Landini’s is a classic Italian done right in a dim lit, cozy environment. It’s the type of place that makes you feel like you’re cozying up by a fire. It’s situated towards the bottom of King Street in Old Town, Alexandria, so it’s always crowded and picks up a vibrant energy by nature of where the restaurant’s located. The restaurant is also home to ‘Rex-‘ a private cigar club on the upper level, which adds to the ‘higher end’ feel of the establishment.
Their food is top-notch, IF you know what to order. I’ve had some of their chicken dishes, like the chicken piccata, but honestly have found them skippable. Their Penne Romana, and more simple pasta dishes on the other hand, are fantastic. My boyfriend has repeatedly claimed that their Penne Romana is his all time favorite restaurant dish, and held it as the gold standard of comparison when we traveled to Italy together.
It’s also a fun spot to grab a drink if you can find room at their limited bar area, and they have some of the best espresso martinis.