DINO opened last year across from the Uptown Theater (3435 Connecticut Ave, NW Tel 202-686-2966, www.dino-dc.com) and we finally made it there last Saturday night WITH Samuel. It's been some time since we braved brining out 2 -2/3 year old out to dinner, but Dino's child-friendly atmosphere seemed to make him very happy. He loved the crayons, and adored his simple penne pasta with his own plate of pasta sauce and cheese that he could add as he pleased. We were there for two hours and he never seemed to get antsy with the friendly staff always helping out and making our visit such a success.
Top this off with some great food, a spectacular wine list (we need to return to try the Barbarescos!) offering bottles, 6 ounce glasses and 3 ounce tastes chosen by owner Dean Gold along with some superb cheeses from Italy, and you a great night out!
We started with a glass of PRA SOAVE (Garganega) 2004 and a GROTTA del SOLE (Falanghina) 2004 that were fresh and light. The Soave was drier, while the Grotta has a perfumey aroma that I really enjoyed. We ordered several different appetizers including 3 of the CROSTINI: FUNGHI e PROSCIUTTO (Mushroom & Prosciutto), a superb BACCALA al MANECATO (whipped dried cod) and the yummy SALSA ASIAGO (Asiago cheese with oil). The huge SARDINE IN SAOR was pan-fried whole and marinated in onions, and while delicious, was a job to debone with Sam hovering nearby.
Top honors to the CARCIOFI, simple grilled and marinated artichoke hearts, but even moreso, the superb POLIPO ALLA GRIGLIA, grilled baby octopus braised with red wine and served warm in a lemon chick-pea vinaigrette. I switched to a taste of the BARBERA d"ALBA 2004 from Hillberg which was a medium weight Barbera and actually worked wonderfully with the octopus.
We decided to split two half orders of pasta, the BIGOI in SALSA was a whole-wheat pasta with anchovy, capers, garlic and herbs and was not too intense, but very tasty. The PAPPARDELLE al CINGHIALE with its spicy wild boar sauce was heavenly. By now we had switched to big reds, Will enjoying a SANTA LUCIA "Vigna di Melograno" 2003 from Uva di Troia and I sipping my smooth BRIGALDARA Valpolicella 2003 from Carvina.
Sam kept sipping his water through his straw as he snarfed down several scoops of sorbet. We opted to split a cheese plate first, which was $12 for three samples ($18 for five) and while a but pricey, it was tasty. The ALTA LANGA "Brunet" Goat was a creamy and rich robiola, the GUFFANTI UBRIACO AMARONE which is aged in Amarone grape pressings was the least exciting and the GUFFANTI BITTO hard cheese had a nutty flavor and crunchy texture that was a great palate cleanser. Sam grabbed the fresh blackberries off the cheese plate along with the grapes (he is a fruit fiend) and avoided the delicious Apricot-fig
mostarda which I spread on the bread!
Following this we split a PANINI al NUTELLA e MASCARPONE which was literally a dessert made like a grilled cheese sandwich, but instead, the light panini was stuffed with melted chocolate and mascarpone and served with a hazelnut gelato; a not to miss dessert!
The restaurant is located on two levels with the noisier bar and seating area downstairs. We were upstairs in a quiet corner booth at 530pm, and the place didn't begin to fill up until around 7pm; when we left it was jammed, so reservations are suggested. The decor is rustic rusty, but warm colors with modern paintings on the wall by Dean's mother. While DINO's may be good for the family, it is also good for fine dining and wine; we can't wait to go back for more!
