Dinamo Dinamo
821 W. Cary St. (Cherry St.)
Richmond, VA 23220
804-678-9706
Map
Cuisine: Italian / Deli
An Italian-Jewish love affair of food and conviviality in a small, old-world yet hip package.
Openings: Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner Mon.-Sat.

Features

  • Parking lot
  • Dress code: Casual


Dinamo Restaurant Review:


Wondering how to pronounce Dinamo? The first syllable sounds like Dean, as in Dean Martin. The word means "generator" in Italian and Hebrew, alluding to the founders’ roots, and conveniently explains the next thing flummoxing you; “Why is matzoh ball soup on a menu with tagliatelle bolognese?” A half-sibling of other Richmond eateries, including Mamma Zu and Edo Squid, it hews to its own idiosyncrasies with an offbeat, ever-changing menu, shoehorned into a space accommodating 10 tables and a demi-bar (dominated by a gleaming espresso maker) that’s at once old-world and hip. Come for just coffee and kibbutz with friends or maybe meet an amore over a Negroni (the bar is lovely, but don’t look for rum or tequila). But definitely come for a meal. Start with crostini (whitefish, perhaps), then pasta made in-house, such as ricotta gnocchi col pesto or mussels with trenette, maybe pizza or a whole fish like branzino with mixed greens. Tiramisu is among the desserts, of course. But so is rugelach. By now, you’re so charmed, there’s no need to wonder why there’s a biplane propeller circulating in the front window. Tiny Dinamo not only generates a powerhouse of flavor, but also transports you.