Upon receiving an email last month for the $75 multi-course tasting (for seating prior to 630pm) we decided this would be the perfect place as Samuel always loves the pasta there and indeed was very happy with his SPAGHETTI with Tomato Sauce and ONE GIANT MEATBALL. He was able to slosh on as much parmesan as he liked and enjoyed his new addition, a ginger ale. At the same time, we got to pig-out and celebrate New Year's Eve, if a bit early.
The tasting offered a number of selections but all started with a glass of POSECCO CIMA de CONEGLIANO and a plate of TRIS di CAVIALE or three American caviars (Arctic Char, Hackleback and Smoked Steelhead) with garnish.
The atmosphere was one of a real neighborhood spot with a number of young kids and some older diners as well in the "early seating." Will chose to start with the TORTA di FUNGHI which was a crunchy tart of wild mushroom, burdock root & salsify with truffled potato and leek sauce; it was his least favorite part of the meal. My PICCIONE was a tasty chunk of Herb Roasted Breast of Squab with a superb Confit of LEEKS & Natural Pan Juices.
Each course came with a selection of wines for a surcharge. There was the "Really Good" option of 4-3 ounce pours for $40, or the "Incredible" which was $81. The former was quite good, while the latter was superb, but perhaps a bit high on the price range until we hit the Barolo. No matter --it was New Year's Eve and all the wine was beyond enjoyable. We shared one selection of each category so we could taste them all. This course came with a DE CONCILIIS AGLIANICO di PAESTUM 2005 and an ANTICO BROILO SCHIOPPETTINO 2004.
The next course was superb across the board with Will opting for the PAPPARDELLE all'ARAGOSTA, our favorite ribbon pasta with Lobster, Cauliflower and Tarragon Tomato Sauce. My BRASATO di MANZO "WAGYU" was an excellent Australian Braised Wagyu Short Rib Braised in a luscious PINOT NOIR Sauce on Creamy Polenta with Marrow Butter...sheer heaven and I mopped up every last drop of the sauce. The wines were a wonderful HOFSTATTER "Steinraffler" LAGREIN 1999 from Alto Adige that I adored and a DE CONCILIIS "Si Kube" CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005.
We asked for a break and enjoyed twp extra tastes of wines: MESSAPICUS 2004 from COPERTINO in Puglia made from Negroamaro, Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Malvasia which had a slight Rhone blend flavor and a RONCODEL GNEMIZ "Jacopo" 2004 which is Cabernet, Merlot & Schippettino that we liked even more.
Sam was on his berries and vanilla gelato by now and we enjoyed the excellent entrees with Will have the COSTOLETTE di CINGHIALE, a rack of three wild boar ribs, cave-aged cheddar & potato gratin and juniper jus. My PETTO d'ANATRA was two huge slices of LAVENDER-HONEY Glazed DUCK Breast with a slightly too sweet for me SWEET POTATO MASCARPONE Puree. The wines were a DEFORVILLE "Vignetto Loreto" 2003 Barbaresco and that unreal GIUSEPPI MASCARELLO "Monprivato" 2000 BAROLO.
Desserts came from a choice of a long list and Will could not resist the TIRAMISU laced with Kahlua, Frangelico & Irish Cream. He asked Dean (the owner) if the recipe was new and indeed Chef STEPHAN BOILLON had made changes which improved on the previous recipe multi-fold. I opted for the trio of cheeses and basked in some real treats: CORA ROBIOLA "La Rosa" a cherry leaf wrapped cow,sheep & goat combo robiola from Cuneo) that was perfect to start.
GUFFANTI CASTELMAGNO was a raw milk that was super crumbly and went wonderfully with the dried berry mostardo on the side. The CORA BLU di BACCO was a very mild blue from Cuneo that was superb with the COLUTTA PICOLIT 2004 "sauternes-like" dessert wine from the "Incredible list" while the POPPIANO "Il Cortile" 1999 Vin Santo form the "really good" side may have been one of the best vin santos I have had in a long time!
We headed out after 2-1/2 hours during all of which Samuel was an angel and then went on to a wonderful (if only for an hour) New Year's Eve party near our home.
Another great dining night at Dino's!
