Marcello’s Ristorante
4155 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL, 34231
Marcello’s Ristorante Menu
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Address :
4155 S Tamiami Trl
Sarasota, FL, 34231 - Phone (941) 921-6794
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Susan M.
A great experience. We sat at the bar and watched Marcello prepare the food. Truly an artist who takes great pride in his dishes. The table side Caesar salad was good. Didn't know I liked anchovies.
(5)Peter S.
Excellent food and service. Presentation was perfect. Best Italian food in Florida by far.... Very large portions. Tableside preparations are awesome.
(5)Elyse E.
Fantastic fare, exceptional service. The experience of the tableside Cesar salad is unlike any other.
(5)Paul A.
Wife, I, and friends ate here and had a wonderful evening. Grouper, Osso Bucco, Shrimp & Lobster pasta, Veal chop, Anti-pasta plate with the table side prepared ceasar salad. All were perfectly prepared and delicious. The wait staff were very friendly and helped make the evening enjoyable. I will say you need to make reservations in advance as the place is small with no real room to wait inside.
(5)Linda P.
This was a great experience and it seems our experience was not unique. We sat at the bar and watched the chef cook our dinner. What was wonderful was the way he was able to talk with us while he was cooking. The food was fabulous-so fresh and it felt like we were in Italy. The wait staff was great and made a great wine recommendation. What else is there to say? It was a great time and the food was excellent!
(5)Z B.
I heard wonderful things about Marcellos from neighbors and friends. I am always cautious about restaurants because of issues with food allergies. Therefore, before I ordered I went to the chef I discussed my allergies with him. He reassured me that he would not use ingredients that make terribly ill. Nonetheless, Marcello served me food was cooked Canola oil. I am confident of this because I have a specific food reaction to any dish cooked Canola oil. For him to flagrantly disregard my health issues is, to me, despicable. I have spent the entire week I'll. just to make a quick buck Marcello has no qualms about serving food that severely sickens a customer . There are some things more important than money. Even if I did not have food allergies I would not do business with someone who has no concern for the safety and welfare of his patrons.
(1)M M.
Wow! This was an unexpected surprise during a recent visit to Sarasota. Chef owned, Marchello, is clearly passionate about preparing delicious authentic Italian food that rivals the North End in Boston . I never eat the bread but who could resist when a scoop of garlic, basil, parmesean cheese is delivered with it. Next came the antipasto. Gorgeous green olives. high quality parmesean chunks, roasted red peppers, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. We devoured it. We saw the Caesar salad being tossed table side and were very tempted but knew we could only fit so much in our stomachs. Next time. A specials board is brought table-side to help with decision making. It's hard. The menu is very appealing. I went for the Cioppino which was loaded with fresh seafood and shellfish, a delectable chunky tomato sauce, served over spaghetti. Generous portions. There was plenty to take home and enjoy the next day. (note: fresh seafood from market across the street) Service was excellent and Marchello visited the table to make sure everything was to our satisfaction. All we could do was rave. We ended with some kind of icecream dessert covered in hard chocolate. Yum. Make a reservation. This is a small place. Marchello himself will likely answer the phone while he is cooking! Nice touch...towels to dry your hands off in the restroom.
(5)Tommy W.
Amazing food with great service. The chef/owner greets every table and makes sure everything is prepared as requested. As a bonus the seafood is purchased fresh daily ftom Walts Fish market. A perfect date night with great food and wine, make sure you come hungry.
(5)John R.
Fantastic food and fast friendly service. Nice wine selection and a special board that is hard to choose from.
(5)Phil M.
This place is amazing, A foodies paradise. The best restaurant in Sarasota. Every course I got here was better than the last. It's how I dreamed Italian food should taste. And being from Chicago I don't give out this type of praise lightly.
(5)L B.
What an amazing dinner our group had at Marcello's. The dinner portions are huge and with that, you can take home for another meal. Yummy! The seafood is absolutely fresh and so incredible. The table side Caesar is a must. Just talking about the food, I'm ready to go back again. I highly recommend this restaurant since I'm very picky about food and service and this one is on the top of my list. It's not a big restaurant which I think is perfect. It's an intimate restaurant with wonderful service and food.
(5)Fred W.
Was there last night and had a wonderful dinner. Excellent service, the chef was making the rounds. Would go back in a heart beat. The noise level was high.
(5)Jennifer K.
Love this place. The food is delicious. You could order anything and not be disappointed. However for your first visit, I recommend the lasagna and table side caesar.
(5)Joe S.
I have been to Marcellos twice so far. The food is pretty good but not fantastic. The veal chop was excellent, the salad fair. The first time I was there the atmosphere was very comfortable and enjoyable. It was in December. Last time, now January and high season the food was OK, something lost in the hectic season, however the noise level was unbearable, from the chef to the waiters to the patrons, everyone yelling over one another. I still recommend this restaurant, but will wait till May to return. If you decide to go bring your earplugs. PS. I was there on a Tuesday
(3)John B.
The food was good although not gourmet. My veal chop was over done and the other people with us did not like their pasta dishes. The caesar salad is made at the table and is excellent. Their antipasti was not much. Two big problems, one is the high prices for good but not excellent food. The other problem is the excessive markup on the wine list.
(3)Patti H.
Awesome......wonderful......superb. It is rare that you find a restaurant with good food and good service. Marcellos's is the exception. The food is wonderful and the waiters are great. Marcello not only cooks everything, but makes time to go to each table and talk to the guests. He even took the time to walk us to our car when we were the last ones to leave the restaurant. If you like Italian food, you will LOVE Marcello's
(5)R H.
This is the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to, and this includes places on the North End in Boston. The food is absolutely fantastic. The owner is also the head chef, and he comes over to each table to ensure that everything is top-notch. The specials for the night were out of this world. My father, aunt, and I ordered the grouper topped with calamari and shrimp. The quality of the seafood was outstanding, and the sauce was so good that I ended up eating spoonfuls of the sauce. My fiancee ordered a veal dish with eggplant. The veal and eggplant were cooked perfectly; he was able to cut the veal with a fork. We'll be coming back!
(5)Spike G.
We have been to Marcello's several times. It is our favorite restaurant. Veal chop to die for. Fresh fish dishes are superb. Plus many excellent standards off the menu. Daily specials on the chalkboard are hard to ignore. Very fun to watch Marcello in action. Exemplary wait staff will always make your visit over the top.
(5)Andrea M.
If you remember Marcello Aquino from the old Ferrarri's Restaurant, he's taken his expertise cooking skills to his new "home" on Tamiami trail at Marcello's Ristorante. For veal chop lovers, you'll salivate over his recipe. For pasta lovers, this is the real deal, including all pasta cooked to perfection. No kidding, this restaurant, though small, is quaint, tastefully decorated, and doesn't disappoint. Portions are immense, so come with a huge appetite!
(5)Lauren M.
Amazing meal from the table-side Cesare salad to the fresh bread with Parmesan garlic butter to the linguini with shrimp and lobster in basil cream sauce. Everything was fresh and tasty. Delicious!!!
(5)Dan B.
Went back this week and had another great meal! Fresh, prepared at your table Caesar salad and whole broiled fish with capers, tomatoes, mushrooms and homemade tomato broth fresh bread with garlic butter served on the side Healthy and delicious Owner is very engaged in the business and clearly cares about the food and the customers Sarasota fave
(5)Robert C.
Hard to find, in a small strip shopping center with limited parking and maybe 30 seats. But WOW. So glad we went. The service could not have been better, the food was absolutely fantastic and there is a well thought out wine list to complement Chef Marcello's cuisine. We spent some time talking to Marcello and his staff, and were amazed to learn he did not start out as chef (he did train at the Florida Culinary Institute), although he (and his family) has been in the restaurant business in NY and now in Florida. His Sicilian inspired menu offers a wide range of fresh seafood, which is sourced daily from Walt's Fish Market. One of the most amazing aspects of the visit here is the old-world Caeser salad station (see pics) where they roll up tableside and grind fresh anchovies, eggs, and garlic - the dressing prep becomes entertainment. Bread service was prompt and the warm fresh bread was served with parmesan and parsley butter. Yum. Specials roll up on the blackboard. There are a few seats at the "bar" which faces the chef and his small kitchen. The Veal Marsala was out of this world (ask for his secret) and the Grouper was fresh light and moist - it just doesn't get better than this.
(5)Helen L.
My boyfriend and I dined here on a Saturday and good thing we had a 5:30pm reservation because they were packed by 6:30pm. Our waiter was very attentive and explained the specials to us. The food was excellent. I had the grilled veal chop and my boyfriend ordered the grouper in a lemon sauce. The only con about this place was that I had to play phone tag to get a reservation. They do not answer the phone.
(4)Girl4nyc 1.
Simply excellent. A great little hidden gem right here in Sarasota. Have been back and each time has been absolutely delicious. Table side Ceaser Salad is highly reccommended.
(5)Cristina T.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND. I am an Italian from New York so I'm used to great Italian food and restaurants. I haven't found an Italian restaurant in Sarasota I really enjoyed before I found Marcellos. The ambiance is great and the staff was warm and welcome. The owner Marcello was there and was nothing but nice to us. He even brought us a shrimp dish on the house! We had the anti pasta which was great. We also had the Cesar salad made in front of the table and it was the best salad I've ever had. I ordered the saltimbocca with angel hair pasta and it was absolutely delicious. So flavorful and decadent. The food here was absolutely top knotch. Don't judge the face that it's in a little strip shopping center, the atmosphere inside is great and decorated beautifully. Bring a loved one for date night or bring the whole family. You won't be disappointed! I cannot wait to come back
(5)Justin B.
Great food, great atmosphere. The portions are large, the wait staff is very knowledgable. All around great spot.
(5)Sara S.
One of a kind authentic Italian. This is a Sarasota gem located in an unassuming location in a tiny strip mall off Tamiami. The chef cooks everything himself and you can watch the man working as it's sort of an open kitchen. Some don't like the noise level, I prefer small restaurants to be loud, so you have a conversation without others overhearing every word and vice versa. There are probably only a dozen or so tables and guaranteed to be full every weekend, so make sure to get reservations early. Professional servers greet and seat you right away. The portions are nice and the food is fantastic. I'm not a huge fan of Italian, but my husband is, and we both loved the food. Check out the pictures of the whole fish, veal chop, pasta, etc. Fantastic is all I can say. I will warn you though; they are not shy with the garlic, so bring some gum to chew after your meal.
(5)Becky R.
Really enjoyed our visit to Marcellos! The restaurant itself is small but charming; the service friendly and attentive. The food - delicious! Definitely recommend the table side Caesar salad, which is as fun to watch as it is to eat.
(5)Donna M.
There really are not any words to describe how wonderful our dinner was and in fact the entire evening when we went to Marcello's. First of all, the customer service from all the staff was excellent. However, we were able to witness the owner/chef handle a delicate situation of overbooking with care and genuine concern. The ambiance inside is so quaint and intimate - just charming. So, here I am reviewing a restaurant and I have not even mentioned the food! The presentation of the table side Caesar salad was indeed matched by the flavor! I feel tempted to never eat Caesar salad again, anywhere but here. The entrees were UNBELIEVABLE! We had veal that was scrumptious, delicate in flavor and could melt in your mouth. However, the lamb, served with risotto was absolutely my favorite. I had never tasted anything like it!! We were too full for dessert but imagine it, too, would be yummy. The real difference came from the love and attention that the chef gave to all the food and the presentation and the preparation. Thank you for a wonderful evening and meal. I cannot wait to return.
(5)L B.
Excellent food and service. The red snapper was delicious with lots of flavor. My husband had the rack of lamb which was a large portion and well prepared. Caesar salad was the best we've ever had. Would definitely go back!! Location keeps it from 5 stars for us.
(4)Frank M.
This place is amazing!! The menu is seasonal and the food always fresh. The staff is friendly and always has great recommendations, and the chef is amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant for Any couple wanting to have a quiet, romantic dinner. Warning: Call ahead and in some cars a day in advance for a reservation. Well worth it. Salute!!
(5)Jeff M.
Fantastico! Bravo Magnifico! Malto benne! First, I thought the rolling daily specials was a clever trick since we ordered from it. Anti Past was Parmesan, mozzarella, olives, tomatoes, basil and prosciutto. Very fresh. Very good. Caesar Salads for two made table side fresh with eggs, old world style. Even the bread with infused butter was great. My wife ordered pasta with shrimp and lobster and I had Grouper Limonade which was really Piccata style. All large portions and excellent. We had a bottle of wine $39, and the meal was $140 before tip. Good price for a great meal. Make reservations it's very small. Just off 41. The Italian accents are charming. We will come back next time in town! They work hard for their diners.
(5)Judy L.
Big flavor, small area. The Chef came around later in the evening, greeted us and shared some stories, what a nice man, young, but knows his stuff. I had the Shrimp Diavalo, which was tasty, just enough spice in the marinara. My husband's palate was satisfied with the delicious onions, mushrooms and Veal. The lobster/shrimp pasta dish was thoroughly enjoyed by SIL #1. The lasagne was a bit too crispy and SIL#2 will return to try another menu item. Overall, though the ristorante serves only 9 tables, service is excellent, atmosphere is nice, very clean. The favors make up for size, visit Marcello's, you will want to return many times over.
(5)Lady T.
Awesome authentic Italian food. Their cesar salad is a, must, they make the dressing right in front of you.
(5)Milton Y.
Second visit to Marcello's, and definitely the last. First time food was okay, but we really liked the Caesar & though we'd try some other dishes.Big mistake. My wife's Pompano - a very tasty, tender fish- was totally overwhelmed by a huge amount of watery tomato sauce. Ruined the dish. She ate only a little of it. I had Veal Marsala. Awful. Swimming in about a quart of thin , bad tasting mushroom " sauce " - more like mushroom water. Cheap mushrooms, too. Small amount of veal was overwhelmed. Would be a one star review, if not for the really good Caesar. Server was not good, either. Wine list limited & overpriced.
(2)judy b.
I have to say I was very disappointed ALTHOUGH I would give Marcellos another try. The three of us went with great expectations. The service is lovely but not loving the chalkboard rolling around this small room. I would think a printed specials on the menu would suffice. The waiter suggested a barbera which was quite nice. Btw prices are not bad. We www psyched about the Caesar made at your table but it was overdressed, too salty and oily. Our entrees we're the biggest flaw. Not the best shrimp fra diablo I've ever had. In fact, while the shrimps were nice and plentiful, there was no Diablo in a very mediocre sauce. My friends had a white clam sauce which I find difficult to get anywhere that's better than average. This was not. Last but not least the tirimisu was again mediocre at best. Yeas we will try again because in afraid we hit a bad night. It happens.
(3)Lara A.
This guy is amazing. We came in with a party of 4 and even though we had to wait a long time to get our table, the wait was very pleasant and worth it. The chef Marcello kept on talking to us. This guy answers the phones himself too. There is a wonderful wait staff. Clever, charming and very helpful. After a pleasant two hour dining experience I felt like I was in Italy. The funniest part, we were the last table around 10:30pm and as we were leaving, Marcello, the owner and the chef, was watering the plants out front. Such a cool guy.
(5)George K.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Sarasota. Everything cooked to order and fresh. Waitstaff very professional and friendly.
(5)Good E.
Homemade, delicious, lusty, big portions. Upgrade the wine list and I'm home!
(4)George H.
This is my first ever Yelp Post (after using this app for years). This place is the REAL DEAL. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I cleaned all of my plates and had to be rolled out the door.... Full belly and smile on my face. If you like real Italian food, this is the place to go.
(5)Tim C.
Must get reservations but absolutely terrific. Chicken Parm was outstanding but topped by the specialty Veal. Highest recommendation.
(5)Susan M.
Perfect for that special night out! Love the authentic table side Caesar salad! Specials are a bit pricey, but worth it! Waiters are great!
(4)Barbara R.
Third time here and Marcello's is one of my favorite Italian restaurants. (This is good considering hat we are Italian-American and come from New York.) Everything about this place is appealing. Room is attractive without any fancy gold leafing. It is cozy and intimate with a very respectable space between tables. Good linens and wineglasses. Clean, clean, clean. Great service and of course, wonderful food and wine. You do not have to order the more expensive specials to get a great meal. Marcello makes a bowl of pasta marinara just a wonderful meal and he is always present making sure everything is just perfect. A must is the Cesar Salad made at your table to your specifications. (my husband would come here just for that). This restaurant is so good I wish that they would move everything to New York. I would eat there daily.
(5)John M.
Chicago native, parents have since moved to venice. After three years I've finally been to a place with a perfect mix of great food and a nice ambience. Highly recommended and will return on an annual basis. Cheers, Marcello!
(5)Patsy T.
We just discovered this place and it is one of my all time favorites! Small place. I highly recommend getting reservations or you might not get in. It's so good! From the table side made ceasar salad to the entries. We had chicken Parmesan and veal lasagna, both absolutely wonderful! My lasagna was so good I wanted to order one to go so I could eat it the next day! We ended the meal with their homemade tiramisu and it too was great. What a great evening and dinner. If you haven't been here you really must go. You can also bring your own bottle of wine with you. They serve beer and wine only. We will be back soon!
(5)doug w.
excellent food, excellent service and yes, noisy when full which is most evenings, this Italian gem stands out among the (too) many italian restaurants in Sarasota. Very friendly, helpful service and large portions. My cioppino (special) was outstanding...mussels, calamari, baby octopus and some fish over angel hair in a sauce that did not overpower with garlic....and it was huge. Veal chops (special) were also very large and the fish (snapper) (special) was perfectly cooked. Prices were shockingly reasonable. Our entire table ordered the daily specials so I have to go back just to try the regular menu items. This restaurant is now on my personal "best of Sarasota" list.
(5)Diane H.
Great food & fresh.
(5)Joe C.
Very good food. The restaurant is small so dial up a reservation. The veal was super and the wine was too - many labels to choose from. The chef was cooking in the open kitchen and came out to chat with the patrons. The staff was attentive. Only complaint was it can be quite noisy in there thus a little stressful trying to hear your table mates. Try going in the 8:00 hour for likely a quieter experience. DON'T FORGET THE RESERVATION!
(5)Lisa B.
Marcello's went out of their way to accommodate our last minute reservation. This was our first time and we were not disappointed. The attentive staff and delicious food will guarantee a return!
(5)Abby W.
This was one of the finest meals we have ever had. Chef Marcello seated us at the bar overlooking the kitchen and we watched him prepare our meal with amazement! I had a breaded and pounded veal chop that was out of this world and my wife had the shrimp and scallop fettuccine! We will be back. Thanks to the entire team for making or anniversary so special.
(5)