Let's face it, Wisconsin Avenue is an ugly street. It's cute down in Georgetown, and it's passable in Friendship Heights, but in Bethesda, with a few exceptions, it's desolate and corporate. 
Driving around after dinner at Jaleo, it was hard to imagine finding anywhere to have a drink, especially after walking in, and OUT, of Saphire Cafe, an entirely unpleasant place at 9 pm Friday. But half a mile away sits Divino Lounge, inconspicuous, unassuming and delightful. You can get dinner in the back dining room, or tapas in the front lounge, and they have dancing three nights a week, including Salsa and Tango lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays respectively.
That first night, R- and I had two rounds of drinks and their Chorizo a la Parrilla (Jaleo had been disappointing). We sat in the super comfortable lounge area on big black leather furniture, and although the place was filling up with a lively looking Salsa crowd, we were treated well and encouraged to take our time.
It took M- and I a couple of months to make it back, but it was no less pleasant when we finally did. Divino has Happy Hour on Wed-Fri, 5:30-7:30, with half price well drinks and beer, and free tapas. M- got their Milano Martini, an awful combination of Tanquerey, Campari, white wine and vermouth, and I had a good-enough Mojito. We both switched to plain old martinis after that, and those were well made, and a nice moderate 3 ounces instead of the dangerous 6-ounce variety.
The free Tapas selection was nicely presented at our table, and it gave us a sampling of chorizo, croquetas, mediterranean olives and marinated peppers. Determined to make a dinner of it, we ordered a few more. First came the Espárragos con Salmón Curado, far too salty and fishy. The Plato de Ebutidos al Estilo Español was equally salty, but the hard cheeses and oily meats proved to be a better combination. The best dishes we had were the hot ones, the Croquetas (from the free mix), the Chorizo a la Parrilla (I had to have it again), and the Grilled Mini Brochette, with chicken, beef tenderloin and surprisingly fresh shrimp.
Divino made the Washingtonian's 100 Very Best list—a good call, though they do mistake the dining room for romantic. Mostly it's an unusually (for Bethesda) comfortable place to grab a drink and a bite. Granted we had to eat again when we got home, but we got out of there for less than $50, and that seems okay.
Divino Lounge & Restaurant, 7345-B Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, 240.497.0300
Washingtonian on Divino Lounge; Bethesda Magazine on Divino Lounge; The Salsa News
I have been Divino Lounge three times. I swore never to go back after the first experience, but my friends who had not been there were convinced that I must've caught them in an off day.
They all now swear never to go back. The food in mediocre at best. The service is aweful. Someone needs to go back to the manager and serving staff to restaurant etiquette school. For example, my friends order a pasta dish..when it was not to her liking she asked to order something else(she was willing to pay for this one). The manager asked her what was she expecting when she order a pasta with cheese sauce. It was an accusatory tone that took all of us aback.
Another time, we waited a full hour for sandwich order that never arrived. It was during lunch time with three other patrons in the restaurant. When we told the waiter that we cannot wait anylonger, he blamed the chef for being so late. As a customer I don't care which part of the chain is broken...all I wanted was my sandwich. The blame didn't make me want to come back anymore. ..I can go on about other examples..but I think this post is not long enough.
Posted by: bethesdafoodie | September 28, 2006 at 02:24 PM