Marea - Map of the Best

Marea

4.5

(2,420) $$$$ $$$$ Italian, Seafood

Description

Summary: Upscale Italian and fresh seafood delights.

At Marea, you'll find an upscale Italian seafood experience that's both inviting and sophisticated. Located just across from Central Park, this restaurant boasts a contemporary dining room that's stylish yet comfortable, with closely set tables and a chic sensibility. Marea's menu features a fresh and raw crudo selection, a variety of house-made pastas, and more complex entrées that artfully combine the best of seasonal ingredients. The wine list is impressively international, with selections from places as varied as Hungary and Argentina. Regulars include Manhattan's elite, who consider Marea a go-to spot for both business and social gatherings. The venue's modern eatery vibe is complemented by a stunning European honey onyx-backed bar where patrons can enjoy a pre-dinner drink. Marea's dedication to seafood is evident in its all-raw "Crudi" menu and its antipasti and principali dishes, which feature the freshest seafood creatively prepared. While the restaurant maintains an upscale atmosphere, it's less stuffy than other fine dining establishments in the city, with a lively, conversational ambiance. The Italian-focused wine list imports many selections from Italy, and the service is attentive and informative, ensuring a memorable dining experience. Marea's bar and lounge area offer a full menu in a more casual setting, with delicious cocktails to complement your meal. Whether you're there for the signature fusilli with red wine-braised octopus and bone marrow, the fresh-cut semolina spaghetti with crab and sea urchin, or a whole fish like the salt-baked wild bass, Marea promises an exceptional Italian seafood journey.