We were pleasantly surprised to find a West Hollywood restaurant that was quaint, felt like home, and still managed to have a celebrity frequent diner. Marco's Trattoria and Pizzeria in West Hollywood is a humble, yet romantic Italian restaurant that is as comfortable as it is exquisite. The night we dined, Clay from the ABC Hit Show American Idol was there with his family watching the performance he had just finished taping on television. It was a wonderful crowd, with all of the patrons (including myself and my food editor) cheering him on. That's the atmosphere at Marco's - warm, friendly and true to it's Italian family-style roots. However, if you are in the mood for a dim lighted romantic setting, there's also a place for you at Marco's.

Marco's West Hollywood has three affordable tasty house red wines (cabernet, merlot, burgundy), two whites (chardonnay, chablis) and a white zinfandel. A glass of wine is $4.00, a carafe is $18.00 and a half carafe is $9.00. Customers are welcome to bring their own wine for a small $5 cork fee.

Marco's also has the following beers: Moretti, Heineken, Corona, Amstel Light, Budweiser, Bud Light and Miller Genuine Draft. The import beers are $4.00 and the domestic are $3.00.

The special pasta dishes range from $9.95 or $10.95 and the house specialty soups are $3.95. On occasion, Marco's has risotto and fish (orange roughy, sole, tuna, etc.) on their evening specials as well as Hawaiian shrimps (Langustines). Their best selling dish is the spaghetti with meatballs, which Tommy Lasorda loved.  Vegetarians will love the Lasagna Fiorentina layered with ricotta cheese, spinach, carrots, fresh tomato sauce, & melted mozzarella cheese. For pizza lovers, I would recommend the Mama's Special White pizza which contains mozzarella, chicken, pesto sauce, fresh tomato. The most unique item on their menu is the Chicken Involtina, which is a chicken breast roll stuffed with asparagus, red & yellow peppers, mushroom and mozzarella, topped with Marsala sauce, served with roasted potatoes and side vegetables. This dish was surprisingly light and full of taste.

For dessert, don't miss the Zuccotto (Chocolate mousse and hazelnut mousse on top of a thin layer of cake coated with chocolate and hazelnut shaving). For more information on dining at Marco's (breakfast, lunch and dinner), visit their web site at www.marcoswesthollywood.com.

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In the evening, the patio facing Santa Monica Boulevard fills first and tables often are reserved. When we visited, singles, couples and parties were enjoying Insalata Mista, Caprese of buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil, housemade soups, personal pizza and spaghetti and meatballs. Welcome to Marco’s Trattoria and Pizzeria, in the Crescent Square strip mall in West Hollywood at Havenhurst Drive. Free parking is adjacent.

From the moment this unpretentious trattoria opened, it was a success, because the food is good, prices are low and service is friendly and efficient. Over the years, new dishes have been added as Capanni visits his native Florence for ideas.

Pizza is tailored by size, thickness and topping. Of the Specialty Pizzas, we especially liked Mama’s Special, a white pizza of mozzarella, chicken, pesto sauce and fresh tomato, best on a thin crust, from $7.95. Pizza Combo is a classic of sweet Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and red sauce, from $7.45.

There’s a long list of pastas (22) including homey spaghetti and meatballs, plump and tender in marinara sauce, and three kinds of lasagne with a vegetarian version layering shiitaki, oyster, portobello and button mushrooms, pink sauce and mozzarella, from $6.95. Bruschetta al pomodoro, redolent of garlic, and warm focaccia accompany pasta and entrees.

The expert handling of chicken, veal and seafood is a tribute to Capanni’s well-conceived recipes and a capable kitchen. Chicken Involtina (recipe given), with an asparagus, sweet pepper and mushroom filling, in Mushroom Marsala sauce, is served with roasted potatoes, herbed carrots and zucchini for color and flavor, at $10.75. Spaghetti Marinara accompanies most entrees such as Chicken Picatta or Veal Parmigiana, from $10.75.

Desserts go from apple pie to zabaglione. To be sure, there’s spumoni and tiramisu, but Zuccotto is more unusual. Chocolate icing coats chocolate and hazelnut mousse on a thin cake layer for this Italian delicacy, at $4.

California house wine is available, at $4 a glass, but with a $5 corkage fee, some people bring their favorite wines.

Marco’s Trattoria and Pizzeria is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 8136 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. Call 323-650-2771.

Published on October 31, 2003    The Beverly Hills Courier