We went and visited Marcella’s Ristorante in Polaris. We wanted to go to the Short North location but our choices for the third time in a row were before 5 pm or after 9 pm or something like that. This inability to make reservations only heightened our interest in visiting Marcella’s plus my buddy and his wife we’re dying to go there. So we went to Polaris. Polaris kind of reminds me of some place up in the arctic. It definitely doesn’t have any Short North charm.

Marcella’s is located in what used to be Martini’s Grill. It’s kind of got that Spaghetti Warehouse feel to it - kind of dark, loud, and a bunch of Chatchkis all over the walls. I spelled that right the first time - I’m on my game this morning!

We got there about 15 minutes before our reservation at 8 pm and headed over to the bar. We waded through some human quicksand to find an unoccupied spot. Apparently, there was a leak in the roof that was spraying our friends so we mucked through a bunch more human quicksand to find another spot near the bar. After 45-60 minutes at the bar and a little gentle complaining, we were finally seated at 8:45 p.m.

Soon after we sat down, it was Romper Room Family Time at Marcella’s as a couple with a couple rambunctious kids sat at the table next to us. Paper airplanes and food began flying through the air. I guess Marcella’s prices are cheap enough to warrant bringing the kids along.


Melted Pecorini Cheese dish

We started off with a cheese plate and a Melted Pecorini Cheese dish with Crostini, Apple, and Truffle Honey. The appetizers were fairly tasty.


Risotto alla Milanese

I had the Risotto pictured above. It was fine but nothing extraordinary. My friends described the meal as mediocre at best.


Gnocchi con Burro y Salvia

I’m sure you want to know what they had after firing off the “mediocre at best” comment. See the Gnocchi above and the Lasagna below. At least my friend made a nice effort to try and match the plates.


Lasagna alla Bolognese - slow cooked veal Ragu, Pecorini

Alright, I’m going to have to look up Ragu. I thought it was just a spaghetti sauce. Wikipedia to the rescue - “Ragù is an Italian term for a meat-based sauce, which is traditionally served with pasta. Etymologically the word derives from the French ragoût, a noun derived from ragoûter (to revive the taste).”

So Carmine Ragusa was “The Big Meat Based Spaghetti Sauce” - it kind of works. I guess.

Well, not sure what all the hype was over Marcella’s. Perhaps the Short North location has more in store.

Marcella’s Ristorante | 1319 Polaris Parkway | Columbus, Ohio 43240 | (614) 844-6500

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