La Marinara offers a focused menu centered on traditional Italian bistro staples prepared with consistent technical precision. Diners encounter a selection of handmade pasta dishes tossed in rich, herb-infused tomato sauces alongside artisanal pizzas featuring thin, blistered crusts baked in high-temperature ovens. The environment prioritizes an understated aesthetic where polished tables and efficient service facilitate a straightforward culinary experience. Menu items emphasize the integrity of imported ingredients, showcasing cured meats, creamy mozzarella, and seasonal vegetables sourced for their vibrant flavor profiles. The kitchen maintains strict adherence to Mediterranean cooking techniques, ensuring every plate delivers authentic textures and balanced seasoning. Each course reflects a commitment to functional simplicity, favoring robust, satisfying compositions that prioritize the foundational elements of regional Italian cooking over complex or experimental culinary presentations.
La Marinara is widely celebrated for serving exceptional homemade pasta and authentic Italian dishes, with many patrons highlighting the quality of the veal, seafood, and tortellini. While the majority of visitors praise the professional and friendly service, even during busy events, opinions on portion sizes and overall value remain mixed. The atmosphere is generally described as welcoming and reminiscent of home, making it a popular choice for both lunch and dinner despite occasional inconsistencies in dish preparation.
J'ai mangé à la Marinara souvent le midi, pendant des années, & c'était toujours bon. J'ai d'ailleurs toujours dit que le chef savait comment cuire son poisson, ce qui est rare.
Malheureusement hier soir, avec un visiteur de Toronto, j'ai été très déçue de mon plat de poisson, morue avec une sauce poireaux & amandes. Le poisson était trop cuit & la sauce beaucoup trop salée. J'en ai laissé la moitié.
Cela dit, les escargots dans leur sauce à la crème sont toujours aussi bons.
Let's start with the positives: the service is friendly, & the atmosphere is cozy. The place is small, which can feel inviting if you're looking for a sweet spot in downtown Montreal. However, what really bothers me is paying nearly $20 for poorly cooked zucchini. Judge for yourself from the picture. The sauce was at least tasty. While the ambiance & service are commendable, the overpriced & poorly prepared food left me disappointed. But this is my humble opinion. I hope they improve the quality to match the cozy setting.
My husband & I came here on a Thursday night, as it's just up the street from our hotel. The atmosphere is laid back & chill. Jazz music is just at the right volume, which was very good, as we could still have a conversation. Food was nothing short of exceptional! Here's what we ordered: Apps: Escargot Shrimp in lemon & garlic sauce Mains: Fettuccine Alfredo Beef lasagna Dessert: Tiramisu Everything tasted really delicious! The escargot had the right texture. The shrimp in lemon & garlic sauce came with bread. We used the bread to eat the sauce. 😋 The fettuccine alfredo was very creamy & did not need any protein/meat. The lasagna had the perfect combo of acidic & sweet taste. Portions were perfect too - not too much & not too little. We capped off the night with a slice of their tiramisu. It was super creamy, no artificial flavour. I'd go back there just for the tiramisu! Overall, it was a positive experience & the owner made sure to go to each table to have a chat with the patrons. You definitely get your money's worth. Definitely highly recommended & expect us to drop Oby the next time we're in Montreal.
Aug 20, 2024
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The service at La Marinara was first rate. It's a small restaurant & we arived when it was packed with pre-hockey game diners so it was quite noisy. But once a few people left, it was more comfortable to talk. We found the food quite good. A couple of points, though: the tomoato & bocconcini appetizer was really tiny. There were only 4 or 5 thin slices of tomato, each topped with a small piece of cheese. This was not what we were expecting for the price. The minestrone soup was good but much too salty. The main courses we ordered: stuffed tortellini & nerone sauce topped fish were very good. The litre of house wine was excellent. It's a very authentic feeling Italian restaurant.
Came here for lunch & ordered the penne a l'Arrabiata. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauce was great & the spice level was right on the spot, hot but not too much. Service was quick & efficient. On the minus side, it was a bit too pricey for my budget, & this will limit me to come back here for lunch.
Found a hair baked into my tortellini (was still charged for it because apparently "these things happen"), & before I found the hair, it didn't even taste good (the rosé sauce had some kind of cinnamon or nutmeg in it). My husband's garlic & oil spaghetti was burnt (it was a brown colour & tasted very bitter). The service was super rushed - didn't have time to enjoy my martini before my appetizer was in front of me followed quickly by my main meal. We were in & out in less than an hour. The tables are so close together that you have to turn sideways to fit. We were given a free dessert (for the hair)...a crème caramel that was not good at all (I've had better from Costco) & served in the middle of a plain white plate. Not impressed at all & will not be going back.
Warm, welcoming ambiance. Fantastic service by experienced waiters. Quality of food is very good - pasta & sauce excellent as was the tiramisu. All 6 of us were very pleased with our meals & dining experience.
Pairing veal a la limone with pasta with a tomato based sauce on the same plate was not exactly appetizing. Everyone else at the table was pleased with their meal.
We visited La Marina last evening & were delighted with the service & food. Ladies (2) enjoyed Rigatoni Arrabriata & Manicotti respectively & the gentlemen both enjoyed Veal Pizzaiola. I wasn't sure about the sauce they were using for the escargot so I asked for garlic butter instead. They were very accommodating & it was delicious.
Word of advice.... don't go on a night when the Canadians are playing hockey at home. The place was mobbed & we waited 20 minutes for our table (with a reservation). Otherwise, very enjoyable even if a little pricey.
