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Mariella
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Mariella
8.1
This rustic rowhouse trattoria serves refined Italian dishes with strong gluten-free options, including gnocchi with rabbit ragu, short ribs, and veal piccata. The cozy dining room and sidewalk patio create an intimate setting for brunch classics with Italian twists like lemon ricotta pancakes and crabmeat eggs benedict.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Ribs, Gnocchi with Rabbit Ragu, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Extensive gluten-free menu with celiac-safe preparation
Who should go: Gluten-free diners and brunch enthusiasts
When to visit: Saturday brunch for pancakes and sidewalk seating
What to order: Burrata e melanzane, risotto special, branzino
Insider tip: Ask about nightly specials—short ribs and veal piccata rotate
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only on 6th Ave. Typically easier before 6pm; competition increases on weekends. No valet or dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual. Rowhouse setting is intimate but relaxed—jeans perfectly fine, no need to dress up.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate - cozy and intimate. Great for conversation. Note: interior is quite dark (some diners use phone lights to read menus).
Weekend wait: 20-30 min without reservation; very small space fills quickly. Book via OpenTable recommended.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service Tue-Fri. Dinner opens 4:30pm with easier walk-in availability.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - solid options including salads, risotto specials, and multiple pasta dishes with vegetable-based sauces
Vegan options: Limited - some salads adaptable and staff will accommodate; confirm with kitchen when ordering
Gluten-free options: Extensive - brown rice GF pasta available (+$1), staff highly trained on celiac protocols, local produce organic. Note: not a dedicated GF kitchen, so verify desserts
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Ideal. Candlelit tables, rustic rowhouse charm, quiet enough for intimate conversation. Request outdoor patio in warm months for extra ambiance. Cozy without feeling cramped.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday dinner (Tue-Thu) usually yes, especially at 4:30pm open. Weekend brunch and Friday/Saturday dinner—reserve via OpenTable. The space is very small, so waits happen even midweek when busy.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - listed as good for kids on Yelp. Outdoor patio works well for families. Pasta dishes appeal to children, and staff is accommodating. Best for kids who can sit through a relaxed meal rather than high-energy toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Gluten-free diners seeking serious Italian (not just token GF options), couples wanting romantic without pretense, brunch with Italian twists like lemon ricotta pancakes and crabmeat eggs benedict
Skip if: You need quick service, want a lively/loud scene, prefer large portions (some find plates modest), or require a fully dedicated gluten-free kitchen for severe celiac
Mariella
8.2
Mariella is a cozy South Slope Italian spot known for gluten-free-leaning pastas, slow-braised mains, and a calm, romantic dining room. Since opening in the early 2010s, it’s developed a steady following for thoughtful, neighborhood-priced plates that feel a notch more refined than most local trattorie.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni Mariella in pink sauce with sausage, Brasato di manzo short ribs, Burrata e melanzane al funghetto
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Intimate neighborhood Italian with gluten-free-friendly pastas and a notably cozy room.
Who should go: Couples and small groups seeking relaxed, mid-priced Italian dinners.
When to visit: Weekend evenings before peak rush or for slower midweek nights.
What to order: Rigatoni Mariella, brasato di manzo, burrata with eggplant.
Insider tip: The back garden is quieter and especially pleasant in warm weather.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on side streets but can tighten after 7pm along 5th Ave.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished jeans and a nice top are the norm, though some diners lean slightly dressy on weekends.
Noise level: Low to moderate — intimate enough for date-night conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes for walk-ins during peak hours; shorter waits earlier in the evening.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though lunch service may be limited on some weekdays.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options, especially among starters and pasta dishes; substitutions are common.
Vegan options: Limited — expect 1–2 modifiable dishes; best to confirm with the server.
Gluten-free options: Strong — multiple gluten-free pasta options and staff accustomed to accommodating sensitivities.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the dim lighting, quiet room, and unfussy but thoughtful food create an easy, relaxed setting ideal for early relationship conversations.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — especially early evenings or midweek. On weekends, walk-ins may face a modest wait, so arriving before 7pm helps.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — while not designed for families, well-behaved older kids fit in; limited space means strollers and very young children may feel tight.
Best For
Better for: A quieter, more intimate Italian night out with thoughtful gluten-free options and neighborhood pricing.
Skip if: You want large-group seating, extensive vegan options, or a high-energy dining room; nearby trattorie may suit those needs better.
Mariella
8.1
Mariella is an intimate South Slope Italian restaurant that leans into local, seasonal sourcing and gluten-free-friendly cooking in a warm brick-lined room. Plates run from squid ink pastas and lobster ravioli to updated antipasti, with pricing that stays gentler than many Park Slope peers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Squid ink pasta with salmon, capers and olives, Lobster ravioli, Burrata BLT
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 6.3
What makes it special: A cozy, softly lit neighborhood trattoria that quietly applies farm-to-table sourcing to gluten-free-leaning Italian plates.
Who should go: Couples and small groups seeking relaxed, mid-priced Italian.
When to visit: Weekend evenings with a reservation or calmer midweek nights.
What to order: Squid ink pasta, lobster ravioli, Burrata BLT.
Insider tip: Ask about nightly specials—some of the most seasonal dishes never leave the chalkboard.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on side streets before 6:30pm but tight during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans and a nice top are common, but many diners lean slightly dressy for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate—soft enough for comfortable conversation, though the small room can pick up chatter during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation, depending on weather and neighborhood foot traffic.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—primarily dinner-focused; evening walk-ins midweek often have little to no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several antipasti and pasta dishes are naturally vegetarian, plus seasonal specials.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 dishes may qualify, but options vary based on seasonal sourcing.
Gluten-free options: Strong—many pastas can be made gluten-free and the kitchen is accustomed to handling GF requests.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—the intimate lighting, small dining room, and warm service make it ideal for a relaxed, low-pressure first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually on weeknights; weekends are riskier, and waits of 20–40 minutes are common. A reservation is recommended for prime dining hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—older kids and teens are fine, but the intimate space and quieter atmosphere make it less suited for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Seasonally driven Italian comfort food at gentler prices than many Park Slope peers, plus standout gluten-free adaptability.
Skip if: You want expansive menus, large group seating, or high-energy dining—this is a small, intimate space built for quieter meals.