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    Marcella's

    4.1 (1.1k reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Tapas Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

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    MARCELLA'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Marcella's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Arancini
    Juliana S.

    Went to the Short North location of Marcella's for happy hour. I've been to this location a few times but this was by far my favorite experience. Buckeye Espresso Martini was a special and it was amazing. The Crispy Potato Pizza was also a new one for me, and I loved it. The arancini is always amazing. Server was great, service was quick, and the ambiance is always great at Marcella's. Can't wait to visit again!

    Giant meatball
    Nick M.

    My favorite restaurant in Columbus, always a perfect time here! Came here for Valentine's Day, so it was definitely busy but still a good experience. I've honestly never seen this restaurant not super crowded. Our server Jacob was very attentive. Food was delicious as always! Had the roasted garlic cheese bread as an appetizer, and the creste arrabbiata for dinner. This was plenty of food for the both of us as we split the entrée. Both dishes were perfectly cooked and very yummy; to be honest I could probably order one of everything off this menu as everything looks and smells so good. Great time here as always, and will definitely be back!

    Brent W.

    One of the best happy hour spots around. Half price appetizers, salads, drinks and pizza!! A couple of friends joined me for the first time and they loved it. You can beat the wide range of delicious options. There wasn't a bad bite. Hard to beat this beautiful restaurant right in the heart of the Short North. Our service was good, depending on what you like. Our waiter could have been a little more attentive, but overall it was friendly and spot on! We got a meatball, arancini, and some shrimp. We got a couple of pizzas. And, I had to have some of their mussels. We all had at least two rounds of drinks. All for $100. We thought it was a deal. Check it out!

    Mushroom pizza
    Lee Ann P.

    I am a sucker for a good happy hour and Marcella's does not disappoint here. I came here with a large group of friends and dispute our bigger party and the restaurant being packed our waitress did an excellent job of taking care of us and keeping the drinks following. We had a round of espresso martinis which were delicious and I had some wine. My husband and I started with the incredible meatball, which could not have been more tender or flavorful. Then I had an awesome ceasar salad and my husband and I also split the mushroom pizza which was amazing. Our table tried the bruschetta, gnocchi, Marsala, and chicken parm and everyone raved about their food. I will definitely be back!

    Chocolate Almond Cake
    Jeffrey R.

    5 Italian dining. Everything we had was delicious and great service. There personal care was so welcoming. The burrata salad was a highlights as were the desserts. The Chocolate Almond tasted like an olive oil cake so tender and moist. The Tiramisu was so unique and creamy with a light coffee flavor it may have been the best I have ever eaten. Very romantic and cozy vibes.

    Marcella's Italian Salad
    Greg M.

    Great experience! Came in on a Wednesday at 5:30 for dinner. The place was bumping! We had a reservation and were promptly seated. Our server was fast and friendly, bring drinks shortly after we sat down. Started off with a couple of salads that were outstanding. Had the chicken Parmesan which was really, really good. Usually I ask for more red sauce, and this one was a bit skimpy on it as well, but the side of fettuccine Alfredo just made the dish perfect! I was going to stop half way through and save it for lunch tomorrow, but I just couldn't do it and powered down the whole plate. Daughter got the fettuccine Alfredo with a meatball that she said was also very good. With all the people in the joint and the metal ceilings, it can be rather loud, but I never really had a problem listening to my daughter with my hearing impaired old man ears. Didn't know this was a Cameron Mitchell restaurant until I saw it on the check, which surprised me. I know his restaurants are supposed to be top notch, but I've always been disappointed in one thing or another. Not today. With the exception of the traffic coming down town, I have no complaints whatsoever. Looking forward to coming back again before a show at the Garden Theater.

    Lasagna
    Chris S.

    This place is something I have heard about for sometime now. The atmosphere and the bar area is perfect for a date or a night with friends. The staff were incredible and very friendly and overly knowledgeable . The tables are tight so not a fan of that . The food was incredible, had the lasagna and usually I'm afraid it won't be filled with meat and pasta perfectly. I was overwhelmed with joy at how they nailed the portion. Just a perfect place for a great night out.

    Marcella's Italian Salad
    Dale L.

    We attended a private luncheon with a set menu. The interior is cozy and warm with the dark woods and mood lighting. The service was great and the food was served hot. The desserts were some of the best I've had in a lonnng time.

    Paola R.

    This place was packed last Saturday! We called on our way there and they were able to find us a reservation. Our server was the nicest and she truly did her best! She was running around making sure all of her tables had everything they needed. This is not your typical Italian restaurant. They were playing loud music, playing the football games on their tvs by the bar, and it seemed like people went there to drink and eat their flatbread. The food was delicious but it was missing their "it" factor. I think it's because they are so busy there is really no time to make the food extraordinary. This place is not the cheapest so I'm not sure if I'll be back.

    Gnocchi
    Michelle C.

    I came for a happy hour and dinner on my recent trip to Columbus. We were sat in a window seat along High Street which was lovely. The ambiance in the restaurant was great. We had foccacia, calamari, Italian wedding soup, salad, wine and beer. We shared the gnocchi. Everything was delicious. Our waiter was funny and attentive. The atmosphere was lively.

    Sean C.

    This is a quick walk from the convention and sports district and is 100% worth the walk and any wait time. We randomly ran upon Marcella's are couldn't be happier that we found it - you will definitely not regret it. Since we arrived early, we were able to be seated immediately (although that changed really quickly) and were immediately greeted by our server who had plenty of recommendations for us to discuss before choosing. We tried a few different drinks and each were great. I'm not sure I can give one as a favorite since they were all so good. Of course, the bread to start was also fresh, warm, and perfection. Any place that starts with fresh bread is a win, for sure. As for food, we had a quick appetizer, burrata, which was great, easy and exactly as expected. Since I couldn't decide on an entree, I went with classic lasagna and was not disappointed. The portion was large, the sauce was perfect, and the filling was delectable. I can't wait to get back to Columbus to go again.

    Veggie and potato pizza
    Brendan H.

    This place is a 5/5 for sure. Asher was a friendly guy that Cameron may have groomed himself. We got a little bit of everything. Muscles, carpaccio, wedding soup, mushroom pizza, fettuccine and meatball. Cocktails wines. Favorites were the carpaccio and the meatball. Pretty tight space, I guess they are trying to get as many people a they can in there. I was ok with it. At one point Marcella came out and bashed some skulls, no biggie. I'll be back for sure!!!!!!!!!!

    Bruschetta, Arancini, and Strawberry Fields zero proof mocktail
    Brianne C.

    We had a 5:15 pm reservation on Wednesday before a Columbus Fury game at Nationwide Arena. A few of our party arrived at 5 and were seated right away. They even ordered some happy hour appetizers which arrived within minutes of when I arrived at 5:10. I'd been to the Polaris location previously, but the vibe of the Short North location during happy hour is different. Service was very quick, there were a lot of small groups enjoying happy hour, and it was a great experience. We ordered the large meatball, arancini, and bruschetta to start. All were delicious and fairly easy to split 4 ways. I had the Strawberry Fields "Mocktail" which had a lovely strawberry flavor with a fun citrus foam on top. The pepperoni pizza was a great thin crust, and the shrimp appetizer had a great lemon garlic flavor. From other members of my party the red sangria had great fruit flavor and the tortellini was split 2 ways.

    Spaghetti & Meatball

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Service was pretty slow, and the food was not worth the price. Did not meet our expectations.

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    2 years ago

    This restaurant has the best food and great service. They have great happy hour prices in the bar area with a very good wine selection.

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    3 years ago

    Excellent past, noodles perfectly done plenty of cheese and good wine selection. Service was polite and very professional.

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    3 years ago

    Fantastic food & great service! We especially loved the atmosphere, and the location was spot on.

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Amazing service and food!!! I'd recommend to anyone wanting to try Italian!! I loved it and will be going back!!

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    4 years ago

    Nice, cozy warm atmosphere. Food very good, nothing stands out just a pleasant place to eat.

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    2 years ago

    very good food, but quite noisy inside the restaurant. The chef could cut back on the salt shaker as well.

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The meatball is hands down one of THE best! Wait service was great and the place was hopping on a Tuesday night. Look forward to returning!

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    Page 7 of 29

    Marcella's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Marcella's

    What is the happy hour menu?

    Half off most of the menu, except entrees and pastas. Includes pizza, salads, apps. Drink specials.

    Can you make reservations?

    Yes!

    Is it expensive?

    Not expensive for the quality and portion size in my opinion - $$ ($ would be like Subway/Chipotle $10)… Read more

    View All 4 Questions

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    Lola & Giuseppe's Trattoria

    4.5(635 reviews)
    7.3 mi
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    Wow! Where do I begin!!…read more I made a reservation for this restaurant after I friend of mine raved about it. Our reservation was at 7:30p and we were seated promptly upon arrival. Our servers name was DJ, she did an impeccable job. Very friendly, answered all of our questions and was very good at her job!) We ordered the Pasta Fritto for an appetizer and it was incredible. Bread service was included with the meal and the garlic bread was good! We both decided to get Alfredo and it was 10/10. Super creamy and rich, noodles were cooked perfectly. We then ordered 3 different desserts and brought them home to try. We got the Cannoli, Tiramisu and Carrot Cake. They're all made in the bakery next door and fresh as can be. The carrot cake was my favorite! I would highly recommend this place! The ambience was quaint and pretty, staff were incredible, food was top notch and the prices were fair. I can't wait to come back!

    Review by :Avila.Eats on TikTok, insta, YouTube…read more Service: wait staff and owner are friendly and attentive. Water was never an issue and all questions were answered thoughtfully. Ambiance/Atmosphere: inside is small but well decorated. Spacious although cramped. Nice interior matching the home like exterior. Food: Spaghetti and meatball is alright. The sauce is a strong acid forward sauce and the meatball is tender and well flavored. The noodles were perfectly cooked and it all paired well together. You could take it or leave it. Lasagna was great. Thick layered meaty lasagna perfectly cooked and balanced between all ingredients. Large portion and thankfully so. I'd recommend. Chicken parm was delicious. Crispy well seasoned chicken breast. This is one of the better chicken parm's I've had in central Ohio. Well seasoned and perfectly cheesy. I'd highly recommend. Chicken Marsala was great. Juicy well seasoned chicken breast paired with a Delicious and well executed marsala mushroom sauce. I'm not a fan of risotto but this is was exceptional. I'd recommend. Chocolate espresso cake was good. I could see this being high on the list for a coffee lovers dessert list. Dense chocolate sponge with a delicious espresso frosting. Bread pudding with whiskey sauce was delicious. Soft, warm, well seasoned bread pudding In a delicious cream and whiskey infused sauce. This was the best bread pudding I've had to date. I'd highly recommend. Cannoli was delicious. Crispy shell and a freshly done ricotta mascarpone cream. The cream itself was a cinnamon cream and paired excellently with the chocolate chips. The best cannoli I've had In Ohio. I'd insist on this order. Carrot cake amazing. This is one of the best if not the best carrot cake in central Ohio. Deep orange color and packed with nuts. No raisins but the cream cheese frosting makes up for it with the subtle sweetness. I'd insist on this order.

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    Lola & Giuseppe's Trattoria - Bruschetta

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    Cento - Woman's hand pulling up pasta from her plate

    Cento

    4.5(167 reviews)
    1.7 miGerman Village

    My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Cento this year! We had a 5-star experience - from…read morethe service to the drinks to the food! Everything was wonderful! Drinks - my husband had a CBC IPA and I had a Spritzer. Appetizer - we went with the whipped ricotta. This was absolutely delish! The whipped ricotta was creamy, smooth, had a lemony flavor with celery leaves and parsley. Seriously, all of the flavors blended so well together! It was also topped with black truffle and honey (from a local vendor)! The sourdough bread that the whipped ricotta was served with was super fresh and warm (and from a local vendor as well)! Salad - we ordered a Caesar salad as well. I thought that it was super nice that they plated the salad on two plates for us knowing that we were splitting it! Super thoughtful! The romaine was crispy (not soggy), the croutons were freshly made, the dressing had the anchovy flavor that I appreciate in a good Caesar dressing, and the salad was topped with a little lemon zest! I will definitely return just for the Caesar salad! Meals - I went with the Rigatoni and my husband went with the Lasagna. We were informed by our server that the flour used for the pasta is imported from Italy and that the pasta is made fresh daily - LOVE this! The rigatoni was SO good! I love that the pasta and shrimp were all cut into smaller bites! The sauce was absolutely delicious! The flavor was like a mix between a thick tomato bisque and curry! Yum! My husband really enjoyed the lasagna as well! The lasagna was plated into little roll-ups which my husband really liked! Will definitely be back soon - we want to check out the patio once we have warmer weather too!

    I've lived in the neighborhood for 12 years now and was excited when I saw this place being built…read more I have been there a few times now - both times I had the Rigatoni and Shrimp with a glass of red. Approximately $45.00. Last night I went and must say - very surprised at what I paid; glass of red $14, ceaser salad $16, added a side of chicken $15.0!!! Thqt surprised me - thats 3 chicken breast at the store lol Each time I have sat at the bar - both inside and out (even in winter). Great ambiance. I love the bar inside - gives an upscale 50s diner with great design and mood. The outdoor bar in winter is very nice and warm - haven't had trouble grabbing a seat at either. Bartenders are nice, very attentive and knowledgeable. Parking is easy, there is valet offered. Overall - a bit over priced for generally good food, but a pleasant night out for date night or girls night out.

    Photos
    Cento - The Garden Terrazzo, heated in winter

    The Garden Terrazzo, heated in winter

    Cento - Lemon Tart with whipped cream and raspberries

    Lemon Tart with whipped cream and raspberries

    Cento - Burrata with roasted tomatoes, pesto and extra virgin olive oil

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    Speck Italian Eatery - Tortellini and Funghi

    Speck Italian Eatery

    4.4(211 reviews)
    0.7 miDowntown

    I was totally in love with this space and the food served inside. We ate around 6 PM and it was…read moregolden hour so the lighting was gorgeous. The space is very bright and airy: loved the floral and plant vibes. Our server was kind but maybe a bit apprehensive because we brought our two daughters. Sometimes I feel bad bringing kids but honestly we deserve to have good food even if there are little mouths involved. We had the focaccia starter and it was as pillowy and sumptuous as it looked. Next was broccolini which our 8 month old devoured. I tried the funghi pasta and my husband had the sausage ragu. Both had generous portions. The kitchen made butter noodles for our daughter and she LOVED them. I was pleased they didn't try to doll them up because she really did just want noodles and butter. Finally, the octopus was sooo tasty. The sauce was super flavorful and I love a good bean addition. Delicious meal all around.

    Love the spring menu they have out now, I'm going to have dreams about the Cavatelli Sardi! The…read morecitrus flavor was such a refreshing surprise! Highly recommend their Aperol Spritz, probably my favorite I've had in Columbus. I really enjoyed the Cacio E Pepe too, I ordered that as my main dish and shared the cavatelli with a friend. This is such a cute spot, it was perfect for a birthday dinner! Service was great, our waiter checked in often and food came out quickly despite how busy the restaurant was. Definitely recommend making a reservation, but there were bar seats open on a Thursday evening! If you park in the Nicholas Garage, the door opens right onto High Street, next door to Speck.

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    Speck Italian Eatery - Restaurant

    Restaurant

    Speck Italian Eatery - Gem salad. Arguably the best salad I've ever had.

    Gem salad. Arguably the best salad I've ever had.

    Speck Italian Eatery - Dining area

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    La Tavola - Bucatini and meatballs

    La Tavola

    4.5(342 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    I had the pleasure of being in Ohio last night, well for this week, we're in town for my son's…read moregraduation. My son and his wife took us to a an amazing place they stumbled into what may very well be the culinary pride of Columbus: La Tavola, a family-owned, family-run Italian restaurant that feels like someone teleported you straight into Nonna's kitchen... but with better lighting and no guilt about not calling enough. If you love yourself a great, unapologetically stinky pizza and I'm talking Parmigiano-Reggiano and ricotta levels of heavenly funk then this is your place. This pizza didn't just have cheese; it was knee-deep in cheese. Handmade, hand-rolled, and clearly crafted by people who know their way around a dairy situation. The appetizers? Fantastic. The waitstaff? Friendly, attentive, and exactly the kind of people you'd hope are handing you carbs by the plateful. But then, the main dishes arrived. I ordered seared scallops over a bed of handmade buttery fettuccine with capers, and I swear I heard an angel sing. The scallops were perfectly cooked, the pasta was the kind that ruins you for boxed pasta forever, and the whole thing tasted like someone's Italian grandmother blessed the plate personally. If I could say "WAY TO GO!" in Italian, I absolutely would but instead I'll say this: If you're ever in Columbus, go to La Tavola. Go hungry. Go ready to eat like you're visiting family. And go prepared to fall a little bit in love with this place. Family-owned, warm, cozy, and outrageously delicious. Highly recommend.

    Nice neighborhood Italian restaurant. Warm wood decor and friendly service. Big selection of…read moreItalian wines and expertise to help you discover them. We had the he prosciutto board - I didn't really think about prosciutto varieties! Pretty big even for 2. I had a special - confit duck keg over polenta. Savory m, rich, delicious. My friend had the pasta burro, described as the original Alfredo. It was very nice - but he chicken breading was light and crisp. Overall a very good experience.

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    La Tavola - Dining view

    Dining view

    La Tavola - Pepperoni pizza with mushrooms added

    Pepperoni pizza with mushrooms added

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    Basi Italia - Market fish

    Basi Italia

    4.4(446 reviews)
    0.5 miVictorian Village
    $$$

    Basi Italia is one of those places you almost want to gatekeep. It's tucked away in Victorian…read moreVillage and has the cutest, most charming vibe. The space is super intimate and classy, perfect for a slower, more special dinner. The food was so good, you can tell everything is really high quality and made with care. Everything we ordered felt elevated but still super comforting, which I loved. I got the rigatoni which was some of the best sausage/pasta dishes I've had in a while. The service was also really prompt and attentive without being too much, which made the whole experience even better. Such a good spot for a special dinner or date night if you want something that feels a little more unique and memorable. Next time I'm saving a little more space in my stomach for the Tiramisu!

    Where should I start? Made reservations for 5:30 & promptly arrived a few minutes ahead of time…read more The Hostess sat us down in the rear of this quaint little spot & she asked if we are celebrating anything or what? I answered Yes,it's my Wife's Birthday She said Great & Wished her a Happy Birthday. Valet parking right up front of establishment for a nominal price of $10* Nice feature. Sat down & met our server/waiter Egan He went over specials & menu briefly. Then we received our miniscule bread/biscuit as an offering while waiting for our salads that we ordered. Very savory and tasty but small. BTW,as soon as we finished,he took the plates. Just one little biscuit each, like we are little gerbels. ? Egan gave us our water glasses & water bottle. *(First & last time he served us any water)* ‍ Then came our cocktails, my wife's drink was super dry & tart, so she asked Egan if they could freshen it up..."What's Up" & he brought out some simple syrup. The drink was somewhat better, & I finished my cocktail. He took the empty glass & never asked if I'd like another one? He did ask if my wife's drink was better she answered yes. But, no further engagement or query about the drink? Other than like he was talking a survey in order to make the drink better for the next guest,but NOT my wife⁉ Very odd & pisspoor services. This being our 1st time here,we we're anticipating something Grandeur & Services that matches the overhyped & overpriced selections on this limited variety small menu. The ambiance was flat & no music or anything in the background. Just restaurant noise & people chatter. The lackluster & non-enthusiastic dealings from Egan ,our server was appalling. When my asked him something, his reply was "What's Up"?? Areya Kidding me? Are we in a Gym or Dive,Noooooo. We are supposedly in a Higher Upscale Trendy place?? We both were NOT Impressed at all. The Principle of paying a Higher Price for a Higher or Better Experience is relative to the overall experience. Which was non-impressive,we've had better treatment at a Dairy Queen or Bob Evans Again, this was our first & last time coming here There was 2 ladies that actually were very nice & attentive that brought out the salads & main entrée. They were both very professional & kind. Now let's talk about the food. My wife's eggplant parmesan was delicious & she took home the leftovers. My shrimp linguine was very tasty and yummy,just very small portions & 6 shrimp in my entrée. Hardly any linguine, sauce was delicious but definitely NOT a filling meal. Where's the Meat?? One of the two ladies came back & dropped off desert menu...but we declined anything else. Just the bill please. So here comes Egan & I let my wife handle him as she asked him the following. We've heard such great things about this place & we had high expectations & wanted to make the night memorable & special with it being our first time & my birthday. But you seemed less concerned about us & failed our expectations. Then she asked him why didn't you ask my husband or I if we wanted another cocktail*? Also why did you never refill our water glasses? When asked Egan replied again with "What's Up"? In any Restaurant USA a waiter/waitress serves & customarily asks if you like another drink or something else. So before I wrote this review, I asked for my wife's input. She wanted to give this place a One Star But I convinced her that they're was a few bright spots. None of which was our server Egan with his lame uncaring approach to what he thinks is customer service. Unfortunately, NOT a good experience. As a Yelper Elite for 8Yrs now, I've been around the USA & World. I've had countless interactions & quite frankly this place was extremely disappointing. Some places earn their reputation from unsavy or perhaps gullible people that don't know any better. As for Me & My Wife, we are World Travelers & from Coast to Coast have sampled & had numerous festivities & fun....this rates as one of our lowestttttttttt experiences ever

    Photos
    Basi Italia - Inside

    Inside

    Basi Italia - Caesar salad

    Caesar salad

    Basi Italia

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    Forno Kitchen + Bar

    Forno Kitchen + Bar

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    0.1 miShort North
    $$

    My friend and I went out for happy hour and had such a great time on the outdoor patio. It was the…read moreperfect day to be outside--finally feels like winter is breaking! I ordered two seafood apps: the seared scallops and the garlic roasted shrimp, and both were excellent. The scallops had a perfect sear on both sides, which was a great start, and the shrimp were seasoned really well. For drinks, we both got the Supremo Peach--so delicious and refreshing. I also tried the espresso martini. It was good, but honestly, I wish I had just stuck with the Supremo Peach because the switch was a bit of a shock to my palate. We spent time chatting and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Service was quick, and our waiter was very attentive--he even checked back in with us before happy hour ended, which I appreciated. This experience was night and day compared to my last visit, and I'm really glad I gave this place another chance. For me, this might be the perfect happy hour spot. The apps feel more like small plates, which I love for the variety, and a great cocktail like the Supremo Peach definitely seals the deal. Thanks, Forno!

    If you're in the Short North & craving Italian, Forno should be on your list of go-to's! They have…read morea ton of great pizza options, delicious appetizers and amazing Italian dishes! The atmosphere here is very inviting and lively making this the perfect place for a girls night or casual date night. The service here is spot on and they have a really yummy brunch as well! You can't go wrong with any pizza, dish or cocktail when you come here; you've got to give them a try if you haven't already!

    Photos
    Forno Kitchen + Bar - Left side of restaurant

    Left side of restaurant

    Forno Kitchen + Bar
    Forno Kitchen + Bar

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    Pasqualone's Ristorante - Lasagna

    Pasqualone's Ristorante

    4.4(141 reviews)
    8.4 miNorthland
    $$$

    My girlfriend and I went to Pasqualone's in Columbus Square last evening. To say that we were blown…read moreaway would be an understatement. From the time we walked in the door, a gentleman in the kitchen looked up and said greeted us. (There's a door so you can see into the kitchen from the foyer) I later learned it was Dave Pasqualone himself. We were promptly shown to our table and within a few minutes, a gentleman by the name of Chris introduced himself and told us what the specials for the evening were. Everything sounded great but my girlfriend picked the saccettini with the amatriciana sauce and I had the veal scalopini with a small side of saccettini. The meal was PERFECT! You could taste richness of the homemade saccettini stuffed with cheese. I was told that the pasta for the lasagna noodles are made on site which is used for the saccettini. The veal scallopini was so tender, I could cut it with a fork. Not too many capers, the right combination of butter, white wine and lemon. My girlfriend's amatriciana sauce (she was kind enough to give me a taste of two) had a little bit of a bite to it but not too much. It was mouth watering. We finished off the evening with a homemade cannoli which was superb. Towards the end of the evening, Dave came out into the dining room and personally greeted each table. We learned that Dave was the head chef at Monaco's Palace on Cleveland Ave many years ago. They always had wonderful food. To find this gem of a restaurant in Northeast Columbus, in a part of town where many restaurants come and go each month or year, is like finding a needle in a haystack. This quiet little Italian restaurant is tucked away in an unassuming strip mall that was incredibly popular in the 80's and 90's and has been churning out delicious homemade Italian dishes for over 20 years. We will definitely become regular patrons of this gem of a place. Thank you Dave, Chris and the other members of their staff to make a date night with my girlfriend a memorable experience.

    A strip mall by a bowling alley, sign me up! Is probably not what you are thinking. This place is…read morereservation only, and you have to call them....on a phone. It's worth the work! This place is old school and I love it! When I walked in for my reservation the Owner/Chef popped out from the kitchen and said "Good Evening Mrs. Wilson" because well, we were the only reservation at that time. Really impressed my friends lol. We picked the day before Thanksgiving to dine out with friends we hadn't seen in a while. This is a great place for a small group to sit and talk (and be heard) without being rushed. Restaurant was 60% full? Fantastic full premium bar, great wine list and helpful servers. Just top to bottom great food and service. From the menu, it seems like a limited selection of standard Italian fair. Order from the specials, they are chef recommended and always fantastic. Even the basic spaghetti + meatballs is great! Entres $30-50 which is really pretty reasonable. Just me but, I would love more vegetables on the menu as sides with my pasta. Most meals do come with soup or salad. Great for small group (less than 10) but not sure how many they would take honestly. You will get fantastic service, great food, in a nice quieter environment. Looking forward to going back in the new year!

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    Pasqualone's Ristorante
    Pasqualone's Ristorante - Escargot

    Escargot

    Pasqualone's Ristorante - Espresso gelato

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    Espresso gelato

    Pelino’s Pasta

    Pelino’s Pasta

    3.7(181 reviews)
    1.2 miUniversity District

    Wow wow WOW. When I say this was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had, I am not…read moreexaggerating. This little gem in Victorian Village is a must visit for anyone who loves authentic Italian food and stellar service. I came here with my roommates family for a celebratory dinner and had an amazing four course dining experience. I was intimidated at first by the number of courses, but each dish is in a small tasting format. Not only was the food delish but our water was incredible. He took time to go through each dish and explain the ingredients and origin. You could tell he was super passionate about his job and the food there. I'm going to come back to try their cacio pepe that they mix in a cheese wheel in front of you!! 10/10!!

    For the price point let's get some new street numbers above the door so it doesn't look like a…read moremailbox. The experience was perfect. The atmosphere was cozy. The dinner made for an amazing dinner out. The presentation of every dish was remarkable. The service was phenomenal and a pretty cool seasonal menu! We did the four course + started with bread that we enjoyed through the meal. Great experience and made for a lovely dinner. Chris has been wanting to check this place out forever. I didn't care for my main dish and they swapped it out rather quickly. A bit pricy especially if anyone in the party orders drinks but I would say worth the experience.

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    Pelino’s Pasta
    Pelino’s Pasta
    Pelino’s Pasta

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    Marcella's - italian - Updated May 2026

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