Ozzie’s Corner Italian

By Warren Rojas

Great American Restaurants wants you to mangia! within their family, hence the unveiling of their nascent noodle hut, Ozzie’s Corner Italian.

Chef Ben McCarter—last spotted at the neighboring Coastal Flats—huddled with a Galileo alumnus to help shape the new menu, a carte tentatively set to include: sausage- and fontina-filled arancini, lemon-pepper-wine glazed chicken drummettes, pappardelle with wild boar Bolognese, short rib ragout, gorgonzola-pistachio rigatoni, wood-grilled branzino and veal Milanese.

Though Best Buns will supply loaves for sandwiches, Ozzie’s will make the signature Ozzie rolls and focaccia for their bread baskets in-house. And though the ubiquitous flourless chocolate waffle remains, Ozzie’s hopes to court fans with tiramisu Ho Hos, red wine-poached prunes with mascarpone and candied pecans, and white chocolate turtle cheesecake.

Open for lunch and dinner daily, late-night dining Tuesday through Saturday.

11880 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax; 571-321-8000; www.greatamericanrestaurants.com

(October 2010)