Marcella's is one of those classic happy hour spots that my friends and I keep coming back to. Not…read moreonly do they always accommodate our large parties, but the low lit ambiance and impeccable service cannot be beat. The arancini is a MUST try. I had never tried it before and was pleasantly surprised. I recommend getting a pizza or their mussels on happy hour. Definitely a great spot for a date night or girls night outing!

Marcella's is a classic Columbus staple. What makes it stand out above the rest is their happy…read morehour! M-F half off drinks and apps. My wife and I brought some out of town friends here on a Friday and left stuffed and feeling like we didn't break the bank! Amazing food. The meatball is to die for. Service was great. Our waitress was very friendly. Great ambiance. It stays busy so you'll need a reservation. I can't recommend this place enough.

Wow! Where do I begin!!…read more I made a reservation for this restaurant after I friend of mine raved about it. Our reservation was at 7:30p and we were seated promptly upon arrival. Our servers name was DJ, she did an impeccable job. Very friendly, answered all of our questions and was very good at her job!) We ordered the Pasta Fritto for an appetizer and it was incredible. Bread service was included with the meal and the garlic bread was good! We both decided to get Alfredo and it was 10/10. Super creamy and rich, noodles were cooked perfectly. We then ordered 3 different desserts and brought them home to try. We got the Cannoli, Tiramisu and Carrot Cake. They're all made in the bakery next door and fresh as can be. The carrot cake was my favorite! I would highly recommend this place! The ambience was quaint and pretty, staff were incredible, food was top notch and the prices were fair. I can't wait to come back!

Review by :Avila.Eats on TikTok, insta, YouTube…read more Service: wait staff and owner are friendly and attentive. Water was never an issue and all questions were answered thoughtfully. Ambiance/Atmosphere: inside is small but well decorated. Spacious although cramped. Nice interior matching the home like exterior. Food: Spaghetti and meatball is alright. The sauce is a strong acid forward sauce and the meatball is tender and well flavored. The noodles were perfectly cooked and it all paired well together. You could take it or leave it. Lasagna was great. Thick layered meaty lasagna perfectly cooked and balanced between all ingredients. Large portion and thankfully so. I'd recommend. Chicken parm was delicious. Crispy well seasoned chicken breast. This is one of the better chicken parm's I've had in central Ohio. Well seasoned and perfectly cheesy. I'd highly recommend. Chicken Marsala was great. Juicy well seasoned chicken breast paired with a Delicious and well executed marsala mushroom sauce. I'm not a fan of risotto but this is was exceptional. I'd recommend. Chocolate espresso cake was good. I could see this being high on the list for a coffee lovers dessert list. Dense chocolate sponge with a delicious espresso frosting. Bread pudding with whiskey sauce was delicious. Soft, warm, well seasoned bread pudding In a delicious cream and whiskey infused sauce. This was the best bread pudding I've had to date. I'd highly recommend. Cannoli was delicious. Crispy shell and a freshly done ricotta mascarpone cream. The cream itself was a cinnamon cream and paired excellently with the chocolate chips. The best cannoli I've had In Ohio. I'd insist on this order. Carrot cake amazing. This is one of the best if not the best carrot cake in central Ohio. Deep orange color and packed with nuts. No raisins but the cream cheese frosting makes up for it with the subtle sweetness. I'd insist on this order.

My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Cento this year! We had a 5-star experience - from…read morethe service to the drinks to the food! Everything was wonderful! Drinks - my husband had a CBC IPA and I had a Spritzer. Appetizer - we went with the whipped ricotta. This was absolutely delish! The whipped ricotta was creamy, smooth, had a lemony flavor with celery leaves and parsley. Seriously, all of the flavors blended so well together! It was also topped with black truffle and honey (from a local vendor)! The sourdough bread that the whipped ricotta was served with was super fresh and warm (and from a local vendor as well)! Salad - we ordered a Caesar salad as well. I thought that it was super nice that they plated the salad on two plates for us knowing that we were splitting it! Super thoughtful! The romaine was crispy (not soggy), the croutons were freshly made, the dressing had the anchovy flavor that I appreciate in a good Caesar dressing, and the salad was topped with a little lemon zest! I will definitely return just for the Caesar salad! Meals - I went with the Rigatoni and my husband went with the Lasagna. We were informed by our server that the flour used for the pasta is imported from Italy and that the pasta is made fresh daily - LOVE this! The rigatoni was SO good! I love that the pasta and shrimp were all cut into smaller bites! The sauce was absolutely delicious! The flavor was like a mix between a thick tomato bisque and curry! Yum! My husband really enjoyed the lasagna as well! The lasagna was plated into little roll-ups which my husband really liked! Will definitely be back soon - we want to check out the patio once we have warmer weather too!

I've lived in the neighborhood for 12 years now and was excited when I saw this place being built…read more I have been there a few times now - both times I had the Rigatoni and Shrimp with a glass of red. Approximately $45.00. Last night I went and must say - very surprised at what I paid; glass of red $14, ceaser salad $16, added a side of chicken $15.0!!! Thqt surprised me - thats 3 chicken breast at the store lol Each time I have sat at the bar - both inside and out (even in winter). Great ambiance. I love the bar inside - gives an upscale 50s diner with great design and mood. The outdoor bar in winter is very nice and warm - haven't had trouble grabbing a seat at either. Bartenders are nice, very attentive and knowledgeable. Parking is easy, there is valet offered. Overall - a bit over priced for generally good food, but a pleasant night out for date night or girls night out.

Had dinner at Speck Italian Eatery before heading to Yours Truly: A Night of Jazz + R&B and it was…read morethe perfect start to the night. The ambiance was such a cute vibe -- cozy, stylish, and perfect for a downtown dinner date or girls night out. I sat at the bar and the service was amazing from the moment I walked in. My server was prompt, attentive, and made sure everything came out quickly since I was headed to a show nearby. The food was super fresh and absolutely delicious. I had the focaccia bread, sausage ragu, and potatoes, and every single item hit. The focaccia was warm and soft with the perfect olive oil dip, the sausage ragu was rich and flavorful, and those potatoes were crispy, cheesy, and addicting. If you're going to an event at The Citizens Trust, this is honestly such a great dinner spot because it's so close to the venue. Definitely adding this place to my downtown Columbus favorites.

I was totally in love with this space and the food served inside. We ate around 6 PM and it was…read moregolden hour so the lighting was gorgeous. The space is very bright and airy: loved the floral and plant vibes. Our server was kind but maybe a bit apprehensive because we brought our two daughters. Sometimes I feel bad bringing kids but honestly we deserve to have good food even if there are little mouths involved. We had the focaccia starter and it was as pillowy and sumptuous as it looked. Next was broccolini which our 8 month old devoured. I tried the funghi pasta and my husband had the sausage ragu. Both had generous portions. The kitchen made butter noodles for our daughter and she LOVED them. I was pleased they didn't try to doll them up because she really did just want noodles and butter. Finally, the octopus was sooo tasty. The sauce was super flavorful and I love a good bean addition. Delicious meal all around.

I had the pleasure of being in Ohio last night, well for this week, we're in town for my son's…read moregraduation. My son and his wife took us to a an amazing place they stumbled into what may very well be the culinary pride of Columbus: La Tavola, a family-owned, family-run Italian restaurant that feels like someone teleported you straight into Nonna's kitchen... but with better lighting and no guilt about not calling enough. If you love yourself a great, unapologetically stinky pizza and I'm talking Parmigiano-Reggiano and ricotta levels of heavenly funk then this is your place. This pizza didn't just have cheese; it was knee-deep in cheese. Handmade, hand-rolled, and clearly crafted by people who know their way around a dairy situation. The appetizers? Fantastic. The waitstaff? Friendly, attentive, and exactly the kind of people you'd hope are handing you carbs by the plateful. But then, the main dishes arrived. I ordered seared scallops over a bed of handmade buttery fettuccine with capers, and I swear I heard an angel sing. The scallops were perfectly cooked, the pasta was the kind that ruins you for boxed pasta forever, and the whole thing tasted like someone's Italian grandmother blessed the plate personally. If I could say "WAY TO GO!" in Italian, I absolutely would but instead I'll say this: If you're ever in Columbus, go to La Tavola. Go hungry. Go ready to eat like you're visiting family. And go prepared to fall a little bit in love with this place. Family-owned, warm, cozy, and outrageously delicious. Highly recommend.

Nice neighborhood Italian restaurant. Warm wood decor and friendly service. Big selection of…read moreItalian wines and expertise to help you discover them. We had the he prosciutto board - I didn't really think about prosciutto varieties! Pretty big even for 2. I had a special - confit duck keg over polenta. Savory m, rich, delicious. My friend had the pasta burro, described as the original Alfredo. It was very nice - but he chicken breading was light and crisp. Overall a very good experience.

Basi Italia is one of those places you almost want to gatekeep. It's tucked away in Victorian…read moreVillage and has the cutest, most charming vibe. The space is super intimate and classy, perfect for a slower, more special dinner. The food was so good, you can tell everything is really high quality and made with care. Everything we ordered felt elevated but still super comforting, which I loved. I got the rigatoni which was some of the best sausage/pasta dishes I've had in a while. The service was also really prompt and attentive without being too much, which made the whole experience even better. Such a good spot for a special dinner or date night if you want something that feels a little more unique and memorable. Next time I'm saving a little more space in my stomach for the Tiramisu!

Where should I start? Made reservations for 5:30 & promptly arrived a few minutes ahead of time…read more The Hostess sat us down in the rear of this quaint little spot & she asked if we are celebrating anything or what? I answered Yes,it's my Wife's Birthday She said Great & Wished her a Happy Birthday. Valet parking right up front of establishment for a nominal price of $10* Nice feature. Sat down & met our server/waiter Egan He went over specials & menu briefly. Then we received our miniscule bread/biscuit as an offering while waiting for our salads that we ordered. Very savory and tasty but small. BTW,as soon as we finished,he took the plates. Just one little biscuit each, like we are little gerbels. ? Egan gave us our water glasses & water bottle. *(First & last time he served us any water)* ‍ Then came our cocktails, my wife's drink was super dry & tart, so she asked Egan if they could freshen it up..."What's Up" & he brought out some simple syrup. The drink was somewhat better, & I finished my cocktail. He took the empty glass & never asked if I'd like another one? He did ask if my wife's drink was better she answered yes. But, no further engagement or query about the drink? Other than like he was talking a survey in order to make the drink better for the next guest,but NOT my wife⁉ Very odd & pisspoor services. This being our 1st time here,we we're anticipating something Grandeur & Services that matches the overhyped & overpriced selections on this limited variety small menu. The ambiance was flat & no music or anything in the background. Just restaurant noise & people chatter. The lackluster & non-enthusiastic dealings from Egan ,our server was appalling. When my asked him something, his reply was "What's Up"?? Areya Kidding me? Are we in a Gym or Dive,Noooooo. We are supposedly in a Higher Upscale Trendy place?? We both were NOT Impressed at all. The Principle of paying a Higher Price for a Higher or Better Experience is relative to the overall experience. Which was non-impressive,we've had better treatment at a Dairy Queen or Bob Evans Again, this was our first & last time coming here There was 2 ladies that actually were very nice & attentive that brought out the salads & main entrée. They were both very professional & kind. Now let's talk about the food. My wife's eggplant parmesan was delicious & she took home the leftovers. My shrimp linguine was very tasty and yummy,just very small portions & 6 shrimp in my entrée. Hardly any linguine, sauce was delicious but definitely NOT a filling meal. Where's the Meat?? One of the two ladies came back & dropped off desert menu...but we declined anything else. Just the bill please. So here comes Egan & I let my wife handle him as she asked him the following. We've heard such great things about this place & we had high expectations & wanted to make the night memorable & special with it being our first time & my birthday. But you seemed less concerned about us & failed our expectations. Then she asked him why didn't you ask my husband or I if we wanted another cocktail*? Also why did you never refill our water glasses? When asked Egan replied again with "What's Up"? In any Restaurant USA a waiter/waitress serves & customarily asks if you like another drink or something else. So before I wrote this review, I asked for my wife's input. She wanted to give this place a One Star But I convinced her that they're was a few bright spots. None of which was our server Egan with his lame uncaring approach to what he thinks is customer service. Unfortunately, NOT a good experience. As a Yelper Elite for 8Yrs now, I've been around the USA & World. I've had countless interactions & quite frankly this place was extremely disappointing. Some places earn their reputation from unsavy or perhaps gullible people that don't know any better. As for Me & My Wife, we are World Travelers & from Coast to Coast have sampled & had numerous festivities & fun....this rates as one of our lowestttttttttt experiences ever

5 stars. OMG. We will definitely be back…read more Went on a Friday night and the place was PACKED. People were standing outside waiting, so I'd definitely make a reservation. The employee who helped us was very friendly. We got the chicken parm, Alfredo, pizza, and bread with homemade butter. Everything was delicious. The pasta tasted fresh, the Alfredo noodles were my favorite, and the chicken was cooked perfectly. The pizza was AMAZING. Hidden gem. The crust was soft, chewy, and perfectly crisp, and that pizza sauce is perfection. My only complaint is they didn't have utensils available for takeout. We had a 20 minute drive home and were ready to dig in immediately, so that was a little disappointing. Already looking forward to our next visit.

If you're looking for a good Italian food, then look no further. This place has never let me down…read more Portion sizes are large. The staff is great. Grabbed a seat at the bar since they had a lot of reservations scheduled. The ambiance was quiet enough to hear conversation with person next to you. Do you have a couple TVs in the bar area that had some sports on. Will definitely come back as long as I have time before they close.

My friend and I went out for happy hour and had such a great time on the outdoor patio. It was the…read moreperfect day to be outside--finally feels like winter is breaking! I ordered two seafood apps: the seared scallops and the garlic roasted shrimp, and both were excellent. The scallops had a perfect sear on both sides, which was a great start, and the shrimp were seasoned really well. For drinks, we both got the Supremo Peach--so delicious and refreshing. I also tried the espresso martini. It was good, but honestly, I wish I had just stuck with the Supremo Peach because the switch was a bit of a shock to my palate. We spent time chatting and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Service was quick, and our waiter was very attentive--he even checked back in with us before happy hour ended, which I appreciated. This experience was night and day compared to my last visit, and I'm really glad I gave this place another chance. For me, this might be the perfect happy hour spot. The apps feel more like small plates, which I love for the variety, and a great cocktail like the Supremo Peach definitely seals the deal. Thanks, Forno!

If you're in the Short North & craving Italian, Forno should be on your list of go-to's! They have…read morea ton of great pizza options, delicious appetizers and amazing Italian dishes! The atmosphere here is very inviting and lively making this the perfect place for a girls night or casual date night. The service here is spot on and they have a really yummy brunch as well! You can't go wrong with any pizza, dish or cocktail when you come here; you've got to give them a try if you haven't already!

My girlfriend and I went to Pasqualone's in Columbus Square last evening. To say that we were blown…read moreaway would be an understatement. From the time we walked in the door, a gentleman in the kitchen looked up and said greeted us. (There's a door so you can see into the kitchen from the foyer) I later learned it was Dave Pasqualone himself. We were promptly shown to our table and within a few minutes, a gentleman by the name of Chris introduced himself and told us what the specials for the evening were. Everything sounded great but my girlfriend picked the saccettini with the amatriciana sauce and I had the veal scalopini with a small side of saccettini. The meal was PERFECT! You could taste richness of the homemade saccettini stuffed with cheese. I was told that the pasta for the lasagna noodles are made on site which is used for the saccettini. The veal scallopini was so tender, I could cut it with a fork. Not too many capers, the right combination of butter, white wine and lemon. My girlfriend's amatriciana sauce (she was kind enough to give me a taste of two) had a little bit of a bite to it but not too much. It was mouth watering. We finished off the evening with a homemade cannoli which was superb. Towards the end of the evening, Dave came out into the dining room and personally greeted each table. We learned that Dave was the head chef at Monaco's Palace on Cleveland Ave many years ago. They always had wonderful food. To find this gem of a restaurant in Northeast Columbus, in a part of town where many restaurants come and go each month or year, is like finding a needle in a haystack. This quiet little Italian restaurant is tucked away in an unassuming strip mall that was incredibly popular in the 80's and 90's and has been churning out delicious homemade Italian dishes for over 20 years. We will definitely become regular patrons of this gem of a place. Thank you Dave, Chris and the other members of their staff to make a date night with my girlfriend a memorable experience.

A strip mall by a bowling alley, sign me up! Is probably not what you are thinking. This place is…read morereservation only, and you have to call them....on a phone. It's worth the work! This place is old school and I love it! When I walked in for my reservation the Owner/Chef popped out from the kitchen and said "Good Evening Mrs. Wilson" because well, we were the only reservation at that time. Really impressed my friends lol. We picked the day before Thanksgiving to dine out with friends we hadn't seen in a while. This is a great place for a small group to sit and talk (and be heard) without being rushed. Restaurant was 60% full? Fantastic full premium bar, great wine list and helpful servers. Just top to bottom great food and service. From the menu, it seems like a limited selection of standard Italian fair. Order from the specials, they are chef recommended and always fantastic. Even the basic spaghetti + meatballs is great! Entres $30-50 which is really pretty reasonable. Just me but, I would love more vegetables on the menu as sides with my pasta. Most meals do come with soup or salad. Great for small group (less than 10) but not sure how many they would take honestly. You will get fantastic service, great food, in a nice quieter environment. Looking forward to going back in the new year!

Wow wow WOW. When I say this was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had, I am not…read moreexaggerating. This little gem in Victorian Village is a must visit for anyone who loves authentic Italian food and stellar service. I came here with my roommates family for a celebratory dinner and had an amazing four course dining experience. I was intimidated at first by the number of courses, but each dish is in a small tasting format. Not only was the food delish but our water was incredible. He took time to go through each dish and explain the ingredients and origin. You could tell he was super passionate about his job and the food there. I'm going to come back to try their cacio pepe that they mix in a cheese wheel in front of you!! 10/10!!

For the price point let's get some new street numbers above the door so it doesn't look like a…read moremailbox. The experience was perfect. The atmosphere was cozy. The dinner made for an amazing dinner out. The presentation of every dish was remarkable. The service was phenomenal and a pretty cool seasonal menu! We did the four course + started with bread that we enjoyed through the meal. Great experience and made for a lovely dinner. Chris has been wanting to check this place out forever. I didn't care for my main dish and they swapped it out rather quickly. A bit pricy especially if anyone in the party orders drinks but I would say worth the experience.