The waiter asked us if we were celebrating a special occasion, but for us, it was simply another fun dinner night out. LOL. Little did we know that our first visit to Marisella would take us into such a lovely restaurant with a beautiful ocean view! We came for the STEAKS...yummy yum, and we certainly weren't disappointed. This was our fifth steak restaurant of the week, and so far, Marisella had the best steak dinner we'd experienced. My date is a true steak professional and strict carnivore--he knows his meat because, after all, that's pretty much all he eats! Ha! He said it was the best ribeye he'd had all week. The previous one he tried was TOUGH! Eeew! It was actually my first time trying a ribeye because I usually order filet mignon. My filet was, as expected, wonderfully tender, but the ribeye surprised me in the best way. It was incredibly flavorful and beautifully balanced, with just the right amount of rich, delicious fat--which we both absolutely love! The service was excellent as well. Every staff member was so polite, respectful, and attentive. I especially appreciated their gentle, pleasant communication, which made the entire experience feel even more special. Thank you, Marisella, for such a fun and delicious dinner! We had a wonderful time and will definitely be back again soon! Yay! read more

Marisella - Chocolate Dessert - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Marisella was easily one of my favorite dining experiences in Santa Barbara. The restaurant is inside the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, and the entire atmosphere is elegant, sophisticated, and beautiful without feeling stuffy. Our server was absolutely fantastic. She was so professional, quick, polite, and genuinely friendly that I honestly wondered if she was the manager. She had that fresh, confident energy where you can tell someone really knows what they're doing and actually enjoys taking care of their guests. And the FOOD... wow. The whipped ricotta with honey and black pepper was probably my favorite thing I tasted all night. Creamy, slightly sweet, perfectly balanced -- I could have eaten the entire plate. The black truffle Wagyu carpaccio was incredible. The steak practically melted in my mouth, and the truffle flavor made it feel so decadent without being overwhelming. The spicy rigatoni alla vodka was also SO good fresh, rich, full of flavor, and exactly the kind of pasta you keep going back And I have to mention my virgin "Gossip Girl" drink because it was delightful! fresh, refreshing, and honestly such a fun drink. Everything from the food to the service to the beautiful setting felt elevated. This is definitely the kind of place I would come back to for a special dinner. Marisella really delivered. Thank you read more

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We came to Marisella to celebrate my child's birthday. First, I want to acknowledge that the staff helped us modify our reservation after it somehow changed from July 29 to July 30, and I appreciate that. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience was very disappointing. We arrived around 8:30 p.m. and were seated around 8:45 p.m. We were immediately told that the kitchen was closing at 9:00 p.m., so we had to rush to place our order. Later, I asked for a glass of milk for my toddler. I was told the kitchen was closed. I then asked if the bar was still open, and the waitress replied, in a way that felt like she was making fun of me, "Usually we don't make food at the bar." I wasn't asking for food--I was simply asking for a glass of milk for my child. I even explained that if they could make cappuccinos, they should be able to provide milk. Unfortunately, my request was dismissed. The food was decent--about 7/10--but the portions were small. The biggest disappointment was the service. While we were still eating, staff were already taking plates and items away from the table. When they brought the dessert, they did not even clean the table first--there were still pieces of food left on the table, and they placed the dessert right there. It felt rushed and careless. For a Ritz-Carlton restaurant, I expected much better hospitality and attention to detail. Unfortunately, this experience felt like a waste of money, and I would not recommend Marisella. read more

I recently went to Marisella at the Ritz-Carlton in Santa Barbara with my family and parents for my birthday. The ambiance is gorgeous. It's a beautifully designed Italian restaurant with a large bar right in the center and a fantastic ocean view. It feels elegant without being stuffy and works equally well for a date night or a family gathering. Service was okay but inconsistent. It felt slow at times, and they didn't make much of an effort for my birthday. My parents also waited upward of 20 minutes for the check after they paid. On the positive side, the staff was good with the kids. Drinks were solid. My dad ordered a Merlot and they have a pretty extensive wine list, which was nice. Food was a mixed bag. The signature bruschetta with burrata and sauce was outstanding -- honestly some of the best I've had. My wife and dad both got the spicy pasta and the main complaint was the same: only two small slivers of sausage in the whole dish. My filet was okay. It was a bit small and cooked properly, but the seasoning was lacking and most of the plate tasted pretty bland outside of a few drips of butter. Dessert was better -- the signature tiramisu was very good. At about $100 per person, it's not cheap. Overall it was a nice birthday dinner with a great setting, but the inconsistent service and uneven food kept it from feeling special. I'd go back for the view and the bruschetta, but I'd manage expectations on the rest. Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 3/5 Drinks: 4/5 Food: 3.5/5 Value: 3.5/5 read more

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Marisella in Santa Barbara was one of the highlights of our weekend trip at the Ritz Carlton. The restaurant is located along the coast, and the atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed. We had gone there to celebrate our anniversary, and it was such a great spot. We timed our reservation perfectly so that we were able to see the sunset over the ocean. As if that wasn't enough, we also spotted little bunnies hopping through the plants, which made my 6-year-old daughter's evening. She couldn't stop smiling! The meal started with complimentary fresh tomatoes served with an incredible seasoned salt for dipping. My daughter couldn't get enough of it. The house-made focaccia was easily one of the best breads I've ever had. Warm, fluffy, and paired with the whipped ricotta, it was absolutely amazing. If you come here, this is a MUST to order. We also shared the Festa Del Mar, which was packed with fresh seafood and was a very generous portion - perfect for sharing. The roasted carrots were also good. For drinks, we tried the Siren of the Sea, Intermezzo, and the Marisella Old Fashioned. The Old Fashioned was served with a beautiful monogrammed ice cube featuring an "M." All the drinks were good and they did not hold back on the alcohol. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, friendly, and super nice throughout the evening. He even offered to take our picture at the table and did such a great job at it too. The service definitely matched the quality of the food. We'll definitely be back here the next time we're in Santa Barbara. I'm still craving that house-made focaccia and the whipped ricotta. Soooo good! read more

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Rating: 6/10 Ambiance is gorgeous, with a beautiful ocean view and great romantic lighting. However, service was severely lacking and slow, and the food was expensive for the portions and not the best. We ordered the focaccia with whipped ricotta, crudo, spicy rigatoni, and clam pasta. The focaccia was warm and crispy and contrasted well with the creamy, cheesy ricotta. The crudo was the best item and was fresh and well-seasoned. Pastas were underwhelming. Super small portions (we probably had about 2-3 mouthfuls per person per dish) for the price point. The rigatoni was slightly bland and could've used more salt, but the spice was perfect as someone who likes spicy foods. The clam pasta was a good lighter option but could have used more umami taste. Service was also really slow, which staff did tell us was due to them being understaffed. Overall, we paid $140 before tax for this meal, and it didn't fill us up. Gorgeous venue but I don't think I'd recommend this place as a must-visit restaurant in SB. read more

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We went to Marisella for an anniversary dinner. The whole experience was wonderful. We were seated at a lovely table on the glass so the view was excellent. Unfortunately, the weather was 100% grey clouds, so there was no sunset. Milo was our server (5 stars) and he did an outstanding job of answering all of our questions and helping us make our selections. We had the focaccia with the whipped ricotta (5 star), the blue fin tuna crudo (the serving is small, but the dish has a lot going on--5 star). The salt baked branzino (4 stars--my wife says 5 stars) was nicely prepared. We tried the crostata for desert (4 stars). As an acknowledgement of our special occasion, they also provided a complementary mango gelato with chocolate (3 stars). Next time we're trying one of the Wagyu steaks. P.S. I also had one of the best Rusty Nails that I have ever had (6 stars). Even my wife who hates whiskey found it pleasant. read more

Beautiful ambiance! Great service! Delicious food! Amazing presentation! Gorgeous views of the shoreline and the ocean! Nice happy hour as well. Located inside The Ritz hotel. Loved it! read more

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Went in for a quick bite and drinks for happy hour. The staff was friendly, and gave us good recommendations for food and drinks. We ordered lychee drinks, steak tartare, and arancini. One of my friends is a picky eater. She doesn't like the texture of raw meats and seafood, however, she enjoyed the steak tartare. Honestly, it was a little too salty for our tastes but still very good. The lychee and arancini was a fan favorite. read more

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Beautiful ambiance, amazing service and great food! Everything matters in how you remember your experience. The servers we had were patient and very welcoming. read more

Marisella is so good! We got the bolognese and ribeye which were both great options. We also got other side dishes and the food doesn't take very long. Also, they have an outdoor area which is great for sunset pics and hanging out. Dessert is also yummy. Definitely recommend!!! read more

Marisella - Sunset - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We had the most delightful dinner here. The service was immaculate, as you can see in the video Austin so kindly made us tableside tiramisu. Great service all around from ALL staff! The food was good. I'm a huge brown butter sage pasta gal, it was okay, but I wouldn't order it again nothing special. It would have been great to add a sweet component in there somehow. I just got back from Italy so perhaps I'm being harsh. I'd recommend getting another main! The deserts were both great but I liked the apple crostata best! We had a large group and though they didn't have enough tables for us (we neglected to make a reservation as we didn't plan to have time, so that's on us) they were so accommodating and moved tables together for us! read more

Marisella - Apple Crostata - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We stopped by this restaurant after a day of wine tasting in downtown Santa Barbara on Halloween. We were a little hungry after wine tasting and decided to sit at the bar for something quick -- we didn't want to wait for a table, just wanted to eat, have a nightcap, and head back to our room. We ordered the filet mignon, the meatballs, and some greens. Everything was delicious and satisfying -- exactly what we needed after a long day. The gentleman at the bar was great -- very friendly and attentive (I wish I remembered his name!). However, the young lady who initially greeted us, I believe her name was Bernice, wasn't as welcoming. It honestly felt like we were inconveniencing her, which left a bit of a sour first impression. Because of that, I'm taking one star off. Overall, though, it was a nice experience, and I'd still come back -- especially for the food and the relaxing atmosphere at the bar. read more

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This is a beautiful new restaurant at the Bacara Ritz Carlton in Santa Barbara. Great views looking the ocean. The food is stellar! This was our 2nd visit and we were impressed the first time and even more impressed this time!! This place is a foodies dream. Service was impeccable as well. Highly recommend a visit to this beautiful new restaurant. We will be back!! read more

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If you're looking to dine in make reservations. They do get booked so a walk in is a gamble. Bar seating is 1st come 1st serve with access to full menu. The restaurant is small but offers great views. Portion sizes are small, BUT simple and flavorful. We ordered their marinated cucumbers, Orecchiette, and Shrimp & Lobster ravioli. The explosion of flavors brought by the food is worth every nickle and dime! For those not staying at the hotel valet parking is the only option offered, enjoy!! read more

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Wow!!! This place is stunning!!! Gorgeous entryway, beautiful decor throughout, stunning ocean views, welcoming staff & delicious cocktails & appetizers. After a relaxing day at the Bacara spa, we made it to Happy Hour at Marisella! The bartenders Richie & Bernice were amazing! From the moment we sat at the lovely bar they made us feel welcome & Richie made the best cocktails! He checked on us frequently enough to ensure we had the best first impression of Marisella! He provided great recommendations & had a charming personality! I'm already planning my next visit! Nothing better than great ambiance paired with top notch service! read more

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Came here for my birthday dinner this past year after booking a pretty last minute trip to Santa Barbara, and i cannot speak enough praise!! the location is beautiful at the Ritz-side note: free valet as a gal from LA i could cry! All of the staff was so kind, and the food was so delicious. Of course it is a little pricey but everything is fresh & so flavorful. Plus the view is beautiful. read more

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Marisella is new and comes with both the exciting aspects of a new restaurant, and the growing pains. The restaurant has the potential to truly shine and be one of the best spots in Santa Barbara, but right now it's firing hard on some cylinders, and missing others - however the overall experience is good, and if you're staying at the Ritz Carlton Bacara you should do yourself the service of staying on property for dinner here for one of your nights. The cocktail list is splendid - the Mister Carlton is fantastic with tequilla, mezcal, just real flavors of Santa Barbara. Great way to kick off the meal alongside the tomatoes, local olive oil, and tomato salt. I would add the focaccia and some of the accompaniments. It's worth it, and while my wife loved the tomato sauce pot, I loved the whipped ricotta. Wine list also quite stellar, especially if you're into California wines. I wouldn't hesitate to think a bit outside the box from what you normally order - the options are there, but even if drinking by the glass, your options are really wonderful, though pricey. They have Uni on the menu as an appetizer, though I got it on my lobster ravioli. I cannot say enough times that you should be eating Uni when you're in Santa Barbara. Uni tastes better when it's fresh, and it is certainly fresh here. It was a wonderful treat to have, and the pasta while running $44 was worth it thanks to the Uni. The crudos are a great way to start and the red snapper one is so fresh. Hard to not like that. The Lamb Pasta is more of a comfort food and calming. The sides are all nice but expensive and potentially not worth it when you could do another crudo or something. Dessert is good, but the real way to close out this meal is their Carajillo. Then head back to your room and have a great time - or find valet and hope you didn't drink too much... read more

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Super bummed they no longer have the slow roasted lamb ragu. I did try the little neck clam vongolle and it was very good. You could taste the fresh pasta. It has kick if you do not like spicy be fore warned. read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The charge was never taken off as advertised and there has been zero effort on Marisela's end to help make things right. Highly disappointed in Marisela's management team. read more

I went to Marisella about a week or so after they opened. Emily took great care of us. The timing of the food was awful, but Emily made sure things were made up for, and I appreciate that. The focaccia with its dips is all worth trying. My two favorites were the whipped ricotta and the dip in the pot. Clams casino (+), although potentially no longer available per their online menu Squash blossom (+) Snapper crudo (+) was very heavy on the olive oil, but because of the fish's more neutral taste, this worked out. Garden greens salad (+) dates and pistachios add pizazz to this salad. It is well-balanced and exciting at every bite Shrimp scallop ravioli (+/-) neither hit nor miss, maybe there is just a little too much going on with it, but the flavors didn't mix well for me Lamb Ragu (+) the lamb is a nice addition that adds the earthy and gamey flavors to a pasta that allows for that Filet Mignon (+) I prefer mine as a full barrel cut portion, but the tenderness of the meat here made me less picky for the moment. It was terrific, and although filets are not necessarily known for their high fat content, it had enough to take away from the potential boredom that ribeye lovers complain about when it comes to these cuts. Their cocktails vary from good to great, and their wine options will have something for lovers of pairings. The dessert that I tried was their tableside tiramisu, which I loved because it wasn't overly sweet and kept it simple, which is what a tiramisu should always be. When I saw this was being opened by the same restaurant group that runs Maple and Ash, I had to try as much as possible. Now, they have a good baseline, and it's worth a try. If I had to nitpick, I'd ask for more attention on the pastas; less is more sometimes. read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We visited Marisella for Valentine's Day dinner and were fortunate to secure an 8:45 p.m. reservation. From the moment you pull into the circular drive for valet at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, the experience feels elevated. After being directed through the property to the back where the restaurant is located, we were greeted warmly and seated promptly at a table that was ready and waiting for us. For Valentine's Day, they offered a curated four-course menu rather than à la carte ordering. The courses were well executed and thoughtfully paced. I have a fruit allergy, and the staff was very mindful of that, which I appreciated. Accommodations were handled professionally without making it feel like an inconvenience. Service was somewhat mixed. Our primary waitress seemed informal and borderline overwhelmed throughout the evening. In contrast, the support staff--runners, bussers, and cocktail servers--were polished, attentive, and proactive. At times, they felt more engaged than our assigned server. The food itself was excellent. Everything we had was flavorful and well presented. The wine list was strong, which is not surprising given the property's location and reputation. There are plenty of higher-end selections available. The exclusive cocktail menu, however, is fairly small. They can certainly make anything you request, but if you are hoping for a large selection of signature house cocktails, you may find it limited. Overall, it was a very good experience, especially for a major holiday evening. I would absolutely return and look forward to visiting again on a non-holiday night to see how the restaurant performs under more typical conditions. read more

I enjoyed my previous experience but came back for a birthday celebration and was let down. I requested a table along the window and was not given it even when one appeared open. Instead I was at a table in the middle of the busiest walkway with staff constantly walking past. When asked about adjusting it and shared my request ahead of time the hostess was confused at first and did look into it, but then I was told that the table along the window was PAID ahead of time to be reserved. I was disappointed to find that paying a deposit for a table was an acceptable policy and think it is unfair to the other customers. It detracted from the experience. read more

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Pretty decent restaurant inside the Ritz Carlton hotel. Nice, elegant yet casual so you don't need to feel like you have to overdress yourself to eat here. The only annoyance is we were sitting next to the door that leads to the outside dinning area, so we were cold the whole time. The service was not bad, but I think our waitress could have been more attentive. I noticed all the other waiter and waitress were very on top of the tables they served, except ours. We ordered the fried seafood platter, which was very light and fresh. The filet was a little bit too salty, but definitely one of the best cooked filet I ever had. It's super tender, not gamy and melts in your mouth. The lamb chop was perfect. I asked for the sauce on the side because my daughter was sharing it with me. The lamb chop was perfectly seasoned but a little under cooked (one was the piece was literally rare). It was a bit gamy too without the sauce. If you like carbs, you should order their focaccia bread. It's fresh made and it goes perfectly with the olive oil they leave on the table. I would definitely dine here again if I were to stay here. It does come with a heavy price tag though. read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Really disappointed in this place. I changed my previous reservation in another restaurant just because when I saw the view from this one I really wanted to stay here for dinner. So first of all we was waiting for our order forever , then our dishes was delivered to a wrong table and then when the waiter realized it he took it from the wrong table and brought to us. my dish was wrong , the steak we returned twice and the size of it was microscopic! The branzino for two looked like branzino for one. The waiter was nice but absolutely unknowable of anything's service was too long and food was extremely small and not cooked the way we asked. The restaurant itself is very beautiful and the views are incredible. read more

Marisella - Steak Was reordered twice and still was overcooked and extremely small - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Thank you for an amazing meal and experience! The entrance to the restaurant was exciting, The group that met us and discussed our table options were very attentive and made us feel important. We had the fried squash blossoms, spicy rigatoni, lamb chops, side of polenta and green beens. Everything was presented and cooked perfectly. Will definitely be back for special occasions and thank you again! read more

An incredible anniversary dinner at Marsilla. We started with fantastic cocktails, followed by Wagyu carpaccio and focaccia with whipped ricotta. The sommelier recommended an amazing 2022 Chappelle Signature Cabernet with dinner, and the Wagyu filet and 16 oz. Wagyu ribeye were outstanding. The view was beautiful, the service was over the top, and the team went out of their way to make our anniversary special. Truly a 5-star experience. And to the negative reviews: great food, service, and a setting like this aren't cheap--and cheap food isn't great. You get what you pay for. We thought it was absolutely worth it. read more

This was the most special dining experience during our stay in Santa Barbara. The staff, food, and ambiance were incredible. Compliments from the chef and complimentary dessert for our wedding anniversary. We tried multiple cocktails and each was uniquely delicious. Would 10/10 recommend and will definitely be back. read more

Marisella - Focaccia, olives, carpaccio - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This place exceed expectations. We were staying at the hotel on the same property and wanted a low key dinner - we definitely arrived too casual, but the staff was super nice and the space is honestly gorgeous. We had the carpaccio, bread with whipped dip, spicy vodka rigatoni, orecchiette, and table side tiramisu. Aside from the bread service which was a bit lackluster, everything was great! They also have a great cocktail menu - my tomato martini was excellent! read more

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When you walk in, you feel like you've been transported to Miami. The decor, lighting and feel of the restaurant is stunning. We ordered the tomato-tini, something I was looking forward to having after trying LPM in Vegas; it was delicious, but still not as good as LPM. We ordered the fried squash blossoms, the cucumber Caesar salad style, Orecchiette pasta and the lamb chops. You really can't go wrong with any of those choices. Everything was absolutely delicious. read more

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The restaurant is gorgeous - sit outside if you can and enjoy the view of the ocean. The pastas stand out, definitely order 2 or 3. I'll be back next time I'm in sb. read more

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We stayed at the hotel where Marisella is located, and for our anniversary dinner, we thought it would be perfect to stay in and dine here -- and it truly was! From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the host and our server, who seated us at a table overlooking the ocean with the most stunning views. We took our time enjoying the ambiance, snapping a few photos, and going through the menu. I ordered the Masami Filet Mignon with sautéed local greens, and although I can't recall every dish we ordered (nor did I capture photos of all of them), everything we had was excellent -- flavorful, beautifully presented, and thoughtfully prepared. The service was wonderful throughout the evening, and to top it all off, our server surprised us with a complimentary dessert in celebration of our anniversary -- such a thoughtful gesture that made our dinner even more special. Overall, our experience at Marisella was exceptional -- delicious food, warm service, and a breathtaking ocean view that made for a truly memorable anniversary dinner. We would absolutely dine here again! read more

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Milo is the man! If you're looking for the perfect combination of service, food, and views--this is the place. We were seated outside overlooking the water, and Milo, hands down one of the best servers we've ever had, made the evening unforgettable. He started us off with drinks, walked us through the menu, and shared his favorites. We ordered the focaccia with whipped ricotta to start--OMG, a must! My husband had the Vongole pasta while I enjoyed the Orecchiette pasta--a little spicy but bursting with flavor. We paired it with the roasted peppers and eggplant, which was incredible. And just when we thought it couldn't get better...the tableside tiramisu--WOW!! Absolutely a must-try. Huge thanks to Marisella and Milo for an amazing evening. We will definitely be back soon! read more

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Had a lovely sunset dinner here recently. Food was amazing and service was attentive and accommodating. The only issue we had was with the short rib. While it was tasty overall it was a bit too salty. For $180 for the dish you'd hope to get a better taste. Other than that all was fantastic! Much better menu than the restaurant it was before (Angel Oak). read more

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Delicious! Every single bite! The service is great, the atmosphere is comfortably upscale, and the food is spot on. I would highly recommend getting the whipped ricotta and the focaccia bread. This is not your average focaccia! Outstanding is an understatement! The squash blossoms were also wildly successful. They also offer a tomato and herb martini. I was nervous to order it, but it was one of the best drinks I've ever had. It's like a subtle herb garden in your mouth. Definitely on the pricey side, but it's not just dinner, it's a dining experience. Our server was Korin and he was delightful! read more

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Stunning views, great food and great customer service. Oysters, filet, rigatoni, filet mignon and chocolate mousse were our selections. Everything was real prepared and delicious. Located outside of the Ritz Carlton overlooking the water. read more

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We tried almost every dish on the menu and not even one dish disappointed. Sebastian was a great boast as well. read more

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Marisella's was amazing. My sister and I stopped in late one evening without a reservation, assuming we'd just grab a spot at the bar. Which was lovely with a beautiful ambiance. But, we did put our name in at the hostess stand, just in case. To our surprise, they were able to accommodate us with a beautiful table right by the water -- such a treat! The food was absolutely excellent, and our server Daisy was warm, attentive, and friendly throughout the night. The bar entire space had a stunning, welcoming ambience. The complimentary local tomatoes that were served with olive oil and a house made seasoning were amazing. And the fresh focaccia with whipped ricotta & the orecchiette were delicious. We felt completely taken care of and will definitely be back. A perfect late-night find! Highly recommend. read more

We only stopped here to grab a few drinks at their bar. We tried two of their menu offerings and the bartender graciously accomodated our "creative" off menu requests for round 2. He made us a custom NOT the last word drink with green chartreuse, another with baileys and amaro, and one with anise cherry mint. We liked everything. read more

Service was great -- everyone was very kind and attentive. The meatballs, focaccia, and drinks were all excellent. Unfortunately, both pasta dishes I ordered were extremely salty, to the point of being hard to eat. I had the first one remade, and the second was just as salty (if not more). I even had someone else try it to make sure it wasn't just me. We also mentioned we were celebrating a birthday and asked for a dessert with a candle, but it was forgotten and we had to remind them. I feel bad because the staff was genuinely nice, but the food quality -- especially the seasoning -- really took away from the experience. read more