Marino RistoranteAbsolutely wonderfulMarino is so inviting. Food is wonderful and specials are worth getting. Owner/Host Marino goes out of his way to make sure you are happy in his restaurant. This is how a restaurant should be5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAn elegant italian neighborhood gemHave driven past this place for 20 years and this was our first visit to Marino. The host warmly welcomed us and walked us over to the bar for a signature Old Fashioned as our table was getting prepared. The 2 drinks set us back $26 which I thought was odd for a restaurant billed as a great value elsewhere. The dining room is small and elegant, with terrific lighting highlighted by a murano chandelier in the bar area. I had the pappardelle with ragu starter and the halibut special, and my dining partner had the grilled calamari and the veal piccata. All were fantastic. Standouts were the starters. The fresh al dente pasta and the perfectly cooked and seasoned calamari were among the best in their class in recent memory. Go!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a gemIt was my first time at Marino's-I can't believe I took this long to go there-and it was a great evening. I went with friends and we all enjoyed it. First of all, the food was delicious. I had the papardelle with bolognese sauce and I think is the best I have had in Los Angeles. We also had the sea bass, so fresh! and cook very simply but to perfection. We ended with the tiramisu(that one was just ok). The service is impecable-very attentive without being intrusive. Mario and Maria, as well as the whole staff, made us feel at home. What a treat! It is very hard these days to find a restaurant in Los Angeles where the food and service are excellent and you can talk, not shout, and hear your friends. Well, this is it.I will go back!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMSmaller restaurant and verySmaller restaurant and very friendly owners. The food was amazing as we had the caprese with prosciutto di parma, mushroom risotto, linguini with clams, veal piccata, and ricotta cheesecake. I would definitely recommend the caprese, mushroom risotto, and veal piccata. We went with a blackboard eats coupon so that took care of the moderate to high prices. This was a great restaurant and will be coming back.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAn old favoriteWe just love coming back to this restaurant but are probably biased because we can walk there. The tables always seem to be filled with regulars like us. It has a friendly, family atmosphere. Mario is a gracious host. The main dining room is very comfortable and beautiful. Great wine, pasta, and arugula salad. Classic Italian restaurant.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThe staff was amazing. IThe staff was amazing. I never write reviews but I must say this place has a home style feeling to it.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely family owned restaurantLovely family owned restaurant with great menu. Mario was most attentive.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything is fresh. TheEverything is fresh. The service is knowledgeable. Great food and you can actually have a conversation with your guest.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and service hereThe food and service here are superb, and it's comfortable and quiet enough to actually have a conversation. Mario and his staff are so accommodating; they will make you just about anything you want. Really great, traditional Italian food exquisitely prepared. Have had some extraordinary meals here and strongly recommend it as one of the very best ristorantes in the entire city.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMChicken Vesuvio (off menu)Chicken Vesuvio (off menu) - chunks of chicken in a spicy sauce, is a real treat. Fresh fish is always perfectly cooked. Not over priced and low noise level makes it a great choice for a business lunch.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOverall the food and serviceOverall the food and service was very good. I would recommend this restaurant to all my friends. Our waiter was excellent and the owner was very gracious. We will definitely return our next trip to LA.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThis neighborhood restaurantThis neighborhood restaurant has all the elements of a well-run establishment. Greeted immediately upon arrival and graciously seated in a timely manner by the host. Service is attentive, well-paced, and definitely not intrusive. The waiter did not introduce himself as our server. The menu offers a wide-range of Italian dishes. It's all delicious. The food arrived hot to the table (as it should be). Wine list could be more adventurous in the white category and perhaps have one or two choices of dry rose. Prices are high for the amount of food that is on the plate. A champagne glass of Prosecco is $12 and that's too expensive. Knock it down to $7 and I'll be happy. Overall, this a wonderful family-owned restuarant and I'm coming back!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best of the best.....This is a wonderful restaurant! The food is fantastic, the service is first rate and the ambiance is elegant.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent, theThe food was excellent, the staff was attentive, courteous and knowledgeable, and the setting is warm and formal but not stuffy. Would definitely return again.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMEat here soon!Mario owns and operates one of the nicer places in LA. Excellent food, excellent service and the nicest guy around. Believe the hype!3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMCozy atmosphere, New YorkCozy atmosphere, New York style restaurant...Best Italian food I've ever had. Unbelievable quality and a very resonable price.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMMarino is very under-rated.Marino is very under-rated. Food is outstanding for when you want traditional italian. easy to get a reservation and reasonable prices. Try this as an alternative to Angelini or Osteria Mozza.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMA great dining experienceGreat service, fantastic food and wonderful ambiance. The linguine with clams (white) is to die for!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMTruly spectacular food.Truly spectacular food. Most complex, enjoyable and subtle mix of flavor of any Italian cuisine I've ever had. Every single time I've been to Marino, the food is consistently outstanding. Fabulous!3/2/2013 12:00:00 AMMarino's made our Vaklentines Day!This is our 3rd time going and we cannot wait to go back. We love this restaurant.2/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat traditional ItalianGreat traditional Italian fare..upscale quality, upscale prices...but the best risotto in town2/9/2013 12:00:00 AM