Marzano Italian Restaurant

Marzano Italian Restaurant serves inspired Italian dishes built on handmade pastas, Northwest seafood and old-world braises. Chef-owner Elisa Marzano, who grew up in Vicenza, Italy, draws on those roots for a menu that is classic without feeling stuck in the past. The restaurant opened in 1988 in a former two-bedroom house and still keeps its rustic, home-like feel.

The dining room is small and intimate, a relaxed place to unwind after a busy day. It is open for dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations are highly recommended and often necessary on weekends and at peak times, and you can book online or by phone to speak with a person. Gift certificates are available. The restaurant sits in Parkland, Tacoma, next to Pacific Lutheran University.