Dining Out: Maggiano's Little Italy

Maggiano's in Tyson's Galleria

2001 International Dr.

McLean, VA, 22102-3918

As opposed to the many times in the past, I rarely ever eat out and when I do it’s usually a toss between very few restaurants because I have eaten there before, the food is palatable, and I have yet to get contaminated. Today, Phillip and I went to a new restaurant because we received gift cards and wanted to try something new.

The restaurant was Maggiano’s Little Italy. Yes, a restaurant full of pasta and pasta and uh more pasta with lots of dairy. What could a celiac actually eat in there and survive? Well, get this: they have a gluten free pasta substitution option. Yep. That’s right!

Phillip and I entered the very classy Italian ambiance a little flabbergasted. Many customers were dressed in jeans and tees as opposed to the environment radiating in fine dining. Frank Sinatra blared softly over the radio in addition to other classic Italian singers and songs. The tables were dressed in white linens with wine glasses and bread plates ready. After our seating, the waiter dipped in with a bottle of oil and poured a pool of good quality olive oil onto a plate which soon was accompanied by a basket of crusty Italian bread. The sight depressed me a little as I hadn’t until that moment recall my past experienced of eating large rolls of bread dipped in marinara sauce or simply slathered with margarine. Phillip said it was delicious and warm, so you know it’s fresh especially if the restaurant is attached to a bakery.

After our beverage orders were taken (I ordered tea and Phillip got a soda), not long after did the waiter return with a box of teas arranged by type that I was free to choose from. It’s rare to find any restaurant to display such elegant presentations. I settled for green sweet sencha which was authentic to a tea – ha!

When it was time for our entrée orders, Phillip ordered Beef Braciole while I sat there, nervous as a leaf, and thus informed the waiter of my allergy and situation. Immediately the waiter stated, “Let me get the head chef,” and started off. I turned to Phillip wide eyed and he just happily squeezed my hand, knowing I was going to be well accommodated for once. The chef came out asking what I wanted and told me how he would alter it to accommodate me. I ordered a half portion of the Chicken Linguine Pesto and, in return, the chef said that the linguine would be substituted with gluten free pasta (I assume it’s Tinkyada since the taste was vaguely chewy) and the sauce would be altered since they usually thicken it with flour.

If what I received was a half portion, god only knows what a whole portion would look like since I barely ate half of my half! It was good and yummy but there were a few faults. One, I did state no cheese yet I could taste the Parmesan and the pesto didn’t have that strong pesto flavor that I prefer. Phillip thoroughly enjoyed his large meal eating nearly every last bite. So, in collaboration, we would definitely dine at Magginao’s Little Italy again since its one of the few Italian restaurants that actually caters to celiac’s. A note before you go: make sure you make reservations since it does get crowded and specify you are celiac even at the time of the reservation just to get the point across. I do believe they also have rotini as their solo gluten free pasta so don’t expect gluten free linguine or spaghetti. It’s a limited choice but at least it’s something, right?