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Michelin, the premier food reference guide in the world insists that for a restaurant to get the top star rating, the owner must either be in the kitchen or the dining room. Marcello's qualifies at both places. Italian born owners Pietro Rizzuti and Tino Di Marcello are from Italy and have worked front and rear in their eponymous restaurant from inception. Prior to that, Tino put in time at Ristorante Rex in Los Angeles. Rex was one of the most highly regarded and beautiful Italian restaurants in the world. Tino and Pietro also worked together at Adreano’s, a Westside stalwart for many years. They have translated that experience into one of the most professional dining experiences in Ventura County. |
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Two truly Italian (check out these names) chefs de cuisine who have also been around from the beginning 12 years ago, command the kitchens, Giancarlo Lorio from Venice brings his seafood expertise to the Conejo gleaned from hanging around the world famed Venetian Rialto Fish Market. Giovanni Grillenzoni is from Emiglia- Romagna, the great food heartland of Northern Italy. That area produces the prized balsamic vinegars of Modena, the famous hams of Parma and the world class Reggiano Parmiggiano cheese. |
| This storefront location in Lincoln Oaks belies the excellent and authentic Northern Italian food served at very fair prices. Popular appetizers begin at $6.50 and include Calamari Fritti (8.90) and the off menu steamed mussels marinara (8.95). Many portions are large enough to split. A wide array of pizzas, pastas and risottos range from 9.95 to 15.95 and include home made stuffed pastas such as Tortelloni Marcello filled with veal and beef (12.50). Pastas can be split as an appetizer. A subtle but important indication of the restaurant's seriousness is that a wedge of "Grana" (cousin to that royal Reggianno Parmesan) is brought to the table to be grated over all the non-fish pastas. Many other restaurants in the area serve pre-grated cheese of suspect domestic origin. | |
 OssoBuco with Risotto |
 Special Giant Prawns |
| The most popular main courses are the wonderful and
generous portion of zuppa di pesce which includes mussels, shrimp,
calamari and mahi over linguine (17.50) and a flavorful osso buco ai
funghi, a braised veal shank with mushroom sauce over risotto (19.50).
Daily house specials are comparably priced which is a pleasant surprise. A
wide range of Italian desserts, espresso and cappuccino are available
along with a well thought out domestic and Italian wine list at fair
prices. |
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In fact, flavorful food at down to earth prices with
out pretension is what Marcello’s is all about. “Specials” when
ordered at most other restaurants usually produce a surprise high price
when you get the bill. Marcello’s is one of the few restaurants that
announces the price when reciting the specials. Further they are usually
within the range of the prices on the menu. Marcello's Mastercharge, Visa , American Express371-4367 795 140 West Hillcrest, Thousand Oaks Ca. |
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Marcello's
