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Recommended Reviews - Marina
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One of my favorite Italian restaurants. I love this place is so cute and trendy inside. The owner is always nice and they make homemade pasta always a great place to go. If you and Pasadena and you want some good Italian this place beyond excellent and service is good.
For special occasions. Dark, upscale vibe. A bit cramped. Servers seemed experienced and attentive, though we waited quite a bit to have our waters refilled - that just did not seem like a priority during a busy dinner rush. I did enjoy the steak, as it was perfectly cooked to temperature and seasoned well. Melted in the mouth. But of course priced accordingly LOL. Not a place I'd come back to because I always like trying somewhere new, but I'm glad we gave it a try for a nice dinner out.
My boyfriend and I were so excited to dine at Marina in Pasadena. There are some paid lots, free public parking, and street parking if you are willing to walk. Just be careful because there are some tricky signs that say $1.50 in large font and for each 15 minutes in tiny font. Even with a reservation from Resy, we found that it was still a bit of a wait. Without the reservation, you might be limited to patio parking only. Even their bar area was busy and reserved during our time there. I didn't mind the waiting, but it was stressful waiting in a tight space with their staff coming in and out with huge piles of dishes and you have to be careful if you don't want to be bumped into. This feeling of crowdedness continues to the tables with the spacing between one table to another very tight together. More to this in a bit. The hostess was so sweet, she actually sent us a complimentary Blistered Bread and Ricotta ($14) dish that we both really enjoyed to make up for the wait. The blistered bread was masterfully executed, very thin and went perfectly with the ricotta dip. Once again, I didn't mind the wait at all. That was not the problem with my meal. Anyways... going on... the waiter... the waiter we had was really grumpy. Not sure if it's just his personality or he was having a bad day. For instance, I was ready to get the white wine flight but then he was, very poorly, explaining it to the point where I was talked out of it. Then I was about to get a glass of wine or bubbly... Then once again he basically talks me out of it. Nevermind I'll drink water... I guess you don't need to earn a better tip. In addition to the trouble he gave me while order. When he came to ask me about my experience. I honestly responded that it could be better, due to the table next to us. He basically gaslit me like well it's a big party, what do you expect? Wow this inconsiderate family of kids bumping into my table, making fart sounds on purpose, cursing adults, and loud loud kids and adults... You expect me to feel like this is normal behavior and enjoy it. I straight up told him, well YOU ASKED ME, I'm just answered your question. He begrudgingly moved us but basically ignored us for the rest of the night Anyways, as for the food... I thought the food would be pretty fantastic since the restaurant was so busy. It had all of the signs of a successful restaurant. My boyfriend and I shared the following: Squash Blossoms ($16) - I love squash blossoms. My boyfriend knew I wouldn't be able to resist ordering it. Their preparation of this delicate ingredient was heavy for my liking. The batter on it was thick and oily. The toasted hazelnuts were unnecessary. House Italian Sausage ($26) - They have one of those pizza ovens. The crust was thin and crispy. It was well prepared. However the issue we had with this was the flavor, or rather lacking flavor. The taste of the Italian sausage was overwhelmed by the red onion agrodolce. We both ate a slice and took the rest home. Even as leftovers we weren't excited to eat it. Charred Scallop Risotto ($38) - What really sold me was the baja uni batter that I did not taste much of in this dish. This was a poor execution of a risotto. The texture was off, and the flavor was overwhelmed by whatever cheese they used in this dish. The charred scallop was one single scallop cut in half and overly charred and rubbery in taste. The blue shrimp were shriveled too. We made sure to eat the proteins to prevent waste but you know it's bad when my boyfriend didn't even want to togo this dish. He normally eats anything to prevent waste. Branzino alla Griglia ($38) - Whole grilled branzino topped with eggplant, salsa verde and herb salad. This was the least bad item that we paid for... Although there was a lot of bones to be cautious of. I understand the risk of stumbling on a few bones when ordering a whole fish but this was more than I would have liked. I also didn't like some of the flavors coating the fish. Although from a grilled perspective it was crispy and perfectly cooked. This is a popular business with plenty of patrons to keep them busy. Whatever they like... it isn't what I look for in a business I frequent. I know they don't need my business and I will gladly stay away and save myself all of the trouble. This was way too stressful and there weren't any dishes I need to have again. My experience was so awful I'm being very generous with this 3 star, which is "average".
Came for dinner on a Friday night and had reservations. We were seated promptly and started off with the appetizers. The grilled octopus is a MUST. The lamb chops scottadito were tender and cooked perfectly. The fried calamari & artichoke were crispy and paired deliciously with a light aioli. The prosciutto san daniele & figs were delicious! As for the mains, we ordered their spicy shrimp alla vodka, branzino, and the cacio e pepe. I loved their spicy shrimp alla vodka. The branzino was crispy but had a lot of bones. The cacio e pepe was a surprise for me as they use whole peppercorns. Ended the night with a pistachio tiramisu. All in all, Marina is a great restaurant. The only downside was the lack of AC. It was so hot, we started using our menus and napkins to fan ourselves.
Came here this past weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday with my husband and parents, and everything was delicious as always! I've been to Marina several times now and it never disappoints. We started with Lily's Mushrooms and the Lamb Chops Scottadito - the mushrooms had a nice smoky grilled flavor with avocado cream that worked really well together, and the lamb was tasty without being too gamey. For mains we got the House Italian Sausage pizza, the Calabrian Salami pizza, and the Rabbit Bolognese. Both pizzas were great but the Calabrian Salami was definitely our favorite! The honey and spice combo was so good and the crust was perfectly crispy. The Rabbit Bolognese was also incredible, and tasted fresh and light instead of heavy like some bolognese can be. Our waiter gave us the pistachio tiramisu on the house for my mom's birthday, which was such a sweet gesture, and it was delicious! He took great care of us all night and even helped get multiple angles of our group photo haha. Thank you Marina for such a great experience, we will definitely be back :)
Shout out to the nice couple Melanie and James who sat at the bar with me. The Monday/Tuesday lasagna $49 meal for two people includes blistered bread, choice of Caesar salad or calamari/artichokes, lasagna and choice of dessert. Bread was awesome and served hot like a giant balloon with ricotta dipping sauce. Calamari was served hot and crispy. I was worried cause some reviews mentioned that it may be soggy. Lasagna was a small portion that could only feed 1 1/2 person not two hungry diners. Service was slow. It took 30 minutes between the calamari appetizer until my lasagna entree. Considering the long wait, I thought my lasagna would be piping hot but it was both warm and hot on certain parts. The lasagna was very dense, more like a meatloaf than a lasagna. Bar waitress was nice and attentive and gave me regular updates on when my food would arrive. For the pre-fixe price and serving size, it is a decent value. As a single diner, I ate half the bread, the entire calamari appetizer, half the lasagna and I took the dessert home. They also have happy hour specials and a few designated parking spots in front of restaurant but plenty of free street parking.
Paid underground parking is available nearby. I recommend making a reservation, especially if you're planning to come for dinner or on a weekend. The restaurant was clean and had a welcoming atmosphere. I noticed that the restrooms were well maintained, which is always a plus. The food was okay overall. It wasn't bad, but nothing really stood out or made me want to come back just for the food. One thing I was disappointed by was the appetizer, Prosciutto San Daniele & Figs. It only came with one piece of bread, which was not enough. The service was average, not particularly attentive or memorable. Overall, it was an okay dining experience. It may still be worth trying if you're in the area.
Marina is always such a great dinner the food is exceptional but I want to highlight Nick he wasn't our server and yet managed to make the night memorable, he was attentive and kind and when our friend wasn't feeling good he made sure to make her feel cared for. People like nick are so important - kindness is a dying art but I'm happy to see it's alive and well in nicks heart! He is amazing and I hope to see him again my next time dining
The Bottom Line 4 stars: Nice vibe and good service, food and drinks. Recommended! Location 3.5 stars: In Pasadena, Northwest corner of Lake and Cordova. There is limited street parking and a few free parking spots on the side of the restaurant (usually taken). Or you can use the paid lot next door down the alley. I parked at the lot and was supposedly validated by our server, but upon exiting I was still charged the full price of $1.50 for every 15 minutes!!! Not sure what happened there... Venue 3.5 stars: New, nicely decorated upscale facility with indoor and seating and a full bar. They do also have patio seating which I did not enjoy. The patio is these narrow strips on the front and side of the restaurant. The front side is literally on the sidewalk and the side patio is cramped and facing a bunch of parked cars. Not esthetically pleasing or comfortable. They do have heaters though which were helpful as it was a chilly evening. They take reservations on Resy which I would recommend as they get very busy. Service 4 stars: Friendly and polite. Food 4 stars: Modern Italian-inspired. We had the Hamachi Crudo and the Lamb Chops as appetizers. Lamb Chops were good. The Crudo was good but a very small portion. We also had the Scaloppine di Pollo, the Charred Scallop Risotto, the Branzino alla Griglia and the Pork Chop Milanese. The Scaloppine di Polo (Breaded chicken Cutlet) was the best. The Pork Chop was a little dry. The Branzino and the Risotto were good but had way too much butter for our taste. The star of the show was the Pistachio Tiramisu which was excellent. Overall a reasonable dining experience. Prices are on par with similar establishments. Drinks 5 stars: Creative specialty cocktails using unique Italian spirits, full bar, beer, wine, soft drinks and espresso drinks. Drinks are reasonably priced.
Great choice for a Friday night dinner. The house Italian sausage pizza and Pork Chop are good. Not so recommended for their lamb chops, which are not juicy and a bit overcooked. Charred scallop risotto did not surprise me too much though the rice (risotto) was well cooked and done. Service and ambiance are fantastic. Beautiful interior decor and comfortable seatings. I didn't try their alcohol selection or desserts. Maybe next time.
great service and great food! tried this spot on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. everything we ordered was yummy and i would definitely go back again! good vibes esp the area in the back was nice for my group to take some pictures
Cute, authentic Italian restaurant located on a sidewalk corner off Lake Ave in Pasadena. Sat at the bar top. It took a few moments for someone to check on me, but once I was spotted, it was attentive service thereafter. Food: 1.best grilled octopus Ive had in a LONG time. Perfectly grilled on outside but tender and fresh on the inside. The confit potatoes were crisped just right and the watercress balanced the dish well. There was a bit too much Calabrian sauce/ aioli underneath for my taste, but I like to eat on a separate small plate anyway, so it was still perfect. I liked the bit of kick from the Calabrian chili. 2. Olive oil cake was perfectly light and dense in all the right ways at the same time. Paired beautifully with deep chilled limoncello for a satisfying finish. After dining at Marina, I felt like I had been transported to the Mediterranean Sea. This place is a family owned, authentic, understated restaurant and a must of you're in Pasadena.
Found out about this place through Resy (Amex Plat Benefit) and decided to try it. The pizza is very tasty but I wish my Cacio e Pepe pasta has a more crushed pepper instead of whole pepper bcs I tasted a bomb of pepper in my mouth everytime I took a bite, I don't really mind it tho, just preference. Service is great, Nick took a great care of us. There were heat wave during the time of our visit and after it cools down, the temp outside feels the same as inside. I was hoping the AC would be cooler inside. Other than that, we'll definitely come back to try more of the menu items.
1 year ago
DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT SIT INSIDE THIS PLACE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. THE NOISE LEVEL WILL WANT YOU TO PUT IN EAR PLUGS. **Sit outside! Hostess and service was good for a busy night. Food was mixed. Lamb chops good. Sausage pizza was tasty, but 2/3 of crusts was "soggy" unfortunately. Crisp your crust up and you would have a great pizza. Bronzino fish was cooked good and tasty, but I think our fish was on Ozempic since it was very thin and full of bones. Great fries. Came out crispy how we asked. 2 wine pours for $34 dollars and each pour here was "very" small. Not a fan of the wine pours. Not rushing back on a Saturday night. read more
Our server was wonderful, she had polite humor, wad gentle and patient! The food was just impeccable; but the star of the show was the grilled oyster mushrooms!! When she said it taste just like meat she wasn't lying. Even my little cousins enjoyed it and they hate mushrooms! The char and flavor were just as similar as steak! The pastas were nicely flavored and al dente. The drinks were delicious and the dessert was a nice addition to end our meal. Setting was dim and the music was quaint, perfect for a date night or small family gathering. I wouldn't recommend big parties due to limited space. read more
After hiking in the hills of the San Gabriel Mountains my group looked on Yelp to find a lunch spot nearby we could try. One of the places that popped up was Marina which none of us ever tried so we decided to check this place out. My group decided to explore the à la carte menu instead of the prefixed option. We started with the stuffed zucchini flowers and pear salad, both of which were beautifully presented. The calamari was perfectly crispy and tender, while the Carbonara pasta was rich and satisfying. The satisfaction of getting to pop the yolky egg and mixing it in with the pasta noodles was a chef's kiss. To top it off, the Margherita pizza was a classic favorite, with a thin and crispy crust complemented by fresh tomato sauce and mozzarella. The ambiance at Marina is a breath of fresh air, with its modern, light, and bright atmosphere. The restaurant's interior design creates a welcoming and uplifting space that enhances the overall dining experience. Overall, Marina is a fantastic Italian restaurant in Pasadena that I would highly recommend. The attentive service provided by the staff added an extra touch of hospitality. If you're in the mood for delicious Italian cuisine and great service, Marina is definitely worth a visit. read more
Went to an event and we were starving after and we luckily were able to be seated here as the restaurant was pretty full. This is the same owner as the Coffee Shop - Republik Coffee. Service was awesome! Food was really good and tasty! I personally don't eat meat or cheese so I got the Rigatoni with Eggplant and on cheese.... The pasta was really good overall and the dish was flavorful. Ambiance is nice and quaint and the restaurant seemed quite busy but our waitress was attentive. I would come back again.... read more
2 years ago
Amazing food - the ricotta Squash blossoms and GRILLED octopus were perfect sized appetizers. Tagliatelle with crab and uni butter was especially tasty! Free parking on street. Reservations recommended- specificy indoor vs outdoor because it's chilly outside. read more
Absolutely delicious dinner well worth a nice night out! The risotto was phenomenal. Well balanced yet still quite decadent. Drinks are also well crafted though not pictured. Great service and ambience. Perfect for happy hour, date night, or a group dinner. read more
I decided to try this relatively new restaurant for lunch on a Sunday. I made reservations and the restaurant was about 75% full at 2pm. We ordered 2 orders of the 3-course prix fixe meals. Food: 3.5/5 1st course : The prosciutto with the grilled bread was good. 4/5 The tangerine salad was a miss for me. The greens were tough and the dressing not that pleasing. 2.5/5 2nd course: The fried chicken sandwich was savory, spicy and crunchy. Yummy. 4.5/5 The shrimp and calamari linguini was ok. The portion was small and it didn't come with a lot of ingredients. The texture of the pasta was great! The sauce a little sour for me. 2.5/5 Service: 1/5 The service was awful. My pasta never arrived until I flagged down our waitress after we had already finished the other entree. When I asked for cream and sugar, the barista/manager (not sure) said I should have ordered a cappuccino instead. No one came to check on us to refill our water or ask if all our food have arrived. We kept having to flag down a server for service. They were mildly busy and had 2 servers and one person behind the bar. Ambiance: 5/5 The interior was beautiful: modern, clean and a bit glamorous! I don't plan to come back for the lack of service. I understand they had just started to serve lunch a month ago and may be they are just getting their house in order. However, there were enough servers just one particular server was not friendly to border-line unpleasant. Hopefully service will get better. read more
11 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Sue, We appreciate your honest feedback and will share notes with…
2 years ago
I absolutely adore this place !!! It's small and vibrant atmosphere are perfect a night out w friends or a date night!! The food is spectacular!! Everything we've ordered from the Cesar salad to calamari to the blistered bread margarita pizza the hamachi the branzino and the truffle pasta are superb!!! The staff is so friendly and professional The bar makes wonderful cocktails and offers a great happy hour !! I would come more often if I could but this place is always on my favorites list !! read more
Good food and service, nice ambiance but kinda loud so if you're looking for a place where you'll need to have a serious convo, definitely not the right place. Cocktails are good esp during happy hour 5-6pm. Not all dishes on HH menu are "cheap" and their dessert is on the pricier side. Loved the fried squash blossoms, nectarine salad, calamari and blistered bread ! Remember they put 3% service charge. What's this charge for...?!?! We only tipped them 15%. read more
2 years ago
Service was excellent. The staff were friendly and super attentive which is a great plus. We never felt rushed. The appetizers didn't all come out @ once which was great. We enjoyed the grilled mushroom oysters the best. The nectarine salad was delicious and refreshing, the grilled prawns were tasty. I ordered the mushroom risotto with pork cheek & that was excellent! read more
I haven't heard of Marina until a fellow Yelp-Elite friend recommended it to me. I saw the menu online and I shifted my priorities to make this meal happen :) What can I say, for the price, I personally think that this experience was close to perfection. I had a 7pm reservation and was seated right away. The interior is beautiful, with crystal chandeliers, open-kitchen space, and a dining room that's not overwhelmingly large. They had sound insulation foams by the ceilings, but it was still relatively on the noiser end. The staff was attentive, but not overly, and food came out relatively quickly despite it being a weekend evening. I truly enjoyed everything on the menu. From the cocktails to the wine to all the dishes - I was very pleased. What I ordered: - Calabrian Salami Pizza: the hint of honey really brings out the flavor and makes this pizza unique. It was a good size to share with two as an appetizer - 40 Days Carbonara: their restaurant staple. I personally thought it was a bit too peppery but it still had a nice, thick, carbonara taste. I don't have any regrets but this was probably my least favorite dish. - 8 oz. Prime Skirt Steak: cooked to perfection medium-rare! A very nice marinade while still bringing out the taste of the meat. The broccolini's were nice, but the watercress purée was a bit too bitter. I had to leave that on the plate :( - Chocolate Tart: never skip dessert! So glad I didn't, because this tart was a true treat on the palate! The orange mascarpone cream and the passion fruit... omg I'll come back to eat 14 of these! This place just might be one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in Pasadena. Will definitely come back to eat all of their pizza and 14 chocolate tarts (don't judge!!) try it for yourself and you'll know what I mean :) read more
3 years ago
We made a reservation here for an anniversary dinner, and were able to be seated despite arriving a bit earlier. The restaurant is small and looks like business casual. There is an open kitchen in the corner where you can see the chefs cook. I really like the service here, they were attentive and relatable, and gave a good breakdown of the menu items. Octopus: This was NOT mentioned as a specific recommendation by our server, but I was feeling something light and my girlfriend loves seafood. Served cold, chopped in pieces, and comes with assorted colored peppers, vinaigrette, and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). It almost tasted like a salad with how light and cold this dish was. Although unique, I wasn't a fan of sour vinaigrette with the mix of fresh octopus. 2/5 Rabbit Bolognese: This was one of the top recommended dishes, and I absolutely loved this take on bolognese. The rabbit was a bit gamey and had a lot of meat flavor, even more mouth watering than your standard ground beef somehow. Sprinkled with basil and parmesan, and great choice on the mafaldine pasta with extra surface area to absorb all the sauce. 4.5/5 Carbonara: This was another top recommendation that was also unique but wasn't the biggest fan of. The pasta was firm, as it should be, but I wish there was more peppercorn and ham/bacon/pork flavor. I mostly taste this lemon infusion in the sauce that I didn't think went well with the rest of the dish. Also felt like there was too much egg yolk, making the dish a bit too watery/runny. 2/5 read more
11 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Vic, Thank you for the great feedback. We’re glad to know you…
I came here with some friends for my birthday and the experience was delightful. the dishes that stood out to me the most were their pastas! I ordered the rabbit bolognese and my boyfriend ordered the lamb ragú and they were both splendid! I loved every bite. The service was very quick especially with the amount of people that were there as well! As for the ambiance, it was quite classy and radiant. I only wish that they gave me more of the pasta!! but I would love to come here again. read more
I am not one to go out for pizza and pasta but this place blew it out of the park. First off, I actually dined next door at Gozen which was AMAZING so I wasn't sure if this place would make me want to dine next door immediately after. However, they proved me wrong. Everything we got was outstanding and delicious but the highlights of the night were definitely the pizzas (we got the Marguerita and the Prosciutto San Danielle & Burrata, the 40 Days Carbonara fresh bucatini, 40 days house-cured pancetta, 140 F sous vide egg, parmesan and he Cider Glazed Black Cod. I would pass on the Duroc Pork Chop since it was a bit dry and it wasn't as good as Bestia or Chi Spaccas. Overall, solid spot and would come back. read more
You know when you discover a really good restaurant that you can't wait to go back to? Well Marina in Pasadena is just that. The clear view of the wood-fire oven and open kitchen concept is so inviting and their cocktail and wine selection is top tier. We were seated right away and greeted by Sylvia (hope I'm spelling that right). She was fantastic. So friendly and patient and provided great recommendations. We ordered the spritz and I don't give a fig cocktails per her recommendations which were so delicious. Their menu simultaneously seems familiar, but fresh. Each dish has a rustic Italian foundation, while also embracing California-inspired seasonal ingredients. Loved the Burrata with blood orange and walnuts. So unique and tasty. Their Bianca pizza was outstanding and the blistered bread and ricotta dip was divine. It's clear Marina was founded around one simple premise - to create a chic space for you to come in for the perfect meal to remember. read more
1 year ago
Revisited Marina again after being away and I have to say, they are still upholding their quality. Server that helped me at night's name was Danny and he did well recommending me some nice starters and said their seasonal Truffle Cavatelli is on the menu again. I started with some of their Lily's Mushrooms and Caesar Salad which were superb and ended the meal with a Truffle Cavatelli. The bartender, Tony made my Matcha Mocktail to perfection, a great blend of citrus with earthy notes in the drink. Overall my experience was just like how I remembered it being, neighborhood-y, groovy, and everyone was engaged. Would recommend this place for everyone. read more
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Eric, Thank you for sharing your experience and for revisiting us…
2 years ago
Came here on a Friday night. And even though it was a Friday it wasn't overly crowded but every table was filled. I'd suggest it's best to make a reservation even though you always have the option to come in and have a seat at the bar for a drink if you walk in. Let's talk about the drinks! We had the Strawberry Fields, Kiwi Energy and a seasonal one that was to die for! The seasonal had kale in it but it complemented the drink! Now let's get into the food. As girls always do, we had to order plenty of dishes to share. Squash Blossoms: 10/10. This really surprised me as I'm not a fan of squash but the ricotta with the squash and honey really complemented each other. Hamachi Crudo: must order for the table x2. It was citrusy and delicious! I would have had a whole plate to myself. Don't skip out on this! Calabrian Salami: just the right amount of kick from the spicy honey but not too much where you can't enjoy it. Bucatini: great flavor but not a stand out. Carbonara: I can die for a carbonara but this one was a bit on the salty side. My friend has had it before and said it wasn't as salty the last time she had it. So don't let that deter you from getting it! Truffle Cavatelli: STAR OF THE NIGHT. 10/10 and a must for the table. All the flavors complemented each other. Great dinner with great service! I will be coming back in the future, for sure! read more
2 years ago
I came here for brunch, every staff member was very kind. The waitress gave us great recommendations, the staff was very attentive in grabbing empty plates so it didn't fill up our table. I tried the Croque Madame and Carbonara, waitresses recommendations. I loved both dishes, very tasty and very well made. I love the vibe and decor inside, I think this is a great place for girls brunch, nice date, even family outing. The food is divine. read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Marina P.
We’re disappointed to read your review, as it does not reflect the…
2 years ago
I've now dined here 3 times and enjoyed my experience every time! During my latest visit, we ordered the Market Caesar Salad, Calabrian Salami Pizza, and Shrimp & Calamari Arrabiata Pasta. All 3 were so delicious!! The romaine in the salad was so crisp and fresh, and each piece was coated in the perfect amount of caesar dressing. The pizza was my favorite! It was so cheesy, and the calabrian chili honey paired so perfectly with the mozzarella. The dough was thin yet fluffy, which didn't make the pizza taste too heavy, and the crust was airy yet bread-like. The pasta was so flavorful and the seafood it came with was fresh; I particularly liked the shrimp. The pasta texture was perfectly al dente, too. I also had the Strawberry Fields cocktail, and it was scrumptious! It was sour and carbonated, and didn't taste too bitter. The interior is tastefully decorated, and there was vibrant music playing. It was very busy on this Friday night, so it felt like our waiter was rushing us slightly, asking if we were still working on dishes when they were clearly unfinished yet. Make sure to book a reservation if dining on the weekend. Highly recommend this spot! read more
My wife works in South Pasadena on Saturday. We usually go out Saturday night. I made reservations at Marina for 7:00 PM. After picking up my wife, we headed to Marina. We arrived at 6:35. We were greeted and I said we're early for our 7:00 PM dinner reservation. The host checked us in and a table for 2 opened up. The restaurant was busy indoors and outdoors. We ordered the calamari artichoke appetizer. My wife ordered the seafood linguini and I ordered the ricotta squash tortelloni. The calamari was lightly battered and tasted good. My tortelloni was delicious. The noodles were handmade and silky smooth. My wife enjoyed her seafood linguini. DJ's rating 4.25/5.00 Would I come back? Yes read more
2 years ago
Pasadena native here! Italian cuisine in Old town isn't in the multiples but this place is an option. Parking is basically required in the let behind, it's about 15$. As someone from pasadena i'm not used to paying for parking ha! It's veryyy loud at dinner time, which is fine - but just imagine the loud packed vibe where everyone around you can hear your conversations. Nectarine salad was better than the teo entrees. I've been here twice and want to try the rest of the popular menu items. Overall Good. Definitely worth a try but not the cheapest ever!!! read more
Such a fun and delicious experience at this new Italian restaurant in Pasadena. The service was wonderful, the ambiance was lovely, and the food was flavorful. Would come back again to try the other items on the menu! Unfortunately, happy hour is only at the bar. read more
This place was pretty delicious! They were accommodating to our two separate reservations and even brought a table to combine with a booth so we could sit our party if 8 together. Our waitress was great and the food was fantastic. Overall a great experience, the parking was relatively easy as well. There's a parking garage right next to it and they also validate a few dollars off of. Nothing beats free parking which I think you can find off Lake but this is a great option when you're in a pickle. read more
Decided to come by for a little early Valentines Day date, and I saw the reviews of this place. Inside it's very modern and chic, it's a very romantic vibe. The service was really good, however where this place falls short is the food. I found that the pasta was too salty for my taste, we got the prosciutto with bread and the prosciutto was amazing, however the first plate of bread we got was very burnt. If that's what you like sure, however I had to ask for another plate of bread due to how burnt it was. All in all, it was a good place to try, however I won't be coming back. read more
11 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Ryan, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to know you…
1 year ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Slim, Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re glad to know…
2 years ago
Arrived right when the place opened on a Saturday night and there was already a line starting to form. Parking was easy to find, there is a private lot right next door or an underground parking garage just past the private lot. As you walk in, you automatically notice the modern decor. Loved seeing the open concept kitchen and the wood fire oven! Food: 4/5 *Food: --- (Starter) Blistered bread & ricotta: house-made ricotta cheese, cherry tomatoes, olive oil... Similar texture to pita bread. The dip was full flavor with simple ingredients. ---(Starter) Grilled Octopus: confit potatoes, blistered cherry tomatoes, Calabrian sauce...The octopus and potatoes were cooked perfectly and we really enjoyed the spice of the Calabrian sauce! ---(Starter) Burrata & Kumquat: blood orange, candied walnut, tarragon oil, toasted baguette... It's burrata, enough said! ---Shrimp & Calamari Arrabiata: fresh linguini, San Marzano tomatoes, arrabiata sauce...Nothing really stood out about the pasta, but overall it turned out well. ---Uni & Prawns Risotto: New Caledonian shrimps, uni butter, mascarpone, chives, pecorino...What a buttery dish! I really think the uni played a big part in the flavor and consistency of the risotto. The only downfall is having to remove the shell, however the shell did come off quite easily. *Drinks: No complaints here! The drinks were enjoyed by everyone and you really couldn't go wrong! *For dessert: ---Gianduja Budino: Caramel, cocoa nibs, hazelnut crumble, Korova cookies... We weren't a huge fan of the cookies. Since the cookies are sable cookies, they tend to be more on the tougher side. ---Olive Oil & Lemon Cake: Vanilla mousse, lemon sorbet... light and refreshing! Staff: 5/5 *Staff was friendly and attentive. Overall, good experience and good food! I would definitely come back! read more
2 years ago
Food was delicious. We went for brunch but ended up with calamari and the Bianca Pizza. Everything was delicious and the service was great. Beautiful decor and very cozy feeling inside. Ended with the olive oil cake. Not my favorite version of this cake but the presentation was gorgeous. read more
2 years ago
The Mrs. Loves Italian food, so we thought we'd give this a try. We pass by all the time but never even noticed this hidden gem. Parking on lake can be a mission but we just parked a block away and made the walk. Luckily they had a table open and we didn't have to wait. The restaurant is on the smaller side and the sounds of babies screaming echoed loud. Host was kind enough to bring a small coat hanger for my jacket. Service was pleasant and the short time we sat down the bar started getting packed with people. The food was good, I tried the rabbit bolognese. It was buttery rich and harty. Ceasar salad was loaded with anchovies and cheese. The anchovies weren't oily and fishy. Tasted fresh and salty. The food was so good I ordered a Calabrian salami pizza to go. The pizza had a nice crispy crust. The honey gave it a nice balance. A definite must if you're in the mood for Italian read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
Went here for a birthday dinner- was pleasantly surprised by the tasteful dishes we ordered! We got the citrus salad, which was light and refreshing but not quite a salad. It was mostly a fruit salad with very little pieces of greens. We got the Calabrian salami pizza, which was delicious! Perfect mix of honey and chili with a little kick on a tomato sauce pizza. Lastly, we got the truffle cavatelli pasta, which was chewy and full of truffle sauce. Also pretty good for a cream sauce pasta. Service was excellent and the staff was very friendly! Ambiance inside is trendy and upscale, but a bit loud for table conversation. Outside patio is cute and heated with heat lamps, but some tables are near the street and not as private. Would recommend overall! read more
3 years ago
We got here at around the time they opened and there was a line already! But awesome that there are a few spots of parking for the restaurant and we did not need to pay! That is gem to find in Pasadena. We had our service dog with us and i requested the patio but they said he's allowed you can sit inside. I preferred outside just to avoid any issues. Most restaurants treat you differently when you have a service dog dining with us. But this was definitely the opposite! They were extremely nice to me and my dog. We asked our server what she recommended because I wanted everything. And we ended up with blood orange salad, calamari, sausage pizza and carbonara pasta. Everything was delicious except the pasta. It was a little bland but the actual pasta was good. Freshly made pasta. read more
From start to finish, this newcomer to pasadena was fabulous. Service was excellent. Our server Daniel was attentive and friendly. We came here for Valentine's Day and all the tables had a single rose placed there which I thought was a nice touch. We started off with the: Artichoke and calamari starter- very good. Margherita pizza- so yummy. Definitely recommend. Rabbit tagliatelle - the handmade noodles were outstanding. Very tasty. Choc tart- this I wasn't so impressed with. The other choices for dessert weren't calling out to us either. But that was probably a good thing for my sweet tooth. Not a very large restaurant. It wasn't that loud as has become the norm with most new restaurants. The wine and menu prices were very reasonable. read more
I enjoyed a fantastic dinner here on Christmas Eve. Reservations were easy to book via Resy. The host and servers were very kind and courteous, as well as knowledgeable about the menu offerings. My group and I enjoyed dinner family style. We had two starters, the persimmon salad and fried calamari. The calamari is by far one of the best I've had. Great for sharing! As mains, we ordered the rigatoni pasta and Margherita pizza. Both were delicious and perfect for a party of four. The rigatoni had fried eggplant and olives, which made this such a unique dish. Loved it! The pizza... also one one of the best I have had! I really liked their wine list. There was a variety of options and fun cocktails as well. Parking was easy but I can see how it might be troublesome if they are packed. read more
This was a really nice spot to get some birthday dinner! The drinks were great and the bartender was really friendly and chatted with us, which was fun. The interior is really nice with great lighting and a look into the kitchen. The food was absolutely incredible!! The mushroom pasta is the best thing I've had in a while and the panna cotta was infused with basil so it was a flavor explosion. Loved this spot and definitely recommend it for a nice dinner! read more
More info about Marina
841 Cordova St
Pasadena, CA 91101
Downtown
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(626) 714-7228
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http://marinapasadena.com
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Ask the Community - Marina
What is the price range per person?
It really depends on what you get. I want to say entrees run from $25-$30. We ordered 5 appetizers, everyone got entrees and drinks. Everything was great.
Could they accommodate a reservation for 16 people?
Yes, but for sure you need to schedule it days in advance. Don't leave to do it the day before your desired date.
Do you have parking?
They have a smaller free lot right behind, and there is a lot of paid parking underneath!
Do you have vegan options?
Yes. The owner is great. He will find ways to make accommodations for you.
Is there a gluten free/peanut free options for pasta or mains?
They have gluten free pasta ONLY, And it's really good. Hope this helps.
Is there a cake cutting fee for birthdays?
I believe it's five dollars per person if I'm not mistaken
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
55 reviews that are not currently recommended
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