This is not what they make it out to be. The Antipasta was out of date and discolored. The sides with the meal were very odd. It reminds me of the older generation motto of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” but this restaurant is broken. Why am I getting peas and carrots in white rice for an Italian side? Where on earth in Italy do you get white rice with veggies? Why am I getting carbonara made with cream when you scream authentic north Italian? The Branzino was bland and clearly not cooked in the parchment and foil it was served in. There is a generational disconnect with good Italian. The wait staff was nice enough but no one knew who they were taking care of. I would not come here again and I would not recommend it until they change a lot of things.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Briana Wojcik
Our reservation was at 5. They sat us upstairs and it wasn’t fully ready for service yet (i.e. there was a huge flatscreen blasting Spanish music from YouTube on that they struggled to turn off).
The servers were nice but they forgot our appetizers entirely. The food itself was mediocre and the pasta was obviously bought from a grocery store.
Just overall wasn’t good for over $120, though on Beli it was somehow rated an 8.3. I would skip and go to Georgetown or SW DC for good Italian.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Tamara Loughrin
I'm torn between wanting to forget my experience here and wanting to remember so I don't ever go back. How this restaurant manages to stay in business is beyond me. The filet mignon was boiled not grilled , the clams were dodgy looking and smelly. The meat in both meals had clearly expired and by the end of the meal we wished we had too. There were 3 of us yet we were asked if we wanted 1 or 2 dessert menus. But that's ok because we couldn't hear eachother over the loud, depressed looking, off-key accordion player! Did I mention that the steak was...boiled? It looked like a smoker's lung! I could go on but I will spare you the details. Don't believe me? Roll the dice!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
kath allen
What a great experience our server, Hassan. Was amazing and was so knowledgeable and steered us in the right direction with everything. He made sure we had an amazing meal. Atmosphere was great and everyone we dealt with was so kind and accommodating. The food was excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
matt allen
Man, this place was super cool. Million stars would return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sharon Li
One of the best carbonara I’ve ever had! Romantic and intimate setting. Friendly servers. We also had the mussels, garlic bread, and risotto — all were great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MC Dippenaar
Great little place. I enjoyed the anchovy fried mozzarella, garlic bread and carbonara pasta
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Caroline
We loved Trattoria Da Franco! The food was outstanding. The carbonara was fantastic. It's a very old school, traditional Italian gem in Alexandria. The service at first was a bit slow, but it got better throughout the night. They had live music and everyone was so friendly. We will definitely be going back.
Marybeth
Excellent food. Sauce was perfect! Quaint Italian restaurant just as you would find in Italy. Service was stupendous!
Carylin
Perfect restaurant for special celebrations, like a 60th birthday. Our party of six had a great dinner from beginning to end. Enjoyed each other's company, plus the piano player on Saturday night. The food is so good from appetizers to dessert, so take your time to enjoy everything. It's a bit dark inside the restaurant, but the service and food overcome that issue.
Unfortunately, our experience wasn't great. The table had a dirty crease across the cloth, and the AC vent above another guest looked like it might fall. Once food arrived, our server disappeared until it was time to pay. The drinks and water sat empty, and no one checked in when an untouched appetizer and pasta were cleared. Oddly, no bread was offered, and no cheese with the pasta, which I've always expected at an Italian restaurant. Between the lack of service and missed details, I couldn't wait to leave.
Gene Finchrick
Traditional Italian spot with pretty good food, great service, and good outdoor seating.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
R
Bruschetta was interesting... But way too heavy on onion. Bread was homemade and delicious, but not really right for bruschetta. Wine menu was limited but adequate. Prosciutto y bufala was supposed to have arugula, but instread had soggy mixed greens. Butternut squash ravioli was excellent... Which was their chefs recommendation. Overpriced at $32 for what it was. Daniela was a thoughtful server... But working too many tables...so two appetizers and one entrée took three hours.  It was beautiful sitting outside, but of course the traffic from US one was a bit much during rush-hour.  Their Manhattan was excellent. 
Song Wells
Recently visit for dinner with a group. I found the service to be a bit slow between placing the orders and receiving our food. My pizza was fresh and hot.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Paul Sheils
Weekend pianist vibes impeccable. Best Italian in old town--we've tried them all. Small and cozy. Perfect date spot.
This is not what they make it out to be. The Antipasta was out of date and discolored. The sides with the meal were very odd. It reminds me of the older generation motto of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” but this restaurant is broken. Why am I getting peas and carrots in white rice for an Italian side? Where on earth in Italy do you get white rice with veggies? Why am I getting carbonara made with cream when you scream authentic north Italian? The Branzino was bland and clearly not cooked in the parchment and foil it was served in. There is a generational disconnect with good Italian. The wait staff was nice enough but no one knew who they were taking care of. I would not come here again and I would not recommend it until they change a lot of things.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Our reservation was at 5. They sat us upstairs and it wasn’t fully ready for service yet (i.e. there was a huge flatscreen blasting Spanish music from YouTube on that they struggled to turn off).
The servers were nice but they forgot our appetizers entirely. The food itself was mediocre and the pasta was obviously bought from a grocery store.
Just overall wasn’t good for over $120, though on Beli it was somehow rated an 8.3. I would skip and go to Georgetown or SW DC for good Italian.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
I'm torn between wanting to forget my experience here and wanting to remember so I don't ever go back. How this restaurant manages to stay in business is beyond me.
The filet mignon was boiled not grilled , the clams were dodgy looking and smelly. The meat in both meals had clearly expired and by the end of the meal we wished we had too. There were 3 of us yet we were asked if we wanted 1 or 2 dessert menus. But that's ok because we couldn't hear eachother over the loud, depressed looking, off-key accordion player! Did I mention that the steak was...boiled? It looked like a smoker's lung! I could go on but I will spare you the details.
Don't believe me? Roll the dice!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
What a great experience our server, Hassan. Was amazing and was so knowledgeable and steered us in the right direction with everything. He made sure we had an amazing meal. Atmosphere was great and everyone we dealt with was so kind and accommodating. The food was excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Man, this place was super cool. Million stars would return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best carbonara I’ve ever had! Romantic and intimate setting. Friendly servers. We also had the mussels, garlic bread, and risotto — all were great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great little place. I enjoyed the anchovy fried mozzarella, garlic bread and carbonara pasta
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
We loved Trattoria Da Franco! The food was outstanding. The carbonara was fantastic. It's a very old school, traditional Italian gem in Alexandria. The service at first was a bit slow, but it got better throughout the night. They had live music and everyone was so friendly. We will definitely be going back.
Excellent food. Sauce was perfect! Quaint Italian restaurant just as you would find in Italy. Service was stupendous!
Perfect restaurant for special celebrations, like a 60th birthday. Our party of six had a great dinner from beginning to end. Enjoyed each other's company, plus the piano player on Saturday night. The food is so good from appetizers to dessert, so take your time to enjoy everything. It's a bit dark inside the restaurant, but the service and food overcome that issue.
Restaurantji Recommends
Unfortunately, our experience wasn't great. The table had a dirty crease across the cloth, and the AC vent above another guest looked like it might fall. Once food arrived, our server disappeared until it was time to pay. The drinks and water sat empty, and no one checked in when an untouched appetizer and pasta were cleared. Oddly, no bread was offered, and no cheese with the pasta, which I've always expected at an Italian restaurant. Between the lack of service and missed details, I couldn't wait to leave.
Traditional Italian spot with pretty good food, great service, and good outdoor seating.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Bruschetta was interesting... But way too heavy on onion. Bread was homemade and delicious, but not really right for bruschetta. Wine menu was limited but adequate. Prosciutto y bufala was supposed to have arugula, but instread had soggy mixed greens. Butternut squash ravioli was excellent... Which was their chefs recommendation. Overpriced at $32 for what it was. Daniela was a thoughtful server... But working too many tables...so two appetizers and one entrée took three hours.  It was beautiful sitting outside, but of course the traffic from US one was a bit much during rush-hour.  Their Manhattan was excellent. 
Recently visit for dinner with a group. I found the service to be a bit slow between placing the orders and receiving our food.
My pizza was fresh and hot.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Weekend pianist vibes impeccable. Best Italian in old town--we've tried them all. Small and cozy. Perfect date spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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