Bar Mario

After having come to bar Mario a handful of times, I have to give high praise to its astounding service and delicious menu. I highly recommend the Rigatoni, the pasta is cooked perfectly and the creamy sauce adds a rich flavor and texture that makes the dish taste incredible. Service was quick and the staff were super welcoming. Overall the vibe of the bar is super chill and classy, amazing place to eat with a few friends!

One of the greatest neighborhood restaurants in the city in quite some time has appropriately landed in a storied location in one of the cities longtime most unique and coolest neighborhoods. While RedHook is certainly far from removed from the overall gentrification and insane development that have shattered Brooklyn over the past couple of decades, it's nevertheless retains a uniqueness and certain mystical quality unlike any other neighborhood in the borough. Housed in the former location of the longtime beloved and greatly missed neighborhood institution cocktail bar-general store hybrid Fort Defiance, this charming trattoria from true Italians is in my opinion pound for pound the most charming, beguiling and homey feeling restaurant to open in the city in quite some time, one of those increasingly rare establishments that makes you immediately want to become a regular and fantasize about making it into one of those elusive "third spaces" we always here so much about nowadays, usually in the context of some think piece lamenting how increasingly hard these cherished places are to find. Starting with the food, while I notorious pasta-head that I am, have never been able to move beyond the pasta section of the menu, you only should take that as evidence that these are among the most simply yet perfectly prepared and resoundingly most delicious pasta dishes to be found anywhere in the city, at prices that in this year or 2024 count as downright bargains, generally a full 10 dollars cheaper than the average lesser plates of pastas at forgettable, mediocre places. Rigatoni alla fiesolana, is at the most a very close relative of Penne Vodka with smoky thick bacon kicking up a perfectly creamy and unctuous tomato sauce perfectly clinging to perfectly al dente, despite the name change, can compete for best in the city title with any vodka sauce to be found anywhere. Casio E Pepe stands out amongst countless variations in its glorious lightness and depth of flavor. A kitchen sink/pantry type pasta consisting of a glorious mash of onion, garlic, Capers dried tomatoes and assorted other herby goodness lives up to it's wonderful monicker of "Spaghetti Hangover", with it's assertive and vibrant flavors being exactly what you would want to help fight off the most aggressive morning after a rough night. The food is matched in greatness by a expertly and artfully chosen wine list, obviously leaning heavy on delicious and hard to find Italian vintages, along with top tier cocktails befitting it's location in the former home of one of the trailblazers of the Aughts great and massively globally influential Brooklyn mixology scene. While the food alone would be enough to make me really love this place what kicks it into the next stratosphere in terms of greatness is the impeccable vibes in which it is served in. This is due most largely to the wonderful staff, simply one of the best in the city. While the owners are straight from the boot, bringing both the authenticity and deliciousness where the food is concerned and Italian sophistication and glamour to the proceedings, the staff offers a wonderful diverse represantaion of the variety that makes the borough and the greater city so wonderful and unique. Representing a cross section of cultures and native countries, from Australia to Guatemala and beyond, every server to a person I have encountered here has had that elusive combination of genuine friendliness and eagerness to engage in a genuine and interesting conversation while at the same time giving that extra level of professionalism that is held as the best examples of what a NYC neighborhood institution can offer. Times change even beloved places close, but the best case scenario for the constant reinvention and rejuvenation that keeps NYC great and unique is exemplified by the opening of wonderful new places like this, signaling that the city will continue to grow and thrive and remain great as the years go on and on...

We had a wonderful meal at Bar Mario. We sat outside due to perfect weather. Enrico provided long and detailed explanations in everything from wine to dessert. We ordered appetizers to share - fried artichokes and finnochina were wonderful. Vitello tonnato was a bit dry.We asked for bread and they delivered crisped slices of focaccia crushed with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary. The pastas were delicious. We especially loved. The angliotti with sage butter a d the paccheri. We also enjoyed the hangover pasta. Chicken Milanese was crispy and perfect. Prime Steak with crispy Tuscan fries was cooked well-- they provided a side of ceasar salad which was a good counter balance. All good.Desserts: lemon ricotta cheesecake a standout. Gianduja pie just ok.But we felt they need to offer vegetable side dishes -- broccoli rabe, spinach, asparagus etc. In Italy verdura is a common side dish Overall great! Mangia!

Bar Mario, evoking the charm and allure that you must personally visit to truly appreciate. Experience the enchanting feeling of family and the culinary reminiscence of Italy - simple and unpretentious. Enjoy dishes brimming with freshness and natural ingredients, lovingly created in what I imagine is Nona's kitchen. Located in Red Hook, Bar Mario brims with beauty. From Antonio to Shawn, along with their secret weapon--exquisite ingredients, you'll truly find your place at the dinner table. The experience at Bar Mario is incredibly delectable, with its great drinks, menus, and heavenly daily specials, prepare yourself for an enthralling culinary journey. Upon stepping inside, you're immediately welcomed by warm ambiance and stunning decor. Feel free to remove your hat, be your authentic self, and savour the true essence of living the dream.Kick back, catch up, and enjoy the impeccable service & delight!

The food, service and outdoor seating were excellent. Has a great neighborhood feel.

We came here last minute, and for the first time on Xmas Eve, when another neighborhood restaurant suddenly texted me to cancel our reservation 30 minutes prior to seating! This l ft m scrambling to find a new place for Xmas eve dinner, at 8pm on Xmas Eve night! Bar Mario's staff welcomed us with open arms, the staff was attentive and friendly, the food was delicious, and the ambiance was serene and classy. I got the lasagna special, and my husband got the popular rigatoni dish. Both were excellent!

Drinks were absolutely fantastic, with an attention to detail and craft that is unmatched. I had a mocktail mule, it was fresh, crisp, and well-balanced. I didn't have any food there but it smelled amazing. The staff were incredibly warm and smiling and attentive, 10/10 service.

That's a spicy spaghetti (said with a super mario accent)! This upscale Italian bar opened in January 2023, but seems to have hit its stride in March. They had good business, expanding from 3 to 5 nights of service per week. The food is great, the drinks look well crafted, and the vibe is quirky cool, reminding me of a side street cafe in Rome. Food: 5/5. The pasta is high quality, although al dente, and unique flavor combos. The hangover spaghetti had a salty and slightly spicy profile, and really worked. The special of the day was duck Ragu sauce over rigatoni, and was perfectly balanced. Service: 5/5. Our waiter was from Italy so you know this place is legit! He was attentive and happy to explain all the dishes Ambiance: 4/5. Quirky cool. Value: 4/5. Not cheap, but worth it for quality of dishes and service.

My partner and I were spending the day in red hook with no real plan when we spotted bar Mario. The owner welcomed us and got us seated up the bar. Whoever decorated the interior did an incredible job- it's cozy, trendy and intimate. We ordered cocktails and they were fantastic. If we hadn't already eaten dinner elsewhere, we would've loved to have stayed for a meal. We both agreed we will be back for a date night soon.

...Wow. This place was, INCREDIBLE. Vibes were high, food was delicious and service was attentive. Red Hook is severely underrated when it comes to food, between Bar Mario, Red Hook Tavern, Hometown BBQ, this neighborhood is great for foodies. This place was jam packed when we got there, and we were still able to sit outside. The timing on everything was perfect. Our server was charming and attentive.