Best Mexican around San Jose airport?

Will be in the area for two dinners, traveling solo..... Thanks in advance.

thevinoman in San Francisco Bay Area

What is your favorite Italian spot in Seattle? Need recommendation...

Drive south to the Tacoma (Parkland) area and go to the restaurant Marzano. Superb food, cozy atmosphere (old house), very, very reasonable prices. Check out other reviews on the board. You won't regret it.....

thevinoman in Greater Seattle

3 nights in New Haven, want seafood!

Hi all,

I'll be doing a business trip to the New Haven area, and want to find some really good, moderately priced, not fancy, picnic table and brown paper is fine, down home seafood spots. Love clams, oysters, lobster, you name it. On the water is even better. I'll be there next week, sept 14 to 17. thanks.

thevinoman in General New England Archive

DelBrocco's Tacoma disappointment

A supposedly "Authentic Philly style" small pizza and hoagie joint at 6th and Proctor. Major disappointment on an "Old School" (their name) hoagie with the usual meats and provolone. Almost $10 for a really poorly put together sandwich, tasteless meat, horrible roll. The people working there on a Saturday at around lunch time seemed like they had no clue as to what was going on. Not even going to give them a second chance for their Cheesesteaks or pizza. Sorry.

thevinoman in Greater Seattle

Marzano in Tacoma (Parkland) experience

We got back from Marzano a little while ago, and I thought I'd write while things were still "fresh". I think it's an understatement to say that the meal was superb. We walked in at our reservation time, 6:30, and were seated immediately at a small table by a window. I was a little concerned that the table was close to the front door, but actually it was perfect, as it was out of the heavy traffic zone between other tables and the kitchen. The noise level was moderate, as would be expected of a place with wooden floors and a minimum of drapes and other upholstery.

We ordered two appetizers, a gruyere and goat cheese torte with pesto, pine nuts and sun dried tomatoes, and the calamari which was in a light roasted tomato sauce with basil garlic, capers, and feta cheese. Both were terrific. The calamari was cooked perfectly, and there wasn't an overabundance of garlic.

We ordered our entree's, my wife went with the boscaiola, a rigatoni pasta with an onion, garlic and mushroom sauce, with ham, cream, and Bolognese. The pasta was fantastic, perfectly cooked, and all of the flavors came together beautifully. I ordered the double thick cut veal chop with a morel mushroom sauce. It was cooked perfectly and was incredibly tender. Prior to the entree's arrival, a house salad was served which was absolutely outstanding, with a light balsamic vinaigrette dressing over spring greens. It really was delicious.

The dessert tray was presented which showed about a dozen different choices, including two cheesecakes, creme brulee, flourless chocolate cake, and a peanut butter and chocolate pie, which is what Shelly chose. It was dense, creamy and delicious. I ordered a Chambers Muscat from the dessert wine menu, which was very nice.

Oh, and the wine.....well....the wine was awesome. I took a 1996 Dom Perignon, and a 1990 Chateau Lynch Bages Bordeaux. I'd been saving them for quite a while for this occasion, which was our 10th anniversary. Corkage fee was $15 per bottle, which I was happy to pay. We actually ended up bringing at least half of each bottle home because we were so focused on the food!

This was our first time at Marzano, and it won't be the last. The service was superb and very unobtrusive. All of the dishes were presented very nicely and perfectly timed. Portions were extremely generous. A really superior dining experience.

thevinoman in Pacific Northwest

Recent Marzano's reviews?

Considering Marzano's for our 10th anniversary. Would like to know if it still lives up to the hype of past? Thanks!

thevinoman in Pacific Northwest

Need Tacoma/Olympia rec's for anniversary

Hi all,

We are having our 10th anniversary in May, and I would really like to take my wife to a very nice restaurant for drinks and dinner, and then to a nice hotel for the night. We live outside of Olympia, and south of Lacey. We are both foodies, and appreciate good menus, careful preparation, and nice wine lists. We have eaten at El Gaucho, and enjoyed it, although it was at least a couple of years ago. Recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks very much.

thevinoman in Pacific Northwest

Need a nice place Tacoma/SeaTac/South Seattle for dinner?

Leper, thanks. I have not heard of Marzano's before, will have to try.

thevinoman in Pacific Northwest