Dino
3435 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
202-686-2966
Neighborhood: Upper Northwest, Cleveland Park
Cuisines: Tapas/Small Plates, Italian
Opening Hours:
Monday through Thursday 6 to 10:30, Friday 6 to 10:30, Saturday 5:30 to 10:30, and Sunday 5:30 to 9:30.
Nearby Metro Stops: Cleveland Park
Price Range: Moderate
Dress: Upscale Casual
Noise Level: Chatty
Reservations: Recommended
Website: http://www.dino-dc.com
Best Dishes:
Creamy buffalo mozzarella from Puglia, with olive and red-pepper tapenades; light veal and pork meatballs in tomato sauce.
Cuisine: Rustic Italian cooking backed by one of the area’s best wine lists.
Mood: The glass-walled corner space—it used to be a bank—has its disadvantages, but when the wine is flowing and the place is jammed, Dino strikes a neat balance between the charm of a Little Italy–style neighborhood joint and the elegance of one of DC’s upscale Italian dining rooms.
Best for: A round of small plates and half pours of wine before a movie at the Uptown Theater or a leisurely, postshow repast fueled by lots of red wine.
Best dishes: Creamy buffalo mozzarella from Puglia, with olive and red-pepper tapenades; light veal and pork meatballs in tomato sauce; crispy fried squid; house-made fusilli with rich duck ragu; homey lasagnette made with pork, veal, and crispy bacon; a roll-up of rotisserie-roasted milk-fed pig, deboned and stuffed with herbs and garlic; superbly kept Italian cheeses; Nutella-and-mascarpone pot de crème; Venice-style ice-cream sundae with bittersweet-chocolate gelato, hazelnut gelato, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream.
Insider tips: Owner Dean Gold has positioned Dino as a premier destination for oenophiles. Wines more than $50 are a third off Sunday and Monday, and Tuesday and Thursday you can bring a bottle of your own at no charge.
Service: ••
Open daily for dinner. Moderate.