It was easy for me to be excited about visiting Marios Place, because what's there not to like about a Restaurant with my name in it. It was a Saturday evening, and the place was busy. Although we didn't have a reservation, a table for two luckily opened up and we were seated in a few minutes. I quickly noticed there's an army of hosts and servers and the service is very attentive and personal. The ambiance feels comfortable, and decor is classic Italian fine dining. The buzz here is electric, all the tables were filled with friends/families enjoying their food and engaging in stimulating conversations. There are many great cocktails to choose from and I ordered an Old Fashioned ($8). It was so good and the price even better, that I ordered another. Hehe he Our first course started with a generous amount of Calamaretti Fritti served with a tomato-based vinaigrette and a buttery creamy sauce. The Calamari tasted exquisitely fresh, dipped in both sauces and we were very happy with it. Next, we tried a delicious Boschetto Salad with arugula, truffled Pecorino Toscano, roasted locally grown beets, marcona almonds, and a balsamic vinaigrette. Finally, we tried a special of the day which was a wood fried pizza with imported soft-shell clams. By then we were almost full and enjoyed half of it and took the remaining slices home. The whole dining experience was memorable, and I had a blast at Marios Place. As we left Marios, my guest and I bumped into celebrity Cheech Marin, whom we saw in hour later at the concert commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Cheech Marin Center. Marios Place is across from the Mission Inn and is a great restaurant for classic Italian food. Our host was Alejandro, and he was assisted by Mason. Their immaculate and friendly service was greatly appreciated. Honestly after dining here, I felt a special kinship to Marios Place and plan to return quickly to sample more entries. There is a reasonably priced public parking around the corner and some street parking is available. read more

I have come to Mario's about once every year or two since I was a teenager for birthday dinners or special get-togethers. Every time we've come the food, drinks, and service are great. Let's start at the beginning. The decor itself is pretty nice but nothing too special, though I love the exposed brick above the bar. The main dining room itself is nice and open. You'll see a wide variety of dress here, from people in t-shirts to people in business suits and everything in between. Speaking of the bar, their bartender is one of the best in the Inland Empire. I've never had a Manhattan that was as dangerously smooth as at Mario's, and similar things could be said about most of their mixed drinks. Their wine selection is also quite extensive and of high caliber. Many of their appetizers are awesome, such as the crab salad. Their calamari, while not terribly creative, is also great. Entrees are also very tasty and there is a nice variety in the types of dish offered. From the super hearty and savory oxtail ragu to light salmon, every dish is cooked to perfection and is delicious. I've never tried the wood-oven pizzas, but I'd like to. Service has always been excellent in my experiences, generally the server is very attentive and the few times we've had an issue the problem was corrected quickly, and on several occasions the entree in question was given free of charge when the bill came. One critique I have is that the menu is pretty stagnant. I don't believe the menu has changed at all over the last several years, and while they have daily specials it would be nice to see more seasonal items on the menu, or at least a refresh every once in awhile. That being said, it is comforting to know that your favorite dish will be waiting for you the next time you come by. Food can be expensive but is on par for the quality and flavor. I highly recommend Mario's, it's always on my wish-list. read more

The perfect example of attempted fine dining. We ventured to Mario's on a Friday night craving something gourmet, since were in Riverside, we didn't have much of a choice. First impression upon walking in the door was being ignored for 2 minutes by a portly gentleman working the door. We were seated by a friendly hostess and bread soon followed. Our table was oddly 2 pushed together which created a uncomfortable gap. The table was draped with 3 or 4 tabled cloths, why so many? I am guessing to save money on not buying padded tables. Our waiter soon came and read us the specials. He never made eye contact the whole time and would not stop rubbing his tie, after he got through the 8,000 daily specials we ordered a Mozzarella and Prosciutto appetizer which quickly arrived at our table. The appetizer was very good. Our main courses we good, a tad over priced. My pasta was pretty bland except for the wonderful goat cheese on top. My date had a risotto that was prepared beautifully. After we ate my date excused himself from the table for a second and I was approached by our waiter, "uhh.....do you want your check" was what spilled out of his mouth. You see our plates hadn't been cleared and he didn't even offer coffee or dessert. Once I informed him of our intentions to enjoy a full meal, I ordered a wonderful banana napoleon dessert but the coffee was terrible. Over all, the food was good, not great but the service was just awful. But, most of all, I wish Mario's would understand if they were transplanted into San Francisco or LA they would be closed in a week. read more

Mario's Place in Riverside, California is truly a gem and well worth the visit. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt warm, elegant, and welcoming without being pretentious. The restaurant strikes the perfect balance between upscale dining and a comfortable, relaxed vibe, making it ideal for both special occasions and a nice night out. The food was outstanding from start to finish. Each dish was beautifully presented and packed with flavor, clearly made with high-quality ingredients and attention to detail. Every bite felt thoughtfully prepared, and the menu offers a great variety that caters to different tastes without feeling overwhelming. What really elevated our experience, though, was our server, Carlos G. Carlos was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly. He took the time to explain menu items, made excellent recommendations, and ensured everything came out perfectly timed. His professionalism and positive energy made us feel well taken care of and added a personal touch to the entire dining experience. Overall, Mario's Place exceeded expectations in every way. Exceptional food, a welcoming atmosphere, and outstanding service--especially from Carlos G--made for a memorable evening. We will absolutely be returning and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a top-tier dining experience in Riverside. read more

I've always loved Mario's place and have eagerly told friends and family to try it out. Unfortunately, my most recent visit left a sour taste in my mouth due to an unpleasant experience with the host. After enjoying the Festival of Lights, my party of six was ready for a nice dinner around 8:30pm. When I first approached the host I asked how long the wait time was, her response was 10-15, which was perfectly fine. However, when I checked back after about 20 minutes, I found the same host, Kate, with a gentleman beside her. I asked how much longer it would be for our party, only to receive a chuckle and a curt response: "10:15 PM" -- delivered with a lack of empathy that was startling. She then coldly asked if I still wanted to wait. I understand that busy nights can be stressful, but a host's job is to make guests feel welcomed, not dismissed. Unfortunately, Kate's attitude was the worst I've encountered and really affected the overall experience at Mario's. I hope this is just an isolated incident; I genuinely want to love this place again. However, I believe management should address this type of behavior, as it detracts from what is otherwise a beloved establishment. For now, I'll be reconsidering my recommendation to others until I see improvement read more

I had to update my review of my favorite restaurant because I usually sit at the bar and have dinner and drinks or is it drinks and dinner. Tonight it was different, we ate in the dining room! From the hostess who seated us to the attentiveness of the water station, the service and ambiance exceeded familiar expectations. Todd's description of the specials made it all seem must have, and we tried as much as we could. we shared the seafood bisque, Cesar salad and calamari fritti as appetizers. I forgot that I wanted to revisit the crispy squash blossoms. But I forgot! Next time, for sure!!! For the main courses we had the penne regate, braised ox tail over penne pasta with shaved Romano cheese, the parchment enclosed salmon with snap peas, the seafood pasta special with loads of shrimp and of course the filet mignon cooked medium, on a bed of balsamic reduced onions and under a mountain of potato straws (very impressive presentation). Gluttony took over at that point and we had the cheese cake with strawberry sauce for dessert. Outstanding!!! read more

An absolutely outstanding meal at Mario's Place! The white-cloth service, warm lighting, and classic atmosphere create the perfect setting for a relaxed yet elevated dining experience. The highlights of our meal: Pan-Seared Fish: The fish was crisped to perfection on the outside while remaining tender on the inside, served over a bed of fresh green beans and a light, flavorful vegetable brodo/sauce that tied everything together beautifully. Neapolitan-Style Margherita Pizza: A complete standout--light, airy, blistered crust topped with vibrant tomato sauce, fresh melted mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves. Simple, authentic, and delicious. Bread Service & Wine: Accompanied by fresh crusty bread, rich butter, and a great wine selection that paired effortlessly with the entire meal. The presentation was top-notch, and the staff provided attentive, friendly service from start to finish. If you're looking for authentic flavors and a fantastic atmosphere read more

Mario's Place still rocks post-COVID, but the elegant ambiance has waned a bit, beginning with paper menus (I get it - more economical, easier to change, don't have to clean them every time they're used), and a two-hour time limit for table reservations. Mostly busy and sensible crowd, except for the loudmouth at the bar (there's always one). We had reservations at 6pm on a Saturday night and by 8pm the place was empty. Excellent food; strange service. My water glass was never less than half full. Ever. And I drink a lot of water. Our waiter was indifferent to the point of being intimidating - we must have looked like people whom he would look down on, since he did exactly that a lot. Bolognese was excellent; paste was a perfect a dente. Mezzelune was perfectly-balanced with sage, brown butter, and and butternut squash. Definitely recommend the food. Put up with the service; it will probably be worth it. read more

Romantic and Good! This is a wonderful place to bring your Boyfriend, Girlfriend, Husband, or Wife. Its very Romantic and the food is outstanding. The Dining Room is some what small, and therefore is often loud, but it hardly distracts from the really good food or service. This place just seems 'special'. The bar is pretty darn good too :) My only gripe is that the portions are very small, and they seem to have added on a Metrosexual/Urban hipster outdoor bar area that plays crappy music and seems to attract some real odd balls. I'm not sure if this was a really smart business decision to single out the troublemakers and take them outside so that the restaurant can be enjoyed by all, or if its to push more liquor sales LOL But Really, its one of my two favorite restaurants. The other is Portofino's in La Habra. read more

As you may have already read, Marios place is a Riverside staple. Although they have been here for a long time does not necessarily mean they're the best place in town. The food here is good don't get me wrong, but it's just not consistent. We've came here a few times and I would say each experience was different. Your experience will depend on who your waiter / waitress is and what chef is in the kitchen that night. I would say every visit I made here I've had to send back my steak to get cooked a little longer. It seems that they check internal temperatures on the side of the steak rather than the middle. This is only my assumption. Either way, the food here is really good, but it honestly depends on what day you go. read more

I had a great experience from beginning to end. The food was delicious, fresh, flavorful, and well prepared. Everything we ordered came out looking great and tasted even better. The service was excellent. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and attentive without making us feel rushed. They checked on us throughout our meal and made sure we had everything we needed. The ambience was also very enjoyable. The restaurant was clean, comfortable, and had a nice atmosphere that made it easy to relax and enjoy our meal. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience with great food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and look forward to coming back! read more

We are actually are going this Thursday for a special occasion, a special Birthday celebration. Mario's has been our favorite date night and special occasion restaurant for 20 years! You can often sit at the bar as a walk in or get reservations to guarantee a table but you wont be disappointed. The service is great, the atmosphere is great and when you see Chef Leone Palagi at the Riverside Farmers Market every week you know its fresh from the farm to the table. Our favorites are the Crispy Squash blossoms when they are in season, the Wild Mushroom Ravioli, pan roasted Veal Chops, any of the fresh Salmon dishes, and any of the wood fired pizza's. You will love it. read more

Great place in the heart of dt riverside! I stayed at the mission inn recently for business and wandered across the street to Mario's for dinner and a night cap. I ended up staying much longer than I planned due to the insanely cheap college night drink specials. Beers were $3! That's unheard of in SB where I'm from. It must have been their version of college night bc the crowd seemed younger but much diff than SB's college night where the kids are running around like crazy. UCR kids are much more tame it appears. I ordered a pizza and was very impressed. It was great, quick, and didn't break my wallet. I'll def come back next time I'm in town! read more

What can I say? Best food in riverside no question! The quality of food and service could easily compete with the best restaurants in Los Angeles. The wine menu is extensive and well prepared. The service was great and only outdone by the food coming from the kitchen. Food was served hot and delicious. The presentation was impeccable. Must try's; calamari, burrata, corn soup, sweet pea tortellini, seared ahi, and the hot parcel of chocolate and raspberries. Will be back soon!! read more

Mario's Place is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, the friendly and attentive staff made us feel like valued guests. The Italian cuisine was simply divine, with perfectly cooked pasta dishes and flavorful sauces. The homemade lasagna was a standout, and the pizza was a delight. The presentation was impeccable, and the tiramisu was the perfect finale. Mario's Place is a must-visit for any food enthusiast. Highly recommended! Bravo! read more

It was frustrating that we were there after peak hours (Monday night there were open tables and nobody waiting) but the waiter was pressuring us to order, coming back ever 3-4 minutes asking us if we had questions about the menu or made any decisions yet. We were trying to relax, have a drink, and chat with friends but he didn't want to let that happen. That aside, we had a pretty good dinner. read more

Mario's is a true gem in downtown Riverside! The first time I came right after COVID, I met the owner--such a sweet, attentive, and friendly person. We sat outside, and it was such a great experience. This time we sat inside, and it was just as lovely! The food is always fresh and flavorful, the service is wonderful, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. A must-visit spot! read more

The hostess with short brown hair was unbelievable. she was unfortunately the reason we will not be coming back here ever again. she was extremely rude and short with conversation. my husbands friends arrived later that evening and had a horrible experience with the manager he should not work in a restaurant setting with that attitude. i was more than let down by those two. read more

Good comfort food. Would go here every Sunday morning after Mass for breakfast. One of my childhood staples. I would recommend the pastrami omellette. Eggs Benedict, Their Hollandaise sauce is the real one with lemon in it. waffles are so crispy and full of flavor and they have real warm maple syrup. I haven't had many dinners here, but the breakfast are good. read more