7960 Crescent Park Drive Gainesville
571.248.0660
www.desideriorestaurant.com

Northern Virginia. It is known as the lover’s state, has some of the most historical areas in the country and is famous for its wineries, and gorgeous sceneries. Lastly and most importantly, NOVA is home to a host of wonderful culinary gems hidden away inside the plethora of mini malls that dot the landscape. While this phenomenon is more apparent east of Manassas, things seem to be changing for those of us living in historically overlooked areas. Enter Desiderio, a new Italian restaurant in Gainesville that I happened upon a few days ago. Like so many other NOVA hotspots, Desiderio is located in a mini mall.

The restaurant is nicely decorated with contemporary features, but isn’t the least bit pretentious. The dining room has an inviting setup that isn’t cluttered or messy looking and the owners did a wonderful job designing an area that is at the same time cozy as it is open. A good waiter is hard to find at mid priced restaurants. Let’s face it, either they have no experience waiting tables, or they have been around far too long to care about the temperature of your steak. My server was a delightful young man named Sunny. I do recommend sitting in his section, as he was spot on. He was polite, calm and collected and not too talkative. which is such a plus.

For an appetizer I ordered the Sautéed Mussels, which were really very delicious. The mussels were sautéed in a deliciously flavorful white wine sauce and accented with apples and pancetta and finally served with toasted bread. For the entrées, I tried the Lasagna Casserole and the cheese ravioli, which were both exceptionally delicious. The Casserole was a true signature dish, one I will be ordering again in the very near future. Served piping hot, it is made with fresh vegetables, house-made pasta and mozzarella and finished with a delightful Bolognese. A rather large dish, order this one if you are hungry or ready to share. The ravioli is made with aged Parmesan, ricotta, and a house-made mozzarella cheese and is served with a fantastic marinara sauce and garnished with wilted spinach.

The owners have also given special attention to their smaller patrons. Their tasted and true Kid’s Menu is original and not confusing. Kids can custom create their own pasta dishes by picking their pasta, sauce and meat. The dishes were wonderful, the service near perfect, and the atmosphere inviting. I think Gainesville and nearby residents should flock to this restaurant and give it a try.