La Dolce Vita: 4 Local Hot Spots to Indulge Your Inner Italiano
Join us on a tour of Italia - Virginia style! These local Italian restaurants will transport you to the heart of Italy.
Our tour begins at Bella Cucina, where you’ll find an extensive house specials menu plus all the staples, such as variations of linguine and fettuccine and dishes like chicken cacciatore and veal positano. With its time-honored flavors and traditions, Bella Cucina truly brings the heart of Italy to Locust Grove.
Must-Try Dish: Seafood lovers will want to order the linguini alia pescatore, featuring shrimp, calamari, clams, and marinara. Delizioso! | 4444 Germanna Hwy, Locust Grove
Within its first week of opening in 1988, the line of diners to Aldo’s was out the door. This thanks to its classic Italian dishes with a modern twist. The menu offers plenty of pizza, pasta, and entrees featuring fresh seafood, chicken, and veal. For the wine lovers: Aldo’s has in-house sommeliers who’ve crafted an award-winning wine list.
Must-Try Dish: Aldo’s lamb rosmarino stands out for its unique blend of flavors featuring six grilled lamb chop lollipops covered in a honey rosemary dijon marinade and parmesan polenta cake. | 1860 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach
This downtown Fredericksburg spot has secured itself as a community favorite. Orofino is named after its founder and head chef, Danilo Orofino, who describes his food as “made with the best ingredients from Italy by Italian hands.”The menu features traditional Italian favorites; of course, you can finish your delicious meal with a cappuccino or espresso doppio!
Must-Try Dish: The orecchiette bari features orecchiette pasta with spicy sausage and broccoli rabe, all topped with a tomato cream sauce. | 1006 Caroline St, Fredericksburg
Our Italian tour ends with Zibibbo 73 in the heart of Stafford. The restaurant takes its name from the zibibbo grape, also known as Muscat of Alexandra and considered an “ancient vine” in winemaking. Some wine experts believe it is one of the oldest genetically unmodified vines still in existence. Likewise, the restaurant brings old-world cuisine to a modern setting using fresh and local ingredients, including naturally raised meats and fish and the finest cheeses and pastas on the market.
Must-Try Dish: The linguine pesto di pistacchio e Gamberi immediately caught our attention. This dish covers linguine with a pistachio pesto and tops it off with shrimp. | 2757 Richmond Hwy, Suite 101, Stafford
