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We were in Arlington on a visit, and were very hungry. Tutto Bene did not disappoint. The food was excellent. I had the Seafood Linguini special and it was very, very good. Lots of lobster meat, scollops, schrimp and other seafood in a very tasty red sauce. My wife had the Lasagna and said it was wonderful - so tasty she wouldn't share! I thought the prices were very reasonable for what you got.
The waitstaff was very attentive. If you're craving good Italian food in Arlington, VA - Tutto Bene is a good choice!
Like most on here, I am strictly refering to the Saltenas...somewhat sweet, but oh so good. I got the beef.
At first glance, it kinda looks like a Pastry, or a fancy looking Jamaican Pie. Its dry on the outside, but dont let that deceive you...once you take a bite, watch out...the juices, the spices...yummy. And as someone mentioned, it probably takes two to get you kinda/full...but at 2.50 a pop, you cant beat the quality and flavor.
Oh, and prior to this, I didint even know this type of food...glad I found it..thanks to my co-workers!
After a long search for Bolivian food in the DC area, I came across the reviews for this restaurant and decided a trip to Virginia was in order. We went on the weekend since that's when they offer their Bolivian menu. We arrived early in the afternoon and our waiter informed us they had already run out of the chicken saltenas. Luckily enough for us, he managed to find us the last two. They were amazing. Better than empanadas.
I ordered the really thin steak with rice and my boyfriend ordered a soup type meal. (I can't remember the names) I had never had Bolivian food and didn't have anything to compare it to, but my boyfriend whose Bolivian said it was actually really good. I would definitely come back here again.
Tutto Bene is me and my fiance's favorite Italian restaurant! The first time we went, I got the special: Veal Caprese. Since then, I've gotten it every time except for once. It's that good. The other time I got Veal Parm and that was delicious as well. We bring our parents and friens there whenever we get the chance and everyone alwasy loves it and wants to go back. Although I really only eat one dish there, my fiance has had most things on the menu and has loved everyone. I'm a very picky eater, but Tutto Bene hits the spot! Service is always good, prices are average, wine is always good. Please try it!
I enjoyed my experience at Tutto Bene. I had veal parmigiana and clams casino. The clams were not what I expected but were actually quite yummy. For some reason I was expecting something resembling baked clams, with breadcrumbs. Instead they were topped with bacon, which was unexpected but delicious. (If you like things salty!)
The veal parmigiana was delicious and came in a huge portion. The waiters were very friendly and the atmosphere was nice. It was not very crowded for a Friday night but for that reason we could take our time and did not feel the slightest bit rushed. I would definitely go again!
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I have zero interest in eating at Tutto Bene during the week .... but on the weekend, I'm willing to make the trek and endure third degree burns on my hands to indulge in some saltena goodness. That sweet crust with salty/meaty/delicious filling (at roughly the temperature of molten lava) gets me every time - and I love to see an Italian joint crammed with latinos - we're taking over, baby!
Aside from the saltenas, I hear the fricase (more of a soup than a fricassee) is really good. The friend who introduced me to this place (bless his little heart!) goes bananas for it. My other saltena buddy gets the peanut soup - yum!
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Bad parking. Bad food. Unfriendly service.
I ordered the calzone which was supposed to have ricotta, mozzarella, sausage and spinach. It seemed to only have a ton of mozzarella and a little sausage. Not very appetizing. Moreover, it was ridiculously soggy - to the point where there was a puddle of water on my plate. I returned the calzone. This is the first time I have returned food at a restaurant in my life.
The waiter did not charge me for the calzone - this is the only good thing that happened. Otherwise the waiter was very cold and was just tyring to turn and burn our table.
In addition the dishes are too pricey. I would much rather be at Olive Garden any night than here.
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My rating applies only to the saltenas, but I've eaten enough of those things to give Tutto Bene a five-star rating, given that eating a couple of saltenas is by far the best hangover cure in all of Arlington. I find the beef ones to be superior, but the chicken ones are good as well. Filled with meat, eggs, veggies, and best of all, the juices from all the above, these little pastries are just healthy enough and just greasy enough to be digested easily no matter what you drank the night before. Best of all, they are still $2.50 each. I'd say two saltenas is a normal sized meal and three is a big meal.
In the summer it's great to head to a nearby park and eat them as fast as possible, but on cold days I find it's worth reheating them in the oven if it's more than a 5-10 minute hike back to where I'm eating them. They're a lot better when they're almost, but not quite, hot enough to burn your tongue.
The only problem I've found with the place is that one of the guys operating the cash register gives me a dirty look when I say "beef" instead of "carne." One of the other guys gives me a dirty look when I don't say "carne" with perfect inflection and he goes "what, you mean beef?" The saltenas are totally worth being looked down on for, however.
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I haven't tried the Bolivian menu on the weekends other than the saltenas. Not a fan, but I guess they're good. I don't have anything to compare them to.
But the Italian food is yummy. I love the chicken marsala. Its so juicy and makes your mouth water like crazy. The employees are always super nice too. I frequent this place at LEAST once a week because its so close to my job.
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I went there for a birthday/happy hour event in Aug 09. The decor is a medium upscale and I liked the general feeling of the place. Service was a bit spotty at times as they had a single bartender servicing our party of 20-30 people, plus serving people at the bar. I had the calamari app and it was just average. I would not order it again. I guess what left a bad taste in my mouth was that the bartender told us that he was going to have to charge us $2 per person per slice of cake that was brought in for the birthday, which is absurd since we had been there for several hours and everyone ordered food and the drinks were flowing. Very shortsighted. We complained and they eventually realized the stupidity in this initial decision and allowed us to eat the birthday cake without charge. I would go back if another event happened to be organized there but with so many other options available, I probably would not go out of my way to visit Tutto Bene again.
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I must admit, I just perused the Yelp reviews on this joint and I am VERY CONFUSED re: The Bolivian Menu. My beau and I just ate there on Saturday night because we were too tired to cook and we wanted Italian. We Yelped for the nearest Italian and this place came up with good reviews, so we hopped in the car. (note: we did NOT read through the reviews though).
First of all, this appearance of this place is VERY DECEIVING. It's right near the Harris Teeter and I've driven by there a thousand times and never noticed this place during the day. Beyond that, it looks really small from the outside, but once you get in - It's huge! And pretty! (Authentic Italian design inside).
It was pretty quiet (not empty but not quite full either) for a Saturday night. As such, I'd definitely recommend this place for a date location because it was easy for my guy and I to talk - not loud, soft music in the background, tables spaced out enough and people seated apart so you really feel like you have some space; it was very nice.
I didn't think the food here was anything spectacular but it was good. The bread was a little boring in my opinion because it didn't come with any olive oil dipping sauce or spread- some plain little butter in foil was its counterpart.
We started off with Bruschetta and Fried Zucchini. Good but not great. I kept thinking about the Bread at Mamma Lucia's and the bruschetta at Faccia Luna. The bruschetta here had a nice twist - mozzarella on top ... but I thought it was rather lacking in bountiful tomato.
For my main course I got the Fettuccine Alfredo. This seems to be my 'go-to' dish for the time being. The sauce wasn't terribly thick which was nice. I really dislike when my pasta is coated in sauce because then you're just eating sauce soup with pasta. So here, they did a nice job. Oh! And I just remembered the best part! You know when they come to your table and ask you if you want Parmesan cheese on top? Be careful! Our waiter was VERY heavy-handed. Thank goodness I was paying attention because he basically dumped the whole bowl on my entree with his heaping tablespoons. My beau's eyes got big when he saw the mound that was on my plate and was quick to tell the guy, "That's good!" when it was his turn to prevent the same dousing of cheese on his tri-pasta deliciousness. (fortunately for me, I LOVE cheese, so I really didn't mind. I was just taken aback a little by the surprise of it).
Anyway, we attempted dessert but after looking at the menu I decided I couldn't eat anymore. He couldn't either which goes to show that the servings were plentiful (we both eat A LOT). Now, the only problem is that I came on here to write a review and read all about this saltena business. Well, I wouldn't otherwise return here other than if I wanted to go somewhere quiet, but I can admit, I'm definitely curious and will probably go back to see where this Bolivian food is at. If it was there on Saturday night when we were there, nobody told us. Nor, did we receive a Bolivian menu. Weird. Very weird. But I will be going back to figure out this craziness (particularly if good food is the reward to sleuthing).
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This restaurant is nothing special but it has tasty food at a reasonable price in Ballston and you definitely can't beat that! I ordered the gnocchi marinara and my date ordered a chicken dish. Both of us thought it was a good meal and I believe that our total bill was less than $30 with tip.
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FYI - Bolivian Menu only available on weekends during lunch hours
This review is based solely on their Bolivian weekend menu & experience. Saltenas: 4. Rest of the food I tried: 3.5. Entertainment and atmosphere: 5.
Did you know that Arlington has a huge Bolivian population? Well, tons of Bolivian families get dressed nicely and come here on weekends together, and spend hours drinking and talking and eating and listening to the great traditional live music.
I always wanted to try it out (I'm not a fan of what I call Amer-Italian food) on weekends, but no one would go with me while I lived in DC for 4 years. So while visiting DC for a weekend recently with my boyfriend, I took him here for Sunday brunch. The atmosphere was deliciously lively and Bolivian. As soon as we sat down, my boyfriend asked me, "How do you FIND these places?!" Heh.
Get the saltenas, or Bolivian's version of an empanada. They're hearty, large, and like a cross between an empanada and a soup dumpling. The filling is a little soupy, making it a bit tricky to eat. But discovering your own way of eating it is half the fun. I used my pastry as kind of a bread bowl, tearing off pieces and sopping up the fillings. A combination of sweet and spicy, both versions include the traditional green olives, hard-boiled egg, and raisins. The shredded chicken version was better than the beef. But both versions made me exclaim, "Julia's what?"
We tried a beer marinated pork chunks dish as well as the peanut soup. Both were huge portions. The peanut soup was very popular with the Bolivian patrons. Filled with root vegetables and very hearty, it reminded me a lot of the soups I had in Panama that you added rice to on the side. Except this one had lots of potatoes -- including, if I remember correctly, french fries (how Bolivian). It was actually faintly peanut-flavored. The pork was almost too hearty for me; I'd only recommend it as one of many dishes if you're eating with a big group of people.
Next time I'd like to try the sillpancho, which a customer near us had and looked great. It reminds me of a traditional authentic Mexican meal -- beef milanese over white rice but with pico de gallo and two eggs over-easy on top. Or the seafood soup in a wine based broth.
Don't forget to ask for a bowl of the green sauce on the side. People there put it on everything to make it spicier and moist.
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I'm leaning more towards 3.5 stars. You obviously aren't going to to go Tutto Bene to get a gourmet Italian meal. It's just a good local option that doesn't get that busy during the week. A place in Arlington where you can actually have a quiet(ish) good meal- if that is what you are looking for.
We have had been to Tutto Benne a few times and have had a nice time. We weren't expecting much from the outside of the place, but it was a suggestion of a friend who really likes it. The servers were really nice and attentive. We started out with the Artichokes & Calamari which was pretty good. We enjoyed the chicken parmesean and lasagna. It wasn't spectacular, it wasn't unique, but it was exactly what we wanted. Good old fashioned Italian comfort food. Our only complaint was the bread (almost stale) served with cold butter.
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When you live in Ballston for as long as we did (seven years), you eventually cover the waterfront - or at least a good number of the docks - when it comes to the various eateries. And Tutto Bene did eventually come into our sights.
But what's THIS? A place that claims to have authentic Italian cuisine that's run for the most part by an all-Salvadorean and/or Bolivian cast? SKETCHYYYY, no?
Actually: no.
I came to understand that Bolivian and Salvadorean dishes were served on the weekends, and that still might be true. However, for our tastes we stuck with the tried-and-true...pasta dishes, soups and salads, great bread - you know, the usual stuff. Adding to the 'international flavor' was a couple of older gentleman armed with a mandolin and a violin, respectively, who promised to do their best to regale you with some 'Greatest Restaurant Hits' table-side.
Seeing as this is the kind of place that wouldn't be far from Tony Soprano's orbit if it were in 'Joi-sey', (and I mean that as a compliment, decor and fare-wise), I tried to request "Speak Softly, Love" or "Con Te Partiro (Time To Say Goodbye). They didn't know either tune, but promised to learn them before our next visit (I'm sure they use that line a lot.) I had to settle for "The Godfather Waltz" instead. (See? What did I tell you?)
But enough about the entertainment. Tutto Bene is more about the atmosphere, which is very welcoming. The wait staff is gracious and attentive for the most part, and the always generously-portioned food ranks from the excellent (the chicken parm) to the "doesn't suck" (basic spaghetti and meat sauce.)
But as I explained to my family when we took them there while they were on one of their rare visits here, you don't really come for the food - you come for the atmosphere. And if I had to gauge the quality of this restaurant simply by whether or not they had a good time, I'd have to give Tutto Bene four...oh, wait. Been there, done that. Never mind...
Walking in, I thought that Tutto Bene was the most Latino Italian restaurant I've seen... probably because the Gypsy Kings were performing and the house was filled with Hispanics and old "flavorful" white ladies.
The performance was great, the set-up wasn't bad, the drinks weren't weak.
I was there for the performance, the drinks, and the company ... not the food, so check out Tara's review if you're wondering whether or not to hit it up for dinner.
Come on Friday nights for the Gypsy Kings and salsa dancing.
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Even though there is "Italian" in the name, don't overlook the Bolivian lunch options on weekends here. However, Tutto is one of my fave places for Italian in this particular hood.
As far as Italian options go I can recommend the mussels and clams casino for appetizers. tend to go the seafood route here for some reason. For a non fish item..the frito mixto if you like it.-- They add artichoke. Yum.
For entrees, the lasagna and ravioli are excellent- perfectly prepared and seasoned.
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Best bolivian food in town. The reason Tutto Bene is busy on weekends is because of the secret "bolivian menu." The chef is bolivian and is allowed to cook certain dishes on the weekend.
Highly recommend you get their saltaneas - best in dc!
Also try peanut soup - it's a bolivian favorite and one you're sure to enjoy. A huge and filling bowl of peanut flavored soup that's topped with french fries, that's right - french fries!
Silpancho is another that should be saved for a HUNGRY day. It's a classic bolivian meal that consists of a plate of rice and potatos, a very thin breaded steak put on top of the rice and potatos, with a fried egg on top. (take your saltaneas home for later - this is a belly buster)
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I can't speak to their Italian menu, but we go here regularly for Saltenas - a traditional Bolivian dish. At $2.50 a pop, they are as cheap as they are delicious. We usually get 1/2 dozen to go and surprise my Bolivian in-laws (and build a great relationship with the 'ol mother in law!)...works every time.
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(review for bolivian food only that is served on the weekends)
if you order the parillada for two, you get rice, salad, awesome french fries that taste like it's been battered and then fried. not to mention the gigantic portion of grilled meats and parts. the saltena is also delicious. if you're bolivian or want bolivian food, this is the place to go. they do not skimp on the deydrated peaches inside the mocochinchi. you have to get this.
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I wasn't that impressed the few times I've been here. The food was OK, but not great. The dishes seem kinda bland, the flavors are pretty dull. I really like Italian food, live within walking distance of this place, and don't know of any closer Italian restaurants, but never feel compelled to go here. The food isn't bad, and the service is decent, so I'm not rating it lower because of that.
The musicians playing and signing Italian songs on Saturday nights are pretty nice. But the first time we went here, it was 6:00 on a Saturday evening, and the place was pretty empty, so having musicians performing seemed a little weird.
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I've eaten here twice, once for lunch and once for a saturday dinner. The lunch buffet was good, but like any buffet the pasta tends to dry out along the edges. The pizza was good but sits under a hot lamp. The same dishes not off a buffet would have been quite good. The dinner was very good. Service was always excellent and fast.
One note on the menu. There is a lot of veal, which I don't eat and if you're a Seafood Watch follower the choices are poor (sea bass, atlantic salmon, etc.)
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This is an Italian restaurant, but all that matters is the authentic Bolivian cuisine they serve up on the weekends. enough said, oh and get there before 4.
my picks: get sopa de mani and beef saltenas a must. Also SILLPANCHO
many many stars!******************************************** *********
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I love this place, it's totally a cheesy neighborhood Italian restaurant. (except it is on the corner or Randolph St and Glebe Rd) They have Frank Sinatra duets and Volare playing in the background, scenes of Venice painted on the wall, and the food is the type of thing that if you ate it every day you would quickly become morbidly obese.
We we tried the raviolis, margherita pizza, pizza bianca, and caeser salads. Everything was delicious. Nothing too fancy but better than anything else I have tried in the area. The wait staff was super friendly and the atmosphere was like an old restaurant you might find in little Italy, dark, candlelit, relaxing music.
I would definitely recommend this place. Especially over some of the newer more "trendy" places like Vapiano (this place was so bright and sterile inside..blah) and Faccia Luna.
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Even after working only a few blocks from this place for about two years now, I never tried it, despite recommendations from many others. I don't cave to peer pressure, suckas. Anyway, because of work-related functions recently (on the company's tab), I've been here twice in the last week.
Last night for dinner I had the Chilean sea bass, and it was possibly the best fish I've had at a restaurant ever. It seriously will make you want to smack your momma. No lie. Pretty big portion and comes on top of roasted eggplant. I just peed a little thinking about it again, that's how good it was. Everyone I was with seemed to really like their meals.
I've only been on weeknights, so I can't vouch for the weekend, but both times it's pretty pretty empty for some reason. They have a nice wine list, but their mixed drinks are not the strongest. Trust me, I had like 5 and still didn't embarrass myself in front of co-workers.
Anyway, pretty good place for dinner and some drinks and although not super cheap, it won't kill you. Maybe just punch you in the balls. I'll definitely go back again.
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I would give 2 stars, but I didn't try the Bolivian. Now don't get me wrong, it isn't terrible, but I was very unimpressed with the appetizers I tried and entrees we got. It's ingredient-based food, which is fine if you have spectacularly fresh ingredients. It didn't have that.
The waiter was very unhelpful and seemed to be a guy who had been there for awhile. The atmosphere was very quiet and nice but in the end, would I go back? Well, I'm going to go back on a weekend to try the Bolivian stuff. TBC
I've only been here for their Bolivian food....thats only on the weekends. The Saltenas are outstanding, the sopa de mani is tasty, and the chicharron is among the best in the area. Try the mocochinchi- the drink w/ the dried up peach in it: its delicious, and fun to freak the kids out by telling them the peach is a shriveled, shrunken head. Hey- why have kids if you can't play w/ them? The restaurant itself is nice, but from what I understand, is a mediocre Italian restaurant the rest of the week. However, outstanding Bolivian food on the weekends.
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My friends and I come here for lunch on Sundays. Tutto Bene has $2.50 chicken or beef saltenas. They are awesome. If you dont want to eat there, you can take it out.
I usually like to eat there because there is a guy who plays the guitar. It's very relaxing to sit with friends, drink coffee and eat saltenas.
I have gone there for dinner on a Saturday night and like most italian restaurants its pricey.
The service is pretty good and we have gone there so many times that the people know us by name here. I highly recommend a visit for lunch on Sunday.
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I've only been there once, but liked the food and entertainment.
Perhaps we hit it on an off night, but the food was bland and the sauce tasted canned. My parents have been going here for anniversaries and other special occasions since the dawn of time, so when my boyfriend and I were seeking a romantic dinner we tried Tutto Bene, needless to say we were let down by the service and quality of food.
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I know there are already 10 reviews, but I have try to bring the average down to at most a three. I live nearby and always thought that this place must have good food, heck they have prime real estate. It just kind of looked like a place that has some authentic down-home cooking. Seriously most of the reviewers here are correct in describing the bland food. Nothing about was any better than a can of chef boyardee. I know that's harsh, but no amount of cheesy violin playing and italian music is going to make that food taste better. There are plenty of italian places to choose from. keep moving.
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A great lasagna for 12 dollars, tableside violin playing, a long list of after-dinner coffee and liquer drinks and low lights in a nice dining room = a great place for a date. The service was very good and extremely friendly.
While this restaurant tends to fall to the wayside when discussing good eats in Arlington, it really deserves more attention! Tutto Bene tends to be quiet during the week, with much more business on the weekends. The pasta dishes seem authentically Italian (decent sized portions without too much flair). Everything I've tried has been good. I ordered a white pizza once without much success, but that's mostly because, unbeknownst to me, there is actually a limit to the amount of cheese I can eat in one sitting. Tutto Bene is dependable and untrendy -- a great place to dine when parents are in town.
i only come here on the weekends when they're serving saltinas.sooooooooooo good.they're Bolivian food rocks my socks.never tried the Italian food though?meh
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Food was great and the staff was very friendly and helpful.
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$5 Slice and Pint Happy Hour
Neighborhood: Mount Pleasant
Late Lunch at Kora
Arlington, VA
Arlington, VA
Category: Pizza
Arlington, VA
Category: Italian
Arlington, VA
Category: French
Arlington, VA
Category: Italian
Arlington, VA
Category: Wine Bars
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
All the Bolivian Food i've tried in the area- No…
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