A big mural of Venice, photos of Italy, and a few plants provide color and context. The cooking is basic Italian, focusing on the south, with plenty of pasta, pizza, main courses, and the expected desserts. The main courses come with pasta, although mixed vegetables, either steamed or with a tomato sauce, may be substituted. Don't assume that this is just another upscale Italian version of a fast-food emporium. It's much better.
Care is given to the selection of ingredients as well as to the cooking.
Salads, a mixture of iceberg and romaine, are good, but the ones in Rockville, with romaine alone, have been better. Although the management assures customers that the dressings are identical, the one in Rockville tastes better. Standouts are the linguine with white clam sauce, fettuccine with chunks of salmon in a light tomato sauce with a dollop of cream, house-made ravioli, and ziti alla matriciana, made with a spicy marinara sauce. The only disappointment was the baked lasagna, which was underseasoned and overcooked. An order of baked ravioli was much better.