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All Reader Reviews of...

Marea

240 Central Park S., New York, NY, 10019
nr. Broadway
212-582-5100

Avg. Rating

7
Food: 8
Service: 7
Décor: 8
"Recommended"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

60% would go back.

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shockingly amazingly awesome.

By angienyc on 4/23/2011

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

i'm italian - born and raised - and went to Marea when my dad visited me in New York. Believe me when i say that my father, raised in Italy and currently living in the South of France, is DIFFICULT about food and wine. Meaning that he knows a lot and bluntly points out when a restaurant is not up to the standards. Mostly he refuses to go to Italian and French restaurants (outside Italy and France) as he doesnt believe they are authentic. ever. and he is mostly right: theres a lot of fake stuff out there. But we had an amazing dinner. The wine was served at right temperature - Vermentino - which is very fruity and cant be chilled in ice for example but left on the table. My dad tricked the sommelier replying "what do you think?" when he asked us "if he should put wine in ice", sommelier responded "i wouldnt". and he was obviously right. We ordered crudos and then seppias. The crudos were delicious especially the Branzino. the Seppia were superbly prepared on a bed of escarole and generous - although not excessive - in the portions size. Service was perfect. my father doesnt like pleasing waiters (me neither), but respectful and professionals and we were perfectly served. Even the dessert (we got affogato - an old time favorite if you are from the North of Italy - as we are) was impeccable: the ice cream home made. when it comes to details and authenticity Marea doesnt disappoint. I will go back!

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67 out of 135 people found this review helpful.

Pretentious and not that good.

By Abbey on 2/5/2011

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 3
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: 7
  • No, I would not go back!

This was a restaurant experience that was just not that great. Atmosphere was pretty, not fabulous. Food was okay, not delicious. Service was adequate, not great. For the prices, not what I wanted to experience. The food tended to be over salted (with the exception of the whole fish service, which was nice but not fantastic). We did have a couple of fried appetizers for the table before our first course - please skip - tasted like old oil. And we must say that the chef sampler of butternut squash water with something, oooh, as I try to remember my stomach flip flops - not one person at our table of six drank it - really disgusting and not a great way to begin the meal. All in all, clearly, not going back.

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86 out of 160 people found this review helpful.

Very Good Restaurant

By scottpsolomon on 7/26/2010

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

As much as I hate trying new restaurants and chefs who run more than one restaurant, I really enjoyed my meal here last year. It's kinda expensive though, and I don't like it that they charge per lb. for the whole fish . . . you sorta sit there thinking "what am I getting myself into?"

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88 out of 168 people found this review helpful.

sublime

By schoord on 2/27/2010

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

Beautiful setting, attentive but not fawning service, and glorious food.

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126 out of 232 people found this review helpful.

Not Running Back

By nysimple205 on 2/19/2010

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 7
  • Service: 4
  • Décor: 5
  • No, I would not go back!

It was with much anticipation that my husband and I went to Marea ... Several people had recommended it and we were excited to go. To say the least we were disappointed. The server came to us on three different occasions to take our order and walked away from us two times b/c she either needed to tend to another table or maybe I had simply asked her too many questions (2 or so) as I wanted to know what she highly recommends. Things were topped off when I found a "hair" in my fish and they proceeded to tell me it wasn't a hair but rather some sort of follicle! Seriously? Completely overpriced and draws a huge business crowd lacking any type of warmth.

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123 out of 238 people found this review helpful.

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