Located down in the epicenter of the Cleveland Heights dining scene on Lee Road (near Cedar), sits a small restaurant named Marotta’s.
Housed in a long narrow space, Marotta’s utilizes every square inch of space available. As you first walk through the door you are immediately greeted by the hostess. To your right is a velvet curtain that helps keep the draft from running through the restaurant. I’ve actually found that two of the warmest seats are the ones behind the curtain.
One of the things that stand out the most, to me, is that the wait staff is very attentive. If it’s one thing I hate it’s an understaffed restaurant (One Walnut comes to mind). Water glasses were filled. Bread replenished. Food comes out hot. The service was just fabulous.
When I was out to lunch with my mother at Sweet Basil, Dan Joyce (the owner) cited Marotta’s as one of the best East Coast pies in Cleveland. I’m on the East Side, and the truth is this is the only place for New York style pizza. One word of caution: if you order I think it’s best to order for sit down. I don’t think it holds up very well on the ride home.
So did we get pizza? No.
I find it hard to order pizza when there are so many good things to get off the dinner menu. Regina ordered the Veal Marsala Scallopini. Sauteed in sweet marsala wine with mushrooms and fresh herbs, she thought the sauce was okay, but wished she could have had the Florentine sauce instead.
I went with the Florentine which is sauteed chicken breasts with spinach and white wine cream sauce and a side of pasta. The chicken was cooked perfectly and wasn’t swimming in sauce. A little restraint can go a long way. I was really happy with my choice.
We like Marotta’s. We aren’t as big on Italian food as we were when we were younger, but this is a good place.
Marotta's
2289 Lee Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 932-9264
www.marottas.com
If you love New York style pizza - you should lunch at Vincenza's downtown sometimes. Much as I love Marotta's (and I do) - Vincenza's is a little more "New York" yummy to me.
ReplyDelete-Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you've made it out to Sweet Basil, but I think that's the closest I've come to NSP in Cleveland.
While I think Vincenza's wins the award for most efficient and friendly staff, I'm not a huge fan. Dan from Sweet Basil did cite them as another good alternative (besides Marotta's) here in Cleveland.
I'd have to say Marotta's for East Side, Vincenza's for Downtown, and Sweet Basil on the West Side.
I actually went to Eddie Cerino's new place last night (I liked it), but I'm trying to fight through my backlog of review.
-Cal