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A big bite to eat at Dino'sBy WILMA NORTON © St. Petersburg Times, published August 17, 2000 It didn't seem like such a big order for four people: two entrees, a sandwich and a cup of soup. I even considered throwing in another sandwich in case someone else joined us. Oh, my, would that have been unnecessary. Each of the entrees at Dino's bar, a family-run restaurant near Pinellas ParkSide mall, would have served two people easily. We were able to nibble on the leftovers for a couple of days. The pork chop dinner ($9.45), which I chose on the server's recommendation, came with three boneless chops -- each bigger than my palm -- served over mounds of rice dotted with parsley. Pasta was an alternate choice. The grilled chops were seasoned with dried rosemary, basil and garlic and were a big hit, even though I thought mine was a tad dry. The pasta dish also was enormous both in size and flavor. Dino's offers an assortment of pastas, including fettuccine, linguine, angel hair and ziti, and a variety of sauces for either $6.95 or $7.95. I opted for linguine with lemon-basil sauce and added chicken for $2. Pork, shrimp or scallops also are available for $2 or $3 extra. The al dente pasta was lightly coated in an olive oil-based sauce with lemon juice and dried basil. (Fresh basil would have given it a little more oomph.) The whole chicken breast was pounded thin, then lightly coated in flour and sauteed in lemon. It was topped with sauteed onion, garlic, fresh tomato and canned mushrooms. The girls both were jockeying for more melt-in-the-mouth-tender chicken. Both entrees came with a large, crisp salad with lettuce, tomato and cucumbers. And we got at least six slices of soft Italian bread. The lemon chicken soup ($2) was full of carrot chunks, shredded chicken and rice in a chicken broth heavy on lemon. The meatball sub ($5), accompanied by french fries, ended up being a leftover. Three good-sized meatballs, spiced with garlic, were covered with a red sauce and melted cheese on a soft sub roll. Dino's, which just completed an expansion, also has burgers, salads, other subs and a variety of entrees, including steaks and seafood. Prices for sandwiches and burgers are in the $5 range. The entrees are priced from about $8 to about $12. The restaurant also offers daily specials, which included grouper and fresh tuna the night I was there. Dino's was out of paper menus on my visit. I had planned to take one home and phone in my order later. But the servers were helpful as I sat at the bar and made my choices on the spot, without input from the kids. Everything was ready as promised when I returned for it 20 minutes later. Dino's Grill & Bar4300 Park Blvd. Pinellas Park Phone: 541-6356 Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday through Saturday; closed Sundays Consumers: Two adults and two children What we got: Lemon chicken soup, meatball sub, pork chop dinner and pasta with lemon-basil sauce and chicken What it cost: $27.84 Time it took: 20 minutes Pay with: Cash, major credit cards
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From the Times Taste section From the features wire |
