Tapas or Italian? Both are Great Choices in Alexandria, VA
HMMM….. Do we want trendy or traditional tonight for dinner? As it turned out both were amazing!
I know, it seems as if all we did while we were in Alexandria was eat…… you might be right.
But, I can’t let you miss out on two very different but very delicious restaurants. The first is ” La Tasca” a lively Tapas restaurant and bar that serves delicious Spanish food and if you are there at the right time, you can watch Flamenco Dancers clap and swirl through the restaurant in their colorful flounced dresses. Be sure to check out their calendar to find out when Flamenco will be featured.
We were there early in the evening because we didn’t have any reservations and wouldn’t have been able to get in at peak dinner hour. This place is usually packed, which is more evidence to its great menu and fun atmosphere.
We ordered the “La Tasca Tasting Menu” which invites you to taste a variety of meat, chicken and seafood tapas, all of which were delicious. Tapas often do not come with bread, so we also ordered the Pan a la Catalana which was a garlic toast topped with vine ripened tomatoes, which was a tasty and welcome addition to our tapas menu choice.
The crowd at La Tasca is a mixed crowd of young professionals and tourists at the bar. Families and serious diners tend to go for the tables. We have dined in both locations, though we recommend a table, because the bar and bar top tables are almost too small for a large variety of tapas.
I know, it seems as if all we did while we were in Alexandria was eat…… you might be right.
But, I can’t let you miss out on two very different but very delicious restaurants. The first is ” La Tasca” a lively Tapas restaurant and bar that serves delicious Spanish food and if you are there at the right time, you can watch Flamenco Dancers clap and swirl through the restaurant in their colorful flounced dresses. Be sure to check out their calendar to find out when Flamenco will be featured.
We were there early in the evening because we didn’t have any reservations and wouldn’t have been able to get in at peak dinner hour. This place is usually packed, which is more evidence to its great menu and fun atmosphere.
We ordered the “La Tasca Tasting Menu” which invites you to taste a variety of meat, chicken and seafood tapas, all of which were delicious. Tapas often do not come with bread, so we also ordered the Pan a la Catalana which was a garlic toast topped with vine ripened tomatoes, which was a tasty and welcome addition to our tapas menu choice.
The crowd at La Tasca is a mixed crowd of young professionals and tourists at the bar. Families and serious diners tend to go for the tables. We have dined in both locations, though we recommend a table, because the bar and bar top tables are almost too small for a large variety of tapas.
Now, if you would rather go romantic old world Italian, you can’t go wrong with "Landini Brothers Restaurant". You will feel like you have walked into a trattoria in Tuscany with rustic brick walls, arches, candles flickering and crisp white table cloths covering the tables. We sat in the bar area which reminded me of the many small tables at which we have sat during our travels which are popular in European restaurants.
The food was superb. After a day of walking, I was ready for some serious pasta, so I ordered the creamy fattening, Agnolotti alla Fiorentina, fresh homemade pasta filled with Italian sausage, fresh tomato sauce, cream and Parmesan cheese. Totally decadent!
To be perfectly honest, I didn’t pay much attention to what Jim ordered since I was completely focused on my pasta, but I believe he ordered the Scaloppa alla Parmigiana, slices of veal, lightly breaded and sautéed in butter, topped with mozzarella cheese and and tomato sauce. We really enjoyed this calorie packed meal accompanied by crusty Italian bread, a beautiful red wine for me and beer for Jim just to make the meal perfect. Thank god for all that walking we did!
The food was superb. After a day of walking, I was ready for some serious pasta, so I ordered the creamy fattening, Agnolotti alla Fiorentina, fresh homemade pasta filled with Italian sausage, fresh tomato sauce, cream and Parmesan cheese. Totally decadent!
To be perfectly honest, I didn’t pay much attention to what Jim ordered since I was completely focused on my pasta, but I believe he ordered the Scaloppa alla Parmigiana, slices of veal, lightly breaded and sautéed in butter, topped with mozzarella cheese and and tomato sauce. We really enjoyed this calorie packed meal accompanied by crusty Italian bread, a beautiful red wine for me and beer for Jim just to make the meal perfect. Thank god for all that walking we did!
