User Reviews
My wife and I received a gift certificate, which was our introduction to the restaurant. Overall we were very pleased by our meal (a 3-course lunch). My wife was impressed by the Caesar salad and her lunch special (salmon something). I enjoyed everything, the mozzarella, the wrapped salmon, and the tiramisu. We had a $30 bottle of pinot grigio which was very good. Most of our (white tablecloth) restaurant eating is in DC, in connection with our Kennedy Center subscriptions. In all, it was comparable to a meal downtown that costs $150 or so (for two) and all for about $80.
Bill Harshaw, Reston
Likes: Tortilla Factory
Reviewed: August 21, 2008
One fablious restaurant. A must for anyone who enjoys outstanding Italian food. Excellent lunch & dinner menue, half & full size servings. A must try. It is New and one of the VERY BEST IN THE ENTIRE WASHINGTON AREA.
Don Schieffer, Chantilly Highlands - Herndon
Dislikes: McDonalds
Reviewed: July 29, 2008
This is definitely one of the better restaurants in the Herndon/Reston area without a doubt. The service is simply sublime and the food outstanding. Although the place is a bit small, it more than makes up for it by the very friendly and knowledgeable staff not to mention the food presentation and most importantly, the food itself.When I first went there several months ago, it had been a couple months before I was there again yet I couldn't believe that the waiter remembered my name! I mean, what restaurant where you're at it just once remembers their patrons names? That sure impressed me.Anyway, like the other poster said, don't be put off because it's not in a high-end location (it's in the K-Mart shopping center in Herndon but closest to the traffic light). This place really is wonderful and is a true dining pleasure. So glad there's a nice place like this in Herndon where they know how to make 'true' Italian dishes with flair and great flavor.Kudos!
Mellie, Herndon, VA
Likes: Amphoras, Clydes, McCormick & Schmidts, Tortilla Factory
Dislikes: Spice Town
Reviewed: May 2008
This restaurant is Herndon's best. My husband and I visited this restaurant Friday night and we had the best time and the food was amazing. The service is outstanding. The dishes offered were fantastic. I had the rockfish and my husband had the chicken parm - both excellently prepared. The wine was great and the desserts were even better. Everything is prepared fresh from start to finish. Kudos to the Chef and staff of this restaurant. We will be back again and again! We both work so we eat out a lot and have tried many restaurants around this area, take it from us, this is one of the best around!! Thanks!!
Stephanie and Bryce Thompson,Herndon, VA
Likes: McCormick and Schmick's
Dislikes: Burger King
Reviewed: 04/04/08
5 STAR !!!!!! I spoke w/Jessicia on the phone when I made my reservation for Valentine's day 2 weeks prior. I had made a special request for a seating arrangement that evening, where i would be dining w/my husband. To my surprise all my needs were met! The food was superb! We both had the Lobster Bisque which was very creamy,had a little kick to it yet not too salty, just the right touch, Delich! We both also had Caesar Salad, I had asked for Anchovies 10 in all, yet again I was speechless they delivered to me 10. The romaine lettuce was very fresh, crisp. The dressing was also a very smooth lite texture. My Husband Ed, had the Cleopatra "Cafe Antonio's signature dish often copied, never equal! Lots of shrimp, scallops, mussels over a pink vodka sauce w/linguine.. simply the "best". I had there other signature dish "The Veal Chop" Fabulous!! Yes, he created it, most others have tried to hold on to the legacy he made. It cannot be done PERIOD! I must also add they can handle Holiday rush. You might want to make a resrvation for Holidays & Fri/Sat. I did not feel rushed. Service was good, prompt, & friendly! I love this place, will become a favorite of mine.
Bella Gambino, Reston
Likes: L' Auberge Chez Francois
Dislikes: Zeffirelli's in Herndon, Va.
Reviewed: Feb14, 2008
This restaurant has it all! Remarkable and Authentic Cuisine, Generous Italian Portions, 5 Star Service...the list could go on forever. Do not be fooled by their neighbors (KMart, 5 Guys)! This restaurant is a diamond in the rough! Part of me wants to keep this gem as my own little secret, but I know that wouldn't be fair to Cafe Antonios. I just hope I can still get a table a year from now!!!!
K Bentley, DC
Likes: Mr. Chows
Dislikes: Italian Garden, Fridays, Applebees...and most chain restaurants
Reviewed: 10/07
Great food, good people, awesome times. I have been to some of the finest restaurants (The Inn in Little Washington) and some poor ones (Carmello's & Little Portugal). The food a Antonio's is top rate! He always has a great selection and specials that are to die for. Everything is fresh, clean, and out of this world. The service is the best I've ever had. The atmosphere is relaxed and has no problem taking special requests. I have visited Antonio's so many time with my girlfriend that we now have a table. Try it once and you to may have your own table.
T Youngs, Herndon
Age: 18-28
Likes: Sweet Water
Dislikes: Outback
Reviewed: 05/07
My husband and I, and another couple just loved the restaurant. The service was excellent, and the food was superb. Our waiter was terrific. His name is Shawn. He made our dining experience a complete pleasure. The food was some of the best Italian cuisine we have ever had. I hope to get down in the area again, just for the restaurant. We were on a bus trip to Washington, but Cafe Antonios was one of the highlights of our trip. Thanks to all, Gary & Fran fron NJ.
Fran Fisher, Burlington NJ 08016
Reviewed: 04/13/07 & 04/14/07 Without a doubt one of the best -- the the atmosphere, service and selections are simply superior to any I have experienced in 17 years in this area. Enjoy the wine and save room for the desert -- the Tiramisu is unbelievable.
M.J. McCann, Reston
Reviewed: 23 March 07 Cafe Antonio's has some of the best food I have ever had. From the second we walked in the door we were welcomed into a warm, friendly, beautiful environment. The food was beyond delicious - seafood, pasta, veal, and even the salad were perfectly scrumptious and extremely reasonably priced. I cannot wait to go back to Cafe Antonio's again and again.
J. Davison, Fairfax
Age: 18-28
Likes: The Inn at Little Washington
Dislikes: Outback Steak House
Reviewed: February 3, 2007
The food and the service was amazing. While I sat and enjoyed my dinner (which was almost too beautiful to eat!) I noticed the friendly atmosphere of the restaurant. When people would come in they were greeted like old friends. If you like seafood, I recommend trying their specialty, The Cleopatra. And for desert, you must try them all! The whole team worked together well, and mingled with the customers, making sure that the customer was always taken care of. This restaurant is definately one that I will make a trip for again, and the next time I go I am bringing my friends. They'll love it too.
Ripley Digital Photography, Stafford
Age: 18-28
Likes: Tony's (in Bremerton, WA)
Dislikes: Denny's
Reviewed: January 27, 2007
My husband and I dine at Cafe Antonios every weekend since it opened. I grew up on homemade Italian and had yet to find a place that I like as much as homemade. Cafe Antonios is better however. My recommendations are the eggplant parmesan and my husband loves the pork loin and the cannelloni del mare. Their nightly specials are always great too. Honestly anything you get there is wonderful and you won't be disappointed. Leave room for dessert because the Tiramisu is to die for.
Christy, Arlington
Age: 18-28
Likes: Charter House
Dislikes: Olive Garden
Reviewed: 1/28/07
My family and I enjoy this restaurant immensely. Every time we go we find a new favorite, and the salad dressing alone is reason enough to visit. Service is wonderful, with a very considerate wait staff, my daughter and I split the pasta carbonara last time, and they were kind enough to double plate it for us. The atmosphere is perfect for a romantic dinner, or a special dinner with friends. We highly recommend it.
Val, Herndon
Likes: Luciano's
Dislikes: any buffet style
Reviewed: 1/16/07 The first dish I sampled began with a salad of crisp, standard greens, shaved carrots, tomato and cucumber, touched with tangy, sweet dressing reminiscent of an aged balsamic. A steamy bowl of Cioppino made with mussels, pearly shrimp, calamari, clams and scallops sautéed in a saffron and light tomato broth followed. These were only precursors, however, to the more substantial, satisfying entrée, Maui-Maui bedded upon perfectly wilted spinach over al dente julienne carrots and green beans fans, all drenched in a creamy saffron sauce. The finish was one of the finest vanilla Gelatos I have ever experienced, imported from Italy through a New York supplier -- it must be experienced.
My second visit began with the same salad and was to sample Antonio Senior's signature dish that he had introduced to all restaurants he mentored, I have now christened after its creator, Veal Chop Al Antonio. Though I requested, and was told I received, the smallest portion in the kitchen, I carried fully a third of the zesty vitello home with me. In addition to the generous size, the flavored wine sauce perfectly complemented the grilled crust of the French cut chop and prime marbling flavored every bite. Artfully presented al dente carrots and snap beans joined a lightly garliced mashed potato dollop, all surrounded by the generous wine sauce. The dessert this time was a slice cheese cake personally made on site by Antonio. The consistency was not that overly rich creamy New York style I had feared but was ideal to my palate and had a semi-moist base and crust with a flavorful vanilla herb taste I could not identify but enjoyed immensely. It was plated on a dark chocolate pattern and bordered by small spots of fresh whipped cream topped by strawberry slices. It was a perfect finish to my samplings.
The friendly service was unobtrusive and unhurried. The atmosphere is casual, but the place settings are formal and the service is excellent, similar but somehow superior to its predecessor, Pasta Bella. Soft Christmas music soothing the mood for the season will be replaced in the New Year; I'm sure, by similar Italian background music. I submit your experience will parallel mine and strongly recommend you visit Café Antonio.
Dale C Clarke, Fort Myers, Fl and Fair Oaks, VA
Likes: Chops Grill, Naples, FL
Dislikes: Outback Steak House
Reviewed: 12/15/2006
Where do I even begin? How about with the convenience of making a reservation online and seeing the menu online before I even got to the restaurant. Then, there's the service. Outstanding! I had not one, but TWO waiters and they were both great. And of course, last but not least, the food. The food was by far the best Italian food I have ever had in this area! I had the Lingiuni Cleopatra and it was out of this world! All in all, I will be back and I will recommend this restaurant to every person I know...and maybe even some I don't!
Barry Whitman, Reston
fav: McCormick and Schmicks
Dislikes: TGIFridays
Reviewed: 5/16/06
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