Eating Around: Vapiano's Euro Vibe

Map It:  Ballston   Farragut North 

THE NEW VAPIANO restaurants in both Arlington and the District suggest that the anti-carb movement is a thing of the past. This German-based "fresh casual" eatery is part fast food, part lounge. For any of the assortment of pastas, salads and pizzas, customers walk up to the kitchen-as-stage, tell how they'd like it — well-done pizza crust, for example, or an extra spicy arrabbiata — and watch as pasta is made fresh and ingredients sauteed. Servings are huge, so bring an appetite.

The feel of the space, from the communal seating to the card system that tracks customer orders, is the 2007 model of German efficiency. Add to that, the staff — each and every member of the crew — is taken abroad for training. Also very European is the wine list, which offers a selection beyond the usuals and suggest instead some lovely Italian choices such as a Falanghina (Vesevo, Campania) and a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Dei, Tuscany).

» Vapiano, 1800 M St. NW; 4400 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-528-3113.

Photo courtesy Dirk Michael Deckbar