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This place offered a lot of good food! We'll be back to try out the other offerings that sound amazing! We came here on a Friday evening about 5:30PM. The place was not crowded, but was full. We had reservations, so we sat down immediately. When we sat down, the waiter also gave us a pole with hooks on top and placed it next to our table. Find out this is to hang a purse, jacket, or anything. This was my first time seeing this. Pretty cool! We were given the menu and ordered what you Yelpers trended the most. We ordered the following: Old Fashioned - This was great drink. Nice and balanced. Not too sweet. 8/10 Espresso Martini - This came out a bit too sweet to our liking and didn't have a "strong" espresso aroma to it. 5/10 Burrata & Heirloom Tomato Panzanella - This was really good! The burrata was nice and creamy, tomatoes were sweet and juicy, all with the gazpacho complementing all of it. This was the takeaway of the meal! 9/10 Grilled Octopus - Out of all the grilled octopuses I had recently, this one is my favorite. The octopus was not too chewy and was tender. The seasoning was salty with a hint of sour. 8./10 Rabbit Bolognese - this was good, but I didn't think it was amazing. Could not tell it was rabbit. It was still good, but just expected more from the hyped review on Yelp :) 7/10 Truffle Cavatelli - This was also good. Lots of black truffle shavings! Strong truffle flavor. Unfortunately, if this is the only thing you are eating, this dish does get bland, so you will need something that will complement or change up the palette. The dish is 8/10, but won't hold up by itself long. Pistachio Tiramisu - This was good! Not too sweet, and the pistachio flavor was a nice change to the traditional chocolate/coffee flavor 6/10 We will definitely be coming back here. But next time, we will get what we were curious about as we dined here. The Spicy Shrimp alla Vodka came highly recommended by our waiter, and Branzino alla Griglia looked amazing when our neighboring table got it
My 2nd visit was this weekend and I was reminded what a fantastic experience Marina is! Over a year ago I was here for lunch and had a great time. This visit was dinner; the dim lights, music & overall atmosphere were a swanky, cool vibe. Elizabeth the Sommelier helped us choose a delicious bottle of wine to pair with the lamb chops; both the wine & the chops were incredible! Our server Daniel, was excellent! We loved the cheese stuffed squash blossoms and nectarine salad. We'd planned on ordering a pizza but were full already. Obviously I'll be back again and hopefully sooner than later.
Came here for Dine LA 2026. They have parking on the side, but you can also find plenty of street parking in the nearby neighborhood. The interior was very clean and immaculate, and we were seated immediately once we told them of our Dine LA reservation. We were given tomato gazpacho for amuse bouche; it wasn't overly sour as expected from a tomato-based soup, and it prepared our palate for the following dishes. Then we got the prosciutto and fried calamari for appetizer; the prosciutto and figs provided a nice balance of flavors, while the calamari had a good fry to it and an excellent aioli complementing it. We then got the mushroom risotto and branzino for main course. The risotto was a bit saltier than expected, so we needed several water breaks before we could continue finishing it. The branzino was excellent with a good grill to it, however. We took our tiramisu and ricotta olive oil cake for dessert home, and they were both delicious. Our Dine LA experience was a good one here! We definitely want to give this place a try with their regular menu as well.
Stopped by here on a Friday night on a whim, and was pleasantly surprised they were able to seat me right away. Shout-out to our server, Tina, who was fantastic and had some great recommendations. We started with the Caesar salad, which was fresh and delicious, but definitely anchovy-forward. If you're not a fan of anchovies, I'd skip this one. The chicken was delicious, although slightly overcooked. The white wine and caper sauce tied everything together perfectly. The pork chop was my personal favorite. I loved the whipped feta underneath. I just wish there had been a little more of it. For dessert, we went with the seasonal peach cobbler since I was afraid it might disappear from the menu. Unfortunately, it wasn't my favorite. I found it slightly bitter. The server did mention that they used whiskey in the dish so that might be why. My husband, however, loved it, so I think this one comes down to personal preference. They also have a fantastic wine selection. I opted for the red wine flight, which was a great way to sample a few different wines. Also one thing to note is that they do have a 3% service charge on the bill but you can ask to have it removed. I would have easily given this place five stars, but I took off one because it was pretty warm inside. Apparently, they've been having issues with the A/C but a staff member did mention that they'll be installing fans soon. Hopefully that happens sooner rather than later, because I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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 :)
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.
Overall, the experience wasn't bad, but it could definitely be better. When we first arrived, nobody welcomed us; they were busy, which is very understandable. But the funny thing was, he greeted another elderly couple and a white person first. I was okay with it, but then another white couple arrived, and they greeted them too. Lol. Wow, just wow. We came first, but they seated older people first; both walked in with no reservation. How do i know? Cause i heard the conversation, and they realized it and seated me after that. The food. Not that bad; it's good, but more Italian-American style, not properly Italian. Risotto isn't bad, but damn, the garlic was so heavy and overpowering, 6/10 The sweet corn agnolotti was good, sweet and creamy, 8/10. The portion was enough, not big and not small. We also ordered the calamari and artichoke, but i forgot the picture. As an appetizer, the coating of the calamari was not crunchy, more like soggy and very salty. 4/10. San Daniele Prosciutto and Fig, 8.5/10: this was the only appetizer we chose that was close to proper Italian. Scallopine di Pollo was good, 7/10. It comes with artichoke; the portion was enough. The pomme puree saved the dish. The chicken itself was very forgettable. Olive oil cake was good, 7/10. The location itself is good--plenty of parking. The restaurant was very loud; we could hear other people's conversations. I wouldn't come back.
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.
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 food, service, and ambiance. Really loving their lasagna special right now. It has us coming in practically weekly! They have outdoor seating, a great bar, and validated parking in the building. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Amy, Thank you for the kind review. We’re so glad you’re enjoying…
No complaints about this place. Service was top notch, and the waitress who served us was friendly and attentive. We ordered their Blistered bread, which was a treat. We also got the Grilled Octopus. It was flavorful. We also ordered their Mortadella pizza and a pasta dish (forgot what it was) Overall, we enjoyed the dinner. The restaurant is modernly decorated and we were sat by the wine cellar, which looks great. Had a great time here. Will be back for sure. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Louis, Thank you for sharing your dinner experience with us. We’re…
This was a very cute small chic restaurant in Pasadena. Definitely a nice restaurant for a date night/ birthday dinner. Out of the dishes I tried, the octopus was my favorite dish as it was tender, paired well with the tomatoes and crispy potatoes, and it had a delicious sauce. My least favorite was the squid ink fagottini, very underwhelming in flavor and texture. The spicy alla vodka wasn't spicy, it was good but wasn't anything special. Pizza and branzino we cooked well too. Overall, loved the service and the octopus appetizer. Rest of the food, was just okay. Nothing stood out, and it's not an Italian restaurant that I would crave dishes to come back in the future. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Megan, Thank you for sharing your honest feedback with us. We’re…
Another Pasadena dinner meetup with friend for a belated birthday meal. Even though it wasn't too packed, reservations are recommended if you can! It was a cool early evening so we sat outside in the patio area. We split the Mushroom Linguini ($27), Carbonara ($24), and dessert. Both pastas were rich and perfect for sharing to get the different flavors from each one. Dessert was slightly tangy from the lemon, but yummy. Metered street parking or parking in nearby structures. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Grace , Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re glad to know…
2 months ago
I have been here with a few friends on different occasions and the cocktails, food, and service are consistently great! Love the ceasar salad, blistered bread, Bianca pizza, Italian sausage pizza, mushroom tagliatelle, branzino, skirt steak, the list goes on of the great flavors! Looove their espresso martini as well! Recently had dinner the second week of their dineLA offering and it had very generous portions! Pleasantly surprised about that part. One of my favorite spots! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Riza, that list reads like someone who has properly worked through…
3 months ago
Everything was amazing, from the service to the food and drinks. We genuinely enjoyed every single dish we ordered, you can tell that a lot of care goes into the food and that they use quality ingredients.The cocktails were equally delicious and perfectly crafted. We sat at the bar, and our server was fantastic, attentive and welcoming without ever being overbearing. Overall, such a wonderful experience from start to finish. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in the area! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Sandra, thanks for taking a seat at the bar, that's where our team…
We came on a Friday night and they were able to seat us at the bar right away. We ordered the salami pizza and the spicy vodka pasta with shrimp. Food came out fresh and everything was delicious. Our server was great and super attentive. Really cute Italian restaurant in Pasadena with great food! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Phuong , Glad you stopped in on a busy Friday and were able to get…
Beautiful restaurant and delicious food (at a reasonable price)! My girl friend and i came as a walk-in on Saturday evening and got seated pretty quickly. Loved that the calamari had artichoke too. Can't wait to be back. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Isabel , Glad you had such a great visit with us, especially…
Looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy Italian food? This place delivers! SERVICE: 5/5 Melissa was absolutely fantastic! She checked in often without being intrusive and even brought us wine samples to help us decide. Since we weren't sure which would pair best, she thoughtfully offered a couple of options. Sweet, attentive, and professional, she made the experience even better. FOOD: 4.5/5 We started with the lamb chops, which leaned a bit dry since we ordered them medium-well. I'd definitely recommend going medium-rare for a juicier bite. The bucatini pasta was outstanding, with a rich tomato flavor that really hit the spot. But the standout for me was the Bianca pizza with its earthy mushrooms and truffle. PARKING: 4/5 Parking is pretty convenient. You'll find spots in the plaza next to the restaurant as well as nearby street parking. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Keti, Thank you for the detailed review. We’re delighted to know…
Dinner at Marina was an absolute treat. Our server Abby deserves her own shoutout, she guided us through the menu with spot-on recommendations while also running the bar and espresso station. She was attentive without ever hovering, which made the experience feel seamless. We started with the Truffle Fries and the Lamb Chops "Scottadito." The fries were addicting, but the lamb chops stole the show: tender, flavorful, and easily the standout of the night for me. The Calabrian Salami Pizza had great flavor balance, though I found myself wanting just a bit more salami and a touch more crisp on the undercarriage. Still, it was a solid pie. For pasta, we sampled three: the Truffle Cavatelli, Spicy Shrimp alla Vodka, and Cacio e Pepe. The truffle cavatelli was on another level, the richness of the truffle paired with the sausage was just magic. The vodka pasta came in second for me, with the dill bringing a surprisingly fresh lift to the dish. The cacio e pepe, while enjoyable, leaned a little too buttery with an undercooked bite to the pasta; not bad, but it fell behind the other two. Dessert was where Marina really showed some range. The Blue Cheesecake was a bold choice that absolutely worked, tangy, creamy, and unlike anything I've had elsewhere. Easily my favorite of the desserts. The Tiramisu was well-executed and satisfying, while the Hazelnut Gelato offered a smooth, nutty finish to the night. Ambiance at Marina feels chic yet comfortable. The room buzzes with energy without being overwhelming, and there's a polished warmth to the space that makes it feel both modern and inviting. It strikes that sweet spot between elevated dining and neighborhood comfort. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Erick , Thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful review. We’re…
24 days ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Lucy, the food doing its job while the evening felt rushed is a…
1 month ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Angelina, Nick picking up that your son is a chef in the making,…
Marina in South Pasadena, a little trendy Italian spot. This restaurant had not been on my radar, but saw their menu for DineLA and decided it was worth trying, So grabbed a few friends, made a reservation and off we went. The restaurant was decently busy for a Sunday evening, and we waited a little bit for our table to be ready, but once we were seated, water was brought. We had glanced at the menus and started with cocktails. The Salvavita is a bourbon based drink with pineapple, citrus and sage. Very refreshing with the acidity from the pineapple and citrus playing with the oak and spice of the bourbon. The tangerine smash was also nice, tequila forward but a nice tangerine flavor coming through, Dinner started with an amuse of red beets and tomato gaspacho with a bread crisp. Not as beet heavy flavor-wise, as you might think, something refreshing to start the meal. For appetizers, we tried the squash blossoms and hamachi crudo. The squash blossoms were actually good, as I feel a lot tend to hold on to the oil they're fried in. These felt a little lighter while stuffed with ricotta and a toasted hazelnut. Added something different that most squash blossoms don't have. The hamachi crudo had an avocado mousse and ponzu sauce, a nice bite, not overly acidic. Entrees consisted of shrimp a la vodka and seared striped bass. The shrimp a la vodka was decent with nice chunks of shrimp. There were other elements in the dish I was looking for, particularly the mascarpone and ill, which did not come through for me. Ended up feeling like a generic vodka pasta dish to me. The striped bass had a great presentation, but the piquillo crema was a little underwhelming, and the skin of the fish could have been crispier to give it better texture contrast, But the fish was cooked well, overall. Desserts, everyone tried something different from the options, so tiramisu, blue cheesecake and hazelnut gelato. The tiramisu was tiramisu, nothing that stood out. The blue cheesecake was different. Good crust and macerated gooseberries on top, and the cheesecake was nice, but that blue cheese flavor does come through in the end, and you question whether this is the flavor you want with your dessert item. I still can't say whether I really liked it or I didn't, feel I'm indifferent on it, but don't think I would order it again necessarily. The hazelnut gelato was good, chunks of chocolate shavings inside, giving little pops of texture and crunch. Probably the better dessert we all felt. Overall, friendly staff, nice ambiance, some decent appetizers, entrees didn't necessarily hit for us, and desserts were up and down. I'd say go for the drinks and some appetizers, skip the shrimp a la vodka and bass and maybe grab dessert elsewhere. read more
I've dined here twice now - once indoors and once outdoors. Both experiences were great! I came today for their Dine LA menu which I chose the: Squash Blossoms, Shrimp alla Vodka, and Tiramisu. I have never had Squash Blossoms before and let me tell you the way they prepared them did not disappoint! I really enjoyed the combo of the ricotta cheese and honey with them. The Shrimp alla Vodka was cooked well - it wasn't anything mind blowing but I would order it again. I ended the meal with their Tiramisu which I've had before and I really enjoy it! The last time I came here I had their Grilled Octopus and my husband and I really enjoyed it to the point that I've told multiple people about it! Our service we receive has been great here. I made reservations online and for some reason they couldn't find it in their system, but it wasn't a huge problem. The waiters are always super attentive and check on us throughout our meal. 10/10 recommend Marina and will definitely come here again! read more
Went for dinner on a quiet Sunday during Memorial Day weekend. Not crowded as most peeps were out of town... so quiet that parking was free in the lot with no valet attendants on duty. Ordered 4 starters and two pastas for the four of us. - Caesar Salad with mixed greens and anchovies - Grilled Octopus or Pulpo - Puffed Bread with Hummus - Grilled Lamb Chops (comes in three, so ordered one extra, asked for medium rare and delivered as a medium) - Truffle Cavatelle - Mushroom Tagliatelle Service was a little spotty for a quiet Memorial Day weekend, forgot our drinks and lamb chops might have sat before coming out resulting in medium chops. But overall, still top tier. read more
This was our 2nd time dining here with the family. It was my daughter's Bday and we had a reservation, this time. We were seated, at a nice comfortable table, for 6. My daughter came for the cacio e pepe and she enjoyed just as much as last time. Our family ordered 2 cacio e pepe's, a margarita pizza, 2 scallopine chicken and spicy shrimp on pasta. The only left overs was 1/2 of the pizza, which my husband is looking forward to having for lunch. We ordered a bottle of Prosecco, which was nice to toast to my daughter. I'm sure we'll be back. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Pat, Thank you for sharing your experience, we’re glad to hear…
Had the pleasure of having a Kids-Free dinner in celebration of my best friend's birthday this past weekend. We managed to get reservations to a 7pm dinner on a Saturday, and I am so happy that we did. Here's how it went ... Upon entry we were greeted by a super friendly host. He told us to sit tight just for one second so he can make sure our table was ready. We were seated immediately after he came back. We were a larger part of 7 so we were seated at the very back near the restrooms. I'm always pretty turned off being seated so close to either the door to the kitchen or the restroom but surprisingly enough, that section of the restaurant was not busy, like most. We were seated right in front a giant wall of wine, which was actually beautiful to look at. Anyways, we were greeted by server, Abby, and she introduced herself. She was sweet and I feel like she read the room pretty clearly. She didn't hover and knew to give us space as we continued conversing through the night. She snuck in to check on us every so often, but not too much to interrupt our yap. I think the only little mishap that evening in regards to service was a (second) bottle of wine that we had asked for, but waited a while to get so we had to flag someone down to check on it. BUT!! It ended up NOT being a mishap, as she was just chilling it for us. So a 10/10 for ABBY! Now Food! We started with the blistered bread and ricotta. This looked like a giant pillow of bread sprinkled with cheese with some smoothed out ricotta to dip it in. I feel there were some pretty high expectations for this just because of how it looked like, but I felt like it was on the saltier side. Now that might have just been the cheese on top of the bread, but it was still SUPER salty. The ricotta played a big role in playing that flavor down. Overall, the group rated this a 6/10. The next appetizer was Grilled Octopus, which was cooked great, but nothing too spectacular about it, so we rated this one a 6/10 as well. Everyone's favorite, and probably star of the night, was the Lily's Mushrooms. I had something similar to this at another restaurant last month and was adamant that the group get and try it! And it definitely did not disappoint. A 10/10 across the board! For the pastas we ordered the charred scallops risotto, which was AMAZING! The seafood umami really came out on this dish! If I got to rate this on my own it would have been a 10/10 *chefs kiss*, but the consensus was 9.5/10. We also got the duck ragu, which we rated a 7/10, as well as the rabbit Bolognese which got a 8/10. Don't get thrown off by these ratings though! The pasta here is made incredibly well. The way it is made and cooked has the perfect chewiness to it! We also got 2 pizzas; their Salami (7.5/10) and their Sausage (8.5/10). Again, just like their pasta counterpart, the dough was PERFECT! I think the only reason we docked more on the Salami was because we expected a little more from the hot honey. Lastly, for our mains we ordered the steak and pork chop dishes. The steak was cooked well, but nothing too outstanding, so we rated this one a 7/10. The porkchop, too. We rated that one a 7.5/10. But the slaw/salad that accompanied the porkchop was really good! We ended the night with a tiramisu which was a yummy 7/10. I know that the ratings look a little harsh, but I cannot emphasize enough how good the experience was here. All the food was between good and great. All the carbs were made perfectly, and honestly - that's all I ask! :) I love me a good carb with protein and cheese. Will definitely be coming back! Cheers and Happy Eating! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Monica , We appreciate you taking the time to share such a…
I brought my mom here for her 66th birthday dinner this evening, and the food we ordered was all delicious. We began with the wild arugula nectarine salad (yum!), shared the Bianca (truffle mushroom) pizza, and she had the steak frites, while I opted for the bucatini. All was tastefully executed. We also had a passion fruit marg and the "I Don't Give a Fig" cocktail. Both quite good. Our server was Danny, and though he began pretty strong, we felt he could have been a little more attentive. He didn't ask if we wanted more cocktails when we had finished our drinks, and he didn't bother upselling us on anything else. He did bring my mother a bowl of vanilla ice cream with a candle and sang her happy birthday, but with the amount of food + drinks we had ordered, a small bowl of ice cream at a pretty high-end restaurant felt kind of cheap. We've been to other restaurants on our birthdays where the server was thoughtful enough to bring us a slice of cheesecake or something a little more exciting than just ice cream. Ice cream felt like we were at a Denny's or an IHOP. This is no deal breaker; it's simply an observation. Something else to note: parking in the adjacent underground lot cost $12. It would be great if the restaurant and the garage had some sort of deal where the restaurant could validate patrons' parking, or at least discount it. Ambiance: relaxed, casual. read more
Marina is a wonderful Italian restaurant located on Cordova between Hudson and Lake. Parking options are on Lake or in their underground garage (validated). The restaurant replaced Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill. Marina's indoor space is clean, modern, and inviting, perfect for both a dressed up evening or a casual dinner. The outdoor space complete with space heaters provides a nice option. The service is professional and friendly, but the star of the restaurant is truly the food. The dishes are prepared simply but the flavors are amazing - balanced, well-seasoned while letting the natural taste of the fresh ingredients shine. My friend and I were blow away by each dish. They have great vegetarian options; a bit less options for vegans. They had a wonderful grilled mushroom dish that I forgot to snap a picture of, but was mouthwateringly delicious! I plan to dine here many more times! read more
4 months ago
The food did not disappoint. We had the lamb chops and the pasta dish. It was so good that I took the rest for leftovers. The drinks were amazing. I will definitely come back!!!! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Dennise , Thank you for the wonderful review. We’re so glad the…
This place is easy to miss from the street, but the inside was nicely decorated for the holidays. I came here for my birthday with my parents, and the staff were so kind and generous. They gave me two birthday desserts: vanilla bean ice cream and tiramisu topped with gooseberry. For appetizers, I recommend the persimmon salad and calamari. For entrees, I recommend the mushroom tagliatelle. The menu rotates each season, so I'll definitely be back. It's our new favorite Italian restaurant in Pasadena! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Lauren, Thank you for celebrating your birthday with us and for…
1 year ago
The service was good. We made a reservation and waited 45 minutes to 1 hour on a Thursday. However, they were apologetic and gave us excellent service, so we did not mind waiting. We did order a few things that were forgotten, like a pizza and an entrée. The ambiance was very nice and casual. As an appetizer, we had blistered bread and ricotta, which was to die for! It was so delicious. We got the house Italian sausage pizza, which was also good. Now, for the entrée: We ordered Truffle Cavatelli, mushroom tagliatelle, and shrimp alla vodka. The truffle Cavatelli, especially the meatball, was salty for me. I drank water after every bite. The sauce's flavor was good, but it was just salty. Everything else was good! I would definitely come back again. The only downside was the 3% service charge for supporting competitive kitchen wages, which was not notified to us. read more
Had such a lovely experience at Marina! The service was truly standout: friendly, attentive, and made me feel genuinely taken care of throughout the night. You can tell the team really cares about creating a great dining experience. The cocktails were super fun and creative, each one felt like a little surprise. As for the food, everything was solid, but a couple of dishes really stole the show. The prosciutto was unforgettable. It was Delicate, rich, and full of flavor. Easily some of the best I've had in a long time. The cacio e pepe was a beautiful twist on the classic. Vibrant, earthy, and deeply satisfying. It had that comforting simplicity you want, with just enough flair to make it special. Overall, Marina nails it with a great vibe, thoughtful dishes, and a team that makes you feel right at home. I'll definitely be back! read more
This is a classy Italian eatery in the South Lake area of Pasadena. The decor was sparkly and modern but the space still felt cozy. Friendly service and informative. Food is served family style. We got the calamari and oyster mushrooms with the calamari aoli sauce being the standout. We shared the pizza bianca, cacio e pepe, scallopini di pollo and shrimp pasta alla vodka. Everything great especially the cacio e pepe and the pizza bianca. Glad we got there early as the place got pretty busy. Will plan on returning. 5 stars read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Luis, Thank you for sharing such a detailed review of your visit…
5 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Sergio, Thank you for the thoughtful review. We’re so glad you…
Parking: Limited ground level parking and ample underground parking; with a fee after validation Ambiance: Chic, upscale and sophisticated Service: Fantastic- the staff were really great to us Food: Visually appealing but tasted average :( Half of our party's favorite thing was the Caesar Salad, Blistered bread, Calamari and Lamb Ragu. We ordered the $125 Porterhouse Steak but it wasn't too special. Other mediocre eats were the Octopus, Sausage Pizza (very salty) and Truffle Cava We ordered a great amount of drinks here and would probably come back for drinks or happy hour but would skip out on their regular dinner menu read more
11 months ago
Marina is an absolute delight and easily earns a full five stars. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets the tone for a wonderful meal. Parking is a breeze since the structure sits right beneath the restaurant and they kindly validate, which makes the visit even more convenient. Their cocktails are thoughtfully crafted with a smooth balance. I especially loved the mezcal based Desperado which had an elegant depth without overwhelming the senses. The food is just as impressive. Their fresh made pastas and seasonal produce truly stand out and show the level of care in every dish. My friends and I enjoyed the Grilled Octopus, Market Carrots, Bianca Pizza, Mushroom Tagliatelle, and Pork Chop Milanese. Every plate was beautifully prepared and full of vibrant flavor. I ended the meal with a smooth digestivo from the dessert menu which was the perfect finish to an already memorable evening. Marina delivers exceptional service, wonderful food, and a lovely environment. This was my second visit and I look forward to a third. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Jerel , Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed…
5 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Lemonon, Thank you so much for sharing this! We’re happy the warm…
4 months ago
This was my first and definitely my last visit to this restaurant. We made a reservation for 12 people at 7:00 PM. My wife and I arrived at 6:50 PM and checked in with the staff. We were informed that there was no large table available, and our party would be split between two tables near the entrance. We had absolutely no issue with that. What was shocking was being told that we could not be seated until all 12 guests had arrived. Despite having a reservation and despite the tables being available, we were forced to wait. I have dined at countless restaurants in this area with large groups, and I have never experienced such an unreasonable policy. The service was unfriendly, inflexible, and completely lacking in basic hospitality. Instead of making guests feel welcome, the staff made us feel like an inconvenience. To make matters worse, the food was nothing special. The quality was average at best, yet the prices were significantly higher than many better restaurants nearby. A restaurant can survive average food, but it cannot survive poor customer service. Unfortunately, this place failed in both areas. Overall, this was one of the worst dining experiences I have had in recent years. I would give this restaurant 0 out of 10 for customer service and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a pleasant dining experience. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Kelvin , Thank you for sharing your feedback. Large party…
Out of the many Italian places I've tried in the LA area, I believe this is one of the best! The food was deliciously flavored without getting too rich- the citrus salad was refreshing, the steak was cooked to perfection (loved the mashed potato too), the butternut squash pasta balanced out the other dishes, and that tiramisu was heavenly!! And while the price can be a bit steep, I think the food, service, and ambiance were well worth it. Came on a weekday night with no wait. You can park at the parking lot on Shoppers Lane where the first 90 minutes are free (parking free after 7 pm). read more
3.5 stars Marina is an Italian restaurant centrally located in Pasadena. They have an open kitchen with a wood-fire pizza oven. We made reservations for a party of four and were seated right away when we arrived. There is an adjacent parking structure where you can get parking validation and there is also street parking. FRIED CALAMARI & ARTICHOKE ($19) - this was your standard calamari. 3/5 BLISTERED BREAD & RICOTTA ($14) - normally the bread served is puffed up really big but ours was not really. Regardless, it was good to dip in the olive oil and ricotta mixture. 3.5/5 TRUFFLE FRIES ($15) - the truffle bits were not spread on the fries but you could still taste some of that flavor. 3.5/5 LAMB RAGU ($26) - we tasted a little bit of the gaminess from the lamb but the sauce and the pappardelle noodles were good. 4/5 HOUSE ITALIAN SAUSAGE ($24) - this was one of the only pizzas with meat. I noticed that the toppings were piled up in the middle so all first bites of the slices had most of the toppings and the parts near the crust were just tomato sauce. 4/5 For drinks, I ordered the salvavita ($17) which was more spirit-forward. I also tried the tangerine smash ($19) which was way too sweet for my liking but it might be good if you like sweet drinks. Even before it opened there was already a crowd waiting. Some were there for reservations like us while others came early to grab seats at the bar for happy hour. read more
Five star for the pastas and Caesar salad. We had the truffle pasta which was really great and Al Dante texture is perfect, the mushroom pasta was also pretty good. Caesar salad was the bomb. The dessert of tiramisu and the other one was just so so because I was expecting more liquor on my tiramisu which I can't find there. Make reservation it get packed. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Wendy, Thank you for the wonderful review. We’re thrilled to know…
*mushroom appetizer *chicken entree / Scaloppine di pollo The chicken entree is spectacular! (Thank you, Jesus, for the recommendation). A flavor bomb wrapped in buttery goodness. The texture of the crispy chicken and veggies was unexpected and delightful. The cocktails were amazing. The mushroom appetizer was outstanding. The food is extremely well made and well seasoned. But what made our experience unforgettable was our server, Jesus. A most gracious, attentive, and kind individual who patiently and promptly attended to every request and who made us feel like we were the only table in the restaurant (along with his team). I cannot wait to go back! read more
1 year ago
We had a lovely meal at our local Italian restaurant. Hubby and I shared an appetizer and salad. For entrees he chose the Bucatini on menu while I opted for a special pasta of the day - Tagliatelle with Duck Ragu. Food and service were excellent. The restaurant has an energetic vibe but is a tad noisy. Overall, a great place to dine in Pasadena. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Carol, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re glad…
Absolutely wonderful dining experience from start to finish! Tony was our server at the bar and he couldn't be more attentive towards our every need nor more pleasant and gracious. All the food and beer was absolutely delectable! Happy hour is an incredible deal and a great way to sample many of their key items. Will definitely return! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Diane , Thank you for sharing such a wonderful experience with us,…
1 year ago
We usually get coffee at Republic which we enjoy and found the owners had a restaurant literally around the corner which my wife wanted to try for our anniversary. As we checked in with the host and the server took my wife to the table , I asked the host if they did anything for anniversaries because that is what we were celebrating that evening. He said yes, I'll let your server know. We ordered 1 appetizer, 3 dishes and some wine to celebrate our evening. All the food we tried here was great, except the Rabbit pasta didn't win me over, but glad I tried it. Other dishes tried were the mushroom pizza, shrimp pasta and Hamachi Crudo. Our server started out great helping us select wines to taste and order, but then went down hill from there. Throughout the entire evening (we were there for 1.5-2hrs), no one checked on us to see if we liked the food or if we needed anything else. It was upsetting to my wife because both tables next to us were checked on several times checking to see if the families enjoyed their dishes and we just sat there observing our waiter pass by 12+ times , but didn't check on us to see if we were satisfied with our food choices or if we'd like to order more. The one time he did stop by right at the beginning to ask if I needed another glass of wine, I declined because I was driving, but did ask him to stop by in 10 min because my wife wasn't done with hers, but she'd get another glass. No one stopped by after that. At the end desert menus were brought out to which we declined, because by now we were already not feeling the vibe. My complaint: 1.No one did anything for our anniversary even though the host said they do. The waiter didn't even mention it.( not sure if message was relayed) 2. Multiple checkins on other tables around us by waiter and we got left out ( put a damper on the special evening we were trying to enjoy) I don't care to go out anymore to eat due to customer service after Covid being absolutely terrible at most restaurants( not sure if most of you can relate), then there is the extra "service fee" we had to pay (you'd expect exceptional service then right???) Suggested tips range from 18-25% in today's world. I don't mind tipping generosity, but 'earn your tip' I'm leaving it at that. Wished we could had a better evening, but the restaurant experience isn't always about the food being great, but how you make your customers feel, the experience you provide is everything. Unfortunately we didn't get this. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Kalpesh, We appreciate your honest feedback and will share notes…
2 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Bob, going looking for cacio e pepe in Rome and coming back to…
My dining experience here today was so bad I had to speak up... the 1 star is solely for their rabbit bolognese BUT... 1. DO NOT order the seasonal appetizer Spring Blossom... dough so thick and filling so salty you'll feel like eating a corn dog. Nothing elegant about it. Can't even taste the spring blossom flower. Very disappointing appetizer first dish... It looks like what it is on their IG page that I give them credit to reproduce it exactly the same appearance wise but taste ... don't waste your money unless you like corn dogs ... 2. Bite into an oregano stem in my pizza which was unpleasant. Brought it to the attention to whom I believe was the manager/owner. And was being "educated" that it's cuz it's "fresh herb" so you'll see stems in the pizza. Makes you as a customer feel dumb like you never had pizza with "fresh herbs" before. Second strike! 3. Pasta ordered wasn't put in so was waiting for over 10 minutes and nothing happened to the point 1 server came to "clean" (took the silverware's and plates away) the table and "boxed up" my unfinished pizza as a silent notification of "hey it's time to pay and leave." Didn't even offer dessert (which is usually what they do before. It's not my first time dining there but this will be the last...). Just cleaned the table and brought me back the boxed up pizza and walked away... I had to bring to the waiter's (whom I ordered the pasta with) attention that my pasta hasn't arrived yet, no response back for him for over 5 mins so I had to ask another person (probably the runner) and he came back with "it's almost coming" while the former server semi yelled across the restaurant "they're plating it!" I don't mind the delay but would appreciate the courtesy of at least a "I apologize for the delay" or "I apologize your order wasn't put in by mistake." Nothing... 3rd strike! 4. Waited at the table after finally completing the meal and sat around for about the same time (~10-15 min) as the table next to me when both party completed eating. Server approached the other table & offered dessert menu while completely ignoring my table which is about 1 foot away so our tables are dang close to each other... only after I called over a server for parking validation did the server brought up "would you like some dessert or coffee before you go?" when he returned with the ticket validated ... I was expecting a pleasant dining experience like my previous visits which brought me back here but was greeted with these such a shame that the ordering process was all pleasant and the owner even gave me some pizza recommendations ... service and overall food today just ... sigh ... I'm sure the owner don't care about these "bad" reviews because "business is good" and I have yet seen a single response on recent months of bad reviews BUT I hope this honest review can help some ppl avoid a bad dining experience while paying $$$ for it. read more
4 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi David , Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed…
More info about Marina
841 Cordova St
Pasadena, CA 91101
Downtown
Directions
(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?
56 reviews that are not currently recommended
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