" Good Basic Italian "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

Went to Da Marco on a Sunday night with the family (six in all) and had a great time! Yes, the service was not that good, but the place was packed like a can of sardines and the staff was running around trying to handle everyone as best they could. But the buzz and atmosphere were great! We ordered dishes from Salad to pastas to mains and they all came quickly and with large portions. The wine is a great value too! Much more reasonably priced than many similar level of restaurants.
The free glasses of Prosecco are a nice touch. We made a reservation at 7:00 and was told a table would be available at 8:30. Well, we got there about 8:15 and, sure enough, our table was ready at 8:30!
Although not a frequent guest (last time I went was several years ago) I am very glad I went and will definitely be a return customer. If you want a relaxed time, good crowds all enjoying themselves and hearty food, Da Marco is the place to go.

" Moan Moan Moan!!! "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

Hoooold on! What's with the moaning guys?!

Ok, so I went through the reviews the other day and was genuinely saddened by what my once favorite restaurant in town had turned out to be... a bad place where bad waiters serve bad food... Outch!
I've lived in Shanghai for nearly 4 years now and remember the time where I used to live on Da Marco pasta.
So I felt like I owed it to the Gorgonzola and spinach gnocchi to get a first hand impression before writing Da Marco off forever!
Seen the bad reviews and the fact that it was a cold and rainy monday night, I did not feel the need to book a table in advance and was very surprised when we saw the place was packed!
We got there, put our names down on the waiting list and were offered some sparkling wine at once.
In a nutshell:
- Granted, the service has always been mama huhu at the best of times, but despite the fact that they had just lost 5 waiters that very morning (Chinese NY = quitting season) I found the service was better than ever. The waiters were smiling, forthcoming and efficient and the managers were happily chipping in to make the place run as smoothly as possible.
- The food was as finger-licking good as ever, and was brought to our table way quicker than expected. Little downside: no tomato dip with the bread basket anymore... buuhuu!
- The house wine was more than decent.
- We still get our shot of limoncello at the end of the meal.
- And last but not least: the mai-dan did not hurt (2 starters, 2 mains, bottle of red: 350 rmb)

All that just leaves me wondering: what's with all the whining guys??? I honestly don't see what there is to complain about?
And Marco: You still have me hooked! I'll be back soon for more!
Yum yum and peace out!

" More And More Disappointing "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

I completely agree with the previous review. Service and food have drastically fallen to an abysmal level.
I remember 4 years ago when I was living not far from Da Marco, it used to be my "cantine". Since the renovation, what it has gained in pretentious decor, it has lost in services and quality.
It's always crowded, you have to push the seats of nearby tables if you want to leave your seat, and waiters don't even seem to enjoy serving you when you look Asian. I always got irritated in Shanghai, when services give me the feeling that there's this double standard services. I hate the attitude of Parisian Bistros waiters, and I can get even worse here.
Last time I made a reservation. Not only did they butcher my name, which is usual everywhere in shanghai, but they also gave my table to someone else saying that the people had the same name, and there was a misunderstanding. Who can have the exact name as my butchered name? I'm sad for the guy...
I would give a -5 for the service if it were allowed.Food has lost its signature.
If you add More tables + more customers + more "sous-chefs" , the results = less quality + worst services. It definitely lost its edge.

" Great Restaurant, In The Past "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

Couple of years ago I would tell all my friends that Da Marco on Dong Zhu An Bang Lu has the best food hands down in Shanghai, after dining there last night, it's a safe bet I will never again.

Upon arrival the host is missing as usual, waited for quite a while before we were finally seated.

Inside was SO smokey it was unbearable. Manager on duty explain their ventilation system was broken but refused to open more windows upon my request. His attitude was unprofessional throughout the night as he only caters mainly to Caucasian guests and leave us Asian guests hanging. Never came to ask how the food was.

Service was horrendous. Requested vinegar for bread and never came, had to the counter and grabbed the entire bottle myself. Ice tea took half an hour to arrive, must be harvesting the tea leaves or lemon after order. The entire floor had only around 4 staff, SEVERELY under staff and service.

Worst of all, food was terrible! We ordered pumpkin gnocchi since it was written on the black board, it didn't have any pumpkin taste nor did it even look orange. Fettuccine carbonara also tasted poorly, how can an Italian restaurant screw up carbonara?!

All 9 of my friends went home smelling like the kitchen of Da Marco, needless to say none of us will ever return again. It's sad how a great restaurant went downhill into the valley of bad restaurants so effortlessly.

" Serious Food, Not Service "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

We went to Da Marco's for dinner with my girlfriend (who happens to be half Italian). We are both quite used to traditional italian food and I must say that we were not dissapointed by the quality and authenticity of the food. However, we were quite dissapointed by the quality of service. They seem to lack a waiter or two to have it right. We needed to ask twice for several of our drinks orders... However, we will definitely go back to this place!

" Over Rated "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

Despite making a reservation, kept waiting for ages for our table. Plied with drinks to keep us happy, but that's not good enough. My date loves Da Marco's so it was her choice, but then maybe thats because she has never eaten at a really good Italian restaurant. Food, average. Service slow.Will never go there again.Seems to succeed on the owner's popularity, and I do have to say he was charming.

" Great Food, Bad Service "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

Da Marco used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Shanghai. Its got great food and pretty good value for money. The waiters and waitresses are usually pretty good but lately there is one particular western woman (maybe a hostess or assistant manager) who is extremely rude to all customers and very unhelpful and its put me off going there all together.

For my money if I want Italian - I recommend going to Xujiahui Da Marcos (so you dont have to deal with her) or try Pane e Vino - great food, service and owners are super friendly!

" Not That Good "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

Pizzas ain't really that good altho it does have nice environments. Besides, we ordered for steak and it turns out we have to wait for nearly an hour to have it served, and we had finished our whole plate of pizza while my next table couple has also finished theirs. Thinking the steak should be good after waited for a while, but turns out to be bad anyway. Well, not that it sux, but comparing to a real good one, pizzas and steaks here aren't really that up to standard. However the price are reasonable for the quality served.

" Four Thumbs Up "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

This is a huge place, and packed out when I arrived. So we waited at the bar with a free glass of Prosecco and real snacks to nibble on (good cheese, chunks of salami).

Shown to our table in a big room full of a mixture of Chinese and western diners, with couples and groups of friends all enjoying the atmosphere.

Service was on point- wine arrived just as the (free) bread basket showed up, starters arrived quickly after ordering, main course arrived as they were clearing away the starters.

Chicken + Fennel salad (around 50 I think) was tasty, with loads of chicken and good flavours. Mussels and clams (48RMB) were delicious and plenty for two people to share, sausage and mushroom pizza (68RMB) was as good as any I've eaten anywhere but we just couldn't finish the last slice as the portions are so generous.

304RMB all in (Enjoy card 10% discount)- we were so happy that it was tempting to make a reservation for the next visit on the way out.

" They Are Obviously Under Staffed "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

3 strikes and your out!!

Since they've renovated I have been back 3 times for dinner and all 3 times I had to wait SO LONG for the drinks and the food to arrive. They are obviously under staffed and the kitchen cannot handle the extra ppl that are coming through the door.
The place looks nice and the food (when it arrives is nice) but the wait is just uncomfortable!!
Sorry - not going back - too many Italian places to choose from which is a shame because I live right around the corner.
PS - the bald guy whos hosting needs a lesson in customer service.

" Mass Production Canteen "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

After it was reccomended to me i decided to go during a froggy evening in Shanghai,
I arrived there quite Hungry and i left quite full,for the money i spent i would say its quite ok but i would never bring a date o my business partners there...i think its a good place whre you can eat when you alone and dont want or dont have money to spend for something better....or with friends in a eveniong that you just want to spend little money and go to sleep...service was ok ,food was value for money but as i said its a mass production canteen without any heart ....i have been in italy few times and a restaurant like this in italy would not survive one day.
i am not in a hurry to go back...

" Difficult To Find, Man! "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

There is no sign once in the building on how to get into the restaurant!
We have to ask 2 different people!
Always damn crowded, up to me probably the best quality/price Italian restaurant..and I am Italian too!
Menu guarantees a quite wide range of dishes, never taste pizza though.
Wine glasses are good.
Having filipinos and indians waiters seems rather an odd decision, but it is not that relevant.

" Huge, Tasty & Cheap Pizzas "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

It is such a big challenge to finish the pizza but such a waste not to finish it!
Crowded, noisy & warmed restaurant, just like in Italy.
Desserts are disappointing.

" Nice Prices "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

What I really like about this restaurant are the low prices that it offers. Its food its simple and tasty... I like the "home made" product that they offer.
good place to have real pasta without spending all your money!