Antica Trattoria Da N'dino - FONDI

We went to Fondi for the Sunday market (great, by the way . There is limited bus service between Fondi/Sperlonga where we are, so we had a few hours to have lun... read more We went to Fondi for the Sunday market (great, by the way . There is limited bus service between Fondi/Sperlonga where we are, so we had a few hours to have lunch before returning. Looked at TA for ideas and found N 'dino. It was a little over half a mile from the Fondi Sunday market across from the hospital. Google maps or other navigation was very useful. Entered into an air-conditioned room with white tablecloths, young waiters who seemed friendly and attentive, roses on the table, groups of Italian families sharing Sunday lunch, a pretty but unpretentious place The menu is posted outside of course but we didn 't really look at it. Seated, I asked for a menu. The waiter spoke very little English and explained in Italian that most people simply ask for what they want in according to what seafood they 're serving day. I 've been burned in Venice doing that by ordering the whole fish without properly understanding how it was priced so we ordered off the menu and the chef kindly tweaked our choice with our request. We ordered the seafood antipasto for two for €40. A bit pricey but absolutely delicious. Ordinarily you receive seven small courses which you share. However, my boyfriend wanted fried calamari which was not included so the waiter talked to the chef who agreed to give us 4 courses and the calamari. Loved it. Started with the fried gamberetti, teensy whole fried shrimp so delicate and fresh. Maybe half an inch to an inch long each. Then we had something was which was quite unusual, eel probably, as the waiter said see snake. They were shaped like the fish sticks of my childhood, lightly breaded and fried yet served cool room temperature on a little arugula. The next two courses were cool and fresh to balance the fried dishes. The slightly salty baccala was smooth snd served with a bit of olive oil and a touch of lemon and topped with slices of a red pepper, not Bellpepper and not spicy pepperoncini but more a skin of a red pepper. Octopus salad with a few olives,in a bit of oil was fresh with a slight chewiness, but certainly tender enough and delicious. Nice to use the crust of the bread at the table as a scarpetta to wipe up the juices on the plates. Mmm. Next we received the calamari. A llittle bit of fried food was good for me but my boyfriend loved the calamari. He ate every one of the rings, strips and crunchy little tentacles. Very nice service. Menu was surprisingly also in English. N 'dino is deservedly known for its seafood. We ordered two bottles on the hot day of aqua frizzante for two euros each. I just wanted a simple white wine and asked if there was a house wine. The waiter suggested a half bottle of a nice house white, Trebbiano, and it was perfect. Fruity, slightly frizzante, (5€ . Be aware that going on a Sunday afternoon to an Italian restaurant frequented only by locals involves family meals. Family, as in, not just adults but babies and children. Even in pricier restaurants like this one which, if we would 've had regular courses would 've easily been a €100 lunch, there were two babies at the table next to us, not my favorite dining companions. We spent a lovely couple of hours here and highly recommend it.

We were very happy to find this. Even if we came a little bit earlier, they made us feel very welcome. Got some nice things from the house until we were able to... read more We were very happy to find this. Even if we came a little bit earlier, they made us feel very welcome. Got some nice things from the house until we were able to order. Excellent service, very very tasty sea food and pasta, friendly people, nice atmosphere.

Really nice restaurant and the food, especially the seafood is excellent. The place is highly thought of locally and was recommended by numerous Italian people.... read more Really nice restaurant and the food, especially the seafood is excellent. The place is highly thought of locally and was recommended by numerous Italian people. Not the cheapest and not as good as IL Frantoio, but a good option.

We had one of my father's Birthday dinner here. I had not been in this restaurant for awhile and was amazed at the change.... Luigi Manzi the owner and chef did... read more We had one of my father's Birthday dinner here. I had not been in this restaurant for awhile and was amazed at the change.... Luigi Manzi the owner and chef did a great job in prepAring a truly wonderful dinner for the 9 of us. The appetizer were very delicious as it was the fish. Of course the dessert was very delicious also.

Beautiful restaurant in the old town, through an unassuming door, with friendly staff that spoke a little English, however we found out that maybe a Monday nigh... read more Beautiful restaurant in the old town, through an unassuming door, with friendly staff that spoke a little English, however we found out that maybe a Monday night is the pre delivery day, as virtually everything we asked for on the menu wasn 't available..which is pretty disappointing, that went for the wine of choice right through to dessert. What we did receive was just ok it certainly didn 't get the taste buds dancing nor delighted the eye, possibly a tad more 'amore ' needed in the kitchen.