Casually Elegant
42015 Village Center Plaza Suite 155
Aldie, Virginia 20105
(703-957-4062)
Review From Northern Virginia Magazine
Ciro Ristorante
42015 Village Center Plaza, Ste. 155, Stone Ridge; 703-957-4062; www.ciroristorante.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
After a decade and a half of slinging pies and fast-casual service, hospitality industry veteran Ciro D’Agostino says he was ready to ratchet things down a bit.
“Now that I am 50, I want to do things at a slower pace,” the old hand suggests.
His solution: Open a second, fine-dining facility, and split the time shuttling between both kitchens.
Sounds relaxing, no?
A lifelong restaurateur, D’Agostino has been in the business of pleasing dining patrons since joining forces with an older brother (he’s the youngest of four) at the tender age of 16. As a first-generation immigrant (D’Agostino originally hails from Naples, Italy), he says he is honored to share his hospitality with anyone who gives him the honor of walking through the front doors.
“You didn’t come here to cheat and steal. You come to produce and create,” he says of his understanding of the American dream.
To that end, D’Agostino established his original pizzeria in Centreville in 1992. Its more polished sibling, Ciro Ristorante, followed in 2007.
D’Agostino describes Centreville as more of a place “for busy people” (favored by the on-the-way-home, kids-in-tow crowd), whereas he wanted Stone Ridge to be much more mellow (dressed-up environs, but still a come-as-you-are attitude).
“It’s the place where I wanted to put everything together that I know,” he says of the snazzy new spinoff.
The place is certainly handsome. Multicolored flames dance seductively within the front-and-center stone oven that greets guests as soon as they walk through the revolving door. Fun-seekers can easily slide into any of the high-backed booths that dominate the airy central dining area or claim a seat at the quaint marble-topped bar, while privacy hounds are accommodated with semi-private chambers at opposite ends of the restaurant (we liked the charming cubby surrounded by window views best).
A generous portion of chicken parmigiana and spaghetti wards off hunger
Staff seems professional (reciting specials from memory, sprinkling freshly grated parmesan tableside, refilling beverages on the fly), if a tad too chummy (one youngish server stumbled right into the faux old-friend routine; you’ve got to earn that trust, buddy). Though D’Agostino says he tries his hardest to be everywhere as needed, daughter Laura (currently studying at George Mason) keeps a watchful eye on the new restaurant whenever Poppa is occupied elsewhere.
“I don’t want it to feel like a place that has no spirit,” D’Agostino says of the family-first nature of his business philosophy.
Meanwhile, the crowd appears to be evenly split between young couples and roving groups of friends to extended families (toting around kids from tots to teens).
D’Agostino, meanwhile, attempts to pied piper in all types with his classic Italian preparations.
“These flavors are in my brain,” he says of his allegiance to the same basic ingredients—tomatoes, garlic, oregano, basil and olive oil—that framed his youthful eating. That passion for authenticity also translates into baking bread daily and producing all the pastas in-house.
Daily specials run the gamut from roast mahi-mahi to pumpkin ravioli in butter-sage sauce to ragout-braised short ribs with vegetables. Portions are definitely plus sized, making leftovers almost a fait accompli (one night, nearly every patron marched out with a bulging white carryout bag swinging from their arm).
A handsome tomato rose blooms atop Ciro’s bountiful antipasto platter
A mountainous antipasto plate is stocked with tantalizing meats (zesty salami rounds, savory strips of shaved prosciutto), mixed greens drizzled in tongue-teasing balsamic vinegar, roasted red peppers, pert black olives, hunks of aged parmesan (terrific) and Caprese-style tomato slices that are draped with moist slabs of mozzarella (the very definition of abbondanza).
Chicken parmigiana pulls no punches, revealing upward of 10 ounces of well-breaded bird (the coating infused with a spritz of lemon) smothered in fragrant marinara and melted mozzarella and escorted by a tangle of lightly sauced noodles (zesty tomato bits dominate most bites).
Wild mushroom- and parmesan-filled ravioli are enveloped by brandy cream sauce (burnt alcohol sweetness interwoven with that familiar cream silkiness) and bolstered by diced chives and white mushrooms. The fettuccine Mediterraneo reveals al dente noodles buoyed by shredded crab (luscious meat seemed to creep into every forkful) and bay scallops (small, but abundant) in a spicy cream sauce.
The rose sauce reappears in a prosciutto- and cheese-filled tortellini production that is fairly generous with the aged cheese but seemed to falter in the cured meat category (scant bits here and there, but mostly absent).
D’Agostino currently splits his time between the two kitchens—“I work seven days a week because this is my passion,” he states—but would like to bring in more specialty chefs (seafood, pastry) to help round out the entire Stone Ridge dining experience.
And while he’s got some other improvements already in mind (including a possible expansion), D’Agostino seems pleased by the modest success his fledgling white tablecloth venture has enjoyed to date.
“I get people from everywhere. The word has been spread,” he states.
Costumer's Reviews
Dave C.
On a mission to eat well in with a small clan of ankle-biters
Herndon, VA
5/9/2009
This is a little gem of a restaurant! We visited before seeing a movie, based on the recommendations of fellow Yelpers, and left very satisfied.
My more attractive half had a great arugula salad and rigatoni with smoked mozzarella, while I enjoyed carpaccio and the acid test for Italian eateries (in my opinion), chicken parmigiana. Everything was delicious, and all of the ingredients were as fresh as could be. No dry and tasteless parsley garnishes here; every herb added extra zing to the dish!
I felt that the host was a little officious, and the servers were working as a team (rather than dedicating one server per table), and that lent the place a bit of a chaotic quality. However, the owners have clearly thought through their restaurant's ambience; families with children are afforded space in the front of the place, while couples and adult groups are put into a more intimate back area. This shows that some forethought has gone into Ciro, and it really pays off.
We'll definitely be going back. There's a real lack of decent Italian restaurants of this type around here. For great pizza and pasta, there's always Pomodoro. But family dining deserves more than the several San Vito restaurants in the area. So good luck to Ciro!
B T.
Fairfax, VA
6/29/2009
The best Italian Place in the Area. Great Desserts!
Very reasonably priced and excellent service. Their meals and service have been consistently good every time, whether I order pizza, pasta, seafood or antipasta.
My cousin is a priest in Rome and I have had many great authentic Italian meals in Italy. I have to say other that the North End of Boston, Chicago and New York this is the most authentic I have seen in the US.
I have had a good variety of meals here and have never been disappointed. They also have a good selection of wines. I personally usually prefer a nice Chainti with Italian.
Their food and selection is excellent with fresh ingredients, Their desserts are made fresh every morning. Their cannoli is almost as good as Mike's Pastry in Boston and the Italian Store in Arlington. I prefer Tiramasu myself.
This place along with a few pizza joints in the area are owned by a great italian family. They stop by make sure sure you are taken care of and have an attention to detail. If you have been to Italy you know this is an Italian tradition. They know how to make good food and provide good service. They also treat their employees well and you don't see the turnover common in the food industry their people stay there for years.
When I am in the mood for Italian, which is often, this is where I come to.
Emily M.
Centreville, VA
6/21/2009
I recently moved to the Centreville area a few months ago and had the pleasure of stumbling upon Ciro's NY Pizza in Centreville. I stop by there every Friday to pick up food for my family. My husband's birthday was last week and I wanted to take him to a special restaurant to celebrate. My neighbors recommended that I try out Ciro's other restaurant in Aldie. I must say it was a great recommendation. The staff was very polite and attentive. The food was fantastic! I had the ravioli mushrooms in a brandy cream sauce. The sauce was savory and light, and the hint of brandy went well with the mushrooms. My husband had the linguini seafood which he enjoyed alot!
When it came to dessert, i had a cannoli and my husband ordered the tiramisu. The presentation was lovely and the waiter even sang happy birthday to my husband.
Great dining experience, I recommend this restaurant highly :)
Cameron O.
Ashburn, VA
5/24/2009
On the recommendation of several friends, my husband, 11 month old daughter and I went to Ciro for dinner. We were greeted by a friendly hostess and seated at a comfortable table. Two waiters rushed to get us a high chair and help get our daughter situated. We were immediately given fresh ice water and hot bread/olive oil dip (delicious). We each ordered a glass of wine. GENEROUS portions. We also got the prociutto and mozzarella appetizer. It was pretty good. My husband got the fettuccine rosa with scallops and crab - DELICIOUS, and I ordered the linguini with clams. Also VERY good. We were so impressed with this little place tucked away. We will definitely be back. A+ for Service AND FOOD!!
Aaron U.
Aldie, VA
4/8/2009
Tasty, tasty, tasty!!
This place has it going on several levels. The service is just fantastic. It is really first rate Italian food in a setting that is very nice without ever feeling stuffy. Appetizers are nice and properly portioned (standard Italian fare here). The staff is very accommodating to special requests and the food always gets to the table just when it should.
I have had several of their entrees and have very much enjoyed each of them. Their Mediterranean Pasta is a shellfish lovers dream. Very nummy. All of their cream sauces, particularly their rose, are creamy and not too thick or gooey. Wonderful bread and seasoned oil accompany every meal. I find their red sauce a little spicier than I like, but still excellent. Their veal dishes are where this place goes above and beyond. The ground veal in their cannelloni is fantastic and makes up the base for the best lasagna I have ever had in a restaurant.
Prices are not budget, but not unreasonable either. You will not feel ripped off, nor will you feel like you got the deal of the century.
The final touch is their fantastic pizza. If you prefer handmade traditional style pizza, you will really dig Ciro. They do not deliver, though, so I have them on speed dial and call them up when I exit the Greenway onto 606. Ready and waiting for me!
Give this place a try and you will never again take a road trip to that "Olive" place or that awful "Macaroni" joint!
Rachal L.
Whoa Gypsy!
Aldie, VA
2/24/2009
Right down the street from my house and a great find. I have to say I didn't expect to find this kind of restaurant in my neighborhood shopping center. It is a family run italian restaurant that offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere with white table clothes, dimly lit rooms and a warm fire in the front entrance, oh and of course an excellent menu.
Even though it is a bit fancy you can still call and order food to take home, I recommend the pizzas. Great!
I've gone on a few 'date nights' here and we are never disappointed. Also, we always seem to get the same server. (sorry can't remember his name) But he is fantastic. Thick italian accent and you can definitely tell he enjoys his job. Very attentive and helpful. I've also heard from other friends that they love this place too. I finally tried it because I heard so many rave reviews from people around town! Enjoy!
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Lindsey P.
Chantilly, VA
1/27/2009 First to Review
My favorite restaurant ever.
Terrific service, wonderful food. Loveit so much, I had my wedding rehearsal dinner here, so I could share with my friends and family.
The lobster bisque is delicious. The pasta is all home made.
I just can't write enough good things about this place.
I have been several times, and the quality of service and the food remains the same- outstanding.
I prefer Ciro's for dinner, however they do offer a lunch menu as well.
I also really like their house white zifendel wine.
Alice L.
Chantilly, VA
6/26/2009
My husband and I were in the mood for dessert one day and decided to stop by the restaurant to try the desserts all our friends were raving about. We split a white chocolate cheesecake and each had a cappuccino. Everything was delicious! We were so impressed that we stopped by the next day for dinner and indulged in some of the best Italian food we've had in a long time. Of course though, we made sure to save room for dessert :)
High Recommendations!
Easily the best kep secret in Loudoun Written by Trailchicks on 2/3/2009
Have been many times and the chef never ceases to amaze me. The Calimari is tender, delicious and can be prepared grilled or fried per preference, the Chicken Parmesan is perfect with not too much sauce or breading, the lobster ravioli is to die for, the Chicken Piccatta will tempt you to lick your plate, the Arugula & Pear salad is WOW, Rigatoni A La Toscana YUM!!!! Just go, the atmosphere is great, the service is always on point and you'll leave wanting to come back with all your friends and family. Occassionally you'll see the owner Ciro, he's very friendly - always extending a hearty hello and a firm handshake to all who come through. Yes, by the way, this is the same Ciro as Centreville's Famous Ciro's Pizza. The Ristorante in Aldie is his upscale dream. Fantastic!!
Zoro M.
Chantilly, VA
7/31/2008
Food is good and the atmosphere is nice. Service is above average. It may look like a fancy restaurant but families shouldn't shy away. Its always kind of fun and amusing when they do their desert tray presentation.
Ben R.
Aldie, VA
3/24/2008 First to Review
If you want amazing italian food, then look no further. This is as authentic as you will get. I am 1/2 italian and I can't think of a better italian restaurant than this one. The sauces are all homemade. There is a large selection of pasta, chicken, beef, and seafood choices. The bolognese is the best I've ever had. They serve wonderful focaccia at each table and the food is impecible. You can't go wrong whether you want a nice plate of pasta or a hot pizza made by hand in stone oven. They have an extensive wine menu (my sugg. Zonta 2003 Cabernet).
