Wammz - 05/17/2008

Left very unimpressed

   umrockie2000 - 08/26/2007

I have to say, I had heard so much about Dino's that I felt that I had to try it! Well, I've tried it and I wasn't impressed. The food was average at best. The pasta dish I had was pretty bland and after tasting some of my friend's dishes--I can say that their dishes were very similar. There were more than 4 different entrees and none of them truly stood out, so I'm thinking it was not an isolated incident! The reason for the second star is the wine list was above average, but as a restaurant-- I couldn't recommend it to anyone.

I was beginning to feel jaded

   rweav7gd - 07/12/2007

...until my husband's and my experience at Dino's! We love food and go out to a wide array or restaurants all over the DC metro area. We were completely wowed by our food...the service not so much but the food was outstanding. I am sure the tables next to us were annoyed at how much I was saying "yummmm" because the food was that unbelieveable. It was unlike anything I have ever had which added to the experience. It's unique Italian food at least to us which leads us to believe that it was truly authentic Italian food. We got the polenta con pancetta which was so good I wanted to lick the bowl clean and we also got the Lasagnette al Ragu which is unlike anything we have ever tried and I think my husband and I were fighting each other for the last bite. The flavors and textures were out of this world. We did get the Burrata as a starter as well and were not overly impressed considering the cheese is imported which led me to have higher expectations perhaps...don't get me wrong it was good but for me personally not very memorable. I will add that I thought the hostess was pretty rude which is a shame when you have a good waitstaff and a happy owner walking around with a smile talking to patrons as they walk in. We had reservations and were a little late (10 minutes) called and said we were running late got there and the restaurant was empty aside from 2 tables (a couple and a party of 4) and the hostess tried to force us to sit at the high tables in the bar because we missed our reservation. I understand business and all but it took us a little bit of dialogue and discussion for her to finally agree to let us sit at a regular table but I definitely didn't like to feel like I was being "punished" and would have understood had we been more late or had the restaurant been full but since neither were the case it was a bad start but as it turns out well worth it in the end. The wine by the way was fantastic!

First time Customer- Great!!!!

   latin99 - 02/14/2007

I went there a few weeks ago with my Dad who has dined all over the US, so impressing him is difficult. I chose this place off the fact it was voted #2 on the website. I didnt know anything about it. I have to say, we were both pleased with our meals and it was an enjoyable experience. Yes, the wine could have been brought to our table a little quicker, but that is the only negative thing I can say. I left planning a return trip!

Mediocre

   laurasegal - 02/12/2007

We were enticed to try Dino based on the location and that it had been supposedly voted the #2 Italian restaurant in DC by AOL CityGuide voters. We found the whole experience very mediocre at best. The hosts were rude and the wait staff was a combination of overwhelmed and inattentive (for instance, they brought wine long after we received our dinner). The food was so-so, the mushrooms were overcooked and over salty, the pastas were ok, but definitely nothing special and pretty bland. The food was way overpriced for what it was. The highlight here at the restaurant was the extensive wine menu, but as mentioned above, even the nice wine was a disappointment given in came after we'd already eaten more than half our meal. There are many other Italian places in town that are much better.