Pines of Florence
1300 King St, Alexandria, VA, 22314
Pines of Florence Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Alexandria for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Alexandria for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Alexandria for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1300 King St
Alexandria, VA, 22314 - Phone (703) 549-1796
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
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.
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Varna S.
The food was great! Much better then I expected after reading so many negative reviews. I got the gnocchi marinara while my mom got the spinach rigatoni and her friend got the vegetable lasagna. All dishes were fresh and delicious. I could tell the dishes were made to order because the waiter was very willing to make any changes even to the lasagna (usually premade in most restaurants). All were served piping hot. The sauce for the gnocchi was awesome. The gnocchi itself was a bit dense for my taste but overall not bad! We asked them to add some extra spice to all dishes and they did a great job. While the food is great the actual restaurant is very old. When you walk in you immediately notice a musty smell. I believe the air conditioning was not working well as it was a bit warm inside. Decor and menus all look outdated and with the slight odor we were almost ready to leave. I'm glad we stayed because the quality of the food was a nice surprise. With a few renovations and a new air conditioning system this place would definitely get 5 stars.
(4)Elizabeth N.
We went last Friday for an early dinner (5pm). We had seen it walking up and down King Street and thought it looked quaint so decided to finally try it. Indeed, the interior was quaint and cute. It felt like they were trying to be upscale but weren't really pulling it off but we thought that was sweet. We had calamari as an appetizer which was mediocre, average at best. Then we seemed to have been forgotten because 50 minutes later our waitress came to assure us our food was coming soon. I had the spaghetti with meat sauce and mushrooms which was pretty standard Italian Restaurant fair. It was good, but nothing too impressive. My fiance's Shrimp Fra Diavlo was the saving grace in this review because he loved it. Overall the service left something to be desired, and the food was a bit too hit-or-miss for me to be brave enough to try again anytime soon.
(3)Jeff C.
I was watching a documentary on Frank Sinatra when the craving hit me.. I needed Italian food in the worst way. I craved something other than pizza, for pasta and chicken parmigiana were singing my song. Now, I haven't ordered from Pines of Florence in years, but I saw that they had delivery and I decided to give them another try. And 30 minutes later it was just me, Old Blue Eyes, and some delicious parmigiana. The whole meal was more than perfect and went very nicely with Frank singing, "I did it my way" This is old school Italian food, and I am glad that I rediscovered Pines of Florence. This makes for a nice change of pace in my foodie delivery world. I did think my order could have had a bit more cheese, but I will make that clear the next time I order. This place may not be as hip as the Rat Pack, but somehow, I think Frank would still dig it.
(4)Dana T.
A friend and I decided to give this place a try. We were both pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and price. This restaurant is not as flashy as some of the other spots on King Street. My friend actually like the sauce, which is impressive because she usually only likes her mom's sauce. I had the vegetable lasagna...delicious! I took my father and aunt here when they visited. I ordered the vegetable lasagna again because it's that good. My Italian father and aunt were also pleased with their meals.
(4)Ieesha J.
This is what happens when your friend doesn't let you look on Yelp for a review!!! We were walking down Old Town Alexandria one afternoon and decided to have lunch. We ended up here :( Once we stepped into the establishment I knew something was wrong - the place was EMPTY during lunch time! Sigh - I wasn't paying for the meal so I kept my mouth shut! The server was friendly, but the bread that was served was cold and hard - not appetizing! To top that our water glasses were dirty! GROSS! So again why aren't we leaving??? For our entrees I ordered the Shrimp Fettuccine and my friend had the Meat Lasagna. The Alfredo sauce was very watery and it was A TON of it on the plate. My friend didn't like their lasagna as it was too salty to consume. The best part of this meal was that my friend wish they never chose this place! #WINNING You win some and you lose some!
(1)Kara S.
Delicious!!! Ravioli were awesome and the sauce was divine! Thumbs up and great prices.
(5)Denise R.
I ordered carry out while in the area for work. My order was ready when I arrived and staff was very friendly. It is an older restaurant with a very traditional feel and decor from what I noticed when I was picking up my order. The spinach manicotti was very tasty and came with a side of bread. I also ordered the tiramisu which I enjoyed as well. Both were good size portions and I was more than satisfied.
(4)Jimmy W.
The restaurant is pretty dated, but it's a good spot to take family for a nice meal. Order the linguine florentine, it is AWESOME!
(4)Annette S.
I love these old outdated homey Italian restaurants. We are attending a convention in DC. My boyfriend remembered this place when he lived in Alexandria in the 80s. Loved it! Glass of house wine for $4.95. Yummy rich Fettucini Florentine for $12.95 and Fettucini Carbonara for $11.95. Not fancy but authentic and comforting.
(4)Allison H.
Been here several times and their chicken cacciatore is amazing! The only problem is parking and it always takes a little long to get our orders, but it's worth the wait.
(4)Karen A.
The food is authentic an delicious. It is a clear hole in the wall but the dining area is elegant and clean. The server himself that I had had an Italian accent. The wine prices are cheap and I got full glasses so this is worth the money. The only issue is that the servers never check in with you, I had to flag someone down to get my check. Will come back but not for the service, for the delicious food!!!
(4)Amanda B.
This intimate Italian restaurant is a cozy place to eat delicious food in Alexandria. We ate the Caesar salad, spaghetti, and spinach manicotti. The service was great and the food was fresh. The prices were very reasonable compared to other Alexandria "tourist" spots.
(4)Tony H.
My wife and I had passed this place several times and finally decided that my birthday was the perfect excuse to try someplace new. One benefit we appreciated right away is a rare amenity in Old Town: free off-street parking! I should mention at this point that my wife is plus-size. This is relevant because although the restaurant was initially all but empty when we came in, the host first tried to seat us at a booth (not exactly compatible for my wife) then at a table which turned out to be separated from the bar only by what I presume is the unofficial staff table. Whether we wanted to or not, we learned a lot about their aspirations for a while until a more steady stream of customers started to arrive. Our server was friendly and gave some earnest suggestions to my wife who was curious to know what was the "best" stuff on the menu. I ended up ordering the cannelloni while my wife got the veal osso bucco along with a side of pasta carbonara. The carbonara was a bit of a favor to my wife who was trying to decide between the chicken carbonara and what she ultimately ordered. The cannelloni was something a bit new to me. My wife felt that her osso bucco compared very well to her favorite place in Las Vegas that serves it. The maître'd tried to interest us in some dessert. We asked what the choices were out of curiosity but ultimately decided we were full. Somewhere along the way, my wife mentioned it was my birthday and they were kind enough to bring me a birthday cannoli - complete with candle - that my wife and I somehow found the room to enjoy. Overall, we enjoyed the food. The customer service - when not socially chatting within earshot - was attentive. It was a good value and experience; we would certainly give it another try in the future.
(4)David B.
I can honestly say that this is so so. It's certainly not more that three stars but it's not Wolfgang Puke either! It was my shelter in the storm tonight.
(3)Henry R.
Passing by this relic from the early 1970's we fortunately spotted their menu in the window. Good looking Italian menu at very reasonable prices. When I saw the Veal Ossobuco at $16.95 we had to go in. The least I've paid for this meal was in the vicinity of $30 and it goes for close to $60 at the Borgata in AC. Vintage Naugahyde vinyl booths, the place didn't just feel old, it was. The food was not only very good but plentiful. The Ossobuco did not disappoint, cooked for hours so it fell off the bone and melted in your mouth. A glass (or in this case two) of the house Chianti went for $4.95, it doesn't get any better than this for a great meal with 1960's ambiance and prices.
(5)Roger M.
We've been regulars at PoF for about 15 years now ... and they've NEVER let us down. It's nothing fancy on the outside, but on the inside it's got seriously good service, cooking, prices, and friendliness. This is as down-home Italian as you can get -- and it never busts the budget. You want fresh pasta? Check! You want great veal? Check! You like a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere? Check. Oh, and the pizza is exactly what I imagine the Romans hoped it would be two thousand years ago. Seriously, Caesar, you need to check this place out!.
(5)Jim H.
Went window shopping the other day....I'd seen the place a few times figured we would stop in.... Food was good, I really enjoyed my veal and the wife liked her lasagna...kid got spaghetti....espresso after was good Overall, nice and will go again....
(3)Christa F.
We enjoyed a decent meal here on a Saturday as a second date. I wouldn't recommend bringing a date here until you've been out a few times, and even then, I think it pales by comparison to other perfectly lovely options in the area. The food is okay, the service was decent and the establishment a bit run down. It was also a little early and completely deserted, so it felt awkward.
(2)Brian W.
This is interesting place. A bit on the shabby side (pealing wallpaper) but seems authentic. The prices seem pretty good for Old Town and the food was pretty good. I'd be willing to try it again. Seems like it will end up either an old friend or the odd brother-in-law.
(4)Elizabeth Z.
Happened to see this place just driving down King Street and the "mom and pop" nature of the store front stood out to us so we decided to give it a try. It smells a little weird when you walk in (kinda like a grandmas house) but the food and service were great! We had a couple of apps and the lasagna and a pasta special for our entrees. For the price point, the food was really good and tasted better than another more expensive Italian place we tried. The inside is definitely outdated, but that's what gives these old places their charm. Foodies need not apply, but for those who appreciate some solid Italian, give this place a shot!
(4)Ashley J.
Hmmm where to begin...first of all the food is decent, food but not anything to rave back home about. HOWEVER like other reviews ambiance, service, and overall feel of the restaurant is off. Service-Another employee had to get the waiters attention for him to even seat us, overall the staff weren't very attentive to our needs as far as being ready to order, needing more to drink, etc. until we actually had food. Ambiance-The first thing we noticed was that it was extremely bright. Next, the music was a variety of Italian themed stuff from classical music by Italian composers to Frank Sinatra and score music from The Godfather...YES The Godfather I had images of the Don walking down the street and then again on his death bed. The best part was hearing a pandora ad come across the speakers. Food- we started with Caprese and garlic bread. Caprese was good garlic bread was good but merely Texas toast baked with minced garlic on top :-/ I had the chicken cacciatore while my boyfriend had their tortelloni special. We both enjoyed our meals, again they weren't anything to rave about but both satisfying. Overall we had a god evening, had a few laughs about the random music, and the food was satisfying.
(2)Sarah J.
This is a solid Old Town option. The missing fourth star is because it's a bit lacking in ambience. In a lot of ways it's like eating at your Italian grandmother's house. The decorating is very much to someone elses taste from about 40 years ago but the food is on point. It's old fashioned and pretty unchanging. Which is lovely and authentic. Everything we had was well made and fresh. The service was hiliarious, two young men who enjoyed quite a bit of banter with my father. It was absolutely deserted at 4:00 on a Friday afternoon, making it the perfect place to come with family after our civil ceremony. It was the definition of laid back and easy. We'll definitely be back.
(3)Wesley H.
the building and service were not the best and the place was not busy at all which worried me when we first walked in but to our suprise the food was excellent! will definitely return on our next trip to DC
(4)Jay Y.
We (a party of 4) have been sitting here as I'm typing this, waiting for a check for over 37 minutes. The waiter went AWOL without any warning. Ordered a large pizza and it is barely a two-star with the soggy "crust" at bottom. Food was delivered extremely slow and water service is non-existent. I took a poll on this review. It speaks for all of our experience, averaged.
(2)Melissa B.
Love the food! And the service is usually excellent. We've been coming to this restaurant for the past 5 years. They treat us well and the chef is amazing. The food is cooked to order. The bread, calamari and zucchini, baked ziti and pasta primavera are great. They always give my little girl an especially warm welcome, bringing her a covered water and a half order of spaghetti and meatballs. Tonight they brought her an ice cream sundae that made her especially happy. Pines is also perfect for a large family dinner. We like to come here when my parents and sister are in town making it 9 of us. They accommodate us well and my mom likes the white linens. We will be back!
(4)Nick T.
First of all, I can't explain how inaccurate the previous negative posts are. If you are looking for some pretentious horseshit ( like the vast majority of DC area Italian food), then this place is not for you. It's great Italian food at reasonable prices and you can't really find comparable places in the region. The wine glasses were filled to the brim. The olive oil mixture they give you with the bread is amazing. Two of the dishes we had were orgasmic. The others were only amazing as fuck. The red sauce is authentic and delicious. Highlights include the lasagna, chicken romana, ravioli, and basically everything. Just go and write the 5 start review this place deserves so that it doesn't get replaced by some pretentious bullshit where the food is 50 dollars because it's placed vertically on the dish and is "deconstructed".
(5)Ben I.
I've been to Pines of Florence with my family a couple times now, and we've always enjoyed our dining experience there. Compared to other Old Town establishments, you can't beat the authentic Italian cuisine offered at such reasonable prices here. I love the small, cozy atmosphere that compliments the delicious menu. I've gotten the spaghetti both times, along with mozzarella sticks and bread/salad, and was very content when the meal was over. This little gem is definitely worth a visit at least once while exploring the charm of historic Old Town Alexandria.
(5)Landon C.
This place has decent food. The service? Mediocre. Waiting for a check?... 45 minutes. Not good. And no apology either it's like nothing happened.
(2)Kayla M.
Anything less than 5 stars means you are high on drugs. The entire vibe of Pines of Florence is it's own thing - a dying breed of authentic Italian-American cuisine with a family-owned culture. The first indicator I had made a great choice was the basket of bread and tasting olive oil which greeted me as I settled in. Although this is a common practice, the olive oil was clearly a unique creation for this restaurant. Bits of garlic, bits of seasoning - mmm. Absolutely delicious. Then came the lobster bisque. For $5, you don't actually expect to bite into fresh lobster - you just expect the flavor. What a delicious surprise! I also had the lobster ravioli with aurora sauce. Oh my god. You know why they call it aurora sauce? Because it's a natural wonder. Glasses of wine came nearly filled to the brim. In fact, if they were filled any more, they would have spilled as the waiter brought them over. All in all, I had an amazing experience and in my three times back, Pines of Florence has been consistently amazing. This first meal warranted an elusive tip to the chef as I left more satisfied with my meal than I could recall in my nearly four years of DC living. Never change, Pines of Florence. You are loved for what you are.
(5)Deeny N.
As I read these reviews, I'm wondering if many of the negative ones are confusing it with the pizza place on Columbia Pike. We found this place when we were walking to Bertucci's. It was incredibly cold out, and we saw this place, so we decided to give it a try. So happy we did because the food here is great! The portions are always a good size, and I love starting my meal with the house salad. They also bring you bread with olive oil. My husband and friends are never disappointed either. I also love that this place is unpretentious and the prices are reasonable. It could use some remodeling and some cleaning, but I appreciate the quaintness of this place.
(4)M. L.
This is one of those restaurants that sounds good from the menu... but you immediately regret your decision the second you walk through the door (and since you committed and walked in, you feel obligated not to leave). We saw the menu from the street and since there were a TON of options, we figured this would be the best option for lunch. And how can you go wrong with Italian? We walked in and the place was empty, dim, and just plain old looking. The bartender/server/busboy/host sat us to one of the many empty tables. He was clearly the only one working the floor. It was noon that day (weekend) and normally this is when a business would feel their lunch time rush. Well, it was us and about three other tables. The decor is so depressing, the quintessential "we are trying our best to be as cliche Italian as possible". Throw in a few wine racks and italian-ish wallpaper and you got yourself an Italian restaurant. However, they were playing Mariah Carey and Boyz to Men. Not so much Italian. Everything felt so cheap. The bread they serve each table was that cheap thinly sliced bread that you finish in one bite. My father ordered a lemonade.... which ended up being water with lemons squeezed into it, no joke. The walls were filthy (photos uploaded), there were obvious splatter stains right next to where I was sitting. And if you do venture into this place (I hope not), please do not look up. The ceilings haven't been cleaned since the place opened. We ordered the garlic bread for our appetizer. Hmmm... wouldn't recommend that. It was the same bread that is served on the table (only 3 slices though) that is rubbed with garlic chunks. I mean, I guess it was only $2.50. My fiance ordered the chicken Fettuccine Alfredo... poor guy. It was practically soup. And his first bite of chicken was a nice chuck of fat that couldn't be chewed. I had slightly better luck since i ordered the chicken parmigiana. Just your average dish... with a bonus of inedible chunks of fat. Beside the food and ambiance the service was subpar. Our server looked like he hated his life. I mean, if I was stuck in that place all day I would be depressed too. He was running around catering to the few tables he had, but it was a little more than one person could handle. So he was almost absent and very quiet. Gave no personality besides the time we heard him and a chef yelling at each other in the back. That was about it. So there, you have been warned. I will never return to this place, nor will I ever recommend this restaurant to anyone. There are plenty of good restaurants just two block east of this place. I wish we had never walked in that door.
(1)Alison M.
I ended up at the Pines of Florence when my husband's parents were in town. They are big fans of The Pines of Rome in Maryland, but interestingly it seems that the two restaurants are unrelated. Food here was pretty good, priced well and the menu is huge with lots to choose from. The pizza was tasty with a crust reminiscent of pizza hut in a good way. My chicken parmesan was a bit under-seasoned, but the veggies were fresh and tasty. So as a whole I think the food was pretty solid, nothing to write home about, but good. Ambiance on the other hand was a little weird. This is not the place to take a date if you want to impress them. The music was instrumental versions of TV shows and movies. I found the theme from "Requim for a Dream" to be distracting and the opposite of appropriate dinner time music. Decor was extremely outdated. Think 1970s, lots of mirrors, peeling wallpaper and helium balloons left over from Valentine's Day. I'm coming from Miami and believe me a restaurant looking like this would not exist there. Our server was extremely friendly and nice. He told us that no one working at the restaurant was actually Italian, they've got Bolivian cooks and the owner is Pakistani, but hey whatever works.
(3)Anna P.
The food is good here. Classic Italian. My favorite dish here is the fettucine alfredo. The calamari and the chicken parmesan is also worth a try. Heres the bummer -- the last two times I've been here I have seen roaches: once in front of the kitchen entrance and the second time another couple saw what appeared to be a roach. The woman commented on this rather loudly, was visibly upset and switched seats with her partner. Hence, we will not be returning. It's a shame.
(2)Cullen M.
My review is about 75% my experiences at this place and 25% in defense of this place against hostile reviews. I think a lot of people in Northern Virginia, especially if they brave the trip out of DC come to a place like the Pines expecting what they get at an uber-expensive place in the city. The Pines is not fancy. It's not going to blow your socks off. It's a quiet, little place with good food. My wife and I have had numerous meals here with many different people; the most recent being my parents who speak their minds when something isn't good. I've had several of the dishes; everything from spaghetti and meatballs, to tortellini with sausage, to pizza. I may have been disappointed once or twice but I get consistently good food here; we all do. Service is almost always good. If you wait for a long time to be seated during a slow time period...did you not think to call out for someone or to see if you could find a waiter or someone? Yes, the place could use with some remodeling...care to chip in with those costs? Haha. I've never seen any roaches and believe me, if we had, my wife would never return. The prices are all reasonable and you'll probably go home with leftovers, especially the pizza, which is better than you'll get anywhere else. Give it a try. Seriously, you will enjoy the food.
(5)Ben S.
Fantastic classic Italian food for a great price. Portions are always healthy and the waiters are always on the ball. For those that don't like the decor, it is actually like a classic Italian home. Olive oil and bread prior to dinner. We always leave with a full belly and a smile.
(5)Kris T.
Service was poor, food was not for me, had to beg for check to leave.
(2)Lindsey S.
We are very happy that they deliver! We've ordered twice, and both times were fast and excellent!
(5)J W.
A long time ago this used to be a neighborhood place with an old piano in the middle of the dinning room. Ain't no more. We walked in and seeing the sign "Please wait to be seated" we waited. And we waited. And we waited. Then we waited out of principle. Nobody arrived to seat us. We left. I hate this place. So there.
(1)Lauren A.
Came here for lunch at 1:00 on a Monday and it was empty, so the service was super fast. I got the spinach manicotti and my friend got the fettuccine primavera. Both were perfect portion sizes and good for the price. Very authentic and homemade tasting.
(4)A M.
Well, it smells a little musty coming in. Thats not really too surprising considering how old the building is. I ordered the Lasagna. It came in a individually cooked boat. It was pretty tasty. The red sauce tasted homemade and the mozzarella cheese on top was great.
(3)Maryann C.
It was just a little place on the corner. Clean and friendly. The food was really good. A bowl of spaghetti pasta and meat balls was amazing. the bread and oil good too. Kind family owned and not over priced. like most of the restaurants on that street.
(5)Colleen M.
I don't exactly understand it, but Pines has become our go-to Italian place in Old Town. The decor and the waitstaff leave a little something to be desired - the former shabby and the latter heavily cologned, vaguely inattentive. Despite this, it's easily the best baked pasta place in Old Town, as well as far and away the cheapest. Do not go here for ambiance; go here for the food. Baked pastas are the restaurant's strong suit. The bread before the meal and house wine are among its weaknesses. I highly recommend the ziti or lasagne. If you're hungry enough to eat a horse, the chicken parm will statisfy.
(4)Marc W.
I had a very late lunch here with some work colleagues. There was no one in the restaurant but the service was very good. We were in a hurry b/c we had to back to work so we did not stay long. I had the meat ravioli which was really well done with a very good marinara sauce.
(3)Ben S.
Greasy American style pasta, but pretty good pasta. The bread was horrible and stale, the tiramisu was drenched with hershey's syrup... but the pasta was fresh. Decor was horrible, kind of a funky smell, I'd get take out if I came back. That said, if I wanted fresh pasta for a reasonable price I would definitely order out. Prices are good too.
(3)Jason B.
Based upon the wide range of rankings for this restaurant, I was unsure what to expect but it was a pretty good experience. One disclosure, my wife and I went there at 3pm on a Saturday. While there were people dining at a couple tables, it was not bustling. Perhaps things are different with a hectic dinner crowd but we found the service fine and the waiter attentive. The food was fine and the menu fairly extensive. We had fried calamari and zucchini. She had gluten-free linguini with shrimp. BTW, gluten-free pasta is not an easy menu item to find among Italian restaurants. I had pesto spaghetti with sausage. She had spumoni and I had the cannoli. BTW, the cannoli was also fresh, as the pastry shell was crisp and not soggy which usually happens when sitting around all day. If you expecting fancy dishes or high-end presentation, this is not the place for you. When you are paying about $10 for a spaghetti dinner, don't expect an artistic drizzling of sauces on your plate making it look like a Jackson Pollack painting. You're just getting basic good Italian food.
(4)Jim M.
One of my favorite places in Old Town Alexandria. I don't understand the bad reviews of this place. I try to eat here every time I'm in town. It is convenient to nearby hotels as well as the Old Town neighborhood. Their prices are reasonable and the food is decent. Their bread is my favorite. All of the food I have had there was worthy of 3 or 4 stars (out of 5), nothing super, but they service is usually good. Like one reviewer said, they could probably use a make-over. But that does not detract from the food or service.
(3)Autumn E.
We got the Chicken Parmigiana to share, and it was more than enough for two people! Huge breast, covered in cheese and sauce! The storefront itself was lovely, but staff was inattentive. The pasta itself was a little overdone as well. I think if you were ordering to stay in restaurant, your experience may be better than our takeout experience. Overall, pricing was reasonable and quality was scrumptious, though.
(3)Mama P.
food were good, service was ok, restaurant decor was not. it smell like an old wet feet. not liking the smell at all:(
(3)Lesa T.
The place screamed Kitchen Nightmares. The place smelled like Italian cat litter as we walked in and we should have just turned around. I made the mistake of ordering the house chianti. I thought it looked like enough of an authentic place to risk it. No. The wine was literally poured from one of those giant glass jugs that I drank sangria out of in college that was on a dirty counter behind me. Hubby really liked the bathroom. The food was only tolerable because I was starving. The lasagna was served boiling in front of me. It didn't stop boiling even inside of me. It was bland; the noodles were mushy, not homemade at all (or old, who knows).
(2)Patsy T.
Our favorite go to place in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Family owned, they have several restaurants in the DC area, but this is our favorite. The meal portions are large and good. Also inexpensive for this area. I love the eggplant parm, hubby gets chicken marsala. Also a great choice is the Meditteranean Salad, it's a meal in itself. Enjoy it always and miss my favorite waiter Dilu! We go back everytime we are in DC.
(4)Mindalah B.
Needs an update and bathrooms need cleaning. We had a reservation and they seated us on time. The food was fair. The calamari was so heavily breaded and the sauce was mediocre. Go for the fra diablo sauce and not the marinara and make sure you skip the Caesar salad and fried peppers. The veal chop was tasty and a nice size portion. Ask for the pasta al dente if not comes out to overdone. When we sent back the salad they could not of been nicer and took it off the check. The wait staff was good and brought over more bread when asked. Needs a little help in the spice department but overall you get what you pay for.
(2)Dan N.
The ambience and decor of Pines of Florence may be lacking, but once you get over those factors, the food and service are really excellent. We go to this restaurant again and again and are never disappointed. I've ordered a number of their pasta dishes with sauce, and they have all been wonderful. The waitstaff are friendly and attentive. Food price is a plus.
(4)Monica W.
I've tried this place twice. The first time the food wasn't entirely terrible, but it was nothing to write home about. I've made better with packaged pasta and cheap jarred Ragu sauce. I went back for a second experience, and same thing. Don't waste your money folks.
(2)Jon K.
Three stars for the value.... Eaten her a couple of times. It has a very convenient location. Let me start off by saying this is standard Italian fare. I'll follow that up by mentioning that nothing is going to "WOW" you here when it comes to the food. It's not great, but at the same time it's not bad either. What I like best about this place is the overall value. They constantly hand out coupons, I've seen them on restaurant.com several times, and the prices are pretty decent. Who knows, maybe my rating is too low but I feel the food should be better for a better rating. My wife and I have both enjoyed this place when we have went as well. Not a bad choice if you're in Old Town Alexandria but I wouldn't go out of my way to get to this Italian restaurant.
(3)Jane H.
Likes: french bread and olive oil comes even with lunch! Fresh, homemade italian dressing (love!) served alongside a fresh green ensalade. Great, quick service. Clean venue. Gripes: peeling wall paper here and there takes a bit of credit away from its aesthetics. Chicken sandwich w/ prosciutto... The chicken breast was too thin and the flavors of the olives and prosciutto overpowered the sandwich. So strong that I had to pack up half the sandwich to attempt later (and the sandwich isn't that big to begin with). If it comes down to it, taste of food trumps cleanliness of venue and service. So yes, it's meh! I've had better. Where's the nearest subway?
(2)G S.
This is the finest Italian restaurant in Northern Virginia. We go weekly. I have simple tastes...house salad with fresh robust Italian salad dressing and penne with tomato sauce. For desert get the Spumoni ice cream. Always good and a great value!
(5)John P.
This place has been here forever... and I don't know why. I have hit it up a couple of times and both times, I have been far less than impressed. First time I went, I got the pizza, which was not anything special. Good enough for 3am drunk pizza, but then again, so is that frozen crap. Had some employees with me that wanted Italian, so I figured I would give it a second chance. Mistake. I ordered chicken picatta. While the side of spaghetti was cooked properly, the picatta sauce was gelatanous and the chicken was rubbery. I will not be giving this another chance. This time it is 2 strikes & out!
(1)Greg G.
(I wish Yelp allowed negative or zero stars!) Upon entering this place I was confronted with a horrific smell; I halfway expected to see durian on the menu. Yikes! I should have listened to my nose, but I persevered and dined on the most mediocre-to-bad "Italian" cuisine of my life. Overcooked and over-sauced pasta, and grocery store bread. Honestly, the Olive Garden is better.
(1)Aaron H.
I had been a fan of the original Pines of Florence in Dupont Circle and have been meaning to finally get to this one. Overall, its a little nicer but about the same. However, there is one HUGE plus to this over just about any other place in the DC area. $2.95 drafts all day everyday (not a special) - and they had on tap yuengling, amstel light, and peroni. $2.95 Peroni - this will be brining me back, even if I dont' order the mediocre food. So the breakdown: Food - its OK. Not bad, and gives you what you want if you want traditional italian. However, its not a place I would brag about or tell my italian friends I went too. Ambiance - Not as crappy as the Dupont location, but still pretty bad. Price - 5 stars. Excellent. Food is reasonably priced like always and you get more than what you pay for. Oh did I mention the 2.95 amstels and peroni?
(3)Nina B.
I could have sworn I reviewed this place already, because I recall saying that this is your typical Italian American restaurant. It reminded me of many Italian places in Jersey that aren't trying to be fancy and pretentious. They just have lots of American Style Italian Food. Spaghetti with Meatball. Lasagna. Fettucinni Alfredo. All the staples of American Italian, served by real Italian Americans. It's totally low-key. I can picture members of the Sopranos cast just walking in and having some meeting to finish up a business deal, or just enjoying a nice meal without having to deal with the wife and kids. "Hey Paulie! Pass the gravy!"
(3)RUSSELL G.
Hard to not give out 5 stars.. good food and friendly staff except for the Pizza I just tried tonight...barf!!! holy crap.. my suspicions are becoming true.. .there is no good pizza around DC unless I travel up to New England for some good Greek or Legit Italian fare. The dough was almost raw and un cooked. The sauce was ok, but the pepperonis were def under cooked. screw them, I'm never going back now. Up on 23rd street in Alexandrian there are a whole shit load of Italian restaurants...I'll go try those shit holes and hope they are better. In this economy, restaurants cant afford to serve shitty food cause I will write review after review until they buy me fucking dinner
(2)Tatyana A.
This is the WORST Italian place I have ever been in my entire life and the WORST place in King Street in Alexandria in regards to service, quality and brand identity. There is no heart, no soul, no attempt to please or at least to understand what the problem is. The dishes look the same regardless of what you order. It is cheaper than lots of places in the area but you will have healthier and better food if you go to Subway nearby or get food from the Whole Foods market nearby. What they serve is not even close to Italian cuisine. A completely wasted Friday night out....
(1)Anna P.
What I love the most about this place, I think, is that it just feels like "home". The food is consistently, dependably, GOOD. Delicious, even! I've yet to try anything on the menu that I wouldn't excitedly recommend to everyone that I know. To name a few of my favorites - their eggplant parm is outstanding. A generous plate of deliciously breaded eggplant cutlets smothered in gooey, drippy cheese and the most amazing fresh marinara sauce. All that, plus perfectly cooked fresh made pasta. The salads are fresh and gigantic. Crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, and a yummy homemade italian dressing. And let's talk about that bread. Big wedges of bread arrive on the table as you're seated, with a saucer of garlicky olive oil goodness. I shouldn't forget to mention the meat meat sause and the meat sauce with mushrooms. Both delicious spaghetti options! The wines are good and incredibly priced - by the bottle/carafe and by the glass. Another very important detail that I should mention. This place is WONDERFUL if you have specific food allergies. I have a friend who is lactose intolerant and another who is severely allergic to onions. Both can order meals here and leave with certainty that they have not been "poisoned" as happens in so many other restaurants who are less than honest about their attempts to accomodate food allergies. When we order a pizza at The Pines, no one looks oddly at us when my friend has to order "without cheese". We can ask for a side of extra marinara sauce with anything and the answer is always "of course" and it's delivered with a smile. The food is made fresh and they know what their ingredients are (you'd be surprised how rare that can be) so we can order with special work-arounds and always feeel confident that we will get what we need. It's become a tradition with a number of my friends, that when we have a rough day and need comfort and a shoulder to lean on, or when we have something that just deserves celebrating, we call each other up and arrange for a "Pines Night". We are greeted by friendly staff, an unassuming comfortable atmosphere, and a hot plate of happiness. Never once have we been disappointed. I've long felt that you can just the quality of an italian restaurant by whether they have pleather booths and minimal upgrades to their decor. The Pines proves this. They are not fancy, they are more focused on being GOOD. They put their energy into making amazing food, and we thank them for it.
(5)Squid I.
The other reviewers are all too forgiving of this place. Funny smell? Really? You are able to give a restaurant that smells bad 3 or 4 stars. I suppose those who regularly wrap their lips around the ultimate end of a hogs digestive tract and wait for the goodness would find this place appealing. Anyone who has even had mediocre Italian food will find the food at this place somewhere between bland and manure. Who doesn't like routing for an underdog? But realize this, Pines of Florence is not a small mom and pop store. It is a chain, the worst chain Italian food I have ever had. Let's start with the pizza. We came upon an "extra large" pie at a friends house. It was, no kidding, the size of a small pie at any other establishment and worse than Papa John's, worse than Dominoes, worse than pizza I have defrosted from the supermarket. Bland, fake cheese, small and poorly made. DO NOT GO HERE FOR PIZZA. Another time, we fell prey to a ValPack coupon and went for dinner. I should have known better. Never pick your dining experience based on a coupon that comes packaged with gutter cleaning, and car wash specials. The fettuccine Alfredo was a coagulated mess that made me wonder if there are animals with white blood. I am not exaggerating. It took on the consistency of clotted blood before it even hit the table. The dinner salad was a bland mix of the white part of iceberg lettuce and dressing that definitely came out of a plastic gallon container. The glass of wine I had was oxidized and or came from a box. I could not finish it...and I have finished bottles of Boone's Farm. I could go on, but please let this place die. The food is bad, the atmosphere is tired, it smells funny. Go to fucking McDonalds, eat from a dumpster, get some day-old sushi. Just don't patronize a place that bastardizes food this way. (I feel better now)
(1)Michelle P.
Frankly, I'm sick and tired of King Street. Some of the most overpriced restaurants I've ever seen, and some of the most lackluster food. Pines of Florence was a breath of fresh air, not taking themselves super seriously, charging reasonable prices and making a damn fine plate of lasagna. I actually liked the ridiculous decor and faint odor of old lady. It felt like a local establishment, not a stupid chain, not a fancy entrepreneurial venture. I do wish they served a salad with the entrees!
(4)Crystal R.
Very delicious. Huge menu. Very fresh
(4)David L.
A throwback to the suburban Italian restaurants of my baby-boomer youth, only not as good. The homey atmosphere is a refereshing change from the pretension that abounds in Old Town. The food was inexpensive, but medicocre. My lasgana tasted like the microwaved product from the supermarket.
(2)Andrew K.
Went here with family over Thanksgiving weekend. Solid Italian with reasonable prices. Enjoyed the ravioli and chicken parmigiana.
(4)Dave S.
We actually were looking for a better restaurant but it was cold outside, so we popped in here. I & two colleges had dinner. Food was ok but not fantastic. Service was prompt and friendly and no problem splitting the bill 3 ways. This place is in an area where there are many selections of restaurants, so keep walking unless you can't take the cold outside anymore.
(2)Jonathan B.
Aside from the smell a decent Italian place. The bread was served with an olive oil garlic mix. It was good. I also had the pasta fagoli. Not great but was good. For the main dish I ordered the spaghetti Florence. It was very good. Good sauce and good portion size. Everyone in my party had good reviews for their meals as well.
(3)Michael P.
Worth what you'll spend? Yes. Good service? No compaints. Decent ambience? Good-ish. Food/drinks tasty? Yum yum. Free refills on soda? Affirmative. Bonus points for? Easy parking. Free mints (mmm). Went here when visiting town for 4 days. I must have liked it, because I went twice in that time. The food was good, the service acceptable, and prices reasonable. I liked it enough to Yelp it, so that's worth something right there. Quite yummy.
(4)Steve P.
I come to Alexandria once or twice a year on business and I seem to keep coming back here. I think I've been here three or four times now. I've read the other reviews and I can understand some of the gripes - it's not the most elegant spot and the service varies from time to time, but I've always enjoyed my dinner. I usually get the fettuccine carbonara, which, as a previous poster noted, does have onions and cream. I can't comment on the recipe authenticity, but I liked it at any rate. Warm and filling when it's cold out - and it was definitely cold out when I was there late last week! Try the lobster bisque. I always get that and it is very flavorful, with small pieces of lobster and a nice sherry accent. Next time I go (and there probably will be a next time) I'll have to branch out and try some of the other dishes.
(4)Mike D.
Not bad, just not worth it.
(2)G W.
Food: 4 Decor: 2+ Service: 4 Value: 5+ Went here after reading the other reviews here on Yelp. Definitely looks like a family-owned place that has been here (and not been redecorated) for 40 years. The food was very fresh (pasta noodles made in-house) and servings were more than plentiful. Most entrees ran about $10-13. I had the spaghetti with sausage and peppers which was sinfully wonderful. The spousal unit enjoyed the vegetarian lasagna and raved about the great sauce, cheese, and veggies that were not mushy. For an appetizer we had the roasted red peppers in olive oil and garlic ($7) which were amazing! We washed it all down with a carafe of the eminently drinkable house red. The service was attentive without being smothering throughout the meal. We enjoyed a wonderful meal on King Street in Old Town Alexandria for less than $45! We are definitely looking forward to returning! Maybe I'll have room for the cannoli next time.
(4)Piya V.
Once in a while when my family and i want a feeling of home made food this is the place we go too. Pretty much everything we order are good, I have not got a meal that is not good. Don't expect fancy decor on this place. I also like their canoli.
(4)Brian J.
Decided to eat here while walking down King St. looking for somewhere to have dinner. The menu looked good, and the prices were reasonable. I had the fried zucchini as an appetizer. It was excellent! Very delicately breaded and fried, and served piping hot, with a really good chunky marinara sauce. The chicken parm with linguine in red sauce was also excellent, and more than I could eat in one sitting. My boss had the house chianti, which she said was very drinkable. The service was attentive without being stifling. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)Debra T.
This place is old school, but the homemade pastas are delicious in our experience - I love the gnocchi in particular. Stick with the homemade pasta section of the menu and you will not go wrong. Take out is fast and easy and they even package bread and butter to go which is very considerate!
(4)Deborah D.
I ate here with a Groupon-type offer, and I would have been very upset if I paid full price. Menu is similar if not the same as at other Pines restaurants in the area, but I much prefer the Arlington Pines restaurant on Fairfax Drive. I ordered the same dish at both places, but you'd never know it. The veal in Arlington was delicious, but I can't say the same about King Street.
(2)Meghan F.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. The interior is a little lacking, it looks more like a cheap Chinese restaurant than a good Italian place but the food was good. What we had was really quite excellent, baked Ziti and vegetarian lasagna are things Italian places should be able to do well and they did. The Taramisu was also quite good. Prices aren't as expensive as a lot of king street which is a nice bonus - though they would really have to redo their interior if they wanted to charge high prices. I would have to say for the best italian in the area La Strada in Del Ray is better, but on King Steet this place might be one of your better bets.
(4)Arlene T.
Awful! Four of us went together and no one particularly cared for their meal, although, the bread was very fresh and good. The place has not been updated in at least 25 years - ie, outdated wallpaper peeling off the walls, hideous light fixtures hanging from the ceiling with naked light bulbs, sconces on the walls with shades that are faded and ripped (need I go on?). In addition to being very dated, the bathrooms were filthy. I think if we had used them before we ate, we probably wouldn't have stayed to eat. And, the service was mediocre at best.
(1)Andy N.
Decent but not great Italian-American. Portions are generous and service was friendly and fast, prices are reasonable . The atmosphere is a bit dated "family style , which gives some unintended charm . The sauteeed veggies that come with entrees are very good. The food tastes more Americanized than you would exepect from the old country, which can be disappointing if you're expecting a real European experience. Italian Bread was baked fresh, Pasta Fagioli (white bean ) soup was disappointingly gelatinous and tasted a bit too commercial, but the salads were fresh and large. Entrees such as fish and veal were nicely seasoned but not exceptional. For the old standbys it seems like a safe choice, though.
(3)Rachel P.
Not great, not terrible. Entirely forgettable, really. I don't even remember what I got.
(3)mariam o.
kinda divey, but totally worth the trip. i'm not here to eat the tableclothes anyway. the food is well-seasoned, fresh, and delicious. i've been coming here (more specifically, the arlington location) since i was a kid and it's always been a family favorite. i highly recommend the following dishes: chicken tetrazini osso bucco shrimp marinara zuppa di pesce calamari fritti oh, and take a walk up (or down) king street afterward to burn off some of those calories the pasta will undoubtedly tack on.
(4)Lin p.
This is an awesome restaurant in king street not fancy but the service and food are great if you are ever in old town check them out
(5)Barbara v.
Revisited after a year's absence and was pleasantly surprised to see it redecorated, clean, bright. The salads were nicely presented and very fresh.
(4)Kelly C.
This place is one of my favorite restaurants. I have been there many times and have almost always been extremely satisfied. The decor is pretty tacky, but do not let this deter you, because the food and the prices are worth it. The meal starts with some decent Italian bread and olive oil, nicely seasoned, to dip it in. I can't comment on appetizers or desserts, since I've never had them here. But the entrees are good. The portion size is reasonable and you can get pasta dishes for as little as $10. Some of the seafood items are a bit more pricey (up to about $18). I've ordered several items and my husband has ordered several that I have never ordered and we've never disliked anything. The seafood mixed pasta was a little disappointing only because some of the mussels were really tiny. My favorite things there have been the dishes with white cream sauce, the pesto, chicken tetrazzini, and fetticini florence. My husband loves the chicken parmigiana. Their cream sauces and pesto are really top-notch. This is a great restaurant for a couple or for a whole family. I've gone in with as many as 7 other people and still have good service.
(5)Gin B.
Yes, it smells bad. but the food is delish. Its nothing fancy and I worned by fellow diners that it was going be a worn out type of place with chipped plates. The service was very friendly and like i said, the food tasted super fresh. the bread you get for free isn't so good but pay the 2 bucks for the garlic bread. very worth it. i'll be back if only to try the pizza's i saw leave the kitchen and b/c you can't beat a 10 plate of lasagna.
(3)Chris B.
We went for dinner late on a weekday night, and there were only three or so other groups in the place, but both the service and food were surprisingly disappointing. The hostess literally said nothing to us as she showed us to our table, and the waiter communicated mostly in grunts. The place also had a certain funk to it that almost made us leave before we even ordered. They served us bread and olive oil before the meal, and the bread was actually pretty good, but the oil was the cheap, bland stuff. May as well have been vegetable oil. My fiancee had chicken parmesan, which was...well, it was about what you might expect from a mediocre Italian place. Bland, but edible. I had the carbonara, though, and it was an absolute disaster. It was loaded with cream and onions, neither of which have any place in the dish, and certainly not in those proportions. The pasta was overcooked, too.
(1)A H.
Ordered take out... my fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp was bland and watery. Shrimp were also tasteless. I have been to the location before and food wasn't too impressive
(2)Rebecca S.
Wonderful food - we joke that they have a little Italian grandmother chained up in the kitchen. The restaurant itself could use some updating, a lot of updating. Don't be put off by the odd smell as you walk in the door. Keep walking until the smells from the food hit you.
(4)