Fairfax Commons is becoming one of our favorite family hangouts. There are cute little shops, a theatre, a kids train that goes around the area, and great eateries for all ages to enjoy. There is a fun little fountain that squirts water at laughing, running, swimsuit-wearing children in the center of Fairfax Commons. We started off here so the kids can get their water fix, then we picked up some ceramics they painted two weeks ago at Color Me Mine (my son picked a big mouth fish and my daughter a picture frame).

My husband and I skipped lunch, and come 6:30pm, we were unable to think straight, which explains why I almost bought a pair of yoga pants for $90 at a store nearby.

Ozzie’s Corner Italian was right there in the, well, corner and we decided to give it a try.

It’s been a while since I’ve been to a real Italian restaurant. By real, I mean pasta and sauces made in-house, using the freshest ingredients.

Looking at the menu, I think that maybe it’s not fully an authentic Italian restaurant, but Italian with an American twist.

Whatever, I’m starving.

My husband orders the Rigatoni with Shrimp, Chicken & Sausage, a meal that comes with spicy Amatriciana tomato cream and mushrooms. I order the special, rockfish fillet over mascarpone polenta. For appetizers, we order the Calamari Frito.

We have been to so several places that overfry calamari. This, thankfully, was not the case! It was perfectly done with just the right amount of tenderness. I’m not crazy about marinara sauce with seafood though. I prefer my calamari with a butter-based sauce or a dry spice.

My husband’s meal was really good, although it could have used a bit more spiciness, and the pasta was a tad bit al dente.

My fish was great! But the star of the show was the Mascarpone Polenta! So creamy and cheesy, I could eat a whole tub by myself!