered. Two bites and that was it. Caesar, dressing was thin and had no zing to it. If it was homemade it needed more garlic and Dijon. Rice Balls- uck! Overcooked risotto rolled beyond death. You couldn't even recognize the rice grains (try filomenas!). The meatballs were good. But overpriced for 5 gumball sized bites. The quality of the meatballs got them the 2nd star. The worst: We got this pasta that was a papperdelle. BONE DRY, and undercooked. Yes it was fresh, but unedible. Will make a sauce at home and reheat pasta in. Cant be worse. Server understood nothing we ordered or said. Asked for our food to be boxed up..... to go..... take home..... (still a blank stare) "you want another one?" need I say more? boo....
(2)Kim R.
Came here twice, once with the kids, once for a lunch with a friend. They have been very clear that they welcome kids and I loved the kids menu, as did both girls. I had pollo Milanese which was very good. There were definitely some growing pains - pastry chef didn't have any of the dessert I ordered, no coffee or tea (they do have both now), but our waiter was gracious throughout. Liquor license isn't clear yet, but that will be nice. At lunch I had the also good carbonara. Meatballs in someone else's plate needed more seasoning. Only complaints is that the lunch menu didn't have lunch prices or specials. We will definitely go back - and hopefully all the kinks are getting ironed out each day. -Update: have gone back several times and the growing pains were indeed ironed out (plently of coffee, wine and dessert to be had), the dishes all seem slightly improved, carbonara, for instance is creamier and there are lunch specials now!
(4)Kathy S.
This review is for the take-out pizza. It was soggy and undercooked. Take-out pizza from Pacci's in Silver Spring far superior - 4 stars.
(2)Blsc R.
I would say 3.75, would have been 5 but recent service dropped my opinion. We have been here easily a dozen times in the past 6 months. It's been our favorite. The food is good. The pizza and calzone additions are great and mirror the other location. I recommend the Marsala which is my favorite meal these days and limoncello cake. If they have eggplant parm as the special, also good too. The location has some parking issues but never had to wait for a table and the porch is great. If you have little kids, you occasionally see a train roll by and the kids like that. However, it seems they recently had some server turnover and this new batch just does not cut it. Slow and inattentive. Frustrating as the food is worth the wait. Really hope these new folks are as irresponsible in life as they are with serving and pull some no shows and get canned. Downtown SS is also great and fantastic patio, but a little wait each time there
(4)Aaron G.
After many happy lunches and dinners at the pizzeria in Silver Spring, I stopped by the trattoria during their first week to take it for a spin. First impressions: Like the pizzeria the restaurant makes good use of a narrow space. The dining room is open and bright, dominated by an open kitchen on one side, nicely decorated if not a bit sterile. Service was friendly but slightly awkward, not surprising given the soft opening status. Ordered the Scialatelli with homemade sausage, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Food was very fresh, hot, tasty and hearty Italian comfort food. Pasta was perfect al dente Can't wait to explore more of the menu. Bottom line: very good food and lots of potential, especially once they get their liquor license and can roll out the beer/wine list, which the waiter said would be just a few weeks away. Will post another review after the next visit.
(4)Daphne W.
I drive by Pacci's several times a week, but hesitated to go in because of the mediocre reviews on this site. I finally went in today, though, and was quite pleased. I had one of the lunch specials -- pasta with chicken and pesto -- and it was delicious. The bread and oil was good, too. The Pacci salad had great ingredients, but it was drenched in a vinaigrette sauce that was too sweet -- and this from someone who LOVES sweet. It was just too much! I told the waitress about this, and she immediately said she'd tell the chef. I asked her why the restaurant seemed overall so much better than the Yelp reviews, and she said that the reviews came earlier on, when the restaurant was still having 'growing pains' and the cooks were still uncomfortable with the menu. Other than the salad dressing, I loved this place: sunny and bright and friendly. Good, honest food. I'll be back
(4)Tim M.
This is a real step up from the prior 'Country Store' in the same location. The food is quite good and reasonable. It's usually not too crowded and so it's quiet enough to talk. I've lunch their a couple of times and the panini is good. I think the pasta is fine, not exceptional, but the service is pleasant and fast. You can do much worse in this area.
(3)Milee T.
This is the best place for Italian food! I highly recommend it! The tiramisu is the best!
(5)Laura B.
I went to Pacci's Trattoria last Friday for lunch with a friend. The whole experience was lovely from start to finish. The restaurant is charming, airy and fresh. My friend ordered the chicken and penne dish, which was delicious and plentiful. I ordered the spaghetti with chicken and pesto, which was also excellent, although a little more chicken a few more pine nuts would have made it sheer perfection. The pesto sauce was fresh and bright, without being oily. The spaghetti was perfectly cooked. Our server brought us some delicious fresh bread and olive oil, to enjoy with our glasses of Pinot Grigio. The wine was wonderful, too---cold and crisp. It was the perfect accompaniment to our pasta dishes. If you are skeptical about trying this restaurant, drop in for lunch. The lunch menu offers several pasta options for $9 each and large, delicious looking sandwiches for $7. You will enjoy yourself immensely and you'll want to go back again and again. Our server was friendly and attentive, without being intrusive. We sat there dining and chatting for hours and never felt rushed. This is a lovely little restaurant and definitely worth visiting. They offer a full menu at lunch as well, but the lunch menu was just right. Give these guys a chance. You'll be glad you did. I am a huge fan of Pacci's Pizzeria and this little restaurant did not disappoint either. I can't wait to go back with my husband.
(4)E. P.
I wanted so badly to like Pacci's Trattoria, because the location and the interior are so charming, and the region desperately needs a cute spot with stellar food. I was disappointed to be so disappointed! We waited 40 minutes for 1 house salad. We had to ask for it twice. It finally arrived, with my husband's entree. My entree (the gnocchi) was missing in action, arriving 25 minutes later, after my husband finished his dinner. The reasons for it all just felt like excuses. The house salad was autumnal and filling-- maybe over-dressed (which is the opposite of other reviews here, in which there wasn't enough dressing -- so it sounds like consistency is needed). The chicken marsala deserved a sauce made with a more robust white wine, as the flavor was just a smidge above imperceivable. As it arrived with nothing else but chicken and mushrooms, we ordered a side of spaghetti, which was thick and bland. My gnocchi was fresh yet flavorless and had the density of wads of gum chewed for an hour -- glutenous and solid like the weights you put on the end of fishing lines. It definitely had too much flour and/or was kneaded too long -- and when I brought this up to the server serving as manager that evening, she hesitantly offered that perhaps it was just al dente. It clearly wasn't prepared with the careful attention gnocchi warrants, and I also suspect the kitchen rushed to finish it since my meal was forgotten. The sauce it came in, however, was lovely enough to eat on it's own. Thank goodness for it. Given how our rather simple order on a non-busy night got screwed up, I certainly expected to see at least the gnocchi comped. Nope. We were charged in full. The server/manager offered us dessert after we had paid the bill and were ready to leave -- a little too little too late. I'll wait until I see consistently better reviews on Yelp before I return, if I do.
(2)Jason L.
We went during the soft opening when they were still working out the logistics so I can't speak for the service yet, but the staff was very friendly. I had spaghetti and lasagna. The food here was all fresh--the sundried cherry tomato sauce had a very rich taste. They were generous with the meat on the lasagna which I liked. The spaghetti pasta was cooked to a perfect Al Dente! The grated parmesan cheese was served on a small bowl and had the authentic taste you don't get from the grocery store kind. The cheese and basil worked to complement the tomato sauce very well. The atmosphere made for a cute cottage style dining experience. Giving it 5 stars based on the freshness of the ingredients, taste, and atmosphere. Can't wait to come back again and try some of the other dishes!
(5)Heidi R.
After visiting (and enjoying) Pacci's Pizza in downtown Silver Spring, I decided to give their pasta location a chance when the craving for good pasta struck. The location has a lot of charm, and the service was friendly, if a little lacking in refinement. Unfortunately the food just didn't live up to my expectations. My husband and I ordered the Pacci Salad, Arancini, Ravioli Bolognese, and Pasta Rosario. The pasta was unfortunately a bit clunky, and their Bolognese sauce, while tasty, was not quite there. There were large chunks of halved grape tomatoes hanging out in a sauce that basically tasted like sauteed ground beef in tomato puree. It didn't have any of the depth of flavor that one expects from a traditional bolognese, which is based on onion, celery, and carrot, with only a small amount of tomato. The Rosario pasta (sausage, mushrooms, sun-dried tomato, fresh mozzarella, truffle oil) was incredibly rich - so rich that my husband, a bottomless pit of a man, couldn't even eat half of it. The ingredients didn't really come together in this dish either; the sausage was a bit flabby and the fresh mozzarella had all melted into large globs. For the prices charged here, I'll stick to making my own pasta when the urge hits. And I'll definitely be back to Pacci's Pizza location!
(2)Lina N.
Pacci's is a welcome addition to the Silver Spring area. I think a lot of restauranters can learn from Pacci's in terms of creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The atmosphereis very quaint and feels like a family-run restaurant. The little nooks and crannies with hidden tables is romantic, although I think the restaurant could up the romance factor while keeping it kid-friendly and trattoria-style by slightly dimming the lights in the evening and adding candles on the tables. They might already have the candles, but I may have not noticed because the lights were pretty bright in there. The chairs were nice and comfy and everything looked very clean and new. I was expecting the open kitchen to be louder than it was, but I didn't notice at all that people were working back there until our food came out. The outside back patio seems like a great use of space as well. As for the food, we shared the rice balls (with fresh tomato sauce), pasta pappardelle and the veal. Pasta was perfect - cooked al denta and perfectly flavored - would not change a thing and have been craving it since that day. The rice balls were also fried perfectly crispy without being too greasy, but I would have preferred the cheese and rice to be more mixed together, instead of biting into first the rice, then the cheese in the middle. Veal was good, although it was my first time having veal so I can't provide an educated review. It was breaded and fried, but again, not greasy which I appreciated. My one complaint is that it wasn't obvious to me from the facebook page that they didn't yet have their liquor license. Not a big deal, but I do like sipping a little wine with my dinner. No problems with the service - Mark (from Pacci's pizza) was our server and he was sweet as always.
(4)Megan A.
Walking in, just the amazing smell had me excited. Excellent Italian food in a cozy environment. They have a good peppery olive oil and fresh bread for starters. My gnocci was perfectly cooked and sauced. The pappardelle pasta had good bite and a rich, eggy flavor.
(4)Gerri B.
Oy. So disappointing. My Campagnola salad (a favorite from Pacci's pizzeria) was satisfying, if overdressed. But my spaghetti with clams was a DISASTER. The clams were flavorless, and the sauce tasted like they opened a can of Chef Boyardee and threw in some grape tomatoes. (It conjured up childhood memories of Spaghetti-Os. Yuck.) It was described on the menu as a white wine and cherry tomato sauce, and classically should have had some garlic in it, but it had no hint of wine, garlic, or any other seasoning. It was awful. And a good tomato sauce is not that difficult to make. Not sure I'll give it another chance -- that was so egregiously bad.
(1)Danielle R.
The fantastic: The gnocchi is out of this world! It is so perfectly made. I cannot wait to try more! The Not-so-Great ... but hoping its because they are brand new: The service. Our server didn't seem to understand English very well and it took a while to get our food. All we ordered was two pastas so it should have been very quick. And no alcohol license yet but this is coming very soon! The Bad: The bread was awful and stale. I expect Italian restaurants (especially when they also own a pizza place) to have delicious and fresh bread. I'm hoping that the service is due to their being brand new and they will work through this quickly and I cannot wait to try more of the homemade pasta!
(4)Heather S.
We really like Pacci's Pizza and wanted to try the new restaurant. I understand it's only been open a couple of weeks so I'm hoping things get better, because I think it has the potential to be a really great little place. I'll break down the good and the bad: Good -Quaint cozy home feeling place -Gnocchi - really yummy, tender, amazingly good sauce. -Arancini - came out quickly (nice when you have a little one with you) and hot - the dipping sauce was really good. The filling was kind of bleh, there is a little meat and peas in there, but they didn't really stand out, sort of mushed in with the rest of it - but still yummy. - The food is fresh, the pasta is fresh, the sauces are light. It's better than any chain italian place. Bad -The wait staff does not have their act together. I'm not even sure who our waiter was - it seemed that we just had to flag down anyone passing by. At the table was my husband, myself and our 2 yr old daughter. They forgot a water for my husband, a plate for my daughter, and a fork for her. We had to ask for all these things more than once. Husbands water showed up after the appetizer with my daughters plate. Basket of bread showed up after the appetizer as well. They never did bring her a fork. -The bread - bland, blah texture -The Carbonara - I might be spoiled, I spent a week last fall in Rome and ate a lot of carbonara - I was hoping for a taste of that. Eh not so much - textures were right, pasta was really good, cooked perfectly, but the pancetta tasted like bacon. -They were most attentive when we had finished eating - they cleared the table quickly so they could seat the next folks. - Parking and signage - you can't see the place if you are coming across the intersection. Even when you drive past, you can't really see the sign from the road.
(3)Emily V.
I'm a patron of the Pacci's in on Georgia Ave and live in the neighborhood of the new Pacci Trattoria, so I was eager for it to open. We went a few days after the opening. It's a cute place in an interesting historic location that feels like a rural area in the city...very different for a Washington restaurant...and suitable for a trattoria. I like to cook so I am perhaps a tough critic, but I think the place has potential and would like to see it become great. As it is, it's worth a try. The Caesar Salad was above average, with that hint of anchovy that makes it authentic tasting, the tomato bruschetta was o.k. with very hard bread that made it difficult to eat. Garlic and better bread would help! The Calamari were nicely fried, but could use a spicier sauce, or even a choice of sauces. I like a garlicky aioli-type sauce, myself. For the rest, I ordered the Eggplant Parmagiana and was unpleasantly surprised that there were bread crumbs on the eggplant that dominated the flavor, and that it needed more cheese. The cherry tomato sauce was yummy and sprightly, but still the dish was only so-so. I use Egglant Parmagiana as on of my standard bearers to a good Italian restaurant, and this one still needs work. Finally, the Lasagna tasted mostly of tomato sauce, the meatballs were not very tender or flavorful. There was also not enough cheese. Other menu items sounded appealing, so I'm sure I'll go back and give it another try.
(3)Stephen B.
THE BLOOM IS OFF THE ROSE!!!! I should have known something was amiss when this past Saturday night my wife and I showed up at 7:30 for dinner and were able to be seated immediately. There used to be a 45 minute wait at that time of night. The restaurant recently had some minor renovations and, frankly, nothing was done to make the restaurant feel warmer or more inviting. A marble bar was built at the entrance where, presumably, people will eventually be able to sit before dinner and have a glass of wine, but that will only make an already cramped restaurant even more cramped. For whatever reason, the restaurant always seems in need of a thorough cleaning. I'm not claiming that the restaurant is dirty, but all the woodwork needs re-finishing, the floors need to be re-done and staring into the side-view of the kitchen where all the servers enter is quite unappealing as all you can see are plates, platters, pot and pans stacked mile-high. The.open front kitchen concept is fine, but the side view takes your appetite away. The restaurant simply lacks atmosphere. The quality of the food has gone dramatically downhill UNLESS you happen to be there on an evening when Spiros, the owner, is manning the kitchen.He is a wonderful chef and, after interacting with him on several occasions while frequenting the restaurant, I guarantee that he would be mortified if he knew that there was such a dramatic falloff between his cooking and that of the other chefs in his absence. Was the food terrible? Of course not. But it is definitely lacking that certain something that made us crave Spiros' dishes in the past. As for the staff, they are some of the nicest and friendliest in the area. Everyone from the servers to the bus people are incredibly cordial and friendly. Please do not give a lesser gratuity if you, like I, feel that the food quality has gone downhill--it is not the staff's fault. One suggestion for the restaurant: you need to add some better wines and more selection to the wine list. Offering one of each varietal is not enough, and the ones being offered are quite pedestrian. Yes, the wine prices are very fair for the very marginal selection, but many people want to drink better than marginal wine.
(2)Holly K.
I would rate Pacci's inconsistent/average - hope it gets better as it matures. Our table was near the open kitchen area - too noisy from both diners and kitchen activity along with heat/grease. Tables in the back seemed much better. No beer/wine yet as noted by other reviewers. Service is not the best. Our main dishes arrived before we were half done with our appetizer. Water glasses filled too often, interrupting the meal... The server could not describe dishes other than pointing to them on the menu and seemed unable to make specific reccomendations. Brushetta Capra appetizer (brushetta with ricotta, grilled peppers and goat cheese) was OK but heavy and a bit on the oily side. Pastas are listed as made in house. Spaghetti with meatballs (homemade) had fresh basil on top. Husband reported the Bucatini alla Carbonara was very good. Limoncello shortcake is listed on the menu as "topped with fresh strawberries" but arrived with one lonely strawberry used for garnish. We will give them a second chance because they are close to where we live.
(2)Michelle A.
Got take out from here at lunchtime today- two pizzas split between three people. The feedback was mixed- my sister has had this pizza before and really likes it. She esp likes the sausage and broccoli rabe pizza, but she had a few pieces of the eggplant pizza too. My mother didn't like either pizza- she said the crust was bland and the pizza itself didn't have enough flavor either. I liked the eggplant pizza the best of the two... the sausage pizza had thin overcooked slices of sausage instead of loose sausage, and I'm not sure the sausage was actually traditional italian sausage... it tasted like some sort of chicken sausage based on the consistency... overall, I don't know that I'd go back to this place, but if I did, I'd get a regular margarita pizza to see if that's any better...
(3)Glenn J.
I give Paccis 3.7 stars. I usually order the Pacci salad and arugula and proscutto pizza. Very good. Not quite 4 stars but very good. I give these guys 4 stars after having their brunch .yummy, many great items to choose from. Dinner, hmmm.
(4)Val A.
Parking is a challenge but the place serves great Italian food. I had the calzone, it was fresh and delicious though I have had better (but a bit higher cost). The bread is made fresh, the staff was friendly and it was an ok experience for a lunch hour. I would come back for their Sunday buffet since lots have raved about it.
(4)Ella G.
Just like their downtown Silver Spring location, Pacci's Trattoria didn't disappoint. Great food and reasonably priced. We will definitely come back!
(5)Natalie F.
I like this place; it has a lot of character. The building is very unique and not your run of the mill place in a strip mall. The menu is good. Attentive and friendly service. Food is well presented. I definitely plan to go back to try the other menu items. There is plenty of parking too.
(5)Michael B.
Great small italian restaurant in an out of the way location. Very good food! I would recommend it to anyone!
(5)Ros A.
Been here several times, but this review is for the new BRUNCH buffet, which is excellent. All the food options were fresh and very tasty, from the salads to the pastas, to the smoked salmon and meats and the pastries and breads and fruit salads. My carnivore husband was happy with all the meat options, which included prime rib and fresh baked ham, and I liked that there were lovely salads, cooked veggies, tasty pastas and melt in the mouth eggs benedict... I tried pretty much everything though couldn't find any room for the omelette station or french bread, so will have to try those next time:) And, all for $20, it's an amazing deal and the staff are really nice.
(5)Anita W.
Went to Pacci's Trattoria in Silver Spring for the first time last night. I was enticed there by the promise of homemade pasta, but at least half of the pasta dishes on the menu were spaghetti! I got something that turned out to be a thick, chewy, fettuccini-like noodle with sausage, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatos, but the dish was bland and flavorless, and the price high for the portion ($18, I think, and salad is extra). The kid's spaghetti was $9 a serving, but at least the staff was welcoming of children, unlike Sergio's. Pricing was closer to Olazzo's, but without the generous portions, included salad, and lower kids prices. My husband liked his raviolli, but felt the portion was too small, as well. I'm sorry to say it, but Sergio's still is the winner in the local (Silver Spring) pasta joints for value and quality in my opinion, and Olazzo is still my 2nd-best, even though their pasta is not home-made. The ambiance at Pacci's Trattoria is nice, though - a converted older house a mile or so from the Forrest Glen Metro, tucked into an older neighborhood. Lots of natural light, though the walls are still bare. Nice for a date-night, if you don't mind overspending. Pacci's Pizzeria is still the #1 pizza place around here in my opinion.
(3)Linda J.
Love the food - fresh, light, innovative. The location is good because there's not much else around there. The building is old and needs some work on a/c and heat. The front door needs to be weighted to close automatically. But the lasagna is true comfort food. The chicken marsala is light and tasty. The limoncello (desert) is a favorite with everyone we take there.
(4)Kim K.
So beyond mediocre. There were 4 of us who had 4 separate pasta dishes. They were all so under-sauced and the pasta was over-cooked. For example, my gnocchi was rubbery with cheese melted over it. There was a teenage kid cooking the food alone in the kitchen. It is too bad because we chose here to celebrate a special occasion and out of town guests after enjoying this place several times in the past.
(2)Raj G.
Silver Spring, MD. Very good pasta dishes. Good service. A bit noisy if busy. Friendly service. Have been here twice.
(5)Brett M.
My girlfriend and I walked in only to have the people that walked in behind us led to a table first. We were seated by a hostess who never said a word and looked like she was angry to have to deal with us. Once seated there were three tables that arrived after us that were served apps and drinks before we even got our water. Our waiter was MIA and only saw him when we gave him our order (decided to order everything at once so we wouldn't need to sleep there) the rest of the time we waived down two other waiters to help us and get the check. We considered leaving cash for the drinks and walking out if we weren't so hungry but will not be returning.
(1)Gertrude G.
I was inclined to try this place because I LOVE the pizzeria in downtown SS. Pros: -Warm, fresh bread which kept coming as we emptied baskets. -Nice atmosphere. Maybe they have worked on the lighting given some of the other reviews. It's distinct but complimentary with the other Pacci's. -My gnocchi was cooked well and the tomato sauce was fantastic. Cons: -CHEESE. You ask, how can cheese be under "cons"? I wondered the same thing! My gnocchi was *covered* in cheese. Someone else picked around their cheese a bit, and the whole bottom of their plate was covered in it. People were twirling their cheese around their forks like it was pasta. Someone else couldn't finish his calzone because of the excessive amount of ricotta cheese, and I had to agree with him. And believe me, I am a big lover of cheese. -It's been said, but parking is a mess. Overall, I'll probably stick with the pizzeria, but I'd be willing to go here again and try something else.
(4)Mark V.
Not sure what happened with Brett M., but we have been there a number of times. Not only has the service been spot on, but they have gone out of there way to be helpful. And as for Gertrude G., I can understand if the cheese was too much (never had that problem myself or people I have eaten with, and I limit my cheese intake), you should have sent it back if it wasn't to your liking. They would have given you no trouble. Great food, great service, and the off-list wines are quite good, and priced more than fairly. You just have to know to ask. (and no, I am not related to - and never worked for Pacci's)
(4)Ditch G.
Pacci's is a great Italian bistro in Kensington, MD near Forest Glen. Favorites on the menu include the Lasagna made with a bright fresh marinara; the salmon with sauteed spinach; and the ravioli. The lemoncello cake is the standout on the dessert menu. The wine list is "meh" but blame Mont. Co.'s inane liquor laws.
(4)Kristina M.
Pacci's trattoria is located in small cozy house in an out of the way location. You sit down to a basket of warm, surprisingly delicious white bread and a plate of very good olive oil, a great start to the meal. Knowing that Pacci's makes it's own pasta, that was exactly where I was headed. I ordered the buccatini alla carbonara and my partners in crime ordered the veal scallopini and the papparadelle. Both pastas were simple and satisfying. The carbonara was authentic with the creaminess being derived solely from the delicious combination of eggs and cheese with a very generous amount of pancetta. The papparadelle was topped with spicy sausage. The veal was cooked well with the perfect amount of capers and very, very good potatoes on the side. Alas, we were too stuffed for dessert. I enjoyed pacci's and would love a return visit.
(4)Riley L.
Best Sunday brunch in town! They've got a great selection of entrees and desserts. Their pizza and gnocchi are excellent. There's something for everyone here! The staff were very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is casual and light-spirited. If you're planning on taking a group of four or more people for Sunday brunch, I suggest getting there before noon, when it fills up with a lot of people coming from church. The brunch buffet offers a wide selection of foods, which they keep well-stocked, and it's always easy to find a plate full of good things to eat!
(5)Omid A.
Best pizza in town. Perfect crust good toppings and fast to go service. I called my order in and it was ready to go by the time I was there 10 minutes later. They were ready to hand off the pizza to me 10 seconds after I walked in. I haven't tried the other goodies at this location but if it's anything like their downtown location, I'm sure it'll be great.
(5)Matt W.
Nice ambiance. Clean and smelled wonderful walking in. Then we sat down. Couldn't understand the server. He had broken English and spoke very soft and fast. He made us feel rushed. Annoyed. He tells us the specials. Ooh, fish. Cool, I'm on Weight Watchers for Fat Fucks, so I go with it. $30! Special? For dried up fish! Tasted "pretty good," but not for $30. Rip off. The 2 Calzones our table ordered were bready and overdone. My wife makes them better with our pizza stone. And no side marinara or something to combat your carbed up piece of shit? #ugh Beers were expensive. $4 for a small 12-ounce glass of bud light. Geez, please don't give me a pint, I would hate to actually feel a buzz after 3 beers. Whatta joke. Salad was eh...coulda used more dressing for that price too. Side salad for $8? The thing was small and you're charging $8? You out ya damn mind! You can't just have one for $4 with the same size? I mean God forbid we actually feel full after spending $75 for 2 of us! What else? Oh yeah, I'll never go back. Place is a joke.
(1)Andrew M.
We went here last weekend and I was pleasantly surprised. We've been to their sister establishment in downtown Silver Spring a couple times, so I've had their pizza before... and Pacci's does a decent Neapolitan style pizza (I still think 2 Amy's is better!). I like the ambiance at this location better than their more sleek and modern pizzeria downtown, plus they have lots of parking around (check out their website for all the places to park after 5pm). The restaurant is surprisingly spacious and has a very very cute interior. There were some kids here, though it mostly seemed to be groups of 50+ adults... something I'm not so used to seeing in DC or downtown Silver Spring (we brought our 3 year old and he enjoyed his pizza). We got the caesar salad; it was ok, but I wouldn't be quick to order it again. We also got the eggplant appetizer, which was nice. For mains we had pizza and calzones -- though next time I'm getting their pasta... the super-wide tagliatelle looked awesome! Also, their mixed appetizer board looked great (and we'll be getting that as well next time!). For dessert, we got the cannolis; super delicious. Prices aren't cheap here, but they aren't outrageous either; it's a good place for a family dinner. My only complaint was that the service seemed a little spotty/slow. Not sure if they were short a waiter or what when we were there. The place was busy, but is pretty spacious, so at least we were seated promptly. It also looks like they have a nice enclosed sun-porch out back. Also, despite someone saying they thought the portions weren't generous... I thought they were quite adequate (and I'm a big eater) -- we definitely took home some leftovers.
(4)Dan H.
The portions here are not only incredibly generous, they are incredibly tasty. Great prices, and clearly care goes into the food. Only thing I would add is italian sodas or something similar for non-alcohol drinkers. But damn, this place is great. Any of the Tagliatellas are fantastic. The Calamari to start is tasty too. This is an out of the way place that is a must visit.
(5)Alan S.
The food at Pacci's is very good. The service is impeccable. The noise in the main dining room is horrible. Not from the customers but from the kitchen. The kitchen is open and there is constant banging of dishes. The kitchen area should be closed off from the dining area. Sit in a different area.
(4)Priscilla Y.
Pacci's is a cute, cozy restaurant with great pasta. They also make pizza and calzones. We started off with the Piatone di Pacci's, which is the appetizer sampler. It came with bruschetta, artichoke, smoked salmon, prosciutto wrapped in cantaloupe, arugula, and mozzarella and tomatoes. Not a bad app to start with. They also give free bread. I really like their Tagliatelle Boscaiola. It is fettucine noodles in light cream sauce with sausage and mushrooms. It was delicious. I was not too crazy for the Bucatini Carbonara. This had pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan. It was too cheesy and did not have too much flavor. The pasta was like spaghetti pasta with a hollow center so it was kind of weird eating it. My friends all seemed to really enjoy their pasta dishes (Pollo Alla Milanese, Lasagna Napoletana, and a penne dish). I also tried their Limoncello shortcake, which was really good. It was light in lemon flavor so it was not too sour. The cake was moist. Big enough to share with another person. Service was excellent. Our server was really attentive. It looks like they have limited parking, but they recently added more parking behind the "castle". The restaurant is not that easy to find. You can easily drive past it so make sure you have your GPS on. It really is a hidden gem!
(4)Glen F.
Went to their other restaurant and they told us about the brunch at this place so we decided to try it. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Food was plentiful, fresh and hot. Lots of variety also. Would definitely come back.
(4)Alec U.
It just seems that either most complaints here are not about food, or done by folks who know little about food. Yep, parking sucks, and fish is expensive, welcome to DC area. The bottom line is that pasta dishes are authentic unlike the Americanized versions served by other local chains. This place reminds me more of the primi selections in Tuscony. Wine selection is great and reasonably priced. Deserts are excellent. Service has been consistently great, although there is no "formal hostess podium," as was so helpfully noted by one reviewer. But then again, if hostess podiums is your key measure of a place, Ruby Tuesdays is just probably more to your liking.
(5)Emma B.
All I know is the pizza. After we vacationed in Sardinia, we were looking for something that would nearly replicate the incredible pizza. This is the closest we've found. The space has always been wonderful, though the upstairs indoor is a bit echoey. We've never had bad service here, but again, we've only ever been for dinner. Would give its four, but the three is for the parking issues. Tear down that weird wall already.
(3)Mary L.
Great place for brunch that isn't outrageous in price. It's $20 which includes coffee. Most places in the DMV doesn't include ANY beverages. They have a somewhat wide verity but still staying within the Italian cuisine. The carving station can be hit or miss. The first time I went the roast beef was on point, this time it was very dry. They have a wide variety of pizza that I still haven't tried. They also serve shrimp and crab legs which seems to always be the first people gravitate to. Word of caution Parking can be a total pain. I suggest going as soon as they open at 10:30am to beat the church crowd.
(4)Gail R.
Quaint little restaurant in the Forest Glen area of Silver Spring. I discovered this place partaking in a Yelp Scavenger Hunt. Little did I know this place was here especially since I like Italian food. It is located off of Capitol View Avenue and even though it is near a metro, it is not metro accessible. When I first got there, I saw a very small parking lot (facing the restaurant) and I thought to myself - this is crazy...this can't be the parking lot. The spots were minimal and it was very hard to maneuver within the area. As I tried to get my bearings, I saw a white building next to the restaurant and there were a lot of available spaces (bigger parking lot). I still was not sure if I could park there (since I entered it using an exit gate). Luckily, one of the staff informed me that it was okay for me to park there...after 5pm. As I walked in the door, I saw the tall bottle of Yelp Gems and I knew I was in the right place for this Scavenger Hunt (Wk3). I came with Yelper Joy B and so we were seated facing the entrance to the restaurant. I was looking forward to eating and I made sure to have a light lunch that day. Once we checked in using our Yelp app, I saw that we would get 50% off Bruschetta Capri and Mussels. Our waitress also let us know that if we ordered any pizza, we could get it for $8. So we decided to try everything that had a discount with it. These great discounts ended on Sun 7-13-14. I have never really tried Mussels, but decided why not...it was 50% off. So we ordered the Bruschetta Capri (sundried tomatoes, tapenade, eggplant, pinenuts and grana padano) and the Impepata di Cozze (sautéed mussels, cherry tomatoes, shallots, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley and hot peppers). The Bruschetta Capri was okay (price was $3.50 down from $7). I was enjoying it until I found out it has eggplant and since I don't like eggplant, I couldn't eat any more of it. The mussels were great although I didn't take the opportunity to try dipping the bread in the sauce. Can't beat 50% off (price went from $10 to $5). For pizza, I got the Margherita (tomato, mozzarella, parmesan, basil, extra virgin olive oil) and it was very delicious. Sauce was light and so was the cheese and the pizza overall was thin crust. Nothing was left in my plate afterwards. For drink I wanted to try the Neroli (Prosecco, limoncello, liquor, lime soda, oranges and mint). There was a picture of one on the Yelp page that looked like it had several fruits in it, so when I received what looked like seltzer water, I asked the waitress what exactly did I order and she said a Neroli. Our waitress said that the Neroli in the picture was made by the owner of the restaurant and he added his own items to the drink (more like a special drink). So even though my Neroli looked nothing like the one in the picture, it still tasted great - a very light drink. One of the things I always order at all Italian restaurants (for dessert) is Tiramisu. This one had espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, topped with cocoa powder. It is called the heavenly dessert and for good reason. At this place it is home-made and it is among the top 3 in my book (Maggiano's Little Italy in Tysons Corner, VA is #1 for me). Very light, very tasty and it is topped with some berries. Yummy!!! Great end to a great evening.
(4)Annie T.
I was super excited to try this restaurant out! Pacci's Trattoria was Week 3 Yelp's Hidden Gem! Pacci's is right next to a "castle" and while there is ample parking, parking is very tight. I sat down at a table with some friends. The waiter informed us that we could get 1/2 priced Bruschetta Capri; sundried tomato tapenade bruschetta and mussels as our hidden gem prize. Also there was a pizza deal $8 each vs $12 originally. That totally pushed me to try their pizza. I ordered the Tartufo truffle pizza, and we also got the Marinara (no cheese), and Naninella; imported buffalo mozzarella,cherry tomatoes, arugula, parmesan, and basil. The bruschetta app had a very strong sundries tomato flavor which I loved, but other people might think it's a bit much. The mussels were also tasty. I wish it came with bread to dip into the sauce. So I asked the waiter for bread and we were dipping like crazy. All the pizzas were tasty when they came out. I liked my truffle pizza the best. It had a good truffle flavor. I loved how the Parmesan was freshly grated and I sprinkled it on top of my pizza like crazy! Haha the Naininella was very fresh tasting, but had a light flavor. The Marinara no cheese pizza had a good strong flavor. At the end we wanted to try the limoncello cake, but were too full. We got our gems and paid. I would love to come back and try their unlimited brunch buffet one of these Sundays, it's $20 per person! I love supporting mom & pop places! Everything seemed to be made fresh and you could see the store owners cooking. I would love to come back!
(4)Mike B.
My sister recently moved a distance that I'm sure could easily be measured in "feet" away from Paccis Trattoria in Forest Glen. I decided to hop in and pick something up for myself and the busy mom. Bringing my notepad to get some work done while the order was being made was surely in vain. They were just too quick! - Caesar Salad - Appetizer Meatballs - Bruschetta Capri - Al Tartufo Pizza After I put in the order, it was ready in record time. It was probably done 6-8 minutes after I started a conversation with a kind woman at the bar who decided to try putting a single garlic clove in her wine for fun and experimentation. The Caesar salad was great. I think it could have used a little bit more dressing, but that's completely personal preference. The Bruschetta Capri was delicious and exactly what I had remembered it being the last time I ate it. Closely inspired by a Greek dish i know to be "Imam Baildi" which is a half of a roasted eggplant stuffed with chopped eggplant, pine nuts, and tomato. I love that dish, it brings me back to my first real job of working in a Greek kitchen in Potomac. The Meatballs were flavorful, soaked in enough marinara, and had the distinct flavor of being a few different types of meat... I believe. The Al Tartufo Pizza which is a white pizza with mushrooms, truffle oil and provolone is wonderful. I love how they sauté the mushrooms and season them before throwing them on the pizza to cook. It makes all the difference in the world. A wonderful meal with lots of leftovers for my brother in law to come home to. I wouldn't hesitate to order from there again. Spiro, the owner, has definitely got something special there.
(5)Maria P.
I can sum up my experience in one word: LEGIT. Right down to the Italian music playing in the background. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is an extremely authentic take on Neapolitan pizza. I know this because I've had it...and it's AMAZING! Perfectly cooked crust that isn't too thin or thick, with just the right amount of sauce...and the cheese...WOW...the freshness is incredible. I had the pleasure of dining here during lunch, and I don't remember there being any pasta dishes offered on the menu. This particular establishment closes at 2:30pm, and reopens at 5. The lunch menu includes salads, pizza, subs, and a few other items. We ordered the cherry tomato salad, which was a very generous amount considering the $8 price. It came with sliced cherry tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella and surrounded by sliced cucumbers. The vinaigrette was PERFECT and the sliced basil tasted like it just came off a plant. I couldn't believe how good it was. After sharing the salad, our pizza arrived...and the wait was definitely worth it! I ate the entire personal cheese pizza which was the size of a large plate. The entire thing...and I'm not ashamed. Oh no, in fact I was thrilled. I even tried my coworkers Tartufo pizza...MMMMM. There's no sauce, but it doesn't need it. Garlicky with mushrooms and just the right amount of spices made it a delicious choice. The absence of food coma afterwards is a clear indication of how fresh the ingredients are...which is why you shouldn't get put off by the prices! It's not the cheapest place to dine for lunch (or dinner), but it's only because they use top of the line ingredients. The mozzarella in my salad tasted imported. It felt like I was back in Italy again. I sh*t you not. After our meal, the owner surprised us with fresh gelato in a little cup to finish it off. I don't even like gelato. Seriously, I'm one of those women that likes savory desserts, like cheesecake and sfogliatelle...but this was good. Better than good. Delicious. Like I was chomping on a vanilla bean soaked in cream. Final verdict? Do yourself a favor, and come back for dinner with a date. Or a group of friends, but given the relaxed romantic ambience I'd go for the date.
(5)Emma W.
Can you say dessert! Yes!!!! Tried two, the tiramisu and cheesecake... oh so good. To be honest I just had dessert and would go again just for dessert. Friendly service but this place needs a GPS to find. You will miss it if you're not looking for it. The restaurant is next to a castle, but maybe not for long since the castle is for sale... The parking lot is, well, a little tricky get right. But there is space.
(4)Libby F.
$20 AYCE brunch. It's all that and more! Love Pacci's pizza? You got it. And more. Their Belgian waffles are light and fluffy. They have CRAB MEAT to add to your made to order omelet! Crab legs? Yup. Mussels and clams? Yup. Yup. It was missing nothing this non red meat eater desired. There's even poached salmon. The homemade blueberry muffins are great too! There are even cheesecake and chocolate petit fours. And..... unlike other AYCE places coffee/tea/soda is included! It was sooooo delicious that I will probably be back this Sunday before my friend flies back across the Atlantic.
(5)Sisley C.
I had a sour taste in my mouth the moment I walked in. There's no clear host/hostess podium so I was waiting at the door... For about 7-8 minutes before someone helped me. Mind you, there was no one else waiting besides us. I think the owner or manager was behind the bar chuckling away with one of the servers for a few minutes - clearly not busy with anything important enough to not greet a CUSTOMER. I was on the verge of leaving honestly within a minute until someone finally came to help us. Are you kidding? Our server was nice and prompt(!) though. He brought the complimentary bread over pretty quickly and I started chomping away! We ordered the bruschetta al pomodoro (chopped tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil) and that was seriously delicious. Wow. It was loaded with stuff on top! I ordered the spaghetti al vongale, which was spaghetti in a white wine and cherry tomato sauce with your choice of clams or mussels... Or a mix of both! I got a mix of both and really enjoyed it. It was flavorful and came with A LOT of clams and mussels. Normally, restaurants give you like 8 and that's it but I had way more than that (see picture). My guests both ordered the pollo alla milanese - sautéed breaded chicken breast and spaghetti with lemon vinaigrette, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and onions. They liked it, but I thought it was A-okay. A bit plain jane in my honest opinion. We ordered the tiramisu for dessert - good but really small for the price. Not sure if I would order it again because of that. Overall, I would come back since it's really close to me. I'm still bitter about my wait in the beginning though!
(3)Rhianna B.
I finally went here after putting it off for months because I always opted for the other Pacci's location (which is one of my favorite restaurants ever!). The restaurant is in a wonderful location! It's right next to the train tracks in forest glen a mile or so off of Georgia Avenue. We sat on the back porch which was nice, but I found that the decor and service were not as impressive as at their other location. Our waiter was nice, but all he told us about the specials were "cheese ravioli and salmon"--no prices, no description. The inside was minimally decorated and there was really nothing special about the restaurant. Parking is also strange as it is next to a "castle" with a very small lot. As at the other location, the wine list is fantastic. This location also has a fair beer selection and a pretty good cocktail list. They have the same pizzas as the other location (try the la diavola!) but they also offer pasta dishes. I had the gnocchi alla sorrentina which was good, but I'd like to try something else next time. Overall, I was pleased but I like Pacci's Neopolitan Pizzeria better.
(4)Piero Q.
The restaurant offers a quaint ambiance. The food was splendid; the freshness and quality of the ingredients was detected with every bite. The sangria was on point. The service, however, was OK. The staff tended to loiter at (not by) the bar, which in turn left the guest unattended for irregular periods of time. Definitely a place to try. The food will not disappoint, however be mindful that the service will be less than average.
(4)Hue K.
For $20 all you can eat italian/seafood/waffle/omelet buffet, you might get the best deal here for quality and quantity. I was very impressed with variety of food offered at Pacci's for brunch. Fresh fruit, real cesar salad with freshly shaved parmasan, pacci's famous pizza (at least 3-4 kinds), great made-to-order waffle and omelet (with crab meat) and egg's benedict (with salmon) and mussels/clams/peel&eat shrimp.. Everything was very fresh and good quality and refilled frequently. Beverages are included as well. I'll go back every Sunday if I live here. Solid 5 star brunch! PS: Don't miss in-house baked muffin. I loved the bluberry muffin the chef made...
(5)Michael S.
First time to Pacci's but we will definitely be back to sample the menu again. Overall the food was very good and I admittedly found myself looking across the room at other orders - from salads to pizzas - that all looked fantastic. Decor - Small, quaint and very comfortable. Food - Lunch for three included a shared Nonna's Polpette (meatball) appetizer which was excellent followed by penne with butter (for my 10 year-old), spaghetti with shrimp and gnocchi with white sauce. All very good. I had the gnocchi and found the white sauce to be a nice balance of cream, mozzarella/Parmesan cheese and a hint of garlic. For desert my son had the tiramisu and the adults had cappuccinos. Service - Despite a very large (~18 people) family birthday party and another large party (10 people) being served concurrently with our party I thought the staff hustled and was very good. This is not a large restaurant so I was impressed with how the staff handled the concurrent volume of diners. Other than a slight delay with our main course meal and having to ask twice for a lemon we really didn't have any issues. A very strong 4 stars for Pacci's!
(4)SJ In B.
Had Sunday Brunch there today after an email I got from Yelp with a list of restaurants that serve brunch! Ohhh my God! The food was delicious! I had eggs Benedict's with home fries bacon and sausage. Then I moved to the crab legs, mussels, scallops, salmon and shrimp... So many options! The iced tea was actually brewed unsweetened so that was good. I can't wait to go again! All for $20 a person!
(5)Alan S.
Cozy intimate setting, like eating dinner at grandparents house. Service was great. Got the app sampler (prosciutto melon, artichoke, salmon, tomato mozzerella, bruschetta capri) to share, perfect amount for 4 ppl. Chicken Milanese was delicious, lightly breaded and fried chicken breast over a bed of lightly buttered spaghetti and arugula salad. Limoncello shortcake is a must try. Will come back again. Parking is limited be aware.
(4)Sara M.
Found this hidden gem through Mike B.'s scavenger hunt, and I'm glad I did - I don't think I would've stumbled upon it otherwise! It's tucked away off Forest Glen Road near the intersection with Seminary Road, in a cute little building. It's next to a weird castle building and shares their parking, which is a little confusing. The menu breaks down into three significant categories: small dishes (antipasti, salad), pasta, and pizza. So many tempting dishes! They offer multiple kinds of bruschetta, not just the classic tomato kind. We tried the Bruschetta Capri, which had an olive-tomato tapenade, pine nuts, and cheese - so good, even my olive-hating dinner partner enjoyed it! We also tried the mussels, which were plump and juicy in a delicious broth with tomatoes and leeks. I wanted to soak up all of that broth with the table bread, which was crusty and flavorful itself. We debated between pizza and pasta, and ended up going with the Tagliatelle Boscaiola. This pasta dish has big fat noodles in a creamy sauce with homemade sausage and mushrooms. They offered fresh-ground pepper and parmesan, which we gladly accepted. Very tasty, though not exceptional. We were glad that we'd split two appetizers and an entree, which left room to sample the extensive dessert menu. We picked out two. The Limoncello Shortcake was a lovely citrus-y take on a shortbread, topped with succulent fruit and fresh whipped cream. And we finished the meal with the Sfogliata - you should Google that word just to see the crazy phyllo dough creations that we got! These were filled with a custard and were very unique in appearance and flavor. All in all, a terrific meal. Service was very friendly and attentive. I'm looking forward to trying their sister restaurant in Silver Spring!
(4)Suzanne A.
Love this little neighborhood gem. It is our go-to weeknight dinner spot when we have visitors, especially now that we have a toddler. I'm always so impressed with the servers - so attentive and great with my kid. We've also been going to Pacci's in downtown Silver Spring for years and know their pizza menu well; it's hard not to order a pizza appetizer in addition to our pasta entrees. I recommend the diavolo if you like spice. The regular pasta entrees are fantastic, but so are the specials. I find myself deliberating on my order here more than anywhere else, and I've never tried the same thing twice here. They especially do seafood and shellfish well. Try to leave room for dessert!
(4)Paul S.
Awesome Sunday brunch! A wide variety of breakfast, Italian, and seafood dishes; definitely something for everyone. The pizzas and gnocchi really stood out as my favorites. Too long to wait for the cooked-to-order waffles, but everything else was very well stocked, including the snow crab legs and shrimp. Service was pretty attentive and will definitely be back soon.
(4)Stephanie S W.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. If I could eat here every day, I would, but I would also be the size of a car... so I'll opt for a salad once in a while. This old, cozy home-turned-restaurant is perfect for an intimate meal with friends or family. Everything on the menu is tasty and you can't go wrong with classic spaghetti and meatballs. Check in on yelp for 50% off appetizer deal.
(5)Janet H.
Pretty good!! This place was a little hidden, it's to the right of a white building (the castle). Parking was interesting... kinda cool, parking lot was small, encircled by stone walls. There's more parking behind the white building, but I think it's free only after 5pm tho and you have to wiggle between the 2 buildings. Had dinner with fellow elite yelper (shout-out to Annie T). There wasn't a wait, was seated right away on a Wednesday night. They seem to really love garlic and aren't afraid to use a lot of it, but mainly on dishes that explicitly said there's garlic. Their table bread was also very delicious, very soft and savory, very flavorful on its own, definitely didn't need butter. We did have to ask for this, our appetizers came out before we got the bread. And their pizza dough was also great, a little on the dry side but that's how I like it, chewy :-) especially great when paired with the abundant amount of toppings. They know how to make/bake their dough! Things we ordered: Impepata di cozo (mussels) - which had a little bit of a spicy kick and garlicky bruschetta capri - the sundried tomatoes definitely outshined the mild eggplant flavor Naninella- seemed more like an arugula salad on top of the delicious pizza dough, delicious, but wished something made it seem more cohesive as a pizza. I should've read the menu closer as it clearly stated online that ingredients are added post-oven :-P Marinara pizza - lots of garlic, not complaining because it was good but the garlic flavor was dominating the tomato based marinara and a few leaves of basil Tartufo pizza - my favorite of the 3 pizzas, packed with flavor without being overwhelming, nor greasy The service was great and the price was actually less than I thought it would be (~$33!!! Total!!! For all that food!!!!), but I think that's mainly due to yelp deals, so check in!! But remember to tip on the original price. I'd come back to try their pastas, especially their homemade marinara :-) oh and I want to try their limoncello cake. And they have unlimited brunch Sunday's. Ok, it's decided, I'm coming back.
(4)Samantha D.
This is hands down the BEST brunch buffet I have ever been to! Delicious! Everything was amazing: fruit salad, handmade desserts (cheese cakes & cream puffs), bacon, eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles, bbq pork, meatballs, crab legs, mussels, oysters, clams, and last but not least vegetable gnocchi! Little tiny pillows covered in a delectable tomato sauce! Mmmmmmm nom nom nom! The food is not the only thing that is great, service is attentive and polite as well. The atmosphere is small but inviting! I thought I wouldn't comment or rate at all as to keep this a secret place but I couldn't resist giving it credit! I'm still not sharing this wonderful experience with my family and friends though, only my boyfriend :) Only downfall is parking, but it's not impossible just inconvenient and small. DON'T LET THAT TURN YOU AWAY!
(5)Bennett T.
Fantastic brunch on Sunday's for a great price - $20. They offer a veritable cornucopia of food options from fresh seafood to a waffle bar. The service is acceptable but could honestly be a bit better. They used to offer bottomless mimosas for an additional $10 but no longer do so. The location is extremely charming, and it's a perfect spot for a long, lazy Sunday brunch.
(4)Jerry S.
The unusual configuration of the quaint building makes sense when you know that it was once a post office. In the "lobby" there's a four stool marble bar, and a few tables. The tiny room next to it was probably the postmaster's office. The space downstairs would have been for receiving and sorting. I got off to a good start with the artisanal Italian bread and good quality olive oil (already on the table) to dip it in. The check in offer was for the Bruschetta Capri and the app sized mussels. The sun dried tomato and olive teppanade was pretty assertive, and delicious. The mussels were fresh and juicy, with a lovely leek and tomato broth and maybe a little more heat than they needed. I needed more bread to yum up all the sauce. I noted a wood fired oven in the basement on my way out, which bodes well for their pizza. I'm going to have to try that and the entrees before considering a fifth star, since Pasta Plus sets a very high bar, but I'm optimistic based on this excellent lunch. Update 1/4/15 Just came from the amazing Sunday Brunch. Excellent lox, plump briny oysters, top notch crab legs, steamed clams and mussels, creamy eggs Benedict (was that panchetta?) jumbo shrimp steamed with Old Bay, tender made to order waffles with fresh fruit topping, pizza as good as any I didn't pay for with Lira, crisp bacon, poached salmon, succulent braised lamb, scallops, choice of pork or turkey sausage links, bite sized pastries so you can try more than one without feeling too piggish, very good coffee, frequent refills. I did not have room to try the pasta, carved roast beef, or omelet station. Excellent service. Crazy good value at $20, coffee included. Slam dunk 5 *****.
(5)Monte M.
This restaurant is a gem. The atmosphere is definitely not stuffy and comfortable but it's the food that makes or breaks a restaurant. The food is fantastic and reliable, the wait staff on the top of their game, and it is reasonably priced. Were I single, I'd be very comfortable bringing a date here. Being married with a family, i can say that everyone leaves satisfied. From the appetizers to the entrees to the finely prepared deserts, everything is prepared and presented at its best. We've come to really love eating at this restaurant. Recently, we went to the Sunday brunch buffet and that's what inspired me to move beyond "promising to review" to "actually reviewing." I don't think I've ever had a better lunch buffet - and again very reasonably priced. The traditional foods - omelets, waffles, egg dishes, etc. - are all there. On top of that it seems like the whole menu is presented for your eating pleasure - pizza, shrimp and other sea fish dishes, meats, and an ever-changing array of fresh, delicious deserts. And again, the cost was not exorbitant. This is fine Italian food that caters to a variety of tastes and succeeds on all fronts. There is nothing stuffy about the place and I would say it's my favorite place to take my family. We've also taken guests there on numerous occasions and everyone leaves satisfied. It's in a bit of an isolated area - but Kensington, Silver Spring and Wheaton are all just a very short drive away and I wouldn't let that deter you from enjoying a great meal at this establishment. Just a little extra planning. Glad this restaurant is so close by.
(5)CJ T.
Sorry Pacci's Trattoria. Took my daughter to lunch and the food was barely ok. We shared a Caesar Salad, Fried Calamari and a Pizza Margherita with prosciutto. - The Caesar Salad was just ok and overpriced. Nothing special. Could get the same salad at any national chain restaurant and be equally satisfied. - Pizza Margherita was not just wet in the middle, it was like a pool of tomato water and barely warm. You need to crank up or recalibrate the pizza oven. Barely edible and I understand Neoplitan pizza is sometimes "wet" in the middle but the cheese wasn't even melted thru but the basil leaves on top were burned. The place wasn't that busy at 1:00 in the afternoon so there really is no reason for not receiving good pizza. Prosciutto was so salty you could not taste the earthy meat flavor. - Calamari was the highlight but the dipping sauce was bland. Really loved this place and has now dropped down to visiting due to its convenience.
(2)Alina B.
Delicious place to go for a great dinner. Accessible to park, good prices and good service. Very close from Forest Glen metro station and from Downtown Silver Spring.
(5)Bryony B.
Went here this past weekend with my little nieces and nephew who are 8, 6 and 4. They had a lot of people there but we were sat down right away and our server came over very fast. They brought over bread (with olive oil for dipping) and waters (including plastic cups with lids and straws for the kids) lickety split. After ordering the food arrived promptly and our waiter checked on us numerous times. We got calamari, a red pizza with artichokes, mushrooms, olives and basil, and the nutella pizza for dessert. It was all very tasty. In the end our waiter didn't charge us for a couple of things - not sure if that was on purpose, but I'll take it! Lastly, the place is kinda cute and the view is crazy out the window, since you're right on the edge of this curvy road there. A happy place all in all :)
(4)Joy B.
Nestled from view, but located right off Georgia Avenue,Pacci's Trattoria is worth setting your GPS for. The restaurant resembles a small,cozy home. The decor is warm and inviting. The staff is warm and friendly. Our waitress spent lots of time giving us her favorites and explaining dishes we were interested in ordering. This week, the Yelp specials can not be beat. We started our meal with the mussels and bruschetta. The bruschetta had eggplant, which was a new ingredient. It was very good. The mussels were perfectly cooked, but I found the broth a little spicy for my taste. I am sure it would not bother most customers. I ordered the pizza. My pizza came in 4 sections. Each part had a different topping. It had mushrooms, salami, ham, and red peppers. The crust was baked to perfection. It was a thin crust with no tomato sauce, but a generous amount of cheese. I really liked the four toppings. It was like getting four pizzas in one. My friend had a pizza which had the tomato sauce and cheese. There are many varieties to chose from. She really enjoyed her pizza. The tiramisu was heavenly. Light, sweet, with a hint of expresso, it was the star of the night skies. It had freshly whipped cream and blackberries that added another taste dimension to an already exquisite dessert. I said I was only going to eat half, so someone must have gobbled up the other half. I can not tell a lie, I ate the whole thing in 2 minutes and it was worth every calorie. The pizzas are on a Yelp special this week from $13 to $8 dollars. Next time, I want to try the homemade pastas. Go early if you can, it was really crowded on a weeknight by 7 o'clock. You can tell the food and the service was great.
(4)Daenia P.
I came here for my engagement brunch. The food was great. The waiter told us it was a bottomless brunch; however, when the bill came, the management did not honor the bottomless mimosa brunch. That was extremely disappointing.
(2)Sharon W.
We were craving pizza last evening but wanted something different from our usual favorites. Husband suggested we try Pacci's for carry out. I wasn't sure how their pizza would stand up to carry out but my concern was unfounded, it was delicious! We ordered a 4 cheese white pizza and a plain cheese and tomato. They actually sat for a while in our kitchen before we were ready to eat but I don't think the flavor suffered at all from the wait. They were yeasty and cheesy and the crust was charred perfectly to a delicious crisp. I did pop them in a super hot oven for a few minutes to warm them back up. This is the kind of pizza I know I will get a craving for so they have been added to the "regular favorite" list.
(5)Will B.
Best. Brunch. Around. Their weekend breakfast is $20/person but that includes Gnocchi (excellent!) oysters, smoked salmon, assorted desserts, eggs benedict, steamed shrimp, crab legs, etc...it was all delicious! I will definitely be coming back here. They go all out with the quality of their food. They even had different pizzas on the buffett!
(5)