Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar

Ok. We went to wine bar. Happy hour. Allesandra waited  on us. Very sociable and knowledgeable. Well prepared caprese  salad with peaches my wife had fig and pig pizza and I had veal tenderloin . Good cocktails and solid wine list. Fairly priced. Among the better restaurants in Fairfax More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I really enjoyed this place. We were staying nearby at the Hampton Inn for the night and chose Dolce Vita solely because it was an easy walk over. But I'm so glad we did! What a wonderful date night destination! Great authentic Italian food, and wonderful service. The wine selection was great and our server was patient in explaining my options to me. I really don't know wine, I just enjoy drinking it. All in all a wonderful evening and if I ever find myself back in the area I will definitely go again. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

First timer beware - the Wine Bar has a separate entrance and though I did not find a menu, from the quick look at the plates, perhaps a separate tapas menu that is discussed in reviews. My husband and I walked into the main entrance (to the Restaurant side). It was middle of the week and early so no trouble parking and getting a table. There was one other table of 8 and they were LOUD. The acoustics are bad.Insalata Caprese: fresh ingredients, could use a little more balsamic drizzle. Not your traditional sliced mozzarella and tomato with basil leaves. These were small rounds of mozzarella and grape tomatoes with shredded basil.Ravioli Pesto: for cream sauce lovers which is what I am.Rockfish Special of the Day: overpowering with lemon (IMO), but my hubby really enjoyed it.Tiramisu: not a slice, but in a short glass cup. Cappuccino: too much cinnamon dusting.Ambiance: 3. Food: 4. Service: 5.I'll be back to try the Wine Bar side since I am curious about the pizza cones. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I hadn't eaten here in almost 20 years but so glad I went back. The exterior hasn't really changed since then and the parking is tighter than I'd prefer but valet parking is offered (didn't note if it was free or not). The interior has changed for the better since that last visit. We had called ahead for a take out order and it was ready shortly after I arrived and paid. It was about a 15 minute drive home and by the time we arrived the food was still in great shape and tasted even better. I had the lasagna with grilled chicken on the side and my wife had the chicken Parmesan. We had forgotten to ask about bread but a healthy portion was added to our order. Everything we ordered was great--the lasagna was the better of the two but both were well seasoned and tasted fresh and light, which certainly isn't always the case for Italian food. After my first bite I was already looking forward to going back and dining in. I can't speak to the wait staff but both hostesses who greeted me and took care of my order were attentive and polite. This last experience alone makes me want to go back. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Went here for lunch today. What a great deal! First they brought us a basket of bread. Then a salad with delicious balsamic dressing. Then I had fresh pasta with a mushroom and sausage in a cream sauce. All this for only $9.99. Did I mention that Soda was included? What a great deal for delicious Italian food. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

OMG! Just tried this place for the first time, all four of us were blown away at the quality of the food, the size of the portions, good service and great pricing. A hidden gem in Anderson!

Reviewed on Yelp

I could write all day about how great the food is here. The service too is spectacular. We love this place so much that we have had them cater our parties. Do yourself a favor and eat here at least once and I would bet you will be going back again. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is definitely one of my favorite wine bars in Northern Virginia! The food reminds me of the Italian food I grew up on!  It's always nice when you eat something and it brings back warm memories of your childhood. I always feel at home when I come here. The service is always good and the staff is warm, friendly and attentive! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The hubby & I have been here a handful of times the past few years & find the food is consistent & tasty. Last we went on Friday evening & it was packed! We were expecting to wait a while but they seated us right away. We ordered pizza al funghi (mushroom pizza) & farmers pie. It was delicious! We refuse to eat pizza anywhere other than in New York because we always end up disappointed but we go here to get our pizza fix. Tomato sauce is very flavorful & they give a hearty helping of cheese. Crust is on the meh side (a bit soggy) but because everything else is so tasty, it doesn't take away from the pizza overall. Also, BEST tiramisu!Service was wonderful. Our waiter has been working there for 20 years! You can see the staff working in the kitchen & everyone genuinely looks so happy to work. The atmosphere is great. I'm shocked at the low reviews. We love this place! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

It has been about a year since my last visit to Dolce Vita, so I was definitely due to come back and try some new dishes from their menu. I came for lunch on weekend with a large group and ordered about half a dozen things from the menu. We got the classic margarita pizza, pizza cones, arancini, polipo romesco, twin carpaccio, Tasca and the pasta formaggi. It seemed as though everyone enjoyed everything. I know I sure did. I particularly loved their margarita pizza. I left as though I was almost back in Italy. So good!!Our waiters were all incredibly friendly and brought our food out to us quickly and correctly. As for the restaurant itself is clean and well maintained. All around great second experience here. There will definitely be a third time in the near future. Keep up the great work Dolce! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Our whole meal was really great. Not many people in there when we when at 9:30pm, but the whole place is pretty big. The salad and fried mozzarella was subpar. It was good, but I've had better. The pasta was really good though! My boyfriend absolutely loved his so much. You can tell the noodles are homemade. I didn't take a pic of the pasta because we started eating right away. But I took a picture of the starters! Would go back again for sure. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

What a great find! This little place has great happy hour specials, delicious menu offerings, an intriguing and varied wine list, and  really great service in a pleasant, quiet ambience--all the things I'm looking for in a neighborhood wine bar! Don't let the first glance fool you into passing on by without a second thought, even though it looks quite humble as you're driving by on Fairfax Boulevard. The non-pretentious exterior belies a cozy atmosphere in the dining area lined with wine racks. Dolce Vita is a Cicchetti Wine Bar (small plates paired with a broad range of wines from all over the globe).  Think "tapas" or "mezza". During the happy hour, all small plates are $2 off. I love to pick a formaggio plate or antipasti  platter or just to order a variety of small plates to share and pair them with a featured wine flight! Some of my favorites from Dolce Vita are the Polpette (glorious Italian meatballs with tomato sauce, feta, and crostini) and the Arancini (Risotto Balls filled with meat and cheese, then rolled in bread crumbs and fried--served over marinara sauce). Service here is excellent and our warm, wine-enthusiastic servers have added their recommendations and comments about the winemakers and particular wine characteristics to enhance our dining experience! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Hidden treasure in Fairfax with the most outstanding food around. They are slowly but surely updating the front area. The inside is a legitimate location for happy hours. They have several choices of alcohol and wine to choose from. The food is to die for. Their managers down to their employees are the best around. Strong recommendation for anyone looking for a place to try one night, please do so here. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Went there last night with the wife and 2 kids. Service and meal were very good. The pasta is extremely tasty, it's homemade. I had the eggplant parmigiana special. I thought it was "good". My wife had the Veal Scaloppine. She said it was "very Good" I liked that the waiter listened and was attentive without being overbearing.The desserts were yummy! Top it off with a double expresso, and you have an excellent dining event. The place is a little dated and appears dirty, but the service and food overcome that. Highly recommend. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Don't judge a book by its cover:        To be blunt, outside of Dolce Vita is nothing special; inside is a totally different story. Selling point:Pizza Oven         Smart move to install at the front!! One of the few wood-fired pizza restaurants I could find so far in the NOVA area. Instinctively, I ordered a margarita pizza with meatballs/additional sauce.What else is for lunch?Watermelon Gazpacho         Served chilled and garnished with some mint leaves, the Watermelon Gazpacho is a light, unequaled soup to help cool down during the relentless 2019 Summer heat. The watermelon has a juicy, slushy texture, but the dominant note is the red wine vinegar. My way of trying the Gazpacho:          If you want the ultimate sensory experience, smell the mint leaves before sipping. By doing so, you get to smell/taste all the ingredients the way I believe Dolce Vita intended. Mozzarella Caprese          Like a warm hug, the olive oil coats everything; the mozzarella are little pillows of cheesy goodness. Chicken Marsala          Whenever I get to the Tuscany region of Italy, this would be my first meal. Chicken Marsala is a rustic dish consisting of tender chicken breasts cooked in a reduced marsala wine sauce/mushrooms. While the dish can hold its own weight, a little parmesan cheese adds pep and makes everything more poetic.  Murals/Seating areas         The murals/alcoves around a couple of the seating areas encourage you to dine-in. Eating within these nooks gives you a sense of privacy from the rest of the customers. Dolce VitaEnglish translation: Sweet life! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

They were an amazing staff. Waitresses were nice, friendly and fun. Food was amazing. Try the Pizza Cones for sure. Overall great experience and a great happy hour menu as well.

Reviewed on Yelp

I just ate as much as I could hold, and then some. Ordered an artichoke, mushroom, and prosciutto calzone and it was one of the best calzones I've ever shoved in my face! The individual ingredients were all excellent, the ricotta was plentiful, creamy, and the crust? I'm not a huge bread fan unless it's like this - crisp on the outside, great chew, just enough salt and ... I'm running short of adjectives. I'm about to slip into a lovely carb coma. Thank you, great job! Sooooooo good. All the stars. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great place that is a tad small but very friendly and nice. They make the odd mix of fancy and quant/casual work well. A thing to know though is that basically their whole lot is valet parking so if you don't want to do that there's places to park near by instead.

Reviewed on Yelp

I think I would rate this 3.5. I think their desserts are the best part but the food is better than the average Italian restaurant you would find in the area but nothing that left me craving more or wanting to rush back again. Great service. I had their autumn special or pasta arugula small pieces of butternut squash and pancetta that tasted like deep fried bacon w a cream sauce. We also had the fried zucchini that was good and cooked well. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I was visiting my friend for her birthday and, as it was Labor Day, Dolce Vita was one of the few restaurants that we could find open in the area. We went around mid-afternoon, so we were unable to order from the lunch menu, but instead were offered the menu of cicchetti (small plates) and the dinner menu. We decided to start with several small plates and selected the arancini, the meatballs, the scallop trio, and the calamari salad. This was the perfect amount for the four of us to split and be able to sample each dish. Although all of the small plates were good, I really liked the scallops, in particular. We ended up deciding to split one entrée from the dinner menu in addition to the small plates and decided on the chicken piccata. The chicken piccata was incredible and the piccata sauce was by far the best I have ever had. It was so good that we ended up getting an order to go! All in all, Dolce Vita was very good. The wines were a bit hit or miss, but not enough to detract from how delicious the meal was. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

On a Saturday morning, I found myself hankering for some authentic Italian food and said as much to McDreamy. I was already in the mood for some fresh pasta and a decadent sauce. So he suggested we try Dolce Vita based on a recommendation from a friend.After waiting ALL DAY, we arrived at the restaurant a little early for our 7pm reservation. The building exterior is neither fancy nor indicative of the experience one will have inside the doors. In fact, if one judges the quality of this establishment solely on the aesthetics of the exterior, then I'd imagine a visceral reaction to keep driving past the parking lot to a 'prettier' place. But oh what one would miss by doing so.After the valet guided us to an available parking spot near the entrance, we were happily greeted by the host upon walking through the door. Despite being early, we were offered a cozy seat in an alcove near the front of the restaurant, which in retrospect was perfect as most of the patrons were gathered in the rear and our table location gave us enough privacy to chat and laugh at will. Our waiter readily introduced himself but then gave us enough space to have a pleasant dining experience. He had soft bread (Yay!) and dipping oil delivered to our table and then returned shortly thereafter to take our orders. We selected the grilled octopus to share as a starter along with glasses of wine. I highly recommend the Chianti Classico; it's smooth, delicious and the pours are generous. As for the octopus, it was melt in your mouth delicious, which was surprising given it was grilled. The romesco sauce upon which it was served was a delicious surprise to our taste buds and set us on track for a great meal. For the entrée course, I chose a fresh linguini alla vodka while McDreamy chose a risotto with sausage. He loved his risotto. It was a healthy portion of al dente rice with a soft yellow hue that hinted of the broth with which it was prepared. The flavors of the ingredients came together very nicely. As for the linguini (I'd ask for that substitution instead of penne), it was heavenly! The cream sauce was thick with mushrooms but not too heavy. The portion served was plentiful and enough for me to take home for lunch the next day; but, I wouldn't say that it was grossly in excess. By the end of our meal, we were comfortably full and passed on dessert despite being tempted by quite a selection of offerings. We had a delicious meal and great service. The only downside was that the restaurant was extremely hot. Something was wrong with the HVAC system and the waiters were desperately trying to cool off their patrons using ceiling fans and failed attempts to boot up the A/C. These things happen, especially on hot summer days, and are exacerbated by the presence of a wood-fired brick oven.All in all, I'd recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an authentic Italian dinner in an unpretentious establishment. Definitely make reservations, though. The dining area filled up quickly with hungry families. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

My husband & I had lunch today & it was awesome! I had the fresh trout with zucchini, carrot, & yellow squash noodles topped off with a lemon buerre blanc sauce. It was so delicious & perfectly cooked--definitely the best trout I've had! My husband had two breaded soft-shell crabs served atop pasta with fra diavolo sauce which he loved also. He loves spicy & he said it was so flavorful. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I'm giving this place a 5 because of the service.  Good food and happy hour, but the service is what sells an out of towner from NM.  I'll be back again.

Reviewed on Yelp

Nice happy hour from 4-7. Check to see if they have special events because seating is only limited to the patio outdoors. Parking is limited but they have valet parking . I parked down the street by the Hampton Inn and my car was fine. My friend and I shared their beef short ribs, meatballs, arancini, shrimp dolce gamberi, and patate frites and each of us has a meatball pizza cone. All of the food was delicious, especially the ribs and arancini. She enjoyed her wine. My margarita was neither sweet or sour and lacked flavor. Service was a bit slow. Nice place for a happy hour., More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I came here for the first time during my lunch break as it's right up the road. I was craving some Italian food because of my Gordon Ramsay YouTube binge last night so I decided to try this place out. The area is a little crowded but clean and comfortable. They started me off with complimentary bread, which was good but cold. Would definitely have been nice if it was heated or at least kept warm. I ordered the Ravioli. The Caesar salad came first, which was delicious! Not too much dressing, the lettuce was still crispy but flavorful and it wasn't drowned in sauce, oil, or other toppings. I received the ravioli shortly after finishing the salad. The ravioli was a bit of a mess, cheese and sauce all over the place, but the ravioli was much better than it looked. All in all, the quality is good, the lunch prices are great, and the atmosphere is friendly. I would try this place again. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

food is very good and they have good options. it's a small place so parking on weekends is often done with valet so make sure you have a couple bucks to tip them. service is great, everyone is friendly and you can tell they feel passionate about the food. the restaurant is small and doesn't have many tables for large parties, but it is nice and intimate and the food is very good.try the manicotti, linguini vongole, veal parm, and of course all the daily specials are very good More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Fantastic food and excellent service. The small plates served during 'happy hour' in the wine bar are delicious. I particularly enjoy the fresh avocado stuffed with a crab cake! Wines by the glass are appropriately priced and the atmosphere is perfect for a casual but 'upscale' dining experience. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Out in the area from California on a business trip and looked on yelp for an Italian joint. I was amazed by the smell of the food walking in, and that smell was a good sign! The food was amazing, and very tasteful. I got the Alfredo Pasta with a good white wine recommend by the served. Everything was great. Being home sick and always going out to my hometown's Italian restaurant - this really made me feel at home. Highly recommend! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I'm pleasantly surprised! The reviews here had me worried but I had nothing but a great time here. They do have free valet parking but I parked down the street at H-Mart since I had to do shopping anyway and the weather was nice. We made a reservation the day before we decided to come, which was a good idea since by the time we got our wine, the restaurant was almost completely full. We started out with a half bottle of Chianti, which was perfect for two people and a great complement to my papardelle al ragu. I love papardelle al ragu and I don't feel like many "Italian" places have it, so I was so happy to see that Dolce Vita does. It was so good, with the meat perfectly cooked to tenderness and the papardelle perfectly al dente. My friend got penne alla vodka, which I tasted and it was also delicious!We finished our meal with tiramisu and a cappuccino each. I loved the tiramisu of course but surprisingly the cappuccino was what stood out to me! They add a tiny bit of cinnamon to it which was unexpected but so appreciated. Service was great and I'm definitely going to be back. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Hella amazing!!! Met a whole group of people here for friend's birthday and I was thoroughly pleased with everything! A great classic Italian atmosphere and awesome food. I had the gnocci with bacon and everyone else had amazingly awesome food as I did. I would recommend this to anyone looking for good Italian fair in the area. It was expensive but totally worth it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great food and excellent service get the lamb. I recommend making a reservation, but trust u will be seated on time

Reviewed on Yelp

Food was excellent, our server Rodolfo was awesome! The place is intimate for a romantic date but was even great with our two young kids.  Limited valet parking but can park at the church behind for no cost. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Pizza pizza! Their dough is quite good so the toppings are just a bonus.  There were 5 of us and we shared three plus an appetizer.  I've also been there and had their papardelle with bolognese and while the sauce was good, the pasta was a bit thick.  I'm hoping it was just an off day cause most other things I've had are pretty good. We also shared a bottle of the Montepulciano on the short list. Delish! My only real gripe is that I don't live closer. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I started with a modestly priced red wine that hit the spot just fine. The atmosphere of the place on a Thursday night is bustling and lively. The staff is attentive and friendly. The zucchini appetizer and the pepper soup and their take on the classic calamari and marinara sauce were all impeccable. I was defeated by a mountainous plate of mushroom risotto that was simply stunning. Go here! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Love this restaurant. Lunch or Dinner is fantastic.  They have the best meatballs on the planet.  My family has been going there for 18 years now.  The original owner is no longer running the restaurant but the wait staff has not changed much since the new owners took over.  The new owners have made a few changes to my delight.  Will be eating at Dolce Vita for years to come. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This restaurant has a very comfortable, quaint feel. The restaurant is a bit narrow so we were very close to the people seated at the table next to us. However, the service was quick and friendly. We had a reservation so we were able to be seated immediately after we arrived. I ordered the pollo alla cacciatora (pictured below). It was delicious! The chicken seemed to fall right off the bone and the polenta was fried perfectly. My friend ordered the lasagna della casa which looked small but turned out to be extremely filling, she could barely finish it! Definitely stop by if you want authentic italian food. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

How anyone with any sense of taste, culture and knowledge of cuisine could rate Dolce Vita under 5 stars is beyond me. This is authentic Italian food and the very best in this area of Nothern Virginia. The noodles and sauces are homemade and extremely tasty. The flavor is straight out of Italy. The service is excellent as well. The manager walks around and chats with customers throughout the evening. You will not be disappointed! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I was there on Saturday night 1/27/18 with my wife and my son and his wife. The food and service was excellent.  We started with the fried calamari and breaded brussel sprouts.  My wife had the ravioli but had it with the spicy marinara sauce.  My son and his wife went with the pasta and meatballs also with the spicy marinara sauce.  As you can see the spicy marinara sauce is big with us.  I varied and had the Osso Buco over risotto.  The service was superb and the appetizers were served quickly and then our orders were taken and the entrees were served with perfect timing after the starters.  Everyone enjoyed their dishes and the excellent service. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Came here to celebrate my parents anniversary and I was more than pleased with our experience. The atmosphere is very quaint but welcoming and we were gifted with extremely attentive service. For appetizers we ordered the grilled calamari and insalata autunno which were both exceptional starters. It's hard to find grilled calamari and theirs was cooked perfectly. For my entree I ordered duck confit fettuccine which was fantastic. They gave me a hefty amount of duck which paired perfectly with the butter sage sauce. For dessert we ordered the cannoli, lava cake, and tiramisu which were all to die for and they even gave us complimentary limoncello which was very generous. Overall it was a More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Recommendations are absolutely correct!  A hidden gem in Fairfax, Virginia.   Home-made pasta.   House Chianti from Tuscany is wonderful.  Had penne arrabiatta!  It was wonderfully spicy!  Missed the mention if hot peppers!  If you like hot, this is definitely for you!  You can order off restaurant menu at wine bar next door.  Happy hour 4-7! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

An exceptional Italian restaurant in Fairfax, VA.  The service was outstanding, prompt and friendly. Angel, Jose and Victor were very professional, courteous and friendly. Anthony the chef/owner stopped by our table to talk and make sure all was ok. The restaurant uses fresh ingredients, has enormous portions reasonably priced and the menu has some unique Italian dishes. I would highly recommend the carbonara or fettucine alfredo. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

When we go we feel like family from our first visit to our most recent. The food is always delicious and the menu is always updating. I love that they have a garden of fresh herbs and vegetables growing on site. The wine club is the best! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Amazing little secret in fairfax. The food was amazing I love the ambiance. Great for a date night. My fave were their pizzas

Reviewed on Yelp

Usually good-to-excellent in their food quality, though the freshness/crust of the bread is inconsistent, and the salad portions are a little small. The home-made spaghetti/linguini pasta (the tube-pastas are not home-made) is superb....arguably one of the best things about the place. Owner is very nice...most of the staff and servers are also courteous. Worst thing about the place is parking.....which is cramped, and clearly inadequate for the demand they get at lunchtime. Also, the main restaurant shuts down at 2:30 PM......which is annoying. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Why all the hate in these reviews?! We loved our dinner at Dolce Vita. The service is great; the staff are always having fun. And the food is good; it seems they are always running a special. Our meal was wonderful. The angel hair pasta with red sauce was great and the portions are huge. I love the fresh sprig of basil on top. The venison special was so tender and juicy and that fig puree was yummmmm. The dish that stole the show was the four-cheese gnocchi appetizer. ohmuhgaw......that was sooo goooood! Seriously. We scraped and scraped the sides of that dish. The wine bar offers a good happy hour special and a casual bar experience. We sat on the restaurant side where it's a bit old school bistro style. The ambience is so cozy if not a bit cheesy. You also get the excitement that comes with the open kitchen. You have a full view of the line cooks and the pizza guy who is in charge of constantly stuffing a tray into the mouth of the big face oven guy. haha..from a distance it's really quite funny. We really enjoyed watching all the action and such a delicious meal. Make reservations. More...

Reviewed on Yelp