Great Italian Food
DESCRIPTION: Good food, but go hungry - portions are large.
DATE: 1999-12-04
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 2
OVERALLRATING : 4

Back to being good
DESCRIPTION: I hadn't been to Sabatino's for years, because the last couple of times I thought the food was just above fast food quality, but that was definitely not the case this time. Nothing fancy, nothing spectacular...no need for it. The food was straight forward very good classic Italian American dishes. Good taste, good portions, and good service.
DATE: 2003-01-23
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6

Still the best...
DESCRIPTION: I grew up in Baltimore and was somewhat of a "regular" at Sab's in my younger days. I remember delicious dinners and great family celebrations there. I had the chance to visit my hometown last weekend...and my favorite Italian Restaurant. Oh my, I do miss this place!!! Everyone is so nice there - and the maitre d' remembered me - by name - and I haven't been there in almost 12 years...WOW!! He still wouldn't give me the recipe for the House Mix, though... Oh well, guess I'll just have to stop by whenever I'm in the area. Our dinner was outstanding. Portions were large, ingredients were obviously fresh, sauces were unmistakably home made. Waiter was really nice. Wish they'd open a place in my new "home town".
DATE: 2003-08-31
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Bookmaker Salad, Veal Francese, Baked Rigatoni

Fazzinis Italian Kitchen
DESCRIPTION: The pasta is homemade, the portions huge, and the atmosphere friendly. Anything slathered in the basil-heavy marinara is worth ordering, as is the shrimp-parmagiana sub, which puts most places' gloppy parmagiana offerings to shame.
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8

Momma Mia!
DESCRIPTION: Now, we love Italian food in our family. Even the kids. My first experience, though, was lunch with a friend. We were bowled over by the terrific food, the gorgeous bread, the enormous portions, the fabulous wait staff. It was almost perfect, and we had enough left over for another meal! My second experience was 2 days later, this time dinner with my family. We cleverly ordered only 2 entrees and split them between the 4 of us. Perfect. I was disappointed that the homemade bread was missing, although we were given a wonderful focaccia basket. My husband was surprised and unhappy that the Chicken Marsala was accompanied by barley instead of pasta (they didn't say a word nor was it posted on the menu). The dessert, a decadent chocolate cake, was plenty for all of us. This restaurant is an Italian lover's dream, give or take a few missteps!
DATE: 2002-02-09
OVERALLRATING : 6

Reliable & enjoyable yet not unusual
DESCRIPTION: This restaurant features the standard Washington area Italian Restaurant menu (based on a template probably set by Pines of Rome or AV Ristorante). They also feature some nice specials, such as salmon or rockfish, which tend to be your best bets, although expensive. The food tends to be consistently good, but doesn't necessarily stand out other than the specials. Very tight parking in the small lot. Essentially similar to the Italian Pines in Gaithersburg, which has the same owners (I believe) and a similar menu with a bit nicer atmosphere (in my opinion), lower prices, and smaller crowds
DATE: 2000-05-23
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Salmon or other seafood specials

Like Italy to Me!!
DESCRIPTION: I thoroughly enjoy Il Pinito Trattoria. It's quiet and kind of reminds me of some of the restaurtants along the italian countryside.
DATE: 2005-12-07
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8