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Marcellino Ristorante
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 11 pm
Sun 11:30 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street, Private Lot, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
77 reviews for Marcellino Ristorante
Review Highlights
"Their hand made pasta is absolutely delicious."
(in 9 reviews)
"Sima and Marcellino are very nice people, very inviting."
(in 11 reviews)
"...on Saturday evenings to get serenaded by live opera singers."
(in 4 reviews)
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77 reviews in English
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Review from Lisa H.
Phoenix, AZ
12/28/2011
My husband and I adore Marcellino's. If you are looking for a special evening out for Italian food, look no further. This is not your family-style restaurant, it's high end with amazing homemade pastas, fresh salads, spotless service, truly a wonderful experience. From the time you make a reservation, you are greeted with warmth, just as if you were invited into their home. We have followed them from their old location in north Phoenix to the new in Scottsdale. Somehow they were able to keep the intimacy of the smaller restaurant to their new, larger location. My only complaint is that the restaurant is so dark it makes reading the menus difficult (they should offer flashlights or invest in backlit menus).
We have had two company parties at their restaurant. They easily cater to large groups. Our food arrived steaming hot all at once (incredible for a party of 13).
I wish I could recommend a favorite dish, but my favorite is whatever I ordered during my last visit! You can't go wrong with any of the dishes. The bar is we'll stocked and he makes great mixed drinks. Definitely arrive a few minutes early to start off at the bar before being seated for your meal. -
Review from Julie J.
Phoenix, AZ
12/12/2011
It took me a very long time to find an Italian restaurant in the Phoenix area that I really enjoyed. I had all the usual suspects in Scottsdale and Phoenix recommended to me, to varying degrees of success. Most of them were good, but nothing that I would rather go to, than just make my own food at home. A friend finally brought me to Marcellino's about 5 years ago, back when they were in North Phoenix (I miss that little place).
Since the first day I went, Marcellino has been serving some of the best handmade pasta that I have ever had. But my absolute favorite are his lamb chops and filet. With so many favorites to choose from, it's easier most days to just order the chef's tasting menu, which usually includes a duo of my some of my favorite appetizers (scallops, or mushroom polenta, or some buffalo mozzarella and tomato, etc.), a duo of pastas and a carne or a duo.
Not only is the food amazing, there is one server here in particular who always makes me feel like family, Scottie. His knowledge of the menu, food, wine and the restaurant is flawless and his warm demeanor is incredibly welcoming. His service takes this place a notch above the rest. -
Review from Northshore F.
Highland Park, IL
12/4/2011
This is a very high-end type of restaurant, with prices to match. It is not your typical Italian restaurant, so if you are looking for the standard Italian menu, this is not the place for you. If you are looking for over-the-top service and a unique dining experience, then you will like this place. I was caught off-guard when I went here, so had to adjust my expectations.
My first impression was the outstanding service of the host, she was exceptionally warm and friendly. The atmosphere inside is very intimate.
I was very impressed with the plate of homemade pasta menu options that the waiter brought to show us - but then a little disappointed that the majority had red meat in them. There was one that worked for me, and it was truly outstanding and tasted homemade and chef-prepared.
I loved everything about our dining experience from the service to the meal, except compared to the many restaurants I've eaten at, I thought it was over-priced, even for the high-quality of their food. Loved it, but not enough to go back. If you are looking for a unique Italian dining experience, maybe for a special occasion, then I highly recommend Marcellinos for you. -
Review from Billy C.
Atlanta, GA
2/4/2012
I came here on a Fri evening, with out a reservation. The dining area was packed so we sat at the bar. it's was nice and delicious. I love it
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Review from Steven S.
Phoenix, AZ
2/9/2012
TOP NOTCH"
The pasta dishes at Marcellino's are absolutely amazing. The fresh pasta presentation the servers bring to the table are always innovative and dazzling. I have always enjoyed everything I have ever eaten here. Even the "non-pasta" dishes are incredible. I must admit I cannot imagine eating at Marcellino's and not indulging in one of his pasta creations- as an appetizer, side dish, main course. I mean, come on, the man is known for his fresh homemade pastas. To not order pasta at Marcellino's is like ordering steak at The Ocean Club or going to Donovan's and ordering the fish special. I'm sure both dinners would be enjoyable, but you're missing what the restaurant does best. While I have enjoyed everything I have ever eaten here, some of my favorites include: the porcini pasta with lobster chunks in truffle oil; the cheese and pepper pasta with onions and pancetta ham; any stuffed pasta on the specials plate, and lest I forget, the Santa Lucia with lobster in shell on a bed... more »The pasta dishes at Marcellino's are absolutely amazing. The fresh pasta presentation the servers bring to the table are always innovative and dazzling. I have always enjoyed everything I have ever eaten here. Even the "non-pasta" dishes are incredible. I must admit I cannot imagine eating at Marcellino's and not indulging in one of his pasta creations- as an appetizer, side dish, main course. I mean, come on, the man is known for his fresh homemade pastas. To not order pasta at Marcellino's is like ordering steak at The Ocean Club or going to Donovan's and ordering the fish special. I'm sure both dinners would be enjoyable, but you're missing what the restaurant does best. While I have enjoyed everything I have ever eaten here, some of my favorites include: the porcini pasta with lobster chunks in truffle oil; the cheese and pepper pasta with onions and pancetta ham; any stuffed pasta on the specials plate, and lest I forget, the Santa Lucia with lobster in shell on a bed of black squid-ink pasta with clams and calamari in a spicy marinara-bravisimo! The wine list is exclusively italian selections and although I am no wine expert in general, and especially uninformed on italian wines, I have always found the staff to be extremely knowledgable and helpful when selecting wine pairings with my food. The ambiance is very comfortable. Both Sima and Marcellino are gracious hosts who sincerely welcome you as you walk through the door. The staff is extremely knowledgable about the wine and food. They are personable and professional. It seems like the same guys have been taking care of us since we started dining at the old Northern Ave. location almost eight years ago. I think that says alot about a restaurant to hold on to their staff for so long, and believe me, these guys are worth holding on to!!! I know it sounds corny, but we really feel like family when we dine at Marcellino's. Everybody treats us like we are honored guests in their very own home. The food, the wine,the servers, Sima, Marcellino- we love everything!!!! -
Review from Alyse W.
Paradise Valley, AZ
2/9/2012
My husband and I LOVE this restaurant!! The food is unbelievably delicious...from the appetizers to the desserts. The live music is wonderful and adds to the whole experience. We consistently have the most attentive service, which makes sense because the lovely owners are always there and they create a warm, welcoming, and romantic atmosphere. You must go to Marcellino's!
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Review from Andrea M.
Newton Center, MA
1/28/2012
My husband and I just had dinner there this evening - I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing the service was ... our waitress, Paula, was fabulous!! She grew up in Rome ( I grew up in Milan)... She could not have been any friendlier and informative on the specials...
Meanwhile, Salvatore "Sal" (the owner) ...I have a secret crush on...he treated us like royalty - we spoke Italian...he gave us a grappa
AND the piano player!! He was fabulous!!
NOW HONESTLY...where can you get AMAZING italian food, fabulous, friendly service, reasonable prices, great wine AND an extremely talented pianist!!!
BRAVO!!!Comment from marcellino and sima v. of Marcellino Ristorante 1/29/2012
Hello Andrea, What a glowing critique! We are Marcellino… More » -
Review from Edwin L.
San Marcos, CA
10/11/2011
The concierge at the Hotel Valley Ho told us that this was one of the finer and better Italian restaurants in Town - she was right.
Having dined around the world, this is by far in my top 5 of all time Italian restaurants.
1. Atmosphere - cozy, intimate and great Italian music
2. Fresh made pasta - do I need to say more
3. A wine list that rivals any 5 star hotel selection
4. Service, Service, Service - Phenomenal wait staff
5. The Chef - Marcellino knows his stuff, great character.
Tips - Ink infused fettuccine with Lobster is probably the best dish I have had in years. Order the rare but 100 point Barollo - It is worth the $ 200.00 a bottle.
But again - service, service, service.
Finally a restaurant that does everything right. -
Review from Jori C.
Libertyville, IL
11/15/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Wonderful meal, beautiful atmosphere. The chef is a true Italian, all the pastas were homemade infused with amazing ingredients.
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Review from Gary B.
Scottsdale, AZ
6/27/2011
The new location for this long time Valley favorite is in Old Town Scottsdale on Restaurant row right accross from Cowboy Ciao. This used to be Digestiff.
The Marcellino's people have done a wonderful job of creating an entirely different attidtude on this side of Stetson Drive. Still very cool, very ambient, very laid back and not at all pretentious, but still different experience.
The thick cranberry colored drapesgive an old world quality to the mostly urban brickwork comprising most of the walls. lit mostly by chandeliers and candlelight, the interior is warm, intimate and easy. No garish paintings or stereo typical florentine towers to be seen. Well, there was a small reproduction of Rome's " Mouth of Truth" bolted to the wall next to the entry that kept staring down at me. I liked it. It brought back happy memories of Rome.
We would be experiencing the Tasting menu ($75 with 3 courses and 3 pairings) Our server, Scott, made sure we had no food allergies or road blocks towards anything in particular. A small cheese, olive and salami plate arrived first, compliments of the Chef. Scott then proceeded to send over dish after dish of amazing Italian classics , like the large, single handmade ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach bathed in an almost invisible butter sauce. There was also some unexpected delights like the polenta strips topped with a chunky portobello reduction and the perfectly portioned filet mignon. Each was delightfully different and kept our pallettes busy with incredible flavors and textures.
Wine pairings were also carefully selected and added that supreme finish to each plate. The tasting menu with pairings are always different, so you can simply come in sit down and relax and be taken care of. No regretful commitments to be made.
After four courses, with 3 wine pairings we were quite content to fold up our napkins and call it quits, but there was still more! Scott finished us off with a beautiful Tiramisu accompanied with freshly whipped cream that was ablaze and courted with artfully sliced strawberries. The Tiramisu was light, airy and delicately creamy.
Live music on Saturday nights differs from week to week from opera to jazz to Sinatra. This Sunday evening we had a mixture of Sade and other light jazz simmering from the sound system.
A wonderful evening was had and will be remembered. thank you Marcellino's! -
Review from Matthew S.
Phoenix, AZ
5/17/2011
I first went to Marcellino Ristorante, on a recommendation from strangers, by playing hookie when I was a sophomore in college, not long after they'd opened.
It was an expensive lunch, since I had three courses and ordered one of their specials, but it was very good, and Sima, who runs the front of the place, was delightful.
I came back a couple times and was just blown away by how good everything was. My early enthusiasm was borne out with its various New Times awards, and it has been my pleasure since then to turn many satisfied people on to what is without a doubt the best Italian restaurant in Arizona, and in my opinion one of the best overall.
The place's new location does it justice, although those of us prone to nostalgia miss the old one. I spent most of the last three years overseas, and when I was back visiting home, Marcellinos was always my top priority, and never disappointed me.
Everything that they make is excellent, though I'm particularly attached and addicted to their thick, short, toothsome Pacatelli pasta with ragu di salsiccia , which is generously available at a discount for lunch.
I don't know whether or not anyone can say that it is "perfect" pasta, but I would wager a lot that there is no pasta that is better. It is flawless. As close to the platonic ideal as we can get.
The same could probably be said of their tiramisu.
Unfortunately it's not possible anymore to spend an afternoon drinking wine and espresso and smoking cigars on their patio, but that was only ever just icing on the cake.Comment from marcellino and sima v. of Marcellino Ristorante 5/18/2011
Hello Matthew, I don't think we've ever had such a… More » -
Review from A B.
Scottsdale, AZ
7/13/2011
As exquisite a fine dining experience as can be, all of that without the usual pretense that fine dining can bring. In this day and age and let's not forget, lean economic times; it is refreshing to find white tablecloth, knowledgeable wait staff, welcoming hosts etc...
Chef Marcellino and charming wife Sima did a magnificent job updating the space previously leased by gastropub Digestif. The beautiful wood stayed accented by cozy and sooth lighting.
Marcellino throws a twist to fine dining Italian that other chefs have not dared venturing to risk. Everything is made from scratch ans sure taste like it. The portions perfectly sized to allow enjoyment of all the ingredients without getting bloated.
The owners are very warm and welcoming and are very true to their craft. The kitchen is impeccable. -
Review from Marie S.
Las Vegas, NV
5/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
My husband and I dined here a couple of months ago while visiting Scottsdale. We discovered this place through Yelp and we were not disappointed at all!
We came here on a Saturday evening, with out a reservation. The dining area was packed so we sat at the bar.... which is where we love to sit at anyway. The bartender and waitstaff were more than accommodating and the service was impeccable.
Our bartender, Troy, was informative and very helpful..... and his recommendations were on point.
We especially love that the menu focuses on their infused fresh pasta.
All of the dishes were delicious! We had ravioli, linguini with clams, tuna carpaccio and shrimp scampi.... all of which were tasty and scrumptious.
After dessert, Troy joined us with a shot of their house made Limoncello. We will definitely return to Marcellino's during our next Scottsdale visit.
Vino cheers dear diners!! -
Review from L P.
Phoenix, AZ
6/30/2011
Love this place ! The owners are very friendly and make you feel welcome. It feels like you're in a NYC Italian restaurant. :-)
Food is creative and delicious . Service is great. We keep coming back !
You really should try it.
Either as a couple or as a group - this place works. -
Review from Andrew H.
Phoenix, AZ
Updated - 10/16/2011
Finally checked out Marcellino at their Scottsdale location for the first time. It's as good as it always has been and the new location offers more space and a nice ambiance. The food is still great, the service was very warm, and the whole atmosphere is still inviting and cozy. I had feared their move to Scottsdale would cause it to become overly trendy and lose focus, but I far undersold Marcellino and his team. And despite having great food, the prices are quite reasonable. Having dined in Italy recently, I can say the experience here was on par with that and hope to I to return soon.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/16/2010
This is a fabulous Italian restaurant. The service is impeccable and very professional. The waiter… Read more »
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Review from Yvonne W.
Tucson, AZ
5/22/2011
The FOODwas good! My friends ordered the Filet Mignon with median rare and Lamb Chop; they were awesome! Their homemade pasta special was impressive as well. We also had a bottle of white wine that the waiter introduced to us. The wine was very good just that i can't remember the name of it :P
Also, we celebrated for one of the friends' birthday today! The restaurant was really thoughtful that they personalized our dessert for our birthday girl:)
Wonderful SERVICE! Other than the delicious food and birthday cake, I love the service that Marcellino Ristoante had! Their waiter was really professional when introducing the food and recommending the wine. The AMBIANCE was really good for special occasion like birthday, anniversary or date =)Listed in: Italian Food
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Review from Danielle L.
Phoenix, AZ
9/13/2011
The experience at Marcellino Ristorante is perfect and I love their new location in Scottsdale!
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Review from Lily L.
Saint Louis, MO
11/27/2011
I came here for a late lunch and ordered the lunch special (you can replace the wine with an additional appetizer). The highlight of the meal was definitely the mussels in white wine appetizer. The mussels were extremely fresh and tender, and the broth they were cooked it was so delicious that my entire family kept dipping the bread into my bowl. The pastas are handmade and good. Many of them have interesting additions (sun dried tomatoes, sweet potatoes), etc.
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Review from Elijah W.
Scottsdale, AZ
11/23/2011
Chef Marcellino has a true passion for cooking and it really comes through in his food. I haven't had a bad dish yet. Scallops in pesto, Gnocchi and an amazing selection of fresh made infused pastas. Staff is amazing and very knowledgeable.
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Review from Formicas ..
New York, NY
11/4/2010 Seated via OpenTable
Off the chart amazing!!! We went here for my birthday and it was literally the best Italian restaurant I have ever eaten at ( and I've eaten at my share in Italy). The ambiance was a soothing glow of gentle lighting and rustic brickwork, with Italian opera piped in. The food was a perfectly prepared collection of hand-made pastas in exotic flavors - cheese infused, squid ink colored, and wonderfully sauced. The desert was a just-right tiramisu - capping a delectable meal. Yes, it's a bit pricey - but TOTALLY worth it for special occasion food.
Oh - and come on Saturday evenings to get serenaded by live opera singers! -
Review from Jim S.
Scottsdale, AZ
7/27/2011
I have had the pleasure of dining here several times over the past 6 months or so and the food, the wine, the service and the atmosphere are absolutely top notch. I have lived in the Phoenix area for over 30 years and this is the BEST italian food I have ever had. The music they play is also excellent. Thank God it isnt techo.
I will definitely be back. -
Review from Patrick H.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
I'd heard about Marcellino for many years but never made it over there when they were in Phoenix. My friends and I decided to check them out this last Saturday.
This is my third visit to the space that previously was occupied by Digestif, Tutto and now Marcellino. Luckily for Fred Unger, he probably has a tenant here who will make it.
They changed the entrance and once I found my way in I was reminded what a great space this room is. The exposed brick, dark colors and candlelight are very romantic.
Once seated we tasted a few wines and decided on a nice Barbera reasonably priced at $47 for the bottle.
Our appetizer was a bufalo mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto with tomato and basil. It was a delicious start to the meal.
Since there were four of us we all decided to order something different so that we could all try each other's dish. They show you the different pastas and explain the specials of the day. Literally, all of the specials sounded great and it was tough to make a decision.
I ordered the porcini fettuccine which came with lobster. Who doesn't like lobster but actually the pasta stole the show. It was a real earthy, rich flavor that I loved.
The other dish that really stood out to me was the filet mignon and truffle tortelloni. How can you go wrong with those ingredients?
To top off the evening they had live opera singers entertaining during dinner.
I've read people complain about the prices at Marcellino but I really don't agree. Our bill was $207 plus tax and tip for four people. For a topnotch meal with wine it was worth every penny to our group. -
Review from Lisa M.
Palo Alto, CA
8/7/2011
My fiance and I were vacationing to Arizona in June 2011. We are not from the area so we like to get local recommendations and find some great places through yelp. After our awful experience here, I just had to sign up on yelp and tell everyone my our experience (do not disregard because I am new to giving my opinion on yelp).
We had no reservations but that doesn't mean you have to give us such a bad attitude when we asked for a table? Yet, I think they gave us the worst table because we had no reservations? Literally 2 mins after we were seated, they seated 2 older men right next to us and we might as well been a table of 4! They were so close and so loud that we were part of their conversation. How romantic. The places wasn't even full and there were empty tables!
Nice selection of fresh made pasta...
But I ended up ordering a dish from their regular menu, Red Linguine Portifino with shrimps and scallops. The sauce just ok and wasn't even that spicy. And what scallops? There were barely any in the dish. And the shrimps...are you kidding me? They were tiny and with the full tail on which was like half the shrimp because they were so small. I've been to many fancy italians restaurants and when I order an expensive past dish, I expect not to spend most my time picking the tail off with my knife and fork. What a pain. Funny thing is, then loud man sitting next to us order the same dish. Instead of using his fork and knife, he simply put the whole shrimp in his mouth and used his fingers to pull the tail out. How classy!!
I almost forgot to add, it was nice one of the chef's walked around and said hello and asked how everything was but if you are going to do that, why exclude CERTAIN tables? Very rude.
All in all, for the expensive price we paid for dinner, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND it! -
Review from Jennifer S.
Dallas, TX
5/19/2011
This restaurant had hardly anyone here for lunch today and I think I know why...the prices are too expensive. All of the special pastas were $35-$38...for lunch! The atmosphere is nice, the service was good and the food was tasty, but just too expensive! Ended up splitting a spinach salad and a pasta and the portion was perfect for two!
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Review from Sean O.
Phoenix, AZ
6/20/2011
We had a large group of 18 for dinner Saturday night. Marcellino would personally come out from the kitchen after every course and
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Review from Diana J.
Scottsdale, AZ
10/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Insanely good food paired with top-notch service, ambiance and the loveliest hostess! Sima, Marcellino and the entire staff make this restaurant our favorite location for special occasions. Homemade everything - the pasta is always a favorite for us. We had our wedding dinner here, 5 years ago, with a small group of family and close friends and it was wonderful. Amazing servers really know their business and can recommend wine pairings and their favorite dishes.
The new location in Old Town Scottsdale is more convenient to where we live, though we were just as happy to drive a bit further to the original location. I've chosen "dressy" and "not" good for kids, only based on how we like to experience Marcellino's, though they are so welcoming and comfortable I'm sure casual dress and (well behaved!) kids would be just as welcome... if you tend to spoil your kids, that is. -
Review from Gabi M.
How can I not give Marcellino five stars?
The food was fantastic - as was the experience. We'd been hearing about Marcellino Ristorante for awhile but it wasn't until we were looking for a place to celebrate Mother's Day that we thought to check it out.
From the moment I called to make a reservation, we received the friendliest service ever! I was told that they could take our group at 6:45 and that they'd have a live Opera Singer (specifically a Tenor) in house that night performing - what a treat! Well - that's what I figured when they told me that. (None of us were opera fans before and we still are not opera fans, but it did add to the experience!)
We were seated right away and Scott was our server. He was attentive and patient with us, even when Jared had him repeat the specials several times. Their homemade pasta specials looked incredible, but I stayed away... Instead, I enjoyed the Insalata Ortolana, a few bites of the Canestina Polenta (if you like polenta and you like mushrooms, get this - it's incredible), and I shared the Gamberi Affogtai entree with my mother-in-law-to-be. We requested extra veggies instead of mashed potatoes and not only did they oblige, but the broccoli, cabbage, and asparagus we received were delicious! The shrimp were magnificent as well - juicy and tender! Oh - I have to also admit to having some of the 'special sauce' they serve with the bread basket... it is tangy and wonderful - if you go, you must try that too. It's made with eggplant, olive oil, and red pepper I believe... yum!
Jared and his sister had a Caprese Salad (a bit overpriced at $12.95), the Paccatelli al Ragu (a bolognese pasta dish I believe), the Scaloppine al Gorganzola (a veal dish that he enjoyed but serving size was not as big as he'd wished for). We finished off the meal with an Apple Galetta served with hazelnut gelato and a Panna Cotta (similar to flan). While I had just a small taste of the apple one, I can report that it was delicious... and since Jared and his mom finished off the panna cotta, i'll assume it was not so bad either.
All of the above plus a pellegrino, a coffee, and a cappuccino for $159.85 before tip. Note - no alcohol.
So, yes, we wish it was more affordable - but we'll be back without a doubt! -
Review from Jim W.
4/20/2009
It is with pleasure that I bestow upon Marcellino Ristorante my coveted 5 star review
* * * FANFARE * * *
Where do I begin? How about with the amuse busch (to build anticipation in the palette). Moments after we received the menu a plate arrived with a couple wonderfully pungent olives, several small slices of some kind of salami and 4 small chunks of what I believe was pecorino cheese. A delicious start and we had barely opened the menu.
We shared the Gamberi e Feta antipasti. Two HUGE jumbo shrimp (I didn't think the word jumbo really did those bad boys justice) grilled perfectly...tender and juicy. They were served on a square of lightly fried feta cheese and a bed of cabbage. The arrangement was so nice that I didn't want to disturb it.
After that we shared 2 entrees:
The Fagottino di Pollo and the Salmone in Crosta di Porcini con Cognac e Porri. I am not a big fan of salmon but I could become a fan of this salmon. Flaky, delicious fillet with a wonderful cognac sauce. I was less thrilled with the chicken. It was split chicken breasts layered with proscuitto and fontina cheese and smothered in a brown sauce.
Here's the thing about the Fagottino di Pollo. When I say I was less thrilled I mean it was 4 star chicken. Everything else about the food and service was 5 stars. Flat out.
We shared a couple desserts - a tirimisu and a dark chocolate mousse. The tirimisu had all the right flavors working - mascarpone cheese, chocolate, espresso, rum, lady fingers. Delicious. The mousse was also very good. Dangerously good.
Along the way we had a very well rounded chianti ( Chianti "I Sodi", Badia Morrona ) and a very nice white ( Albana "Colle Del Re" ). Even the brewed coffee I had after dessert was very good.
Service was outstanding throughout the evening. All in all I would place Marcellino Ristorante on the short list of Phoenix's finest restaurants.Listed in: Right this way Valley Visitors
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Review from Dan L.
4/3/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Wow! I had such a hankering for Italian food, and Marcellino's treated me far beyond expectations. Growing up right outside of Boston, I went to the North End (Boston's Little Italy) quite a bit for authentic Italian food. I was skeptical as to what an Scottsdale authentic Italian restaurant would be. My first impression of Marcellino's was superb. A very somber and intimate setting. And listening to live entertainment. Already I was impressed.
For the life of me I cannot remember my servers name and I that's a let down because he was superb!! He made me and my company's night all the more enjoyable with his personality and his knowledge of the menu. What happened next was something that I have never seen before and it really added a class act to my experience here. He came to our table with a plate full of the pastas that were made for the day, with a detailed explanation of each type. Very impressive. He also went over each special of the night in great detail, leaving me with no questions to ask him.
After several minutes of glaring at the menu, and thinking about the dinner specials offered, I went with the dinner special of Lamb Ragu over Pappardelle. My counterpart ordered their Fettuccine Contadina from their Handmade Pasta selection. After several more minutes of conversation and eating bread with a roasted red pepper spread, which was to die for, our meals came to us piping hot, and smelling of ecstasy.
My first bite, I was in love! This was incredibly good. The pasta was cooked perfectly Al dente, and who does not love freshly made pasta?! My Lamb Ragu was divine. I could have eaten about three plates of this dish myself, it was that good. My friends dish was also superb. Again freshly made pasta, with top quality produce, not overly done, which is the Italian way. Keep it simple. Although I didn't get a chance to have dessert, because I was stuffed from bread and pasta, I did see several desserts trailing through the dining room. They all looked to die for.
Marcellino's totally exceeded my expectations for authentic Italian food. I see too many Italian restaurants which typically serve all the same items, i.e. Chicken, Veal, Eggplant Parmesans, and Marsalas, but Marcellino's didn't offer these which was a sigh of relief, and makes me intrigued on going back and trying the other delights that they offer.
I would say that this place would be more suited for a date atmosphere than for big groups. It has a sexy, intimate vibe to it. Feel free to disagree with me on that. With all that being said, I will be back again, REAL soon! Enjoy!!Comment from marcellino and sima v. of Marcellino Ristorante 5/7/2011
Dan Darling, When someone takes the time not only to comment… More » -
Review from Lloyd B.
Chandler, AZ
6/12/2011
When you have grown up loving and appreciating food, and have travelled extensively here in the U.S. as well as abroad, and wanted to dedicate your life to the creative process of preparing food at an early age, and already having lived many decades, it came as a wonderful shock to be so impressed and taken with a local restaurant after eating there for the first time!
My daughter and son-in-law gave us a gift certificate last Christmas for Marcellino Restorante located in Scottsdale, which was about to expire on June 21st. Couldn't let that happen, so the wife and I decided to go on a Saturday to avoid evening rush hour traffic. After reading many reviews on Yelp, and in the AZ Republic, I knew it was considered a very good choice for an Italian meal. Well I have to say it was a very good choice no matter what the cuisine! During the 48 hour period after we ate there, we constantly had thoughts during the day and dreams during the night about how tasty and wonderful the food was. We don't think this has ever happened to us before.
The restaurant was classy, attractive and comfortable, the wait staff friendly, knowledgable and efficient, not at all stuffy or obtrusive. I enjoyed the double layer of linen tablecloths adorning our table. We ordered their special blend of iced tea, a black tea with lavender, apricot and rose hips, unusally tasty, an uncommon occurance in my experience. I should have known if I liked the tea so much, the rest had to be exceptional, and it was! Since their pasta had received rave reviews, and they bothered to bring a large platter of uncooked pastas to the table like many restaurants show off their desserts, we knew we were in for a treat. We decided to order two pasta dishes, Gnocchi Sorrentina (described on the menu as "perfectly light potato/pasta dumplings floating in tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella cheese melting within", and Tagliolini Mare e Monte (the tomato sauce had small shrimp, tail on, and mixed mushrooms, with lovely little chunks of tomato). We told our waiter that we were intending to share the dishes and he brought them out with one half of each pasta dish on our plates, pre-shared you might say. There was an unbeliveable explosion of flavors in our mouths, the pasta cooked perfectly al dente. We were like two little kids in a candy store, oohing and aahing as we cleaned our plates. Next followed our one shared entree, Salmone in Crosta di Porcini e Porri, described on the menu as "Atlantic salmon dipped in porcini (mushroom) flour and sauted with fresh leeks and cognac". Ordered slightly beyond medium, the fish couldn't have been cooked any more perfect! I am drooling as I write this review, I can't help myself. The fish was served with semi crunchy sticks of zucchini and fluffy mashed potatos with a little branch of fresh rosemary sticking up like a miniature tree. We continued to hum throughout this meal. To finish this gastronomic orgasm I had a double decaf expresso and the wife had their blend of decaf coffee and our dessert choice, a chocolate mousse with fresh strawberries topped with whipped cream. It was unbelievable how each plate outdid the next!
Chef Marcellino Verzino greeted us as we were leaving and I told him he was a "flavor magician" whose magic will be long remembered. Until you have eaten here, you haven't really eaten "real Italian pasta"! -
Review from Jenn H.
Los Angeles, CA
12/10/2007
I'm an Italian girl from New York and I can honestly say: Marcellino is one of the BEST Italian restaurants in the Valley.
If you like home made pasta, flavorful sauces, great wine and all the other elements that make a great Italian place - this is it! It even reminds me of a place back east with the owner (owner's wife?) working the door and the old school dessert ray presented by the waiter.
Marcellino is not cheap, but it's price in on par with other high end Italian like Bravo Bistro, Um Bacio, Le Cabaffe, Tamasos...etc. But Marcellino might be the best!Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Anne W.
St Paul, MN
Updated - 3/17/2009 4 Check-ins Here
Do you know what "scampi" really is?
I learned new food fact at Marcellino this week, something I should have known, but most of us probably don't. "Scampi" is an animal - a type of lobster that looks a lot like a shrimp. I've always assumed "scampi" was the shrimp in butter and garlic dish, but it turns out that is an American bastardization of the term. Real scampi is a particular type of lobster - not very common and very expensive, which is probably how the shrimp and garlic bit happened along. BTW, Marcellino's REAL scampi is lovely, served grilled "on the half shell". Plan on sucking all the tasty bits off the shell.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/1/2009
Yes indeed, this is good as it gets! After discovering Marcellino's a few years ago, I am now drawn… Read more »
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Review from Scott D.
5/21/2008
ahhh Marcellino...
Why do you have to get me drunk? Funny thing is, the more we drink the more I understand your english. Thanks for the help.
There are few places in the valley that can be called true Italian, not to mention ones that are ran by a real Italian chef. Sometimes we go there and ask Marcellino to just "go for it" - havent been dissapointed yet.
BOTTOM LINE: Worth every penny! Dont change a thing. -
Review from Joseph S.
Phoenix, AZ
11/9/2009
Pretentious and overrated.
This is the kind of restaurant for people who a) miss New York, or b) don't know what they're talking about. This is the kind of restaurant where you'll pay $200 for $100 worth of food. It's not that it's bad, it's that it's pretentious. To pay this kind of money is a strip shopping center is...overrated.
Yes, the owner-hostess it's just not worth it. Very snooty to other patrons she deemed unworthy, save the money, go elsewhere. -
Review from Kerry K.
Phoenix, AZ
3/23/2009
They say Phoenix's greatest restaurants are found in strip malls and this is a prime example. A good friend took me here on a Monday night and we were greeted by the Italian husband and wife owners and shown all the fresh hand-made pasta specials of the evening. I chose the crimini infused pasta with crimini mushrooms, truffle oil and....magic! Caprese salad is the precursor to any italian meal and they have it perfected- adding roasted peppers. The suggested wine was incredible and the pasta left me speechless! It tasted just like the night in Rome when my new friend Fiorella took me on her vespa to the "restaurant where typical italians eat". I savored each bite at Marcellino just as I did in Rome!
It is a bit pricey, but worth every cent! I can't wait to go back!
P.S. I tried to incorporate the genius term "American Bastardization" into my yelp like Anne W, but couldn't get it to fit. The analogy Marcellino:Rome as Olive Garden:American Bastardization of Rome is my best attempt. -
Review from Rick S.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/13/2008
Some of the best Italian food I have ever had. This is a favorite for my wife and I. Sima and Marcellino are very nice people, very inviting. The bar is small but fun to hang out at. The food is always fresh and delicious.
Watch out for Marcellino - he likes to push the truffles. -
Review from AzDaZy K.
Scottsdale, AZ
5/25/2011
The food is truly wonderful. Homemade pasta and soups. I had zucchini soup that was not made with cream, but pureed, so it was lighter and very tasty. The half order of ravioli included 2 large squares that was plenty for lunch. Very tasty with a light butter sage sauce. Better than any pasta I have had before! Even in Italy. The atmosphere is Tuscan with nice decorations. My only wish is that their lunch items were priced a little less. Lunch is pricey. It would be a wonderul dinner place. The service was amazing.
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Review from Tim W.
Phoenix, AZ
7/20/2009
In college (not that long ago, but boy I am getting old fast) I had the opportunity to spend a month in northern Italy. Marcellino Ristorante takes me back.
You will find no finer Italian restaurant in Phoenix. The pastas are exceptional, unique, and fresh. The atmosphere is superb. The wait staff if phenomenally proficient yet down to earth and friendly at the same time.
You owe it to yourself to treat you and a loved one to this experience. -
Review from Olga L.
3/19/2009
Ok -- I'm not sure if my husband and I went on an off night or if our waiter was the one that just didn;t make this a "5 Star" experience for us. Not sure...
We got there and just LOVED the lady that greeted us (owner? she was amazing). Our table wasn't quite ready but, hey, thats ok! I was ready for a drink at the bar and I was looking pretty good so I thought I'd be the vamp at the bar that night. What a cute restaurant!! The Bartender was AWESOME and had a shot of Limoncello with us. We loved him immediately.
We sat down, and our waiter came over. An older dude that was very sweet and he told us our specials. We split the Beef Carpaccio and it was very good -- a little low on salt -- but very yummy.
I had the scampi special and my hubby had the Wild Boar Tagliatelli -- yummy but missing something. My Scampi was really not as flavorful as I would have liked -- but it was good. You can tell the pasta is fresh and I just love that.
Our waiter left us alone for a long time and didn't check back as often as I would have liked. At the end, he only brought the dessert tray and did not tell us about all the other ice cream flavors they had. I had to tell him -- because I heard it from all the other waiters when they told their tables. Now wassup with that? Also, we were told by the bartender that we get a complimentary shot of limoncello at the end of our meal. Never happened. All the other tables did get one though -- so I think it was just our guy.
There will be a second visit -- and I will make sure we get a different waiter. I really wanted to love this place and the first visit didn't let me love it -
Review from Larry T.
Kingman, AZ
11/15/2009
Food was not as great as I read on the reviews. I went to have a nice dinner with my wife and the waiter was hitting on me. Gross.
food was overpriced and restaurant not that nice.
