Great service, great food, and a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. While I wouldn’t say the food is “authentic” Italian, it is certainly the only place in the area that has “traditional” Italian menu items. After only a few months of opening, this is easily my favorite restaurant in Evanston.
Amanda Lesher
Went here for lunch with my mom. The portions are a great size and the food was delicious. Our waitress was quick and on point for us. We even got a to go and we ordered it at the beginning, and received it with the bill... fresh and hot. Will be back!
Khloe Campbell
We were excited to see an Italian restaurant here but unfortunately, we weren't impressed. It wasn't very fresh; it tasted similar to leftovers that had been sitting in the fridge for a couple of days. However, the staff was extremely friendly. We probably won't be returning due to the food though.
Hillary Dunbar
Food was ok. My daughter got the noodles with Alfredo and those were fine. I ordered a Cuban sandwich and received a ham sandwich with no pork. (menu states this comes with pork and ham) I had asked the server about the pork, the cook chimed in told me there was no pork on the sandwich. When I mentioned reading the menu wrong, (I read it right) he said he was trying to get the sandwich changed to include pork. Can you just tell me you’re out of pork instead of lying about the menu?
Destiny Sloan
I was so excited to try this place. When our waitress sat us i asked what their soups were today. She shrugged and said " we think its cream of chicken. Were not really sure. The chef who made it last night isn't here..." i ordered the pasta/salad bar despite the unappealing mystery soup My pasta was hard and had been sitting out. Someone came and apologized. It wasn't a big deal, he was very nice but hard pasta is not worth $12.Then when it came time to pay I paid with my card and my friend put cash in for her part. When I got home I realized the waitress took the $16 cash as a tip and ran my card for both of our meals. I called and explained the mix up and the woman on the phone said "ugh well your waitress has already left......" Then silence..She seemed irritated and said she didn't know how to fix the problem and would leave a message for the manager. I've called over and over to be told each time they don't know how to fix it and have left a message for the manager.So in the end we paid around $40 for hard pasta, a sandwich and waters..
Tiffany Schmoll
Extremely disappointed! No way is this restaurant a 4.5. I was hoping the reviews were not true, so I took my family to try it out, it was the worst restaurant I have ever been too. We went a Saturday afternoon and there was hardly anyone there. The service was so slow; 20 minutes to get our drinks and another 40 to get informed why our food was taking so long(because they had to make more Chicken Parm- which when we got it was about 2 in x 3 in wide), all why the waitress just stood at the host stand, doing nothing. The food was not good- the main disappointment... My husband got veal and it was like chewing on a hockey puck; made us wonder if it was really veal. I got the Momma Mia- it was bland and boring, nothing special to write home about. A party of 6 came in half way through our meal and they all ordered the Momma Mia- soon the waitress came out to inform them 3 of them would need to change because they ran out of lasagna. What type of restaurant runs of out of lasagna 40 minutes after opening? Also, I was slightly disappointed that an Italian restaurant would not give you bread with your meal-- starting to wonder if the owners of this one have ever been to a Italian restaurant before. Unfortunately, I would have to say don't waste your money-- it's just not worth it.
Jennifer Randall
Well, I’m very conflicted on this review. My husband and I have reviewed more restaurants than we can count outsides of Evanston. But when we saw an Italian fine dining establishment right here in town we couldn’t wait to go try it! Unfortunately I am going to measure them to the quality of other restaurants with similar pricing in the surrounding cities and our travels. Now to start, just stay away from the salad bar, it’s an odd addition to an Italian eatery In their price range. I would strongly suggest an option of a house salad or a Greek salad and toss the idea of soup and salad bar. with the prices it just doesn’t work. if you would like to present as fine dining nix the poorly prepared one trip salad bar. Now as for the food, our appetizer was the best part of the meal, essentially a chopped/blended tomato and basil on raw mozzarella and a delicious toasted crisp bread. Now this could have used more basil because well flavor and senses are key, the balsamic glaze was really quite good. My dish and my husbands I can’t say too much about, it looked pretty, and that’s about it unfortunately. After LOTS of salt and pepper we were able to happily eat. The problem of this is for a $22 pasta dish I expect flavor already in the dish, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, Thyme and maybe some lemon given I orders the seafood pasta. It was lacking much in flavor beyond the pretty look, and it honestly hurts my heart to say my husbands raviolis were well… not the way you’d expect from a high end Italian restaurant, they seemed almost as if they came frozen pre stuffed with cheese and quickly boiled and covered in canned marinara sauce. Not even “churched” up canned marinara sauce, no added garlic or other seasonings just strangely bland, if I’m honest the entire dinner was bland. They use bottled ranch and other salad dressings at the salad bar. Heartbreaking for Italian lovers like ourselves. I wish I could go in and show them my favorite Italian recipes so we could have that on order. But instead we have an edible but over priced basic faux Italian. Looks pretty, tastes bland and the atmosphere was not the best as we were the only ones there. The sioux chef is an old friend of ours and is a really talented but I’m guessing it’s a follow the “recipe and cost cutting measures” and try to make it look pretty kind of place. I do hope they grow to be better, either lower the prices to reflect the food or raise the quality to reflect the prices.
K Luc
Very good. Bright atmosphere with an even brighter staff. Authentic Italian flavors and the endless pasta, soup, salad bar is definitely good value for the money!
Russ Cox
Wonderful food and fast delivery. My favorite is the lasagna.
Loni Bame Silver Hawk
If you are like me and have never had a butternut squash ravioli, you have got to get down there and try it!! So amazing ? what a delightful and wonderful dinner we had. The servers were fantastic and the food was even better!! Thank you Martinell's for joining our wonderful community and bringing some real authentic Italian food!!!
Great place com eat Italian food. They soup and salad bar all u can eat. What choice and other menu's are very good choice from too. Dinner time u need make reservations. Nice to have place in town come give them try............
Drew Millett
Had a wonderful dining experience! The chef came out explained menu items what paired well with each other. Also everything is made from scratch, soups change daily. Had the mama mia platter, and the crème brulée with the raspberry sorbet.
Yourlocalfoodjunkie
Came here with my wife, I had the hunters burger she had the Italian combo.... amazed at the wait staff and the freshness. Will definitely be returning
Piano with Mindee K. Olliff
Went here for lunch in it's opening week and I was EXTREMELY impressed!! So yummy, wonderful staff and a great central location!!!
Chelsey T
I have eaten here twice and my food was absolutely delicious both times!! The service was great and the owner was friendly and checked on us a few times. I highly recommend Martinelli's!
Great service, great food, and a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. While I wouldn’t say the food is “authentic” Italian, it is certainly the only place in the area that has “traditional” Italian menu items. After only a few months of opening, this is easily my favorite restaurant in Evanston.
Went here for lunch with my mom. The portions are a great size and the food was delicious. Our waitress was quick and on point for us. We even got a to go and we ordered it at the beginning, and received it with the bill... fresh and hot. Will be back!
We were excited to see an Italian restaurant here but unfortunately, we weren't impressed. It wasn't very fresh; it tasted similar to leftovers that had been sitting in the fridge for a couple of days. However, the staff was extremely friendly. We probably won't be returning due to the food though.
Food was ok. My daughter got the noodles with Alfredo and those were fine. I ordered a Cuban sandwich and received a ham sandwich with no pork. (menu states this comes with pork and ham) I had asked the server about the pork, the cook chimed in told me there was no pork on the sandwich. When I mentioned reading the menu wrong, (I read it right) he said he was trying to get the sandwich changed to include pork. Can you just tell me you’re out of pork instead of lying about the menu?
I was so excited to try this place. When our waitress sat us i asked what their soups were today. She shrugged and said " we think its cream of chicken. Were not really sure. The chef who made it last night isn't here..." i ordered the pasta/salad bar despite the unappealing mystery soup My pasta was hard and had been sitting out. Someone came and apologized. It wasn't a big deal, he was very nice but hard pasta is not worth $12.Then when it came time to pay I paid with my card and my friend put cash in for her part. When I got home I realized the waitress took the $16 cash as a tip and ran my card for both of our meals. I called and explained the mix up and the woman on the phone said "ugh well your waitress has already left......" Then silence..She seemed irritated and said she didn't know how to fix the problem and would leave a message for the manager. I've called over and over to be told each time they don't know how to fix it and have left a message for the manager.So in the end we paid around $40 for hard pasta, a sandwich and waters..
Extremely disappointed! No way is this restaurant a 4.5. I was hoping the reviews were not true, so I took my family to try it out, it was the worst restaurant I have ever been too. We went a Saturday afternoon and there was hardly anyone there. The service was so slow; 20 minutes to get our drinks and another 40 to get informed why our food was taking so long(because they had to make more Chicken Parm- which when we got it was about 2 in x 3 in wide), all why the waitress just stood at the host stand, doing nothing. The food was not good- the main disappointment... My husband got veal and it was like chewing on a hockey puck; made us wonder if it was really veal. I got the Momma Mia- it was bland and boring, nothing special to write home about. A party of 6 came in half way through our meal and they all ordered the Momma Mia- soon the waitress came out to inform them 3 of them would need to change because they ran out of lasagna. What type of restaurant runs of out of lasagna 40 minutes after opening? Also, I was slightly disappointed that an Italian restaurant would not give you bread with your meal-- starting to wonder if the owners of this one have ever been to a Italian restaurant before. Unfortunately, I would have to say don't waste your money-- it's just not worth it.
Well, I’m very conflicted on this review. My husband and I have reviewed more restaurants than we can count outsides of Evanston. But when we saw an Italian fine dining establishment right here in town we couldn’t wait to go try it! Unfortunately I am going to measure them to the quality of other restaurants with similar pricing in the surrounding cities and our travels. Now to start, just stay away from the salad bar, it’s an odd addition to an Italian eatery In their price range. I would strongly suggest an option of a house salad or a Greek salad and toss the idea of soup and salad bar. with the prices it just doesn’t work. if you would like to present as fine dining nix the poorly prepared one trip salad bar. Now as for the food, our appetizer was the best part of the meal, essentially a chopped/blended tomato and basil on raw mozzarella and a delicious toasted crisp bread. Now this could have used more basil because well flavor and senses are key, the balsamic glaze was really quite good. My dish and my husbands I can’t say too much about, it looked pretty, and that’s about it unfortunately. After LOTS of salt and pepper we were able to happily eat. The problem of this is for a $22 pasta dish I expect flavor already in the dish, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, Thyme and maybe some lemon given I orders the seafood pasta. It was lacking much in flavor beyond the pretty look, and it honestly hurts my heart to say my husbands raviolis were well… not the way you’d expect from a high end Italian restaurant, they seemed almost as if they came frozen pre stuffed with cheese and quickly boiled and covered in canned marinara sauce. Not even “churched” up canned marinara sauce, no added garlic or other seasonings just strangely bland, if I’m honest the entire dinner was bland. They use bottled ranch and other salad dressings at the salad bar. Heartbreaking for Italian lovers like ourselves. I wish I could go in and show them my favorite Italian recipes so we could have that on order. But instead we have an edible but over priced basic faux Italian. Looks pretty, tastes bland and the atmosphere was not the best as we were the only ones there. The sioux chef is an old friend of ours and is a really talented but I’m guessing it’s a follow the “recipe and cost cutting measures” and try to make it look pretty kind of place. I do hope they grow to be better, either lower the prices to reflect the food or raise the quality to reflect the prices.
Very good. Bright atmosphere with an even brighter staff. Authentic Italian flavors and the endless pasta, soup, salad bar is definitely good value for the money!
Wonderful food and fast delivery. My favorite is the lasagna.
If you are like me and have never had a butternut squash ravioli, you have got to get down there and try it!! So amazing ? what a delightful and wonderful dinner we had. The servers were fantastic and the food was even better!! Thank you Martinell's for joining our wonderful community and bringing some real authentic Italian food!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Great place com eat Italian food. They soup and salad bar all u can eat. What choice and other menu's are very good choice from too. Dinner time u need make reservations. Nice to have place in town come give them try............
Had a wonderful dining experience! The chef came out explained menu items what paired well with each other. Also everything is made from scratch, soups change daily. Had the mama mia platter, and the crème brulée with the raspberry sorbet.
Came here with my wife, I had the hunters burger she had the Italian combo.... amazed at the wait staff and the freshness. Will definitely be returning
Went here for lunch in it's opening week and I was EXTREMELY impressed!! So yummy, wonderful staff and a great central location!!!
I have eaten here twice and my food was absolutely delicious both times!! The service was great and the owner was friendly and checked on us a few times. I highly recommend Martinelli's!