taste of tysons tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, olives, extra virgin olive oil, and red wine vinegar. With an equally impressive listing of pastas, pizzas, and Chef Raffaele’s signature dishes, we chose to share one of each. Although it was tough passing on the Gnocchi Sorrentina and the Pappardelle Al Ragu Di Anitra E Porcini (pappardelle in a duck and porcini mushroom ragu sauce), we went with the Ravioli Di Carne for our pasta choice. The handmade ravioli is filled with the chef’s secret meat sauce, and it wasn’t long before forks were flying to grab the next one. As a family who eats at a lot of Italian restaurants, we definitely know how to appreciate a top-notch sauce. Having spent some time in the Napoli Coast, my wife was eager to try the chef’s signature sea bass, which was a delicious blend of tomatoes, potatoes, sweet onions, and basil in a white wine sauce. The unique flavor of the potatoes really stood out and made the meal sensational. It’s no wonder that it’s the most popular item on the menu. The pizzas are all made in an authentic Stefano Ferrara pizza oven from Napoli, and judging by the number of customers ordering pizza on the side, it’s quickly become a favorite of the community. My wife and I both enjoyed the pizza, but by the time we took our first bites, we were already pretty full from the
rest of the meal. Before I forget, my little one said the fourcheese pizza was delicious, and she especially enjoyed the pasta. She even took a few bites of the fish and said, “yum,” which is the equivalent of a four-star rating. There is a children’s menu for those with pickier eaters than my girl. As any good Italian does, we did manage to save a little room for dessert. My wife chose the house specialty of Zucotto, and it is now her favorite dessert in all of Vienna. I went with the more delicate sponge cake with some vanilla gelato, and it ended the meal on a nice note. Thanks to a friendly and assertive staff, an open kitchen that lets you see the chefs in action, plus a delicious Napoli meal to boot, Pazzo Pomodoro is the perfect place for some fine dining, even with the little ones in tow. Be warned, the restaurant starts to get really busy around seven, so come early or be sure to have a reservation. Believe me, it’s worth the trip. Pazzo Pomodoro is located at 118 Branch Road in Vienna. Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and dinner is served 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call 703-281-7777. author: Keith Loria is a freelance writer who writes regularly about sports, business, entertainment, and the arts. When he's not writing, the Oakton work-at-home dad can be found playing with his daughters Jordan and Cassidy.
NOW SERVING LUNCH Lunch Tues.-Sun. 11:30am-2:30pm Closed for lunch Mondays Pazzo Pomodoro (pot . so pomodoro) “The Crazy Tomato” Come and enjoy our Neapolitan inspired menu of made-from-scratch dishes that represent a modern, but traditional authentic cuisine.
Dinner Sun.-Thur. 5:00-9:00pm Fri. & Sat. 5:00-10:00pm
118 Branch Road SE
VIENNA
(703) 281-7777
www.PazzoPomodoro.com
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