Dinette

How do you catch your breath when it seems that the food world is constantly in a grueling race for something new and interesting? What do you do when you’ve grown tired of restaurants that are just more concerned with superficial appearances, maintaining exclusivity, offering a “sophisticated” menu, and an avant-garde cocktail list? You turn to Dinette, Cucina di Ringhiera.

Dinette is the classic ‘posticino’, that’s Italian for a small, but super comfortable space. There are twenty tables all squeezed fairly close to each other, all of which have tea towels set on them as napkins. It all complements the classic home-style cooking that is served here. All of this is beautifully completed by a fireplace at the center of the room.

The menu doesn’t deliver much in the way of innovation, but that is far from any kind of complaint. Simplicity, comfort and excellence are the focus here. The meatballs in rich tomato sauce are unmissable, as is the vitello tonnato – veal served in a creamy tuna saunce. The pici (a kind of fat spaghetti) with garlic, cheese and bread crumbs and crispy pancetta is stunning, as is the macaroni with ‘nduja and straciatella and the hearty pappardelle with ragu. Dinette also offers an almost endless choice of pies and homemade cakes.

In short, you come here to eat seasonal cuisine and feel at home. Many dishes can be ordered in half portions, which is something you’d struggle to find anywhere else and really resonates with the whole philosophy of hospitality.

Dinette is located on Via Fratelli Bronzetti, a surprisingly residential, but still trendy neighborhood. Dinette’s menu changes weekly, but always sells a satisfying feast at a more than fair price. Enjoy this gorgeous posticino that warms the soul and will help fight off the winter cold! Buon appetito!

Photo credit: Andrea Martignano