Marzano's Restaurant

Provide more room for your dining clientele so there experience is comfortable rather than cramped and closed in by tables squeezed too close to one another. Then turn the music down and improve service for a more appreciating crowd. more

I arrived at five o'clock on Friday without a reservation. When I told the hostess/waitress that I was dining alone, she said there would not be a problem, and she quickly arranged a table for me. While I was waiting, I heard the staff tell people who called that the restaurant was entirely booked for the evening. As I was being seated, I thanked the hostess for letting me stay, and she smiled and said that she was happy to take care of me. I dine alone frequently, and sometimes it seems that the servers forget about single customers. But I have to say that the service at Marzano's was excellent. I was served warm, crusty baguette that was toothy enough to be delicious. I ordered the gnocci that was served with a simple but delicious mixed greens salad and a garlic balsamic dressing. The gnocci were in a wonderful, thick tomato, squash, and sausage ragu that was slightly piquant. The serving was large, but I managed to finish it all. I ended with a wonderful coconut cheesecake. The desserts are made in-house, and they all looked delicious on the dessert tray. Again, I have to say that the service was excellent, and my waiter took very good care of me. I liked the causal, neighborhood feeling to the restaurant, and after my dinner I can understand why it was entirely booked on a Friday. I am looking forward to my return. more

I have had almost everything on the menu (not veal). The gorgonzola and the bowtie sage cream pastas are mine and my boyfriend’s absolute favorites! Dinners come with fresh made bread (ask for the fresh grated parm) and a delightful spring veggie salad with vinaigrette. The wait staff is very friendly and knowledgeable and the owner (Elisa) is there almost every night to make sure everything is top notch. The decor is nice and the venue intimate so it can get loud when the place is packed, which it usually is. All of the desserts are amazing so save room!!! more

My wife and I get cravings for this food. I always have spaghetti with marinara and she always has the tortellini aurora with scallops. We are travelers and have eaten in probably a hundred Italian restaurants and this one has absolutely the best flavor. It is head and shoulders above the nearest comparable. Also the homemade balsamic vinaigrette is the best ever as well. You will not be disappointed. Pros: Exquisite flavor and fresh ingredients Cons: mildly pricey--but soooo worth it more

This place has always been the finest dining in the PLU area, it is a MUCH tastier choice than ""From the Swamp"" right down the street.\r \r However, as this place's popularity grew, or maybe it was a recent change in management, the prices have risen to astronomical highs. It IS very sumptuous food, but the cost is too great. Bills for two people can easily exceed $75 with two entrees, tax, wine and tip. Pros: wonderful food and service Cons: price more

Marzano's is fun, noisy, cozy place to go for great Italian food. I took my mom there for her birthday dinner on 1/12/07. The ambiance is like somebody's large house (in fact the restaurant is a converted house). We walked in and could instantly smell warm melt y candles and great food. The candlelight, tapestries etc give a very warm and inviting feeling, very homey and happy and comfortable. The delicious bread on the table is homemade and tastes like it, including a buttery, crunchy crust, and there's a bottle of spiced olive oil at the table for dipping the bread in. I had strawberry lemonade, mom had a fruity iced tea that was really different and very good, and we both had the seasonal green salad with red onions, walnuts and the house balsamic dressing...oh, wonderful. Mom ordered the chicken gorgonzola, I had the Fisherman's Bows (prawns, scallops and bow-tie pasta) - both were excellent, and very huge portions - we both could only eat half and took home the rest in take-out boxes. Mom ordered tiramisu for dessert and they brought it on a ""Happy Birthday"" plate with a lit candle. It was absolutely to die for, the best I've ever had, and I ordered the canoli which was a downright religious experience. The cream inside is sweet and puffy, the outside is crunchy and carmelized...oh marron, I could have eaten a dozen of those. The coffee was very, very good as well. The service was excellent, surprisingly fast , even on a crowded Friday night, no problems. We even got two parking places directly outside the front door. The only down side to Marzano's is that it's so noisy you can barely hear your dining companion right across the table. But the up side is that everybody's having so much fun, you'll probably make some new friends at the table across from you (we did!) Our total bill was only $62. All in all a great experience and we will be back...oh, the canoli! Pros: Great moderately priced Italian food, easy parking, fast service, canoli from heaven. Cons: Very very noisy more

I am a visitor to the area, living in Oregon. I have traveled around the world and many times to Italy. I would rate Marzano as one of the best Italian restaurants I have experienced in or out of Italy. The ambience is pure Italian, as is the menu. I was especially impressed with the service. Never did we feel rushed, but neither did we wait very long for the next course to arrive. When a table was finished the dirty dishes were immediately removed and an attractive new setting was placed. The serving portions are very generous, but for people like me who do not wish to take a ""doggie bag"" home, they will split entrees for a reasonable $3.00 charge. As mentioned by another reviewer, the Tiramisu is extraordinary. The wine list is well chosen and a wide selection of wines by the glass are available. My wish would be that the restaurant be closer to me, if it was it would quickly become my favorite. Pros: service, food, wine list Cons: noise, need for reservations, large portions more

I used to work here and I've actually sat down and ate here more times than I can remember. This is THE place for special occasions, taking a date or just having a nice dinner (or lunch). Summertime is beautiful on the patios. Elisa, the owner, has spent a lot of time creating the perfect atmosphere. Her recipes are flawless. There is no place like this in Washington. Try to save some room (which might be very difficult) for the desserts. The homemade Tiramisu is the perfect ending to a perfect dinner. Don't be stingy with the Tiramisu, one slice can feed at least four people.\r \r Enjoy! I promise you wont be disappointed. Pros: Romantic, Ambience, Quality Cons: Tight seating, Loud on weekends more

Reccomended by friends, we didn't know you needed a reservation, went there for our anniversary and they still sat us, AWESOME service and food. Best in Tacoma by far... Pros: Great food, service, ambience... Cons: still a little pricey, but good for special occasion more

Converted house makes you feel like at home. Service is friendly and casual, but professional. Food is beautiful and tastes awesome. Best Restaurant...GO!!! Pros: Value, Atmosphere, Great food more