This place is easy to miss from the street, but the inside was nicely decorated for the holidays. I came here for my birthday with my parents, and the staff were so kind and generous. They gave me two birthday desserts: vanilla bean ice cream and tiramisu topped with gooseberry. For appetizers, I recommend the persimmon salad and calamari. For entrees, I recommend the mushroom tagliatelle. The menu rotates each season, so I'll definitely be back. It's our new favorite Italian restaurant in Pasadena! read more

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Had such a lovely experience at Marina! The service was truly standout: friendly, attentive, and made me feel genuinely taken care of throughout the night. You can tell the team really cares about creating a great dining experience. The cocktails were super fun and creative, each one felt like a little surprise. As for the food, everything was solid, but a couple of dishes really stole the show. The prosciutto was unforgettable. It was Delicate, rich, and full of flavor. Easily some of the best I've had in a long time. The cacio e pepe was a beautiful twist on the classic. Vibrant, earthy, and deeply satisfying. It had that comforting simplicity you want, with just enough flair to make it special. Overall, Marina nails it with a great vibe, thoughtful dishes, and a team that makes you feel right at home. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Pasta made to perfection is the motto! As much as pasta isn't my #1 preference of cuisine, Marina kills it when it comes to their dishes. Paired with aromatic secret sauces straight from the kitchen, they are close to what you call perfection. Service is great here. All the servers are attentive and goes above and beyond to assist you in whatever you need. Needless to say, the ambiance provides a somewhat of a romantic date night type of spot. They do not disappoint! read more

This is a classy Italian eatery in the South Lake area of Pasadena. The decor was sparkly and modern but the space still felt cozy. Friendly service and informative. Food is served family style. We got the calamari and oyster mushrooms with the calamari aoli sauce being the standout. We shared the pizza bianca, cacio e pepe, scallopini di pollo and shrimp pasta alla vodka. Everything great especially the cacio e pepe and the pizza bianca. Glad we got there early as the place got pretty busy. Will plan on returning. 5 stars read more

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First time here for my birthday! Was hoping the food will be good because of the reviews. We order: Calamari: which is just regular test. Nothing surprised. Lamb Chop: not bad Duck Ragu: Duck is not fresh with pasta Wagyu Flat Iron steak: it's all right. Doesn't taste like wagyu meat!! Wine : open a bottle which never goes wrong! I'll never go come back here again. I'll go Huston to be safe! read more

Just went to Marina Pasadena for the first time tonight and I was not disappointed. Everything was absolutely delicious. We had the Italian sausage pizza and it was perfect. We also ordered the truffle pasta and the chicken breast with white wine sauce and pommes purée the chicken was perfectly cooked and the potatoes were soft, creamy, and comforting. Every dish was delicious! We also want to give a huge thank you to our sweet server, Mel. She was fantastic so kind, attentive, and genuinely warm. She made the experience even better. We just moved into the area and will definitely be back! read more

Marina - Mocktails - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Parking: Limited ground level parking and ample underground parking; with a fee after validation Ambiance: Chic, upscale and sophisticated Service: Fantastic- the staff were really great to us Food: Visually appealing but tasted average :( Half of our party's favorite thing was the Caesar Salad, Blistered bread, Calamari and Lamb Ragu. We ordered the $125 Porterhouse Steak but it wasn't too special. Other mediocre eats were the Octopus, Sausage Pizza (very salty) and Truffle Cava We ordered a great amount of drinks here and would probably come back for drinks or happy hour but would skip out on their regular dinner menu read more

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Absolutely wonderful dining experience from start to finish! Tony was our server at the bar and he couldn't be more attentive towards our every need nor more pleasant and gracious. All the food and beer was absolutely delectable! Happy hour is an incredible deal and a great way to sample many of their key items. Will definitely return! read more

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Marina is an absolute delight and easily earns a full five stars. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets the tone for a wonderful meal. Parking is a breeze since the structure sits right beneath the restaurant and they kindly validate, which makes the visit even more convenient. Their cocktails are thoughtfully crafted with a smooth balance. I especially loved the mezcal based Desperado which had an elegant depth without overwhelming the senses. The food is just as impressive. Their fresh made pastas and seasonal produce truly stand out and show the level of care in every dish. My friends and I enjoyed the Grilled Octopus, Market Carrots, Bianca Pizza, Mushroom Tagliatelle, and Pork Chop Milanese. Every plate was beautifully prepared and full of vibrant flavor. I ended the meal with a smooth digestivo from the dessert menu which was the perfect finish to an already memorable evening. Marina delivers exceptional service, wonderful food, and a lovely environment. This was my second visit and I look forward to a third. read more

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Wow amazing restaurant and just great experience overall! Went here on a Friday night, had reservations which I highly recommend. The place was busy and it's not the biggest restaurant so you will likely be waiting awhile at peak times. The menu isn't too overwhelming and has just enough choices to have a little something for everyone in my opinion, even the kids! We tried many of the fresh pastas, the margherita pizza, mushroom and blistered bread appetizers. They were all good in their own way and if you bring enough people, maybe you can share and try them all. Seems like you can't really go wrong with anything here. We also celebrated a birthday so got a couple desserts which were fine, mostly too full to enjoy I think haha. There is parking right next to the place but only like 8 spots or so, if you are unlucky there's a nearby paid parking with rates in picture. It is also nearby other parking areas so if you're familiar with the area there are other options too. read more

Marina - Parking rates nearby - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Out of the many Italian places I've tried in the LA area, I believe this is one of the best! The food was deliciously flavored without getting too rich- the citrus salad was refreshing, the steak was cooked to perfection (loved the mashed potato too), the butternut squash pasta balanced out the other dishes, and that tiramisu was heavenly!! And while the price can be a bit steep, I think the food, service, and ambiance were well worth it. Came on a weekday night with no wait. You can park at the parking lot on Shoppers Lane where the first 90 minutes are free (parking free after 7 pm). read more

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3.5 stars Marina is an Italian restaurant centrally located in Pasadena. They have an open kitchen with a wood-fire pizza oven. We made reservations for a party of four and were seated right away when we arrived. There is an adjacent parking structure where you can get parking validation and there is also street parking. FRIED CALAMARI & ARTICHOKE ($19) - this was your standard calamari. 3/5 BLISTERED BREAD & RICOTTA ($14) - normally the bread served is puffed up really big but ours was not really. Regardless, it was good to dip in the olive oil and ricotta mixture. 3.5/5 TRUFFLE FRIES ($15) - the truffle bits were not spread on the fries but you could still taste some of that flavor. 3.5/5 LAMB RAGU ($26) - we tasted a little bit of the gaminess from the lamb but the sauce and the pappardelle noodles were good. 4/5 HOUSE ITALIAN SAUSAGE ($24) - this was one of the only pizzas with meat. I noticed that the toppings were piled up in the middle so all first bites of the slices had most of the toppings and the parts near the crust were just tomato sauce. 4/5 For drinks, I ordered the salvavita ($17) which was more spirit-forward. I also tried the tangerine smash ($19) which was way too sweet for my liking but it might be good if you like sweet drinks. Even before it opened there was already a crowd waiting. Some were there for reservations like us while others came early to grab seats at the bar for happy hour. read more

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*mushroom appetizer *chicken entree / Scaloppine di pollo The chicken entree is spectacular! (Thank you, Jesus, for the recommendation). A flavor bomb wrapped in buttery goodness. The texture of the crispy chicken and veggies was unexpected and delightful. The cocktails were amazing. The mushroom appetizer was outstanding. The food is extremely well made and well seasoned. But what made our experience unforgettable was our server, Jesus. A most gracious, attentive, and kind individual who patiently and promptly attended to every request and who made us feel like we were the only table in the restaurant (along with his team). I cannot wait to go back! read more

Marina - Scaloppine di Pollo - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Five star for the pastas and Caesar salad. We had the truffle pasta which was really great and Al Dante texture is perfect, the mushroom pasta was also pretty good. Caesar salad was the bomb. The dessert of tiramisu and the other one was just so so because I was expecting more liquor on my tiramisu which I can't find there. Make reservation it get packed. read more

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The food is delicious, the ambiance is warm and welcoming, and the service is top notch. Danny took very good care of us as we had a ladies night out to celebrate a special birthday. The plates were very thoughtful, with my favorite being the Truffle Cavatelli and Crab & Squid Ink Tagliatelle, but even the salad was well-crafted. The drink menu also had great choices. read more

We had a lovely meal at our local Italian restaurant. Hubby and I shared an appetizer and salad. For entrees he chose the Bucatini on menu while I opted for a special pasta of the day - Tagliatelle with Duck Ragu. Food and service were excellent. The restaurant has an energetic vibe but is a tad noisy. Overall, a great place to dine in Pasadena. read more

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We usually get coffee at Republic which we enjoy and found the owners had a restaurant literally around the corner which my wife wanted to try for our anniversary. As we checked in with the host and the server took my wife to the table , I asked the host if they did anything for anniversaries because that is what we were celebrating that evening. He said yes, I'll let your server know. We ordered 1 appetizer, 3 dishes and some wine to celebrate our evening. All the food we tried here was great, except the Rabbit pasta didn't win me over, but glad I tried it. Other dishes tried were the mushroom pizza, shrimp pasta and Hamachi Crudo. Our server started out great helping us select wines to taste and order, but then went down hill from there. Throughout the entire evening (we were there for 1.5-2hrs), no one checked on us to see if we liked the food or if we needed anything else. It was upsetting to my wife because both tables next to us were checked on several times checking to see if the families enjoyed their dishes and we just sat there observing our waiter pass by 12+ times , but didn't check on us to see if we were satisfied with our food choices or if we'd like to order more. The one time he did stop by right at the beginning to ask if I needed another glass of wine, I declined because I was driving, but did ask him to stop by in 10 min because my wife wasn't done with hers, but she'd get another glass. No one stopped by after that. At the end desert menus were brought out to which we declined, because by now we were already not feeling the vibe. My complaint: 1.No one did anything for our anniversary even though the host said they do. The waiter didn't even mention it.( not sure if message was relayed) 2. Multiple checkins on other tables around us by waiter and we got left out ( put a damper on the special evening we were trying to enjoy) I don't care to go out anymore to eat due to customer service after Covid being absolutely terrible at most restaurants( not sure if most of you can relate), then there is the extra "service fee" we had to pay (you'd expect exceptional service then right???) Suggested tips range from 18-25% in today's world. I don't mind tipping generosity, but 'earn your tip' I'm leaving it at that. Wished we could had a better evening, but the restaurant experience isn't always about the food being great, but how you make your customers feel, the experience you provide is everything. Unfortunately we didn't get this. read more

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Another perfect happy hour bar experience. We did not have a reservation and the seats were reserved but like a true gentleman, the host made it happen and we were able to celebrate my bosses birthday in grand style. Can't come here without getting the Margarita pizza it is just so special but the bartender is even more special. Enjoy folks. read more

The foods, cocktails, and services are excellent and must try the pork chop and pasta when those are so good. read more

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My dining experience here today was so bad I had to speak up... the 1 star is solely for their rabbit bolognese BUT... 1. DO NOT order the seasonal appetizer Spring Blossom... dough so thick and filling so salty you'll feel like eating a corn dog. Nothing elegant about it. Can't even taste the spring blossom flower. Very disappointing appetizer first dish... It looks like what it is on their IG page that I give them credit to reproduce it exactly the same appearance wise but taste ... don't waste your money unless you like corn dogs ... 2. Bite into an oregano stem in my pizza which was unpleasant. Brought it to the attention to whom I believe was the manager/owner. And was being "educated" that it's cuz it's "fresh herb" so you'll see stems in the pizza. Makes you as a customer feel dumb like you never had pizza with "fresh herbs" before. Second strike! 3. Pasta ordered wasn't put in so was waiting for over 10 minutes and nothing happened to the point 1 server came to "clean" (took the silverware's and plates away) the table and "boxed up" my unfinished pizza as a silent notification of "hey it's time to pay and leave." Didn't even offer dessert (which is usually what they do before. It's not my first time dining there but this will be the last...). Just cleaned the table and brought me back the boxed up pizza and walked away... I had to bring to the waiter's (whom I ordered the pasta with) attention that my pasta hasn't arrived yet, no response back for him for over 5 mins so I had to ask another person (probably the runner) and he came back with "it's almost coming" while the former server semi yelled across the restaurant "they're plating it!" I don't mind the delay but would appreciate the courtesy of at least a "I apologize for the delay" or "I apologize your order wasn't put in by mistake." Nothing... 3rd strike! 4. Waited at the table after finally completing the meal and sat around for about the same time (~10-15 min) as the table next to me when both party completed eating. Server approached the other table & offered dessert menu while completely ignoring my table which is about 1 foot away so our tables are dang close to each other... only after I called over a server for parking validation did the server brought up "would you like some dessert or coffee before you go?" when he returned with the ticket validated ... I was expecting a pleasant dining experience like my previous visits which brought me back here but was greeted with these such a shame that the ordering process was all pleasant and the owner even gave me some pizza recommendations ... service and overall food today just ... sigh ... I'm sure the owner don't care about these "bad" reviews because "business is good" and I have yet seen a single response on recent months of bad reviews BUT I hope this honest review can help some ppl avoid a bad dining experience while paying $$$ for it. read more

Marina - Just looking at it you can tell it's quick "THICK" ... - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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A homophobic restaurant. We made a reservation in advance, but when we arrived, there was no table available for us. The hostess mentioned that one would be opening soon, yet instead, we were eventually offered a downgraded table in the back, right next to the restrooms. While it's difficult to prove intent, the way we were treated made us feel unwelcome, and it seemed clear to us that our presence as a same-sex couple was not appreciated. The staff came across as dismissive, rude, and unnecessarily arrogant throughout the interaction. We ultimately decided to leave and take our business elsewhere--and we're glad we did. We ended up having a wonderful dinner at Celestino's, where we felt genuinely welcomed and respected. read more

Went today for dinner for a special occasion. Asked in the reservation for their best table and told them it was a special occasion. The hostess congratulated us on the special occasion. But other than that no dessert or free drinks or anything further mention. Regarding the table they sat us at the nearest table to the front door we heard lots of traffic and everyone walking by. There's no way this was thier best table. Which is sad because they were basically empty other than celebrity Dr Drew B. Who came I shortly after us. Got two apps: the squash blossoms and the Octopus. Out of the two the Octopus was the better. It was well seasoned and flavored. The squash blossom were very bland. For entrees we got the cacio e pepe and mushroom tag, the cacip e pepe was simply a butter and pepper pasta. It didn't taste like it had any cheese and typically you don't use butter sauce in cacio so or wasn't my favorite. The mushroom tag tasted like ramen/cup of noodles. It honestly wasn't great. My partner only ate a qaurter of the dish. We also got two drinks mine was ok but my partners was pretty horrid. It was the asperol cocktail and it tasted originally like Canada dry raspberry we asked to add some more flaving or juice in it and they added more asperol in it which made it bitter and undrinkable. My partner didn't take a further sip. Instead of being asked if we wanted it remade or returned the waitress didn't address it. Lastly we has the Gelato (which was good) and tiramasu which was good as well. Overall they're a 3.5, overall $200 for a meal with tip and frankly i wouldn't go back. I'm giving them a 3 here because they certainly weren't what I would call a 4. The issues came from somewhat poor service and confused dishes, there were maybe Italian inspired but had a large Asian influence which was odd. Also the drinks really all seemed like bottom shelf liquor. Ultimately nothing was great. None of the flavors were bold or flavorful. They were all muted and bland. It felt a bit uninspired. read more

We had a pleasure of dining at Marina Restaurant in Pasadena recently. First, I would like to talk about the ambience of the restaurant. It has a modern look with classical touch. I really like the Italian classic touch of their decorations and restaurant layout. They have a huge pizza oven that can be viewed from any angle in the dining area. Its quite entertaining to see how cook their pizza. Their staff are very attentive, we were immediately seated upon arrival. Our server checked on us multiple times and made sure that we were well taken care of. We ordered the House Italian Sausage Pizza. It was a great choice for a pizza. We can tell that every ingredient is fresh and of high-quality. The Lilly's mushroom is also very delicious. We just love how the mushrooms were charred to perfection. It has some smokiness to it and balanced with the tanginess of the sauce. The flat iron steak was cooked to perfection. It was very tender. I can tell that it is a highly grade meat. The star of the show for me is the Truffle Cavatelli. It's is just an elegant pasta both in appearance and taste. The truffles brings so much flavor the overall assembly of the pasta and the sauce is very creamy and well-flavored. If you are looking for a great restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or even just to have a great meal on a weeknight, Marina restaurant hits the spot! read more

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Never had a bad dish at Marina. My favorite pasta dish at Marina would have to be the Mushroom Tagliatelle. From a simple dish like that, you can tell that the chefs really enjoy their craft and use quality ingredients. The wife doesn't love wine, but their selection is incredible! I usually get a negroni when I'm there and the wife gets a sweet cocktail. Their cocktails are great as well. Their dining room isn't large, but it is very charming. I think they could use another server during busy hours as we sometimes have a hard time getting our server's attention. But I can't say it harmed our experiences much. Marina will always be a restaurant I return to in Pasadena. read more

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My parents wanted to dine somewhere for Christmas Eve, and luckily this was one of the few places that were still open. Parking may be a bit tricky around here since there isn't really a convenient parking area. I heard you may be able to validate with the structure of the same plaza, but there's a free parking area basically across from the restaurant. We went ahead and got seated immediately with our 5:30pm reservation. It got packed quickly when it got to prime dinner time. We ordered 5 dishes, afraid these were small portions, which they a bit were. We ordered the rabbit bolognese, persimmon salad, blistered bread, italian sausage pizza, and the wagyu flat iron steak. First, our server was so kind and efficient! She also had a bright attitude and made sure our dishes were out promptly. Starting with the first dish, we got the blistered bread. My mom was most fascinated with this appetizer since it was so 'airy' inside, but ours came out a bit disappointing lol. Ours was nearly flat, and I was confused a bit if this was the same item we wanted haha. It came with Ricotta cheese and oil, and it was actually a nice pairing! The bread was soft, and the ricotta with tomatoes was very pleasant together. The only disappointing factor was that it wasn't as 'airy' as we wanted it to be. Next came the persimmon salad, which was something we normally don't try often. The salad itself was very flavorful, and the persimmon was nice and sweet. The nuts that it came with paired very well as well. Although, it was a bit overdressed, so the more you eat it, it does taste a bit too much. Portion size was also a bit small, so we wish this was more shareable with others. Next we had the rabbit bolognese. It seemed like the most popular dish here, and I never had 'rabbit' as pasta before. Unfortunately, this was my least favorite dish here. The pasta was only just warm, and the meat was a lot more tougher than I thought. The overall pasta and the pasta noodle itself didn't really taste all that special, so this one was disappointing. It was also kind of dry as well. Next was the House Italian Sausage Pizza, and this one was actually my favorite. The portion of this one was large, perfect for 3 of us since we were able to share 2 slices each person. This one actually felt like it was worth what you were paying for. The cheese and sausage was aromatic. The pizza itself was also on the thinner side, but I was surprised how soft the crust was. I normally don't eat the crust of a pizza unless it's really good, and this one was it! Although, the more you eat it, it generally tastes saltier. So it tasted like 1 slice was enough. We were afraid we didn't order enough, so we got the wagyu flat iron steak to all share as well. This one oddly did take the longest, which we were already pretty full by the time it arrived. Also to mention, my dad doesn't really eat meat at medium rare, which I told them to have it medium rare (but towards more medium). It did come out as medium rare (but towards rare lol). Although, my dad actually enjoyed it! The steak was very soft and juicy, also very flavorful. The mashed potatoes that came with this dish was also soft and full of flavor. The red pepper as well. Overall, the whole experience at Marina was very nice. The service and efficiency was up to par. Many of the dishes are full of flavor, but can also be overly salty. We enjoyed it here! read more

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Came here to celebrate a birthday. I made reservations in the morning and was seated at my reservation time at 8:30pm. The interior was beautiful and the place was lively on a Friday night. Seating per party seemed to be closer than usual, although this was not an issue and added to the intimate atmosphere. We started with the calamari and had a cocktail + beer for drinks. The calamari was solid and for the main course we had the Shrimp alla Vodka + the Mushroom Tagliatelle. Both were very good and we were happy with our meal. Marina is a cool place for an nonchalant/a bit upscale date if you are in Pasadena. Service was great from start to finish and they gave us a complimentary dessert (Vanilla Ice Cream w Chocolate Shavings) for the birthday. Overall a nice place for a date night. read more

Marina - Shrimp Alla Vodka + Mushroom Tagliatelle - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

We had dinner here on a Thursday evening. It's in a cute area of Pasadena. There's a small lot in front of the restaurant and lower levels for additional parking. The restaurant itself is very modern. It's clean, airy, with lots of large windows that give you a nice view of the area. We ordered the 24 Month Prosciutto San Daniele, Market Caesar Salad (no anchovies), House Italian Sausage pizza, Lamb Ragu, truffle parmesan fries, and Hazelnut and Vanilla Gelato. Everything was delicious! We literally finished everything and scraped up all small bits. Our server was also so very friendly. He made sure to check on us frequently and made sure we had everything we needed. He also engaged in small talk that made us feel welcome but wasn't too personal or long that it interrupted our meal. We will definitely be back! read more

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Food (everything) : 10/10 Prompt and friendly service :10/10 Drinks: 10/10 Ambiance: 10/10 I think I found my new favorite Italian restaurant!! We had the Caesar salad, yes with optional anchovies on top and they were delicious! Calamari, Bianca pizza, and Cacio e pepe, all amazing. Napolitano and tangerine cocktails, wine, and dessert dear Lord! The Budino... sooo decadent and perfect. I'm not a big chocolate person but dear Lord what a perfect dessert!!! Oh yes, we'll be back for another date night! Honestly took me back to Italy for a minute there. Can't wait to go back!! read more

What a fantastic restaurant. The food was amazing and our waitress Ella was awesome. Everything we tried on the menu was exceptional. I would describe this restaurant as mostly Italian with a bit of a middle eastern twist. Great ambiance, great food, great staff. We will be back for sure. read more

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Good food and good overall vibe. I liked the intimacy this layout creates. Friendly staff and phenomenal drinks. read more

Marina - Parking Info - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Had a wonderful dinner here to catch up with my friends! I'm excited to return to try more dishes. This place would be perfect for a date night with the exceptional service and beautiful interior. But here are my food ratings: Lamb ragu, 9/10 Bucatini pasta, 7/10 Bianca pizza, 8/10 All of the dishes were seasoned just right. I didn't try anything special or too different from typical Italian restaurants, so I think the food was good overall compared to other restaurants I've tried. Thank you for having us! read more

Marina - Lamb Ragu (ordered 2), bucatini pasta, Bianca pizza - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

So glad we finally tried this spot! Beautiful restaurant with a patio and amazing food! Everything we ordered: --24 Month Prosciutto San Daniele (9/10) --House Italian Sausage Pizza (8.5/10) --Mushroom Tagliatelle (10/10) read more

Did DineLA here, and it was wonderful. The presentation of the food, the taste of it - all great. I had the squash blossom, and it was fantastic. The sea bass was very flavorful, and the tiramisu was very rich. The blue cheesecake was decadent, and I preferred that to the tiramisu. It's amazing; you have to try it! We finished every crumb except for our desserts because we were so full from finishing everything else! The drinks were great, too, strong and refreshing. I had the tangerine smash and another drink with a bourbon base. The former is a perfect summer drink. As for the service, I couldn't have asked for anything more. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. It's a small restaurant so our server was never far. This was a lovely dining experience. I'd go here again to try their other dishes for sure. read more

Marina - Sea Bass during DineLA - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Marina is a great spot for Italian food in the Pasadena area. I had reservations to this restaurant around 9:30 PM but was around 10 minutes late, but the staff was still really accommodating to me and my friend when we arrived. We got seated right away, got served water and were given menus. The interior of the restaurant is very spacious and nicely decorated, a very cute date spot or girl's night out. Grilled Octopus (5/5): This was a great appetizer! Very unique and flavorful, I loved the sauce with the octopus, I felt like it elevated the dish significantly. The octopus was also well cooked and was already pre-cut, so it was easy to eat. Main Lobster Tagliatelle (5/5): This dish was so delicious, I loved the combination of the lobster with the sauce and the bread crumbs added a nice texture to the overall taste. I didn't feel like the dish was heavy either, but the portion was substantial. Truffle Cavatelli (4/5): This dish was good, but I wish it came with more sausage since the sausage was really good and added a bit of saltiness to the dish. Without it, the dish would have just been super creamy and cheesy, which isn't bad but the sausage and truffle really elevated the dish. Tiramisu (4/5): Ending the meal with this tiramisu was great. It was really creamy and had a lot of cacao powdered on top. I think the cream to lady finger ratio was a little off, I thought it could have used more lady fingers since the cream was really overwhelming, but overall it was a solid dessert. I'd definitely come back here to try their other dishes! We parked in a structured parking garage that wasn't free, so keep that in mind when coming to this place. read more

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A lovely restaurant with great design and service, but the food unfortunately leaves much to be desired. We came on a Saturday evening and quickly got seated. Amongst the dishes we ordered, the caesar salad, octopus, margarita pizza, and spicy shrimp alla vodka, nothing stood out. Perhaps we ordered the wrong dishes but everything was below mediocre. The octopus was very salty and one-dimensional in flavor. It would have benefited from something tangy or refreshing like lemon or citrus. The spicy shrimp alla vodka was lacking in flavor and had an overwhelming bitterness that left a strange aftertaste. I was extremely disappointed by the pizza as I'm a huge fan of simple wood fired margherita pizzas. The pizza lacked that fresh tomato sauce and felt very heavy/greasy. The cheese was oily and didn't taste like the classic fresh mozzarella. The flavor profile reminded me more of a New York style pizza, which I don't mind, but is just not what I expected when ordering a margherita. The 4 dishes plus a cocktail totaled to about $120. Unless there is a major improvement in the dishes, I'm unlikely to return. read more

Marina - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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We had our company dinner at Marina last night - 38 in attendance and what a meal. Marina's staff and chefs delivered on all fronts!!! Thank you Gustavo and Nader for taking such care w/ our dinner and for the impecabble service!!! The Greenridge Group read more

My friends and I recently visited Marina for my birthday dinner and I was very happy with this place! It's located near pasadena downtown so be prepared to look for street parking. The restaurant itself has an amazing ambience with a beautiful bar and green lighting. The wait staff here are all very polite and sweet! They brought out the cake very sneakily as well and everyone sang happy birthday. For food, we ordered a salami pizza, truffle cavatelli, rabbit bolognese, and squash agnolotti. Every single dish was made very well and the pasta quality was spectacular. The pizza and the agnolotti were definitely my favorite but I would recommend all of these dishes. We also all enjoyed our drinks and I particularly loved the matcha mocktail I got. I wish they had an alcoholic version of it because it was so good! I highly recommend coming here whether if it's just for a night out or for a special occasion. read more

Marina - 10.2024 Salami pizza, squash agnolotti, rabbit bolognese - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Not a fan of rabbit or duck. But those in my party ordered it and said it was very good. So there you go Quaint little spot with a nice atmosphere. Hey the pizza and pasta game is definitely on point read more

Marina - Outside entrance. - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Great food, ambiance, and service. They have a nice bar and an interesting menu. The puffy bread is delicious!

Delicious food and great selection of wines. Beautiful restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seatings. Friendly service. Salted cod brandade was decent; I tasted mostly the sauce part, not so much of the fish but the bread was good. Prosciutto pizza was good; the dough and crust were chewy yet crispy but could use a tiny bit more salt and the toppings were fresh but could use a tiny bit more sauce as well. Loved the carbonara; the noodle was cooked perfectly and it came with lots of pancetta. Our server mentioned some people thought the pancetta was too salty, which I personally didn't think so. But for the amount of meat they gave, it could be more balanced with more noodle. The restaurant got very busy by the time we finished and we had to wait for awhile to find our sever. Overall, it was a pretty nice experience in the Pasadena area. read more

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