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0nella Lewis
via Google Last night, my family and I dined at Marzano in Oakland to celebrate my uncle’s 64th birthday. While the food itself was good, several aspects of the experience were unacceptable.
The first issue occurred when we informed our server that we were celebrating a birthday. We were told that the restaurant does not offer a birthday dessert, but that they would “put a candle on any dessert off the menu.” Given that this was a $450 dinner, this response was disappointing and unlike my experiences at comparable restaurants. While not mandatory, small gestures during celebratory occasions are common, and this set an unfortunate tone for the evening.
The more serious issue occurred at the end of the night. I quietly stepped away to pay the bill, which totaled approximately $450. I paid using my card and left a 6% tip (about $25), as I had cash on hand and fully intended to give our server, Mercy, an additional $20 in cash before we left.
Before I had any opportunity to do so, I was approached by a coworker of our server, Sarah, who directly questioned me about why I had left a 6% tip. I explained politely that I planned to leave additional cash for the server.
This interaction was pushy, unfair, and completely inappropriate. While tipping is customary, it is not required in California and is based on the customer’s service experience. Being confronted by staff about gratuity—especially during a private family celebration—was unprofessional and made me feel uncomfortable as a guest. Customers should never be questioned or pressured regarding tip amounts.
Although the food was good, this interaction overshadowed what should have been a meaningful family celebration and left a lasting negative impression of the restaurant. Being confronted about a tip reflects poorly on staff training and management oversight and is not an experience I would expect at an establishment of this caliber.
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Krishna Shahvia Google They have a vegan pizza and we were able to veganize the Brussels sprouts.
I wish they had more vegan options but I would rather a place have few vegan options than none.
Vegan pizza with the chillio oil and the brussel sprouts both were pretty good!
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Al Allenvia Google We made a reservation and traveled over 1,000 miles, round trip, to try this restaurant for a birthday dinner with a group of friends. First red flag was when I informed the “manager,” a person in a plain t-shirt, that my wife was celebrating a birthday, I was informed that they offered no birthday dessert to guests, but they were “happy to put a candle on any dessert off of our menu.” Since this was a $500 dinner, it is the first restaurant I have experienced this in, worldwide. The two servers at our table for six appeared to be learning, as another server was training them. When the Pizza Puttanesca was described as a “pizza made without cheese…” but was extremely strong without it, and “extra cheese” was recommended, I was stunned. So “extra cheese” was put on the order. The first overwhelming taste impression was salt. Portion size at the restaurant is petite. The meatballs were fine, but four were served, the size of quarters. The rigatoni was visibly blackened by the oven. The Malfadine pasta was almost too spicy, unnecessarily, with no mention of heat in the description. One dessert, served in a jar with chocolate and nuts, was the best item on the menu. An expensive and unevenly balanced experience that I cannot recommend. We will never return.
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Kiet Levia Google If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience, you have to check out Marzano! This amazing Italian restaurant is run by the talented Manna, an Eritrean woman who brings a unique twist to traditional Italian cuisine. The flavors are absolutely explosive—get ready for some delightful surprises as many dishes pack a spicy punch that will tantalize your taste buds!
Don't miss out on the must-try dishes: the octopus is a showstopper, the beet salads are refreshingly vibrant, and the meatballs are simply divine. And trust me, you can't go wrong with any of the white pizzas—they're all out of this world!
The atmosphere is welcoming, with servers who are not only professional but also incredibly friendly and attentive. It truly makes for a perfect spot to enjoy a night out with friends or family. I wholeheartedly recommend Marzano for a memorable culinary adventure!
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Robert Barnesvia Google Amazing Italian restaurant in Park BLVD Oakland. The chicken was perfectly balanced red sauce spicy traditional Italian. The Cod appetizer was small but delicious and the Marzano Chapped Salad was a pleasant surprise a blended salad with Chic pea, salami, broccoli, carrots, romaine, radish, egg, snap pea and pumpkin seeds. Had a great server. The overall experience was fantastic.
