Authentic Italian Cuisine

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Dante is a wonderful restaurant in a beautiful old house. You can have a private meal with your spouse/girlfriend, friends and family. I have been going to Dante for many years and have been there for a romantic evening out with my husband, dinner in one of the private rooms upstairs, as well as with co-workers for a business dinner. I highly recommend that you stop in for a excellent meal and a fantastic evening.
Andrea L. Sterling, VA


No kidding we never would have found this fabulous restaurant on our own. Thank you Groupon. So on top of a very delicious experience we had a reduced bill. We felt like we stole something after enjoying such a great meal at a reduced price. Very friendly and attentive staff with a cozy atmosphere. I can highly recommend the bacon wrapped scallops in lobster sauce. The tenderloin I enjoyed was of-course the most tender I've ever experienced. There were no leftovers or doggy-bags involved. My girlfriend raved about the homemade pasta she enjoyed too. The bill without a coupon would be a bit on the spendy side, so you may want to make a reservation for some special occasion. It is located across the road from another favorite restaurant the Serbian Crowne. We may have to share our time between the two from now on. Five out of five stars and I don't hand out fives that often.
Keith F. Atlanta, GA


I just got back freshly stuffed from a work lunch at Dantes. It was absolutely delicious. A very lively atmosphere and not stuffy like I had anticipated. The service was great and everything our group had was delicious. They treated our whole table to free desserts for a slight reservation seating mishap which was very generous. I had crepe lasagna (nice because it was lighter than reg lasagna), a half portion of the shrimp/hearts of palm/avocado salad and tiramisu for dessert. The soups- which I saw from the others who ordered it at my table- were reported to be great and could be a meal in itself- very large, sumptious portions. If I go back- I will order that. I liked their menu selection- lots of good choices as well.
Jenn K Reston, VA


Dante is one of those dream restaurants with a bit of everything: an intimate setting, simplistic decor with a upscale edge, excellent service, and some of the best Italian food in the area. Prices are reasonable for establishments of this kind, but by no means inexpensive. After my last couple of visits, I can understand why folks would love this place. What I can't understand (or rather find surprising) is I'm the first person to write about it on Yelp. I came here for a wedding party a while back and was seated in a very small room, just big enough for 20 guests. The food was an AYCE style arrangement where we were able to go out into the hallway to stack up on whatever was available. It was mounds of food ranging from pork, veal, chicken, pasta, and various appetizers. Everything was so immaculately laid out and with such decent presentation most folks were scared to mess it up. The wait staff was very polite and friendly the entire time, as they made an effort to ensure our night went flawless. My last time here was in their big room while my workplace had hosted an event here. I couldn't believe the restaurant was able to fit in so many people at a place so deceivingly spacious. The restaurant is essentially a large house, nothing reminiscent of an upscale Italian building / restaurant. It gives off the vibe of a place one would seek a home cooked meal. I only wish I could get food like this at home. We were served an outstanding array of Italian dishes, all of which were fantastic. The Risotto Alla Zafferano was so creamy that it felt sinful just to eat it. The rich texture of the butter made the rice so smooth that it was like a silky oatmeal with an incredible taste of decadent proportions. Equally delicious were the Lasagna crepes (Lasange Di Crespelle Al Forno) and the Ricotta Spinach filled Pasta (Agnolotti Di Spinacie Ricotta Alla Panna). Main course recommendations would go to the Veal Shank with Fettuccine and the Veal Scallops with Crab and Provolone Cheese (Scaloppine Di Vitello Con Carne Di Granchio, Provolone). Without a doubt, I will be back. The food and the ambiance are a winning combination for a great date spot and an hearty group dining destination. With regard to the food, I can attest it is some of the best northern Italian food I've had, for that every bite resulted in a minor foodgasm (which consists of a small nod, closed eyes, and a smile.).
jando S Queens, NY


Hands down, best meal out I have had in a very long time. I was very impressed with Dante. My family originally bought a http://Restaurant.com gift certificate to come here to celebrate my birthday/3-Day breast cancer walk in October. We were unable to go due to some other conflicts, so this was on the to-do list for Christmas. We made a reservation for Christmas Eve, and it was wonderful. The walk into the restaurant was lit up with lights, we were greeted by a hostess and our coats were checked. We were then escorted upstairs to a smaller room (I believe there were 4 tables) and soon after greeted by our server. (I am horrible with names, but I believe his name was Gary). I opted for one of the specials that day to start, an avocado and crab salad. I don't eat seafood... but I made an exception for this salad, and holy wow was it delish. I let my mom and dad each have a bite, and they agreed that it was quite good. For my main meal I had the "Filetto di manzo con funghi trifolatie salsa di vino rosso" --- grilled beef tenderloin with mushrooms and a red wine sauce. So good, it was it the meat was just melting in my mouth. Very tender, juicy, and cooked medium-rare perfectly. It was served with fresh veggies like zucchini, squash, etc (a bit softer than I like, but still good). There was also a potato side of some sort. It was like garlic mashed potatoes... but different. I can't quite describe it, but I will say it was good. Lastly, I had the creme brulee for dessert. Good sized, nice consistency for the custard, and the sugar coating was a good thickness as well. This establishment is perfect for an intimate date spot, family dinner, or even a group dinner. It's setting of a refurbished home gives it a more intimate feeling than that of a typical restaurant. The prices are quite reasonable for the type of dining they offer, but I also love the fact that they participate in programs such as http://Restaurants.com (without which, I may have never gotten to experience this place!) Aside from Yelp, I've already recommended this place to a number of people in the Herndon area... it's THAT good.
Jen.H Somerville MA


Bone-in veal chop; crepe lasagna; bacon wrapped scallops w/lobster cream sauce all were delicious. Other items on the menu like the pasta with wild boar ragu sounded really good and we'll have to try on our next trip back. No complaints about the service. Very cozy atmosphere.
Gautam G Ashburn, VA


Went on New Year's Eve, when reservations at another restaurant fell through. What can I say, beautiful gnocchi, dessert and drinks. Lovely server, charming interior. Five stars.
Penelope S Ashburn, VA


Dante Ristorante is an upscale restaurant offering fine Northern Italian cuisine. The restaurant is located in the historic Leigh house that dates back to 1880, and it sits in dramatic fashion on the corner of Colvin Run Road and Walker Road. Featuring a wrap around porch and beautiful window vistas, the interior offers sheer elegance with its hardwood floors and private dining rooms. The breast of chicken with black olives in tomato sauce is a patron pleaser. For seafood lovers, there is the grilled salmon and swordfish. Dante Ristorante offers class and sophistication, so take that special someone for a night to remember.
by mareen.harris


Date night! Best salmon I have ever had. Every course was better than the last! Extremely satisfied. via foresquare
Shawn G.


Dante Ristorante is a gorgeous restored Victorian home built in the late 1800s in beautiful Great Falls, Virginia. It's a wonderful, unique place to host any kind of special occasion; my wedding ceremony took place at my parents' home very nearby (5-minute drive), so Dante's was the perfect venue for our reception. We rented out the entire house (note: only allowed on Sundays) and we were able to utilize different rooms for different functions. All 52 of our guests fit into the main dining room, where we had the most exceptional Tuscan-style Italian sit-down dinner (3 courses). One of the upstairs rooms was made into the dance floor, and another was used for the cake room. A beautiful mahogany-paneled room was where we set up the appetizers, and we even designated a room with a TV for the kids to watch a DVD during the party. Elio, the owner, is so flexible...he'll do whatever you want to make you happy! If you are looking for an elegant, classy, non-traditional venue for any special occasion, you can't go wrong with Dante's. Honestly, they serve the most amazing Italian food in northern Virginia! The owner is a native of Tuscany, and he and his chef have brought the very best of their country's cuisine to share with their customers. The warm, intimate atmosphere of the restaurant makes you feel as though you are dining at someone's home, yet the elegance of the service and the exquisite food make you feel like a pampered guest! Dante's just recently built a patio for outdoor dining, which provides a scenic and serene alternative to the indoor tables. I adore the house, so I prefer the inside, but a great addition to an already stellar dining establishment which I'm sure will attract even more diners. Dante's has been and always will be our favorite dining experience!!!
MMY86McLean, VA


always enjoy the food here, favorite of my friends and we always have this one cute waiter. able to host small gatherings or has a small room for 4 people to dine in private which is great. highly recommend
Joensiedc


I hadn't been to Dante's in a couple years, and the last time I went it was just....okay. Tonight it was fantastic! Soft-shelled crabs were excellent, good fresh green salad, and excellent ratatouie. Service is perfect, and it has a beautiful, quaint ambience -- I would definitely go back!
newyorkwalk1Vienna, Virginia


“LOVE this place!!” dante's is located in a picturesque setting--in a historic building. The restaurant has several intimate dining rooms and the food is delicious. The chef told us that the menu is full of dishes inspired by his family--from Abruzzi, Italy. We loved the homemade pastas and the lasagne--made with crepes is fabulous. Try the osso buco. The restaurant also has a beautifu patio and veranda--dining outside and sipping wine while watching the sunset is a special treat. The service was attentive withut being ontrusive. This is a great spot for everything from a dinner for two to a special event. We are considering having our daughter's wedding rehersal dinner here--it seems perfect for that as well as many more wonderful meals for just the two of us to come.
JMR22 washington dc


Dante is an excellent restaurant! The service is phenomenal and the atmosphere very relaxing and enjoyable. The restaurant itself is very unique; it’s a historical Victorian mansion turned into a restaurant. Each room has a different theme of décor and they also have an outdoor patio area for dining which is very enjoyable during nice weather. The menu selection and items are wonderful and I have tried just about everything (it’s all delicious!) homemade and very fresh. The wine selection is extensive and the desserts are to die for!
Christina


My first five star rating, here goes. Dante's floored me. I took my girlfriend there on Saturday for our anniversary. When I was making the reservation online, I added that little fact. Figured I'd try my luck. Jackpot. We arrived 30 minutes early, anticipating having to wait, but they had our table all ready for us. We were led upstairs to a private room. A private room! Our jaws dropped. A cozy little room to ourselves. The host wished us a happy anniversary as he left. Our waiter was excellent. I wish I had gotten his name because he really did a great job. Now, the food. We started out with a kind of charcuterie dish with prosciutto, caprese salad, and peppers. Delicious. I just about cried when I ate the mozzarella. Probably the freshest I've ever had. We also got the veal and spinach ravioli. The pasta was unreal. Fresh and actually al dente. Just so freaking delicious. The light tomato sauce served with it was delicious, too. For my entree, I decided to test them a little and ordered one of their daily specials: quail, leg of lamb, and an Italian sausage. They nailed everything, hard stop. The lamb was one of the tastiest legs of lamb I've ever eaten. So delicious, it was stupid. My girlfriend ordered the crab and lobster linguine, which came with an entire lobster, halved. It was cooked the right way, and her linguine, like the ravioli we had before, was delectable. After dinner, we got a complimentary tiramisu with "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY" spelled out on the plate in chocolate. I thought that was very thoughtful. I did what anyone would do and housed it in, like, one minute. Probably less. We had such a fantastic experience there and I definitely recommend the restaurant for any couple looking to do it up for a special occasion.
Mark H, Reston, VA


We have not been to Dante since we moved out of Virginia We are very excited about getting back there in June We have never been disappointed with the food or service I just hope they have the Capesante Dante available A dish you will never forget
paul Kositzka


Happy Easter, Giuseppe Thank you for the delicious meal you prepared for us to celebrate Easter Sunday Even though this is not a typical Easter, your exquisite dishes made this day especial Take care of yourself and we will see you again soon Thanks again for your kindness and great cooking Ninoska and Richard Shea
Ninoska Shea


No need to write a book regarding DANTE and comments DANTE is on same level as The INN at Little Washington and La Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls VA Excellent restaurant
PatrickD


Established in 1989
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December 2024
 
Address
Dante Ristorante
1148 Walker Road
Great Falls, VA 22066
703.759.3131

Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Mon-Sat 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Closed on Sundays

Other Information
Wheelchair Accessible
Outdoor Seating
Major Credit Cards
Waiter Service
Take Reservations
Attire: Business Casual
DANTE RISTORANTE fine italian dining
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