Divino Lounge & Restaurant

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Reviewed by Cynthia Hacinli , Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert

A sophisticated Argentine lounge that feels like a Latin supper club.

Divino Lounge & Restaurant

7345-B Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD
Phone: 240.497.0300

Cuisines:
Argentinian, South American, Tapas/Small Plates

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Bethesda

Price Range:
Moderate

Dress:
Informal

Crowd:
Twentysomethings in the tapas lounge, extended families and couples in the dining room.

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Recommended

Special Features:
Late Night, Party Space

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Argentine-style grilled sweetbreads with fresh lemon; shrimp in a garlic white-wine sauce; worth-the-wait seafood and Valencia paellas (pork, duck, sausage, chicken); the parrillada, a riot of short ribs, sausages, skirt steak, and sweetbreads sided with crisp fried potatoes--not to be mistaken for French fries. On the tapas menu, a ripe avocado with crab and citrus dressing; grilled baby octopus with lemon-and-white-wine sauce; sweet/savory roast duck leg with prunes; crunchy deep-fried ham and chicken croquettes; classic tortilla espanola, a wedge of omelet made with egg and potatoes.

Price Details:
Tapas, $5 to $10.
Lunch appetizers, $5 to $7; entrees, $7 to $22.
Dinner appetizers, $5 to $14; entrees, $18 to $35.

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THE SCENE. There are really two scenes at this sleek Argentine eatery: One is in the lounge out front, where stylish twentysomethings quaff cocktails and make a meal of South American tapas; the other's in the dining room, a romantic lair with red walls and edgy collages.

WHAT YOU'LL LOVE. The supper-clubby feel and a mostly South American wine list that's full of good deals.

WHAT YOU WON'T. Service can be slow and uninformed. You can't order from the tapas menu in the dining room (though waiters occasionally can be sweet-talked into it).

Notti Bianche

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