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Marzano
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11 am - 2 pm
Tue-Thu 4 pm - 8:30 pm
Fri-Sat 4 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
60 reviews for Marzano
Review Highlights
"Don't even like tiramisu, but liked it."
(in 9 reviews)
"My husband loved his pasta with ham and mushrooms."
(in 15 reviews)
"It's a small place so make your reservation well in advance."
(in 5 reviews)
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60 reviews in English
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Review from Ashley F.
Tacoma, WA
2/1/2012 1 photo
I wanted to wait to write a review to visit this place a second time to give my comments about it, I loved it so much the first time that I wanted to give it a true and loving review.
My second time visiting was just as great as my first. The first time I visited I had the the tortellini aurora which was absolutely yummy the cream sauce was rich and everything you expect from a cream sauce. This time I ordered the gorgonzola which was chicken with penne with this wonderful and tasty blue cheese sauce I couldn't get enough of. We also ordered the sautéed calamari this time I say this time because ( our first visit they actually ran out of this appetizer ) which was no big deal because we ordered the crab cakes instead I didn't feel we were missing anything they were filled with lump sweet crab meat with an amazing aoli sauce. In saying all that the calamari was just full of flavor with fresh calamari. Honestly you don't even have to order a appetizer because you get a complimentary salad before your meal which is dressed perfectly with their house vinaigrette. Also you get fresh bread warm and yummy.
After you eat and enjoy all these wonderful foods and you are totally full you have to order dessert and a cappuccino. Tonight we ordered this white cake filled with fruit filling and this unbelievable cream frosting I have never tasted anything like it before. This is a special place in the Parkland area and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy a fresh and delicious meal. Yes the place is small but the food makes up for it. -
Review from Brian S.
Tampa, FL
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
After reading the reviews my friends that I were staying with decided this would be the start of our NYE night! There were some pretty bad reviews regarding service, and food. In my opinion I think most of the bad reviews were either due to an "off" night or just a disgruntled patron. The one gripe I have is with the reservations. We reserved a table at 8pm and were told there would be a wait albeit a very little wait, we were eventually seated about 10 mins later. That was mainly due to the small space the restaurant occupies. My friend said its "cozy" I say the restaurant is outgrowing it's location, which is a good thing. Now to the main reason we're all here.
THE FOOD! which is amazing. I had the Cannelloni Al Cinghiale which is fresh pasta sheets filled with a hearty ragú of wild boar, pancetta, red wine, with parmigiano-reggiano béchamel. The pasta was fresh, the wild boar was very good the entire dish was just amazing, I would definitely recommend if you're having a hard time deciding what to get. My friends got the Tortellini Aurora, and the nightly special sea grill, which both look delicious. We ended the dinner with espresso, cappuccino and the most amazing tiramisu. I would highly recommend this place if you're visiting the area or just didn't know about the restaurant. -
Review from Kelsey S.
Portland, OR
11/26/2011
The best italian food I've ever had! We love going here for special dinners and I haven't had something that I didn't like.
The building is kind of small so it gets hot inside during dinner but the food makes it worth it for sure. -
Review from Eric S.
Seattle, WA
1/18/2012
Six of us (3 couples) went to Marzano for a holiday get together, and had an absolute blast! The food was great, and the wine list was even better. We had a secluded table toward the back, which felt like we were all by ourselves. The service was excellent too!
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Review from PK T.
Lakewood, WA
1/29/2012
What a great little hidden Italian restaurant, tucked away near PLU. The cuisine is superb and wait staff is how it should be with the exception of one time that I ordered to go and I was greeted and taken care of by an older woman who was not quite up to par in her customer service skills. Menu selection is fair, as are the prices.
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Review from Corinne P.
Tacoma, WA
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food and great service... These are two of the important phrases that restraurants want to have. Well, our first adventure was trying to find this place.. Since it was dark out, we almost passed it on the first go. We parked in the lot across the street.. Which is fine by me. Don't like parking in the street because of the idiots driving around aimlessly. We walked up and entered the restraurant.. Its small and cozy...
The hostess walked p.. And since I made the reservations, the hostess beelines to the other one... Of course this irritates me... So I might have been a little rude to her when the reservations were under my name... Not his...
Our table was tucked away by a window, in one of the smaller rooms... .. So there was a big table then two smaller ones.
The bread was amazing.... My husband loved his pasta with ham and mushrooms.. And I had the pizza... All very delicious.... Then here comes a group of annoying people.... Which made the experience undelightful. I usually don't let people annoy me enough to where I want to stab them... Well, it did... I actually pictured myself throwing food or water at them just to shut them up. They were old people talking about medical issues and something about a public library.. Therefor, I had to knock off a star for having the tables insanely close to where this becomes a problem, not only for our table... But the other table in that section as well.
Otherwise, not bad. I would go back.... -
Review from Jay M.
Tacoma, WA
10/25/2011
Good food is sometimes hard to come by in Tacoma, but it's not impossible.
Make sure to make reservations! While the owner is not very friendly, the staff is good, and the food is great! I miss gnocchi the way they used to make it, but I've never had anything that wasn't good here, from pizza, to pasta, and even the steak.
Desserts are equally goid. Don't even like tiramisu, but liked it. Loved the Swedish cream and canoli. Could pass on the crumbly cake thing though.
From start to finish, you'll enjoy your entire meal. -
Review from Kent B.
Tacoma, WA
12/18/2011
I have been dining at Marzano since it opened 20+ years ago, back when it was a few doors down the street on Garfield. Since day 1, Elisa has provided guests at Marzano with exceptional food, great service and a wonderful overall experience. The restaurant is also across the street from my college alma mater, PLU, so it's always fun going back to that part of town!
Staples on the menu are always reliable, but don't miss out on opportunities presented on their daily fresh sheet.
If you can't find something on the wine list, there's something wrong with you, it's a great selection of wines!
Save room for dessert, because they WILL tempt you with a tray overflowing with deliciousness after dinner!
I happen to work in a restaurant, and whenever I have guests ask where I eat (besides my work) I always tell them Marzano and offer to write down the phone number and directions if needed!!
Marzano is my place of choice for a romantic dinner, or a meal with friends & family. It's always "spot on" and worth the drive from wherever you're coming from.
Lastly, MAKE A RESERVATION!! -
Review from Todd O.
Puyallup, WA
1/16/2012
I have been to Marzanos a number of times over the years, about time I wrote a review!. This has always been my wife and my go to Italian Restaurant that is close to home, more upscale than most Italian joints in the area, very consistent service and quality of food. the latest visit did not disappoint. We went there on the 12th for my birthday, made reservations ahead of time for 5:30pm. but probably didn't need to, as the place was pretty quiet for a Thursday evening. We got our usual small table for two next to the fireplace, and were very attentively waited on by our server, she checked on us just the right amount, without bothering us too much, but being there when we needed her. We started with a couple glasses of the 21 Cellars Pinot Noir, very smooth and delightful wine. Our waited brought some of their fresh hot bread, which was good, but not as good as I remember from years ago. (where's the freshly grated parm/reg?) I ordered the Cannelloni Al Cinghiale, and my wife had the Lasagna Bolognese. My Cannelloni, which was stuffed with Wild Boar, was very good, a nice rustic dish. My wife just loved her lasagna, it had just the right amount of cheese for her. Both dinners came with salad. We shared a nice dessert, and the bill was well under $100 with tip. We will definitely be back when the weather warms up enough to sit outside!
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Review from Stephanie C.
Puyallup, WA
7/15/2011
We "accidentally" ended up at Marzano tonight after the rain squashed our plans of a bubble blowing picnic with our 3 year old. The service was really efficient and the food was delicious! We had a tasty cracker type crust pizza for our appetizer. With the removal of the cherry peppers, our 3 year old agreed that it was the best pizza ever! I had the salmon special and my husband had a pasta loaded with fresh and perfectly cooked prawns, scallops, fish and tons of flavors! The only thing I would change if I could....my picnic style clothing and bringing a toddler. The staff was very acomodating but as any parent understands it's not the same to sit down at a white tablecloth type restaurant when you're pulling out goldfish crackers from your purse! Oh! The tiramisu was by the far the best I have ever tasted!
Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Shanika P.
Tacoma, WA
7/12/2011
I have read the Yelp reviews and heard nothing but good things about this place so finally my boyfriend and I decided to try it, and were not dissappointed.
The location is a little cooky, but once you walk in it is quaint and warm. Yes, the place is rather small, but not too bad.
The wait staff was extremely attentive and the food was delicious. We were definately surprised by some of entrees, it is definately not your average spaghetti or fetticine alfredo kind of Italian place.
I will definately go there again, and recommend this place to anyone. Make sure to call ahead for reservations though! -
Review from Punoyen N.
Puyallup, WA
8/20/2011
One of the MOST AMAZING Italian restaurants I've EVER dined at.
This place was a recommendation from my fiance's coworker. (its rare that recommendations turn out good)
Atmosphere: Quaint, home-like feel with a mix of modern elegance.
Staff: Friendly & on top of their game (of course you are paying for this kind of service)
Price: Definitely on the higher end but WORTH IT!
Food:
Appetizer - SEARED PORK BELLY
This was melt in your mouth delicious! I've had it many different ways and homemade is always best. This is the best restaurant pork belly ever! It melts in your mouth, has the natural great taste and texture. It comes with pickled mustard see and a potato salad with something else pickled in there too. SUPER COMPLIMENTARY! It was such a great combination because you don't get sick of the pork belly taste. Even my Fiancee loved it. A salad came after wards, simple but a very tasty vinaigrette.
Entree (we ordered to shared) - MIX MEAT PLATE
OMG! LOVED THIS. You get lamb - not gamy! beef tenderloin - tender, melt in your mouth. grilled, charred on the outside and perfectly pink on the inside. pork shoulder - again super tender, perfectly cooked. This all came with some purple potatoes, yummy and asparagus. The sauce was delicious! Some kind of wine reduction sauce that blended everything beautifully.
FETTUCCINE ALFREDO W/CHICKEN
Cheesy amazing! The rich sauce was just great! the chicken was even moist and had flavor instead of being dry like so many places.
We obviously shared our plates and it was a perfect combination!!!
Dessert: TIRAMISU
I am a BIG, HUGE, LOVER OF DESSERTS. This is one of my top 3 tiramisu's I have ever had! Its so hard to rank but if you are avid about testing let me tell you. This tiramisu hits the spot after dinner and would definitely go great with a cup of espresso. The creamy texture is perfect with chocolate shavings and the coffee taste after you start letting it melt in your mouth....uuummmmm.....so good!
The other two places are Tutta Bella and Adriatic Grill (Adriatic does a Tiramisu with a twist and only for adults 21 yrs or older. Go and find out why!)
CHECK THIS PLACE OUT! I AM GOING BACK AT LEAST QUARTERLY! -
Review from R H.
Tacoma, WA
Updated - 7/30/2011
Why we don't go here more often I don't know. The food is outstanding, wine list reasonable, service is excellent and parking is close. They serve traditional Italian with a twist. My wife had duck lasagna and they had wild boar on the menu like one sees in Italy. Oh, I forgot, their prices are reasonable.
Now if it was only closer to my home......1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/16/2010
The evening started out a little rocky as our table was not ready and we had to wait a half of an… Read more »
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Review from Anna B.
Yelm, WA
10/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I loved this place. The wait staff is on point and the food is excellent. It is a little pricey but worth it.
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Review from Alison S.
2/19/2011
Saw the great reviews here on Yelp and decided to try it out with my roommate. We weren't disappointed! There were a lot of tempting things on the menu...duck lasagna? Grilled scallop risotto? Meaty lasagna? Linguini al mare?
We opted for the duck lasagna and the linguini. Both were delicious and very generously portioned, unless you're a huge eater. The scallops in the linguini al mare were cooked perfectly and there was a good variety of seafood in the dish (clams, mussels, salmon, calamari, shrimp, and the big scallops). My friend also said her duck lasagna was rich and tasty. Don't let the initial size of the serving fool you; it's super filling!
We asked to see the dessert menu and they brought out a huge TRAY. This is how restaurants manage to convince me to eat their desserts. They always look so delicious in person. My dining partner chose the blood orange cheesecake and I got the tiramisu. The blood orange cheesecake was very citrusy and maybe just a *bit* too sweet for my tastes, but the tiramisu was awesommmeee. And the bottom cake layer was absolutely saturated in rum, which was perfect for me, hahaha.
I enjoyed the meal and would definitely return (if for nothing but the delicious tiramisu)! -
Review from Peter T.
Tacoma, WA
7/13/2011
This is a wonderful small little Italian restaurant just off the PLU Campus. Everything here is wonderful from the food, to the wine, to the desserts to the decor and atmosphere. This restaurant could very easily be uptight and snobby (it is that good) but they aren't. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere never gets pretentious (even if your just a PLU kid coming in for lunch). Most people love the Caesar Salad so get that as your side. The desserts are good but I'm a big fan of the Canoli when they have it. And as far as the dishes go you just have to read the description, everything is delicious but most people haven't heard of many of them. Although you can get spaghetti or fettuccine alfredo.
The negatives are that it is in Parkland (terrible suburb of Tacoma, however it is next to PLU which helps). The hours are limited (also a pro because it proves this restaurant is popular if it only has to be open a few hours five days a week to make money). And it is a bit cozy inside (small). In other words call ahead and you'll be fine. The restaurant is probably closer to 4 stars overall but in greater Seattle or even WA it is as good Italian as it gets which makes it 4 stars.
UPDATE
Caesar salad is not as good as once was. I don't know if they don't put as much dressing on it or if they just changed it a bit, either way it has been a big disappointment the last two times I've been. Also the last couple times I have been the food has been good but not great. Slightly upset. -
Review from shane l.
Seattle, WA
12/5/2010
NO THIS PLACE IS NOT AMAZING. There really isn't anything good about it. Well the ice tea was pretty good.
First off if its just my wife and I just because it is the two of us. Don't ******G try sit us next to the door in the winter time. Well any time. And who said a small place is an intimate place needs to be shot. There is nothing intimate about that. If I can reach out and touch the person seated next to my table, THAT IS TOO ^^^^^^G close.
If I need to ask for something other than my butter for my complimentary bread. And if my wife needs to call the waitress over for more minuscule amount complimentary bread. THAN YOUR SERVICE SUCKS ^^^. I am not juast paying for food I am paying for service. And I could give a ***T less how busy you are I still expect the same level of service
If I'm going to be charged nearly $20.00 *** ******G dollars they had better make the serving size worth it and the food had better taste amazing. IT WAS NEITHER.
I had the butter nut squash raviolis. They raviolis tasted bland. hardly any flavor at all. The noodle tasted something like baking powder. The sauce was rich and had butter taste but that was it. I've had butternut squash before. GOOD BUTTER NUT SQUASH and this was not it.
I WILL NEVER GO BACK AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK! -
Review from Jessica B.
Tacoma, WA
1/3/2011
OMG!!!!!!! YUMMY!!!!!! Best Italian food I've had since Bucca di Beppo! A little pricey but WAY WORTH it!
Make sure you make a reservation on the weekends. VERY busy. -
Review from jason c.
Lakewood, WA
5/29/2011
this is a small looking Resturant. I definitely advise you to make a reservation especially for special occasions. they have multiple rooms so it's quaint and you can interact with everyone in your party. the service is spot on and they have a descent wine selection. great appetizer try there cheese plate or three salami. leave room for desert. this place is worth every penny you spend. two thumbs up
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Review from Amanda B.
Seattle, WA
2/5/2011
Marzano's is great, the earlier one-star review notwithstanding (which was ridiculously rude, and typical of that person). It's possible that the person who wrote that actually went to Domino's by accident, and *thought* they were at Marzano's.
Anyway, it was a charming restaurant, the food was excellent, and the service was good. Glad to find a good Italian restaurant here. -
Review from Mike M.
Tacoma, WA
10/27/2011
Outstanding service, delicious food, and fantastic ambience. Marzano's is, hands down, our favorite restaurant in Tacoma. Worth the drive and price every time. The yokel that gave it one star is (judging by his ham-handed attempt at humor and obvious lack of facility with grammar) is a rube. Sorry, dude, but not every place can be Denny's. Haters gonna hate, I suppose.
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Review from Hannah L.
4/22/2009
What makes a little restaurant in Parkland so lovely?
The cozy space in a little house just off the PLU campus, with a sunny deck for summer. Menu descriptions that, appealing as they are, can't capture the amazing, perfectly seasoned and sauced tastes of the pastas, meats, and vegetables. The dessert tray, overflowing with berries, chocolate, cake, sauces, mousses, and custards in all different combinations and temptations, homemade. (You know, because the slices are all different sizes.) Warm bread. Warm butter. Excellent coffee.
In my visits here, I've had several pasta offerings (any cream sauce is excellent!) and just enjoyed a fig, prosciutto, rosemary, and goat cheese pizza. There's always too much from which to choose, but every dish is lovely with great attention to presentation, something I appreciate as evidence of real care in the kitchen. Especially when it doesn't mask a sub-par dish, but simply prepares you visually for the lovely tastes to come. -
Review from Melissa H.
Lisle, IL
3/20/2009
Holy moly, Batman! This is one of the best restaurants in Tacoma!
Gorgonzola herb sauce smothering tender, breaded and baked chicken breasts with penne and herbs... great bread, wonderful dessert.
This is one of those places where you'll feel satisfied that you got your money's worth. My bill for one plate, a pop, and dessert was $30.
The tables are generally always full, so make sure you call to reserve your spot. The wait staff are very easy going and helpful. We had about 3 people waiting on us continually throughout our entire meal. My glass didn't even see the 1/3 mark before it was refilled. Fantastic service all around.
I'm still basking in a soft, fuzzy satisfied glow since my visit. I can't wait to come back.Listed in: The Best Food in Tacoma!
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Review from clint w.
12/21/2007
I took my staff here for lunch. Wow.
Great bread and I'm not a bread guy. Really good pasta. I was wishing there was more!
It's a tiny hole in the wall type place, right across from PLU and housed in a small little house. It's kind of cramped but the food is great.
I have to make another trip back here for dinner.Listed in: Italian Eats
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Review from Bob H.
Tacoma, WA
Updated - 8/20/2010
My previous review comments stands.
It is now Aug 2010 and I've lost count of how great meals I've eaten here since my first experience with them more than 10 years ago.
Every meal been a pleasure and we anticpate of going back. Still one of the best in the region.
My #1 Italian resturant of choice now that Altezzo Ristorante is gone.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/20/2008
Bottom Line Up Front: Good Italian Style Food; Reasonable Prices; not alway Fast, but always… Read more »
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Review from Hope E.
Tacoma, WA
1/23/2010
Italian food = just like in Tuscany!
My husband and I love going here on romantic dates. The atmosphere really does remind us of a fantastic vacation we had in Tuscany years ago. The tables are close together - so if you don't like that, you may feel uncomfortable. Just know, this is what all the little restaurants and cafes are like in Italy!
The food is great! We love the appetizers!! The chef has a traditional menu, but makes them different than you would expect. It's good!!
The main con would be price and popularity. This is a tinge spendy (but worth it). You also need to make a reservation -- particularly during the school year since it is a hot date place right near PLU -
Review from Danielle K.
Puyallup, WA
4/19/2011
One of my fav places to eat! The Swedish creme is to die for and the pasta is amazing! It's a great celebratory spot! I enjoy lingering in this place!
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Review from Esslingen j.
Tacoma, WA
11/10/2008
One of the better Italian joints in the South Sound but that is not saying much cause the rest of them just plain suck.
The atmosphere tries too hard to be your mothers dinning room, the service and food are both ok.
I feel this place is way over rated and wonder if any of our Yelpers have had real Italian food short of Spaghetti O's.
The price is outrageous for the quality and quantity - for a party of two we dropped just over $80 and then stopped by Frugles to get our fill. -
Review from Summit P.
Puyallup, WA
5/31/2011
Possibly the best restaurant in the Tacoma area - even better than anything downtown or on Ruston. It is definitely small inside, but the atmosphere is nice. My wife and I have been here 3 or 4 times and loved everything we've had. They've got great seafood specials (a nice NW twist on the Italian menu) and they're always prepared perfectly. They've got a pretty decent wine list with both NW and european wines, but you can BYO wine too, great for a special occasion.
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Review from Luke O.
King, WA
9/11/2009
Try their seafood lasagna. I fell in love at first bite.
They bring out bread, ask for the cheese. Cheese + olive oil = instant win.
And their dessert menu is no joke either (I really like their creme brulee).
Their menu is somewhat limited, but quality over quantity any given day of the week. Their servings are hearty, the quality of their food is great, and the romantic atmosphere is definitely a place where you could bring a loved one (although it'd feel a bit odd to bring a child here).
Love it; much better than any Italian restaurant up north. -
Review from Alex G.
Tacoma, WA
10/1/2011
So amazing, went here a several times when I was in school at PLU. Definitely not as pricy as it says ($$$), everything I ordered was 11-20 dollars, but I was there mostly at lunch. I won't give specific recommendations, the menu changes and I was never ever disappointed. I normally don't order dessert but one time they had some sort of ice cream dish with a whiskey caramel sauce, one of the best desserts I have ever had but I haven't seen it on the menu since. I would give this place 6 stars if I could, or downgrade my other five star reviews, because it really is one of the best restaurants I have been to. I spent a week all over Italy and nothing came close
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Review from Nikki G.
Tacoma, WA
1/22/2011
Yumm. Top notch service and amazing food. I have been here a few times and every time we go I just get more excited. I love the atmosphere or this cozy house. Yes you are seated fairly close to everyone but as long as everyone behaves it is fine. The doilies in the hidden table drawers to leave little messages are a fun discovery. The servers are very helpful if you don't know what you want. It is a longer dinner ordeal than your average sit down restaurant but worth it. It is spendy but it is a nice place for my husband and I to go on a date and feel special. I will be going again. Canoli and coffee for desert if there is room, ahhhhh.
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Review from Thorsten F.
Tacoma, WA
3/23/2011
Best Italian in Pierce County. Period. It is small though.
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Review from Allen B.
Tacoma, WA
8/22/2010
Saying this is the best Italian food in Parkland is like saying "The Seahawks are the best pro football team in Seattle." It's safe to say, its the best Italian food within 10 miles. But even that isn't saying much.
The sauce for theTortellini Aurora had great flavor but the pasta itself was a bit chewy. And it had a kinda strange baking soda taste. Hopefully, that was just an isolated incident. Farrelli's 2 blocks away has a better Salumi sandwich. The San Marco pizza w/prawns, prosciutto and capers is out-of-this-world. The bread that came w/the pasta dish shined. The bottle of infused olive oil they put on the tables for the bread is a nice touch.
Keep this place in mind if you're looking for some good italian food in the South Sound. Thats only because your choices are pretty limited. -
Review from Emily H.
Redlands, CA
2/28/2009
We ate at Marzano's when we visited friends who live in the area.
Fantastic food! Great ambience, nice staff. Each of us loved our dish. My husband and I are vegetarian, and they have several lovely vegetarian dishes.
Prices are quite reasonable, what you would expect to pay for very good Italian food. For a party of four, we spent about $125 (including tip), but I was the only one who had a glass of wine.
I would definitely eat here again. This would be a great place for a many occasions - small staff lunch or dinner, date night, friends from out of town visiting, impress the in-laws.
If you're in the area - don't miss this restaurant! It's top notch - best place we ate in Tacoma area all weekend. -
Review from Vanessa P.
Graham, WA
8/18/2010
Recently had a business luncheon at Marzano's. We sat on the deck on a sunny day. Our food was incredible. Service was great. I expected to struggle during lunch hour for parking because its limited, but didn't! The bathroom is very clean and elegantly decorated as well as the restaurant interior. It's a great place to take a date or a dinner party. The food was comparable to the price.
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Review from Roy W.
Tacoma, WA
2/10/2011
My initial impression was two stars but that changed quickly. Initially the bread that was served was just plain bad and the espresso was simply plain. However their Italian soda was delicious and probably the fourth best I've had. The best was the gorgonzola that was suggested by the waiter. Delicious! It was an explosion of mushroom and smoked bacon in a white cheese based sauce with parmesan topping. So flavorful and decadently tasty. Maybe a little on the greasy side. Started out on the wrong foot but ended with a strong finish. Decor is somewhat charming but small. Be prepared to be "cozy" with neighboring tables.
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Review from Steve L.
Tacoma, WA
3/19/2011
As far as Italian food goes, haven't eaten this well in a long time.
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Review from Alisha H.
Tacoma, WA
2/11/2011
Amazing! My boyfriend had no trouble making reservations the day of, but it was on a Thursday, so that might be why. We were sat immediately in the back room, which was very cozy. My only complaint is that our waiter took about 10 minutes to come greet us. Not sure if he had a lot of other tables to attend to or what. We weren't terribly hungry, so we shared the Scallopini, bow-tie pasta with a cream sauce and shitake mushrooms. We asked the waiter which he preferred, that entree or the gorgonzola pasta. So glad we took his recommendation; it was delicious. The portion size wasn't huge, and the prices were high, but every bite made it worth it! The bread they give as a starter was also yummy! Wish we had time to stay for dessert; we probably would have if the service had been a little quicker! Definitely will be returning for a date night.
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Review from Raine J.
Lacey, WA
8/11/2011
I make the trek from Oly to Marzano almost every month, and it's always worth the drive. You can't go wrong with any of their pastas. Some other reviewers complain about the portion size, but I find them to be just right, especially considering you can fill up on their delicious bread and salad. The one exception is their incredible Dragoncello pasta, which is a bit scant. Extremely close parking, good wait staff and nice atmosphere help make Marzano is a must for fans of Italian food.
