Meet Marco Brown.
He’s witty, confident, and charismatic. He’s also the owner of Marcolino’s Italia in downtown Reno and for all intents and purposes, he just goes by Marco. From a lifelong dream to fully operational food trailer in 2022 and finally in April of 2023, taking its current landscape by the river, Marco has kept his tastes high in providing quality and tasty Italian food. “Being a frontman is what I’m good at. It’s all I’ve ever known," he says.
In chatting with Billy Green, Marco’s best friend & restaurant manager, he can affirm that Marco at his core is more of a “room service and limo” person, rather than a trailer guy. And with more than 37 years in fine dining—he means it.
Although his tendencies lean towards Italian gourmet, Marco has earned his green, white, and red stripes in the industry. Marco started his career as a dishwasher and now enjoys his name on the building.
And why settle on an Italian establishment? To be closer to his roots and well, because who doesn’t love a hearty Bolognese? As a kid, Marco recalls his grandparents (originally from Palermo, Sicily) barely speaking English but cooking food all day. Although he himself was born and raised in Danville, Calif., he makes it a priority to honor his roots through great food (and perhaps a greater personality).
Marco is all about the experience. While his wife of nearly 30 years, Lynette, was the one to originally encourage him to start a food trailer, he upped the ante by serving over 70 percent of his current menu, his gourmet menu, out of the trailer and not adapting quality for ease.
And now, Marcolino’s.
The intention and passion behind the menu and Marcolino’s suiting logo are true of its location as well. With a current capacity of about 40 people, Marcolino’s Italia is intimate. Upon being seated, it’s as if you’re stepping into a European cafe. Much of the menu is made in-house and the pasta is imported from Italy. There’s a little something on the menu for everyone with some do-not-skips including the fried ravioli and lasagna.
“My favorite is the Vodka Penne, and who doesn’t love bacon,” Marco admits. “But you also can’t go wrong with the Bolognese. Ours has beef and pork, It’s delicious.”
Marcolino’s is reasonably priced with generous portions, which is tricky when you want to try everything on the menu. Near the end of the meal, I had to find my spumoni stomach, just to make room for that extra cherry on top.
While reservations are recommended, if you’re not looking to wait, Marcolino’s offers catering, takeout, and is also on DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats.
Welcome to the team, and the family.
At Marcolino’s, it’s a team effort. From prep to service, it’s all hands on deck. Marco isn’t a typical fine dining restaurant owner. While the linens are white and the ambiance overlooking the river pristine, he is adamant there isn’t a dress code. It’s fine dining with incredible food (and service) without the stuffy. I can attest as I brought my 13-month-old ham hock of a baby alongside my husband and I to try the food. While we wined and dined, my son indulged in the rich & savory garlic bread.
The family-owned business is as warm as they come. Many of the menu items are named for family members. One of their most popular dishes—the lasagna—after Lynnie, his wife, and the garlic bread for his grandson, Benny. It’s no wonder there are repeat customers, as the food is filling and the experience seamless and joyous.
On an average night, you’ll see your two main servers, Marco and Billy, traversing seven stairs from the main dining area to the kitchen and bar back-and-forth with ease. They have a distinct way of handling their tables, too, through communication only honed from working with one another for over 20 years. Although they are juggling plates, eager customers, takeout pick-ups, and phone inquiries, they are both calm, collected, and dare I say, cool?
While Marco does wear a lot of hats, he also believes in letting folks do what they do best, which means he stays out of the kitchen. For your well-cooked chicken parm, you can thank Kassandra Tomasevic, who comes to Marcolino’s highly trained under Chef Gordon Ramsey from Hell’s Kitchen in Lake Tahoe. “We’re very blessed to have her,” says Marco.
More Marinara & More Marco To Come
With a great story, and loyal customers, Marcolino’s has been booming. Marco says expanding is in the works. Named Best New Restaurant by Reno’s Yelp in 2023, and nominated for other various awards, Marcolino’s Italia has seen the success Marco and his team not only dreamed up, but also grinded for.
Just as you’d see them in the restaurant, completely in sync: “I’m proud of what we’ve built as a team,” says Billy. Marco agrees, “There’s no end in sight.”
Business Info:
Marcolino’s Italia
254 W 1st St., Reno
(775) 800-1693
marcolinositalia.com
