Pinos, A Taste of Heaven
By erinhackney
Going out to dinner has become somewhat of a special treat for my husband and me ever since we had our daughter two years ago. Babysitters come few and far between and with the lack of good restaurants available in Burke you can usually find us at Outback or Glory Days. Can someone say Romantic! Our biggest problem is time. Most of the decent and even a few questionable restaurants in our area are completely booked or on a wait by 6pm on a weekend night. This leaves us with the early bird special or eating well past bedtime.
Imagine my surprise when we walked into Pinos (5765 Burke Centre Pkwy, Burke, VA) at 6:30 on a Saturday night and were seated immediately. This old world Italian Restaurant is nestled into a shopping center between a Teachers Mart and a Subway. Rather plain on the exterior this restaurant literally defines the phrase “Don’t Judge a book by its cover”. The inside is small but comfortable and feels rich with tradition and family values. The smell of garlic and fresh basil immediately awaken the senses and cause your mouth to water.
In this fast paced, impersonal, chain restaurant area, we were pleasantly surprised to meet our waiter Rick. The son and brother of the chef and owner, he quickly lit our candle and brought us a wine list. He even allowed us to sample a few different wines before making our selection. The ambiance is small, quiet, and private. There was no bustling of daily life here, just a small, candle lit room with a peaceful calming vibe. We ordered a bottle of wine, and though the bottle of wine sat on the table our whole meal, I never once had to refill my own glass. Rick was always there to pour, without ever interrupting the conversation at the table. The menu is made up of two short pages about 20 or so entrees. The largest problem we faced was deciding what to order, it all looked ravishing. After a small discussion and a recommendation from Rick we decided on the Brushetta as an appetizer, Angel Hair Pomodoro and the Meat Lasagna for our entrees.
The Brushetta came out quickly and was in a word, superb. It had the perfect texture, with just the right amount of tomato and basil. This was followed by the main event. My Angel Hair Pomodoro was outstanding. It was piping hot with a fresh rustic taste and texture. My husband’s lasagna was also quite good, served with a fresh vegetable medley. He was very impressed and marveled at the amount of cheese it contained. The food was rich in flavor and was not hidden behind decorative place settings or unnecessary presentation. The portion was the perfect amount, we were actually able to finish our meals and have room for dessert, without feeling overly full.
We chose the Chocolate Overload Cake for dessert. Not a chocolate person myself I actually found myself fighting the urge to lick the plate. It was quite possibly the most delectable dessert I’ve ever eaten. It is made up of a chocolate crust, topped with a layer of chocolate mouse, a layer of rich chocolate cake, another layer of chocolate mouse and finished with a tiny bit of shaved chocolate. The cake was moist and airy. The mouse was rich, fluffy, creamy, and everything a mouse should be, but rarely is. Upon investigation, our waiter Rick admitted that his sister makes the cakes as a hobby for the restaurant. Hopefully if she ever opens a bakery it will be next door to my house!
Overall our experience at Pinos was extraordinary. The atmosphere was relaxed and romantic, our waiter charming and friendly. The food was delicious and fulfilling. The cake, well I will dream about that cake. I highly recommend this rare authentic Italian gem. Perfect for date night or a quiet dinner with friends. Bon Appétit and don’t forget the dessert!
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