The hidden Italian that is Mario's

Mario's has been touted as one of the best places for Italian cuisine in Penang. Situated in the tourist area of Batu Feringghi, it is definitely one of the places that you should not miss whenever you are there. Last month, I had the great opportunity to pay Mario's a visit, for the second time so far, and might I say... eccellente (Guess what that means in Italian)!

Mario's restaurant

Set in the midst of quaint cafes and pubs, and just opposite the popular Batu Feringghi night market, it is definitely within the busiest part of the area. Mario's is mostly frequented by foreigners and tourists though you could spot locals occasionally.


Its settings and decor are also very relaxed and cozy, definitely makes you feel like a place to chill out and let loose.


For starters, I ordered the Garlic bread with cheese. One must NEVER miss ordering the garlic bread in any Italian restaurant! That is the fundamental dish that they must prepare, to PERFECTION, or they would fail as an Italian restaurant! Certainly, Mario's put a twist to the garlic bread by adding a generous layer of cheese on top of it. It was also served piping hot, right off the oven, hence the cheese was very chewy while the bread crust was still crispy. Definitely an appetizer all right. :)

Cheesy garlic bread

Saucer came with me for the first time and he was splendidly impressed with their Lasagne. Indeed, it was one of the best that I have tasted! I have never really liked lasagne because it is always too cheesy or too starchy, but Mario's did it just right.

Lasagne
Look at the amount of cheese flowing down at the sides...

Yummy~~~

I ordered the Pizza Marinara because I love seafood so much! It was very GENEROUSLY filled with seafood indeed! The prawns were huge, there was a generous helping of salmon, mussels and not forgetting calamari rings. The combination definitely brought forward the orchestra feeling like what you would see in Ratatouille... *LOL*

Pizza Marinara

Mario's has definitely scored a place in my heart as the best Italian food restaurant so far. :) Of course, I might change that if and when I have the chance to visit beautiful Italy next time. *wink*