Dino’s Grotto Signs Lease in Shaw – Opening in Late April at 1914 9th Street, NW

1914 9th Street, NW

Previously we’ve learned that Cleveland Park’s Dino would be opening up in Shaw “in the vicinity of 9th and U Sts NW”. It’s been killing me trying to figure out exactly which space. On Monday Dino’s Grotto owner sends word:

We now have the keys to the new space and the redecorating starts tomorrow. It will be a quick turnaround. This is a very exciting process as the ideas we have had for a while now are put into place. It is also odd as we are doing almost nothing to the place except clean, do minor repairs, redecorate with paint, removing a lot of mirrors and disco lights, and finally moving in our furniture and equipment.

Dino’s Last Dance!

Our last night of full service with a full menu is February 23. But we will still have food in house. So we thought, why not throw a farewell party. We will just cook food ’til it’s all gone! It’s going to be more of a cocktail party with lots of food served buffet style. Some of the tables will already be gone. We will have a cash bar for beer, booze and vino. One last night to have fun. Tickets only on EventBrite. Admission at the door only if space is available. You will only be guaranteed admission if you pre-buy your ticket on Eventbrite {just hit the link below!} There will be no reservations, no assigned seating, no menus, no special requests. There will be a lot of pasta, sliced meats, prosciutto and cheeses, veggies, etc. We will just bring out food and serve you one last time! It starts at 5:30 and we will start giving you dirty looks at 9:30.

Ok “removing a lot of mirrors and disco lights” from a space in the vicinity of 9th and U St, NW – where the hell could that be? First I was thinking the former Philanthropub space but I don’t recall if they have a lot of mirrors and disco lights? I also thought the former Vegetate space, and many other subsequent incarnations at 1414 9th St, NW would be possible but that seems to far south to be considered the “vicinity of 9th and U.” So what do you guys think – what space has lots of mirrors and disco lights and has become vacant around 9th and U?

Update from a press release:

“Chef Owner Dean Gold of DINO Restaurant and Enoteca in DC’s Cleveland Park neighborhood is moving his beloved Italian restaurant across town this spring to the Shaw neighborhood into a row house on 9th St NW, just below U St. The two-story rustic Italian restaurant will be renamed DINO’S GROTTO, and is expected to open before the end of April.

The new establishment will serve approximately 120 people on two floors. The lower level will feature a large communal table alongside a 14 person bar, and table seating for 45. The 1st floor will also feature a 10 person bar and table seating for 50.

A strong believer in “sustainable foods”, Chef Dean Gold’s Italian pastas and dishes are handmade daily of fresh ingredients from local and organic farms, and sustainable fishers & butchers. Dino’s Grotto will also feature local craft brews as well as artisan Italian beers and ciders on tap, and creative cocktails at the hands of master mixologists.

LOCATION AND CONTACT INFO:
DINO’s GROTTO
1914 9th St NW (between T and U Streets)“