Alta Strada Mosaic District Michael Schlow Alta Strada

Alta Strada

Mosaic District
2911 District Ave., Ste. 150 (Strawberryn Ln.)
Fairfax, VA 22031
Map
Cuisine: Italian
Chef Michael Schlow's Italian fare at Fairfax’s Mosaic District.
Openings: Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly, Brunch Sun.

Features

Alta Strada, Fairfax, VA


Alta Strada Restaurant Review:



About the restaurant: The suburban version of chef Michael Schlow’s popular DC eatery has a very casual air, with outdoor patio seating and indoor booths and tables sidelined by a fully stocked bar with overhead TVs. The one brick wall and slender wooden poles give the place a comfortable feel. Although its open kitchen seems pretty busy, staff manages to feed patrons without great delays.

Likes: Ricotta cheesecake.
Dislikes: Need more of the crispy meatball appetizer.

Food & Drinks: At lunch, a great way to kick off the meal is with an elderflower refresher, a type of nonalcoholic beverage seldom found around town, or consider the sparkling basil lemonade. Of course, the bar is loaded with wine selections. Simple appetizers include crunchy meatballs served with a spicy tomato-basil dipping sauce. For a table of two or more, add on the stracciatella caprese with heirloom tomatoes. Choose from several pastas and pizzas (the Bianca pie is light and flavorful) and salmon or chicken entrées, or a cleverly composed antipasti salad with chopped cheeses and cured meats. Dinnertime brings more robust mains, such as a butcher’s steak with Gorgonzola crema, and veal piccata with potatoes and lemon caper sauce. For dessert, get the whipped ricotta cheesecake with a swirl of fudge sauce, perched on a wedge of buttery chocolate brownie. In the evening, check out the cocktails and wine list, too. At brunch, the offerings range from egg dishes to hearty salads and a Nutella french toast.