Marco

07/02/09

Best The North End has to offer

by drock69 at Citysearch

I recent visited Marco and the food was amazing. We started out with the figs wrapped in prosciutto stuffed with blue cheese it was highly recomended. The bolognese is amazing the best in Boston hands down. The Cavatelli was fresh and full of flavor. I will be back for more. I can't understand some of the reviews. This place was a delight.

• Pros: Food, Service and wine
• Cons: 2nd floor

06/19/08

An average experience

by Northendsonny at Citysearch

I want to love this place, I really do. I love the atmosphere and feel the service is great. There was a mistake with our order and the waiter took care of it without any of what I perceive to be the typical North End negativity that I have experienced at many restaurants in the area. My friends and I enjoyed the zucchini blossom appetizer and the ricotta/mozzarella fritters which came in a tasty tomato sauce. We loved the homemade foccacia. Our salads were good, kinda lame dressing, but okay. I had the salad with baby asparagus, white beans, arugula and she had arugula with bacon and pecrino. Nothing was wrong with the salads, but they were kinda forgettable. We ordered a half order of 2 different pastas: one was the orechiette with shrimp (overcooked shrimp) and a chicken and penne in a carbonara-style sauce. Both of us felt the pastas were okay, but nothing we would order again. The portions were generous and I wanted to love them, but we both thought they were just okay. Why do so many restaurants not have salt and pepper on tables anymore, by the way? I can't help feeling it's as if the chef thinks the food is seasoned so perfectly that salt and pepper are not needed. People have different palates and I don't like having to ask for salt and pepper. Maybe it's just me...anyway, Marco was okay. I had been there once before and had the steak, which was really tasty and cooked perfectly. We had pasta with bolognese sauce that time too which I thought was good. However, this time 2 people with us had the bolognese and were not crazy about it. One of the people with us loved the homemade sausage.

05/11/08

Bad service and below average food for the price

by jonminkonorthend at Citysearch

I am a long time resident of Boston and now a resident of the North End and I have to say it is rare that I am very disappointed to the point of being upset with a restaurant. The main issues I had were service and the quality of food. The recommended appetizer was heavy and bland. (cheese fritters). We arrived at 4:45 and our entree came at about 5:45. That is my girlfriends entree came at 5:45, there was a mistake in the kitchen and my entree came at 6:05. I had the pleasure of watching her eat as I drank our bottle of wine I waited for the food. No attempt was made to apologies or even explain the mistake. The dish was then overcooked. I have news for Marco -- Go to Il Panino and try the Ossobuco, then try your own braised veal shank and let me know what you think. My girlfriend was also served and charged for the large order of her meal when she had ordered the small portion. I find it hard to believe that Marco will last more than a few years in such a competitive environment as the North end. I for one will not be going back.

• Pros: Very good house wine.
• Cons: Service, food quality, value