Tag: WFXLI

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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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Seafood Calabrese from Dino’s

Seafood Calabrese from Dino's on Lord Street in Worcester, MA

Seafood Calabrese from Dino's on Lord Street in Worcester, MA

Dino’s Ristorante Italiano has been serving Worcester’s Italian appetites for over 60 years. I was looking forward to this stop as I have never dined here before.

The menu is packed with classic Italian staples like pizza, chicken and veal Parmesan, meatballs, alfredo, etc., as well as a respectable mid priced wine list. I decided to look for my “go to” Italian dish, Seafood Fra Diavolo. I was in luck when I found the Seafood Calabrese, a seafood medley of Shrimp, scallops, calamari and mussels served over pasta in a spicy marinara sauce.

While waiting for our dinner the very attentive waitress served the table with fresh Italian bread and a brushetta that was to die for. I had to ask where they purchased the bread, and was told it was delivered daily from Culpeppers Bakery in Worcester. We were off to a good start.

My entrée arrived in a timely manner. The portion was huge; unfortunately, the flavor was not. I had to ask the waitress for crushed red pepper to add to the salt and black pepper the dish needed just to give it a lift. Not good for a dish that is advertised served in a “simmering spicy marinara sauce.” The dish was prepared well enough, but the flavor went nowhere.

Unfortunately, my impression of Dino’s is that quantity outweighs quality. If you’re looking for a lot of food at a low price point, Dino’s delivers. Otherwise, I feel they fall short.