Maria's Front Room

We ordered take out from Maria's the week it opened and were somewhat disappointed. We ordered the ""original"" Chicken Marsala and Puntanesca and both dishes were quite bland. Also, whoever put our order together didn't include our salads or pasta side for the Chicken Marsala. However, knowing that any new business needs time to figure out the kinks, we went back three weeks ago, sat in their dining room, ordered differently and had an outstanding meal. We ordered the Pasta Marsala and the Tomato Bruschetta Pasta with Shrimp and it was nothing but spectacular! Since then, we've ordered take out twice. I really hope that anyone who had a less than spectacular experience at Maria's will give them another chance and support your local businesses :) Pros: Pasta dishes Cons: Cold Bread more

Oh, how I miss the old Maria's! The decor was dated and stereotypical (in a really awesome and charming way), the service was decent, and the food was great. I am willing to give the new owners another chance in a few months, but I have to say our experience there was pretty awful. We were the only ones there, and still had to shout to hear each other over the blaring, poorly chosen music. We were given lukewarm water with no ice and bland, spongy bread. Pros: Neighborhood, easy to get a table Cons: Food, Service, Ambience more

I heard incredible things about Maria's Front Room before it closed and reopened under new ownership. People had raved about how good the food and service was. Maybe my expectations were too high? At a time when people don't have much disposable income, businesses and restaurants should really try to make the experience memorable - in a good way! I love Ferndale's local flavor but Maria's is gonna have to step it up a notch before I even think about going back. I would go to the Olive Garden before I would think about going to Maria's. :( Pros: Example: best croissants in town Cons: Slow service, greasy food, lack of ambiance, cold more

If you think this place has great food, then you don't get out very often. I am so embarrassed that I invited guests assuming that it was as good as before. I wanted to crawl under my table and hide. Pros: Beautiful decor Cons: The food. more

We waited at least 10 minutes for someone to acknowledge us. Finally the hostess that seated us brought us bread and water. She did apologize for the wait. That apology was the highlight of the dining experience. A few minutes later our waitress finally came over. She might have been busy, she might have been smoking, who knows because her opening comment was, ""are you ready to order yet?"" We waited a solid half an hour for our food, possibly more. When our mystery waitress brought our food, she said the kitchen had gotten backed up and that's why are food had taken so long. This was believable because there was a large party (10-12) that recieved their food before us. I would have thought higher of the service if she had expressed any concern for our satisfaction, or even bothered to communicate with us what was happening. If our waitress does not hate her job, I would be shocked. Now, to be fair to Maria's, a table did come in after us, was greeted promptly by both the hostess and their waitress-who was different than ours-and they received their food quickly. Pros: nothing comes to mind Cons: food was disappointing, our waitress was horrible, HORRIBLE more

That's just a start for the good news. My bride and myself hadn't been at Marias since it was under Buddy""s ownership. Followed the owners Joanie and Carl from Detroit (Grand River location) into Ferndale after its closure there-never take a local boxing promoter as a partner as they tend to feed clientele and skip paying the tab. Pros: Glad to see 'em up and running again. Cons: Need to be acknowldged as good neighbor diner more

I'm so surprised there are any bad reviews of this place! I've been eagerly awaiting the reopen of Maria's for months now, and while I was a bit hesitant to return when I learned it was under new ownership, I have to say that I'm so glad I came back. The place has been totally redone- it seems much cleaner and classier than before. Service was great, we didn't have to wait for a table and got water and delicious garlic bread right away. I ordered the Pasta Bruschetta (pasta with sauteed vegetables), and my friend ordered the Spinach Tortellini. I tried both, but I was so full of bread and soup (oh yes! They have vegetarian soup! The night we went there it was Potato Leek, with crispy toasted leeks as a garnish) that I could barely make a dent in it. You get a lot of food at this place! more

Congratulations Marias ""Redo"" We are so happy that Marias is up and running. I have to say the decor is a breath of fresh air. I dont know how you guys made it feel like there was alot more room than before, but this time around I felt less congested. I heard that you guys have the same menu, and I have to say, thats a lie. There is no way that your ingredients are the same, Your food is Fabulous. I must say I was greeted immediatly at the front door, so I didnt have that akward ""were do we sit ?""feeling, in front of everyone. I think the bread is way better than before and the fact that I can eat as much of it as I want, is my favorite part. FYI the Pasta with Pesto is by far the best around. I noticed that the salad choice has changed, but Im not at all upset, because I thought that having more dressing choices was a plus for those who like to experiment. I had the blue cheese dressing and if Im not mistaken, it tastes like it was made to order. We were absolutly stuffed, by the end of our meal but still had room for ""a tiramisu challenge ""and I have to reward them with a gold medal .The moist and light desert was a great ending to our experiance. By the way thanks for keeping the front door open. I think its a great idea that you guys are getting a full liquor license, instead of just wine . Im a wine drinker, but my husband loves his after meal cordial. Hopefully youll consider opening for lunch. Pros: Open on Sundays!, cheap prices, walking distance to all of Ferndales Night life. Cons: No liquor licence until Christmas :( more

I have never written a restaurant review and tonight I feel so compelled to talk about this utterly disappointing experience at the re-opening of Marias. Pros: They have a great spot and potential to draw more people to downtown Ferndale Cons: They just don't take quality Italian food seriously more

Maria's will be re-opening in early September. The menu will be updated with fresher ingredients and some new dishes.The inside has been gutted and totally re-done.The menu pricing will be 15% or so less per item.The ambience will be open and airy with a vibrant feel. I can't wait to re-visit a fixture in Ferndale that was loved by so many. Pros: Delicious menu items more

For all of you sorry to see this landmark go, I have great news!!!! They are currently remodeling and will be reopening this July. It will be great to have it back. more

It's a shame to see Maria's go. Loved the spinach tortellini. The house wine will be missed. If you can get in before the room goes dark, you won't regret it. I've been eating here for years, and to see such a Ferndale institution close it's doors reminds you that no matter what, you have to support local businesses. Pros: Service, house wine. Cons: It'll be closed by the time you read this. more

I honestly don't have any idea how anyone could post a bad review. I have been here 4-5 times over the past 2 years or so, and have been happy with every time I go. When you are seated, you are given a great piece of butter garlic bread, and it just gets better and better from there. I ordered the chicken marsala and my girlfriend got the spinach tortellini. Both of our meals came with a salad, so by the time we got to our meals were full on bread and salad. Both of our meals were great. I think the negatives might be coming from people who work at other Italian restauarants trying to hurt their business. The food is delicious, service is great and it is relatively inexpesive. A great value. Pros: great value, great food, great service Cons: small and can get loud more

What with all the great reviews!? The pasta tasted like maple syrup. The food overall was horrible. We went there once and both of our dishes were horrible. The food was disgusting and we let the waitress know that. I'm surprised the restaurant is still in business. Go to Opus and Rattlesnack for better food then you will know why Maria's food is disgusting. Pros: Service Cons: Awful food more

My Wife and I had heard that this restaurant had very good italian food locally. Boy, that is a lie. First, the waitress was very rude. Second, the salad dressing was the worst we have ever had in our life, if you say the house dressing is italian make sure it doesn't taste like it's stale. Finally, the food was the worst ever. The eggplant parmesian was burnt. They tried to cover it with sauce and cheese but they didn't hide it well enough, the taste was awful. The bread they brought to our table was burnt. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone. I will always use my better judgment and go to a place that we know will have the best food locally. Antonio's in Sterling Heights will always get our business. Cons: Food, Service, Price more

What a wonderful little Italian restaurant! If we lived in the neighborhood rather than an hour away, we'd be regulars. The waitstaff is attentive and efficient, Sinatra and Tony Bennett are serenading in the background, and prices are moderate. Their homemade wine (the only alcohol they offer) is quite good, the pasta is like Mama used to make, and the salads feature tender, fresh baby greens with delicious homemade dressings. Oh, but wait, there's more. The veal is absolutely to-die-for. We've never had better, never, not in New York or Paris or anywhere. As a matter of fact, we might have to go back just for more veal. We happily recommend Maria's to everybody. Pros: the best veal known to man Cons: small dining room, limited beverages more

My husband is first-generation American (family from Sicily) and this is the only Italian restaurant we frequent. The homemade wine is great, the garlic bread is to die for and the food is wonderful. The waitstaff is friendly and very customer focused. Birthdays, anniversaries or just a Saturday night are often spent at Maria's Front Room. Pros: Wine, Pasta Cons: Noisy more

Like a little Italian resturant from the Sopranos. Awesome food, great service, HOMEADE wine. This place is wonderful. And not overpriced. Pros: awesome food, ambiance, location more

The menu had enough varieties to make everyone in the party think for awhile. All four of us were happy with our meals. The Veal Marsala was excellent. The dining area is small, and tables are close together. There is no buffer, and it seems as if every table is trying to compete to be heard. Good casual dining. Pros: Great Food, Prompt Staff Cons: Crowded, Noisy, No Privacy more

Always friendly, Godd service, and the food is fantastic! Incredible home-made wine from Maria's microwinery. Buon Appetito! more