Rafagino Ristorante

9570 Old Keene Mill Rd.

Burke, VA 22015

(703) 455-3095

 

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It is with great sadness and a certain amount of guarded excitement that Rosa and I announce our move away from leading Rafagino. We will be pivoting to a new phase in our lives where we will be writing new chapters and pursuing new adventures. We will miss all of our wonderful customers especially those of you that became great friends and part of our extended family.  You will be sorely missed.

 

Writing these words is bittersweet, because while it is difficult to say goodbye, our hearts are full of gratitude.

 

This passionate journey started 30 years ago with a simple idea - providing elevated home style Italian cuisine to the neighborhood in a simple but welcoming setting with a dash of elegance, a sprig of Italian & Portuguese hospitality and a huge amount of respect, love and professionalism. We are so incredibly proud of the relationships that we were able to create and how they nourished our labor through the years. We are thrilled that we were  able to turn an invented portmanteau with the names of Rosa’s Mom and Dad - Rafa and Gino - into a household name spoken by thousands over the years and a Google word searched over thousands of times per quarter. But most of all we are humbled by how often you allowed us to be a part of your most important celebrations.

 

When Rafagino first opened, our dream was simple: to create a place where people could gather, share a meal, and feel at home.  It was never just a restaurant but a place where friendships were made and milestones were celebrated. Over three decades, we’ve had the privilege of serving not just meals, but memories—birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, reunions, and countless evenings of laughter and conversation.

To so many of you, it became a second home, and to us, you became part of our family. Those of you that know me well know that Rafagino was never work, nor a job. It was neither a business nor an investment. It wasn’t an activity or a profession. It was a passionate pursuit that allowed me to nurture some great relationships and fantastic friendships. It nourished me and entertained me. It was a labor of love. And while i never needed an exit strategy my first responsibility has to be to my wife, companion and business partner of 35 years and the fact she’s 6 years older than me complicated the “staying put” strategy.

 

None of this would have been possible without you—our loyal guests who became like family, our dedicated staff whose passion and talent brought warmth to every plate and every service, and the community that embraced us from the very beginning. You have made Rafagino what it was, and for that we are forever grateful.

 

 

Rafagino will continue to serve you under new management by Gerald and Jody Harden. The same team you have come to know will stay intact and will eagerly welcome you back and provide you with the same excellent service, friendly demeanor and warm delivery that you have come to expect.

The new owners are keeping the same name and the menu will remain the same as they slowly introduce new items. It is my humble opinion that the kitchen could potentially benefit from this transition. They are keeping Rosa’s recipes and adding their own and Gerald has some serious cooking chops.

 

We want to thank you for all the great times, wonderful moments, great conversations and unforgettable memories. We are better for having known you. We leave with nothing but gratitude and joy for the journey we shared together.

 

Words can’t properly express what your friendship has meant to me over the years. I couldn’t possibly properly convey to you how this all feels surreal and heartbreaking. You will always be remembered and your friendship will be treasured. I’m sorry I didn’t get to say a proper goodbye but I hope we’ll soon be able to get together.

 

We hope to see you all again very soon.  Until then we wish you all the very best.

 

With heartfelt gratitude

Paulo & Rosa and

The Rafagino Family

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Thank you for visiting our site!  We hope you'll find everything you need.

Rafagino is focused on high-quality service and satisfaction - we will do everything we can to meet your expectations.

 

We tirelessly strive to make your visit a pleasant one. We start by trying to procure high quality ingredients, we then prepare them with consistency and quality and we follow up by delivering them in a professional, unobtrusive and efficient way . We hope that this will provide you with a delightful dining experience.

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Rafagino has just started its 30th year in business.  It’s been an incredible ride so far and we are looking forward to the future. I would like to thank all of our customers for their invaluable support and patronage over the years. Without your kind assistance and your frequent visits there would be no Rafagino a fact that is never lost on our constant appreciation for you. Salute!!!

You have our unending and unforgettable gratitude.

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Please check out the next page for a description of our monthly end-of-the-month events.