Tag: pasta

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Beef Braccioli from Dino’s

Beef Broccoli from Dino's on Lord Street in Worcester, MA

Beef Braccioli from Dino's on Lord Street in Worcester, MA

I have to say, I really wanted to like Dino’s. It’s a family restaurant that, according to its website, has been in the business for over 60 years. It was voted “Best Italian Restaurant” by Worcester Magazine three times. I thought I would find here a treasure off the beaten path (literally – I can almost guarantee you’ll drive right by Lord Street the first time you’re looking for it).

Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

I ordered the beef Braccioli: “Thinly sliced beef stuffed with bread crumbs, cheese, spices, and herbs simmered in light tomato sauce served over your choice of pasta. Comes with side salad or soup.

While the salad was pretty good, the main course turned out to be tasteless. The promised combinations were far more interesting on the menu than they were on the pallet. The pasta, the meat, and the stuffing were all too similar in texture. Usually I have to force myself to stop from eating too much because I want to save a portion for lunch the next day. I didn’t have to struggle this time. After just a few bites, it was easy for me to push this plate away and not look back. Next Day Note: this meal did benefit from an overnight in the refrigerator as the flavors had some time sink in.

Not to say that Dino’s didn’t have some pluses. Our server was nice. Another diner’s antipasto salad plate was maxed out with veggies and meats. Moreover, the dessert menu has an impressive fourteen items to choose from. However, I couldn’t justify ordering a treat when I had eaten just a few bites of my dinner – what would my Italian Nonna say?

I understand that kitchen staff can have an off night, so I’d be willing to try Dino’s. However, it would have to be on a Monday or a Tuesday, when nearby Rosalina’s Kitchen is closed.

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Meat Lasagna from Dino’s

Meat Lasagna from Dino's on Lord Street in Worcester, MA

Meat Lasagna from Dino's on Lord Street in Worcester, MA

Dino’s Restaurant is located slightly off the beaten path in what I would call a residential area. This is a good old fashioned Italian restaurant, The building is a sturdy wooden structure, resembling a home or house with upstairs serving as the restaurant area and bar.

They offer a large selection of Italian fair.  I found their menu to be quite large and arranged by type, with your veal, chicken, seafood and pasta’s all in their own sections. I was a little overwhelmed with the size of the menu, so many choices and so many dishes.

For dinner I chose under their menu heading of “Dino’s Classic Pasta” and went with the Meat Lasagna. This lasagna was fantastic. It was stuffed with meat and then topped with a rich and heavy meat sauce. The serving size was immense and could have easily fed 2 people.  After choosing a chicken rice soup as my starter and having some of their amazingly soft and excellent bread prior to my meal. I felt I didn’t do my meal justice. The bread they served prior to the meal was excellent. They serve it with your choice of a bruschetta topping (Tomatoes, onions in a vinegar and oil dressing) or you could slather it with butter or use the traditional olive oil they have on all the tables. I can honestly say the lasagna is something I would come back for.

For good ole fashioned Italian food on a reasonable budget come explore Dino’s.