Contributed by Phantom Foodie
Nestled in the heart of North Point Village Center, Gregorio’s Trattoria is a family-owned eatery that offers a casual dining experience and an authentic taste of Italy.
The menu offers traditional and contemporary dishes, coupled with extensive gluten-free options. It includes everything from classic antipasti and pasta, to pizza and sandwiches, to seafood and meat creations. Kids’ menus are available along with cater- ing, online ordering, and delivery options. For beverages, there’s full-bar service with signature cocktails and a wine list with ad- equate descriptions but with few Italian selections. Wine-down Wednesdays, with half-priced bottles, is worth noting.
Patrons enter via a large bar area, and are guided to the rear dining area consisting of four-top tables and large semi-circular booths. Our smiling server arrived quickly, delivering compli- mentary buttery garlic knots and fresh marinara sauce for dip- ping. Resist the urge to finish the basket as you may want to save a few to accompany your leftovers.
Our party shared the Mussels Verdicchio, the chef ’s specialty, along with the Calamari Fritti appetizers. Both did not disappoint. The garlic knots were perfect for sopping up the remaining mussel sauce of white wine, lemon, and more garlic.
With our palates now awakened, the individual main courses came in short order: Seafood Asparagus, modified with gluten free pasta with shrimp and crab, paired with a Franciscan Char- donnay; Shrimp Scampi and a Citrus Basil Smash cocktail [orange and basil muddled topped with vodka served in a martini glass]. New York-style cheese pizza and Peroni beer.
Although gluten-free pasta is often difficult to get right, this was delicious and the portion was generous. The shrimp scampi also was well-portioned and balanced with large, succulent shrimp as the star, though the tails are not removed. The Americanized New York-style was foldable and crispy, and it was hard to choose between it and the classic Margherita. A creamy tiramisu, devoured quickly, capped off our meal.
Prices were higher than expected, given the mediocre service and overall ambiance. However, the food was filling and plentiful. Leftovers were boxed and bagged to indulge at a later time.
Service was polite and semi-attentive, but lacked execution on clearing of empty dishes and glasses in a timely manner. Another miss was failing to acknowledge the special occasion birthday request entered into the online reservation. The presents and wrapping didn’t seem to be a clue either. Some light music could have enhanced the ambiance.
Consider requesting a table toward the back of the restaurant or in the comfortable booths that line the dining room to be further away from the kitchen and bar noise. And bring along a light jacket or sweater in the summer as the air conditioning can get quite chilly.
A private event space is located in the very rear, and gift cards are available for purchase.
Owner Greg Kahn strives to play an active role in the communities where his restaurants serve via his Food 4 Cause pro- gram. Non-profit groups can apply to participate in Gregorio’s FUN-RAISER program.
Gregorio’s Trattoria1428 N. Point Village Center, Reston, VA https://gregoriostrattoria.com/Locations also in Bethesda, MD and Potomac, MD.
Hours M-Thurs 11am – 10pm; Fri & Sat 11am – 11pm; Sun Noon-9PM
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