Tutto Bene hails from the old-fashioned, spaghetti-and-meatballs school, all hanging plants and red banquettes. Even if saltenas - Bolivia's nod to empanadas - were my ultimate goal, I also wanted to know how the pasta and pizza stacked up. New restaurants were opening up left and right, chefs were playing musical chairs and, frankly, if the 16-year-old Tutto Bene was such a big deal, why weren't more people talking it up? Then, one night, when my plans to visit another restaurant fell through, I decided to try Tutto Bene. I made a mental note to check out his suggestion, but I kept getting distracted. 'Yes,' he said, 'but not for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.'

It had been a while since he had been to his native Bolivia, he said, but whenever he wanted a taste of home, he treated himself to a meal at Tutto Bene in Arlington. 'Iceland,' I said, starting my wish list.Īt that precise moment, our waiter was refilling our water glasses - and eavesdropping. Months ago, a friend and I were picking at our meals in a fancy but uninspired restaurant when our conversation drifted to vacations yet to be taken and the hope of exploring someplace truly different.

Full dinner with wine, tax and tip about $45 per person. Valet parking at dinner Friday and Saturday. for dinner Monday through Thursday 3 to 10:30 p.m., Friday 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday 4 to 11 p.m., Sunday 4 to 9 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m. Open: for lunch Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m.

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