FETAURE FRIDAY: Chef Marcellino Verzino on His Restaurant, Italy, and Fixing Things

Marcellino Verzino

Owner/Executive Chef

Marcellino Ristorante

Chef Marcellino Verzino and is wife, Sima, opened Italian fine-dining destination Marcellino Ristorante in Old Town Scottsdale 22 years ago. The popular destination features signature flavors while maintaining the integrity of true Italian cuisine. Everything, from the variety of signature pastas to its nightly specials, is scratch-made. It combines chef’s culinary expertise and talents with Sima’s love of music—she sings often.

“Marcellino Ristorante allows us to live our passions and present our talents to our guests, which we refer to as the ‘Marcellino Experience,’ says Chef Marcellino.

At Marcellino’s, guests are treated to an authentic Italian dining experience—from the cuisine and the European service to the finely curated wine menu, and the music to the ambiance.

Here, we chat with chef about the restaurant, his wife, and nostalgic menu items.

When did you know you wanted to be a chef?

I suppose it was way back when I was a young man, helping in the fields to harvest the bounty of the seasons in my birthplace, Reino, Italy. Every day, one of us had to prepare lunch for everyone who was working. After the first time I prepared a lunch, everyone nominated me to take over this task. I had an innate flair for creating food before I even realized it!

Let’s talk pasta! You make yours from scratch. What do you think makes great pasta?

Great pasta comes from the perfect blend of ingredients (mine is a closely guarded secret!). Not using too much egg yields the right elasticity and makes the pasta very light. In the end process, it’s in the hands. When a silky feel of the pasta emerges, you know that’s it!

The menu item that is most nostalgic for you?

It’s difficult to choose since everything I make is a constant reminder of food shared with my family on our family’s farm. Throughout my life, I’ve been influenced by my travels to the different regions of Italy and their specialties. My imagination pulls from my vast experiences to form different menu creations. My Cozze appetizer (mussels in white wine) and Zuppa di Pesce entrée (a dish of various, lush crustaceans in a light tomato sauce) always acts as a reminder of summers spent at the seaside!

Your wife, Sima, sings! When can we hear her?

Marcellino Ristorante presents live music every Thursday and Saturday evenings. Sima and her All Star Trio perform on these nights four to five times during the month (the complete music calendar can be found on our website). Sima has a vast repertoire, and her rich, powerful voice and presence adds excitement to the whole dining experience. I am still captivated by her after more than 30 years together!

Tell us about some of your honors/awards …

Throughout our 22 years in business, Marcellino Ristorante has been bestowed with many awards, for our cuisine, ambiance, service, and so much more. Most recent awards include being ranked the number one Italian Restaurant by Ranking Arizona, as well as a top Italian Restaurant by Gambero Rosso, a prestigious food and wine magazine published out of Italy. For the past two years, our extensive wine program has received an Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator. Also, several years ago, I was invited to cook at the James Beard House, which was a true honor.

The one thing you miss most about Italy is …

The overall lifestyle and its centuries-old culture that constantly surrounds us. Italy’s pace is slower with less stress. It allows you to take life one day at a time, and there’s always “domani.”

The one thing you love most about Scottsdale is …

The excitement and buzz of Scottsdale is what I love best. It’s so wonderful to have all the privately owned businesses all around us. There’s a true entrepreneurial heartbeat to Scottsdale that moves me—people putting their lives on the line to create their dreams and present their passions to the world is so courageous! It makes me so proud that visitors and locals frequent Old Town for experiences not found anywhere else.

Your favorite food that’s NOT Italian?

I adore Thai cuisine! The flavors are spot on!

One thing we’d be surprised to learn about you?

I have a captain’s license, which I obtained a few years ago in Greece. It was a very intensive study but so worth it. Sima and I love the islands and visit every summer to spend time out on the water, swimming, exploring, and enjoying life.

Another best-kept secret about me—I can fix just about anything! I have a very logical mind and capable hands. This really helps with all the maintenance we must face daily in our restaurant and home. I’ve also designed our restaurants and can do actual architectural drawings.

Marcellino Ristorante is a vision brought to life by me and Sima.