Pulcinella Italian Host
| Address: | 6852 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22101, USA |
| Phone: | +1 703-893-7777 |
| Site: | pulcinellarestaurant.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10:30PM 8:30AM–9:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 14
JA
James Hugo
Why do people still go to this restaurant? My last visit was my last. Lets start with the food: at best, the pizza is average, and the rest of the food is poor - and in many cases inedible. Lets take the meatballs: How, in all good conscience, can an Italian restaurant serve overcooked, grey, meatballs that taste like gasoline? If this was the first time that I have been served terrible food at this restaurant, I would chalk it off to a bad day, but really, bad meatballs every single time? Which gets us to the next issue - service. When I showed the waitress the inedible meatball (you get one big, bad one) she did not really seem to care. I asked to speak to the manager. At this point, I was not upset, just thought the manager should know that the kitchen ws making bad meatballs. What happened? Nothing. No manager. The bill came and no adjustment or accommodation had been made for the fact that I had returned my entire entree and declared it a disaster zone. Now, I was upset. So, as I was leaving, I saw that the managers and/or owners (at least one of them is an a large painting on the wall of the restaurant) hanging around the desk. So I went up to them and told them that I was surprised that after I had compained nobody had bothered to come to my table. One of them then stated, I am serious here: "Oh, I thought that you were joking." Really? Joking? I sent my dinner back and did not get to eat and paid for bad food I could not eat - and I was "joking"? So here is the thing: Why do people still frequent this restaurant? The managers and owners clearly do not care about the customers, so why should you bother to frequent their restaurant? Their meatballs would not be served in a prison canteen, and they do not care - actually, they think it is a joke. Which gets us to the last issue: Decor. The decor reflects exactly what you would expect - it has not been changed in all the years I have been frequenting this restaurant. The same heavily stained ceiling tiles that were there 5 years ago are still there, and the same crummy plastic tablecloths. Why? Because ownership does not care. They think that they can keep running their cashcow and raking it in, because customers keep on coming back - so they just dont care. So do yourself, and the rest of McLean, a favor and stop frequenting this restaurant. Then maybe management will wake up and realize that we are not all the chumps that they take us for today. They should get what they deserve: an empty restaurant.
GR
Grace Dean
This place is like an upscale diner but the food is definitely better. I have gone here for brunch on the weekends a few times and they are always full. Ive had a couple omelets and waffles and can say that they were pretty good. The waiters here are also friendly and no one rushes you to get finished even though they have people waiting. While the decor could use an upgrade, it is a comfortable homey type place. They also have a gluten-free pizza on the dinner menu which I have had a few times. You really cant tell the difference since I eat gluten free. One last note. There is always a manager o duty and he or she will help if needed. One of the manager was the chef at Tiberios downtown so he knows how to run a restaurant. Nice guy too. Definitely worth trying if you have not gone yet, especially because the food is good and the prices are reasonable.
AM
Amanda Rivard
We recently came into town to run the Marine Corp Marathon. We went to Pulcinella because it was recommended by the staff at the Staybridge Suite across the street. Our experience was nothing short of amazing. We had an awesome waiter (his name escapes me however he was from Chile). We watched him interact with us and other families as if we were his own family. Our food was excellent and after eating, we also had to try the canolli. My husband is from an Italian family and we live in the south where good Italian is hard to find. It takes a lot to impress him, but we not only ate there once, but twice in three days. The only thing stopping us from eating there all 3 nights was that we had a team dinner to go to in DC one of those 3. If in McLean, stop by. Dont judge this book by its cover, it is a true gem!
ST
Stan Hummer
Service good, no bathroom upstairs, no white paper napkins was given Brown napkins were given that are used in a bathroom, poor parking, clams served in the Shell - what a mess trying to get clams out of the Shell. Will never order again. Red sauce all over my shirt, second beer served in a bottle - no cold mug provided, table kept moving on the floor every few minutes. Food was great
EL
Elizabeth Dolan
Had dinner this evening after a show at the Alden Theater. Had two pizzas and the house Valpolicella. We enjoyed ourselves very, very much. As a former New Yorker, I am very picky about my pizza,, especially the crust. This was as good as it gets outside New York. Just wished we lived closer. However, it is worth the trip and well be back. Wonderful staff and good service.
ST
Steve Breighner
Terrible, I wont be coming back. I ordered spaghetti/marinara noodles overcooked, watered down sauce. i complained yet they still charged the overpriced $10 for it. Waiter didnt know how to open a bottle of wine either. Just plunged the opener in through the foil, then poured a sample which drizzled over mangled foil. Classy.
MI
Mike Machtinger
Excellent Italian food in McLean! Service, while generally good, was abysmal on a Friday night due to backups in the kitchen for carryout pizzas; bit, management made it right with us by providing a free take home pizza--which was fantastic. Overall, I would definitely go here again (and again).
GW
gwen valen
I saw two cockroaches one of which was near where we were sitting . It was crawling up the wall. The food was ok . Good even if I wasnt thinking about the cockroaches. And the service was quick but the guy was rude and rushed us .
SH
shushu DDI
I went there with my parents, it was great. The food was delicious, and my mother who has ciliac disease (that means she cant eat anything with gluten in it) found gluten free pasta and other meals. I do suggest this place.
PA
Paula Wingard
The eggplant parmesan is excellent as well as pizza, calemari, and zucchini appetizer. A great family restaurant and you get great food at a reasonable price. Our favorite place to eat.
AI
Aidan Toole
Good Italian food. The manicotti was decent, too much spinach for my tastes, but the pizza is pretty good. Nice atmosphere, great for prom night or fancy dining
SH
shiela nivens
Great, the FOOD was excellent, as well as staff, got to See the oven that they prepare food to cook. I will return with friends and family. Thanx so much!!
SA
Sandra Lowe
Wonderful friendly service and delicious lasagna. Gluten free pizza for one of our party. Great roomy seating for our big group of 11.
JU
Julie Basile
Always a pleasant experience, great food that meets my expectations and the staff is attentive. Have many happy memories there.
