The food was really good! I was kind of confused by the experience / ambiance, though. It was striving to be a high end, nice Italian place, but the ambiance felt more casual (not a surprise, since that space was a more casual space). Even the service felt more casual (but was good and friendly!). I'd be interested in trying it again, but I do think they just need to think about what they want to be and then go be it! The most important thing is the food, and they have that, so it should be easy from there...
Jack
Bartender really didn't know how to make drinks. In a gin martini put way too much vermouth when asked for a Tito's neat they, They poured the vodka through ice. Sent it back and they just changed the glass that was warm. You get small portions with the food was good. What was outstanding was the bread soup and their shrimp. I would go back again. They've only been open a little while so they have some kinks to work out. One thing the staff is very pleasant.
ScottH
We went as guests for the soft opening. This was the first time for real and brought friends. We loved it. The food and drinks were fantastic. A superb diverse menu for everyone. Great service. We had had very generous attention by the owner and the chef. Corso is a keeper.
LarryR
We had a great dinner at Corso this week. Food was excellent, the server was attentive and knowledgeable and the ambience perfect for dinner and conversation with friends. We will definitely add Corso to our regular list.
I left a similar review on Yelp. My main problem was with the service, but I was not overly impressed with the food. I live in the neighborhood and wanted it to be great. And maybe it needs more time. But I found the food mediocre and pricey. I was really more upset over the service that we received. The waiter was overly pushy about us ordering all the food at the same time, he said we didn't order enough food, even though we each ordered an entrée, and he kept trying to take away our food before it was done. I found the Bolognese very sweet and not tasty. One person in my party sent the salad back because everything was very salty on it. It just was not great experience overall. I do hope that there is room for improvement but for the prices I would not go back there until I hear better reviews.
OldPortPesto
Loved every bite! Small but well curated menu. The whipped ricotta is delish, loved the shrimp starter, OMG the tuna! Had several pastas and the chicken Corso. The veal was enough for two of us. Don't miss the wonderful wine list, and fun cocktails.
Traveller
Lovely decor. Very nice service. Carrot side dish exceptional. Friend loved the oxtail pasta. Friend and I had little gem salad and were not too impressed. The 4 shrimp with it were perfect but salad was just a few thin slices of radish and fennel with some very small quarters of little gem lettuce. Somewhat skimpy and disassembled. Dressing was good. Next time I'll go for pasta or a sandwich. And there will be a next time.
KristinT
Overall a nice dinner out. For the price the portions were a bit small. My scallop risotto was very delicious, but only included one medium sized scallop and one small scallop - for $30 I was expecting a bit more. The bread was delicious, but not included - there was an additional charge. The service was very pleasant - everyone was polite and accommodating, but seemed a little nervous and uncertain. Maybe they just need a lot more time to build confidence.
For only being opened 2 months, food was really well done and great wine list! Owner was walking around helping wait staff and greeting tables. Loved the short menu and classy vibes. Still had their cheese counter and wine selection at the front of the restaurant so easy to spend some $$$. Special mention is their fresh out of the oven focaccia and cannoli cheesecake!
BobbiesBytes
A cool addition to the neighborhood; comforting bistro feel; great bar vibe. Service was off due to a large party but our server was sincerely apologetic and did her best to take care of us well. Started with the whipped ricotta which was dense and topped with hard pieces of foccaccia; on the other hand, the full slices of foccaccia were wonderful. Tuna crudo was fresh but lacking in punch! Chicken was plump and moist but looking sad and lonely w/o anything else on the plate, so we ordered a side of broccolini which was cooked perfectly. The standouts were the Campanelle pasta w/tasty sausage (sausage was ground rather than in noticeable pieces) and Canoli cheesecake for dessert. A nice Chianti Reserva paired beautifully with the dishes.
Very good food once you get it! There was a mix up as I ordered a side dish which was cipollini with my Cioppino main course. Understandably they sound a like but the wait staff serves me the onions and my dining partner their main course. Like I was eating onions for my entree! I asked where my entree was and the waitstaff was very embarrassed. By the time I got my entree my dining partner was finished. Kudos to Corso for taking care of my meal! Food was tasty! They will get it right eventually! Go!
Belliott
Cathal Armstrong does not disappoint. The food was scrumptious. I had the artichoke agnolotti. The focaccia was to die for (although quite a small portion for $5) as was the cannoli cheesecake. Went for lunch and there were only a few tables occupied, but I sure hope this place makes it. I'll definitely be back.
Deena
Small portions and high prices for this setting. Although the food was nice, it did not meet expectations we had from Chef Armstrong's other restaurants. Server was not knowledgeable about the fare. Unless the quality improves or the menu changes to more reasonable rates, I'm not sure Corso will succeed in this location.
Epicurious
Bravo and Brava to Chef Armstrong and Cheesetique's Jill Erbe on bringing to Shirlington this elevated culinary joint venture. What a fresh new take on la cucina Italiana❣️?❣️Talk about la dolce dining!!! ??????????????????????????????
JasonO
What a great addition to the Shirlington dining scene! The tuna crudo, fried shrimp appetizer, Porchetta and any of the house made pastas are must gets!! Great wine list too with lots of different regions represented!
The food was really good! I was kind of confused by the experience / ambiance, though. It was striving to be a high end, nice Italian place, but the ambiance felt more casual (not a surprise, since that space was a more casual space). Even the service felt more casual (but was good and friendly!). I'd be interested in trying it again, but I do think they just need to think about what they want to be and then go be it! The most important thing is the food, and they have that, so it should be easy from there...
Bartender really didn't know how to make drinks. In a gin martini put way too much vermouth when asked for a Tito's neat they, They poured the vodka through ice. Sent it back and they just changed the glass that was warm. You get small portions with the food was good. What was outstanding was the bread soup and their shrimp. I would go back again. They've only been open a little while so they have some kinks to work out. One thing the staff is very pleasant.
We went as guests for the soft opening. This was the first time for real and brought friends. We loved it. The food and drinks were fantastic. A superb diverse menu for everyone. Great service. We had had very generous attention by the owner and the chef. Corso is a keeper.
We had a great dinner at Corso this week. Food was excellent, the server was attentive and knowledgeable and the ambience perfect for dinner and conversation with friends. We will definitely add Corso to our regular list.
I left a similar review on Yelp. My main problem was with the service, but I was not overly impressed with the food. I live in the neighborhood and wanted it to be great. And maybe it needs more time. But I found the food mediocre and pricey. I was really more upset over the service that we received. The waiter was overly pushy about us ordering all the food at the same time, he said we didn't order enough food, even though we each ordered an entrée, and he kept trying to take away our food before it was done. I found the Bolognese very sweet and not tasty. One person in my party sent the salad back because everything was very salty on it. It just was not great experience overall. I do hope that there is room for improvement but for the prices I would not go back there until I hear better reviews.
Loved every bite! Small but well curated menu. The whipped ricotta is delish, loved the shrimp starter, OMG the tuna! Had several pastas and the chicken Corso. The veal was enough for two of us. Don't miss the wonderful wine list, and fun cocktails.
Lovely decor. Very nice service. Carrot side dish exceptional. Friend loved the oxtail pasta. Friend and I had little gem salad and were not too impressed. The 4 shrimp with it were perfect but salad was just a few thin slices of radish and fennel with some very small quarters of little gem lettuce. Somewhat skimpy and disassembled. Dressing was good. Next time I'll go for pasta or a sandwich. And there will be a next time.
Overall a nice dinner out. For the price the portions were a bit small. My scallop risotto was very delicious, but only included one medium sized scallop and one small scallop - for $30 I was expecting a bit more. The bread was delicious, but not included - there was an additional charge. The service was very pleasant - everyone was polite and accommodating, but seemed a little nervous and uncertain. Maybe they just need a lot more time to build confidence.
For only being opened 2 months, food was really well done and great wine list! Owner was walking around helping wait staff and greeting tables. Loved the short menu and classy vibes. Still had their cheese counter and wine selection at the front of the restaurant so easy to spend some $$$. Special mention is their fresh out of the oven focaccia and cannoli cheesecake!
A cool addition to the neighborhood; comforting bistro feel; great bar vibe. Service was off due to a large party but our server was sincerely apologetic and did her best to take care of us well. Started with the whipped ricotta which was dense and topped with hard pieces of foccaccia; on the other hand, the full slices of foccaccia were wonderful. Tuna crudo was fresh but lacking in punch! Chicken was plump and moist but looking sad and lonely w/o anything else on the plate, so we ordered a side of broccolini which was cooked perfectly. The standouts were the Campanelle pasta w/tasty sausage (sausage was ground rather than in noticeable pieces) and Canoli cheesecake for dessert. A nice Chianti Reserva paired beautifully with the dishes.
Restaurantji Recommends
Very good food once you get it! There was a mix up as I ordered a side dish which was cipollini with my Cioppino main course. Understandably they sound a like but the wait staff serves me the onions and my dining partner their main course. Like I was eating onions for my entree! I asked where my entree was and the waitstaff was very embarrassed. By the time I got my entree my dining partner was finished. Kudos to Corso for taking care of my meal! Food was tasty! They will get it right eventually! Go!
Cathal Armstrong does not disappoint. The food was scrumptious. I had the artichoke agnolotti. The focaccia was to die for (although quite a small portion for $5) as was the cannoli cheesecake. Went for lunch and there were only a few tables occupied, but I sure hope this place makes it. I'll definitely be back.
Small portions and high prices for this setting. Although the food was nice, it did not meet expectations we had from Chef Armstrong's other restaurants. Server was not knowledgeable about the fare. Unless the quality improves or the menu changes to more reasonable rates, I'm not sure Corso will succeed in this location.
Bravo and Brava to Chef Armstrong and Cheesetique's Jill Erbe on bringing to Shirlington this elevated culinary joint venture. What a fresh new take on la cucina Italiana❣️?❣️Talk about la dolce dining!!! ??????????????????????????????
What a great addition to the Shirlington dining scene! The tuna crudo, fried shrimp appetizer, Porchetta and any of the house made pastas are must gets!! Great wine list too with lots of different regions represented!