Hands down the best meal I have had in this area. Highlights to try: Gnocchi, Escargot, Lobster and Crab Bisque. We will be making many return trips, excellent atmosphere, service snd cuisine. read more

Meh. That's the word yelp assigns to a rating of 2 stars and the word that describes Marisol perfectly. The establishment came highly recommended and was described as "a slice of NYC fine dining in the triad". However, it is more like a slice of NYC pretentiousness. Seeing the place from the street you might at first glance think you've arrived at the wrong place. Located in a small strip mall off High Point Rd, the location hardly seems appropriate for a restaurant of this supposed caliber. The restaurant itself is a decent size and nicely decorated with a view of the kitchen where one executive chef and two line chefs manned the kitchen. The wait staff was nicely presented and the atmosphere was pleasant. As I watched the chefs plating food on the counter under four heats lamps I was immediately reminded of two things - First, the way chefs plate when there is 30s left on the clock a la "Chopped " and second, Anthony Bourdain's loud cry for "nothing sits under the hot lamps tonight, nothing!". I was happily stunned when presented with an amuse-bouche, potato chowder with bacon and balsamic reduction that was quite delicious. This gracious first gesture immediately turned sour because the wait staffed failed to inquire if anyone was vegetarian and almost 1/4 of the group was. The resulting scramble to come up with a replacement - a picked vegetable over more vegetable felt rushed and was a disappointment. The first sign that something was amiss came when the menus were not presented immediately. When the menu did come, it was glaringly obvious that the most important part - the entrees - were missing. The wait staff quickly chimed in to let us know that the majority of the menu was verbal and that it was the way that it had been done for last 15 years! Despite the positive aspects of a daily changing menu, the freshness, creativity, and originality, all that was overshadowed when it wasn't presented in a manner that can be easily consumed by the audience. Do you still listen to voicemails or has texting eclipsed that need? I thought for a moment that this was forgivable provided that the verbal menu was minimal. No such luck as there were 11 items on the menu described with any astonishing array of sides, garnishes and sauces. There were four starter specials, two salad specials, followed by 5 entrees, again with minimal vegetarian options. By the time the waiter had finished presenting the menu, the collective looks around the table clearly reflected its effectiveness. When ultimately ordering a meal, you refer to your entrée by its categorical name - "fish, beef, lamb, duck, soup, and salad", you might as well be on an airplane getting served out of plastic-ware. Did I mention the lack of vegetarian options and that something "special" had to be made. At one point a wait staff member presented us with two orders of mussels and proudly declared that one of them was bacon free. I looked at him quizzically and he realized that he tried to vegetarianize a meat dish by removing meat from meat. Fail. But how was the food? Hit or miss. The curried lobster bisque and gnocchi were highlights. The rock shrimp as other have pointed out was decent but no better than the boom boom shrimp at Bonefish Grill. The mussels were small and dry as well and hardly compares to the same dish at Print Works bistro. The duck meat was dry and the skin too oily. The trout was dry. The sea bass was good but was ruined by the odd white sauce not appropriate for the dish. The vegetarian plate a mixture of vegetables, eggplant, and squash was bland and uninspired. The bread was cold. Do you notice a pattern of things being dry? I wonder if hot lamps have anything to do with that. As we paid for our meal, one of the dinner guests asked a very poignant question. How do we even know the bill is right when we were never told any prices? While it can be said that if you need to ask the price then you shouldn't be eating here in the first place, this isn't NYC and while Marisol can be described as the best fine dining establishment in Greensboro, it also under promises and under delivers. I will not be returning. read more

When I first went to Marisol, it was 2006, and I would've, despite the 2 of us picking up a $220 bill (with NO ALCOHOL), given it 4 stars... I went back. They'd advertised some wild truffle mushroom soup that made my ears perk and then some... cause it was cold and I love me some creamy mushroom soup. I took my sister, someone I love oh so much... it was right before leaving North Carolina for Washington, and I had a hankering for the gnocchi that used to literally melt in my mouth (despite the portion being insulting)... well... the gnocchi... instead of that soft, gorgeous melting bit with lovely sauce and all else... I got lukewarm, FRIED dumplings (so they were hard... anyone who's done potato pancakes knows mashed potatoes and the like do not stay soft when seared)... with cold, unmelted cheese and... COLD meat from either a lobster or crab (that was not part of the original gnocchi, either) which just made the whole thing repulsive... my sister's food was just "okay" and our soup required, get this, loads and loads of salt to be edible--I make better soup, and mine doesn't cost a small fortune. It smelled freaky, tasted like this odd combination of sugar, the minced bits of mushroom, and garlic (they said that was the chives, I guess? they were strong and icky in this)... and overall that visit was miserly past the bread, which is still good and the reason they get 2 stars--fig bread as an option? Yes, please. I still walked out having spent $60 somehow for 2 soups and 1 bleak chicken dish... but damn... between a waiter that didn't know his menu items (for THOSE prices, you should) well enough to say anything but "it's wonderful" about EVERYthing when there are only a dozen items!) and the prices (it feels like a Citibank Chase merger just happened to your dinner receipt)... I was disappointed. Whatever happened in the 2 years since I fell for them... they fell, big time, into complacency or ... something. It was all, bread aside, a big night of blech... and we went out for this! read more

This place will surprise and delight you with the variety in the menu and the awesome food. All the dishes are completely 100% fresh and cooked to perfection. Many options like the soft shell crabs are seasonal so be sure to check out both the appetizer menu as well as the full menu. And for those that like a good wine with dinner, the options here are great and not found in many restaurants. This is among the best restaurants in Greensboro with excellent service, food and spirits. Top off your evening with a visit to their piano bar as well. read more

Great wine selection. Lobster appetizer - perfect. Duck entree - maybe the best I've ever had anywhere. Service couldn't be better. Knowledgeable and friendly and there just enough. Saw the piano bar for the first time and didn't know that they have music there on Friday & Saturday evenings. Would be the perfect place to have dessert and coffee following what was one of the very best meals that I've ever had in Greensboro. So what if it is in a small strip center? Once you are inside, it is a smallish but not crowded space with just the right atmosphere to accompany the amazing food. Just can't recommend this place highly enough. read more

I have been going to this restaurant since its inception. Yes, you will spend some money. Yes, you will have a fantastic experience. The staff are all professional, informed, and personable. It is one of my all time favorite restaurants, and I've eaten in many of the best all over the world. This is a hidden gem. Go for the specials in most cases. The desserts might be the only thing that aren't outstanding, but they're still good. Recently they've added panna cotta to the menu which is a step in the right direction. You should be full long before then, with all the great choices. read more

What a gem! Walked in not expecting much and it may have been one of the best meals I've ever had. Great service. Small space so make reservations read more

This has to be the best restaurant on the east coast. The staff is excellent. They always remember us no matter how little we visit. This restaurant is pricey but well worth it. It is a small intimate atmosphere. They serve wonderful quality fresh food. They have a small menu, which we rarely order from because the specials for the evening are really what you want to enjoy. We save this place for special occasions, since it is so close to home. The wait staff is very knowledgeable with wine and entree pairings, which is fantastic. If you are a chocolate fan, this is the place to go for chocolate molten cake. Pair it with a port or dessert wine and it is divine. read more

Fantastic! Fresh and imaginative menu. Expertly prepared. This is my new favorite restaurant. We had the foie gras appetizer and special halibut entree with lump crab. Sauces were excellent. Will be back again this week! read more

We were so impressed! Definitely our first "find" ever in that area - great food, great service and as a vegetarian, I really appreciated the extra effort the chef made to make my meal as yummy and interesting as the "regular" meals! Everything was delicious! The road construction made it slightly tricky to get into the restaurant parking lot, but I'm assuming that will be corrected soon, and certainly isn't the fault of the restaurant. I knew as soon as the server announce the "amuse bouche" that we were in for a fine dining experience! Can't went to go back on my next visit. Anyone who thinks it's too expensive should try finding a fine dining restaurant in California at their prices! Impossible! Dinner for 2 (one person had wine), with multiple courses was only $100. I thought that was a bargain for such lovely cuisine. read more

The stars say it all...knowledgeable staff, incredible food (foie gras!!!!). Only downside: if you're alone, glasses of wine are pricey. Still worth it read more

So let me ask you a question....who wants to work hard all day, and then go into a restaurant only to find out that you have to listen 10 mins to an all VERBAL menu....It is very unrealistic for anyone to sit there and hear a soup, six appetizer specials and then 8 entrees all verbally and then make an informed decision. A big component of that is that you have no idea how much anything costs...and what are you going to do...look like a cheap person and ask for prices? I will admit that the appetizers were decent (Rock Shrimp and gnocchi) but the entrees were a big letdown. Who charges 50 dollars for a 7 oz. filet when it is not even properly seared? No, you are not Flemings or Ruth Chris... The bottom line is that you better be ready to pay about 80-100 bucks a person for very mediocre entrees and service. I think the worst part was that it took OVER 2 hours for an 8 person table to be fed....you might be thinking....but that isnt terrible...but what if you are the only people in the entire restaurant....thats it...8 customers...and it took over 2 hours. Finally, the location is terrible. I will not ever return to Marisol. read more

Terrible service and condescending bartender because of our casual attire on a Friday night. We came in as young professionals with money to spend and we were looked down upon and belittled and treated like children because we were in our late 20's and not our 60's. read more

I really enjoyed my time spent here. I had a cup of soup, salad, and a wonderful chocolate desert which was my favorite. My salad was awesome too. My server was excellent. Yes it's a little bit more money but I felt welcome from the moment I stepped inside till I left. I will look forward when I'm in the area to dine here again. read more

Love this place! Best hidden gem in the Greensboro area. All fresh ingredients and a menu that changes daily. The waitress deserves a 5 star review for just remembering all of the night's dishes along with explaining each of them in detail. I'm still thinking about the truffle fries and rack of lamb I had on my last visit. YUM! Just go and enjoy, its a bit pricey but its certainly worth it for the quality of the food. read more

Great restaurant and great food. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and wines that would pair well with the food.

I really just want to track my own impressions and not write any fancy reviews. Dinner here is expensive and the quality is extremely high. I had the halibut and a $14 glass of Prosecco to match. Two stalks of asparagus and a tablespoon of sweet potato mash. A sausage appetizer was good and the wedge salad had a dressing with latent spice that required a piece of bread to quench. Everything was fresh and tasty; nothing over-the-top wowed me. Unfortunately, I seem to be hard to impress; I doubt we will ever make it back unless someone else is paying. read more

This is a small quaint restaurant that serves good quality fresh food. More refined food and upscale in pricing. I enjoy their duck. Appetizers are small and always changing. read more

We dined here with another couple. Excellent service and great food. We ordered a couple of bottles of wine that probably made our check a bit pricey $500+. However, I will say that it was definitely worth it. It's a great place for a special or intimate dinner. It's also a place where you'd frequent if you don't mind spending a little more for fresh food and excellent wine. It can be a bit pricey, but that's not always a bad thing. It makes for an intimate dining setting with others who know what to expect. read more

Marisol is my favorite restaurant in Greensboro BY FAR. The only recommendation I'd make is to ask for Heather as your server. She is fantastic and really adds to the experience of having dinner in this special restaurant. Unfortunately the gentleman that is the other server REALLY fails by comparison. He is dry, judgmental and rude. The food is still great but he makes you feel bad for being a customer. The simple fix is ask for Heather and she will take outstanding care of you. read more

We've lived in Greensboro since 1999, and Marisol is the best! Food is incredible and you will not leave disappointed. One drawback is the price, but it is worth it! read more

Hands down the best food in North Carolina, the food is amazing always a piece of art. It's a small locally owned restaurant offering top quality French American cuisine. Service's always perfection, they're true professionals. read more

It's a pleasantly yet sometimes pushy four course restaurant, a need to be somewhere they are not, but to no fault of their own. It is not busy enough to feel as though you aren't being watched at times if you don't pick a peak time for dining. Yet at peak times it is a hit or miss to know whether you can get in and how your service will differ greatly from the latter. It is not familiar enough to understand if you aren't a local, as most employees are, and this area is a special breed. It is not appeasing on the outside, don't be alarmed upon parking: it is a different world when inside. Five star dining experience is there, the food is delectable. And if you don't agree, ask and you shall receive, but that is at your own risk anywhere including fast food chains. In the end, always seems to leave you with a unique good and never quite bad at that much dining experience. Not cheap, but not NY or LA. In business for I would have to guess at least 15 years; a forgotten, or hidden, or just too precious of a gem? Quite a little conundrum. Do experience for yourself, if only for a small bite and cocktail; to each their own. Still recommended, but I do like to be honest. read more

This is the best place to eat and enjoy your time in NC... Ive said this before in my other reviews and the foi gras is the best in the world. There were four of us and we let the chef just made whatever he wanted and this was the menu. We started with the foi gras which was almost like a dessert, it was served with a raspberry ganauge and the presentation was so artfully expressed i almost cried ( ha, joking). Next we had a pasta appetizer which was sprinkled with white truffles on top. it was just a light cream sauce but with the truffles, cmon its almost not fair. amazing!. Then for out main course we had ostrich, veal, and Kobe beef. the food was amazing and the wine pairings were on point. Even though the bill came and it was like paying for a months rent at a loft in downtown ( not joking) it was Worth every hundred! buon appetit read more

We ate there Friday, 12-12 and were greeted with a nearly empty restaurant. Appetizers were overpriced and underseasoned. Very little flavor and sloppy plating. The entrees were much the same. Our table of 4 ordered different entrees and were all presented with the exact same sides when the plates were served. This felt uninspired and lazy. Of the four meals, I can only speak to two of them: 1) the mountain trout that was so overcooked my wife could not finish it and 2) the 8oz filet, which was an incredible cut of meat but had a lackluster sear and no noticeable seasoning. Our tab was over $100 for two and we left unsatisfied and will likely never return. There are much better options for fine dining with more passion coming out of the kitchen. read more

A little out of the way from Greensboro, but worth the trouble to find. Service was friendly and attentive. The meal was fresh and delicious! My husband and I both had a fish dish (mine was salmon and his was off the special menu). I'm not a huge fish person but this was perfectly prepared and tasty. I would get it again! read more

Great experience. Country French style of I had to label the excellent food. Efficient but not hurried service. Friendly and attentive staff. Nice wine list. They were highly accommodating for us on short notice. Highly recommended. read more

Unbelievable meal. One of the best meals I have ever had. Great service, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Very creative meals, well worth the price. Can't wait to go back. read more

Décor was dated. Multiple ceiling tiles were stained. Not my cup of tea for the money. The salmon made me nauseous.

The restaurant itself is definitely not on the upscale in terms of its decorations. However, the price is definitely fancy ~100 per head. Appetizers, soup and salads are good. Entries are pretty sub-par for it's price. I had their 7oz steak, it's definitely a bad choice. Very poor compared some where like a Ruth Chris. Some other entries we ordered looked OK but were not what you would expect for an upscale place. read more

Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Our favorite restaurant in Greensboro. We look forward to the ACC tourney to eat there. A little outside of town but worth the drive read more

We recently learned of Marisol but have been going regularly since and would rate it among the best restaurants in Greensboro. The food and wine are always amazing, the service is fantastic and the ambiance of the restaurant is nice and cozy. Perfect for an intimate evening or a nice dinner with friends. read more

I think this is one of the best restaurants on the east coast! Expensive but awesome!

First,let me say that the service was excellent. Heather was very personable, very pleasant and knowledgeable. The restaurant itself was a bit of a let down. The Marisol was in the top 5 of "Romantic" restaurants in Greensboro......I hate to break it to them, but no, they are not. They are located in a "strip mall" type building. Sure, it is in a classier part of town, but we expected more from a supposed romantic atmosphere. The decor was all over the place. Mediterranean stucco style book shelves, French/American art scattered around and American lighthouse pictures clustered together. The effect did not made it feel romantic, more like it was thrown together at the last minute. The tan walls were not the best choice, they did not give a cozy atmosphere. All the reviews raved about the Marisol's expensive, but exquisite food palate and their award winning wine. I'm not a wine connoisseur, so my best guess is that most people get so drunk, they can't taste the food? We knew going in that we were going to pay close to $150, but we expected at that price to be "WOWed" by the food.....we were not. Their menu does change frequently, but most of their appetizers stay the same. My husband had the fried Scallops, which he did like. I had the white Truffle Gnocchi, with dijon mustard. To me, it tasted more like mustard soup, due to it was drowned in the mustard cream. For our main courses, I had the Rabbit and my husband had the 8 oz. Filet minion. My rabbit, while tasting like chicken, was for the most part fatty, but ok tasting. Not to spectacular. My husband's "steak" tasted more like stew meat, not a top-notch, expensive piece of beef. Sorry if this review is harsh, but we wanted a romantic night out and got an over-priced let-down. We are parents of two energetic toddlers, so our night outs are far and few between. Needless to say, we will not be dining at the Marisol again. read more

I'm not sure I understand why it is so pricey. The location is in the outback--not in downtown Greensboro. The wine is, well, what $12 at Harris-Teeter will get you, yet they're charging outrageous amounts for the same bottle. The small portions of food are good, but again, well, I guess the snob appeal is just not that appealing to me. Bottom line, don't try to impress me with high prices unless there is a very good reason for them. They require reservations and yet the Saturday I went, the place was virtually empty and I heard no "piano bar." read more

Almost drove right past it as the Marisol is tucked away in a very small strip shopping center. Unlikely spot for a noted 5 star establishment. Service was impeccable from the moment we walked in the door. Our main server was extremely nice and helpful. The other 2 servers were very efficient but on the verge of unfriendly. Food was top notch and fresh. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and dessert. The verbal menu is a unusual and a challenge to catch. And as typical with establishments with no advertised or printed costs - if you have to ask you shouldn't go! Thank goodness we had a gift card. With another gift card in hand - we would definitely go back but could not afford it otherwise! read more

both meals where great . wine was exactly what the waiter said it was going to be . he was knowledgable about the menu and the wine list .

By far the best fine dining in Greensboro or surrounding areas! I have read some of the reviews here touting the price, but we have experienced the same check at some of the chain restaurants at Friendly Center-- unfortunately we did not experience the same quality as Marisol. My husband and I had viewed Marisol as a "special occasion" place, but lately we have been visiting more often -- sometimes just for an appetizer and a glass of wine, which is softer on the wallet, but very satisfying. The featured fish is always super fresh, the duck is fall-off-the bone delicious, and the filet is a generous and beautiful cut -- if you are lucky enough to try Tim's version of red-eye gravy with it, then no other meal will ever measure up to it. I love the diversity and complexity of the ingredients that are used to make each bite exceptional, and I simply adore the staff, who are personable, attentive and knowledgeable. There is just no other restaurant that compares. read more

my wife and i have been going to marisol's for 13 years.we drive about 1 1/2 hrs each way and have actually eaten there hundreds of times. to say that it is our favorite restaurant would be an understatement.the food is ALWAYS amazing and we have never had a meal that we didn't think was superb. the staff are consummate professionals and make your evening feel very individually special. robin, tim and the rest of the kitchen staff are always friendly and eager to help and answer any question you may have about the foods they prepare..scott, heather and rebecca maintain perfect control of the dining areas,seeing to everyone's needs even before they arise.it truly is always a wonderful experience....if you love wine there is a great selection of the finest wines available and both scott and heather know them all and are very helpful in matching varietals with each course.they have 3 separate ares to eat and can accommodate large parities in the Piano Bar area which has live piano music if desired on friday and saturday nights. read more