Marcello's Pizzeria and Ristorante

Authentic Italian Pizzeria on Lively Commercial Drive

Seen at right: Owner, Marcello Lombardo.
Photos by Bruce Law.

Marcello’s is the best choice for an authentic Italian experience. The large room, with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto vibrant Commercial Drive, combines old world Mediterranean warmth and sunny décor with an inviting atmosphere that appeals to people of all ages and origins. Owner Marcello Lombardo has a love of Italian food and a pedigree to match. Born in Palermo, Marcello owned a restaurant on the Adriatic Riviera before moving to Vancouver, where he’s been serving authentic classic Italian dishes for over twenty-five years.

An enormous Napoletan style woodburning oven in the shape of the sun (“the Sun God is the Mediterranean symbol of prosperity,” Marcello explains) is the showpiece to the entire room. It makes some of the best pizza in the city, churning out heavenly Naples-style thin crust creations available in over 20 varieties. The oven maintains a consistent temperature of 500º, baking the crust to a crisp golden brown that glistens with extra virgin olive oil.

“We’re famous for our pizza and pasta,” says Marcello, “we make all of our pasta in house.” His gnocchi is home made every day, which accounts for its pillowy softness and perfect texture, especially when served in a creamy quattro formaggi (four-cheese sauce). Not to be missed is Marcello’s baked lasagna. Hearty, yet surprisingly light, it’s layer upon layer of fresh spinach, béchamel and Marcello’s savory meat sauce. “I’ve got guests that come for it religiously,” he smiles.

More than just pizza and pasta, Marcello’s menu caters to all palates. “We’ve got something for everybody,” insists general manager Lisa Kristiansen, “Our forno roast chicken is spectacular and we have many vegetarian options as well.” Seafood dishes like calamari and grilled prawns are very popular and his octopus salad is to die for. Lisa is currently expanding the wine selection to better complement Marcello’s diverse menu offerings.

The energy of the dining room is just as much a part of the experience as the stellar cuisine. Bustling and raucous when at capacity, this lively eatery thrums like a hightension wire during peak times. As Marcello’s maintains its energy with a steady stream of walk-in traffic, reservation space is limited. Call a few days ahead to reserve a spot, or simply walk in when you get the craving. Be it a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Marcello’s is always an experience.

Menu Highlights

APPETIZERS

Italian specialty Foccacia baked daily in our wood burning oven

Thin crispy crust Fornarina fresh out of the oven with your choice of either fresh tomato slices, arucola & bocconcini or Prosciutto crudo, arucola & asiago cheese

Antipasto Della Casa - a mix of marinated & grilled vegetables of the day

Prosciutto Crudo - imported italian cured ham

Olive Calde - Pan fried spicy Sicilian black olives

Insalata di Polipo - Fresh & Tender octopus marinated in olive oil, lemon & parsley

Frittura Mista - Mix of deep fried prawns & squid

ENTRÉES

Pasta prepared in the Italian tradition with fresh home-made egg pasta with your choice of sauce including:

Spaghetti Alla Marinara - tomato sauce flavoured with white wine, garlic & capers
Tagliatelle All'Aceto - Cream sauce with a touch of balsamic vinegar
Spaghetti Pollo Picante - Spicy tomato sauce with chicken, black olives & capers
Chef Tagliatelle - Sauteed mushrooms, black olives & capers in a creamy tomato sauce
Spaghetti Alla Vongole - Clams in white wine sauce with a touch of tomato

Lasagna - prepared from scratch in our kitchen and baked to perfection with layers of spinach noodles & meat sauce topped with bechamel

Gnocchi - traditional home-made potato & egg dumplings available with 3 different toppings

Calzone - folded thin crust pizza made fresh & baked in our wood burning oven with a choice of Classico or Vegetarian

Pizza - thin crust and baked to perfection in our wood burning oven with over 15 different toppings available

Best of the Cellar

WHITE WINES

Masi, Soave, Veneto
Fazi Battaglia, Verdicchio, Umbria
Tommasi, Pino Grigio Veneto
Santa Margarita, Pino Grigio Valdadige, Veneto
Ruffino Libaio, Chardonnay, Toscana
La Musa, Frascati Superiore, Lazio

RED WINES

Castello D’albola, Chianti Classico, Toscana
Planeta, Santa Cecilia, Sicily
Tommasi, Merlot, Veneto
Secco-Bertani, Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto
Batasiolo, Barolo, Piemonte
Tommasi, Amarone, Veneto
Frescobaldi, Chianti Nipozzano, Toscana

Pictured above: Deep Fried Calamari & Pizza with fresh bocconcini cheese with mushrooms and artichokes.

MARCELLO'S PIZZERIA AND RISTORANTE
1404 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC
604-215-7760

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