Note: I was invited as a guest of the establishment and received a complimentary meal. This was not in exchange for a positive review and opinions expressed are my own.
Why Come Here? Solid and affordable casual Italian/Spanish eats near Rockefeller Center
The Bar Area (courtesy of Da Marcella)
Generally when it comes to dining in Midtown, my advice is: don’t do it. Sure, there’s some great food to be had there but it generally comes either at a very high price or with very long waits. The rest is mostly mediocre and overpriced; suitable only for tourists and people on expense accounts. Still whether it’s a business meeting, shopping on Fifth or showing around a friend from out of town, every New Yorker will be forced to eat there at some point. And when that happens, Da Marcella presents a great casual option with tasty Italian and Spanish staples, a solid wine list and reasonable prices.
Da Marcella is easy to miss with a small entrance on a busy street in the heart of midtown. Many have managed to discover it though as the place was packed on a recent Thursday night. Located down a flight of stairs from street level, the dining area is expansive with 14-foot ceilings and a seating capacity of 120. Yet despite it’s size, Da Marcella manages to maintain a rustic, homey Mediterranean feel with mood lighting, mustard colored walls and vintage Italian posters. There’s also a 22-foot bar perfect for grabbing a drink and watching the game. Yet if you’re seated in the main dining area you’d almost never know it existed. Service is friendly and more casual than many of the uptight Italian spots prevalent in the area.
The menu is expansive and features traditional Italian and Spanish dishes, a tribute to the chef and owner’s dual heritage. Expect a nice selection of seafood, pastas, paellas as well as cured and braised meats. The breadth and high quality assures everyone will find something to pleased with. Equally pleasing are the prices. Whereas many Mediterrenan eateries in Midtown will set you back $30+ for an entree and $20 for pastas, Da Marcella’s mains are mostly priced in the mid-$20s and pastas range from $16-19.
The wine list is also impressive and heavy on the restaurants two regions. Manager and Wine Director Ernesto Lago did an excellent job pairing them to our meal. There are 18 wines available by the glass, and I suggest getting his input on which to have with your order. However, if you decide to go the by-the-bottle route, make it the 2005 “6 Sombreros” Tempranillo Peludo. It’s a medium-heavy red with bold red fruit and a bit of spice. I’d put it in the top 5% of wines I’ve ever drank.
Onto the food:
Octopus generally comes out too mushy or too tough, making it a dangerous dish to order without a strong referral. Well, consider this your referral. These guys cook it perfectly – tender with just a little bite. It’s got a nice char to it with refreshing notes from the arugula and capers.
Meaty hunks of wild salmon with a healthy dose of avocado. if you’re a fan of those two things, you’ll be a fan of this dish.
What’s not to love about prosciutto and creamy burrata mozarella covered in truffle sauce? I got nothin’.
A meaty veal and pork mixture with a rich slightly spicy tomato sauce. Another classic dish done very well.
A house specialty, featuring owner Manuel Moreno’s grandmother’s eighteen ingredient recipe. I couldn’t tell you what most of them are, but I can tell you they pack a lot of flavor. And that it’s served over some perfectly al dente pasta.
Given the mix of seafood, chicken and rice this is another dish that’s rarely cooked right. With interesting spice in the rice and something different to enjoy in each bite, this rendition would do a Spaniard a lot prouder than their World Cup team.
A rich, hearty hunk of short rib for those looking for retire after the meal. It’s heavy on the beef flavor and come with a creamy, corny side of polenta.
I strongly believe all cheesecake should be made of ricotta. It’s lighter than the traditional mix, but still creamy with just a hint of ricotta to temper the sweetness. You’ll definitely want to finish your meal with a slice.
