Great food, friendly bartender service and enjoyed the old school ambiance. Food is solid. read more

Mare E Monti - The veal parm - Italian Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

Absolutely a hidden gem. The food was incredible in a very unassuming building in Worcester.

A truly disappointing experience. I made a reservation for 6:30 on a Saturday night. Now, I am usually a pretty patient person, I can understand falling behind and seating reservations a little later (10-15 minutes) than usual. However, Mare e Monti, doesn't seem to understand the concept of a reservation at all. We arrived a few minutes before 6:30 and were told that it would be about 10 minutes, fine. We stood in the world's most cramped lobby as we had already valet parked and they won't take a phone number to call when the table is actually ready. It was packed with walk ins and other reservations that were waiting endlessly to be sat. After 20 minutes, we checked in with a very annoyed hostess about our table who gave no apology and just said, again, 10 minutes. At this point we began talking to the people around us. Some of them were also waiting for reservations, but interestingly enough some were walk-ins that were being quoted only 30 minutes. I watched as two couples with 7:00 reservations were sat ahead of us and a couple other groups who we had spoken to that had 6:30 reservations. I guess if you are 'important' enough, you'll get sat earlier! We finally got sat at 7:30 (yes, folks an entire hour after our reservation) after checking in with them 4 times about our table and being given the same BS answer. I even asked if she could just be honest, because we will find somewhere else as we had evening plans. When we did get sat, the waiter took ages to come over. So long, in fact, that the table next to us felt bad and gave us their bread basket. When the waiter did come over, he was very irritated with that. The food itself was not anything to write home about. I got the mushroom ravioli which contained a total of 6 ravioli absolutely swimming in sauce. Very few mushrooms to be found either. My fiancé got a steak dish which he said was "ok". The prices were quite steep too, considering the portions. Service was slow, water glasses weren't refilled, waiter brought the check without even asking if we wanted anything else. This was for a special occasion too, which I put in the notes of the reservation. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more

It was our first visit. From the beginning to the end of the meal, we loved it. From the wine selection, entrees and dessert nothing disappointed. I had the Veal Marsala and my friend had the breaded haddock. And for the dessert we each had the warm coconut cake that was amazing. Planning to go back this weekend. The waitress was delightful and very accommodating. The restaurant is in the same place as the old El Morocco. It's been gutted and it has all brick walls with pretty lightning. read more

Birthday dinner. Decided to sample the cheese wheel pasta dish. Not too bad, but other dishes are superior, in my opinion. The flame show was entertaining! Chicken parm was decent, although the gnocchi was less than stellar. I suspect the gnocchi may have been store bought. I recall in the past it was homemade, even as an option on a normal dish. I believe I have received homemade gnocchi. If it was homemade, it wasn't the best example of it. read more

Christiano M you were a great server and very attentive to our needs. a couple checks in here and more often would've have been fantastic Thank you. read more

Best Italian food in Worcester. Great ambiance. Excellent for date night. Great wine list. Love this place and reasonably priced.

Mare E Monti Trattoria is hands-down our favorite Italian restaurant in Central Mass. They serve traditional Italian fare and have many pasta and non-pasta options alike. They have exceptional appetizers. We had calamari, Caprese, and Arancini di Riso: stuffed risotto balls packed with ham, peas and other goodness - a few days post this meal, I find myself dreaming of those little guys. For entrées I went with the Pappardelle alla Bolognese which is the best Bolognese I have ever had. Some of their dishes are served fresh out of a giant cheese wheel - definitely need to try that. The restaurant itself has a small bar area and a medium-sized dining space. The dining room is dim-lit with candles and other beautiful light fixtures giving rise to a cozy and intimate dining experience. I heard they serve a mean Black Manhattan - will try that next time I visit! If you're even considering trying Mare E Monti do yourself a favor and get in your car and drive to this place for an exception meal. read more

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Too loud, food is good, but would not consider it the best. Parking can also be a challenge.

Food was phenomenal. Our first time here. Have been hearing great things about it for years. It did not disappoint. We arrived shortly after it opened and were seated right away. The apps were brought out quick and they were the best starters I've ever had at an Italian restaurant. Our entrees (Bolegnese and Veal) were off the charts good. We had such a hard time choosing from the menu because it all sounds great. We weren't even finished with our food and we're already talking about coming back. No more Shrewsbury street for Italian anymore. We will be coming here any chance we get. read more

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Great food & service. We love coming here for authentic pastas. It's always great and they have different "takeoff's" from tradition that are great. read more

First, I LOVE that they have valet parking so I don't have to worry about finding a spot in the residential area. Second, I love that the staff hustle and seem to anticipate your needs. Third, the food is delicious and the portions enormous! We always try to get there before 7pm to avoid the huge crowds that overtake the lobby area. read more

We had a very nice dinner at Mare E Monti. We arrived about 4 pm on a Saturday afternoon and we were the only people dining for almost an hour before the restaurant started filling up. The bread and dipping oil is about the best you can get at any restaurant. We ordered the sausage stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer and we each ordered our dinners. Our dinners were very good, but my partner thought the lasagna I make is better (sorry), I tasted his lasagna and it was good, but a little too many layers of lasagna noodles for his taste (I think I counted 10 layers). We decided ahead of time to take a portion of our dinners home so we could try dessert. We all opted for the Almond Torte and it was delicious!!! Overall we had a very good experience, food was delicious, service was great and we loved the ambiance. It was a little expensive, but the only part of the expense that bothered me was the $8. for a small glass of beer and $3.50 for a glass of ginger ale (the water was too chlorinated to drink). read more

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Absolute gem. Located in a spot you may just drive right past but trust me, once you stop in you will feel very differently. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and absolutely stunning. Cocktails were spot on and food was out of this world. The turnaround was unbelievable, the food came out so quickly we couldn't believe they could have been our dishes. We ordered the Bolognese, a fettuccine dish and a veal piccata dish. Amazing. We could not pass up the delicious looking desserts and they were also out of this world. I would recommend trying the almond tort. One of the best desserts I've had by far anywhere. The citrus cannolis were fantastic as were the Derby cakeand chocolate chip cheesecake. We have heard such great things about this gem and will definitely return. Met the owner at the end of our meal and just loved the feeling of being welcomed. So kind and warm. read more

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Went with a party of 12 friends and had an awesome experience!! The pasta is handmade in some cases (they tell you when you order). Food was very authentic and affordable!! They offer Spaghetti al Formaggio Parmigiano Cheese Bowl made table side. ​(Served Tues-Thurs). I would recommend everyone just go to see that made table side! It makes you feel just like your in Italy. The waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful. read more

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One of my absolute favorite restaurants. The food is so good. Always crowded with a fun ambiance inside. Service is great even large groups! read more

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I've probably dined at Mare E Monti 2 times a month for the past 3 months. The food never disappoints, with large portions but with no sacrifice to quality. I love their seafood dishes-the soup with fish/mussels/shrimp is wonderful however their frutti de mare is my all time favorite! I've also enjoyed their classic Italian dishes and their homemade pasta is great! Staff is always proficient and polite...The restaurant is in the middle of a classic Worcester neighborhood so it's a surprise to walk into a small restaurant with a more urban vibe. Valet parking is a must, as there is limited street parking. You can't go wrong with Mare E Monte! read more

Excellent value for great quality food. Classic delicious italian with sizeable portions. Service was great.

Another restaurant week try and we were happy with the traditional Italian food and the menu. I had the Cesar salad to start which had a great flavored Cesar dressing and wife had eggplant ensalada. Her eggplant was so thinly sliced and perfectly cooked with an amazing sauce. We then both had the Pollo Ala Vodka. It was extremely tasty and had three small but filling pieces of chicken with the homemade pasta and sauce. We finished with the tiramisu, which was also small but very tasty. Our server was good, but not overly friendly. The restaurant itself was also small, which usually means cozy, but it was so loud that we had trouble hearing each other. Located in a small neighborhood it did offer free valet parking. Although most of the restaurants are located on the main drive, this is worth the look. read more

Mare E Monti - Eggplant Ensalada - Italian Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

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Favorite restaurant in the city. Amazing food, beautiful ambiance, consistently good service. Can be a little challenging for parking but they provide valet which removes that obstacle. read more

Food was outstanding, well prepared, tasty... everyone was thrilled with their meal. Service was decent, meals came out rather quickly, only complaint, moms duck was way over cooked. Considering it was Mother's Day, all went well. Only issue, not the fault of the restaurant, Americans tend to be loud and rude when they go out to dinner. Cudos to the valet staff, top notch read more

Food: they have plenty of pasta options to pick from and portions are huge. It's one of the many places that I recommend people to try for an Italian restaurant. I would say some of their pasta is slightly bland, specifically their white sauce version. However, I do love the red sauce dishes they have available as it's more rich in flavor and salt. Their espresso martinis are delicious and if you request it on the creamy side, it's pretty good. Service: our server was fine, the food runner might've been more helpful than the server making sure we had everything. We had reservations for 8 o'clock for eight people, but when we arrived, we had to wait about 15 to 20 minutes before getting sat. It happens when it gets busy on a weekend, it would be nice if we were told accordingly how long to wait. Ambiance: it's a very small warm intimate area where you can enjoy a delicious dish under a candle. There is a small bar at the front once you enter the restaurant that's kind of more rustic vibes. Location accommodation: there is free street parking if you do so find it yourself, but you can do valet as a complementary to the restaurant. Reservations can be made through the phone or now Resy, but just know that everybody from your party must arrive before you get started. read more

The cheese wheel is absolutely amazing! The atmosphere makes this our favorite date night spot!

Came here for valentines dinner- did not disappoint! Drinks, food, service- all fantastic! I loved the dim lights, the real candle light at the table, and the perfect portions. Will definitely be coming back. Also, the lemon dessert we had with espresso was delish. Loved this place read more

Mare E Monti - potato gnocchi and lemon scallops with house bread. white sangria and the lemon razz cocktail - Italian Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

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Everything was great! The food was so delicious, our waitress was amazing. The ambiance was perfect. The only thing I can say is that I suggest a reservation. Everyone knows it's good so the wait was a little long but totally worth every minute!! read more

Great place in Worcester . When A place is packed out the door on a Saturday night, you know it's great. And it was. Great selection of wine. Primitivo winery from Puglia, Italy js a choice. You must choose it and choose Mare E Monti read more

Mare E Monti - Appetizer - Italian Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

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Never been Worcester Massachusetts before, and if you haven't either, at the very least this is the reason to go! This was some of the finest Italian food I've had, and you look back on my reviews, you'll note that I like Italian food! I usually test a restaurant by the quality of its veal parmesan, and that's what I did here. That thing came out moist on the inside and crispy on the outside - perfect! Rather than get red sauce on my pasta, I went with olive oil, butter and garlic. My business partner did the exact same thing - he loved it as well! This place is located in a neighborhood adjacent to a commercial at area. I initially missed it when I was driving in, looking for a parking space. Be sure to keep an eye out because you don't want to miss Monte d Mare! read more

What a delicious meal! We sat inside, very safely distanced and comfortable. The staff all wears masks. An eclectic mix of music was in the background. We had the pork saltimbocca, the bolognese, and the lobster ravioli, accompanied by a salad. We finished it off by sharing a mocha tiramisu. Everything was outstanding. Flavorful sauces, hearty portions, and fresh ingredients. We will excitedly be back with others! read more

Mare E Monti - Good distancing between parties! - Italian Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

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I was very much looking forward to dining out for authentic Italian. We had been planning this for several months, and finally found a time to go. I was impressed by the meatball appetizer, but that is about it. The appetizer came with ricotta, which was refrigerator cold. Really brought down what could have been a five star starter dish. The bread was not fresh, but actually somewhat stale, and please know I am NOT picky when it comes to bread. I ordered chicken parmigiana and paid extra for the "fresh" pasta, which on the menu is described as home made. It was okay. The portions are plentiful and the food presentation was excellent, but it left much to be desired. The place is well staffed, and we never felt like we were being ignored despite the full house. I was very impressed with the staff quite honestly, it was clear they knew how to handle a consistently busy restaurant. read more

I had the Maiale Saltimbocca "14-ounce double-cut pan-seared pork chop". While it was good it was hardly 14oz. If this is written on the menu I expect 14 oz. I could not have been more than 8. At the $30 price tag it's the most expensive pork chop I've ever had. I would not go back here. The pollenta its served with taste like corn gruel formed into a square, why anyone would serve that is beyond me. read more

This is absolutely one of my favorite places. The bartender and the owner are so awesome. It is very quaint inside and gives a true Italian feel. The food is phenomenal and everything we've tried I have been pleased with. My favorite is the bolognese! read more

Mare E Monti - Old fashion - Italian Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

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A last minute decision after picking up a family friend at the bus station at 7:00 pm. Checked Yelp before we went, it had 4+ rating. It Lived up to expectations. Swordfish, lasagna, pasta bolognese were great. Good wait staff, good portions, reasonable prices. A winner with free valet parking I seek family owned restaurant as they care about their customers This is one of the read more

Cute Italian spot with good fresh pasta and a nice vibe. Also surprisingly great garlic olive oil for the complimentary bread. Service was fast and friendly. Definitely recommend! read more

Mare E Monti - Linguine - Italian Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

Traditional ambience, full menu, and intimate setting; overall a good find in Worchester. Staff was friendly, welcoming, and the wait staff met each request with a smile and a "yes" or "let me check". When something was not enjoyed, she offered options and removed it from the check. Although this isn't important to some this is crucial for my dining crew as it shows management empowering their staff! I would make an appointment for large groups, most tables are for 2-4 but they are amicable and accommodating in moving furniture. For a party of four two hours before closing, we had no wait and on my second visit for a party of two mid dinner shift we waited less than ten minutes. Food was delicious, brought to the table hot, and large hearty portions. My only request would be fresh made pasta and a bit more dimension in seasoning. read more

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Great place,family owned, high quality Italian cuisine. Had an awesome experience ! Terrific waiters, very attentive.

I really wanted to love this restaurant. We went for my birthday, as a party of four. The 2 dinner salads were fresh and our guests enjoyed them. The pasta dishes were not what I expected. The texture and flavor suggested they been precooked and reheated for us. The fish in my dish was previously frozen, not fresh as described in the menu, and overcooked. The staff were great - friendly and attentive. It was mixed for us. Maybe it was an off night, but it wasn't what I was expecting based on the reviews. I might try it again in the future. read more

The food was fantastic and my to go order was very prompt. Can't wait to go back and sit down and enjoy a meal there.

Amazing little hole-in-the-wall place. The gnocchi was incredible... the sauce was what sold me. It was so wonderfully rustic, it tasted like something my grandma would've made me. Almost made me cry. Desserts, service, and perfectly intimate ambiance were all just the cherries on top of a phenomenal cake. Will be coming back here for sure. read more

One of my favorite Italian places in Worcester. They're in a great location a little away from the busy spots in Worcester. We started with calamari and then We got the pesto pasta and the rolled lasagna. We finished with some tiramisu. My #1 for Worcester. Cannot wait to go back again read more

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Best authentic tasting Italian food in the area and a beautiful ambiance for a good date night