Mina & Dimi's Greek House

Mina & Dimi's Greek House Restaurant Review:

Should you be headed to Mina & Dimi's for one of its special wine dinners, a flak jacket may be the desired dress; smashing plates is part of the advertised appeal. On nominally normal nights, the food has to fend for itself in this eclectically decorated and dark cave of a restaurant, enlivened by the occasional flaming saganaki cheese plate. The small meze sampler will satisfy two, with the plump dolmades doused in dill sauce and fried okra standing out over stiff tzatziki, and wan spanakopita and tyropita. The bellwether moussaka, with ground beef, eggplant, zucchini and potatoes, is especially comforting, and the ubiquitous fried squid are satisfyingly crisp. (Resist the retsina suggestion, however.) We also like the gyro platter and the shareable rack of lamb served on a sizzling skillet. Among the several shish kebabs, pork gets our vote. Desserts stray more from the norm, with a baklava cheesecake almost trumping the version rolled in nuts and served with orange-scented syrup. But be advised that weekend belly dancing gets both loud and in your face --- literally.