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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.
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.
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 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.
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
We've been to Marina a few times, and the experience is about the same every time. The food is excellent. Really good dishes and I've never had anything that wasn't at least a 7/10. My issues are with the service. We were sat outside, with only a tree separating us from the back of a car, and felt a little ignored. Our server was fine, nice and mostly attentive. We didn't receive the mocktail we ordered and it took a few tries to get it removed from our bill. The bigger issue is the other service staff. Any time we got a plate served, they almost threw it down on the table and immediately walked off. We felt that they simple didn't want to be there and didn't help provide a welcoming atmosphere. Overall 3/5. The food is very good and I just wish the service lived up to it.
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.
This restaurant is incredible. It has a relaxed, breezy, sunny feel, while being in the absolute driver's seat on excellent cooking and drinks. We started out with Bianco Negronis and the Hamachi Crudo, which was citrusy and perfect. The blistered bread and ricotta was also such an indulgent treat. For Mains, we shared the Truffle Cavatelli and the Charred Scallops Risotto. The truffle and sausage were so rich (in most definitely a good way) and paired so well with the slightly more bracing and magnificent Charred Scallops Risotto. The last dish, with the Calabrian chili and uni butter and mouth-watering scallops, is one of the best things I've eaten in years. To finish, we all shared the Pistachio Tiramisu. Not something I would have ever thought up, but so good. This place is a delight.
Beautiful restaurant with a gorgeous interior and romantic ambiance -- dim lighting and chandeliers made it feel really upscale. We were seated right away even without a reservation, and the service was fast and attentive throughout the night. The chicken scaloppine was absolutely delicious, the shrimp alla vodka was also great, and the crudo was good though nothing especially memorable. To top it off, our server brought us a complimentary lemon sorbet that was super refreshing and tasty. Overall, a great dining experience and definitely a spot I'd come back to.
My family and I came here for dinner on a Sunday. The place was pretty full. It was a good thing we had a reservation. The restaurant is not very big but it does have a good lovely vibe. Our waiter was very friendly. He took our order on a tablet. We received our drinks and waited for our food to come. Approximately 15 minutes after we placed our order, the waiter came back to tell us that there was an "internet problem" and our order did not go through. He had to take our order again. He apologized profusely. He offered us complimentary bread as a way of apology. I had a toddler with me and he was starving at that point. I had to give him some cereals (my emergency snack) to keep him quiet. The food finally started arriving. Here are my thoughts for each item. Blistered bread: 3/5 stars. Interesting looking bread. It is served puffed up. Nice presentation. It gets deflated when you cut into it. Taste is average. Nothing spectacular. Charred Broccolini: 3/5 stars. It was too charred for my liking. Taste: average. I don't care too much for the sauce that comes with it either. Fried calamari and artichoke: 5/5 stars. This was the best dish of the night. Excellent calamari and artichoke. It was fried with a light batter and seasoned well. Delicious. House Italian sausage pizza: 4/5 stars. This was a bit spicy but good. Crust not too thick which is the way I like it. Spicy shrimp alla Vodka: 4/5 stars. Spicy but not too spicy. It has a nice flavor. Liver mousse tortellini: 2/5 stars. This is supposed to be filled with chicken liver mousse and crispy chicken skin. I did not taste any crispy chicken skin. Overall taste: meh. I would not order this dish again. Venetian duck ragu: 3/5 stars. I liked the pappardelle pasta but the duck was too salty for my taste. There is supposed to be Maitake mushrooms on this dish. I only tasted one mushroom. It could use more mushrooms. Pork chop Milanese: 3/5 stars. This dish comes with a huge mound of salad on top of the pork chop. The pork chop tasted average. The salad is the best part of this dish. Butter and Pecorino pasta from the kids menu: 4/5 stars. It has a nice buttery taste. It's too bad that my toddler grandson was too full to eat the pasta. He got full eating cereal and bread since it took so long for the meal to arrive. I think the food was okay. Overall value not so good. A bit pricey with small portions. Having had to wait awhile for the food didn't help with the overall experience.
Had a wonderful dinner here to catch up with my friends! I'm excited to return to try more dishes. This place would be perfect for a date night with the exceptional service and beautiful interior. But here are my food ratings: Lamb ragu, 9/10 Bucatini pasta, 7/10 Bianca pizza, 8/10 All of the dishes were seasoned just right. I didn't try anything special or too different from typical Italian restaurants, so I think the food was good overall compared to other restaurants I've tried. Thank you for having us! read more
1 year ago
Did DineLA here, and it was wonderful. The presentation of the food, the taste of it - all great. I had the squash blossom, and it was fantastic. The sea bass was very flavorful, and the tiramisu was very rich. The blue cheesecake was decadent, and I preferred that to the tiramisu. It's amazing; you have to try it! We finished every crumb except for our desserts because we were so full from finishing everything else! The drinks were great, too, strong and refreshing. I had the tangerine smash and another drink with a bourbon base. The former is a perfect summer drink. As for the service, I couldn't have asked for anything more. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. It's a small restaurant so our server was never far. This was a lovely dining experience. I'd go here again to try their other dishes for sure. read more
1 year ago
The wife and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and did not have a reservation so we arrived early just after 5pm on a Sunday. From the moment we walked into Marina in Pasadena, we felt welcomed like family. The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and truly captures the charm of an authentic Italian dining experience. Our evening started with Leah, the hostess, who greeted us with such kindness and set the tone for the night. Our servers, Kasey and Danny, were absolutely outstanding, attentive without being overbearing, knowledgeable about the menu, and full of genuine hospitality. They made sure every detail was perfect and that we never went without. And then there's Executive Chef Harout and his team, a true master in the kitchen. Every dish we tried was prepared with passion and precision, from the flavors to the presentation. You can tell he puts his heart into every plate, making the experience unforgettable. Marina is more than just a restaurant, it's a place where you feel cared for, where the staff treats you like family, and where the food speaks for itself. We will absolutely be back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an amazing Italian dining experience in Pasadena. read more
Marina is a great spot for Italian food in the Pasadena area. I had reservations to this restaurant around 9:30 PM but was around 10 minutes late, but the staff was still really accommodating to me and my friend when we arrived. We got seated right away, got served water and were given menus. The interior of the restaurant is very spacious and nicely decorated, a very cute date spot or girl's night out. Grilled Octopus (5/5): This was a great appetizer! Very unique and flavorful, I loved the sauce with the octopus, I felt like it elevated the dish significantly. The octopus was also well cooked and was already pre-cut, so it was easy to eat. Main Lobster Tagliatelle (5/5): This dish was so delicious, I loved the combination of the lobster with the sauce and the bread crumbs added a nice texture to the overall taste. I didn't feel like the dish was heavy either, but the portion was substantial. Truffle Cavatelli (4/5): This dish was good, but I wish it came with more sausage since the sausage was really good and added a bit of saltiness to the dish. Without it, the dish would have just been super creamy and cheesy, which isn't bad but the sausage and truffle really elevated the dish. Tiramisu (4/5): Ending the meal with this tiramisu was great. It was really creamy and had a lot of cacao powdered on top. I think the cream to lady finger ratio was a little off, I thought it could have used more lady fingers since the cream was really overwhelming, but overall it was a solid dessert. I'd definitely come back here to try their other dishes! We parked in a structured parking garage that wasn't free, so keep that in mind when coming to this place. read more
8 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Jacqueline, We appreciate you sharing such an enthusiastic…
2 years ago
My friends and I recently visited Marina for my birthday dinner and I was very happy with this place! It's located near pasadena downtown so be prepared to look for street parking. The restaurant itself has an amazing ambience with a beautiful bar and green lighting. The wait staff here are all very polite and sweet! They brought out the cake very sneakily as well and everyone sang happy birthday. For food, we ordered a salami pizza, truffle cavatelli, rabbit bolognese, and squash agnolotti. Every single dish was made very well and the pasta quality was spectacular. The pizza and the agnolotti were definitely my favorite but I would recommend all of these dishes. We also all enjoyed our drinks and I particularly loved the matcha mocktail I got. I wish they had an alcoholic version of it because it was so good! I highly recommend coming here whether if it's just for a night out or for a special occasion. read more
2 years ago
Not a fan of rabbit or duck. But those in my party ordered it and said it was very good. So there you go Quaint little spot with a nice atmosphere. Hey the pizza and pasta game is definitely on point read more
6 months ago
2 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Valerie , This made our day. Thank you so much for the love and…
1 year ago
Delicious food and great selection of wines. Beautiful restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seatings. Friendly service. Salted cod brandade was decent; I tasted mostly the sauce part, not so much of the fish but the bread was good. Prosciutto pizza was good; the dough and crust were chewy yet crispy but could use a tiny bit more salt and the toppings were fresh but could use a tiny bit more sauce as well. Loved the carbonara; the noodle was cooked perfectly and it came with lots of pancetta. Our server mentioned some people thought the pancetta was too salty, which I personally didn't think so. But for the amount of meat they gave, it could be more balanced with more noodle. The restaurant got very busy by the time we finished and we had to wait for awhile to find our sever. Overall, it was a pretty nice experience in the Pasadena area. read more
1 year ago
Went to Marina very last minute with my best friend and her mother-in-law because my friend was craving Lily's mushroom. Honestly, what a great decision! The highlight for me was the Branzino!!The crispy skin was perfect and I loved every bite. My friend's mother-in-law loved it so much she basically finished the whole fish herself--and the next day she was still telling me how delicious Marina was!! I really appreciate how good food connects people. Marina gave us exactly that kind of experience. The atmosphere felt warm and inviting--perfect for a casual night out ！Highly recommend. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Muhan , Thank you for such a wonderful review. We’re delighted to…
This is a very nice trendy restaurant in Pasadena. Bright and airy place with open kitchen. It gets really busy and crowded so can get very noisy as the tables are quite close. There are several tables outside. We were celebrating my daughters birthday and this is one of her favorite Italian restaurant. We started with the following appetizers: 1) Blistered bread, housemate ricotta cheese, cherry tomatoes, olive oil: very different looking of a huge bloated bread that was very delicious! 2) Grilled Octopus Mary hated market peppers, shallots, sherry vinaigrette, sea salt: this was my favorite of all the dishes! The octopus was very tender and grilled perfectly. Loved the fingerly tiny potatoes that accompanied the octopus! Also, my husband ordered the Italian Sausage Pizza: house Italian sausage, tomato sauce, mozzarella, caramelized onions, atrocities & shishito peppers! It was juicy and flavourful! Luckily, he ordered the pizza as an appetizer as our entrees were quite small! The Shrimp alla Vodka is squid ink tagliatelle stuffed with baby Rick shrimp, uni butter sauce and chives. There were only a handful in the dish! Not filling at all! Cairo e Pepe: bucatini, fried artichoke, cracked black pepper, pecorino cheese. Very simple and small entree too! I had the Mushroom Tagliatelle: crimini, mistake & Oyster mushroom in porcini broth. I love fresh pasta and mushrooms but it was very rich so I had wished they served table bread! I had eaten all my Blistered Bread with the appetizers! They charge you for everything including $1 for Big Ice in my husbands 4 Roses drink! A prominent restaurant would not do this! Or charge a 3% service charge for support competitive kitchen wages! That's the cost of doing business! Also, tables were very close together so it was loud and noisy that we could not enjoy our meal so didn't order dessert! My husband couldn't wait to leave!! This is the reason for only 4 stars instead of 5!! May think twice before returning! read more
4 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi there, Thank you for celebrating such a special birthday with us.…
8 months ago
A lovely restaurant with great design and service, but the food unfortunately leaves much to be desired. We came on a Saturday evening and quickly got seated. Amongst the dishes we ordered, the caesar salad, octopus, margarita pizza, and spicy shrimp alla vodka, nothing stood out. Perhaps we ordered the wrong dishes but everything was below mediocre. The octopus was very salty and one-dimensional in flavor. It would have benefited from something tangy or refreshing like lemon or citrus. The spicy shrimp alla vodka was lacking in flavor and had an overwhelming bitterness that left a strange aftertaste. I was extremely disappointed by the pizza as I'm a huge fan of simple wood fired margherita pizzas. The pizza lacked that fresh tomato sauce and felt very heavy/greasy. The cheese was oily and didn't taste like the classic fresh mozzarella. The flavor profile reminded me more of a New York style pizza, which I don't mind, but is just not what I expected when ordering a margherita. The 4 dishes plus a cocktail totaled to about $120. Unless there is a major improvement in the dishes, I'm unlikely to return. read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Jenny, Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed…
9 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Sinjin, Thank you for sharing such a fantastic experience, we’re…
9 months ago
Just went to Marina Pasadena for the first time tonight and I was not disappointed. Everything was absolutely delicious. We had the Italian sausage pizza and it was perfect. We also ordered the truffle pasta and the chicken breast with white wine sauce and pommes purée the chicken was perfectly cooked and the potatoes were soft, creamy, and comforting. Every dish was delicious! We also want to give a huge thank you to our sweet server, Mel. She was fantastic so kind, attentive, and genuinely warm. She made the experience even better. We just moved into the area and will definitely be back! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Kris , We appreciate you sharing your first visit and are glad…
10 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Vince , Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed…
11 months ago
Came last month fancy but not too expensive Italian restaurant with great service and great homemade pasta. I love seeing the open kitchen and watching them make the pasta! Service is definitely above average the waitress was very kind to us and made sure we were okay. Best dish I ordered was probably the Mushroom Tagliatelle it was very flavorful and pasta tasted rich. The rabbit bolognese was good but the meat just tastes like normal grounded pork, nothing special despite it being real rabbit sadly. Don't make the same mistake as me ordering the Wagyu because they are an Italian restaurant so that didn't taste too good. I also enjoyed the Calabrian Salami pizza it was very crispy and thin with a distinct sweet taste. Just be careful because it is a little spicy. Be mindful that the restaurant is a little dim and can be a little crowded in the evening so make a reservation like I did on Resy or just be prepared to wait a bit. Overall 7.9/10, will definitely be back as this place is on Resy and I need to redeem my Amex Resy credit each quarter read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Anthony , Thank you for sharing such a detailed review. We’re glad…
1 year ago
Reservation seating was pretty timely and staff very customer service friendly and efficient. The food was good - Ingredients were fresh, pasta cooked perfectly, the grilled Octopus not overcooked, and my husband just loved the clam pasta sauce. I just can't say it was awesome! However, would I return? Yes. read more
8 months ago
We really enjoyed Marina, a hidden gem. Great menu, food, and service. Nice ambiance too. I highly recommend it! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Cathy , Thank you for sharing your experience with us and for…
1 year ago
This is not your average Italian restaurant. Every dish was packed with bold, elevated flavors, and the Mediterranean twist really took it to the next level. Absolutely delicious -- hats off to the chef! Service was just as impressive. Even on a busy Thursday night, the team was attentive, friendly, and totally on point. The ambiance/vibe of the restaurant is also great! Already looking forward to coming back for more! I recommend trying: Best margarita pizza I've ever had! The truffle pasta with the sausage The OCTOPUS WOW!! Lamb chops are out of this worlddddd!! The calamari looks just okay, buttt tastes amazing. The blistered bread is a must. read more
1 year ago
Sooooo good! Definitely was added to our list of favorite restaurants in Pasadena! Beautiful interior, great service, and very tasty food. We visited in a group of 4 and shared the following dishes: - Blistered bread & ricotta: 5/5 AMAZING, freshly baked and soooo tasty - White Nectarine Salad: 5/5 very refreshing and flavorful - 24 Month Prosciutto San Daniele: 5/5 definitely recommended! - Prosciutto San Daniele & Burrata Pizza: 4.9/5, excellent taste, but the dough could have been slightly better - Rabbit Bolognese: 5/5 couldn't have been better! - Truffle Cavatelli: 4.5/5 pretty good, but not as good as the other dishes - Branzino alla Griglia: 4/5 pretty good as well, but was a bit too oily and wasn't sure of the combination with eggplant. read more
2 months ago
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Xiomara D.
Hi Ervin, Thank you for sharing such kind words and for continuing to…
11 months ago
Had a long drive for work yesterday and I was really craving good pasta with good wine! I work close to Marina so figured I'd check it out. And wow ! The pasta was the best! I forgot the name of it but ot had shrimp and I added truffles! It really hit the spot. Our waiter Nick was amazing and so helpful in his suggestions and such a great personality! Thanks Nick! I'll definitely return! Oh and the fig cocktail was soooo good ! read more
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Xiomara D.
Hi Zakia , Thank you for the wonderful review. We’re glad to know…
2 years ago
Met a few girlfriends for dinner. We could only get a 5:30 reservation so I thought it would be empty. But it was packed! Lots of people enjoying the cocktails, and all the tables were full. The bar looks very attractive, and the overall decor was nice. There were constantly people waiting to be seated. Guess I'm the last to find out about this restaurant! We started with their blistered bread with ricotta, and added the prosciutto. What a delicious and fun starter! Hot & puffy & so flavorful! Can't wait to have it again. I went with the Rabbit Bolognese, which I've never had (was feeling adventurous) and it was awesome. I brought home some leftovers, and now my husband wants to go just so he can have this dish. My friends seemed to enjoy their Cacio e Pepe with artichokes, and Shells with Pesto. My only complaint was that the food came out too fast. The app came before the drinks, and then before we were done with that, the mains were out. So we didn't get to order a glass of wine with our meal (which we would have) because we still had our cocktails. I guess that because it's so popular, they wanted to turn the table. read more
First time dining here. This review is for a wine pairing dinner. What a huge disappointment. Start time posted for 630 pm and first plate and pour came at 700 pm. It might not have been so infuriating if the first dish delivered, but what was listed as Kumiai OysterS, with an S at the end, usually meaning more than one. But no, that's what they served. One oyster. On a bread plate, with a lemon slice. No minionette. No hot sauce... and not shucked well. Terrible. Second plate, was a tomato salad with peach. Not bad, except that I don't eat tomatoes. It was in the notes. They called to confirm a few days before and said chef would accommodate, yet there they were on the plate. Server gave extra wine, which was appreciated because the pours were ridiculously skimpy. I will say, they offered a foccacia bread and olive oil, with the salad that was amazing. Unfortunately, it's not offered on their regular menu. What a miss. But, it was stellar. Next dish was an Egg and Ricotta ravioli in a Bolognaise. GREAT DISH! Offered with tiny samples of two wines, one okay and one that was great. Final dish was another great one, a lamb lollipop. Delicious, but served with another tiny sample sip of wine. We were not happy and a manager provided a small sample of a different wine, as they hadn't ordered enough of the wine on the menu. The final insult was dessert, an olive cake that was excellent, but that was a shared plate. Seriously. The menu mentioned nothing about it being shared and THAT is super tacky. I would consider giving a try on a regular menu, but I would NEVER do another pairing menu here. It was just a super disappointing evening. read more
This review is long overdue! Marina in Pasadena, California, takes inspiration from California's regional, seasonal ingredients and applies true cooking traditions of Italy to bring you an incredible dining experience. With their rotating menus, you'll always find me looking for any reason to dine @marinapasadenaofficial. Family Dinner? Yes. Happy hour with the girlies? Yes!Romantic Date night? YESSSS!!! We had (from their May 2024 menu): Tuna Carpaccio (sushi grade ahi tuna, trout caviar, crispy onions, olive oil lemon sauce, chives, on crispy wontons), Uni & Prawns Risotto (New Caledonian shrimps, Uni butter, mascarpone, chives, pecorino), Shrimp & Calamari Arrabiata (fresh linguine, San marzano, tomatoes, spicy oregano arrabiata sauce), Carbonara (fresh bucatini, guanciale, fresh pepper, pecorino), Scaloppine di Pollo (chicken breast, fried artichoke, pommes puree, capers, lemon-white wine sauce), Blistered Bread & Ricotta (Housemade ricotta cheese, cherry tomatoes, olive oil) read more
2 years ago
I've dined here twice now and enjoyed each visit. The restaurant itself is decorated so nicely. I love the colors, patterns, and tile textures that adorn the main dining and bar area. Servers are knowledgeable and attentive and on the weekday dinner we were seated right away for walk-in. Busy nights, the bar is first-come basis too. What I ordered both times (so I definitely recommend): + Market Caesar Salad - little gems & romaine were the perfect size, house-cured pancetta gave the dish that saltiness, and I like the brioche croutons and pecorino were shaved and grated so small but it coated each piece of salad so well! The caesar dressing was dressed the right amount too. + Lamb Chops Scottadito - so good! Cooked perfected and that toasted spices oil is soo good. The black garlic sauce is also perfect. The first time, I got four grilled chops, 2nd time we got three and the menu online says four though so just check on that. + Carbonara - nice and creamy with again a very finely grated pecorino and the fresh bucatini had the perfect bite. The poached + The pizzas are also solid. I recommend the Bianca. The first time I tried the Mortadella & Pistachio but doesn't seem to be on the menu anymore. + Hazelnut gelato - really good too! Things I would skip: + Blistered bread & ricotta - the bread was very fluffy but the ricotta didn't wow me with just cherry tomatoes and olive oil. Personal preference. Lastly, the cocktails were fantastic. I ordered the 'I Don't Give A Fig' and it was so tasty! The mezcal was paired so well with the honey, cinnamon, and fig flavors. Looking forward to coming back! read more
2 years ago
I had a great time dining here. I came here after a conference and was ready to eat! We had the chance to try the lamb, truffle pizza, caesar salad, and carbonara. Everything was really great, but my favorite had to be the lamb. Lamb can be a bit tricky when being cooked, but this one was delicious! The vibes here were on point. I would definitely come back here to try some of their other dishes! read more
1 year ago
Marina was a fancy Italian experience. The food tasted really good, definitely satisfying. It's definitely on the expensive side, but if you're looking for a classy, well-made Italian meal, it delivers. I just wish the servings matched the cost a bit more. read more
We started with the Ceasar salad. Then the Matcha mock tail. An amazing chicken entree and delightful house Italian pizza and the most perfect service from Casey. I cannot wait to share this place with my family. I want to eat my way across this delish menu. It's so amazing to have this caliber of restaurant in my neighborhood. Who needs Beverly Hills. We have Marina Pasadena! read more
Had an amazing dining experience here recently for my birthday dinner. The environment is upscale but casual. We ordered the blistered bread and ricotta along with the fried calamari and artichoke to start. The uni and prawn risotto was a huge hit as was the dungeness crab tagliatelle. We ordered the porterhouse which was super tender and definitely the favorite of the table. For dessert the blue cheesecake had an unique flavor but definetly not overpowering (in case you don't like blue cheese). Highly recommend coming here if you're celebrating a special occasion, date night, or even just a casual dinner. read more
5 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Marc , Glad you enjoyed it — the puffy bread is always a standout…
What a great place to have a drink and eat delicious food! The craft cocktails are just as pretty as they are tasty. This place is food for small groups (6 or less I'd say). You can come alone and sit at the bar. I heard there's a great happy hour. Please get the whipped ricotta they serve it with fresh pita. If you like blue cheese they have a blue cheese cheesecake with kumquats on top. Girlfriends and I had a great time and great service. Can't wait to come back! read more
5 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Sam, Thank you to The Greenridge Group for choosing Marina for…
6 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Colleen, Thank you for such a wonderful review. We’re thrilled to…
2 years ago
Was pleasantly surprised by this bistro and the quality of the food, service and ambiance. The staff was very friendly and Victor went out of his way to explain menu favorites and cocktail recommendations which all turned out to be A1. Started off with that blistered bread and ricotta--the ricotta was close to butter the way it was whipped, seasoned perfectly and bathed in EVOO. The bread was also as fresh as could be and so soft. Also tried the squad blossoms which had the perfect amount of breading and stuffed with an almost sweet cheese that really made the squash pop. Was losing it eating these. For the main I went with the shrimp and calamari pasta which was the perfect ending to an already great meal. The taste of the sauce used on this will stay with me for a while. I forget the cocktails only because I told our server Victor that I trusted him and he didn't disappoint. All in all highly recommended spot. read more
2 years ago
This is a new restaurant that we wanted to try. The decor and ambience was trendy and casual. When we arrived, a little before 5 pm, we wanted to take advantage of the happy hour even we had reservation at 6 pm. We were told that we could either sit at the bar or we would lose the table for our dinner. Most restaurants would be flexible allowing the guests to get a drink for 10 to 15 minutes and sit for dinner. Regardless, we decided to sit at the table and forgo the happy hour drinks and order at full price. I ordered the summer kiss drink and my girlfriend ordered the kiwi energy. Both drinks were delish. The cheese platter was amazingly delicious. I typically go with no carb but still carved in to try the bread with cheese. We ordered a nectarine salad which tasted really good with the sweetness of the nectarine and the feta cheese. For entree, we split the branzino. The branzino was cooked a little dry and not much fillet. Maybe we ordered the wrong dish. I saw others pasta entrees were great. Maybe next time, we should stick with the pasta and pizza. For dessert, we tried the olive lemon cake as recommended by the server. It was ok. The cake texture was a little dense, not the chiffon cake that we expected. Very lemony. Will we come back, mmmm. maybe. read more
2 years ago
I just discovered this restaurant like a week ago and it didn't disappoint! The quality of the food was very good and service was excellent! There is parking behind the restaurant which is good and yes, the restaurant does partial validation which is better than nothing. Definitely try this restaurant for some great Italian food! 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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Marina - italian - Updated September 2026
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