A lovely restaurant with good food and good vibes. Staffs are amazing and very helpful. We order: - Ricotta & Squash Tortellini. My favorite! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It is savory, creamy, citrusy and it's just perfect! It's cooked very well. - Carbonara. Very rich and a little bit salty, the poached egg is sadly overcooked :( but it's still very enjoyable! - Rabbit Bolognese. Their most popular dish, but my party's least favorite! I guess it is a miss for us? - House Italian Sausage Pizza. We share the pizza and wow it is goodd!! The crust is crispy and the inside is very soft. The flavor of this sausage pizza is uniquely good. - Fried Calamari. A great appetizer to start the whole experience. Overall, a good restaurant! read more

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This place is fantastic. The food was unique and outstanding. They also have a huge selection of wines. The margarita pizza was delicious as was the orange wine! The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. FYI there is free off-street parking just around the corner! read more

Best Italian this side of town. Mushrooms, rabbit bolognese (my first time eating rabbit) and pork chop were my favorites but everything was good. Great vibe and the staff is incredible. read more

If you're thinking about trying this restaurant- don't. Unless you are a friend or someone of importance, you will receive terrible service and rude attitudes from both management and servers. To start, I received a call from the host letting us know two seats at the bar had opened up and we walked in just as they were cleaning the area. A couple walked in a few minutes after us, immediately got greeted by one of the owners who then offered them our seats without any hesitation or check in with the host. Waited several minutes to see if the host would say anything, but alas had to go up and inquire. She apologized and said she had spoken with a manager who was going to comp us an appetizer. A kind gesture, so we sat down at the bar next to said couple. Proceeded to order a mocktail, hamachi crudo, salami pizza, and the bucatini pasta. This was the first and last time we had any service or attention from any of the bartenders. The food was very tasty, but they must have forgotten to put in the pizza because it took about 45 minutes to receive it after very quickly getting the crudo. The couple next to us (who were very obviously friends with the owner) received outstanding service, with plates of food coming out every couple of minutes and were constantly being checked on and offered beverages. The disparity between how they were treated and how we were is completely unacceptable and unprofessional. To end the evening, we had to flag someone down for the bill, saw that the crudo (which was listed under "firsts"- so an appetizer, yes?) had not been removed. Since the bartenders were nowhere to be seen, I asked the host how to best go about the comped appetizer and she said she would have the owner take care of it. She came back a couple minutes later and told us that since we hadn't ordered an appetizer, the owner just took off the mocktail. So not only did you give away our table, give us horrible service, make us wait almost an hour for one pizza, but you're also haggling for the free appetizer that you offered?! With a difference of $6. Upon looking around, you can see this exact experience happening with several other patrons. If you're not "someone" to this restaurant/owner, you are not worth their time. Stay away! read more

TLDR; good to try once, nothing unique Went for lunch on a Wednesday, maybe 6 other tables seated, only one waiter. Nicely decorated, small, classy but casual. We did the prix fixe menu which was a good deal. The carbonara needed more seasoning/salt. The arrabbiata was tasty and a bit more flavorful. The fried squash blossoms, calamari and artichoke and tiramisu were all good but nothing special. read more

Came here for a farewell party. I can't remember all the dishes but they were all very good. Service was great and they were very accommodating seating us in the back per our request. read more

Marina is such a gem! I come here often with friends and co-workers, and it never disappoints. The decor is beautiful, and the service is attentive and friendly. Make sure not to overlook the blistered bread with the ricotta spread--it's so yummy and is one of my favorite appetizers! Over my numerous visits, I've tried an variety of excellent dishes: from the rabbit bolognese and carbonara to the bianca and margherita pizzas, not forgetting the refreshing blood orange and caesar salads. This time, we indulged in the mushroom linguini and scaloppine di pollo--both were delicious! I'll be back soon! read more

Marina - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

I absolutely love this place and have been so happy that there is a delicious Italian restaurant open near by and for lunch! Have been here twice and both time we have been super happy with everything we ordered. They also have a great prie fix lunch menu for 38 dollars. It's a great way to try some of their menu items and dessert. Pizzas: Its been a while since we have been satisfied with our pizza but this place hits the spot. I believe the pizza are Neapolitan style since the dough is light and chewy. We have had both the house Italian sausage and Mortadella and pistachio. I would order the Italian sausage came with sweet caramelized onions that added another dimension of flavor. I hope they never remove this from menu. I would be so sad. The 40 Days carbonara was also pretty good. The pasta was cooked well and there is the addition of citrus. This was unexpected but very welcome. The Seafood linguine was also with a hit of citrus. It was tart and also savory. It's a good combo that I've never really had before in an Italian pasta dish. Appetites Fried calamari and artichoke. This is pretty standard but executed well. The grilled Octopus was super tender and my husbands favorite. He could eat multiple dishes in one seating Chocolate tart was rich and decadent Tiramisu unfortunately for me could use a nicer coffee flavor. read more

Great ambiance with excellent service. Tried a variety of appetizers. Salads were great. Crab pasta was delish. Nice neighborhood gem with attractive bar and drinks. read more

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I loved pretty much all the food I've ever gotten here. The star of the meal was dessert: the blue cheese cheesecake sounds weird but is incredible. The blue cheese isn't overwhelming, it just adds this depth to the flavor. My husband is not a fan of blue cheese but still loved the cheesecake. Service is good. The ambiance is nice. Good for a date night. read more

We came for dinner and loved everything! Standouts were the rabbit bolognese and Duroc pork chop. They give you the option of cooking the pork to medium well if you prefer not to eat pink meat. Even the dessert we got (Exotic) was surprisingly good, not too sweet. Service was also friendly and helpful! Hope to be back and try their drinks next time. read more

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This is a review I don't enjoy writing, because it will have many facets and twists and turns. And yet, I think you'll find by the end that I have been honest with you. So, let's start with the small. There is no parking according to the hostess. So, good luck finding street parking around them on a weekend night. There is a lot behind them but it is not validated and for pay. So, she should really just say that and not that there is no parking lot. Just a thought. As you might already pick up, I'm not a fan of the hostess... at all. In fact, we nearly walked out, because she is one of the rudest, most unprofessional hostesses I have ever had the misfortune of coming into contact with. The bottom line is she should be fired. You can find descriptions about her poor attitude in other reviews if you sort down to the 1 star reviews. Her arrogance is nothing new it seems. So, before I go into the more important things like the food, let me address this completely here at the top. I called at 5:45 and asked when 3 people could get in. I was told 7:15. I checked with my family and called back. Now it was 8:15. Okay, I took it. Then she hemmed and hawed and said it'd probably be closer to 8:30. Fine. I did pick up that she seemed quite unsure of her ability to deliver just from the clueless tone of her voice. Sure enough, we get there at 8:20, and she tells us there is no table and to wait at the bar. Now, luckily there were a couple of empty bar seats. If you read other reviews, you'll understand there is no waiting area, as this is a teeny tiny restaurant. So, most likely in this situation you will be waiting outside on the street as long as they choose to keep you there. No tables looked like they were ending; no one was anywhere's close to finished. Suddenly, a couple come in way after us (around 8:50) and after they wait about 10 minutes, they start talking to the hostess and gesturing into the restaurant. Suddenly, they are on the move with menus. I look and there is a table that we should have been seated at. I go over and ask her what is goin on with our table, now that it's after 9pm. She says there will be a table when they have one. I ask her why those people were seated before us. They had a reservation and were waiting was her answer. Um, what were we doing? Playing Pickleball? Worse, was I asked when was their reservation for, and she walked away from me without answering, basically telling me that I was garbage in her eyes and she couldn't care less what I think. When she came back, I asked her to finish what she was saying, and she wouldn't answer me. I got the owner, who was super nice, but his only answer was she said they had an 8:30 reservation, too. So what? We were waiting longer and we actually had an 8:15 reservation. Best of all, they waited until we were nearly leaving to even order because they were waiting on two people who showed up like at 10:00pm. The restaurant made no money on them. So on to the food. And here is where I am fair. I would have put all that down about the hostess with the leastest, but would have at least gone to 4 stars if the food was good. It was not. Service after the cruel woman was actually fantastic. Everyone was nice and attentive. But, the food was completely underwhelming. I love rabbit, and I had been dying to come here for the rabbit bolognese. I had Italian food with rabbit in Boston, and it was to die for. I love rabbit. This was totally nondescript. It could've been chicken, veal beef. It had no flavor to the meat. Plus, I got very sick upon getting home. So... maybe the hostess found a way to exact her last revenge for expecting to be given an answer when I ask a simple question. I don't know. The seafood linguine was so overwhelmingly fishy, I prayed my wife wouldn't end up in the hospital. My kiddo took one bite of her shrimp and begged for no more. He had the carbonara, and while it wasn't horrible, he hated it. He didn't finish it. I noticed it was loaded with fresh black pepper. Like, way too much. It was the main thing you could taste and after one small bite it built and built on your palette. Not good. Will I go back? Why would I? The food was below standards. I got sick. And, the hostess seems to be a teflon don who can treat customers rudely without fearing for her employment. Why would I want to face her again? I wouldn't. But, let me be clear one last time... if the food was great, I would've given four stars. It was not great food. Nice owner. Nice servers. Lousy hostess. Below mediocre food. Gonna have to call this what it is... a failure. read more

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Marina at first glance is the new local, casual Italian restaurant in town. It has the beautiful appearance, chandeliers, tall bar, mood lighting and pleasing music. The best part about this restaurant was its staff. Absolutely friendly, with smiles, working hard at every turn with management always hovering, answering so many questions from new customers and genuinely happy to serve you. Sadly what falls short is the food. The most important part. The menu needs work, help and flavor. 1) Tagliatelle- The worst tagliatelle I have ever had. So thick, it was hard to chew. Others have told the restaurant about this before. It was supposed to be with a rabbit Bolognese but in fact, has large chunks that are more like a sausage feel. Insult to injury, they added a $4 charge that I didnt see until later for Gluten Free. Which I did not ask for. 2) Tangerine salad- horrible, confused salad. Must be taken off the menu. $18! 3) Prosciutto starter- needs to be served with olive oil, a little sea salt on the side. Bread, not burnt. They also add a 3% kitchen wage and health care service charge but "you may ask for it to be removed". Why should I feel made to ask for this to be removed? I really didnt like this at all. There is a lot that needs to be reworked here. Its a nice place for a quick drink with the sweet staff, but thats it. read more

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Service and food top notch. Nice booth space for group dining. We stumbled upon this place after an appointment nearby. The hostess let us know about the happy hour. Our bartender Abby was attentive, made a mean old fashion and took off one of the items she noticed we were not pleased with (doesn't happen often that you get great service like this). From the lamps chops to the charcuterie, this place is a must try! Owner is very kind and takes pride in his work - checked in on us as well. We'll be back! read more

The service is hit or miss. Love the vibes , the decor, the patio option is great. The pasta is really great, the pizza is really good as well. Would skip the fried zucchini flowers, the batter is way too thick. The dessert isn't great, if you're looking for tiramisu or a traditional Italian dessert you won't find it here . read more

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Food is very delicious. It is now my fav Italian restaurant in Pasadena. Service is amazing. The manager is very attentive and gives the best advice for food and wine Ambiance seems like you are in Europe. Very busy and warm place. Will go back and will advise my friends P. S. I have never eat such an amazing cheese cake with blue cheese. Don't miss the dessert! read more

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Food is great. Service friendly. Love the interior design. My favorite was chicken with mashed potatoes. Also I liked appetizers with fried seafood. read more

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I haven't seen my friend in a long time. We met up here on a Sunday evening for dinner to catch up. We both followed the instructions on the website and parked at the nearby parking lot at the corner of Cordova St and Mentor Ave. Parking was free for the first 90 minutes. We had a reservation and were seated right away. The restaurant wasn't very big inside, but was pretty modern looking. We received good service from the friendly waitstaff. The menu wasn't very extensive or complicated, so we didn't spend too much time in making a decision. I went with the octopus and sautéed veal liver. The food presentation was not bad. The octopus was pretty good for a starter. However I wasn't too impressed with the liver. I would like to return to try out items on the menu. read more

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We came on a Sunday evening and got there around 5:40 pm. My god, the restaurant was so busy and almost full. Luckily we had a reservation and we were seated without too much wait. We ordered the grilled octopus, prawn risotto and Wagyu Flat Iron Steak. All of them very tasty. The atmosphere is very busy and lots of activity going around. The bar is also full. Talk about bad economy, I don't see it here in Marina. I think they are a bit understaffed but the service is still okay. We regretted not ordering the blistered bread. Looks very delicious. Will definitely come back to try the bread and the pizza. read more

Service is slow, this is something you need to know and make your peace with before arriving. Interior is bright & vibrant, great chandeliers. The Marina Spritz is delicious and goes down easy, you will want to drink multiple glasses & you should! Persimmon salad, bread and ricotta are fantastic ways to start your meal & share with friends. I ordered the Mushroom Linguine and was not disappointed. Healthy portions & fresh flavors. For the love of god you need to order the Blue Cheescake! It's savory, a little sweet and unforgettable. read more

AMAZING. The reviews were looking kinda sus I'm not gonna lie, but the photos looked pretty good. My conclusion is that LA has no taste for Neapolitan style pizza. It's actually kinda hard to find real Neapolitan style pizza around here; every time I do it's covered with too many toppings or heavy cheese and it's too overwhelming. Here is more refined. If you order pizza here and expect it to be full of sauce, meat and spices, you will be disappointed. However if you enjoy delicious crust worth eating on its own and high-quality cheese, you will love it. I got one with mushrooms, which they use shimeji mushrooms for. It is SO flavorful and mushroomy; it's clear they care about using vibrant ingredients. I also got the corn agnoletti which was GREAT. I was skeptical it could be worth the $26 it costed, but after one bite I saw why. It is so deliciously corn-y and I hadn't had anything like it before. After having lived in San Francisco and being spoiled for Italian, I was starting to wonder if LA couldn't match up at all. This place would be where I could actually recommend Italian to people. read more

Oh my God I wish I took pictures of the food. I must say that Mushroom linguine & Tuna carpaccio were such a delight. A must try without a doubt. Top it off the Super Tuscan red wine And a Mezcal drink "I don't give a fig" great to pair with. The service was amazing, our server Jesus was very attentive and made sure our needs were met. He checked in every so often which made the quality of service even better. Aside from the great food, and the amazing service, for a Monday evening, this place was pretty full. Loved the vibe, perfect atmosphere and great crowd. Definitely recommend this place, I will be returning to try the rest of there menu read more

Get a reservation. Be ready for some beyond excellent Italian food. This place has style and ambiance galore. Great wine list and menu with great unique dishes. read more

A hidden gem Pros: -Delicious selection of cocktails (the rose aperol spritz was so unique and lovely) -Best branzino I've ever ordered -Hearty mushroom pasta -Solid pizzas -All the appetizers I've tried were incredible. Cons: -First time I came here we had a reservation and still waited 30+ minutes outside. Definitely something they can easily revolve though. -Parking can be a little challenging read more

Amazing spot all around! The service was beautiful and so was the food. We started off with the Burrata & Roasted Beets and the Calamari & Artichoke and both were beyond DELICIOUS! The artichoke was probably one of the best I've tried so far.. Incomparable in one word. Then we ordered the Mortadella & Pistachio pizza, the Ricotta & Squash tortelloni, the Tagliatelle, rabbit bolognese, the Carbonara Pasta and the Prime hanger steak. They were all simply crafted and cooked to perfection 10/10! Their wine selection was excellent too! I will definitely be going back! Highly recommended! read more

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Parking: Came here on a weekday for dinner. There is a parking lot right under the restaurant that's very easily accessible. They offer validation and I actually didnt have to pay anything after using their validation ticket because I left within 90 minutes. Service: service was great! I made a reservation the night before on resy and was seated on time. Our server (didn't catch her name) was super seeet and attentive! Food also came out right on time. Ambiance: There was outdoor patio seating with the heat lamps as well as indoor seating. This is a cute restaurant that's very spacious inside. It can get loud though depending on the parties that are there so if you want somewhere more quiet, maybe sit outside! Food: okay this is the part that I took stars off for. I was really excited to try the food but overall everything was just super salty :( I got the bucatini carbonara and it was thick and salty. It's definitely a dish meant to be consumed immediately because the longer it sat, the thicker and harder the sauce became. I just wasn't that impressed. The prosciutto pizza was okay, not as salty but definitely not a standout. The calamari and artichoke came with literally two small artichoke heart and the calamari was also kind of soggy. Overall, I don't know if I would be down to come back and give this place a second try. read more

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The food was incredible! I had the skirt steak and my husband had the veal liver.We went on a Sunday and they gave a prefixed menu that is priced just right. Service was great, it was 14 of us and we had a dedicated waitress. Because we were such a large group there were some questions on the bill and the owner helped us cleared it out with no issue. The location is also great as the building offers underground parking and it is within walking distance of some shops. We loved it, I promise you will too! read more

Marina - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Y'all....we.needed.this. Pasadena needed this restaurant and it does not disappoint. Great vibe, food is on point, service is great. It's the new neighborhood hangout. Marina is versatile. It can be "dressed down", like you just want a no fuss dinner aka a glass of wine and a pizza. Don't sleep on the salads though, wow! Compressed watermelon - next level. Market salad DELISH! If you are super hungry, Marina's got that covered too. The pastas and mains are wonderful. My favorites are the rabbit bolognese, carbonara, squash tortelloni. and hanger steak. Love this place! read more

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love a good pasta and margherita pizza and this place had them both! visited recently and the food and service was incredible~ would recommend calling ahead to reserve a spot further in the back as it's more quiet and peaceful and check out their menu ahead of time because there's a lot to pick from! read more

Marina - Tuna Carpaccio - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Marina does not disappoint. Every time I come to this restaurant I'm always greeted with spectacular service from host to bar tender. Shout out to Victor he's the best at choosing one's specific taste. The food is was amazing and I love that they always change there menu keeping it new and always using fresh ingredients. You will not be disappointed trying this place. read more

Marina - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I'm giving Marina the coveted 5-stars. The ambiance is totally NYC swanky like you've been whisked off to some elite venue where only the A-listers get to visit. First, the food: Excellent. Loved the Caesar's Salad's richness with cheese and anchovy paste and perfect lettuce. Next was the prosciutto pizza, totally delicious, highlighting the salty pork flavors played off against the other ingredients...plenty for two people to share along with the salad. We enjoyed the wine selection with some fine Italian choices and an excellent chianti. The service was friendly, professional, and attentive...plus it looked like all the staff was having a ball working there, which really added to the overall experience. There's some serious mixology going on at Marina so you might want to ask about their selection of mixed drinks, aperitifs and digestifs. Note: This place gets very popular even late into the evenings esp on weekends so reservations highly recommended. Sitting at the bar is always an option and a fun one, too. read more

Marina - Caesar's Salad with breadcrumbs substituting for croutons (which was fine) - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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If you haven't dined here yet, you need to book your reservation now (highly advised - on a Sunday evening, the place was filled to the gills!) Owner visibly on the floor and checking on guests. Definitely appreciative of your patronage! Servers and wait staff attentive and efficient. Food was excellent and had the best Old Fashioned ever - not diluted! Support this establishment - you won't be disappointed.. read more

We traveled an hour out to this restaurant to celebrate a birthday and we're left unimpressed with the experience. Pros: -the food was good and flavorful -the happy hour menu does have plenty items and prices are significantly discounted -cocktails were great quality -food came out quickly and warm Cons: -hostess was not personable and overall just made us feel like we were an inconvenience -happy hour is only at a tiny bar area; hostess was letting a lady save seats at the bar with her purse and bags so we could not partake unless we wanted to just stand behind people -one of our guests was brought out the wrong plate and sat with it a couple of minutes sticking her fork in when the kitchen came and took it to swap out; not sure if the dish she had been breathing on was served to the other table or if he grabbed the dish from the other table to just to swap and bring to her, which is a cleanliness concern -service overall just slow and not friendly; our waitress spent most of her time talking to her friend who was seated at the bar;took a good 5 minutes for her to look our way to get parking validated -fire alarm went off during dinner Parking:theres lot under the restaurant and you get a discounted price, we paid $10 to park. Sadly it's not somewhere we would travel out for again based solely on the poor service and staffing. We choose to opt out of getting dessert here because we wanted to go. If it's local to you I'd give it a chance. A star for food quality and a star for how quickly the kitchen pushes out food. It does fill up after 6:30 pm so safe to make a reservation. read more

Was there for their lunch special courses with octopus, carbonara and fruits. The octopus was perfectly cooked with a good kick of spicy. the house cured pancetta balanced well with the pouched egg and lemon zest. Pasta itself was more of American doness so be aware. The fruits they selected from farmers market was very delightful. Definitely a good choice if you don't want a heavy desert. The owner it's also the caller. Highly recommend their wine menu. The environment is chic and all their staffs are friendly. Will definitely go back for dinner and try their special tiramisu. read more

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I don't even like Italian food that much but this blew me away. The fried squash blossom is one of the best things I've eaten in recent memory. Good service, cute patio, although a little small. Can't believe it took me this long when they are literally across the street from my work! read more

Marina - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Where do I start? Everything about this place is magical, from the moment you enter, you are greeted with a gentle smile, the ambiance is perfect for either first dates or for a friend gathering. The food was exceptional, the pizza and pasta were so good but I decided to highlight their peach dessert that was just the right amount of sweet, not too sweet, and it just melts in your mouth. This place is a must try! read more

Marina - Peach dessert - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

4th visit to Marina and everything just keeps getting better & better. We had a big group of 20 and they were able to accommodate us indoors. Food was amazing as usual. And service was impeccable. Our group had a prix fixe menu which is pictured. I didn't take pictures of all the food because I was starving lol but I snapped pictures of the wine and branzino read more

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Food and service were outstanding. We started inside but moved outside due to the noise level indoors. Way too loud for a regular conversation. That said, the food was delicious and service was very good. read more

I took my mother in law here for her birthday. It was packed by the time we arrived. We had a reservation, but had to wait a tiny bit still. But make sure to make a reservation if you do not want to wait. They have both inside and outdoor seating with heaters for those colder nights. The one thing I did have to comment on was the wait for our food. The appetizers came out pretty quickly, but the main course felt like it took forever. However, the food was very tasty and made up for the wait. They did forget my mother in law's dish so with the long wait and forgetting a dish I had to knock off a star. The food was good, but with the numerous amount of restaurants in this area I am not sure if I could come back. read more

Mushroom pasta and espresso martini were fantastic (with the burrata appetizer). Pizza was only okay. Cute ambiance for sure and service was good too! read more