Restaurant Review: Marcello's Pizzeria

Marcello’s Pizzeria 1163 St Clair Ave. W. 416.656.6159

Thank you John. You are a warm gracious server. Serving patrons is an art. In this friendly pizzeria you are always welcomed and treated like a member of the family. No reservations are taken and the place is always full. My good friend Elaine has eaten in almost all the restaurants in this city. When I heard that she has not previously dined at Marcello’s we headed there for an Italian feast.
I think it is safe to say that the pizzas are the best in town. They appear quickly from the busy kitchen and each one looks so yummy as it is whisked to salivating patrons. You can make your own or pick from the 20 varieties listed on the menu. I always order the Vegetale Pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, broccoli, grilled zucchini, onions and mushrooms. We added grilled eggplant to our order. The crust is thin and crusty. The flavors are wonderful. Of course there is always an extra one listed on the daily specials. Pizzas vary from $8.50 -$12.95. There is bound to be one to suit your taste. I can’t possibly eat one whole pizza. It is a great idea to have an appetizer and share a pizza.
We each started with my favorite salad, Inslata Marcello’s. The mixed greens, roasted red peppers and artichokes are lightly seasoned with a balsamic vinaigrette and shavings of asiago cheese. ($8.95) Caprese is a lovely mixture of roam tomatoes, boccocini cheese, chives and extra virgin oil.($6.95) There are always two soups on the menu. Minestrone is a fresh eatable soup.($4.95) On other occasions I have been with friends who enjoyed the Stacciatella Fiorentina. It is an egg drop soup with spinach in a tomato base chicken broth. ($4.95)
The Antipasti are plentiful and inviting. Cozze Alla Marinara is a steamed mussel dish in a spicy white wine tomato sauce with leeks and garlic. ($9.95) Frittura di Calamari is &9.95. Last evening a young couple engulfed this dish in no time and we heard them saying how good it was.
If you prefer a Panini there are four selections. They are served with a side order of Caesar or Insalata Mista. Panini is a classical Italian lunch dish. All varieties are served for $10.95
If you prefer a pasta dish you will be delighted with the choices. I have picked out my next treat. Linguine con Gamberi is my favorite pasta dish serving black tiger shrimps, leeks in a sun dried tomato paste cream sauce. ($15.95) Spaghetti Al Pesto is served with grilled chicken and sun dried tomatoes in a pesto cram sauce. ($12.95) Agnolotti Alla Gorgonzola is half mooned shaped pasta stuffed with ricotta and spinach in a gorgonzola tomato basil sauce. ($10.95)
The prices are more than fair. The service is warm and attentive. The food is outstanding. Of course you can do a take out. But why bother? Come early and enjoy an Italian home cooked experience.