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Maria's Front Room
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
215 W 9 Mile RdFerndale, MI 48220
Neighbourhood: Downtown Ferndale
(248) 542-7379
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
45 reviews for Maria's Front Room
Review Highlights
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"...my faves, but the spinach tortellini is also great, though..." In 4 reviews -
"...while Derek had Eggplant Parmesan, his favorite Italian..." In 4 reviews -
"The lobster ravioli and lasagna are scrumptious." In 3 reviews
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45 reviews in English
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Review from Valerie G.
Ferndale, MI
5/8/2011 ROTD 1/25/2012
I had been to Maria's under the previous ownership- and was mostly happy until they put canned mushrooms on my chicken marsala.
I've been a few times now under new ownership, and I can attest to the food being quite good. The bread that they bring out before your meal is highly addictive. They have a nicely balanced menu of Italian dishes - although I feel their appetizer menu is lacking a bit. The house salad is a bed of greens with cranberries, blue cheese and walnuts - quite fab. The wine list has something for everyone. Portions are also large and hot!
The only inconsistency I've experienced is with service. I definitely get good service more often than bad, but it would be unfair to say that it's been consistenly great.
I'll be back.Listed in: It's a Beautiful Day in the…
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Review from Joe B.
2/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Before the renovation, Maria's was little to rave about...sorry to say that, though the walls may have had a fresh coat of paint, not much else has changed. When we arrived on Saturday evening the house was almost entirely full but we were sat immediately. The service was fairly decent and at one point the manager or owner (he didn't introduce himself) stopped by our table to ask how everything was (which always adds a touch of class to an evening out on the town).
The food was OK but nothing I couldn't get at Olive Garden for a fraction of the price. We started with drinks...a martini for the lady and Crowne and cola for me. Out of Crowne, not an issue, they offered me Maker's Mark which is always a step in the right direction anyways. For the app I ordered their Calamari, my go-to, but I was disappointed. The two very best calamari dishes I've ever had, I've had in Ferndale, and this was unfortunately a far cry. The squid was all rings and sadly no tentacles, the breading was crispy and not oily (a good sign) but the meat itself was really chewy. The accompanying dip was a creamy tomato sauce served chilled, which threw the dish off a bit more in my opinion.
For the entrees, I ordered her the salad and Veal Marsala with side of pasta in red sauce and for myself, the Italian Wedding soup and Chicken Marsala with mixed veggies. I liked my soup and her salad was also nice. We each tried one another's entrees and I've gotta say that whether it's Americanized Italian cuisine or not, we really enjoyed our main courses. Her veal was mildly beefy and tender, the mushrooms seemed fresh and the sauce was silky. My chicken was even more tender although I would choose the flavor of the veal after having tasted hers. My veggies were firm and sauteed in garlic and olive oil - very tasty while her spaghetti in red sauce was fairly basic. We took an order of Tiramisu home and ate it later which was so so - the taste of rum was heavy which I like.
I think our tab was $64 for the two drinks, one app, both entrees and dessert. In retrospect it seems a little high for the actual meal we experienced but my girlfriend enjoyed dinner quite a bit so we'll be back. -
Review from Shiny J.
Troy, MI
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Let me start by saying the food should get a 4 star but I am subtracting 1 star for not having a wheelchair accessible bathroom, and another star for a ranch and no heat incident.
I met two friends here for a girls night out. I ordered the chicken diablo which was pretty good except it tasted like it had alot of oil/butter in it, but it was edible. I love the fresh warm bread they bring out to your table...very good! My friend ordered a shrimp primavera dish and the other friend ordered chicken parm.
My friend that had the chicken parm said they chicken was wayyyyy too thick. It looked like it had been pumped up on hormones a few times. My friend that had the shrimp primavera said it was delicious. So I guess it depends on how much seasoning/butter/oil you like in your food.
They have a few seats as a bar, there are no lower seats for wheelchair seating. The tables are very close together because of the small space of the restaurant. Our waitress was trying to clean up the table next to ours when she dropped an entire bowl of ranch dressing and it went all over my friends suede coat, in the hair of my other friend and a small amount on my shirt. She apologized and brought us a dirty rag from the back to wipe ourselves off. We didn't let it ruin our night but I thought they could have compensated us with something. The owner and the waitresses are all nice there and I appreciate a nice hostess.
Since we were still there near the end of the night they had turned off the electric heaters, I guess to encourage us to move along. We hadn't recognized it was 10 mins past their closing time until we all grabbed for our coats to keep warm.
Overall, the food is ok but I was soemwhat disappointed in a few events that happened like the ranch and no heat! -
Review from Sara G.
1/1/2012
Actual review: 3.5 stars.
Maria's is the old Italian grandmother down the street who envelops you in a big hug every time you visit. She ushers you into the kitchen and plops you into a chair. Next thing you know, Louis Prima is rockin' out of the speakers, a ginormous plate of pasta suddenly appears in front of you and grandma is going into great detail about how smart and handsome her grandson is.
For a mid-priced Italian restaurant, Maria's isn't bad. The space itself is quaint, intimate and low-lit (some would say 'romantic'). The service is very friendly and prompt. The minute you're seated, you are greeted with their signature item: the big wheel o' garlic bread. Oh heavens...! It's hot, it's doughy and slightly cheesy with olive oil drizzled on top. It takes up the whole plate. You will fight your dining companion(s) for the last piece. No matter, your wait person will bring more if you ask!
They stick to the basics both meat and pasta-wise, but they do a good job with it. The portions are mama-begging-you-to-keep-eating-so-you-do big. Enough for another meal or two, easily. You can add things like melted mozz or 'shrooms or meatballs to your pasta for a few more bucks.
They have a liquor license now so all kinds of libations can be enjoyed with your meal. But, like the restaurant that surrounds me, I prefer to stick with the basics and get my customary bottle of red wine.
Some things they could do better: crack some fresh pepper onto your salad, grate some fresh parm or romano over your pasta. The pre-ground pepper and parm shakers are so Every Pizza Joint. I would also love to see a few more adventurous entrees on the 'specials' rotation.
Still, we quite enjoyed our leisurely NYE dinner. I think our bellies were full about halfway through the meal. They let us linger a bit longer to finish our bottle of wine. Nice to know that simple Italian comfort food can be had right in my own backyard. -
Review from John S.
White Lake, MI
5/23/2012
Ate here with the family, overall the food was Ok, nothing special. I had the spaghetti, with meat sauce. I didn't really care for the sauce, although it wasn't bad, just not to my personal taste. Nice waitress, and staff. You do get a very large portion, which I think makes up for it being a little bit on the pricey side just for pasta, but you will have leftovers for lunch the next day.
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Review from Joey J.
10/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
At the end of Gooodfellas, Henry Hill loudly expounds that the worst part about being in the witness protection program was the pasta he found across the country was ketchup and noodles. Who knew Henry Hill was in the witness protection program in fabulous downtown Ferndale?
I'm not Italian, nor do I have an Italian grandmother. But the sauce recipe (made from cans) that my Swedish grandmother taught me blew their Spaghetti Puttanseca out of the water. I ordered the Puttanesca because I was in the mood for something spicy and pasta combined. But it wasn't spicy and the marinara was watery with nary an ounce of tomato flavor. I'd hate to see how it stacks up to a real Italian grandmother. The lady fared much better with her order of the veal marsala. The meat was properly cooked and the sauce complemented it well. But it wasn't mind melding either. We also split a Caesar salad, and it was much like the marsala. Decent, but I've gotten better for less money before.
The food here isn't my thing, but the grain of salt I'd offer up is that I come from a long line of people with -son at the end of their last names instead of vowels. But my two cents is there's better Italian restaurants just a short drive away. -
Review from Dana S.
Ferndale, MI
4/22/2012
I am disappointed. When the new owner took over I had a conversation with him about what a perfect spot and amazing opportunity to take this place to the level that it should be. With the only other Italian choice near us being La Dolce Vita, which is a bit pricier, he has a somewhat captive audience. Then I ate the food and found that it was one of those meals that you think they might have had an off night because it wasn't awful but it wasn't good. So, when my sister in law picked this place for her engagement party, I thought...great, another chance to try it out. They had family style service and at the time i was a Veg so the only thing I could eat was the salad & the Pesto Spinach Tortellini w/pine nuts. I have to say that if you put enough cream, butter & pasta in a dish & add pine nuts & pesto...I'm going to love it. But I want to eat something delicious because it's delicious, not because it's swimming in caloric goodness. So, here we are several months later and we have some http://restaurant.com bucks left from a gift cert we bought a long time ago. We chose Maria's. I have to say with some sadness that I will not be back unless the owner takes a serious taste of what he is serving and decides to make some drastic changes in that kitchen! You do not have to spend a lot of extra money for fresh local ingredients. There was just an article about Eastern Mkt in The Week mag ( a national mag!) that praised the place. Dude...get in your car...go downtown and do it right! Throw your canned mushrooms and sauce away and PLEASE have your Chef refresh his/her skills. Do you really want to just skate by with diners who just "like" your food or do you want to blow it out and make a mark! I wish I had a chance like that...I know what I would do. I don't even mind the tacky old decor or the looped Frank Sinatra music that plays EVERY TIME I have been there. Bottom llne...its the FOOD!
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Review from Matt D.
Royal Oak, MI
12/15/2011
Christina and I went here last Wednesday on a http://restaurants.com coupon. $1 got us $25. I was tired and not feeling super talkative. We were seated at the front corner table by the space heater guarding against gusts from the occasionally opening door.
I ordered a bottle of Bud for $3.50 and Christina got a glass of house white for $5. Then they arrived with a circle of fried dough, garlic, butter, parm and grease. It looked like it was bad for you, but that grease also gives it an irresistible sheen. So we dug in and the dough dropped to the bottom of our stomach like a stone.
I ordered Chicken Marsala, which came with a house salad. Christina ordered a pasta dish with shrimp and veg. Don't quote me, but I think they called it "diablo".
House salad came drowning in ranch. Those mixed field greens were doomed. Wish I'd ordered my dressing on the side like the lady across from me had. If you'd blended the contents of the salad the color of the resulting smoothie would be an off white with just a greenish hue; and it would taste like shit.
The chicken marsala came with a side of spaghetti with marinara sauce. You know how they do in the old school. I should've ordered the side pasta without sauce because then I could've mixed it in with the marsala. The marsala was the reason they get a second star. It was sweet, but I expected that and the chicken was cooked correctly and had a nice coat of brown on it.
Christina's pasta dish only had 3 shrimp. They were butterflyed to give the impression of more on the plate, but we weren't buying it. She liked the taste. My question was, "What taste?" There was another glistening pool of grease at the bottom of this dish, but it didn't provide the same "eat me" effect the complimentary fried dough ring did.
With the coupon we got out the door for around $28. A good deal, but the food we had displayed very little culinary skill. So many people think if you oil and butter the hell out of your food it'll taste good. Maria, I disagree. -
Review from Tom L.
As an Italian boy who grew up eating Italian food in Marie's front room, this evening stop had a lot to live up to! My fiance and I have driven by the Front Room a hundred times and never stopped. That all changed earlier this week in a blissful hour of cheese, pasta, wine, sauce, cheese and more sauce...and it was glorious.
In all seriousness, I have a high bar for Italian. Growing up in a Sicilian family, the Christmas holiday had a ham but was more importantly graced by penne with meat sauce, calamari, and delicious homemade Italian sausage...not to mention the cannoli, my favorite part of any good Sicilian meal! So, as with any Italian meal, I entered this dining experience with an open, if skeptical mind.
Our meal started out promising with a prompt seating in this quaint little eatery and the informative admission that house wines were half off by the glass. Wonderful news! I ordered a glass of Malbec, and was impressed by the service. The wines are kept in the cellar and were overly chilled the waitress earned extra points when she notified me of this and suggested I select something that had appropriately acclimated to the climate of the room...a tasty cab was a nice second choice.
After drinks were settled, we moved onto the culinary delights. My lock, stock and smoking barrel for an Italian dining experience is lasagna. Either because of my early Italian roots or my infatuation with Garfield as a child, Lasagna was the beginning and the end for me. And, I found the experience up to par! But, before I go there, I have to talk about the bread.
The table was garnished with what can only be referred to as Italian Naan. The delicious round flat bread that was baked to crispy perfection with ample butter that was pooled on top and made the perfect medium for delicious Parmesan cheese. It was wonderful. I'm pretty sure we fought over the last bite! Though it was not pretty, I'm happy to say that I was victorious. Back to the lasagna.
The lasagna came out with a heaping amount of sauce. It was the perfect sized slice filled with rich mozzarella and well cooked pasta. Even after being baked with cheese and sauce, the pasta held up and acted as the perfect vehicle for the delicious flavors that graced it. The meat sauce was very much in the spirit of what I grew up on. There were not a lot of ancillary flavors, but delicious Italian herbs and the delicious au jous from the beef that was sauteed in it. It was delicious. I've had a few poor experiences with Italian food in the past year, but this was incredible!
My fiance ordered a delicious chicken dish, the Pollo Tosca which was a wonderful lemon butter and mushroom sauce over egg-battered chicken. It was delicious that night, and for lunch the following day! The portion size was significant but not overwhelming. At the end of the evening, both of us were quite full and had to forgo dessert...a reason to return!
This was a great experience. The service was spot on, the food was delicious, the ambiance was not fantastic, but was humorously fitting for an Italian diner. And, the size was just right. Call ahead as seating is pretty limited, and even on a Thursday night, started filling up. This was a great experience. We'll certainly be back! Next time, the veal is in my target lens...I'm coming for you! -
Review from Sinead t.
Ferndale, MI
1/5/2012
I really wanted to like this place. It's within walking distance of my house, and I do love me some old school, comforting Italian fare once in a while. The food was decent, but my biggest complaint was that everything we ordered (except for the salad, which was overflowing the tiny plate it was served on and absolutely drenched in salad dressing) was overwhelmingly greasy. I ordered the spinach tortellini, not a low fat dish to begin with, and I'm ok with that. But it was literally dripping with what seemed to be cheap, flavorless olive oil.
The one good thing I can say about Maria's is that the wait staff was very friendly and accommodating, and the complimentary garlic bread was a nice touch. But when it comes right down to it, I was so grossed out by the amount of oil slathered all over everything that I don't think I'll be back. -
Review from Jean P.
1/5/2011
Our first visit to Maria's was with a very large group, right after a friend's wedding (it was sort of a small reception). I must say right off the bat that despite the size of our group and the fact that the place was packed, the service was VERY attentive. They certainly kept my wine glass full! To look at the place, I would never imagine bringing a large group there but they handled our evening just perfectly.
I got a linguine with clam sauce, and the sauce was a bit thicker and stickier than I usually like but the flavor was so good that I ate every bite! And that is no small feat because the portions were very generous - hey man, I like to carbo load. My husband got a grilled fish with steamed vegetables (what a good boy) and it was REALLY good - I'm usually pretty obsessed with pasta but I'd order that on a future visit! It was also a very large portion.
While we were waiting for our food, a group of musicians (mostly trumpets, I think) came in and asked the manager if they could play a few Christmas carols. The waitress went back to ask the manager and came out and told them no...but our "wedding reception" table REALLY wanted to hear some Christmas carols so we begged the manager to let them play...and he did! That was COOL!!!! Very nice of the manager to accommodate us, we got to hear two beautiful carols and it was a highlight of the evening.
Prices were very reasonable considering the quantity and quality of the food and wine. I love the cozy atmosphere too. Very nice place, I definitely want to go back soon! -
Review from Nickie P.
3/23/2011
I've been here three times so far, and my meals have been great every time! Last night I had the pasta diablo, which was very yummy (although not as spicy as they say it is! I need more spice!) and last time, we had the spinach tortellini, which was also fantastic.
Maria's is everything I could want from a good meal: good service, good food, and good wine. The atmosphere is quiet and romantic, and a great place to go for a special occasion.
Oh! And the bread, can't forget that! Amazing. -
Review from Cate W.
Ferndale, MI
9/20/2010
My sister and brother-in-law just came to visit last weekend, so Ben and I had to figure out how best to show off our new 'hood. We decided on Maria's, because my brother-in-law is a big fan of Italian (as is Ben), and we wanted to eat on Nine Mile, in the heart of the art fair. Well, we had a good time! Maria's was delicious, if a bit pricey, but so what?! Apparently the Recession ended in June 2009, so who am I to complain?
We ordered glasses of wine, a good sampling from their menu, while Ann and I both had the Pesto pasta with sundried tomatos, mushrooms and jumbo shrimp. So very yum. Ben had the cannollini (sp?) in a marinara sauce, stuffed with ricotta, ground veal, spinach, and mushrooms, while Derek had Eggplant Parmesan, his favorite Italian dish to try; all were happy and satisfied.
The portions were large, the service was pleasant. A delicious salad with blue cheese and crasins (I think) came with the pasta, although Ben and Derek opted for Minnestrone and Italian Wedding soup, respectively. Ann and I had leftovers, probably because of the buttery/cheesy/garlicy bread that came while we waited for our suppers. The menu, all in all, looked pretty great, so I'll be happy to go back. The bill for four, plus a glass of wine all around, pre-tip, was approximately $100, so it's a good place for a special meal out, but by no means a "I just don't feel like cooking" joint. Thank you, Maria's! -
Review from Stephanie C.
Ferndale, MI
8/15/2010
Maria's had always been a favorite spot of mine in downtown Ferndale. It's the sort of place I've been taken on first dates, holiday dinners and it was the spot I remember taking my parents when I chose my apartment and moved out on my own - without roommates - for the first time. It has some significance.
So when it closed and reopened under new ownership, the town was buzzing about changes. I'm glad to report the menu and quality is still top-notch at Maria's Front Room.
I had a chance to stop in yesterday for dinner with a friend. We indulged in the warm crusty garlic bread I remembered well, the house salad and I opted for a simple pasta dish with sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and red pepper flakes for a dash of heat.
But I kept an eye out for old favorites. Eggplant Parmesan is still intact as was Lobster Ravioli in cream sauce and Pollo ala Francese. The decor has been updated and the staff is almost too attentive. We felt very well taken care of, I'm glad to say. -
Review from toni b.
Royal Oak, MI
7/3/2010
Well, 3.5 stars really??? Apparently no one that reviews on yelp has had good Italian food. I am 100% Italian and this food is not good. I mean it is edible, but honestly when it costs $40 for 2 pasta entrees I expect a little greater quality.
I have eaten here twice, first time I had the eggplant parmesan which was actually ok but came with their jarred sauce they use for all of their dishes. Their red sauce shows no semblance of fresh ingredients. The second time I had the Italian wedding soup and the pesto pasta and my husband had the salad and the lasagna. Again, everything was frozen and jarred not fresh. If u have pesto and you can't taste the basil there is a huge problem.
I honestly have had better food at olive garden for a more reasonable price.
Edible, but not good....ambiance sucks....the place looks dirty....and finally way over priced. -
Review from Amber H.
Ferndale, MI
1/14/2009
Oh Maria's is back open, alright - and it SUCKS. Sorry, had to be said.
I never had the pleasure of dining there before they closed and reopened under new ownership (The same people who own Nami Sushi - just a little further east on 9 mile - now own Maria's). We went soon after it reopened and I was eager to try the food I heard so many great things about.
We waited nearly 45 minutes for our food. I think that it was because my husband ordered the lasagna - his food, although bland, came out piping hot. My and our friend's food was cold, probably because it was sitting under a light while the lasagna cooked. I normally wouldn't mind waiting - but they also have no liquor license. So I had no booze to keep me company while I waited.
Hmmm - something good to say? The complimentary flat bread was good. We should have just had that as our appetizer, because the bruchetta that we ordered, also sucked.
Needless to say, I will not be going back for a long while. -
Review from Ken Z.
Rochester, MI
12/11/2010
Had not been to Maria's since it reopened under new owners. Finally, ate at Maria's a couple of weeks ago and been meaning to Yelp it. So here goes.
After being seated, our waiter took our drink order and said bread would be right out. Not that we asked for it.
5 minutes later or more, drinks arrived, but no bread. Odd only since he said it would be right out and we were expecting a half loaf of day-old, crusty, Italian, sliced thick.
A few minutes later and our server returned to take our order - still no bread. I don't recall if it was on this trip or the previous one that he apologized for the delay in bread. How hard can it be to cut a loaf of bread?
A few minutes later, the bread arrived and we now understood the delay. A piping hot, seasoned, round disk of dough (similar in shape/size to a personal size pizza) arrived in all its glory. Perhaps topped with garlic butter? Either way, it disappeared quickly and the carb love was in full effect. I would return just for the bread.
Likewise, the side salads that came with the entrees were fantastic. Fresh greens, bits of walnuts, cranberries, and a house dressing. Comes with bleu cheese - I ordered without and croutons appeared on my salad instead. The house dressing is not overly biting nor overpowering like the house at many Italian restaurants.
My companion had the Pollo Tosca ($14.95) and quite enjoyed it. I had the Spinach Tortellini ($13.95) which the server recommended. Came in a pesto cream sauce which I thought had zero pesto flavor and made the dish a bit gluey. The dish wasn't bad - rather just so-so. I would order something else next time.
Service was very good including the right amount of attention. -
Review from Heatherleigh N.
Detroit, MI
8/28/2009
Since starting to work in the neighborhood, I've gotten pretty familiar with this place. What I love is that they have aMAZing customer service, which is pretty rare to begin with, but it even extends to their take out customers, not just dine-in clients. Every time we walk in we are immediately greeted, never have to wait to be seated or served, and have never had a less than lovely experience. The margherita pizza and the griled chicken and walnut salad are my faves, but the spinach tortellini is also great, though you'll need a nap after it.
They're not always open for lunch, which is my only complaint, but otherwise, this place is wonderful in every way. -
Review from Nikki L.
Pleasant Ridge, MI
2/7/2010
Maria's food is consistently great. The ambiance is perfect for a quiet, romantic dinner, but it's also suitable for a group of friends.
The food tastes like it should cost $25 a plate, but the prices are much more reasonable. The lobster ravioli and lasagna are scrumptious! And the bread...ohhh the bread! It's soft and includes just the right amount of butter and garlic.
The patio in the summer is a bonus! -
Review from Sarah M. B.
Detroit, MI
3/19/2008
Faux Italian at it's finest, folks!
Aside from it being impossible to get a parking spot anywhere near the restaurant on a weekend...it's also a little pricy for what you get.
The bread and salad were fantastic, which is why I had high hopes for my 15.95 chicken marsala. I was quite dissapointed when my dish came with a thick 'fake' marsala sauce and CANNED mushrooms. For 15.95 seeing the canned mushrooms really pissed me off. The chicken was also a little tough. My friends spicy marinana pasta was also a dissapointment. Lasagna looked good, but anything covered in melted cheese does!
Tiramisu was also great...bottom line this is a hit or miss place...one dish might be great and another could seriously lack. I was late for a party dinner there so didn't get a chance to check out the wine list... -
Review from Scott M.
Ferndale, MI
7/1/2009
I stopped by Maria's for a late dinner.
The atmosphere was nice and the staff was very friendly. My salad was great, the flatbread was strange but good, and the baked manicotti was good, but a little bit heavy on the melted cheese.
They just got their liquor license and have a fairly decent wine selection, as any Italian restaurant should.
A nice, quiet Italian restaurant in Ferndale as opposed to the loud chaos that is Como's. -
Review from o o.
Ann Arbor, MI
12/20/2007
Updated 4.8.8
Closed..... the owners retired.... children did not want to take it over.
Nice, local Italian restaurant. Food is good although nothing to write home about. Offers Italian classic fair such as pastas, pizzas, and chicken dishes. I get the pizza --- you have a choice of square or round. I like the square done crispy. They only offer one house red and a white - no beer. Good for average Italian fair. -
Review from Bruce S.
Novi, MI
8/26/2007
Very small, intimate location - maybe 10-15 tables.
Food was absolutely delicious, service was superb, price was reasonable.
The house Sangria (red wine) was tasty.
Nothing to complain about really, nor nothing to really scream from the rooftop about. 4 stars. -
Review from Cynthia T.
Ferndale, MI
I used to love Maria's, but now like the booty call from an ex-boyfriend it continues to disapoint in both service & product. Been waiting nearly an hour for my food - with nary a waitperson in sight . Love the bread , unfortunately not much else to love here.
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Review from Jonathan G.
Ferndale, MI
3/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
The new Maria's Front Room has hit its stride, keeping pace with the original restaurant's legacy. Great, veggie-friendly, fairly inexpensive Italian dining; the atmosphere's always varied and inclusive with the friendliest staff. Great place to unwind and get drunk whilst enjoying a good meal. Up the punx.
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Review from Rhonda L.
Southfield, MI
1/15/2011
The bread was awesome !!!! I ordered a chicken/ asparagus dish which was great . My friend did a classic spaghetti entee with marinara sauce which was okay at best. The place was packed, which says it all in this economy. I suggest you make reservations although they did fit us in.
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Review from B C.
Warren, MI
8/7/2010
Really, there is no reason I can think of why I shouldn't give this place 5 stars..
As soon as I walked in, I was greeted and sat right away. Our waiter was prompt and attentive. The bread you get before your meal was so delicious! I ordered Spaghetti Puttanesca and it was delightful on my taste buds. (This is a dish I've mastered myself, and love to try it at various restaurants to compare, and this one was quality!) You get soup or salad with your entree, and smartly the waiter asked if I was vegetarian because the soups were made with beefstock. Being a vegetarian, I was impressed he thought to ask, and thought that was considerate. So I opted for the house salad, which was outstanding. It was mixed greens topped with cranberries and nuts. Nice change from your typical house salad. He even asked if I wanted bleu cheese. And
whatever dressing they use, I want it to put on my salads at home. So good!
My friend ordered chicken parmigiana and enjoyed his meal as well.
The price was definitely decent. Not too expensive, but not cheap either. It tastes like it would cost more though.
The atmosphere is interesting. To describe it I would say, art deco meets old country italy with a modern twist. Good lighting, which is always important for me. Also, the music is pleasant and distant so you can have a quiet conversation if you'd like.
Next time I'm craving some delicious Italian food, I'll have Maria's as one of my top choices to go to. -
Review from Stephanie H.
Ferndale, MI
1/14/2011
Meh is right. I love the bread and salad here but that is about it. I got the Italian sausage appetizer. They were greasy and over cooked. With marinara sauce on top. The service was terrible, but I guess that 's what you get when you dine alone. When I was done I literally had to get up and go tap my server on the shoulder because he was sitting at the bar reading a newspaper. He didn't check on me or ask how things were. That was my last time here and I won't be back.
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Review from Sandra B.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
6/17/2010
I always drive past this place on my way to the Blue Nile, and everytime, I say I want to try it. Last night, I finally did try it while out for a ladies night out with two of my favorite people. We were drawn in by the 50% off wine on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (Note: that is half off house wine only). Their bread was a flatbread that tasted like pizza crust with olive oil and garlic - it was actually pretty good. For an Italian place, the bread could have been better, but not bad.
I had their Italian Wedding soup, and the other two ladies with me ordered Ministrone. Both were very good.
For dinner, I ordered Eggplant Parmesan (one of my favorite dishes of all time), and it really hit the mark. It was definately one of the better versions of the dish that I have ever had. It was layered like lasagna and it held together perfectly. It was not served with pasta which was ok by me, but that might be an issue for some people.
They also had ravoli stuffed with meat - most places tend not to carry it with meat.
We sat out on the patio which is in the back. It is a little small but very nice atmosphere. With all of the food, I have 3 glasses of their house cab - excellent wine for $2.50 a glass! We were there well past closing time but no one ever asked us to leave or even told us they were closed. They just let us enjoy our evening. More places should be like this. I am so glad I finally tried this place - I will definately be back.Listed in: Viva Italia!!!
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Review from natalie r.
Ferndale, MI
7/30/2010
My boyfriend and I went there for one of our very first dates. It was super cute inside and the food we had was wonderful. It's almost been a year but the one other time we tried to go there they had closed earlier than we thought so it was our bad. I can't wait to go back.
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Review from Kelly F.
Hazel Park, MI
6/14/2011
I was sad when Maria's closed, and then excited when it reopened under the new owner. I'm back to sad. We shall start at the beginning. The bread. It used to be wonderful - it's now run of the mill. There's a difference in the texture and the taste. It's just not nearly as good. I ordered penne with jumbo shrimp in a butter/lemon sauce. I chose salad instead of the soup - of which there were two choices - Minestrone and Italian Wedding. My dinner partner did really enjoy the Italian Wedding soup. My salad would have been okay if it hadn't been for the disgusting dressing. If you do go DO NOT GET the rasberry vinaigrette. It tastes like cheap chinese sweet and sour sauce. Perhaps the other dressings are better. My entree had three shrimp in it - though they were very very big shrimp. They were fine. The sauce was under-seasoned and didn't seem either buttery or lemony. The pasta was way overcooked to the point of mush. It was sad. The one good thing was the Tiramisu. It was good without any caveats. I think it will be a fairly long time before I try them again.
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Review from juston m.
2/9/2011
i really wanted to like maria's.
one of my friends in high school's grandparents owned maria's all those many years ago and i have fond memories of them treating my friends to free dinners.
i always, always ordered the spinach tortellini in pesto sauce. i heard that the new owners where attempting to keep the old menu and update it. so with that in mind, this was the same dish i ordered while at maria's on a cold saturday night. i wasn't too impressed. first the sauce was too overpowering. way too much cream and way too little pesto. the pasta did not seem to be homemade nor was it spinach flavored. the worst was the pine nuts were burnt. that taste was the horrible leftover flavor in my mouth for the rest of the evening. i only ate half. and this girl is not a shrinking violet when it comes to food.
i was not impressed with the quality of the food in relation to the price either.
i have to say when i walked in i preferred the old decor, which took the small space and made it seem more enclosed and romantic. now with the open feel it seemed cramped and cold to me.
on a happy note i was impressed with the hostess (with cute baby clinging to her breast). she was very nice and quick. the bread was piping hot and the salad was a surprise (although looked like it had been thrown on the plate). but, bread and salad a meal do not make.
also--small note to the waitstaff. reaching over people and actually throwing down plates to the point where they make a noise on the table is not a way to make a first impression. slow down a little.
love juston -
Review from Bradford P.
Pleasant Ridge, MI
1/6/2010
Went there last week on date night. Food is excellent, owners come by and say hi, wines are very tasty. Very relaxing, good Italian music, good food. Owners have kids in Ferndale schools and do a lot for the district as well. What else can you ask for?
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Review from Paul C.
Beverly Hills, MI
2/21/2009
Ate here a couple of years ago, and have been meaning to get back ever since; spectacularly good Italian food, right down to the home made wine served with meals.
Sadly, the original owners have retired, and although the new owners have chosen to keep the name, they apparently didn't keep the recipes and didn't bother learning the cooking techniques required. No liquor license yet, so the wine is gone - probably for the best, since winemaking takes some skill. Overcooked pasta, badly overused marinara sauce that's obviously from a can slopped thickly onto everything, lukewarm soft drinks, commercially prepared deserts and slow service all came together and left me...not exactly wretched, but certainly unwilling to go back again.
The place was packed with old customers who were confused over the lack of booze, menu changes and change of ownership, and judging from overheard conversations not many of them were able to muster any enthusiasm, either.
The new owners have made a mistake keeping the old name and not the old quality. They should have made a clean break. They will never be able to live up to expectations created by the original owners, and the run-of-the-mill Americanized version of Italian cooking they're selling can be gotten out of a can or frozen box at any supermarket. -
Review from A N.
Detroit, MI
12/15/2009
Bottom line: Maria's is hit or miss.
The waitress was friendly and prompt, no complaints at all there.
The bread was excellent; the two of us devoured the whole thing before dinner arrived, and even ordered another. Salads were great - the walnuts, raisins, spinach and house dressing complemented each other very well.
Lobster ravioli is a superb choice, and was creamy, rich and delicious. The ravioli were large enough to be filling, and we even ended up taking some home.
Avoid the veal picatta. It was horrible. The sauce might as well have been pure lemon juice; it completely covered up the taste of the veal. The veal came on a tiny plate with artichoke hearts and sauce.. mostly artichoke hearts. I ordered the pasta on the side, and that was a mistake. Let me say something: I hate sage. It tastes like dirt. My pasta tasted like it was covered in dirt because of the disgusting amount of sage in the sauce. Overpriced for what you get.
I'd go back, I'd just try to order something different next time. -
Review from Dan S.
Ferndale, MI
12/9/2007
Family-style Italian done really well. If nearby Como's went back to its roots and maybe they'd come close.
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Review from Kalyn M.
Southfield, MI
8/3/2011
Marie's was a lot better than I expected. Excellent Appletini. The food was delicious. The atmosphere is very romantic date night. Don't bring kids here.
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Review from Atom G.
Lake Orion, MI
5/15/2007
This is home to me. Wonderful Italian food, feast on authentic Italian fare at comfy bistro. Be careful if you are drinking the homemade wine here. The puttanesca is a favorite and try the Spadinni. Yummy!
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Review from John N.
Detroit, MI
4/18/2010
One star - really? I don't get it. It may not be the most authentic or the best italian food in the area but combining my overall opinion of the atmosphere (quaint, intimate) the service (cheery, prompt, knowledgeable) the food (rich and delicious) and the price (modest, if not cheap considering the portions) Maria's is a local restaurant that I would sorely miss if it ceased to be.
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Review from Heather B.
Ferndale, MI
9/11/2008
FYI-The son had owned Maria's for years, Joan and Carl hadn't run it for a very long time. The guys from Nami are reopening it any day now claiming they're using the old menu along with new offerings. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.
I just love all the false Ferndale gossip!
