Mario's

10/22/08

Horrible by Courtney M. at InsiderPages

Contributor at Insider Pages

This was one of the worst dining experiences of my life. I made a reservation for a large group well in advance. I even called that day to confirm we when we were arriving. it still took over a half hour for us to be seated, despite there being many open tables. If this isn't bad enough it is the way we were treated. The staff was not helpful, polite, or apologetic. We were not offered a seat at the bar. The maitre'd started all of his sentences with well you know what... I don't remember the last time anyone had been so blatantly rude to me. Only two people in our group enjoyed their entrees and they ran out of manicotti. The rest we could have found in the frozen food section of the grocery store and heated in the microwave ourselves. I would absolutely not recommend anyone going there.

10/19/09

Great Italian Cuisine

by CSMobileUser at Citysearch

If you haven't yet tried Marios you are really missing out. I went last night they had a cast party for Legally Blonde (fox theatre) & it was perfect....First I enjoyed a fabulous authentic Italian Dinner, complete with antipasto tray, soup AND salad , wonderful inhouse made bread &to follow my entree! There was so much food I had enough to take home for lunch today!Then I took their complementary shuttle to the fox(so much better than paying to park randomly in detroit)&after the show I was picked up promptly and they took me back to Marios! When I arrived I got to meet the entire cast of the theatre&they even had a complimentary buffet awaiting after the show! What a great expierience.I can't wait to return - now that I know they shuttle to all local events -theatre , hockey, baseball&football I will be there regularlly!!!!!

09/07/09

Lovely restaurant in a not-so-lovely neighborhood

by JSMartin at Citysearch

After researching this restaurant here and disregarding some of the negative reviews, I chose Mario's for dinner before heading to the Motor City Casino. Our group of 6 had an amazing dinner, and I'm a hero!

This was a very classy dinner . . . antipasto, bread, salad, soup, pasta, and THEN the entree. Our waiter was dressed in a tuxedo and was very attentive. The food was delicious!

Our group shared 3 bottles of wine, and despite this, our bill was very affordable.

Give this restaurant a chance!

• Pros: Great food, nice atmosphere, well priced
• Cons: Neighborhood

07/27/08

Avoid Tigers Game "Deal"

by lr489 at Citysearch

I organized an outing for 11 of my collegues and myself. We choose to go to the Tigers Package "deal" at Marios. This package includes buffet, shuttle to and from the game, and tigers tickets ($50). I called for tickets and was told that I would have to purchase the upgraded package for the size of my group ($65). That was fine with the group so we proceeded with the order. Once arriving, valet parking for $4 was the only option for parking at the restaurant. No lot was available to non-valet. If you refused valet, they were sure to mention 'not to come crying to him when your car is broken into'. So I chose the valet option. Once arriving, my group of 12 were seated at 3 separate tables of 4 for the buffet. The buffet food had a great variety and selection. We then received our bill with gratuity hand written in for over $50. We were told by the waiter that this was based on $20 p/p buffet. Nice. Okay, so we paid our bill and outrageous gratuity (since we served ourselves) and walked out to the shuttle. The shuttle had a sign in the window that read - works for tips only. So much for free shuttle. When we arrived at the ballpark, we found out that the black marker lines through our tickets stated - obstructed view, which ofcourse they were. Glad we paid for the 'upgrade'. The price ($15) and the obstructed view were blacked out on our tickets. I was feeling pretty ripped off at this point, since the waiter stated the gratuity was based on $20, and face value of the tickets were $15. I am not a math major but hello!!!! That is not the end of it. Louisa (the ticket person) made sure to tell me to collect $65 from each person for these tickets, which I ofcourse did. Imagine my surprise when I was charged more than that on my credit card ($48), which was apparently tax. I felt ripped off before, didnt think it could get any worse. Silly me. Anyways, needless to say, there are 12 customers that will never be returning to this restaurant.

• Pros: Very nice 'old school' atmosphere
• Cons: Package Deals are a rip off

02/26/08

A Detroit Institute that hasn't changed.

by maddylionmim at Citysearch

My husband's family has been going to Mario's for years. Everytime his grandfather went to Mario's he ordered the lasagna, and that is only what my husband orders now.

When it was finally time for him to take me, I was impressed. The restaurant is definitely for special occasions. It has such an old Detroit feel to it. And honestly, being in Detroit I can believe that the other patrons had some difficulties. I don't doubt if the owner would rather impress his long-time customer over two non-regulars. You have to look at the city, Detroit doesn't bring about images of kindness and hospitality. But my server was knowledgable, knew his boundaries, quick when needed, and patient as well. All in all excellent service.

By the way, the lasagna is wonderful. I tried the Bracciole--and I think they scorched the garlic, because it was a bit bitter. Anyways, the minestrone and the house salad were just wonderful.

I have to say that I felt like Frank Sinatra could have popped his head around the corner somewhere, and no one would have batted an eye.

• Pros: Old School Detroit "Charm"
• Cons: Old School Detroit Location

05/29/07

Good food but absolutely offensive service

by liquidatr2 at Citysearch

I took my wife there for our anniversary - and we made reservations well ahead of time for the Crystal room. We wanted the Crystal room for two reasons - 1) its non-smoking, and 2) they have ballroom dancing on Saturday evening. My pregnant wife gets very ill at the smell of smoke. We were assured that this room was non-smoking. The ladie at the table next to us lit right up (and they brought her an ashtray). I asked our waiter if I misunderstood, and he said that we had not misunderstood. I clarified that it was making my wife ill, and that we why we wanted to be in this room, and that it was our anniversary. The waiter sent the manager over, who told us that they allowed this particular patron to break the rules - because she had been coming there for years, and that he wasn't going to change this for someone he didn't know. The manager then went and sat with the smoker, and LIT UP WITH HER! He looked at us and BLEW SMOKE AT US! Needless to say - we were very offended and left without finishing dinner.

Take it one step further - I felt the need to call the owner the next day and tell him about the experience. He told us he wanted to make it up to us by having us dine "on them". He mailed us a "buy one, get one free light dinner" - good before 5pm or on weekdays! UNBELIEVEABLE. We mailed it back and told him we will never go back. They know how to cook, but it was absolutely the worse service imaginable.

• Pros: they can cook
• Cons: they don't really want to serve you.

05/17/07

Outstanding Service and Food

by bevandjim at Citysearch

This restaurant is getting a bad "Rap". We found it to be of the Highest Quality food and service as always, Our server Tony was one of the Best we have ever had as usual. There were no time constraints in being seated and were not rushed through our meal, whick was Outstanding. The steaks were of the highest quality and impeccably prepared. The pasta with the meal was delicious. The salads were the Best. The soup could have been a bit warmer. Overall we will continue to feel that this is a special treat when we want one..

• Pros: Food - Service
• Cons: Neighborhood

01/08/07

The WORST dining experience ever

by storlandi at Citysearch

After having had several family parties at Marios over the last few years we were horrified at the events of this past Saturday night. Arrived at 4:20 to be told by a female staff member named Dale "you will have to wait 10 mins. because you don't have your room booked until 4:30". At 4:35 upon entering the room, Dale returned to say "We are sorry but even though you paid for the private room until 9:00, we accidently over booked it and you'll have to be out of here by 7:00". Obviously with 30 guests about to arrive, we were very concerned about what to do and asked to speak with the owner Vince Passalacqua. Mr. Passalacqua arrived to the room to tell us, "sorry if it makes you feel better I fired the person who made the error and double booked the room and I'll move your family's party to the bar at 7:00". We told him that this was a 1 year old's birthday party with many children attending and that is why we booked a private room and paid extra in the deposit so moving to the bar really wasn't an viable option. His response to this was that we could have the deposit back and take our party of 30 elsewhere.

Obviously his demeanor and his conflict resolution skills could not have been worse. His staff was very rude, excluding the 1 waitress and 1 waiter assigned to our party. We made several complaints throughout the meal due to cold pasta, cold veal, etc. We had been specific about wanting the party to be served "family style", which should be very common in an Italian restaurant and unfortunately at Marios, "family style" was not understood.

In the end, Mr. Passalacqua also added many additional charges to the bill, claiming they served us many things that they in fact did not.

Vince Passalacqua and his Managment staff Dale and Luisa singlehandedly ruined two family's parties that night. Obviously, after having eaten at Mario's for many years it is with regret that I say neither myself nor any member of my family will ever dine at this establishment again.

• Pros: NA
• Cons: Ownership, Management, Food, Ambiance, Timliness, Attention and Respect to Customer. Unfortunately, there trully is no longer a PRO to be written about this restaurant that used to be great.

11/19/06

Avoid at all costs!

by kate413 at Citysearch

Went there on a Sunday evening (party of 35). Restaurant was not busy. Service very slow - went to the bar to get our own drinks. All food was cold. Requested the check at 6:40 and received it at 7:05 as the shuttle bus was leaving for the Fisher. We had tickets to a show that started at 7:30. Grossly over charged for pop. Had 10 children drinking sodas and were charged for 48 pops- to the tune of $144! We also were not allowed to use our Entertainment discount card that entitled the holder to one free dinner with the purchase of one. We verified with Mario's staff ahead of time via phone and e-mail that we would be able to use the discount card before we even entered the restaurant. The owner even came over to the table and would not allow it. We were late for our show as a result of the bill arriving so late. Also, upon returning from the show one person's SUV was missing a tank full of gas. She filled up before arriving and when leaving the valet area at Mario's she was on Empty.

I have always enjoyed dining at Marios before going to the theatre and have recommended the restaurant to many. I sadly can say now that I will never go there again and will certainly not recommend it to anyone.

They definitely need a couse or two in the area of customer service!

• Cons: Service, value

06/07/05

needs a wake up call

by proreviewer at Citysearch

Old School classic restaurant, Needs to keep the old time attitude but needs a class in service and presentation... could be great again with some workon servers we love this place thus we comment...

• Pros: reputation
• Cons: service