Live Music Nights At Dolce Vita

By Broadside Correspondent Marian McLaughlin

With the death of T.T. Reynold’s this past summer, Mason students may be looking for new eateries and bars to spend their days and nights at. Dolce Vita, a tiny Italian restaurant right off of Fairfax Boulevard, may be a welcoming answer for anyone who is looking for appetizing, resonably-priced food with a good wine selection.

Although there is a stark difference between the atmospheres and styles of both places, Dolce Vita’s classy layout is just as humbling as T.T. Reynold’s packed porch used to be. Co-owner and chef Giuseppe Ricciardi and his staff are both warm and friendly and constantly greet and chat with customers. There are a number of sitting options available ranging from the bar near their face-shaped brick oven to intimate corners tucked away in the back.

Live music is offered as another personal charm from Wednesday to Saturday evenings. Beginning around dinnertime, the performers tend to go on until they run out of energy. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, pianist David Breskin impresses the crowd with his ability to play a bit of everything. He especially enjoys requests from the audience.

On Fridays and Saturdays, guitarist Carlos Winder uses his troubadour skills to entertain diners. Already fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and French, Winder will sing songs in any language, even Russian and Japanese. He tends to go up to tables and gets the festive crowd engaged in sing-a-longs.

Dolce Vita does not feature any local acts, but in the past, the restaurant conducted several scholarship benefit performances for George Mason University. Student singers from the Music Department came to sing operatic ballads for the fundraiser and sponsors and investors donated at least $2 million from the combined events. The restaurant offers a festive and delicious time right in the heart of Fairfax.

Dolce Vita is located at 10824 Lee Highway, Fairfax, Virginia 22030.