Updated report on Dino

[Jeserf]

We always recommend Dino to people visiting our city....so I thought it would be nice to report back on a recent visit, since not many people have lately.

5 of us went on Saturday night to celebrate my husband's last weekend here before deploying - his aunt and uncle are pretty big foodies, and they had decided at the last minute to join us - that morning actually. The staff, when I called, was happy to try to accommodate our increased table and we got a quiet booth on the second floor - great for our loud group.

We all had starters, prior to which Dean sent over a burrata plate for us to savor - and YUM. Seriously!

I broke my non-meat eating ways for the apricots wrapped with pancetta. My ONLY complaint is that I think the saltiness of the pancetta overpowers the sweetness of the apricots. They were delicious, but I think maybe sweet summer peaches might actually balance it more.

My husband had the cold soup - ate it all up - and enjoyed one of his favorite things on earth...stinky cheese. Dean had 200 day old Gorgonzola. He was in heaven. Thanks for having that on the menu, Dean!

I had the risotto for dinner....it was risotto - thick, salty and hearty. Probably not the BEST dish for a hotter than heck evening, but I enjoyed it - not a grain was left. Husband had the tuna dish with ratatouille and it looked beautiful. He said it was very good, too.

Dessert - I had the peaches with amaretti cookies (I could have eaten a double serving of that alone for a meal and been pleased - the sweetness of those peaches is what I thought might be truly wonderful with the pancetta) and you could smell them the minute the cool gelato hit the warm peaches. My husband had the hazelnut tort. The funniest part was his aunt who as basically licking the plate of her dessert - the nico.

I know why we always recommend this place to so many visitors - it's just so great and unpretentious unlike a lot of DC places anymore.

I can only comment on our dishes but everyone had empty plates and as usual (except once in the many times I've been) service. I am so happy that we got to enjoy a wonderful evening at one of my husband's favorite spots before he departs. I'm looking forward to Dino's spring menu so we can enjoy it together again!

[mdpilam]

Finally tried Dino this weekend, and were impressed. We each got the 3 course meal for $39 and a bottle of nice Italian wine for $27, which I thought was an overall good value. We started with prosciuttio wrapped asparagus and the beet salad. The beet salad was like a deconstructed beet salad (unique), and very good. The asparagus was pretty good, but a bit too charred. For mains we had the lamb shank and the lasagnette. The lamb shank was very tender and very good. It came with an au jus that paired very well with the meat. The cheese polenta that came with the dish was also very tasty. The lasagnette was good, but we both felt that it had too many noodles and not enough "fillings". For dessert we had a cheese plate (forget which ones) and the strawberry and rhubarb dessert which was delicious.

Very happy with our meal and thought it was a good value, especially for DC. Look forward to trying other menu items.

[VaPaula]

Thanks for posting, mdpilam - glad you liked it. I just recommended it to someone on another board.

We got the cheese that came with the warning (sounds like the same one Mr. Jeserf had). Wow, we LOVE stinky cheese, but we met our match with that one! We ate a fraction of it - just couldn't do it. I would say that's the last time I don't heed a warning on a menu, but of course, I know that's not true. ;-)

[wineo1957]

You actually ate that one? My bf wanted to and I told him he could sleep on the couch for a month if he did! They got us another cheese to replace it. Wasn't on the menu the last time we were there.

[Jeserf]

my husband looooves it - it wasn't on the menu when we were there last week.

[wineo1957]

We wanted to go to Palena's back room and it was closed. So it was off to Dino instead. Soft Shells and Crab cake both on the menu Last night the soft shells were $25 for 2 with fantastic grilled asparagus. The crab cakes were top quality and $23 for 2 with fried potatoes and a spicy sauce.

But the star of the night was lamb's tongue salad. 5-6 thick slices of lambs tongue, so tender you could cut it with your fork, on a salad of arugula and mustard. Head cheese was fabby too! Both fantastic at $7 a plate!

[SimonF]

They also have a great 'early bird' deal.

[VaPaula]

Thanks, Jeserf. We had a great experience there the first and only time we've been, but I have a Groupon burning a hole in my pocket, so I'm glad to see your positive report!

And Godspeed to your husband.

[alkapal]

Thanks Jeserf for the nice report. May your husband be safe and safely return. And please tell that him we appreciate his service to our great nation!

Food related, that peaches with amaretti dessert gives me an idea for a peach and almond cobbler.

[Jeserf]

just go to Dino and have some wine and the dessert ;) But I agree - peach crisp of any kind is one of my most favorite things, and the amaretti gave it a wonderful crisp texture and the smell when the warm gelato mixed with it - SO good!