They say Phoenix's greatest restaurants are found in strip malls and this is a prime example. A good friend took me here on a Monday night and we were greeted by the Italian husband and wife owners and shown all the fresh hand-made pasta specials of the evening. I chose the crimini infused pasta with crimini mushrooms, truffle oil and....magic! Caprese salad is the precursor to any italian meal and they have it perfected- adding roasted peppers. The suggested wine was incredible and the pasta left me speechless! It tasted just like the night in Rome when my new friend Fiorella took me on her vespa to the "restaurant where typical italians eat". I savored each bite at Marcellino just as I did in Rome!
It is a bit pricey, but worth every cent! I can't wait to go back!
P.S. I tried to incorporate the genius term "American Bastardization" into my yelp like Anne W, but couldn't get it to fit. The analogy Marcellino:Rome as Olive Garden:American Bastardization of Rome is my best attempt.