Matuba

Last date I was here: 05/30/2008

Restaurant: Matuba (http://www.matuba-sushi.com/)

Location: Arlington, VA

Total Rating: 4.45
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4

Summary: This tiny award-winning sushi place is a favorite of mine for lunch. The Japanese restaurant is casual and small located along the strip of busy Columbia Pike. Parking can be restrictive as there are only a few spots out back and along the street. I always use the back entrance and am greeted warmly by the smiling staff. The sushi is made fresh daily at the open view bar and the lunch boxes are very reasonable priced. Lunch can get crowded, so I usually go right at 11:30am when it opens.

I have only had the lunch box – it is just soooo good and very filling. Definitely worth the $10. But I’ve seen many others order one of the classic noodle dishes and I would like to try one next time I go.

What I ate:

♥California Lunch Box♥
California Roll, Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura, Chicken Teriyaki with Rice
Comes with Salad and Miso Soup

Trattoria Alberto

Last date I was here: 05/23/2008

Restaurant: Trattoria Alberto (http://www.trattoriaalbertodc.com/)

Location: Barracks Row

Total Rating: 3.4
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: This small restaurant offers traditional Northern Italian cuisine in a friendly neighborhood setting. They have a split dining room and a small bar area. The restaurant also offers a small patio area for outside dining. The service is always friendly and prompt, although the food can be hit or miss at times. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

If you are looking for a fancy Italian dining experience you may be disappointed. I choose this place to fill a craving and opt for whatever sounds good on the daily specials, as they tend to be more fresh. I was let down by the Antipasto salad as I found the lettuce brown, the pickled veggies tasted straight out of a can, and the meat and cheese very scarce. I also despised the chicken entrée I had – as the meat was clearly frozen and then microwaved and the sauce very unappetizing. However, the homemade agnolotti is very fresh and delicious - I’ve ordered it a couple times. The tiramisu was a large portion, more than enough for two to share.

What I ate:

Assorted Antipasto for Two
Italian Cold Cuts and Cheese

Agnolotti di Formaggio
Homemade round ravioli filled with ricotta cheese and spinach in a pink cream sauce

Suprema di Pollo Alberto
Boneless Breast of Chicken with Rosemary and Garlic

Tiramisu
Ladyfingers soaked in espresso and Kahlua,
covered in mascarpone and topped with a dusting of cocoa.

Plus Keith ate:

Veal Parmigiana
Veal with Mozzarella Cheese and Tomato Sauce

Lasagna della Casa
Lasagna with Meat Sauce