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Mediterranean · Chicago · $$
Mediterranean · Astoria, NY · $$$
Mar's is a charming Mediterranean brasserie situated in the lively neighborhood of Astoria in Queens, New York. With its vintage and elegant ambiance, Mar's is a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.The restaurant takes pride in its selection of natural wines and creative cocktails, which perfectly complement the carefully curated menu. Mar's sources its ingredients from small farms and Northeast fisheries, ensuring that each dish is both delicious and sustainable.In recognition of its exceptional food and service, Mar's has received numerous accolades, including a Michelin Bib Gourmand and features in prestigious publications like New York Times, Conde Nast Traveller, Eater New York, and Time Out. EVENTS@LIFEATMARS.COM
“Love the ambiance, nothing better than a wooden bar. Portions were in the bit smaller side. One of the best Brussel sprouts appetizers I ever had. The basque cheesecake is a must have.”
“This rating is just for the drinks! Their non alcoholic drinks are so well curated. They have lots of flavors and ingredients like teas and spices etc. One is even smoked. Can’t wait to go back for the alcoholic ones!”
“Perfect spot for a date night with oysters and well-crafted cocktails! The oysters tested really fresh. The atmosphere was also nice, it looked upscale inside but with their everyday happy hour the prices were’not bad at all. We live in the neighborhood and I’m glad we have this bar for our impromptu night out.”
“Mar’s Restaurant Review: 3/5 Stars Hey everyone! Just a heads up, this is my personal take on Mar’s. If you’re curious, I definitely recommend checking it out for yourself! First off, Mar’s is a nice spot for a dinner date, but I found it to be a bit overpriced for what you get. The quality of the food didn’t quite match the price tags, which was a letdown. **Service:** The service was fantastic! The staff was super friendly and professional, making sure we were well taken care of throughout the evening. We never felt neglected, as our waiter was always nearby. **Atmosphere:** The atmosphere is lovely—perfect for a romantic dinner. We opted to sit outside, and it was surprisingly peaceful, with minimal noise from traffic. The interior looked great too, but we chose the patio since it was quite warm. **Drinks:** We tried the Old Fashioned and the Box of Chocolates cocktail. The Old Fashioned was impressive—balanced and well-made, which is a big deal for a cocktail enthusiast like me. The Box of Chocolates was also fun and unique, making it a great choice for anyone looking to try something different. **Food:** Here’s where things get dicey. The food was pretty average and definitely not worth the high prices. We had the oysters and shrimp cocktail (forgot to snap a pic of the shrimp). The oysters were okay, but the shrimp cocktail left a lot to be desired—four pieces for $19 felt a bit outrageous. I’ve had better for less at local bars. For our mains, we ordered the Top Burger and Fish & Chips. The burger, priced at $26, was bland and lacked creativity. No fries or salad included, which felt like a missed opportunity. If I’m paying that much, I expect something special! The Fish & Chips were similarly disappointing, with just a couple of small pieces of fish and one shrimp (which seemed like a repeat from the cocktail). While the flavor was decent, it still didn’t justify the price. Dessert was the Mar’s Bar, but it really needed a dollop of whipped cream or some sauce. Especially some sort of crumble on the bottom. Something. Anything. It was dense and lacked texture, tasting more like a dry fudge tart than anything special. With a confusing sugary rosemary on top, that didn’t add anything other than it made it look good for photos. Overall, the service, atmosphere, and drinks were the highlights of the evening, saving the experience from being a total letdown. I’m not sure I’d return for dinner, but I might swing by for breakfast or just drinks in the future. If you’re in the area, Mar’s is worth a visit, but unless you’re mainly after the service and ambiance, I’d recommend exploring other options for food.”
“Sigh. Unfortunately did not have a good experience here at Mars. The host who was also our server gave off the energy that she didnt really want to serve us. (My wife and I) The service felt rushed and cold. We had a table sit next to us, the Host/Server went ahead and spieled the food additions of the day and wines of the day to them, and never to us. We were given attitude from her when we asked for a bit more time to look over the menu. But when the straight couple next to us kept asking for more time to order, even after 20 minutes they were presented with grace and patience. My wife and I both are in the service industry and understand when things can go wrong. But the Restuarant wasn’t even busy. I didnt get to savor the cognac at the end with my dessert, as soon as I took the last sip and sat my glass down we were presented with the check. Maybe they were homophobic or maybe it was the clothes we were wearing which were a bit more on the casual side. But this felt targeted. Later that night to top it all off, I got sick and the only thing I couldve eaten that night that wouldve done anything was the Pot of mussels. It was a really weird and extremely disappointing experience.”
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