monavano Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Mr. MV and I had not been to Faccia Luna since we dated, so after making an exchange at Williams Sonoma next door, we decided it was time to go back. Whenever we were on that block for WS, or Southside 815, we couldn't help but notice how many neighborood folks were picking up pizzas for take out. So, that's what we decided to focus on for our entree. We shared a 14 inch (large) Margherita Pizza. The sauce and cheese were delicious, and made eating it from the tip to the middle outstanding. However, the dough got less topping a bit thicker towards the crust, which could have stood for more browning and a bit of char coming out of an oven that looked and smelled promising. My dogs enjoyed the crusts when I got home, so nothing went to waste! Prior to the pizza, I had a perfectly average, if not over-dressed Caesar salad. Mr. MV ordered a special of PEI mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce. The generous portion of plump, juicy, perfectly cooked (and not at all sandy) mussels were terrific, as was the broth which we sopped up with some crusty bread. Our server was very pleasant (right on top of refills), however, a runner served our piping hot pizza when we were nowhere near done our apps, which just sucked. I didn't send it back, nor did we reflect our displeasure in the tip, but wow....to plop a pizza down when it's plain to see we have just begun to dig into our apps was just not thinking, and not well-timed. I should have sent it back, and will pipe up next time, because I am pretty sure that popping the pizza back into the pizza oven 10 minutes later would have been OK. I would go back to try more of the menu, particularly the pastas. As for the pizza, I'd try more of that too, but be sure to let them know I want it served AFTER any apps ordered. Faccia Luna Website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 There is another location in Clarendon. I have found the food at that location to be serviceable, but certainly not a place I hanker for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I always enjoyed the calzones at the Claredon location (circa 1996-98). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandynva Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 i've been to the old town location a number of times (for the margharita and white pizzas) and the clarendon location twice. in my experience the old town one is much better than the clarendon one, but then again, i only went to clarendon 2 times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jandres374 Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Since I work down the street from the Old Town location we usually hit the place up every two weeks or so. The lunch deal is hard to beat - 2 slices of pizza and salad, drink included for $6. The pizza is usually fairly consistent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheezepowder Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 i've been to the old town location a number of times (for the margharita and white pizzas) and the clarendon location twice. in my experience the old town one is much better than the clarendon one, but then again, i only went to clarendon 2 times. I've only been to the Clarendon one, but I always thought about trying the Alexandria one because their website says, "In keeping with their vision, Faccia Luna restaurants are indeed urban trattorias specializing in wood-oven pizza (except in Arlington)..." I was wondering if the wood-oven version would be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husband Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I was wondering if the wood-oven version would be better. Because its just down the street from us, I just ate there this week. And its a very good neighborhood joint. But, I'm not sure they use the oven to its maximum potential. Having eaten at both, I don't see much difference. And there isn't blistering or crispness or any pronounced 'wood' flavor you might expect as well. So, while still nice, not particularly special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCole42 Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Back when we didn't have a lot of money, their Monday special was sort of the de facto date night for my wife (then girlfriend) and I: MONDAY NIGHT SPECIAL ~ 2 PEOPLE for $24.24 plus tax and tip For starters: ~ Two small salads with your choice of dressing or for $2.00 extra, Any one appetizer to share Entrée: ~ One 12" pizza with up to two toppings (sorry, no half toppings) Beverages: ~ 2 glasses house wine or 2 non-alcoholic drinks (you must be 21 to order alcohol) That's $24.24 TOTAL, not per person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I really enjoyed the Faccia Luna at Glover Park. I thought the pizza there was better than at Clarendon. We also tried the place that replaced the Faccia Luna and didn't think the pizza was as good. This all happened years ago, so am I nuts or does anyone else feel the same way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheezepowder Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I've been getting a lot of emails from PS 7's lately of specials that they're running. It makes me really nervous that they might be in trouble due to the economy. I had a similar thought about Faccia Luna in Clarendon. A couple of times when I've walked by Faccia Luna, someone was standing on the sidewalk giving out pizza samples. I was wondering if this was because of a decline in business. They still look busy though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenticket Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Can't speak to the other locations, but had a disappointing experience in Alexandria not long ago. The pizza just isn't what it used to be - the crust was undercooked, thicker than I remember and had very little sauce and too much cheese. A mushroom and pasta dish had good flavor and lots of mushrooms, but the pasta (fettucini) was stuck together in big clumps. The outdoor seating is a bonus and plenty of people were there on a Saturday night, continuing to show up at 10pm and later. I don't go often and feel even less inclined to go now. Their sandwiches used to be good - maybe I'll have to give them another try and stick to A la Lucia when I want pizza in Old Town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetrain Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Have had some pretty darn good NYish style pizza here recently. The pepperoni and salami on the Genoa has been sliced generously thick and the beer list here is not too shabby (Avery Brown, Epic IPA, Oberon among others). Why anyone would wait 90 minutes down the street for Fireworks Pizza with Faccia Luna nearby is beyond me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 After reading Clarendon Culture's post on the pasta at Faccia Luna ( http://www.clarendonculture.com/post/12838942290/faccia-luna ) I went there last night, ostensibly to try the pasta (which I have never had). I drank a couple of glasses of wine. The ladies on either side of me got pizzas and I...ended up with a pizza. It was too tasty looking to resist. And the pizza was great. The meatballs were what they were, which I should have expected, but I thought the pepperoni was fantastic. It's been packed there the last few times I went by, so I was happy I could sit at the bar and play with my new Kindle Fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 On 10/26/2011 at 2:05 PM, astrid said: I'm a little surprised that Rustico got mentioned before Faccia Luna. I hated Rustico after my one experience there (loud, small portions, slow service, food that reads much better than they actually taste). Faccia Luna isn't super-high quality, but they do have a nice crust and decent toppings. Longtime Pizza Restaurant Faccia Luna to Become ‘Alto Fumo’ - by Chris Teale December 27, 2017 at 1:45 pm, on ARLnow.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 16 minutes ago, dcs said: Longtime Pizza Restaurant Faccia Luna to Become ‘Alto Fumo’ - by Chris Teale December 27, 2017 at 1:45 pm, on ARLnow.com. Alto Fumo's website says that they're open (I would absolutely call first). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 On 12/27/2017 at 2:08 PM, DonRocks said: Alto Fumo's website says that they're open (I would absolutely call first). Sitting at the bar across the street and this place does not look open. We can see the stools upside down on the front counter. Seems odd for mid-afternoon on a holiday. Just checked their Twitter feed. They closed for good on January 15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheezepowder Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 3 minutes ago, dcs said: Sitting at the bar across the street and this place does not look open. We can see the stools upside down on the front counter. Seems odd for mid-afternoon on a holiday. ArlNow said that Alto Fumo said they closed for remodeling, but the commenters seem to indicate they’re closed for good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 Looks like the (south of) Old Town location is closing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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