Marea

When people ask to me to recommend a restaurant, especially for out of towners or for people who are not... more

One of the best restaurants in the city. I'm not rating the restaurant on the pricing (it is expensive), but the service, ambiance, and food. All three knock this restaurant out of the park. I do not have $5,000 handbags, do not dine with Donald Trump, but I love this restaurant. They have the best pasta I have ever tried. The bone marrow dish is absolutely delicious. If you enjoy seafood or Italian food, this restaurant is a must try in New York. My only advice is that their desserts are nothing to die for, and I would suggest skipping them there. Service is stand out. I suggest making reservations in advance. This place is NOT for kids. more

The lunch was good but $42 for two dishes is still pretty steep, considering the small portion and fair taste. Most customers were Donal Trump like with their pristine suites, and Coco Chanel like with their $5000 handbags, enjoying the environment. The atmosphere was elegant and service was good, since we didn't really need much service anyway. For the lunch set, there was no amuse from the chef, just small petite fours at the end. We ordered Granchio, the crab cake, fresh with hint of lime, refreshing, and Canestrelli, bay scallops, tiny six pieces with some burnt pistachios and pomegranate. Entree we had Branzino and Sgombro, both fish dishes were nothing memorable. Quattro Gastronomia has way much better branzino. With all other great reviews about pasta, I might return just for that. Otherwise, nothing worth recommending. more

My family gave me a wonderful birthday party in the private room down stairs at Marea. The room is intimate, nicely designed and very quiet. Great for a group up to 15 people. The service was excellent. The food very good especially since they were serving 15 of us simultaneously on a Satursay night. The CPS location is good for everyone. more

We went as a group of five, to celebrate a birthday. I called ten minutes after the phone lines had opened up for that day (because the information on the answering machine was in error). All they had was 6 or 8:30. We took the later reservation and they explained all the rules about deposits and everything else. We showed up ten minutes later and waited 45 minutes. No apology, no nothing. Three times they started to bring us to a table, and brought us back instead. When the food came, it was good, not terrific, and the portions, until the last of the three savories in the tastings menu, were very small. Long waits in between courses, and loud obnoxious discussion all around us ("I never bought myself anything in my life. I DESERVE THAT PORSCHE). Then they got the dessert wrong and gave the candled, birthday dessert to the wrong person. At a price point of 90 bucks for a four course tastings menu, they should be able to do better than good. I think if someone asked to go here, I'd make the effort, but on my own, no thanks Pros: great waiter service Cons: delays, loud, small portions, the reservation experience more

Marea is worth every penny. The food is geared toward the adventurous eaters, so be prepared to see things like seppia and bone marrow on the menu, but Marea does an excellent job creating amazing and new flavors and tastes. The staff is really friendly and accommodating. The Dover Sole and fusilli with octopus & bone marrow were the winners at our table. Excellent NYC dining experience. Pros: Delicious food, great staff, beautiful location more

Really looked forward to a very special dinner with out-of-town friends. We were welcomed by four attractive, smiling greeters at the front door, led to our table precisely on time. We men were seated in big, leather-covered Brno chairs; our two wives were seated in smaller, narrower chairs of contemporary Italian design. Our waiter couldn't be friendlier or more helpful. Delicious bread selections, spectacular amuse bouche, and then the trouble began -- everything on the menu is very, very expensive (not surprising in light of the location, setting and staffing) but the portions -- particularly the appetizers -- are miniscule; as though they're part of a multi-course tasting menu (even when they're not). I exchanged my itty-bitty blue crab appetizer for what turned out to be three flakes of reconstituted salt cod on two tablespoons of polenta accompanied by a tiny pile of vinegar-infused beets. Main courses were somewhat more generous, but still of the beautifully-composed, large plate/small food variety. Desserts were constructed with more attention to looks than to taste and the complimentary biscotti, chocolates and take-home cupcake were small compensation for the expense of the rest of the dinner. Go when you want to impress, have a full wallet and aren't very hungry. Pros: The Service is Friendly and Impeccable Cons: The portions are tiny -- and very expensive more