user new_expat

Tue May 6th 2008

I love DeMarcos on Dongzhu road. I am there almost once a week. I was very happy and eager to try out their sister location in Xujiahui when it first opened, as its close to my apt. I would NOT recomend this place. The two places are night and day. The Xujiahui location serves much smaller portions, very different taste and poorer service. They seem to use vegetable oil instead of olive oil in their pasta. Their parmasen cheese seems to be something out of a Kraft bottle. I dont understand how the location on Dongzhu road can be SO MUCH better than the one in Xujiahui. Different owner??? Try both restuarants and let me know if you guys agree.

user ferret

Tue Mar 25th 2008

Haiku Summary:

For Italian

With true taste, and bistro style,

Da Marco’s the place.

If you want Italian that’s a step up from Pizza Hut style Italian places like Salizeria and Babela’s Kitchen, Da Marco’s a good bet. I went in for their fixed lunch, which included a salad of field greens with balsamic vinaigrette, spaghetti carbonara, and an apple tart with coffee to top it off – all for 68RMB. The field greens were fresh, with not a sprig of iceberg to sink my taste buds in bland crunchiness. The spaghetti was a reasonable al dente, garnished with real cream and ham that didn’t come from a spam-like brick. The apple tart, despite its rich flavor, was clearly pre-prepared and served cold (something I wasn’t gaga about), but was saved by a strong, well brewed coffee. The pizza that my friend ordered appeared to be quite good, prepared brick-oven style. If you are into massive crusts soaked in oil, this is not the place.

The decor of the place was simple, yet refined, with few of the ostentatious gimmicks that usually plague relatively nicer Western restaurants. The outside patio is also a nice touch. Although the fact that part of it is continually overshadowed by parts of the Grand Gateway cantilevered above it, does detract from its overall feel. However, I must say that whatever drawbacks sitting on the deck may have (which I did during my visit), the attentive and helpful staff helped to bring some warmth to shady places.

user Claudster

Fri Mar 7th 2008

I was anxious to try the Xujiahui location because I liked te other location and this was easier for me to get to... Overall, the food quality is reliable and the restaurant is clean, however this location doesn't "feel" like the original. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that this place isn't even owned by the same person. The service was so-so. My waiter was really quite good... but most of the others were neither attentive nor professional... I witnessed at least one table get the wrong food delivered to them. If you put that aside... and you get what you ordered, the food quality is really good. Even if this location has a different owner, I'm sure they have the same supplier. The portions are ample and the prices are fair. I would recommend they splurge and get better balsamic vinegar - - but that's my only complaint on the food. The brick oven adds great flavor to the pizzas and the pastas are well cooked, "al dente". The pre-made ice cream dishes are really good too... I'd take the gelato there over Hagendaas any day! Buon apetito and enjoy!

user barbaramo

Thu Mar 6th 2008

Da Marco ......LO AMO! The best italian food in town. I go there very often.You can get 3sets for lunch and its very cheap.The size of the pizza is big and for that prize you can not get it anywere else(if we are talking about real italian food). I have tried most of the dishes and i can not complain about any single dish-buonissimo. The service is good as well,the people are very friendly and they care for clients. The Da Marco in east zhu an bang road has the real italian atmosfera and me myself like italian person i feel like at home there. I strongly recomend it to anyone who knows what is good italian food.