Hello dear
Welcome to Pulcinella Italian Kitchen
Pulcinella Italian Kitchen, located in McLean, VA, is a charming destination for authentic Italian cuisine. This eatery delights diners with its brick oven pizzas, lauded for their perfectly crispy, thin crust, and a tantalizing array of pasta dishes like spaghetti carbonara and veal piccata. Each dish is crafted with care, offering fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. The friendly and professional service enhances the inviting atmosphere, making you feel at home. Notably, patrons appreciate the ability to bring their own wine without corkage fees. Pulcinella is more than a restaurant; it’s a local gem worth returning to again and again.
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About
Pulcinella Italian Kitchen
Welcome to Pulcinella Italian Kitchen, a charming gem nestled in the heart of McLean, Virginia. Located at 1310 Chain Bridge Rd, this delightful eatery invites you to experience the true essence of Italian cuisine. With a phone number ready to connect you at +1 703-893-7777, a visit to Pulcinella promises to be more than just a meal—it’s an experience.
As you step inside, you’re greeted by a warm ambiance that sets the stage for memorable dining moments. The air is rich with the enticing aromas of authentic Italian dishes, expertly crafted using premium ingredients. Diners consistently rave about the brick oven pizza, which boasts a perfectly crispy, thin crust that delivers flavor in every bite. Whether you're a fan of classic Margherita or adventurous toppings, each pizza is a standout performer, earning accolades as possibly the best pizza in all of Fairfax and Arlington.
But the menu doesn’t stop at pizza. The pasta offerings at Pulcinella are equally impressive, highlighted by dishes like spaghetti carbonara with its creamy sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and the rich flavor that lingers in memory long after the last bite. The veal piccata, served in a mild lemony sauce, showcases a commitment to excellence with its generous portions and al dente pasta paired with a tomato sauce that is simply divine.
Another major highlight is the friendly service, which feels personal and attentive at every turn. Reviews emphasize the professional staff who make you feel at home, enhancing the dining experience significantly. And if you're a wine lover, you’ll appreciate their unique policy of allowing outside wine with no corkage fee, making it easy to complement your meal with a favorite vintage from a nearby store.
For those who may have dietary restrictions, the menu features gluten-free options that are reported to be exceptionally delicious, proving that everyone can enjoy a slice of the Italian pie. After finishing your meal, you might find it hard to leave those leftovers behind; many guests have noted that the pizza tastes just as good, if not better, when reheated at home.
Pulcinella Italian Kitchen is more than just a restaurant; it’s a community destination where flavors, comfort, and conviviality come together. Whether you're dropping by for a quick lunch or enjoying a leisurely dinner, this eatery is a perfect choice for food enthusiasts seeking quality Italian fare in a friendly atmosphere. I highly recommend making reservations, as this “tiny jewel of a place” is a sought-after dining spot. Don’t miss out on the chance to indulge in their culinary delights!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Wonderful food and service. I would certainly recommend and would return. It would be great if they also had a wine selection but even better they actually allow outside wine with no separate corkage charge. There is a store nearby in walking distance if wine is needed. The pizza is brick oven and there are some interesting pasta dishes as well. Great to have a local place we can walk to. ”
“ Finally visited Pulcinella after friends recommended it. Wow! What a fantastic experience! Great customer service, excellent food, and a convivial atmosphere. And of course, the pizzas are amazing — crust just the right thickness, perfectly crispy, and flavorful through to the last bite. We also had a spaghetti carbonara with perfectly creamy sauce and pasta cooked exactly right. Highly recommend! ”
“ I enjoyed the Veal Piccata on this visit. A generous serving, the veal was delicious in a mild lemony sauce. It came with correctly al dente pasta with tomato sauce, with added grated cheese. I do appreciate restaurants that bring bread to tease the appetite ahead of the meal; this was served with olive oil for dipping, much preferable to butter. I'll return to Pulcinella for the friendly, professional service, comfortable seating, fresh atmosphere, and enviable menu offerings. ”
“ This is hands down the BEST pizza in McLean — maybe in all of Fairfax and Arlington! Pulcinella fires up their pies in a real coal oven, which means that perfectly crisp, thin crust with every bite. No heavy, bloated feeling here — they ... ”
“ Simple items were extremely excellent!!! Gluten free pizza was exceptionally delicious! I understand why reservations for dinner are recommended. Tiny jewel of a place. We came for lunch after a doctor’s appointment, recommended by the staff. Need to add: we took home half a pizza each, warmed it up and it was nearly as delicious as when first served!!! ”
“ Hidden Italian gem. Visiting the DMV, I was referred here from a local. Pulicinella differentiates from any other restaurant I’ve been to as I was welcomed/greeted by the owner and staff. Theres limited seating capacity but it allows the staff to provide essential customer service to the guests. A great lunch date sitting on the patio with shade. The fresh oven baked pizza with the crispy crust and the gooey melted cheese (not oily). Every slice remained deliciously intact without getting cold. It was delicious from first bite till last. I stopped here again before I had to drive back home. The owner and staff greeted us and acknowledged our return and said “it’s nice to see you two again” The attentiveness shows the value of returning guests. This is bypassing all the pizzas I’ve ever had and my #1 choice ”
“ It's an Italian restaurant and It's a gem. It's famous for its deliciouspizza but other dishes are also amazing. Also excellent customer service. ”
“ 5/5 Stars – Amazing Every Time Have you ever eaten food so good that you realized the world wasn’t in color until you finished eating it? If not, come here—the food has that effect. And if say you have your lying because you haven't had this food yet. I got the large traditional pizza and a cappuccino—both were amazing. The staff are amazing too; they recognize me and my boyfriend because we’ve been here a lot before (which just proves how good the food is). The price is amazing, especially since the quality of the food is out of this world. Parking is really easy since there’s a parking lot. I’ve worked at a pizza place before and used to think they had the best pizza—but now I realize it’s this place. Pulcinella is truly something special. ”