Best Italian Restaurants in Maple Lawn

I went last night for my birthday dinner. Where the record, there is a caveat to my 4 star review. There was only one area I can’t genuinely give the place a 4 star, but everything else was absolutely wonderful and deserves all the five stars that they can get. I will start with the one area where I can’t give 5 stars, and that was the food. My friends and I all shared food, so we got to try a lot of items on the menu. The standouts were the lamb meatballs, the Hamachi crudo, the fusilli, and the tiramisu. All of the flavors in each of these dishes were very distinct, and delicious. However, given this is an Italian restaurant, we were underwhelmed with the ravioli and the clam pasta. While the portions weren’t tiny, I do feel the cost of the dishes was a little high relative to the amount food you received and what the fish itself was. But then again, we are also in DC. IMHO, and as others have said, where this restaurant really shines is the ambience and the service. First off, the holiday decor was gorgeous, and they were giving ornaments to all the diners, so it definitely set a festive mood. All of my party, except for two of us, were fairly late to the reservation. It was super crowded, but the staff were very accommodating and patient while we waited for our whole party. Additionally, our waitress Mariah was absolutely wonderful!! She was knowledgeable and charming while still being efficient . As the Birthday Girl, I appreciate the restaurant went out of its way to give me a special book about the restaurant. Mariah even managed to scrounge up a few sparklers to make my dinner extra festive in addition to my happy birthday dessert message. All in all, this is a great place for a casual yet slightly elevated dining experience. I’d come back for the customer service and ambiance alone, and despite the few disappointing pasta dishes, there were enough other star dishes I tried to make me interested to try more.

Wonderful service and delicious food! We had the benefit of listening to a piano player as well. Try the meatballs!

Excellent experience as always but tried the Beef tenderloin this go round and it was AMAZING!

Philomena is a pillar in the DC community and for great reason. When you first walk down the, many steps, you enter your known as house. During the holiday season, the restaurant is decorated from head to toe with Christmas celebration. The staff are all extremely courteous and helpful And always dressed amazingly. The food is outstanding. All portions are large enough to share so get a few dishes and let your table enjoy old world Italian cuisine. Anything on the menu is a score in my book. But don’t forget always leave room for dessert. The cannoli are amazing!

Malik at the Maggiano’s in Columbia, Maryland, provided an extraordinary dining experience that truly elevated my Mom’s birthday celebration. From the moment we arrived, Malik ensured that my Mom, the elegant birthday girl, was treated like royalty. His attentiveness and care went above and beyond, making her feel cherished and celebrated on her special day. He was patient, kind, and always present despite managing a full and bustling restaurant. Malik’s thoughtful service made the evening unforgettable. He accommodated my allergies with ease, ensuring I could enjoy the meal stress-free, and brought a smile to my Mom’s face with his warm humor and attention to detail. The highlight of the evening was the decadent butter cake he surprised her with—it was the perfect touch to end a delightful celebration. I also want to give a special thank you to the manager, Mike, for ensuring every detail was flawless. Together, Malik and Mike created a welcoming and intimate atmosphere that made the evening feel extra special. For anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion, Maggiano’s in Columbia is the perfect choice. With their elegant setting, delicious cuisine, and top-notch service, they turn special moments into cherished memories. Thank you, Malik and Mike, for making my Mom’s birthday unforgettable!