Sima and Chef Marcellino Verzino
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Marcellino Ristorante is reopening today to offer dinner take-out/curbside service with plans to reopen its newly remodeled dining room on Monday, May 11, after Arizona’s COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
The romantic restaurant’s dining room will be open for dinner service only seven nights per week: Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Seating will be limited and reservations are required.
Chef Marcellino Verzino and his wife, Sima, are eager to welcome their family of employees and guests back to the restaurant after being temporarily closed for more than a month. The couple is also excited about unveiling a new look for the restaurant after moving up a remodeling project that was originally scheduled for the summer.
“We were so blessed to have celebrated our 16th year in Arizona in the fall, and we had been thinking about remodeling even before the pandemic started,” Sima said. “When we closed the restaurant temporarily, Chef pushed the project up and began working around the clock. While most people know him as an award-winning chef, he is also a skilled craftsman and quite the visionary. He’s doing much of the work himself together with his dear friend Rafi, owner of HRH Contracting. The dining room has been expanded to include a brand new look to Chef’s Private Dining Room and consequently, now allows for better social distancing measures. New décor will include a 6’ waterfall window and new glass front door. In addition, for those who wish to dine outside, we’ll have tables set up on both patios.”
In the meantime, starting today, the Old Town Scottsdale restaurant will offer take-out service Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring the complete dinner menu and Chef’s special, limited time complete dinners with curbside pick-up available. Orders can be placed anytime from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. by calling (480) 990-9500. Take-out service will continue after the restaurant opens its dining room.
Mother’s Day Take-Out Menu
This year, Chef Marcellino created a special Mother’s Day Take-Out Menu for those celebrating at home with their mothers, or for those dropping off meals to moms who are quarantining. Orders need to be called in by Friday, May 8 and the restaurant will open at 12 p.m. on Sunday, May 10 for patrons who wish to pick up their orders early.
“In Italy, our mothers are respected all year long, but Festa della Mamma is quite a celebration, and families joining each other around the table is what it’s all about,” Sima said. “During this unprecedented time, we hope Chef Marcellino’s delicious cuisine brings cheer to your home. Food not only nourishes us but feeds the soul, for love is channeled through those that create cuisine.”
Marcellino Ristorante’s traditional offerings include: Chef’s daily, hand-crafted pastas, fresh organic green salads, Mediterranean seafood as well as grilled lamb chops, filet mignon, medallions of roast pork, veal and chicken. Desserts include chocolate mousse, panna cotta, tiramisu, and ricotta cheese cake.
In addition to the normal menu, the restaurant will offer a special “Tagiolini Mare e Monte” Mother’s Day dish for $25 featuring Chef Marcellino’s handcrafted, long delicate pasta sautéed in rich tomato sauce with tailed shrimp and mushrooms. Mom will also enjoy a dessert of creamy tiramisu, compliments of Chef Marcellino.
Mother’s Day is also the only day of the year that the restaurant offers specially priced dishes for children. Options include Gnocchi Sorrentina, light potato/pasta orbs in tomato sauce with melted mozzarella bits for $14; Paccatelli, short, toothsome pasta in a hearty tomato and sausage ragu or with butter and parmigiano for $13; and Grilled Chicken Breast with his creamy mashed potatoes for $13.
Marcellino Ristorante is located at 7114 E. Stetson Dr. in Scottsdale. For details, call (480) 990-9500 or visit www.marcellinoristorante.com.
