Marotta's

I knocked another restaurant off of my 2012 "To Dine" list-- Marotta's in Cleveland Heights. Located on Lee Road, it's funny--because I've dined at restaurants on either side of this small Italian place without ever realizing that it was there.

When you walk in, you're immediately wrapped in a dark, cozy, and warm atmosphere. Very romantic, or a great spot to be able to catch up over intimate conversation with friends. However, it did make it difficult to read the menu or take pictures of our meal.

The menu isn't very large, but they have a nice assortment of appetizers, salads, pastas, entrees, and their famous pizza. Be warned-- the menu online isn't accurate. I had my heart set on a pasta dish packed with veggies in a lemon cream sauce, but sadly it is no longer offered.

My lovely dining companion, Crystal, and I both decided on the pasta special of the night-- Butternut Squash Ravioli with seasonal vegetables in a Prosecco and brown butter sauce.

It was a sizable portion, and I took some home for lunch the next day. It included a house salad with my choice of dressing (I went with Creamy Garlic), and crusty Italian bread. The salad was just your average boring salad, but the bread was very good. Overall, I liked the ravioli dish but I didn't love it. It was missing "something" that I couldn't put my finger on. I also took a Tiramisu to-go for "R" (it's one of his favorites), and was disappointed in the size of the portion when I got home and he opened it up. For two glasses of wine, two entrees, and one dessert-- the bill came to $105. I felt that was a little pricey, but we've experienced similar over-pricing in that area.

I do have to say that the staff was amazing. They were always attentive, the timing of our food was perfect, and they really didn't seem to care when we sat there chatting for over three hours ("R" thought that I had been kidnapped). It is worth noting that they don't accept reservations.

I hear that their pizza is quite good, but I just wasn't in the mood for pizza that night. So, if you do decide to go, then maybe give that a try. For this west-sider, I don't think that I'll make the drive back over there for Marotta's. But it was fun to check it out, and to knock another restaurant off the list that my readers selected for me this year.

Want to help me choose the 2013 list of ten restaurants to dine at? Head on over to this blog post, and leave me a comment with your suggestions. I'll pick ten, and announce them in January!

Marotta's
2289 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
216-932-9264