Da Marino Nyc - Broad Channel

My family of 5 were in NYC to see Hadestown on Broadway. I procrastinated booking a dinner reservation, so when I did, this was the closest one available to our theater (Walter Kerr that still had times available. I was a bit skeptical (why are there available reservations the day before a Saturday evening Broadway show AND on St Patrick's Day weekend?? , but I am SO GLAD we ate here. We got there at 5:25 for a 5:30 reservation. They weren't quite ready for us, so we had a drink at the bar and chatted with an extremely friendly and efficient bartender who was from the Ukraine (I'm sorry I didn't get your name! . We were seated within about 15 minutes and received excellent, efficient service. The delicious, crusty, complementary bread came not with tomato sauce like I'd expect, but lentils. I LOVE lentils and I had to restrain myself from eating it all. My family got a variety of pasta dishes off the menu and not a speck was left of them. I got a fish/spinach/green bean special and I was sad I couldn't bring it with me because I couldn't finish it all. It was fantastic! The service was attentive without being overbearing. It was definitely a typical crowded NYC restaurant (but again, we were there on a Saturday night so it's probably different at other times and tables were close together. I personally like this ambiance, but if you don't, now you know. I give this meal an unreserved 5 stars and I wish I lived in NYC so I could go back and try more of their food. We didn't get dessert, but we saw multiple desserts served to other tables and were quite jealous!

Been twice in different trips and the staff is so friendly! The bartender is conversational and the pianist makes the night with requests! Love the atmosphere!

Veal Marsala was fantastic. The seafood pasta was easily enough fir two!

I used to like “Italian” food. At least I thought I did. Big family night? Go to the Olive Garden. Sigh. (Living in Southern California will do that). Then I spent two years of my Navy career working in Naples, Italy. Now when my family says they wants Italian food, and my Daughter says “let’s go to Olive Garden,” I just shake my head. We have actually found a few very good Italian restaurants in the Southern California area, but none are as good as Rome or Florence, or Da Marino. We recently helped our son move to NYC, and while there, was referred to Da Marino by a friend who had been there several times. Now, when my wife says she wants Italian food, I almost start looking at tickets to JFK. It’s THAT good. I have had the best food Italy has to offer, from Florence to Rome to Naples to the Amalfi Coast. Our visit to Da Marino put us in the heart of Italy (the country with the best food on the planet), and they met the standard. Conveniently located a block from Times Square and in the heart of the Theatre District, perfect for a pre-Broadway meal. The owner Craig is also a retired Navy veteran, so we had some commonality there. Frequent guests to the restaurant are a veritable who’s who of NYC and Hollywood, with Martin Scorcese and Robert De Niro (among others) known to dine there, and countless other signed photographs from notable patrons adorn in the walls. If Scorcese and De Niro find Da Marino to be up to the standard for Italian food, I’d say that’s a ringing endorsement. Upon entering, we were taken with the old-world look and feel of the decor, and greeted by Tom, the most gregarious and likable Maitre D’ in the Big Apple. The hospitality of the entire staff is exceptional. There is a full cocktail bar (at which was produced an impeccable martini), there’s a robust wine list (house Chianti was exceptional) and the appetizers were magnificent (Caprese and Calamari). Dinner was beyond compare, we ordered Pappardele Bolognese, Linguini with Clams and Linguini di Mare, which were all amazing. Linguini with clams was the best I have ever had, and I am very particular about that dish. Live piano music made for a perfect ambiance, and our sever Josh was wonderful. Dessert was cannoli and tiramisu; I had basically given up on tiramisu outside of Italy, but have now found the one place in the US I can really enjoy it. Light, delicious, …perfect. Tom said the cheesecake is always extremely popular, but we had no room … so we will be back for that. I rarely if ever write restaurant reviews of this length and detail, but Da Marino was well worth the effort. It was the finest Italian restaurant experience I have enjoyed outside of Italy. Can’t recommend this wonderful restaurant strongly enough.

We had dinner on Valentine’s Day to celebrate our 25th anniversary. The atmosphere was great and the manager was extremely friendly and welcoming. The music was fun and entertaining. Food and service were great. Would highly recommend if you are in NYC. Thanks for making us feel welcome.